Chapter 264 – The Storm Approaches (Extended Chapter)
Time flowed quietly.
The gentle autumn breeze had already grown cold—the season was nearing its end.
Uchiha Kei stood in the Police Force training grounds, gazing at the yellow leaves drifting from the trees.
His face was calm, unreadable, his thoughts deep as the wind whispered through the courtyard.
It was now October, the height of autumn.
In just two months, both Kei and Konoha had undergone remarkable change.
Orochimaru's defection and Danzō's death—two events that, combined, struck the village like twin detonations.
The shockwaves rippled outward, warping the atmosphere both inside and beyond the village.
Ordinary citizens couldn't comprehend the full scale of the impact, but subtle hints surfaced everywhere.
Ninjas arriving at the Mission Desk found the familiar clerks suddenly replaced.
Routine patrols shifted overnight.
And behind these visible ripples, the unseen machinery of Konoha was being quietly rebuilt.
The Administrative Department was still headed by Nara Shikaku, the new clan head, who embodied his family's traditional brilliance.
Both the Third and Fourth Hokage had chosen to keep him in charge—a rare constant amid chaos.
And rightly so. Kei recalled that even years later, Shikaku's own son, Shikamaru, would inherit the same position before reaching adulthood.
Still, while Shikaku sat steady as a mountain, the rest of the department moved on eggshells.
Fortunately for them, Minato's reforms hadn't gone too far.
He replaced only the staunch loyalists of the Third Hokage's faction, then stopped—
at least, for now.
Officially, he called it a "stabilization measure."
But Kei knew better.
If Minato ever finds an opening, he won't stop halfway.
He simply hadn't had enough time to build a loyal network of his own.
Minato's rise to Hokage had been abrupt—too fast, too unprepared.
He'd expected Orochimaru to take the mantle.
Even when Kei's subtle manipulation pushed him toward leadership, Minato lacked the political machinery to back it.
The transition from the Third's era was messy.
He tried to use Hiruzen's old subordinates, only to find that they ignored his commands—and kept a vice grip on key positions.
If the Administrative Division was awkwardly balanced, the ANBU reorganization, on the other hand, had gone surprisingly well.
Minato had cleverly traded certain ANBU positions for cooperation.
Unlike the bureaucratic Administration, ANBU thrived on strength, secrecy, and loyalty—not politics.
After extensive retraining, ANBU now spoke with a single voice:
"Follow the Fourth Hokage."
That unit—his hidden blade—gave Minato his first real foundation of power.
With Kakashi rising through the ranks toward ANBU Commander, and the Police Force under Kei's firm control on the outside,
the Hokage finally held the two keys to true authority: force and surveillance.
---
"If Danzō's death reshaped Konoha in unseen ways," Kei mused as he watched the patrol squads depart,
"then Orochimaru's defection reshaped it in ways everyone could see."
To Minato and Jiraiya, Orochimaru's flight had been a necessary act—a sacrifice to save the village's honor.
But reality was never that clean.
The reckoning that followed was inevitable.
Orochimaru's experiments had touched too many lives, broken too many laws, and implicated too many subordinates.
Even with Minato's personal opposition, and Jiraiya's desperate defense of his friend,
the villagers' outrage had to be appeased.
Several of Orochimaru's associates were quietly rounded up—
not for their crimes, but to calm the people.
Minato and Jiraiya's only request was simple:
"Let them live."
And to ensure their safety in prison, they came to Kei.
Kei agreed readily—of course. He wasn't stupid enough to publicly defend Orochimaru.
Not when he still intended to work with him one day.
Leave the door open, he reminded himself. You never know when you'll need to walk through it again.
---
Soon, wave after wave of scientists and test subjects were shipped off to Konoha Prison,
which—unfortunately—was still under Kei's Police Force jurisdiction.
And that brought new problems.
His newly approved Fourth Division was still undermanned.
He didn't even have a full roster yet.
Reluctantly, Kei had gone to Minato for help.
The Hokage responded by reassigning several idle ninjas from the Mission Department as temporary guards.
Kei, of course, didn't mind at all.
It was the perfect opportunity to improve the Police Force's reputation.
By letting ordinary ninjas work side by side with his men, they'd see for themselves that the Police were no longer the arrogant, insular Uchiha militia they used to be.
Reputation repair is slow work, Kei thought, watching the patrols form up. But every seed counts.
Still, one issue remained: progress.
"The Fourth Division is taking too long to form," he muttered.
"The Hyūga and Senju recruits are weaker than expected, and the new Uchiha and civilian applicants don't compare to the first batch."
He sighed.
"Latecomers are never gold. You take what's left."
But removing all Uchiha presence from a division wasn't an option—
not yet.
He was reducing Uchiha influence gradually, team by team.
Uchiha Jun's squad already had fewer clan members,
and the Fourth Division would have even fewer.
"Step by step," Kei told himself. "Konoha wasn't built in a day."
---
He turned his gaze to the distant Hokage Rock, bathed in the warm orange of sunset.
"The Police Force is stable. My groundwork is nearly complete."
