Chapter 225 – Joining the Police Force
"How does he usually behave?" Kei asked.
"Utterly unremarkable. Why?" Ayaka frowned.
"Doesn't he have a fiancée named Hyūga Yui?"
"How should I know? You say it like you're familiar with every member of my clan."
"Fine… but has he ever been close to Orochimaru?"
Ayaka snorted. "Do you think someone like Orochimaru would waste his time on him?"
"..."
Kei rubbed his temples. The moment he'd heard that name, he couldn't stop himself from asking. The weight behind it was too heavy. Unfortunately, this so-called future 'Mizukage' progressed far too slowly. Kei never even learned how his story ended—before being dragged into this cursed world himself. (1)
He knew he was overreacting. Countless people shared names. Just because someone bore the name of a figure from his memories didn't mean it had to be that person.
"From the looks of it, you've already mastered what you needed to?" Kei finally dropped the thought, turning his focus back to what mattered.
"Not mastered," Ayaka corrected, setting down her test tube. "The research is too advanced. Having data doesn't mean it's something you can grasp instantly. But I've adjusted my studies to the targets you set. What I'm learning now is what we actually need. Progress has been acceptable."
"Adjusted, huh?" Kei stroked his chin. That wasn't a bad idea. He didn't need the entire field of genetics—just enough for their purposes. The real danger lay with cells.
Fusing Zetsu's cells would be far riskier. Danzō and Orochimaru had run countless experiments, but only one subject survived—Yamato. And even then, Yamato's Wood Release was a pale shadow of Hashirama's earth-shattering power. His greatest feat had been… planting trees.
"I see. And how's your work on cellular analysis?" Kei asked, voice firm. "You should realize by now—I wasn't lying to you."
"Indeed. The stronger a Hyūga is—especially from the main family—the more complete their genetic sequences are," Ayaka said with a nod. "Thanks to you, I only lack Hiashi's sequence now. If possible, Hizashi's as well."
Her tone carried a curious split: no respect when speaking of the clan head Hiashi, but genuine reverence when she mentioned Hizashi—the branch member who had always defended his kin.
A pity he had died too young. His son Neji, despite extraordinary talent, grew up shackled without proper resources during his most formative years.
"You respect him, yet want his genes?" Kei arched a brow, half-smiling. "That'll hurt you."
"If the day comes when I make a move and they're together," he added, "I'll consider it."
"You? Alone?" Ayaka's brows knitted. "Even with those eyes of yours, can you muster that much power?"
"The things I plan, I plan carefully," Kei said coolly. "Now answer my question."
"Fine. If I focus completely and pour in enough chakra, I can observe cellular changes directly," Ayaka replied. "But no more than five minutes. After that, I need at least a day to recover."
"Five minutes…" Kei thought it over. Too short—but workable. Eternal Mangekyō fusion could last weeks. Observing every other day was still viable, so long as she was thorough.
Nodding, he grew serious. "We'll try it. But I want constant monitoring of the host's body. Every genetic shift. Every irregularity."
"I'll do it," Ayaka answered plainly. "Helping you helps me. But who's your chosen host?"
"Of course—someone like me," Kei said without hesitation.
It was always meant to serve him. To match his Mangekyō's peculiarities, only Uchiha Shuu was the right choice. Months of observation confirmed it: Shuu's body had thrived unnaturally under Mangekyō's strain.
Comparing reports, Ayaka noted Shuu's growth surpassed Kei's in raw efficiency. Not because Kei lacked talent—Mangekyō's enhancement always left its mark—but Shuu's fully matured physique let him reap the gains far faster. Kei, barely fourteen, was still developing. His foundation was far from set.
That difference made Shuu invaluable. His value as a test subject had been fully extracted. Now, it was time to put him to true use.
"I understand," Ayaka said quietly. "When do we begin? I'll prepare."
"Soon. But you'll also prepare something else." Kei's tone sharpened. "Go back to your clan and inform Hiashi. I've invited you to join the Police Force."
Ayaka blinked. The Police Force?
Her brow furrowed. That was both shield and snare. On one hand, it would expose her partnership with Kei. On the other, it would grant her Uchiha protection—something that even the Hyūga elders would hesitate to cross.
But she knew her clan's nature too well. The Hyūga were steeped in tradition, suffocatingly conservative. Joining the Police Force wouldn't be simple. The elders might even demand she act as their spy, feeding them Uchiha secrets.
After all, many in the Hyūga still viewed the Uchiha as rivals, even enemies. Ayaka herself had grown up drilled with one doctrine: a Hyūga must never lose to a Uchiha.
"I see what you're aiming for," she said at last. "But it won't be easy. Too many elders loathe your clan. And I was raised to surpass the Uchiha, not stand beside them."
"Even if they agree, I'll be branded a spy," Ayaka said coldly. "They'll activate the Caged Bird seal on me and force me to report. Do you really want me to sell your secrets to them?"
"That's why you'll speak directly with Hiashi," Kei replied, shaking his head.
"As clan head, Hiashi is sharper than most give him credit for. He knows far more than he lets on. All you need to do is tell him—and make sure you stress these words: 'Uchiha Kei has already discussed this with the Fourth Hokage.' Then, he'll become your strongest backer."
Ayaka's eyes narrowed. She wasn't stupid; she instantly picked up on the hidden implication.
"So you've gotten that close with the Fourth Hokage? No wonder. Your clan's been making bold moves—first reforming the Police Force, now opening the Uchiha compound to outsiders. That's… a declaration, isn't it? Putting aside your pride, putting aside that old arrogance?"
"Pride comes from strength," Kei said lazily, propping his head on one hand. "Not from whatever surname you're born with. Those who rely on bloodline alone for privilege and resources? They're parasites."
He paused, his gaze sharpening. "And soon enough, there will be no difference between bloodline clans and common-born shinobi. So if you're smart, work on becoming a jōnin quickly. Oh—and a word of advice: an Uchiha has already entered the ANBU."
Ayaka stiffened at that. Kei didn't elaborate, leaving her to digest the implications. Her brows furrowed in silence, and then—her face shifted.
Bloodline clans and common shinobi, no distinction… get promoted as fast as possible.
The pieces began to fit together. If Kei was right, then Konoha's future was heading for upheaval. And yet, Ayaka wasn't convinced. Would the proud bloodline clans ever accept such a thing? Unlikely.
Still, the fact that an Uchiha had joined the ANBU—that was worth considering. It was more than a move; it was a signal. A repayment of trust, a show of alignment with the Hokage's camp.
No wonder Kei was so confident Hiashi would back me. If the clan head already knows of this arrangement, he'd never let the chance slip away. An opportunity to build a bridge to the Fourth Hokage? He'd seize it without hesitation.
Ayaka exhaled slowly and gave a small nod. "So Kei-kun had it all planned. I understand. I'll speak with Hiashi tonight."
"Good. And if trouble comes up, tell me immediately," Kei said. A thought crossed his mind, and he added with a faint smile, "Actually, I wouldn't mind meeting your clan head myself. If I'm right, he'll want to meet me too."
"Of course," Ayaka said quietly. "This is no small matter. But tell me—what stance will you take when you face him?"
"The normal one," Kei replied without hesitation.
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(1) I'm just assuming it's a fanon character that Kei might have read about, and he's simply shocked to learn of his existence. What are your thoughts?