Chapter 221 – The Third Hokage and Danzō
Opening the ANBU to the Uchiha?
That was an incredibly tempting proposition.
The ANBU were the Hokage's direct subordinates—answering only to him. They could be considered the Hokage's second most trusted unit.
Why not the first? Because the ANBU's composition was far too messy.
Various clans with ties to the Hokage, or shinobi placed there due to political compromises—over time, the ANBU had become more of a tangled web of interests than a pure strike force.
The Hokage's true first line of trust was his personal guard. That unit wasn't necessarily the strongest, but each member was handpicked for one thing—absolute loyalty.
Their main duty wasn't to fight the Hokage's battles, but to stand with him in his most dangerous moments, to make the ultimate choice in protecting him.
The Hokage himself needed no reinforcement in terms of power. His guard was simply there to ensure no hesitation existed in the split second between life and death.
---
When Fugaku Uchiha heard Minato's words, his expression flickered.
This was good news.
If the Uchiha could formally enter the ANBU, then the wall the Third Hokage's faction had built around them would begin to crack—and once a crack appeared, it could never be sealed completely.
If managed well, this would be the opening the Uchiha needed forever.
Fugaku wasn't about to waste this chance. His satisfaction with Minato grew, as did his willingness to support the Fourth Hokage fully.
Of course, he also understood—he couldn't afford to harbor ulterior motives. The last thing he wanted was to jeopardize this newly forged alliance.
"I understand, Minato." Fugaku's tone was grave.
"If any of them stray, then kill them.
I won't allow anyone to betray the foundation of our cooperation. And I believe that those who take orders from Kei will never act against us."
Kei frowned slightly. Fugaku's phrasing was… interesting.
First he pledged his support, then he "casually" mentioned that these Uchiha were taking orders from him.
Kei shook his head. He couldn't be bothered to argue. Everyone had their little schemes—this wasn't surprising. Fugaku was simply reminding Minato of his influence within the clan.
Still, Kei couldn't help but feel uneasy.
Uchiha in the ANBU… why does this make me think of those two traitors?
It was unlikely history would repeat itself. But even if it did, Kei would almost welcome it—better that fools expose their fangs so he could cut them off directly.
The only lingering discomfort was Shisui's eye technique. That genjutsu was too strange. Kei made a mental note: I should find time to approach that boy.
---
For now, though, Kei looked back at Minato.
"With their help, Kakashi's trauma has already begun to heal. Once he identifies which ANBU remain loyal to the Third, we can move them elsewhere… or remove them entirely.
That will make things much simpler."
"…Let's hope it doesn't come to the last option." Minato drew in a deep breath, his expression firm.
"Still, Kei, Fugaku—you'd best be prepared. The missions I give them will be dangerous, perhaps…"
"No need to worry." Kei cut him off before Fugaku could speak. His gaze slid toward Fugaku briefly, then returned to Minato.
"They're ready for anything. They're shinobi—qualified ones. Burdens and hesitation will only hold them back."
Fugaku's mouth opened, then closed. He understood Kei's barb—directed at his earlier attempt to hedge his position. But he couldn't refute it.
Sending Uchiha Sō and others into the ANBU meant accepting the risks. The ANBU's assignments weren't simple missions—they were life-and-death ordeals.
If they were to aid Kakashi's rise, they'd have to take the most dangerous, most impossible tasks. Sacrifice wasn't just possible—it was expected.
"I understand. Thank you, both of you." Minato bowed his head.
"With their support, Kakashi will solidify his standing. Hopefully his investigation will go smoothly… and won't implicate too many ANBU operatives."
Kei shook his head.
"Hope is a fragile thing. In our positions, we can't afford to be naïve. Always prepare for the worst.
Speaking of which, I have intel for you. The evidence has been destroyed, but it's better you're mentally prepared."
"…Intel?" Minato blinked. "If it's from you, it must be important."
"Important enough." Kei's lips curled faintly.
"To be precise—I've confirmed that Orochimaru is indeed conducting human experiments.
Our cooperation began because of this. It's what you feared most, and you were right. Now you can act decisively.
