Chapter 151: The Obedient One
Uchiha Fugaku gave no comment on Kei's words. Strictly speaking, he was Kei's accomplice in all this.
As he quietly sipped his tea, Fugaku couldn't help but reflect: When did I become like this?
Was it when Kei began bluntly pointing out the uncomfortable truths about the Police Force that no one dared mention?
Was it when Kei awakened his Mangekyō Sharingan?
Fugaku couldn't be certain. What he did know, however, was that he had been convinced—convinced by Kei's sharp, unique understanding of the current situation, and his precise political judgment.
Power alone only earns one a seat at the table. But what truly made Fugaku willing to compromise and cooperate was Kei's exceptional intellect and political acumen.
A person with only power can never be called truly strong.
Such individuals often lack vision and strategy. They're easily reduced to pawns by true schemers. When the time comes, even their deaths won't be their own choice.
Sure, power can break through any conspiracy—but if you can't even see the trap, you're still just a "chariot" on the board, doomed to be controlled by the "general."
Fugaku quietly poured two cups of tea and handed one to Kei, speaking calmly.
"The equipment has been prepared. When do you plan to act?"
Kei respectfully accepted the cup.
"Sometime during this period," he replied. "We might not be able to achieve our goal with complete certainty, but given our similar experiences, we know what kinds of stimuli can provoke intense emotional responses. I believe we have a good chance."
"Let's hope so," Fugaku nodded.
As much as he wanted it to succeed, he knew he couldn't force the outcome.
The awakening of the Mangekyō was notoriously difficult. The basic requirement was a fully matured three-tomoe Sharingan. But even then, having the base condition didn't guarantee success.
The Uchiha clan had attempted similar experiments before. All of them had failed—without exception. Worse still, many of the test subjects were driven insane.
These participants had killed their lovers, family, even their own children… all to try and awaken the Mangekyō. But it was all for nothing.
And when madness overtook them, they turned on the very elders who'd orchestrated the experiments—slaughtering them in vengeance.
The incident caused a massive backlash within the clan, and the experiments were ultimately shut down.
Fugaku himself had always been repulsed by such experiments. The only reason he agreed to this one was twofold:
First, he knew his own eyes might not last much longer.
Second, the target of the experiment was someone who needed to be "removed" anyway.
That's right—Fugaku had seen through some of Kei's intentions.
Capturing a pair of brothers to stimulate a Mangekyō awakening… it was clearly a deliberate reenactment of certain historical events.
It was the combination of these two factors that allowed Fugaku to accept such a brutal plan.
And because of that, he no longer even regarded Uchiha Yuu as human.
To him, Yuu was just trash. A worthless waste. If he was going to die anyway, better to put him to good use.
That way, Fugaku didn't have to feel any guilt. That's also why he could cripple Yuu again—this time, without hesitation or remorse.
"By the way," Fugaku said, clearly wanting to steer the conversation away from Yuu, "Did you make contact with Minato during this mission?"
After all, Fugaku's cooperation with Kei was based on a shared goal: protecting the future of the Uchiha clan.
Without that common objective, they likely wouldn't even be speaking to each other.
"We spoke at length," Kei said, lightly spinning his teacup between his fingers without spilling a drop. "And the results were very encouraging."
"Oh?" Fugaku's eyes lit up. "Tell me—what did you talk about, and what did he say?"
Kei didn't mock Fugaku for his eagerness. He understood it. After all, this too was a form of survival instinct.
As clan head, Fugaku carried a mountain of pressure. He had to pacify the members of his clan, fight for their interests, and balance the precarious relationship between clan and village.
He and Kei were both survivors, each navigating a deadly storm—just in different ways. Kei faced death head-on; Fugaku fought invisible political battles every day.
With that in mind, Kei laid everything out—all that he and Minato had discussed and done.
Fugaku listened intently. When Kei revealed the entire plan, Fugaku's brows furrowed in concern.
But when he heard that Minato had ultimately agreed to cooperate, his expression relaxed.
"Kei-kun… you were too eager," he sighed once Kei finished explaining. "The outcome may have been good, but laying all your cards on the table in one go is rarely wise."
"Of course I know that," Kei replied calmly. "But do you think I didn't make other preparations?"
Kei calmly placed his cup down and looked directly at Fugaku. "Besides, do you really think Hiruzen will willingly give up his power just because Minato becomes the Fourth Hokage?"
"You mean… the Fourth will become a puppet?" Fugaku froze, then his face turned grim.
It was a fair concern. People who've tasted power rarely let it go easily—especially not Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had become Hokage young and still clung to power despite his graying hair.
It wasn't just him—those in his faction were just as unwilling to loosen their grip on control.
Fugaku knew Minato. Their wives were acquainted, giving them some connection. And Fugaku understood Minato's character—someone easily swayed by emotion.
Especially now, when he lacked any real foundation.
"Exactly. Which is why… we still have a lot of work to do." Kei smiled slyly. "For instance, we need to teach the Fourth Hokage how to wield power. Teach him how to claim what's rightfully his."
"And what's your plan for that?" Fugaku asked, strangely comforted by Kei's calm confidence.
"It's not complicated. But first…" Kei sat up straighter. "How many minor clans and civilian shinobi have you reached out to?"
"Three families, about fifty civilian shinobi."
Fugaku sighed with a bitter smile. "You know how it is—sudden kindness doesn't win trust. Especially coming from us."
He wasn't wrong. The Uchiha's reputation was too tainted.
So much so that few dared to trust them—or even approach them.
In truth, Fugaku had done decent work. But it wasn't nearly enough—not in the fierce political jungle of Konoha.
Kei's plan required far more than that. In fact, he was hoping to eventually unite all the clans that were quietly dissatisfied with the Third Hokage.
"Too few." Kei shook his head. "You need to pick up the pace. I'll take the lead on this too."
"Then I'll rely on you." Fugaku exhaled, looking ashamed. "I didn't realize just how bad our clan's reputation had become…"
"It's about what I expected. That's why we need to reform the Police Force—quickly." Kei spread his hands. "It can't be just me. You'll need to act faster too."
"I understand. You'll lead the charge—I'll follow closely behind." Fugaku took a deep breath. "So what's next in your plan?"
He didn't want to dwell on the clan's mistakes—it only highlighted his own indecisiveness.
He'd originally planned a slow, step-by-step reform. But that was clearly the wrong approach.
This was not something they could afford to drag out. The longer it took, the greater the risk.
Fortunately, Kei was helping him—and Kei held nothing back. He didn't care about internal clan factions or elders. He just acted.
"The next phase is simple—but also difficult." Kei shook his head. "Once we help Minato secure his position as Hokage, we'll help him take real control of the Hokage's authority.
He needs support—not just from those who pretend to follow him, but from his own faction."
"Only partial influence, though," Fugaku reminded him. "That's still not enough. Don't forget the ANBU…"
"Have you heard about what happened to Kakashi?"
Kei suddenly interrupted with a meaningful look. "He killed his best friend with his own hands. He betrayed that friend's dying wish. His heart is now torn by an invisible wound. So what's the best way for him to recover? Let time do the work? Or…"
"Send him into ANBU. Let him see more death—until he numbs the pain." Fugaku's eyes widened as he caught on. "You mean to say—you want Kakashi…"
"Yes. After all, he's the Fourth's student—and he's also a good friend of mine." Kei smiled. "I'll support him, which also means supporting the Fourth. But for that… I'll need your people. People who truly listen."
"I understand." Fugaku looked at Kei seriously, and after a long breath, he seemed to reach a decision.
"From this day forward, they'll be yours. But they'll still listen to me more. I hope you understand that, Kei-kun."