Chapter 194 – Sincere Intentions
After arranging positions for Imai Kenta and Uchiha Kawa, Kei shifted his focus elsewhere.
In recent days, Uchiha Fugaku had already begun sending people to deliver the medical ninjutsu research that Kei had requested, all of it moved into their underground laboratory.
Of course, this was only part of the collection. No matter how hard Fugaku tried, it was impossible to gather everything immediately. But what they had so far was sufficient. Kei was preparing to let Hyūga Ayaka begin working with it.
Still, to be safe, Kei had specifically ordered Uchiha Sō and the others to make copies of all the documents.
He understood the principle well enough: never put all your eggs in one basket.
Kei had invested too much into this project. If something were to happen to Ayaka, all his preparations would be wasted—a disaster he wasn't willing to risk.
So while nurturing Ayaka, he decided to prepare a backup plan: to find and cultivate another candidate.
This new person might not have the Byakugan, or even the Sharingan, but Kei only needed someone he could trust and shape.
It would merely be an alternative option—if Ayaka remained loyal and unharmed, the backup would never need to be activated. But if something happened, Kei wouldn't be left with nothing.
"Besides, someone like Yakushi Kabuto was a commoner, born in an orphanage. That place is filled with such hidden talents. Finding one with potential and testing them isn't a bad idea."
The thought settled in Kei's mind.
Truthfully, once this idea struck, it was impossible for Kei not to consider seeking Kabuto himself. But by now, nearly forty-seven years had passed since Konoha's founding. Born in Year 40, Kabuto would already be seven—perhaps already recruited into Root. Kei couldn't be sure.
He remembered that Kabuto had joined Root at a very young age, manipulated by Danzō until he lost his sense of self—and was even forced to kill Nono Yakushi with his own hands.
Kei stroked his chin. Maybe this could be an opportunity.
Danzō had to die. Whether by Kei's hand, another Uchiha's, or even by betrayal from his own followers—it didn't matter.
Kei considered the possibilities. Even if he couldn't eliminate Danzō directly, he could at least cast a shadow over his life, make him live haunted by his own schemes.
And if Danzō died sooner than in the original course of events, the orphans and "talents" he had gathered would still be there to be claimed.
It was worth trying.
He recalled that Kabuto killed Nono five years after joining Root. That meant there was still room to maneuver—time to intercept, manipulate, or even alter the outcome.
"Orochimaru… it seems I'll need to trouble you again."
After all, Orochimaru had found Kabuto immediately after his betrayal of Root. That spoke volumes about the reach of Orochimaru's information network.
If Kabuto killed Nono before defecting, that meant Orochimaru also had information on Nono herself.
Kei couldn't help but sigh in amusement: Orochimaru really is such a useful man.
Whether it was him, or the brilliant Kabuto he cultivated, both would become masters of fulfilling impossible dreams.
And intercepting Orochimaru's resources could only bring Kei unimaginable benefits.
---
Inside the underground lab, Kei quietly observed Ayaka.
Her hands glowed with green chakra as she worked, Byakugan activated, meticulously repairing the remains of Nohara Rin.
Though Uchiha Sō and the others didn't fully understand why Kei insisted on such tasks, they still obeyed, copying every scroll Fugaku had provided.
Sō knew of Kei's Mangekyō Sharingan, yet he hadn't spread the information. His newfound caution pleased Kei.
With the copies secured, Kei had summoned Ayaka into the lab.
She hadn't refused him. Caught up in Kei's schemes, she knew she was the weaker side of their "partnership." Still, this was her choice, and she trusted in her decision.
Yet… staring at the mountain of books stacked on the desk, even Ayaka felt overwhelmed.
"I've already cleaned up most of the sealing patterns," she said, stopping her chakra flow and wiping sweat from her brow.
"Next, I'll focus on repairing her damaged heart. But it looks like you've given me quite a bit of additional work."
"Those materials on cellular-level medical ninjutsu will be useful—for you and for me," Kei replied calmly.
"In fact, I recommend you also start looking into genetic research. At the very least, you need to understand and observe it. It concerns not only your own future, but mine as well."
He wasn't joking.
Although Kei hadn't yet requested genetic materials from Fugaku, it didn't mean he lacked the ambition.