Two months of preparation had paid off.
Imai Kenta had left the Police Force and was now settled in the Mission Department,
while Uchiha Ryu had taken his place.
Kei had considered Fukuhiko Kouta, but the man simply didn't meet expectations.
Still, Kouta's loyalty—and his brother's reputation—made him useful enough to fill Ryu's previous position.
And to Kei's mild surprise, he'd handled it well.
With internal matters stable and his own recovery complete, Kei could finally focus on what truly mattered.
Thanks to Orochimaru's data, his ocular power had returned faster than expected.
In just two months, he'd fully restored the energy he'd spent during his fight with Danzō.
Combined with his steadily growing chakra, Kei now felt confident enough to face Uchiha Obito.
"The Nine-Tails Incident… I've waited long enough."
For most, it was a tragedy that would scar Konoha forever.
For Kei—it was opportunity.
Years of planning had led to this. All he had to do was wait for the storm to break.
---
"My fusion rate's still only thirty percent," Kei murmured as he walked toward his office,
"but that's enough for now."
According to Hyūga Ayaka, the fusion between his cells and ocular tissue was progressing steadily.
Not perfect—but stable.
And soon, his Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan would be born.
He frowned slightly, thinking of the slow pace of Iori's extraction work.
"I hope that girl learns to be less gentle. Mercy doesn't help science."
---
When Kei entered his office, he found Ayaka already inside, sitting cross-legged in meditation.
He smirked.
"Then again, not everyone's like this woman."
He still remembered the day she'd nearly killed herself attempting Sage Mode.
When he and Kenta rushed in, her eyes were shut, her face covered in strange markings—and her chakra was radiating like a living storm.
Without any external help—no sacred oils, no summons, no mentor—
she had come dangerously close to awakening Sage Chakra on her own.
Her control lasted less than a minute,
but it was enough to terrify both Kei and Kenta.
---
To her credit, Ayaka hadn't kept the method secret.
She'd documented every detail of her process, knowing that hiding such a discovery would only make her a target.
But despite their best efforts, neither Kei nor Kenta could replicate it.
Whatever Ayaka had achieved—it was something only her unique body and bloodline could manage.
So it's talent, not technique, Kei mused. Still, that talent is useful to me.
He didn't need to master Sage Jutsu himself.
As long as he could extract it, that was enough.
At least now, he wouldn't need to bother Minato, Jiraiya, or that loudmouthed kid Naruto Uzumaki in the future.
Kenta, however, was clearly frustrated—
he wanted that power badly but couldn't attain it.
Kei had no intention of telling him that Ayaka's "secret ingredient" was something he couldn't possibly replicate.
---
When Kei entered fully, Ayaka opened her pale eyes.
"You're early today. Patrol intensity's increased—what's going on?"
"Nothing major," Kei replied casually, moving to his desk. "Just… preparations. You could say it's the perfect time to fish in muddy waters."
Ayaka raised an eyebrow.
"Muddy waters, hm? I see. It's October already—time for our little plan, isn't it? Are you going to move?"
"Soon," Kei nodded. "But I'll need to be careful. I can't afford to be recognized."
Their plan had been set months ago—
to eliminate Hyūga Hiashi and Hizashi before the year's end.
The timing had to be perfect.
And nothing was more chaotic than the Nine-Tails' attack.
During the confusion of Kushina's labor—when the village's defenses were scattered—he would strike.
But to ensure his identity stayed hidden, Kei had prepared a special mask—
crafted from White Zetsu cells.
If Obito's mask could conceal him even from the Byakugan,
then Kei's would do the same.
"Maybe I'll paint it orange and black," he murmured to himself, smirking.
"Frame someone else while I'm at it."
It wouldn't be his first time.
He sealed the mask inside a scroll, waiting for the right day to come.
---
"Stay in the Police Force for now," Kei said at last. "We'll be busy soon. Handle the tasks I give you—and stay ready."
Ayaka looked up, eyes sharp.
"So, it's finally happening. Do you want me to inform Kenta? After all, he's benefited plenty—it's time he earned his keep."
"Of course," Kei replied with a faint smile. "If I'm occupied, he can act in my stead. Besides, his blood work has been… quite valuable."
Indeed, Kenta's test data had been instrumental to their experiments.
Though he didn't know it, his compatibility with White Zetsu cells was far higher than Kei's had ever been.
For now, the serum hadn't been injected into him yet,
but soon… it would.
When that time came, Kenta's strength would rise sharply—and that would benefit them all.
"We'll call it a fair trade," Kei said quietly. Then, his eyes narrowed.
"Still… I can't help but wonder."
He turned toward the window, the wind stirring his cloak.
"When the storm finally breaks—
will the village survive it?"
Ayaka rose gracefully, her tone carrying a hint of amusement.
"Why doesn't he just change his name back? Senju Kenta sounds far more interesting than Imai Kenta."
Uchiha Kei shrugged.
"Who knows? Tell me, if you were asked to change your name—no, your clan name—would you do it?"
Ayaka tilted her head, thoughtful.
