Chapter 340 — Guidance
The dinner gathering that night was surprisingly harmonious.
As Kei had anticipated, Nara Shikaku not only brought himself but also invited his father—the current head of the Missions Department.
In addition, Akimichi Chōza and Yamanaka Inoichi joined as well, completing the traditional Ino–Shika–Chō trio.
Kei didn't arrive alone either.
Aside from bringing Imai Kenta, the rising representative of the Senju lineage, he also extended an invitation to Uchiha Fugaku.
Lately, Fugaku had been keeping to himself, dedicating nearly all his time to mastering his newly awakened eyes.
But after Kei explained the purpose of the gathering, Fugaku immediately set his training aside and joined the dinner.
The only pity?
Kei was still underage—and because everyone wanted to show respect, no one drank alcohol.
It made the mood slightly less spirited, but overall, the gathering accomplished exactly what it needed to.
They projected a clear stance.
They sent out a unified signal.
The Uchiha and Senju—at least on one level—were now "allies."
And the Ino–Shika–Chō trio fully understood what that implied, as well as how they should respond.
The dinner lasted until around ten that evening.
Everyone had duties the next morning, so the meeting ended earlier than it otherwise might have.
"Looks like the Ino–Shika–Chō have already leaned toward Minato," Fugaku remarked as he and Kei walked through the quiet streets toward the Uchiha district.
"Or rather… Minato has secured them completely."
He sighed lightly.
"A year ago, I still remember what he was like. If it hadn't been for you…"
"Regretting not becoming Hokage?" Kei asked casually, glancing up at the moon before shooting Fugaku a teasing look.
"Don't joke, Kei." Fugaku shook his head helplessly.
"Even if I had the opportunity back then—which I didn't—being Hokage wouldn't suit me.
I wouldn't have the time I do now to train my children… or spend time with my wife."
Fugaku's clarity was unmistakable.
He had no envy for Minato.
Back then, the Uchiha's situation made any realistic bid for Hokage impossible.
Even if he somehow succeeded, a Hokage doesn't get to rule freely.
You don't act according to your own will—you compromise, constantly.
And once you stop following the "expected rules," no matter how strong you are, you'll end up with a village full of subordinates waiting for an opportunity to resist you.
Too exhausting.
And far too pointless.
Now, the Uchiha clan was thriving—externally stabilized by Kei, internally managed by Fugaku.
Everything was progressing smoothly.
With the clan already preparing for future reforms, they were in a position to profit from change, not be destroyed by it.
Why fight for a position that brought more restrictions than benefits?
Sometimes, stepping back allows you to gain far more than charging forward.
"Exactly," Kei nodded.
"Spending time with your family—and keeping the clan stable—is far more rewarding than sitting in the Hokage's office juggling politics… or being forced to worry about 'clan expectations' every other day."
Kei smirked.
"Speaking of which—how are your eyes adapting?"
"They're excellent."
Fugaku's rare smile carried genuine satisfaction.
"I've nearly fully adjusted to them. The power—the clarity—it's unlike anything I've experienced before."
Then Fugaku looked at Kei.
"And your eyes? How are they progressing?"
"Oh, I've found a… unique solution." Kei answered vaguely, lips curling slightly.
"They're in very good condition."
Fugaku nodded slowly.
He understood perfectly well.
Although Kei didn't want to elaborate further, Fugaku knew very well that when Kei implanted the Eternal Mangekyō, he had carried out several experiments on the side.
Most likely, Kei had been preparing his own eyes for what was to come.
What exactly Kei had done, Fugaku neither knew nor wished to know.
For Kei to devise a method that worked, he must have paid a price.
Fugaku did feel a brief flicker of selfish desire when Kei handed him the Eternal Mangekyō…
But that selfish thought was powerless against the deeper conviction he held:
"Uchiha must prosper."
"Uchiha must coexist peacefully with Konoha."
Besides, he knew Kei well enough to recognize that Kei would always leave himself a countermeasure.
The better Kei became, the better the whole clan's prospects.
