Chapter 204 – I Look Forward to Your Performance
"Minato-sen… no, Fourth Hokage-sama."
In the Hokage's office, Kakashi, clad in ANBU gear and mask, knelt on one knee before Namikaze Minato. His posture radiated respect—so much so that no one would guess these two had once shared a bond of teacher and student. Now, they stood strictly as superior and subordinate.
Kakashi's voice carried its usual coldness, and Minato couldn't help but sigh inwardly. Clearly, Kakashi's road back to himself would be a long one.
"Kakashi, stand. It's only the two of us here."
Minato shook his head gently, then exhaled. "This… isn't good for you. Perhaps I shouldn't have sent you into the ANBU."
"No, sensei, I—"
Kakashi opened his mouth but chose not to press the matter. Instead, he moved straight to his report. "According to your orders, I went to the Police Force. Kei has already resolved the issue."
Uchiha Kei's appointment as head of the Police Force was, in truth, an internal clan affair. They could have bypassed the Hokage entirely. Yet, as a sign of respect, the Uchiha always submitted formal documents to the Hokage for approval. With the cooperation between Fugaku and Minato, such ceremony carried weight.
Of course, Minato wasn't concerned with procedures—he was more worried about how Kei would handle things.
Not that he doubted Kei's ability. The image of Kei severing Kitsuchi's arm was still fresh in his mind. That feat alone had proven the boy's strength beyond question.
What troubled Minato was the possibility of Kei pushing things too far. A shinobi that powerful, if too ruthless, could easily unsettle the village—and Minato could not allow the Uchiha clan to spiral into chaos.
"Kei didn't go too far. After defeating the two squad leaders, he stopped." Kakashi's tone remained flat, though his brow furrowed slightly. "But… sensei, I believe I've discovered something."
"Oh?" Minato's expression tightened. "Is this about Uchiha Shin?"
"Yes." Kakashi's reply was firm, and what followed made Minato's heart sink.
"It seems Kei killed him. Not only him—several of the Uchiha elders may have fallen to his hand as well."
"I see…" Minato fell silent, finally nodding with heavy acceptance.
He had anticipated that Fugaku and Kei would purge elements of their clan. But hearing it confirmed—that blood had truly been spilled among their own—still left him unsettled.
It also reminded him: he could no longer delay dealing with Orochimaru. His ascension as Hokage had been possible not just because of Uchiha support, but also because of that lurking threat. If the village was to heal, he couldn't ignore such shadows any longer.
"Kakashi, forget about this matter." Minato's decision was firm, though he did not voice it fully. Instead, he spoke earnestly:
"There are struggles in this village that you're not ready to involve yourself in. Not yet. For now, take some rest. I've seen your mission records—you're exhausted."
"Minato-sensei, I don't need rest," Kakashi muttered, lowering his head. "I need more missions."
"Using missions to numb yourself?" Minato shook his head.
"No, Kakashi. These missions are meant to show you life's fragility—to teach you to treasure it. Kei told you, didn't he? Don't betray the expectations of Obito and Rin. The greatest shinobi are those who endure their pain… and keep moving forward."
He straightened, his voice carrying gentle firmness. "Go to your friends. You have one week's leave. Understood?"
"I…" Kakashi hesitated, then bowed his head deeply. "Understood, sensei. I'll take my leave."
Minato watched his student disappear beyond the door, rubbing his temples in exasperation. Kakashi was… a constant worry. Perhaps it was time to adjust his assignments—but for now, Minato decided to wait. He was still new as Hokage, with much to learn himself.
Rising, Minato moved to the window. Sunlight spilled across the village below, and his mood lightened slightly.
"Everything is just beginning. Everything will become better. You can do this, Namikaze Minato. You must do this—Fourth Hokage."
---
Meanwhile, in the Police Force headquarters, Uchiha Kei sat composed at his desk.
Before him stood three figures: Uchiha Kawa, Uchiha Jun, and Imai Kenta.
