Chapter 226 – The Meeting
Sharing certain information with Hyūga Ayaka wasn't a big deal to Kei. If he wanted, he could have just as easily told Kenta as well.
In truth, he had considered it. Between collaborators, it was only natural to reveal some of their capabilities—to prove both value and trustworthiness.
But the most important factor was this: both Ayaka and Kenta knew when to keep their mouths shut. They understood what could be shared and what must never be spoken of, no matter the cost.
"Trust" was a rare commodity among shinobi. What bound people together was usually shared ambition—or overlapping interests.
From Kei's perspective, Hiashi Hyūga could not possibly be blind to the fact that new blood had entered ANBU. Nor could he ignore the Fourth Hokage's growing difficulties.
Choosing sides was always a serious matter. Hiashi would never throw all his chips in with Minato, but he could use Ayaka as a pawn—a gesture of goodwill toward the Hokage's faction.
No doubt Hiashi was waiting, biding his time to see who would prevail in the inevitable clash between the Third and Fourth Hokage.
Hiashi's patience wasn't wrong. With a clan as stable as the Hyūga, and without the looming crises that plagued the Uchiha, he had the luxury of sitting back and watching. But what he would never anticipate was just how far Minato was willing to go.
Kei couldn't be bothered to imagine Hiashi's face when the truth finally dawned on him. He had other matters to attend to—such as arranging a formal meeting with Minato, not just whispered conferences in some hidden grove.
---
Meanwhile, inside a small council room of the Hyūga compound—
"Absolutely not!"
The sharp voice of a man in his fifties or sixties cut through the air. His outrage was echoed by several other elders, each nodding vehemently in agreement.
Hiashi sat calmly at the head of the chamber. He had expected this resistance. It wasn't the first time he'd clashed with the clan elders, and it wouldn't be the last.
The elders existed for one purpose: to limit the clan head's power. A good leader could raise a clan to glory; a poor one could drag it into ruin. Thus, like Konoha itself, the Hyūga had its own council of checks and balances.
Hiashi was used to it. But this time, he would not yield so easily. The elders' objections all stemmed from the same incident: Ayaka's brutal handling of a main-branch heir during the last sparring session.
"There are no absolutes," Hiashi said evenly. "Ayaka may be of the branch family, but she has the right to choose her own path."
"Save those words for the branch members," one elder scoffed. "Don't waste them on us. We know you want to invest in the Fourth Hokage, but Ayaka is not a wise choice. If you must, pick someone from the main house. At least that would be respectable."
"But Uchiha Kei—the Police Force Head—recognizes Ayaka," Hiashi countered, still expressionless.
"She's served alongside the Fourth Hokage before. Their rapport is already established. With the Uchiha making such bold moves, it's clear they have Minato's ear. If we don't act, we'll fall behind."
"Even so, a branch member is unacceptable—especially one who defies her place," another elder pressed.
Their logic wasn't entirely wrong. If the Hyūga were to align with the Hokage, sending a main-branch representative would indeed signal more respect. To them, Ayaka was beneath notice: first because of her branch status, and now because she'd broken the most sacred tenet of the branch family.
The Caged Bird's creed was simple: branch members existed to protect the main house—even to the death.
Hiashi's brow furrowed. He hated this division. To him, the Hyūga should be one clan, united by blood, not fractured into two groups that bore the same name yet nursed mutual suspicion and resentment.
He thought of his brother. Once, they had been close. But the day they understood the true nature of the Caged Bird seal, that bond had frayed, until now there was only a brittle coldness between them.
"She is still Hyūga," Hiashi said, his voice hardening. "She carries the same blood as us all. Don't go too far. If Hyūga Sora lost to her, that is his own weakness. Ayaka survived seven, eight years on the battlefield—she is stronger than him, plain and simple."
"Clan Head…" The elders' faces soured.
