Kei could distinctly sense the paradigm shift within Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Prior to his successful rehabilitation of Kakashi, the Third Hokage's warmth had been largely political—an appreciation of Kei's manufactured, fanatical devotion to the Will of Fire. But after delivering a functional, stabilized ANBU captain back to the tower, Hiruzen's appreciation had evolved into genuine, tactical recognition of Kei's clinical abilities.
This was the exact dynamic Kei had meticulously engineered. What leader in the shinobi world could resist a subordinate who was both blindly loyal and terrifyingly competent?
In his current state, lacking the physical power to openly overthrow the Caged Bird Seal, the God of Shinobi was his absolute best umbrella of protection. Kei understood the Main House's fundamental pathology: they were ruthlessly aggressive toward their own subjugated bloodline, yet pathetically meek before external authority. As long as Kei remained a highly valued asset to the Hokage, the elders would not dare to oppress him. In fact, out of sheer self-preservation, they would likely shower him with resources.
After finalizing his report at the tower and parting ways with Kakashi, Kei navigated the bustling streets back to the Hyuga compound.
He had barely crossed into the clan's territory when his sensory web snagged on a familiar presence. Haru stepped out from the shade of a traditional courtyard wall.
"The Clan Head and the Great Elder require your presence," she stated, her tone strictly professional.
Kei nodded smoothly. Without missing a beat, he stepped forward, walking perfectly shoulder-to-shoulder with her.
Haru accepted the physical proximity, making no attempt to accelerate or create a sterile distance between them as she had in the past.
Noticing this silent concession, Kei smiled inwardly. "How have you been these past few days, Haru?"
Haru remained silent for a dozen paces, keeping her eyes fixed forward. "I am fine."
"That is excellent to hear. I believe it is finally time to reopen the clinic," Kei murmured, his cane tapping a steady rhythm against the paving stones. "I would very much like you to continue serving as my assistant. What are your thoughts?"
"Having you by my side during our prior operations made the logistics infinitely smoother," Kei added, injecting a note of mild, calculated warmth into his voice. "Without you managing the front desk, the clinic's efficiency would inevitably regress."
Haru's breathing hitched for a fraction of a second. She took another long pause before answering. "That is a matter for you to discuss with Lord Taihiro. I merely follow orders."
Her words offered neither outright refusal nor enthusiastic agreement. But in Kei's clinical assessment, this neutral deflection was a massive victory. It was an unspoken, passive consent. Her conditioning to blindly reject him was entirely eroding.
The two walked the remainder of the path in a comfortable silence, swiftly arriving at the grand council hall.
Haru formally announced his arrival and stepped inside alongside him. Kei offered his customary, respectful bow. "Clan Head-sama. Great Elder."
Hiashi Hyuga nodded deeply, a look of eager anticipation on his face. "Kei. How did the assignment fare? Were you able to fulfill the Hokage's mandate?"
"The mission was an absolute success, Lord Hiashi," Kei reported, his voice bright with manufactured pride. "Lord Third was exceptionally pleased with the results. He explicitly stated his desire for me to continue serving him in a specialized capacity in the future."
Kei provided a highly sanitized, brief overview of the mission's conclusion, carefully emphasizing the Hokage's direct praise.
Taihiro stroked his long beard, his singular eye gleaming with profound satisfaction. "Outstanding work, Kei. It is a rare, monumental fortune for a youth to be so highly valued by the Hokage. You must continue to exceed his expectations. Do you understand?"
Initially, the Great Elder had viewed Kei as a useful, albeit eccentric, civilian doctor. But this revelation shifted the paradigm entirely. The Third Hokage deeply valued the boy. The sheer political capital of having a direct, trusted representative inside the Hokage's inner circle was invaluable to the Hyuga clan. Kei was rapidly becoming their most vital diplomatic bridge.
Hiashi smiled broadly, his patriarchal facade firmly in place. "Indeed. Kei, if you ever encounter a logistical hurdle you cannot overcome alone, remember to notify the council immediately. The clan will mobilize its resources to assist you."
"Actually, Great Elder, Clan Head-sama... there is a matter I wish to consult you about," Kei said, flawlessly seizing the opening. "Having concluded my period of rest, I am preparing to reopen the clinic to the public."
"Given the anticipated volume of patients, I will be overwhelmed attempting to manage the practice alone. I humbly request that you permit Haru to officially resume her post as my clinical assistant."
Taihiro was momentarily surprised by Kei's proactive request to retain a known spy, but his expression quickly melted into benevolent approval. "Since you have formally requested it, Kei, how could I possibly refuse? The clan exists to support its vanguard."
