Chapter 148 – Their Own Thoughts
The trio slowly made their way back toward the borders of Konoha. It hadn't been that long ago—just a few months—when the three of them had departed together on a mission to the Land of Grass.
Now, the Land of Grass was nothing but a scarred battlefield. In the end, when great nations go to war, it's always the small nations that suffer. That's just how it's always been.
The major powers would never allow war to reach their own territories—unless they were completely overrun. So the battlegrounds inevitably became those weaker, bordering nations.
But Uchiha Kei and his two teammates didn't dwell on such things. Whether others lived or died had nothing to do with them. It wasn't their concern. Even if the Land of Grass were wiped off the map entirely, as long as they survived, it wouldn't bother them in the slightest.
Still, the mood on their return journey was distinctly quieter than before.
When they set out, none of them were in the mood to talk. The mission felt like a suicide run, and all anyone could think about was how to survive. But now, with the war essentially over, the silence remained—proof they had no idea what to say anymore.
Kei glanced from side to side. Ever since Hyūga Ayaka had openly confessed her feelings, the team's dynamic had noticeably shifted. There was less energy, more suspicion.
He had to admit, Ayaka was incredibly lucky. By all rights, she should've died out there—but he had ended up saving her himself.
Now, Kei's attention turned to Imai Kenta. When they'd left the camp, there were three of them. When they returned to the village to claim honor and rewards—there also needed to be three.
Just because he couldn't take action didn't mean he couldn't say something. And Kei was more than happy to make Ayaka uncomfortable.
"Kenta-kun," Kei suddenly broke the silence, turning his eyes on him. "Do you have any plans for when we return to the village?"
"Plans?" Kenta blinked, then gave a harmless smile. "Not really. I'll just wait for whatever assignments the village gives me, Captain."
"Really? That's it?" Kei raised a brow with an amused smirk. "As a civilian-born shinobi, the standard path would be: return to the academy to teach if you're not promoted… or, if you are promoted, become a jōnin instructor, guiding the younger generation until retirement."
"Isn't that a good outcome?" Kenta still smiled pleasantly. "At least that kind of life doesn't involve any unnecessary danger. A stable shinobi career doesn't sound so bad."
Kei tilted his head, staring intently at the ever-smiling Kenta. He didn't buy a word of it.
Someone like that wouldn't have been poking around asking about Kei's intelligence gathering. Curiosity was often a symptom of ambition, and Kei had caught a few strange signals from Kenta already.
Besides, Kenta's capabilities were hard to pin down. Kei didn't believe someone that mysterious would be content with a quiet life.
"Is there something wrong, Captain?" Kenta finally asked, a hint of unease in his tone. "Do you have some advice for me?"
"In fact, I do." Kei grinned. "What do you think of the Konoha Military Police Force?"
The Military Police?
Kenta's eyes widened slightly at the mention, though he quickly recovered his composure.
The Military Police was the stronghold of the Uchiha clan—a department created by the Second Hokage supposedly to 'utilize the clan's strengths.' In reality, it was also a tool to monitor and contain them.
Kenta hadn't expected Kei to bring up that topic, and now he couldn't quite figure out what Kei was thinking.
"Oh, the Police Force… they're an important part of keeping Konoha safe," Kenta said with a smile. "And now that you're the Second-in-command, I'm sure things will only get better under your leadership."
"Is that so?" Kei narrowed his eyes slightly. "Well, I can't say for sure if things will improve… but I can say the Police Force has one hell of a reputation."
"Right, well…" Kenta scratched the back of his head awkwardly, but inside, he was already on high alert.
"That's only because people don't understand how important the Police Force is," he said. "Sure, your officers might be a little… overbearing, but I believe you can change that, Captain."
"Hm, sounds like you've got a good grasp of things." Kei's smile deepened, eyes glittering with interest.
Then he casually dropped a bomb.
"So, would you be interested in joining the Police Force? I'm short a Vice-Captain on my team."
Kenta was stunned. Completely speechless.
And he wasn't the only one—Hyūga Ayaka's eyes widened in disbelief too.
She couldn't believe Kei would make a move this fast, or so boldly. He was outright using his position to recruit Kenta under his command.
Ayaka had her own suspicions about Kenta—he definitely wasn't your average civilian shinobi. There had to be someone backing him, or maybe his family had once been powerful.