"Good," Fugaku murmured with a faint smile.
Then he gave Kei a look that was far too meaningful for Kei's liking.
"Kei-kun, you're fifteen now, aren't you?"
"Oh please—don't tell me you're about to bring up something ridiculous again."
Kei rubbed his temples in frustration.
"I've already said it, haven't I? I want to choose someone I actually like. Please stop forcing this topic on me."
"I understand," Fugaku replied gently.
"Arranged marriages rarely end well. And with your status, you certainly have the freedom to choose for yourself. It's just that…"
He sighed.
"To be frank, I won't force you. The elders won't dare say anything either.
But personally, I truly think the Hyūga girl… fits your taste more than most.
Or perhaps, the two of you simply have… a different kind of bond."
Kei stared at him.
"And?"
"Well," Fugaku continued, "regardless of affection or political consideration… shouldn't you choose someone from their main branch?"
"…I'm not having this conversation."
Kei felt actual regret—regret that he hadn't shut down the rumors earlier.
But even if he tried explaining now, it would probably make things worse.
Explanations often sound like excuses.
And the situation showed no signs of calming down.
For the first time, Kei felt he finally understood how Orochimaru must've felt when Kei ruined his plans behind the scenes.
This kind of annoyance was… unpleasant.
And besides—Hyūga Ayaka herself couldn't be bothered to clarify anything.
If she wasn't explaining, would Kei explaining not make him look even more suspicious?
He sighed.
Was the entire village incapable of rational thought?
Or… was someone stirring this pot on purpose?
Kei's brow furrowed.
Is someone deliberately fanning the flames?
Trying to make people uneasy—afraid that the Uchiha and Hyūga might form a powerful alliance?
Trying to block me from… something?
"I might be overthinking it," Kei said aloud, "or someone really is manipulating this rumor."
"You mean…"
Fugaku paused, then his expression sharpened instantly.
"Someone wants to weaponize your relationship with Ayaka—draw public attention, incite fear, and obstruct certain developments?"
"Something like that." Kei nodded, even though he wasn't completely sure.
Whether it was paranoia, genuine political maneuvering, or simply idle gossip, it didn't matter.
As long as Fugaku's thoughts shifted away from pushing him toward the Hyūga main family, Kei was satisfied.
He didn't want to discuss this anymore.
Not when even he wasn't sure what he truly felt.
People were complicated.
Emotions even more so.
Kei and Ayaka understood each other deeply—they had seen each other without masks, literally and figuratively—and their teamwork was exceptional.
Status? Position? Kei never cared much for those things.
Their ongoing shared mission—to eliminate her caged bird curse—was far more important.
"Enough about that. I may have to leave the village for a while," Kei said abruptly.
"Again?" Fugaku frowned. "Did something happen?"
"Nothing too grave… but not trivial either."
Kei lifted his gaze to the moon, a cold glint in his eyes.
"We received intelligence: someone has been collecting Nine-Tails chakra. And these people may be… connected to the Daimyō."
"The Daimyō?"
Fugaku's expression darkened.
"You mean those twelve so-called 'self-organized guardians'? Have they lost their minds?"
He clearly knew who Kei was referring to—and like Kei, he didn't take the Daimyō very seriously.
Their actions amounted to outright provocation of Konoha.
Practically a death wish.
What mattered now was understanding the Daimyō's real involvement.
The Land of Fire's Daimyō was no pushover like the impoverished one in the Wind Country.
"No confirmation yet—we're still waiting for the report," Kei said.
"But once we know for sure… I'll have to move."
"And your teammate this time?" Fugaku asked. "The same ones as before?"
"No. Kenta's too busy lately."
Kei shook his head.
"The one replacing him is Kakashi. I think you understand why."
"Of course," Fugaku replied instantly.
"In that case, if things go well, we may soon have to congratulate your classmate."
Then he paused.
"Are you certain the intel is reliable?"
"We'll know soon enough," Kei said calmly.
"Because he's here."
The moment Kei finished speaking,
the space before him twisted and warped—
Someone was teleporting in.