Tsubasa and Chisai had caused no lasting trouble. Kei had crushed them swiftly and decisively, ensuring maximum shock value. Their subordinates had watched in despair… while Kei's own squad simmered with elation.
After all, their captain was now their commander—and he had proven himself in front of everyone.
The battle had ended without bloodshed. Kei had spared Tsubasa and Chisai. He had already killed enough; even if their insubordination justified execution, he had promised Fugaku a cleaner resolution this time. Besides, he had no desire to draw unnecessary attention.
He was only fourteen—still a boy, technically. Yet now he sat as the head of one of Konoha's most "important" departments. His name was already spreading across the village.
Some would dismiss him as Fugaku's pawn, a token to appease Minato. But others would not be so quick to underestimate him. Kei hadn't forgotten the look Sarutobi Hiruzen had given him before that mission—a look layered with meaning.
He worried, if only for a moment, that the old man might have seen through him. Minato was Hokage in name, but little more than a figurehead. Kei would have to remain cautious.
"Since you're all here, I won't waste words."
Kei's gaze swept calmly over the three standing before him. "Kawa, have you chosen your people?"
"Yes, Lord Kei. I've already prepared them," Uchiha Kawa replied quickly.
"Half are from the clan, and the other half are civilian shinobi that Kouta helped me recruit. But… earning mutual trust and recognition among them will take some time.
Also, Lord Kei, I'd like to transfer Kouta under me as my vice-captain. He has valuable experience."
"No problem. Take it slow—I'll give you one month. That should be enough, yes?" Kei nodded slightly. "As for Kouta, coordinate with Kenta on that matter."
He did not issue a direct order. Kei was no longer just a squad captain—he was the department head. His role now was to oversee strategy, not meddle in every trivial arrangement. Delegation was the point. Otherwise, why even have subordinates and allies?
"Yes, Lord Kei. I'll discuss it with Captain Kenta," Kawa answered with a respectful nod.
"Good. Kenta," Kei turned to Imai Kenta, "I'm entrusting my old squad to you. Do your best. After all, you're the first non-Uchiha to serve as a squad captain."
"Yes, Commander. Understood." Kenta bent slightly at the waist, his trademark harmless smile fixed on his face.
Inside, though, he wasn't smiling at all. He had no desire to take this position. It was trouble—endless trouble—and meant entanglement in Uchiha clan politics. But he had no choice. Not only because of Kei, but also because of certain… pressures from his family. He could only endure.
"Excellent. Thank you for your hard work, Kenta."
Kei smiled warmly—too warmly. To Kenta, it felt suffocating. Kei himself seemed to sense the falseness, for his smile vanished as he turned toward the last of the three—Uchiha Jun.
The woman stood straight and silent. No trace of her old easy smile remained; she understood all too well the conditions that kept her here.
Kei didn't mind her stiffness. Whether she remained depended on her own ability. He would not extend her any special favor.
"Uchiha Jun," Kei said evenly. "You've never served in the Police Force, but the clan head recommended you. I trust the clan head, so… don't disgrace him."
"Yes, Commander." Jun bowed slightly. "I won't let the clan head down. Nor you."
"Good." Kei inclined his head.
"Since you're a temporary addition, your workload will be heavier and messier. You'll need to study the regulations and codes I assign, and you'll also be responsible for recruiting new members. Can you handle it?"
"No problem, Commander," Jun answered seriously. "Should I follow the same model as the other squads—half civilians, half clan shinobi?"
"Exactly." Kei's lips curved into a smile—strangely unsettling.
"But when I say 'clan,' I don't mean Uchiha alone. I want your squad to embody a true fusion of the village's diverse strengths. Can you do that?"
Jun's eyes widened slightly. Such ambition… was Kei deliberately making things harder for her? Or had this plan long been in motion?
Either way, she had no choice. Clenching her teeth, she bowed. "I understand, Commander. I'll see it done."
"Excellent." Kei's smile returned, this time with quiet satisfaction.
"Then I look forward to your performance, Jun."