Chapter 339 — One Step Forward
Leaving the Hokage's office, Uchiha Kei couldn't help the faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
Another milestone, successfully achieved.
Thinking back to the mixture of surprise and helpless amusement on Minato's face just moments ago, Kei almost laughed out loud.
Truly, if Kumogakure decided to stir up trouble—and if the situation escalated properly—
then despite the looming shadow of potential conflict, it would also become a rare opportunity.
Just as Kei had pointed out, displaying an appropriate level of firmness in defense of Konoha's interests would be invaluable for stabilizing and rallying public morale.
And he had been right about something else, too:
Distraction is the best lubricant for political reform.
This time, Minato's reforms happened to coincide with the chaos Kei created in Kirigakure—far more chaos than anyone expected.
But the benefits?
Clear as day.
With everyone's eyes focused on the Mist, and on the mysterious forces suspected of attacking Konoha, the village-wide restructuring and welfare rollout had progressed with almost eerie calm.
Even the dismantling of the Tokubetsu Jōnin rank—a change that normally would have shaken the village—barely caused more than a ripple.
People simply weren't paying attention.
And as welfare policies continued taking effect, the reform would settle in completely, quietly reshaping the village's foundation.
Kirigakure had been an accidental opportunity.
Kei couldn't possibly repeat the same stunt—
the more often he acted, the more likely he'd expose himself.
And Minato absolutely did not want that.
So if, someday after the reforms had fully taken root, Kumogakure stepped in to provoke Konoha…
They would become the perfect catalyst.
Minato, despite his pacifist heart, had begun to understand—thanks to Kei's repeated reminders—that true lasting peace was exceedingly difficult.
Rather than chasing impossible ideals, it was better to run Konoha well.
Still, all of this remained hypothetical.
There was no concrete sign that Cloud intended to make a move.
Right now, what mattered was strengthening Konoha internally—
only then could future crises be transformed into opportunities.
---
A Familiar Voice
"Captain Kei."
As Kei stepped out of the Hokage building, someone called out from behind him.
Turning, Kei smiled.
"Chief Shikaku. Here to meet the Hokage?"
It was Nara Shikaku.
Kei and Minato had literally just been discussing him—not expecting him to appear immediately afterward.
Shikaku looked the same as ever in his standard Leaf uniform, holding a dossier under his arm.
If not for the scar on his face, he would have looked exactly like every other man in the Nara clan.
(And unlike his son, he definitely didn't lack motivation.)
"No," Shikaku said calmly. "Forgive the abruptness, but I'm here to meet you, Kei."
"To see me?"
Kei blinked—not surprised Shikaku knew he'd come here, but definitely curious about the reason.
Shikaku asking to see him personally rarely meant something trivial.
Kei quickly wondered:
Was this about the Explosive Tag Incident he never officially reported…?
But Shikaku shook his head before Kei could speak.
"No, not the explosive-tag matter—though that one was handled… less than ideally."
Shikaku coughed lightly, then handed Kei the report.
"This is something more important.
I fear my voice alone isn't enough to draw the Fourth Hokage's full attention, so…"
Kei frowned slightly and opened the document—
and nearly laughed aloud.
A post-war reconstruction assessment, and a threat analysis of neighboring villages.
And right there, highlighted clearly:
Kumogakure — High Risk.
Shikaku had compiled losses, estimated recovery rates, and even psychological evaluation of the Raikage to conclude:
"Extremely Dangerous."
Kei instantly understood Shikaku's concern.
This was precisely the kind of analysis that had quietly guided Hiruzen's decisions in the original timeline.
They had underestimated Cloud's methods, but not their ambition.
Hiruzen's eventual compromise, while effective on paper, failed to account for public morale and the distrust he sowed among bloodline clans—
problems that had cracked the village from within long before his downfall.
Shikaku's assessment was sharp and thorough, but he feared Minato wouldn't act on it decisively.
Kei had his answer ready.
"No ned to worry."
Kei closed the report and handed it back with a small smile.
"There's no need to be concerned, Chief Shikaku.
The Hokage already discussed this with me. He asked for my opinion."
"Oh?"
Shikaku's eyes brightened.
"And your assessment?"
"I agree with yours completely.
If the Hokage raised the issue with me, it means he is taking it seriously.
So you can relax—you're not fighting this battle alone."
Shikaku stared at him for a moment, surprised.
Kei knew the man was already piecing together the real sequence of events—
that Kei himself had instigated Minato's focus on the issue.
But results were results.
A problem that had been weighing on Shikaku was now effectively resolved.
And Kei could see the gears turning in Shikaku's mind:
For future difficult issues… perhaps I should consult Kei first, then bring him along to meet the Hokage.
A wise thought.
After all, Kei's influence with the Hokage was… overwhelming.
More than that—Kei's strategic instincts had never once failed him.
Still, Shikaku couldn't help being baffled.
He's only fifteen.
How can he think like this?
But he eventually dismissed the question.
Some people were simply built differently.
"Thank you, Captain Kei," Shikaku said sincerely.
"With your help, things may go far more smoothly."
"No need for thanks. Even without me, the Hokage would have listened."
Kei paused, then added casually:
"By the way, Chief Shikaku—would you have time this evening?
We should gather for a proper talk."
Shikaku raised a brow.
"I was thinking the same. Tonight works.
Should I invite my father as well?"
"Please do."
"I see… so that's your aim."
Kei smiled.
Yes—
He was paving the way for his friend in the Missions Department:
Senju Seirō, the likely future head of the division.
Shikaku understood instantly and had no intention of refusing.
His father was nearing retirement; maintaining influence within the Missions Department was essential for the Nara clan.