Of course, true genetic research in the shinobi world was extremely rare. At best, one might find introductory materials. Anything deeper required dedicated study, and very few possessed such knowledge.
Kei suspected that perhaps only Orochimaru had ventured that far.
Yes—once again, the great "Dream-Maker."
Even if Kei couldn't be sure Orochimaru had begun such research yet, he almost certainly would. To reach the level of Edo Tensei, he would need to.
And if Kei wanted profound genetic insights, Orochimaru might be his only source.
Still, Kei's reasoning wasn't groundless speculation. In his eyes, both the Uchiha and Hyūga clans were walking a path of atavism—a regression from their ancestors' heights.
If they wanted to reclaim their true legacy, there were few paths forward.
The one Kei knew best was a road of evolution—to recover lost genes, to awaken dormant ones.
Setting aside the terrifying anomaly of Kaguya Ōtsutsuki, if Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki represented a being with "100% genetic completion," then Madara Uchiha provided a point of reference for comparison.
By Kei's estimation, the Mangekyō stage—his current level—represented about 20% completion.
Obtaining his brother's eyes and awakening the Eternal Mangekyō would raise that to about 40%.
Acquiring Hashirama's cells, merging Indra's and Asura's chakra, and awakening the Rinnegan—that was about 60%.
When Madara resurrected fully and gained Sage Chakra, he had quietly approached 80%.
And after integrating the chakra of all nine tailed beasts, he transcended further, manifesting Hagoromo's very staff and cloak.
Kei mused: Madara's ascent to the "Six Paths" level was certainly a brutal, forceful method.
But this method of retracing and restoring one's genetic potential—this was absolutely worth Kei's consideration.
Even without looking too far ahead, simply the fusion of Uchiha Shuu's and Uchiha Yuu's eyes could already be viewed as a form of genetic restoration—or rather, the activation of dormant genes.
So there was nothing wrong with Kei asking Hyūga Ayaka to explore this path.
She didn't need to delve into profound theories just yet, but neither could she remain ignorant.
"Genetic medical ninjutsu?" Ayaka's expression darkened.
"We're already dealing with medical techniques related to cells, and now you want me to study genetics too? What exactly are you planning? How do you expect me to absorb so much knowledge?"
"There's a purpose to the cellular studies," Kei answered evenly.
"Whether it's for how I plan to use it in the future, or for observing changes in Uchiha Shuu's body—or even just tracking cellular transformations—it's valuable. As for genetics…"
He paused, thinking carefully before continuing.
"…genetics will benefit both of us. If you could obtain your clan leader's genes or cells, you might uncover the difference between yourself and him. You might even be able to complete something within yourself."
"Complete…?" Ayaka frowned, a flicker of realization crossing her face. "You mean comparing my genetic code with Hiashi Hyūga's—and then finding a way to make up for what I lack."
Kei was a little taken aback. This woman really does process things fast.
He had only hinted at the idea, yet she'd already grasped the essence.
The approach reminded him of a certain "mask fanatic" he recalled—someone who had walked a similar path. At the most critical moment, that man had directly utilized refined genetic material, and against astronomical odds, he had succeeded—awakening the Tenseigan.
But Kei didn't believe Ayaka would ever gamble her life on such impossible chances. Unless one was a "chosen child of destiny," survival was almost impossible.
And Ayaka had already taken more than enough risks. She would never entrust her life to something so nebulous and nearly unattainable.
"…More or less, yes."
Kei nodded, then turned his head toward the clock on the wall. After a moment of thought, he spoke quietly:
"Well then, I'll leave this matter in your hands, Ayaka. Be diligent with it. In the end, it will benefit both of us."
"I understand." Ayaka still frowned slightly, but she nodded nonetheless. Then, with some curiosity, she asked, "It's still early. Are you leaving already?"
"Yeah, I should get going." Kei fastened his cloak across his shoulders with a casual motion.
"An old man wants to have a chat. I don't want to see him, but I can already guess his intentions. Still, since he's in such a rush, I won't disappoint him."
"I see." Ayaka immediately understood who he meant. She gave a calm nod. "Then, Kei-kun—I'll wish you a safe return."
Kei smirked faintly. "Sincerely?"
"Of course. We're partners, aren't we?"