Taihiro shifted his gaze to the girl. "Haru. Ensure you continue to diligently share Kei's operational burdens moving forward."
"Yes, Lord Taihiro," Haru bowed respectfully, taking a deliberate step closer to Kei's side.
Sensing the subtle shift in her positioning, Kei was immensely satisfied.
Hiashi, eager to solidify the clan's support, leaned forward. "Are there any other operational difficulties you foresee, Kei?"
"Well, Clan Head-sama," Kei began, adopting a tone of mild, apologetic hesitation. "During the execution of this mission, I was required to transport Captain Kakashi across a massive expanse of the Land of Fire. The travel, lodging, and logistical expenses were... astronomical."
"I am deeply ashamed to burden you with this, but given that Lord Third indicated he intends to assign me similar, wide-ranging field operations in the future, I fear my personal capital is insufficient to maintain the necessary operational tempo..."
Hiashi fell silent for a moment, mentally calculating the political return on investment. The decision was effortless. "That is a severe logistical flaw. We cannot have you operating under financial distress while representing the Hyuga to the Hokage."
Hiashi waved a hand dismissively. "Go to the primary vault immediately. Withdraw two million ryo. Utilize that capital for your upcoming operations, and notify me personally the moment your reserves run low."
"Thank you, Clan Head-sama! I am endlessly humbled by the clan's boundless generosity," Kei beamed. Securing two million ryo for literally doing his job was a phenomenal grift. He was genuinely thrilled.
As the financial transaction settled, Taihiro leaned forward, his expression turning grave and businesslike. "Kei, given that your psychiatric expertise has been formally recognized by the Hokage himself... I have a highly sensitive request to ask of you."
"Please, Great Elder, speak freely," Kei replied instantly. "If it is within my power, I will execute the task flawlessly."
"It concerns Neji," Taihiro stated, his visible eye darkening. "As you are likely aware, due to certain... unfortunate events in the past, the boy harbors some deeply entrenched, regrettable misunderstandings regarding the Main House."
"By misunderstandings, do you mean you wish for me to eliminate Neji's 'incorrect' psychological mindset?" Kei asked, perfectly summarizing the horrific subtext.
"Precisely. You possess a remarkable clinical clarity, Kei," Taihiro praised, completely oblivious to the irony. "Whether it is you, me, or Neji... we are all family. How can family harbor such toxic resentment toward family?"
"Therefore, I formally request that you conduct therapy sessions with Neji. See if you can utilize your methods to help him... move past this unfortunate phase."
Hearing Taihiro openly invoke the sanctity of "family," Kei genuinely almost laughed out loud. The sheer, breathtaking hypocrisy of the Great Elder was a masterpiece of political sociopathy.
Why did Neji resent the Main House? It wasn't a 'misunderstanding.' It was because his father, Hizashi, had been forced into a sacrificial suicide to protect Hiashi's life. And, of course, because the Main House had subsequently branded a Caged Bird Seal onto a grieving child's forehead.
To demand that one Caged Bird actively brainwash another Caged Bird into loving their cage was a level of psychological horror Kei found deeply fascinating.
Though internally disgusted, Kei maintained his placid, warm smile. "Please rest assured, Great Elder. I will dedicate my utmost effort to resolving Neji's cognitive distortions. I will help him fully comprehend the depths of the Main House's love and care."
"Thank you for your tireless dedication, Kei," Taihiro nodded, profoundly satisfied with the blind doctor's unwavering subservience.
"Clan Head-sama, Great Elder. If there are no further operational directives, I shall take my leave," Kei requested, leaning on his cane. "Having just returned from an extended field deployment, I am experiencing significant fatigue. I would like to retire early."
Seeing that the youth indeed looked travel-worn, Hiashi and Taihiro offered a few final words of patriarchal encouragement and formally dismissed him.
Kei offered a final bow and tapped his way out of the council hall.
Haru waited until the heavy doors clicked shut behind him, then turned to head toward the subterranean vault to retrieve the two million ryo.
Just as her foot crossed the threshold, Taihiro's voice echoed through the empty hall, stripping away all the grandfatherly warmth.
"Haru."
She froze, turning back to face the dais.
"When Kei begins his counseling sessions with Neji," Taihiro commanded, his singular eye cold and absolute, "you are to remain stationed by his side at all times. You will mentally record every single syllable he speaks and every action he takes, and report them directly to me."
Haru lowered her head, her face an unreadable mask. "Yes, Lord Taihiro."