Chapter 439 — Suspicion
Although Uchiha Kei spoke in a roundabout way, it didn't stop Minato from figuring out exactly who he intended to meet.
Orochimaru.
There was no one else who would warrant Kei making a personal trip.
At present, Orochimaru was still somewhere within the Land of Fire. Through ANBU, Minato had already obtained fragments of his movements.
Under normal circumstances, Kei meeting him wasn't a problem—they had already agreed on how to handle Orochimaru.
What worried Minato, however, was something else entirely.
Kei's intentions.
After all, in front of everyone, Kei had casually mentioned "pulling someone's oxygen tube."
And Orochimaru's current existence…
could very well serve exactly that purpose.
If Kei truly harbored deep resentment toward Hiruzen Sarutobi—and issued such an order—
things would spiral out of control.
Minato, despite his dissatisfaction with the Third Hokage's decisions and governance, still respected the man himself—
his dedication to Konoha, and his resolve to protect it to the very end.
"Don't worry," Kei said with a faint smile, clearly aware of Minato's concerns. "I have someone inside Root."
"There's a curse seal on his tongue, but thanks to certain 'help,' its restrictions are minimal. He can pass information to me freely."
"…So you're going to obtain the method to remove that seal?" Minato immediately grasped his meaning.
"Exactly." Kei nodded. "Better to be prepared."
"I can communicate with Orochimaru through the summoning item he left me, but meeting him in person has its advantages."
"He has a lot of useful intelligence."
"I see." Minato didn't hesitate. "Choose your own team."
"I'll leave it to you, Kei."
Their exchange left most of the others slightly confused.
Only Uchiha Fugaku fully understood.
Imai Kenta seemed to piece together part of it.
The rest?
Completely in the dark.
But that didn't matter.
The fact that this was discussed openly already revealed enough.
Some things didn't need to be chased down relentlessly.
Given time—
everything would become clear.
With that matter settled, the meeting shifted briefly to smaller topics before concluding.
Hiashi left deep in thought.
He clearly needed time to process everything he had learned today.
And perhaps—
to reconsider his own stance.
His mindset had already begun to change.
Whether influenced by the Uchiha, or by Kei himself—
he was no longer the same as before.
As for what conclusions he would ultimately reach—
Kei had no time to care.
He had far too much on his plate.
---
Early the next morning, Kei summoned the four squad leaders to his office.
Without preamble—
he announced the future plans for the Police Force.
Especially—
its full expansion.
"From today onward," Kei said calmly, "the Police Force will consist of four battalions, not four squads."
His tone was indifferent—
as if this were nothing significant.
But the reaction in front of him said otherwise.
Uchiha Kawa and Uchiha Ryū remained composed—
yet the excitement in their eyes was unmistakable.
Uchiha Jun and Hyūga Hizashi, on the other hand—
were visibly stunned.
Jun recovered quickly.
She already knew the current structure was outdated.
The Police Force had long exceeded its original capacity.
And with its responsibilities expanding—
reorganization was inevitable.
Still…
she hadn't expected to rise this far.
After all—
she had originally joined to pass intelligence to Fugaku.
At this rate…
she wasn't even sure she could still complete that mission.
As for Hizashi—
his reaction was pure disbelief.
He hadn't been in the Police Force long.
His position itself was the result of compromise between the Hyūga and Uchiha clans.
And yet now—
he had somehow become one of the most powerful figures in the Hyūga clan within Konoha's system.
Even if only as a battalion commander—
with the jōnin reform backing it—
his authority was unmatched within the clan's current structure.
That realization brought both confusion—
and pressure.
The Hyūga clan was in turmoil.
His brother's decision—
had caused deep fractures.
By separating his own vote from that of the clan and allowing the branch family to vote—
Hiashi had pushed the reform through.
And now—
he was paying the price.
Hizashi couldn't help but feel conflicted.
He had resented his brother once—
resented the divide between main and branch families.
Even knowing it was born of necessity—
he couldn't suppress that bitterness.
But at the same time—
he loved him.
That bond had never disappeared.
And now, seeing the consequences of Hiashi's choice—
regret began to take root.
---
"One battalion will consist of four squads," Kei continued, unconcerned with their inner turmoil.
"That means sixteen squads in total."
"I expect you to establish a complete operational structure—security planning across Konoha, clear role divisions, and full coverage mapping."
"Submit detailed reports."
"Understood, Chief!" all four responded in unison.
"As for your squad leaders—select them yourselves."
Kei nodded.
"From now on, you'll spend three days operating within your assigned zones, and two days here."
"Find your own offices."
"Recruitment and training are also your responsibility."
He paused briefly, his gaze sharpening.
"But remember—delegation does not mean lowering standards."
"Anyone you select must meet my criteria."
"Understood!"
Delegating everything like this might seem irresponsible—
but Kei didn't care in the slightest.
He had long stopped handling trivial matters personally.