The whole thing was mutually beneficial.
But as Shikaku watched Kei walk away, he couldn't suppress a deeper worry.
Kei's influence was… growing frighteningly fast.
He already controlled the Police Force.
His closest peer was poised to take over the Missions Department.
His connections extended into the Hyūga clan—even if only through a branch member.
A political beast was forming.
Fortunately, Hyūga Ayaka was only a branch member.
Had she been a main family heiress…
Shikaku didn't even want to imagine the consequences.
After parting ways, Kei left the Hokage building, his mind drifting.
If Cloud really does come stirring trouble in the future—
what fate awaits them now that I've interfered in everything?
With Konoha's weapons upgrades nearly complete, war reserves replenished, craftsmen and apothecaries preparing new stock, and budgets quietly swelling…
Cloud would be walking into a very different battlefield.
But Kei shook the thoughts aside.
"That's all their job. I don't need to involve myself."
His eyes drifted between the Police Force Headquarters and the Missions Department.
After a moment of hesitation, he headed toward the latter.
"May as well drop by Missions. Nothing urgent to do anyway.
Might as well visit Imai."
Kei rarely visited the Missions Department in person.
After "graduating," all his missions were delivered directly to him because of the war.
Only once—during his investigation into Uchiha Isamu—did he actually walk into the mission hall himself.
Now, as he arrived, the hall looked exactly as he remembered.
Bustling.
Crowded.
Full of shinobi of every rank—teams searching for missions, captains briefing subordinates.
After all—
Shinobi needed money.
Training tools, supplies, recovery gear… all expensive.
The village provided a modest stipend, but it was nowhere near enough.
Konoha's budget also had to cover infrastructure, expansion, and raising the next generation.
And so…
The Missions Department was always full.
Where could the village possibly find enough money to support every ninja?
That was why missions were the primary source of income for shinobi.
Otherwise, so many people wouldn't be jealous of Konoha's massive mission share.
After two major wars, Konoha's reputation had only grown stronger.
Even when clients knew Konoha's mission schedule was full, they still preferred to hand their requests to the Leaf.
Of course… with the reforms Kei was pushing forward, shinobi would eventually have more financial breathing room.
Missions required time and strength.
If the village supported its ninjas better, they could handle far more work—and earn correspondingly more.
Kei's arrival drew immediate attention.
Dozens of shinobi paused what they were doing to glance in his direction, whispering among themselves.
He merely nodded politely and continued on into the Mission Department office building.
Someone must have noticed him enter—
because within moments, Imai Kenta appeared, looking confused.
He hadn't expected Kei in this building at all.
"What are you doing here?" Kenta asked. Then, waving his hand, he added, "Forget it—come to my office."
Kei chuckled.
"You guys react quickly. I barely took a few steps inside and you were already pushed out to greet me."
"Can't help it."
Kenta sighed.
"The Missions Department is a noisy place. External spies love lurking around here trying to gather information."
He shrugged helplessly.
"It's stupid and outdated… but it works.
Ninjas can spend an entire day looking for the right mission, which means there's always a sea of unfamiliar faces.
Whenever someone shady blends in, we can't just walk up and interrogate them."
"Unavoidable," Kei agreed. "And honestly, not something you can fix easily. Must be rough."
"Rough, yes," Kenta muttered, "but I'm used to it. And it's not like I'm the one in charge—yet."
If he ever did become head of the Missions Department, he already knew who he'd ask for help—
Uchiha Kei.
A bit of political cooperation would benefit both of them.
---
Inside the B-Rank Office
Kenta led Kei into a modest office designated for B-rank missions.
Small, but more than sufficient for someone at Kenta's current level.
Strictly speaking, with Kei's status, the department head should've greeted him personally.
But the veteran Nara leader clearly understood that Kei's visit was for Kenta, not him.
Besides, the old man was already preparing to retire. Delegating to Kenta was, in itself, a signal.
Kei sat casually, while Kenta poured him a cup of tea.
"So," Kenta asked, placing the cup on Kei's table, "what brings you here?
Or rather… what scheme are you planning now?"
"A small scheme," Kei admitted with a smile. "Something to help Kakashi move another step forward."
He paused, eyeing the stack of disorganized documents on Kenta's desk, and shook his head.
"Shame you're so busy right now—you probably can't act much."
"Yeah, no chance."
Kenta sighed openly.
"Nara-sensei is preparing for retirement. He's been dragging me everywhere, trying to connect me with the Nara clan.
Feels like he's trying to build some kind of—"
"Master-disciple bond? A sense of mentorship?" Kei finished, smirking.
"No need for all that. Just make sure you're free tonight."
Clearly, the old Nara leader was laying groundwork of his own.
With Kenta's connection to Kei, forming ties with the future Missions Department head was a logical strategy.
And after tonight…
He would likely feel even more reassured, and all the more willing to train Kenta properly.
"Tonight?" Kenta blinked, then his face slowly lit up.
"Wait—don't tell me—"
"Yes," Kei confirmed.
"I've invited members of the Nara clan. Assuming no accidents, both current and future department heads will attend."
He added with a grin,
"The Akimichi and Yamanaka may join too.
So—are you free tonight?"
"Of course I'm free! Thanks, Kei.
Right—what about that plan you mentioned? If you need help, I can try to pull some strings."
"Oh? That so? Perfect."
Kei leaned in with a straight face.
"I'm planning to assassinate the Daimyō. With your help, everything will go smoothly."
"…"
A full two seconds of silence.
Then Kenta cleared his throat.
"Actually… I may be busier than I thought tonight."
Kei laughed.