But looking at his current identity and situation, she didn't think he could resist Kei's offer.
And Kei had been generous—already one of the three division captains of the Military Police and its Vice-Commander, he'd just offered Kenta the position of Vice-Captain on top of that.
With an offer like that—so tempting, so generous—very few people could resist. And if Imai Kenta accepted... then Hyūga Ayaka would be in serious danger.
She hadn't forgotten their conversation just a day ago when they made their secret pact. She understood Uchiha Kei's mindset and anticipated he might act soon—but she hadn't expected him to move this fast.
Right now, Kei wouldn't dare to kill her. The war was practically over, and they were returning to the village to receive honors. If someone were to mysteriously go missing now, it would certainly raise suspicions within Konoha.
But what about afterward?
If the Hyūga clan refused to pull her from the current team, and neither Uchiha Kei nor Imai Kenta withdrew from it either, then she'd truly be walking on thin ice.
Ayaka cherished her life. If she tried to bring any of this to her clan's attention, it would likely backfire on her as well—something she wanted to avoid unless it was absolutely her last resort.
Meanwhile, Kenta himself was completely stunned. He had genuinely thought he'd been exposed.
Uchiha Kei's questions were laser-sharp, cutting straight to the heart of things—so much so that Kenta had become genuinely nervous.
But he never expected Kei to suddenly change tone and invite him to join the Konoha Police Force.
And not just any position—he was offering him a Vice Captain spot!
Kenta didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Although he didn't feel relief per se, Uchiha Kei's maneuvering certainly left his scalp tingling.
Glancing subtly at Hyūga Ayaka, he noticed the tension on her face. For a second, he even suspected Kei's real target might be her.
Still, something didn't feel right. Kei was too cunning, too strategic—Kenta didn't dare assume things were so straightforward.
After mulling it over, Kenta cautiously replied, "Captain, even though you've just taken up one of the top three captain positions in the Police Force and serve as vice commander, surely you already have subordinates in place? Wouldn't forcibly removing one be... problematic?"
Kei simply gave a relaxed smile.
"Not at all," he said casually. "In fact, it's better this way. Some of those guys may not even listen to me. But you, Kenta—you're my old teammate. I believe you'd be the best support I could ask for, wouldn't you agree?"
He leaned in, eyes gleaming. "Besides, I plan to change the way the Police Force operates. If you help me, it'll be a change for the better—for all of Konoha. You wouldn't turn that down, would you?"
"I…"
Kenta was cornered. He didn't even know how to respond anymore.
If he refused outright, it would clash with his current identity as a "civilian ninja." No ordinary civilian could turn down an opportunity like this.
Especially when Kei promised to reform the notoriously brutal and corrupt Police Force—something every civilian ninja hoped for.
But accepting the offer? That came with its own set of risks.
The Police Force was the Uchiha clan's stronghold. If he joined, who knew what kind of political games he'd be dragged into?
After a long pause, Kenta clenched his teeth and gave a vague, noncommittal answer:
"Thank you, Captain, for your generous offer. But I'd like to take some time to rest first. I've been on the battlefield for eight years now—I want to spend a little time with my family."
"Oh?" Uchiha Kei's expression shifted to one of disappointment.
Then he sighed and said with just a hint of regret, "Very well. Spending time with family is perfectly reasonable. But Kenta, don't be surprised if you hear some interesting news about the Police Force soon after we return to the village."
He smiled faintly. "And just know—the Vice Captain position I offered? It'll still be waiting for you."
"I… I understand. Thank you, Captain."
Kenta could finally breathe again. Any longer and he might not have escaped Kei's grip.
Kei nodded and said no more, letting the conversation drop. That gave both Kenta and Ayaka a moment of reprieve.
Thankfully, Kenta hadn't accepted. Otherwise, Ayaka might have truly been forced to sleep with one eye open.
Things might still change in the future, but at least she had a bit of breathing room now.
What she would do with that time, she wasn't quite sure yet. But it was better than walking blindly into a trap.
She sighed quietly. Strangely enough, she was even starting to feel envious of Kenta.
If he did join Uchiha Kei, and used the Uchiha clan's resources well, who knows—he might carve out a future very different from the average ninja's.
Suddenly, a chilling thought flashed through her mind, and she froze.
A terrifying possibility had just occurred to her...