Of course, you can push harder if you wish… but be warned."
Kei calmly recounted everything he'd witnessed today, without exaggeration. There was no need. The truth was damning enough.
Whether the Third knew or not was irrelevant.
Because there was no way Danzō was conducting such experiments without authorization or protection.
And once exposed, it wouldn't just be Danzō who fell—the Third Hokage would fall with him.
Political liability was nothing new. In many ways, Danzō was the shadow of the Third Hokage.
And truth be told, Hiruzen Sarutobi was skilled at restraining Danzō.
Or rather, he was skilled at restraining anyone.
How do you crush someone completely, or lock them into a role they can never escape?
Through propaganda. Through manufactured stereotypes.
Define the person—or even an entire clan—through repeated imagery, until everyone sees them only through that lens.
Kei thought back to his past life, to the so-called "Beacon of Freedom" across the ocean.
Those old white men once used segregation against Black people in the same way.
That infamous minstrel show, Jumpin' Jim Crow, cemented a grotesque stereotype: Blacks as lazy and foolish.
The laws that followed? The "Jim Crow Laws."
Because the stereotype was so deeply ingrained that society accepted it as truth.
For decades, even centuries, Black people were seen through that false image, their upward path squeezed down to a single narrow road.
By comparison, the Third had shown Danzō "mercy."
He painted him as nothing more than his shadow.
And a shadow could never outshine its master.
A shadow belonged underground, never in the light.
This framing was accepted by the entire Konoha council—and by Danzō himself.
That was why, every time Danzō reached for the Hokage's chair, he failed. Even when he was closest, he forgot to redefine his own image.
The Uchiha, too, were victims of such "stereotyping," only far worse.
The Third's so-called mercy meant that Danzō never ascended—but it also dragged Hiruzen down with him.
Because a shadow always belongs to a master. And if the shadow acts, people assume it's because the master wished it.
So whether the Third Hokage knew or not no longer mattered.
What mattered was that one culprit was his shadow, and the other—his most beloved student.
---
As Kei finished, Minato's face grew grim.
He hadn't realized just how devastating the fallout could be if the truth were exposed.
This wasn't just any experiment—it involved the First Hokage's cells.
To extract them, they'd had to dig up his grave.
And Hashirama Senju wasn't just a Hokage—he was a bloodline shinobi.
What would the clans think if they learned Konoha had desecrated the founder's corpse to harvest his bloodline?
What would the other bloodline families think?
A chill ran down Minato's spine. This could not be exposed. If it leaked, the entire foundation of Konoha might collapse.
"Thank you, Kei." Minato rose and bowed deeply.
"This information… its implications are too vast, too dangerous."
"Don't worry, Fourth Hokage-sama," Fugaku said smoothly, picking up from Kei.
"We've told no one else. The choice of how to act is yours.
Handled well, this could force the Third's hand. But in the end… Orochimaru will be the one sacrificed. You must act quickly."
Fugaku's words echoed Minato's own fears. Indeed, once Orochimaru was discarded, the trail would vanish.
Even if evidence surfaced, the Third could dismiss it at will.
Such was the cruelty of politics—more chilling and more nauseating than any battlefield.
Minato exhaled slowly. I'll have to adapt to this world quickly.
He was thankful, though. Without Kei and Fugaku, he might already have been bound in Hiruzen's chains, unable to move.
"When Kakashi finishes his assignment, I'll focus on investigating myself. Hopefully… it won't be too late."
He didn't suggest Kei involve Yamanaka intelligence. He knew this was beyond them. But with his current manpower stretched thin, he had little choice but to proceed cautiously.
"Then let's leave it at that," Kei said, nodding. His expression turned serious as he fixed Minato with a sharp gaze.
"I do have one question for you, though. A question about the future.
When you finally hold true authority as Hokage, how do you intend to shape this village—this melting pot we call Konoha?"
"…Shape the village?" Minato inhaled deeply. He didn't hesitate, answering with unshakable conviction.
"I want everyone in this village to live as one family. For every person here to live well."