With his position—
and capable subordinates—
his role was no longer to manage details.
It was to set direction.
To plan.
To shape the future of the Police Force.
And now, as these former squad leaders rose to battalion commanders—
their authority was nearly on par with what he once held as chief.
Which only highlighted one thing:
just how suppressed the Police Force had once been.
A major department—
reduced to just three squads.
Of course—
that had everything to do with the Uchiha turning it into a private faction.
Back then, the entire force was made up of Uchiha.
What future could such a structure possibly have?
Kei had changed all of that—
By now, the Police Force had likely become the largest—and most powerful—department in all of Konoha.
For these former squad leaders, now newly promoted battalion commanders, the task ahead was simple:
grow into their authority.
All they needed to do was follow the framework Kei had already built—adjusting it slightly to fit their own styles.
If they couldn't handle even that—
then Kei wouldn't hesitate to send them back to roles they were more familiar with.
There was no shortage of personnel in the Police Force.
Especially with the upcoming expansion—
even more would be recruited.
And wherever there were people—
survival of the fittest applied.
Maintaining that principle within the Police Force ensured vitality, competition, and effectiveness—from battalions down to individual squads.
This was no longer a private Uchiha faction.
The only one with true privilege—
was Kei himself.
Anyone else who failed to meet the standard—
would be naturally filtered out.
That said, Kei wasn't heartless.
Elimination didn't mean expulsion—
only the loss of promotion opportunities.
As long as they didn't make serious mistakes, they could remain.
---
Once everything was assigned, the four commanders—
no, the four battalion leaders—
immediately got to work.
Even though Kei had warned them not to reveal the expansion before official approval—
interest in the Police Force was already surging.
Its reputation within Konoha had skyrocketed.
And after the war—
its contributions were undeniable.
So when recruitment quietly reopened—
the response was explosive.
In just a few days—
they received over a thousand applications.
The entire department was thrown into chaos.
And during that time—
Kei quietly pulled Uchiha Kawa aside and recommended a candidate for squad leader:
Nara Kyōhei.
His performance during the war had been solid.
Even if not flashy—
it had earned recognition from the Third Hokage.
He had preserved the rear forces through sound judgment.
And with a few "understandings" between Kei and Nara Shikaku—
his promotion was only natural.
Kawa didn't hesitate.
Anything Kei suggested—
he would carry out.
And Kyōhei himself had already made a name during the war.
Placing him as a squad leader was more than appropriate.
In fact—
Kawa even thought he could handle higher administrative duties.
After all—
Nara clan members excelled at such things.
Kei didn't know that—
but even if he did, he would've agreed.
Still, he had no intention of interfering further.
Kawa was the battalion commander.
Kei would offer suggestions—
but decisions ultimately belonged to his subordinates.
---
With that handled, Kei left them to their work.
They were already overwhelmed.
Reports.
Recruitment.
Training.
Daily operations across Konoha—
none of it could be neglected.
Without a doubt—
this was the busiest period of their careers.
And draining them further would only be counterproductive.
Still…
Kei couldn't help but feel slightly amused.
Because things were about to get even worse for them.
Kumogakure's negotiation delegation—
had arrived.
This time, they hadn't sent a hot-headed combat shinobi to provoke trouble.
Instead—
they sent their Minister of Administration.
A true diplomat.
Someone who actually understood negotiation.
On Konoha's side—
as planned—
the representatives were drawn from opposition clans.
And so began—
a drawn-out negotiation.
Even though Kumogakure was desperate—
Konoha's demands were brutal.
Predatory.
It was as if they intended to drain Kumo dry—
and crush them completely.
Such terms were impossible to accept.
If not for the fact that both the Fourth Raikage and the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki were in Konoha's hands—
the talks would have already collapsed.
"Then again…" Kei glanced at the report and let out a cold chuckle.
"You're the defeated side."
"Defeat comes with a price."
"Take your time negotiating."
"We'll decide when it's enough."
"You really do have a sinister smile," Ayaka suddenly remarked from the side. "So—when are you leaving?"
"No rush," Kei said lazily, tossing the report aside as he stretched.
"The Hokage has already gone. There's no need for us to hurry."
"That Fourth Raikage really has no patience…"
"I already taught him a lesson, but it seems he hasn't learned."
"He probably suspects you," Ayaka said quietly, her expression turning serious. "Are you sure this is fine? If necessary, don't worry about saving face—"
Kei smiled.
Then flicked her lightly on the forehead.
Before she could react—
he had already turned and walked out.
---
The Fourth Raikage had awakened.
And had been conscious for over half a month.
Negotiations between Konoha and Kumogakure had dragged on for nearly a month as well—
yet he hadn't been allowed to meet his own people.
From the moment he woke—
he had demanded to see Uchiha Kei.
But Kei had refused.
Because he already knew—
the Raikage was suspicious.
And likely—
waiting to test him.