Chapter 343 – The Daimyō Who Misjudged the Situation
Casualties were inevitable in an operation like this.
Especially since Kei had no clear idea how the Twelve Guardian Ninja were divided into squads.
If luck favored him—if Kazuma happened to be grouped with someone like Chiriku—then Kei might consider exercising restraint.
But if Ayaka ran into them instead…
Then only Chiriku, the monk, would likely be spared.
The fate of the others wouldn't require much thought at all.
However, Kei and Ayaka disagreed on how to investigate the Twelve.
Kei's approach was simple:
let the ANBU stationed in the Fire Capital handle the investigation while they waited for results.
After all, every city and major settlement in the Land of Fire had Konoha ninja—or ANBU—embedded within it.
With Kakashi present, many complications could be avoided entirely.
Ayaka disagreed.
"Rather than going through all that trouble," she said coldly,
"why not just visit the Fire Daimyō directly?"
"By meeting him face to face, we can confirm the squad arrangements and probe his attitude. Besides—"
her eyes were utterly indifferent,
"from a certain perspective, they're all already dead. Why complicate things?"
"That's not necessarily true," Kei replied, spreading his hands.
"I never said I intended to kill them all.
If they cooperate, all I'd need to do is issue a statement—something filled with regret and condemnation. And if necessary…"
He smiled faintly.
"…assist a certain prince with some essential succession procedures."
"You make it sound so nice," Ayaka scoffed, then glanced at Kakashi.
"Kakashi, what do you think? This guy is hypocritical to the core."
"Ah… well…"
Kakashi narrowed his eyes, completely unsure how to respond.
He understood exactly what Kei meant—
how someone could calmly utter words so utterly subversive, wrapped in perfect composure.
Was this really how Kei dealt with enemies?
Kakashi swallowed quietly.
He felt uneasy about the method—but he couldn't deny its effectiveness.
And to be honest… he agreed with Ayaka.
Kei tilted his head, watching Kakashi hesitate, and immediately understood.
If he gave a direct order, both of them would obey—and execute it flawlessly.
But since everyone wanted the matter resolved quickly, there was no need to drag things out.
Kei nodded.
"In that case, let's end this cleanly."
Then he turned to Kakashi.
"Kakashi, I have a task for you."
"Yes!"
Kakashi straightened instantly, snapping into mission mode.
"Contact the local ANBU," Kei said briskly.
"Have them start spreading certain information.
"It doesn't need to move fast—but it can't be too subtle either.
You have two days. Understood?"
"Understood!"
Kakashi nodded without hesitation.
He didn't need to ask what information to spread.
Two days was tight—but well within ANBU capabilities.
And if necessary, Kakashi could personally take command.
Satisfied, Kakashi took his leave.
Ayaka remained, watching Kei expectantly.
"Then our task is simple," Kei said with a smile.
"We'll pay the Fire Daimyō a visit."
"Not waiting for Kakashi?" Ayaka tilted her head.
"You're clearly using him as a pretext."
"Of course," Kei admitted.
"But since you're in such a hurry, a little flexibility is warranted."
He shrugged.
"Whether we see him early or late, he'll understand soon enough.
We can be perfectly direct."
"And then," Ayaka's lips curved upward,
"use that knowledge as leverage. Stir public opinion. Force his hand."
She laughed softly.
"Kei, you're still just as devious—only your methods have become more refined."
Kei smiled without replying.
Yes, the method had changed.
Still manipulative—but far more forceful, far harder to resist.
Power had a way of refining cruelty.
Yet one thing remained unchanged:
Kei preferred to operate from the shadows.
Even when he acted personally, it was to obscure his true intentions—
and every move ensured someone else stood in the spotlight to take the blame.
He had once mocked Obito as a rat.
In truth, he wasn't much different.
But Kei believed himself to be something else entirely.
A snake, hidden in the grass.
With the plan settled, the two parted to prepare.
By mid-afternoon, they regrouped.
Kakashi had gone to coordinate the ANBU.
