Chapter 341 — Departure
"Is he really trustworthy?"
"That's the seventh time you've asked me. And for the seventh time—yes, he's trustworthy."
"But it's unbelievable. Are you sure your genjutsu is flawless? And which Uchiha is he supposed to be?"
"I can't answer that without Captain Minato's approval. His identity is too sensitive. Just remember one thing—he's on our side."
Obito's sudden appearance didn't surprise Kei at all.
After all, Obito had already gained recognition from multiple fronts.
Right now, Obito was simply trying to use a small opportunity to subtly show himself in front of Fugaku—the clan head.
Kei found this behavior naïve, even childish…
But since they were in private and no outsiders could see, Kei didn't bother stopping him.
Obito desperately needed acknowledgment—
not only from Konoha, which Kei had already helped him secure,
but also within the Uchiha clan itself.
And recognition from the clan head was the most valuable of all.
So Kei let him be.
Of course, this meant Kei now had to listen to Fugaku questioning him over and over again—
but Kei didn't mind, because Obito had delivered what truly mattered:
Information.
Obito had found the proof:
within the Land of Fire's capital, one of the Twelve Guardian Ninja was indeed collecting Nine-Tails chakra.
The details differed slightly from Kei's fragmented memories.
For example:
They had only just begun their operation.
The amount of chakra collected was still extremely small.
Still—
Kei had what he needed.
It was disappointing that the amount was so little—it made Kei doubt whether it would meet his plans—but regardless, he would go see the man responsible.
At minimum, he needed to secure the chakra.
At best, he could turn the situation into something much bigger.
"Fine, I'll stop asking," Fugaku sighed. "As long as you're confident."
"Relax. He respects you, truly. If he didn't, he wouldn't have shown himself."
Kei's expression then hardened.
"But no matter what, he cannot be exposed. His identity is tied to too many chess pieces. One misstep, and everything collapses.
Not just our plan—his life as well."
"I understand," Fugaku nodded solemnly. Kei's seriousness had finally gotten through.
"But when will you depart? And… do you really think you can handle this?"
"Probably within the next two days." Kei crossed his arms. "As for confidence… once more information comes in, there should be good news."
---
The Next Afternoon — Konoha Gates
Kei, Ayaka Hyūga, and a fully de-masked Kakashi assembled at the village entrance.
Because this mission was technically an investigative assignment, ANBU uniforms would only draw suspicion.
Konoha shinobi appearing near the capital wasn't unusual—they could simply be passing through.
Kei looked over his teammates, nodded approvingly, then recalled his morning meeting with Minato.
Minato had already sensed Obito's Flying Thunder God marker returning to the village, so Obito's appearance didn't surprise him—
but the truth behind the intel certainly did.
It was irritating, troublesome, and… politically messy.
So Minato gave Kei a single order:
"Resolve this."
With no further restrictions.
Which meant Kei had been given maximum political room to maneuver—
how far he pushed the situation was entirely up to him.
"Good. Since we're all here, let's head out." Kei said calmly. "You both understand the mission?"
"Yes," Kakashi and Ayaka answered in unison.
For Kakashi, this mission was more than work—
it was a chance.
A chance Kei had deliberately carved out for him.
Gratitude burned fiercely in Kakashi's chest.
He didn't long for the ANBU Commander position by nature…
but his teacher wanted it for him.
Kei wanted it for him.
Even that strange, newly-met "Uchiha Rin" had expressed support.
So Kakashi would fight for it.
Not only in strength—
but in influence, something even his father had struggled with.
And now?
This was his step forward.
The trio left the village at a steady pace.
Kakashi glanced at Kei.
"Kei… has Rin already left the village?"
"Rin?" Kei raised a brow. "Oh—you mean him? Yes. He left. His role is… similar to yours, in a way. A covert asset outside of Konoha."
"Then he really is…" Kakashi hesitated.
"Obito's brother," Kei finished casually.
Kakashi froze.
"You didn't expect that, did you? Obito never mentioned him because his identity is completely erased. He practically doesn't exist. If I weren't the Police Chief, I wouldn't know either."
Kakashi nodded slowly. It made sense.
He worried only one thing:
"…Should I really know this?"
"What are you afraid of?" Kei chuckled. "Just keep your mouth shut. If Obito can handle it, you certainly can. And your goal is ANBU Commander—start acting like it."
"…Understood."
"And you know where this intel came from, right?" Kei added.
"Came from… Rin?" Kakashi asked.
Kei smiled.
And Kakashi understood.
He clenched his fists.
He would not waste this opportunity.
Ayaka had been silent until now, simply watching the nonsense flow from Kei's mouth.
