Chapter 202 – The Suggestion
After the New Year Festival, Minato Namikaze stood proudly before the Hokage Monument.
Draped in the white-and-crimson ceremonial robes and wearing the Hokage's hat, he presented himself with composure and dignity.
Thus, the curtain was drawn—the era of the Fourth Hokage had officially begun.
For many of Konoha's great clans, this outcome was no secret; they had long anticipated it.
But for the smaller families, who lacked information networks, the revelation struck like thunder.
In a crucible like Konoha, survival depended on political investment—on betting wisely for the future.
For the lesser clans, choosing correctly could mean reaping tangible benefits during the new Hokage's reign.
But choosing poorly might stall their progress—or even cast them backward.
The safest choice had always seemed obvious: Orochimaru.
He was the most determined candidate, and the one easiest to predict.
Yet Hiruzen Sarutobi had stunned them all.
The Third Hokage, instead of passing his mantle to his favored student, chose a disciple's disciple.
This forced many to reconsider—had Orochimaru done something unforgivable after all?
The rise of the Fourth Hokage unraveled countless strategies, but it also brought relief to others.
Konoha had weathered too many storms; a new dawn felt like hope.
As for Uchiha Kei, he had no interest in meddling with such turbulence. He neither needed to, nor wished to.
---
The very next day, following Minato's inauguration, Uchiha Fugaku convened a clan assembly.
There, he announced two explosive decisions that shook every elite in the clan.
First—Great Elder Uchiha Shin had perished in a fire. No further discussion would be tolerated.
Second—from this day forth, the Commander of the Police Force would be none other than Uchiha Kei.
The shock was immeasurable.
The truth—that Kei had killed Shin—was hardly a secret among the elites.
Kei had walked into Shin's bamboo grove openly, without even trying to conceal his movements.
When signs of battle appeared, those who tried to investigate were blocked by patrols and then by the Police Force itself.
They all understood what it meant: a political struggle had erupted.
They had expected this day eventually, but not so soon—and not so decisively.
The outcome left many uneasy, especially those who had stood firmly behind Shin.
They had never imagined Kei would strike without hesitation, ignoring seniority and tradition.
Yet he had—and worse, he had won.
The elders had taken their own lives in ritual, but the fact remained: Kei had forced the end.
Shin himself had chosen a second and died by seppuku, but none could deny the cause.
It was Kei's doing.
And now, Fugaku had appointed this same man—Shin's slayer—as head of the Police Force.
Declaring Shin's death as nothing more than an accident by fire was, in truth, a death sentence for the hardliners.
---
For them, despair.
But among the so-called "doves"—those who sought peace—the mood was mixed.
Some believed Fugaku and Kei were aligned with their ideals; otherwise, why would they have struck down Shin so decisively?
Politics, however, was treacherous. A single misstep meant total ruin.
Though they disapproved of Kei's ruthlessness, at least he had acted in their direction.
Others were not so confident.
If Kei and Fugaku could cut down Shin today, what would stop them from turning against allies tomorrow?
What if disagreement alone was enough to be silenced?
Regardless of speculation, the matter was settled.
The hardliners were leaderless, and the doves were divided. Neither could unite to resist.
For the first time, Fugaku tasted the authority befitting a clan head.
But he also knew he could not allow himself to be intoxicated by this feeling.
There was still work ahead, and he would need to press forward with vigilance.
---
"Things seem to have gone smoothly enough."
After the assembly, Uchiha Kei did not return home. Instead, he went to Fugaku's residence.
It was late, so rather than their usual tea by the pondside pavilion, they met in Fugaku's private chambers.
Mikoto quietly yielded the room to them, taking Itachi with her to tend to other matters.
Yet Kei had noticed something—Mikoto's stomach was already beginning to swell.
It dawned on him then.
Sasuke's birth could not be far off.
Time moves forward relentlessly, always pressing on without pause.
"Indeed. But you should prepare yourself mentally," Fugaku said with a nod, his expression growing serious.
"I've set a precedent—an Uchiha who isn't the clan head has become the Head of the Police Force. You're likely to face tremendous pressure in this role."
"Perhaps. But it shouldn't be a major problem," Kei replied casually, showing little concern.
"However," Fugaku continued, "there's something you should know in advance. Uchiha Tsubasa and Uchiha Chisai cannot continue as your squad leaders."
Tsubasa and Chisai had been entirely loyal to Great Elder Uchiha Shin.
Although they maintained respect for Fugaku, they would never align themselves with Kei.
Kei would never use them. Not even their Sharingan, nor their formidable strength, could change that.
Their backgrounds, coupled with their first meeting with Kei ending with them hospitalized, had already seeded resentment. Kei simply couldn't rely on them.
Moreover, if it weren't for their involvement in Police Force missions investigating Orochimaru, they might have been present during Kei's confrontation with Shin.
It was a pity—Kei had actually preferred them present, despite the potential headaches.
But removing a cluster of problems all at once suited Kei far better than dealing with them gradually.
"I understand," Fugaku said without surprise.
He had anticipated Kei would not use these two, though he hesitated.
"Do you have replacements in mind? If not, perhaps you should keep them temporarily to ensure a smooth transition. After all, they are recruitable."
Fugaku's advice was sensible. Removing them without preparation could backfire.
These two were the kind of members Fugaku had planned to absorb; he certainly didn't want them opposing Kei and causing unexpected casualties.
Eliminate the leader, integrate the rest—turn them into assets. That had always been the strategy.
"I have candidates," Kei said directly. "Imai Kenta will lead my current squad. As for the position left vacant, Uchiha Kawa can take it."
"'Imai Kenta'… 'Uchiha Kawa'?" Fugaku raised a brow.
He knew Imai Kenta—one of the first outsiders to join the Police Force and Kei's teammate.
His battlefield performance was unremarkable; aside from an incredibly tenacious life force, he seemed ordinary.
But then again… Kei himself had often seemed ordinary on the battlefield.
Yet this boy had concealed his Sharingan, and it was even at the Mangekyō level!
Perhaps Imai Kenta, with a background so similar to Kei's, was also someone adept at restraint—a kindred spirit.
Or maybe he held secrets of Kei's that only Kei knew, which is why he was kept close.
Whether silent or revealed, both states were manageable for Kei.
Fugaku, experienced as a clan head, couldn't help but notice these subtleties.
Though he had no concrete proof, his guesses were remarkably close.
"Imai Kenta is fine. He's your teammate; I trust your choice," Fugaku said after a moment's thought.
"But Uchiha Kawa… he hasn't proven himself. Elevating him to squad leader outright seems risky, doesn't it?"
"If… he has a Sharingan? Haven't they told you?" Kei's lips curved slightly.
"Not the strongest—only a single tomoe—but it's enough. All he needs is time and experience, and I trust his abilities."
"So he awakened the Sharingan?" Fugaku was surprised, recalling reports from his personal guards months ago.
It seemed likely Kawa's awakening was somehow connected to Kei—but Fugaku could only wonder. Kei would never share such a secret, and Fugaku left it at that.
He gave a slight nod. If Kawa had a Sharingan, he had earned the position.
As head of the Police Force, that decision was Kei's to make.
"Very well. Since you trust them, and they have sufficient potential," Fugaku said calmly, "let it be so."
"Agreed," Kei nodded. "I trust they'll fulfill their duties."
"There's one more matter," Fugaku mused. "There are three squads, but you've only chosen two leaders. What about the third?"
"For now, no target," Kei replied, shrugging. "We'll see later."
"Then let me give you a suggestion," Fugaku said. "What about Uchiha Jun?"