Kei and Ayaka headed for the Fire Daimyō's palace.
The palace was impossible to miss—
the most conspicuous structure in the entire capital.
After announcing themselves, they were ushered inside.
The Daimyō was occupied and did not appear immediately.
Kei and Ayaka didn't mind.
For shinobi, entering an unfamiliar enclosed space meant one thing first—
mapping exits, hidden passages, personnel placement, and combat capability.
With Ayaka present, this was trivial.
She had already scanned the entire palace perimeter.
"Hard to believe," Ayaka murmured, glancing around,
"that the Fire Daimyō's palace looks so… modest inside."
She smiled faintly.
"This is just the reception hall, of course. His real residence is vastly different."
"Appearances are for those who believe them," Kei replied calmly.
"The true extent of the Fire Daimyō's wealth is something very few could ever quantify."
And he was right.
The Fire Daimyō's family wealth—accumulated over generations—was enough to support an entire shinobi village.
In exchange, the village's protection ensured that wealth continued to grow.
A mutually beneficial cycle.
If anyone claimed the Daimyō was poor, Kei wouldn't believe them for a second.
Powerless he may have been—but ignorant? Never.
---
"That's not strange," Ayaka said softly.
"Just… interesting."
She paused.
"Managing that much wealth must be exhausting."
"Which is why they need our protection," Kei replied coolly.
"Not hired mercenaries of unknown origin."
Ayaka chuckled.
"Offering them a way out? How kind."
"I've always been gentle," Kei replied lightly.
Then his gaze sharpened.
"The Daimyō is here."
Ayaka followed his gaze.
A slightly comical middle-aged man entered—
followed by twelve shinobi.
Her lips curved into a cold smile.
So these are the Twelve Guardian Ninja.
"I never expected," the Daimyō said with a practiced smile, fan fluttering lightly,
"that the famed Head of Konoha's Military Police, Lord Uchiha Kei, would visit personally."
The twelve shinobi behind him stared intently.
The atmosphere was unmistakably tense.
Kei's reputation preceded him—
a war hero, a man whose name inspired unease.
The Fire Daimyō had always disliked figures like this.
No—
he feared them.
He still remembered Shimura Danzō—
that arrogant posture, those eyes that regarded him as nothing.
Fortunately, Danzō was dead.
Killed by this very young man.
That fact alone had forced the Daimyō to pay attention.
And attention bred discomfort.
Those who defied hierarchy were never welcome.
"Greetings, Your Excellency,"
Kei and Ayaka bowed slightly—formal, restrained.
The Daimyō nodded, faintly relieved.
"At least better than Danzō," he thought.
"And what pressing matter brings you here?"
he asked pleasantly.
"Does the Fourth Hokage have a message for me?"
"Yes," Kei replied evenly.
"Something quite important. I'd like to speak with you privately."
"Impudent!"
A black-haired man stepped forward sharply.
"Who do you think you are? Is this how you show respect to the Daimyō?!"
Ayaka frowned—but did nothing.
She glanced at Kei.
He was smiling.
That told her everything.
She looked at the man with faint amusement—and pity.
She knew Kei too well.
"Oh?"
Kei looked at the man with a curious smile.
So this is Kazuma.
He sighed lightly.
"It seems Your Excellency's subordinates are… poorly disciplined."
"Forgive me, my lord," Kazuma said, stepping forward and kneeling before the Daimyō.
"But how could someone of your stature be alone with a man like this?"
Kei raised a brow.
"And what exactly are you?"
His voice was calm.
"I didn't expect to hear barking in a place like this.
When the master speaks, shouldn't the dog know its place?"
Kazuma's face darkened—
Then everything went blank.
Kei was suddenly in front of him.
Three tomoe spun within scarlet eyes.
The world shattered.
A crushing roar filled Kazuma's mind.
He staggered, consciousness dissolving.
He had never imagined—
that Kei would act so brazenly.
In front of the Daimyō.
The fan fell from the Daimyō's hand.
The other Guardian Ninja froze.