"Depends on what I'd be changing it to."
Kei smirked faintly but said nothing more.
---
It was October, the heart of autumn.
Nearly a full year had passed since Minato Namikaze took office as the Fourth Hokage.
And by now, his hands had finally grown accustomed to the weight of leadership.
Ever since Kei had destroyed one of Orochimaru's underground laboratories—forcing the Third Hokage and his faction to relinquish a portion of their power—
Minato's governance had flowed more smoothly than ever.
For the first time since becoming Hokage, he could feel the gears of Konoha truly moving at his command.
So this is what it means to rule, he thought. When your word finally carries weight.
But lately, Minato's thoughts had been elsewhere.
Because Kushina's due date was approaching.
According to the medics' calculations, she was expected to give birth on October 10th.
And that wasn't just a personal event for the Namikaze family—
it was a matter of grave importance to the entire village.
After all, Kushina wasn't just his wife—she was the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki.
Everyone knew what that meant.
To ensure the delivery went safely, Minato had even agreed to an unusual proposal from the Third Hokage himself—
that Biwako, Hiruzen's wife, would assist in Kushina's childbirth.
Biwako had experience and composure, qualities invaluable in such a delicate situation.
As the Hokage's spouse, she had long studied sealing theory and crisis procedures.
They all understood the danger:
when a jinchūriki gives birth, the seal is at its weakest.
If the Nine-Tails were to slip free—
the consequences would be catastrophic.
So for safety's sake, Kushina would give birth outside the village,
within a secure, multi-layered barrier prepared specifically for the occasion.
---
In the days leading up to the delivery, Minato visited Uchiha Kei several times to discuss contingency measures—
security routes, emergency protocols, backup seals.
And in a rare moment of diplomacy, even Hiruzen Sarutobi set aside his pride and came to terms with Minato.
They were political rivals now, that much was clear.
But both men were, above all else, sons of Konoha.
They could clash behind closed doors all they wanted—
but when the village's safety was at stake, they would stand together.
Minato, however, made one quiet decision.
If Hiruzen was to accompany the childbirth team, then at least Minato would know where the former Hokage was.
There would be no chance for the old man to meddle in his absence.
---
Two days before Kushina's due date, Hiruzen Sarutobi arrived at the Namikaze household,
his wife Biwako by his side.
The four of them sat across from each other at the low table.
Hiruzen looked older now—his once steady hands trembled faintly when he poured the tea.
Fifty years of age and burdened with defeat, he no longer carried the warmth he once showed to his students.
He regarded Minato with a cold formality—
not hostility, but distance.
Even so, he hadn't forgotten his duty.
---
"Kushina," Hiruzen began at last, his tone even but stripped of all warmth.
"I know I've said this before, but it bears repeating."
His voice was calm, measured, carrying the weight of decades of experience.
"When your child is born, the Nine-Tails' seal will be at its weakest.
This happened once before—during the birth of your predecessor, Lady Mito Uzumaki.
The seal nearly failed, and it was only by sheer luck that a catastrophe was avoided."
Kushina listened in silence, her crimson hair swaying slightly with her nod.
She knew all this. She'd been preparing for it for months.
Still, hearing it aloud filled her chest with unease.
The Hiruzen before her was not the man she remembered—the gentle old master who once praised her chakra control.
Now, he looked… tired. Hardened. Bitter.
Kushina, ever perceptive, could guess why.
But she never said such things aloud.
---
Minato, sensing her tension, gently placed a reassuring arm around her shoulders.
"Don't worry," he said softly. "I'll be right there with you."
Kushina glanced at him, her cheeks warming as she nodded faintly.
Hiruzen acted as if he hadn't noticed, continuing with cold precision:
"You'll deploy your own ANBU detail, of course.
As for the Police Force—keep them on standby.
I'll assign a few of my remaining Root operatives to provide backup.
This matter is classified, Fourth Hokage.
You, above all, understand the importance of secrecy.
As long as the child is born safely…
everything else will fall into place."
Minato frowned slightly.
"Understood, Lord Third. But I'll handle the arrangements personally."
He couldn't help but feel the old man's paranoia had worsened since Danzō's death.
The Third had always been cautious around the Uchiha,
but lately that caution had deepened into something closer to fear.
Minato sighed inwardly.
It wasn't his belief—but he couldn't change Hiruzen's.
---
"Then we're agreed," Biwako interjected gently, breaking the tension.
"Kushina, Minato—use the next two days to rest and prepare.
We'll come for you ourselves when it's time."
"Yes, Lady Biwako. Thank you," Kushina replied with a bow.
"We appreciate it," Minato added sincerely.
The older couple rose to leave, the door sliding shut behind them with a soft click.
Silence lingered in their wake.
Minato glanced toward the window—where autumn sunlight streamed in golden lines—and reached for Kushina's hand.
"Two days more," he murmured. "Then everything changes."
And outside, beyond the quiet streets of Konoha,
a faint, unseen pressure had already begun to stir—
a whisper on the wind,
a storm waiting to break.