But Hiashi ignored them. "Combat experience. Skill. These are the true measures of a shinobi. Sora may have talent, but he doesn't know how to use it. That is no genius. The Police Force is led by Uchiha Kei, and he values Ayaka. This matter is decided. And more—Kei has been seen visiting the Hokage's office."
"Even if it's the Hokage, he cannot meddle in Hyūga affairs!" one elder snapped, his face flushed with anger.
"Perhaps," Hiashi conceded, "but don't forget—we are shinobi of Konoha as well. I will meet with Kei personally. This discussion is over. Instead of bickering, perhaps focus on properly training your children."
---
Elsewhere, in the Hokage's office—
"Captain Kei? What brings you here?"
Minato looked up, his expression faintly surprised. He hadn't expected Kei to walk in openly like this.
But Minato was no fool. In the past weeks he had learned quickly that the battlefield of politics was no less treacherous than war. He kept his expression pleasant, his words measured.
Especially since he could feel the presence of watchers in the shadows of the office—ANBU loyal to others, not him.
"Lord Fourth," Kei said politely, his face calm. He looked every inch the deferential subordinate greeting his superior.
"It's been a while since we last spoke," Minato said warmly, his smile impeccable. "We were teammates once, weren't we? I know you've been busy lately. Still, your reforms in the Police Force are impressive. Keep up the good work."
"I will, Hokage-sama." Kei bowed deeply.
To anyone watching, they looked like a model pair of superior and subordinate. Their battlefield camaraderie was buried beneath a façade of courtesy. Kei's excessive formality made him seem cold, while Minato's warmth aligned perfectly with his reputation.
But beneath that mask, both men understood the truth: this was no casual visit.
The battlefield really did shape a shinobi in every possible way. Watching these two now, Kei and Minato, was like watching master actors on stage—no one observing could possibly guess what their true relationship was.
"Hokage-sama," Kei began after a brief pause, his tone respectful yet measured. "I came today to ask a favor. Hyūga Ayaka is my teammate. As a member of the Hyūga clan, her Byakugan would be a great asset to the Police Force. So…"
"You want Ayaka to join the Police Force?" Minato blinked in surprise. That was the last thing he had expected.
Of course, the Uchiha had recently begun reaching out to various clans, inviting their members to take up posts in the reformed Police Force. The process hadn't been smooth—so far they'd only managed to bring in people from smaller clans. They hadn't even approached the Hyūga.
Kei wasn't handling that task personally. Minato remembered seeing the name Uchiha Jun—one of the three squad captains—attached to those recruitment efforts.
Minato himself hadn't paid much attention. Still, all such intelligence inevitably crossed his desk.
Allowing a Hyūga into the Police Force? On paper, Minato strongly supported the idea. But he also knew it wouldn't be easy. The relationship between the Hyūga and Uchiha was… complicated.
The Third Hokage's policy of "clan segregation" had sown deep divides, but truthfully, the two dōjutsu clans had never gotten along to begin with.
As Hokage, Minato knew better than to interfere openly in bloodline clans' internal affairs. Still, Kei had come here himself. It would have been improper to show no stance at all.
"It may be difficult…" Minato rubbed the back of his head. "But I support your proposal, Captain Kei. I just can't promise results."
"That's fine," Kei said with a faint smile. "Your support is enough. I believe the Hyūga clan head is already waiting to see me. Then, if you'll excuse me, Hokage-sama."
"Wait—should I come with you? Or perhaps write a letter on your behalf?" Minato asked, visibly uneasy.
Kei shook his head politely. "Thank you for your concern, Hokage-sama, but allow me to handle this myself."
He bowed lightly, then turned and left the office.
Minato sat in silence long after Kei's footsteps faded. Finally, he let out a quiet sigh and lowered his gaze back to the stack of documents on his desk. But inwardly, he was far from calm.
The entire time, ANBU had lingered in the office, watching, "protecting" him. Not once had they withdrawn—even during his private conversation with the Police Force Captain.
The insult of it left Minato seething. Yet he said nothing. For now, he couldn't.
It was only the beginning.