Kei withdrew his gaze and slowly scanned the remaining eleven.
Cold.
Indifferent.
As though looking at corpses.
Their hearts pounded uncontrollably.
That gaze alone was suffocating.
At this moment, the Daimyō truly felt like the biggest fool alive.
Why had he ever thought that the boy before him was better than Shimura Danzō?
This man was worse.
More vicious.
More terrifying.
Colder—far colder.
"I sincerely apologize, Your Excellency."
Kei's earlier smile had completely vanished, leaving only indifference.
"Your dog seems to bark far too freely. I found it… difficult to tolerate. That is why I acted."
"Lord Kei, what you did just now—"
Kitako, one of the Four Lightning-Style users, couldn't help but speak up.
Kei knew this man's stance well—he leaned toward the Hokage's faction.
But even so, Kitako was clearly tense. Regardless of his political alignment, his current duty was to protect the Daimyō, and Kei's actions had placed him in an impossible position.
Kei, however, did not trouble him further.
"Relax. It was only genjutsu," Kei said calmly.
"If I had wanted him dead, he already would be."
"You—are you saying you don't even place the Daimyō in your eyes?!"
Before Kitako could respond, several shinobi clearly close to Kazuma shouted angrily from behind him.
"Oh?"
Kei folded his arms across his chest. His scarlet Sharingan spun slowly, three tomoe rotating.
"Isn't this me disciplining a subordinate who clearly doesn't understand his own position—for the Daimyō's sake?"
"Enough!"
The Daimyō suddenly shouted, then sighed heavily, exhaustion written across his face.
"Lord Kei is the Head of Konoha's Military Police. If he wishes to speak with me privately, it is surely because the Hokage has matters to convey."
He waved his hand weakly.
"You may withdraw."
In his heart, the Fire Daimyō loathed Kei more than ever.
He had truly been blind—to think this man was more reliable than Danzō.
That realization only grew stronger by the second.
Danzō had been arrogant, contemptuous, his cold gaze bordering on open disdain—but at least he had never acted so brazenly.
This young man was worse.
Far worse.
Outwardly polite, even respectful—yet his actions laid bare his true nature.
And what made the Daimyō most helpless was this:
Kei had insisted on speaking alone, almost certainly under the Hokage's authority.
The Daimyō understood his own standing among shinobi all too well.
He also understood something else even more clearly—
The Hokage was far more powerful than any Daimyō could ever be.
That was a fact he could neither deny nor resist.
"Your Excellency—"
The more radical guardians tried to protest, but the Daimyō cut them off.
"I said, leave."
With a dismissive wave, he ended the matter.
The Guardian Ninja could only sigh in frustration as they filed out one by one.
Even Kazuma—still unconscious under Kei's genjutsu—was carried away.
Soon, the ordinary guards and attendants also withdrew in orderly fashion.
In the end, only three remained in the chamber:
Uchiha Kei.
Hyūga Ayaka.
And the Fire Daimyō.
"Head Kei," the Daimyō said flatly, his expression now devoid of any smile,
"you may speak."
"Yes. We can finally talk properly."
Kei nodded and slowly walked toward him.
The Daimyō's face stiffened. He turned his head aside, refusing to meet Kei's eyes.
He had no courage to look at them.
Just a brief glance earlier had made him feel as though he were falling into an abyss.
He had no desire to experience that again.
"All I want to know," he thought,
"is what this man intends to say."
"Your Excellency," Kei said softly, stopping about a meter away,
"there are things one may think about… but some actions should never be taken too far."
"What… what do you mean?"
The Daimyō froze, his face turning pale.
"Head Kei, you must be careful with your words!"
"Is that so?"
Kei smiled faintly, his tone still gentle.
"Then why did we discover that your subordinates were collecting the Nine-Tails' chakra in Konoha?"
"W–What?! That's impossible! Absolutely impossible!"
"Impossible?"
Kei sighed lightly.
"I wish it were. Truly. Some matters are troublesome for us as well."
As his words fell, the Daimyō's face grew even paler.