She rolled her eyes so hard she nearly sprained something—
thankfully, Hyūga eyes were built differently.
But seeing Kakashi swallow Kei's fabrication whole and even get fired up by it…
She just sighed.
Kei truly was gifted at manipulating people.
Ayaka found it bizarre how close Kakashi and Obito had become—
but remembering Obito had entrusted his Sharingan to Kakashi at death's door,
she decided silence was best.
She had no choice but to accompany them, despite wanting to stay in Konoha for her research.
At least this would be a chance to test the combat growth she had gained.
---
On the Road
Ayaka finally asked the real question:
"This time… just how far are you planning to take things?
You want to help your friend. Fine. But everything has limits."
Kakashi also looked over—
they needed clarity.
Kei smiled.
"I thought we were more in sync. Try guessing—I already hinted at it before the intel surfaced."
Ayaka scoffed.
"With your ambition? Who knows how far you want to push this."
She thought for a moment, then said:
"You want to use this incident to slap the Daimyō across the face, don't you?
Not lightly—hard enough that he remembers it."
Kei grinned.
"Go on."
"Those Twelve Guardian idiots—you'll erase them the moment you have proof. Then take that proof and escalate the situation.
And afterward… you plan to confront the Daimyō himself. Correct?"
"Roughly." Kei shrugged. "Opportunities like this don't come often."
Ayaka continued:
"For shinobi, only one 'jewel' matters—the Hokage.
The other 'jewel' should stay in its box and act its part.
And if the current one doesn't? Well… I hear their family is large. Replacing a figurehead is never hard."
Kei laughed.
"Exactly."
To Kei, the Daimyō was nothing more than a symbol—a ceremonial jewel whose only job was to sit still, act dignified, and let the real jewel, the Hokage, manage the world.
As long as the Daimyō behaved, he could enjoy all the respect and prestige that came with the role.
But if he started getting ideas…
then trouble—unnecessary trouble—was sure to follow.
Kei's goal for coming here was the Nine-Tails' chakra.
But if he could eliminate a troublesome element along the way?
All the better.
"Looks like this poor Daimyō isn't just going to lose his loyal guardians—
he's going to lose a lot of money too," Ayaka said with a small, amused smile.
"And if he refuses," she added,
"well… I imagine his relatives would be very eager to replace him. Do you have a plan for that, Kei?"
"A plan?" Kei shrugged lightly. "Not yet. I'll decide when I see the situation myself."
"After all, the Daimyō's seat may not hold real power, but it's still a supreme honor.
Plenty of people must be waiting, watching… and hoping."
Ayaka nodded.
"A little push—some intimidation, some incentive—and someone will gladly take the spot.
Honestly, many of them probably want something like this to happen."
She and Kei conversed fluidly, their thoughts intertwining like gears in the same machine.
Meanwhile, Kakashi walked behind them in stunned silence.
He couldn't get a single word in.
The more he listened, the more he realized:
His best friend—the mild-mannered Police Chief, Uchiha Kei—had an incredibly dark side.
But strangely…
Everything Kei said aligned perfectly with Konoha's interests.
And even more unsettling:
it aligned with Kakashi's interests as well.
Between the Daimyō and the Hokage, Kakashi would choose the Hokage without hesitation.
The Daimyō might be respected, yes—
but at the end of the day, he was merely a wealthy figurehead who could be replaced at any time.
Kei's blunt honesty was… harsh.
But also terrifyingly logical.
Kakashi wisely kept his mouth shut.
Kei wouldn't dare make moves like this without the Fourth Hokage's approval.
And remembering Kei's past performance on the battlefield, Kakashi couldn't deny it—
this ruthlessness was probably why Kei was qualified to lead the Police Force.
It was Kakashi's first time seeing this side of him so clearly.
---
"But even if the Daimyō himself isn't worth worrying about, and even if those Twelve Guardians aren't much in your eyes…"
Kei's tone suddenly shifted—cold and serious.
"Caution is still necessary. They may not be impressive, but they're not complete nobodies. We shouldn't underestimate them."
Ayaka gave Kei a sideways glance and chuckled softly.
"I was starting to worry you'd look down on them too much and cause some silly accident.
After all, I know how strong you are."
Kei smirked.
"Thanks for the concern. I'm not stupid enough to let arrogance kill me."
Underestimate the enemy?
Not Kei.
He might not think the Twelve Guardians could threaten him,
but shinobi battles were never absolute.
Even rabbits bite when desperate.
He looked invincible during the Kirigakure incident, but in truth he moved with painstaking caution.
The memory of Madara Uchiha—the warning that monster represented—had carved itself deeply into his mind.
One mistake could cost everything.