Chapter 277 – High Profile and Low Profile
To establish the Police Force Headquarters near the Hokage Tower —
that was a move laden with symbolism and prestige.
In all of Konoha, only the Administrative Division was positioned so close to the heart of power.
And yet, even they didn't possess a dedicated headquarters built under the Hokage's very shadow.
It was, without question, an elevation of status for the Police Force.
But Kei Uchiha knew better.
This "honor" was also a subtle form of containment.
To be stationed right next to the Hokage meant that every meeting, every operation, every classified decision would exist under Minato's watchful eye.
No move, no secret assembly, could escape the Hokage's notice.
Still, Kei didn't mind.
Power needed balance.
Oversight was natural — and, truth be told, he understood exactly how bright his star was burning right now.
Kei's guiding principle had always been the same:
Visibility when necessary. Silence when advantageous.
There were times when it was important to stand tall, to make one's presence felt.
A carefully timed display of confidence could send the right message —
a signal of strength, a declaration of intent.
But to stay in the spotlight constantly? That was suicide.
Kei preferred to let silence build his mystique.
People might not always hear from him, but no one ever forgot he was there.
And no one dared to mistake his restraint for weakness.
---
Kei's proposal had passed easily — even enthusiastically.
Almost everyone in the room supported it, whether out of genuine belief in his plan or a simple desire to curry favor with him.
Either way, it was a win.
Beside him, Fugaku Uchiha wore an expression of quiet pride, though his gaze was calculating.
For years, their clan had been suffocating under suspicion and isolation.
Now, after so much hardship, they were being welcomed — even trusted — again.
Yet Fugaku wasn't the type to lose his head.
Experience had carved caution deep into his soul.
"It's a good plan," he murmured quietly to Kei once the meeting shifted to other topics, "but perhaps we should slow down.
Don't you think we've shown a bit too much today?"
Kei smiled faintly.
"Maybe. But the Hokage's sense of balance is sharp.
For Konoha's sake, he'll make choices to keep things stable.
And you saw it yourself — he already set limits by placing our headquarters right under his nose."
Fugaku sighed softly.
"You're right. I suppose I'm just… overly cautious.
I don't want there to be any misunderstanding between us and the Fourth."
"Don't worry," Kei replied. "As long as we don't cross his bottom line, there won't be."
He turned his head slightly, studying Fugaku with mild curiosity.
"By the way, how are your eyes holding up?
And what did it feel like… controlling the Nine-Tails?"
He'd been wondering for some time.
He had his theories, but theory wasn't experience.
To control a Tailed Beast with the Mangekyō Sharingan — how much power did it really take?
How difficult was it in practice?
Fugaku met his gaze, then looked away.
"They're fine. So far, no issues with my eyes."
He hesitated. "As for the Nine-Tails… it has a will of its own.
Controlling it required… a very specific technique. I'd rather not discuss the details."
Kei chuckled lightly.
"Fair enough. I was just curious."
Even without elaboration, Fugaku's answer told him plenty.
Kei's eyes flicked toward Minato, who was still deep in discussion across the room.
"Originally, I planned to keep the Eternal Mangekyō for about a year before handing it over," Kei said suddenly, lowering his voice.
"But now… it seems there's no need to wait that long.
It should be ready within a few months. When the time comes, come to my lab."
Fugaku blinked.
"A few months? I see."
Then, half-jokingly: "You're not planning to keep them for yourself, are you?"
Kei smiled dryly.
"You really trust me that much, Clan Leader? Aren't you afraid I'll change my mind and claim the eyes for myself?"
Fugaku gave a small, weary laugh.
"Of course I'm afraid. But I also trust you won't.
Our cooperation benefits both of us.
I can provide you with legitimacy and political cover.
You could replace me, yes — but you'd gain little and lose much.
It wouldn't be worth it."
Kei studied him for a long moment, then smiled and nodded.
"You're right. I'm not foolish enough to ruin what we've built."
He understood Fugaku's subtle message — a mix of sincerity and gentle warning — but it didn't bother him.
He truly had no intention of keeping the eyes for himself.
"And what about your own eyes, Kei?" Fugaku asked quietly.
"When the Eternal eyes are ready… how will you handle yours?
We could each take one — share the pair."
Kei shook his head with a small laugh.
"No need. A single Eternal eye is useless without its twin.
Don't worry — I have my own solutions."
Fugaku studied him deeply for a moment longer, then let it go.
Kei's confidence left no room for doubt — he clearly already had something planned.
And truthfully, Fugaku didn't need to pry.
The fact that Kei was willing to part with the Eternal Mangekyō at all proved that he was committed to their alliance.
With that power, Fugaku could safeguard his clan's future.
Even if his own sons — Itachi and Sasuke — never awakened the Mangekyō, his preserved eyes could one day protect them.
In truth, he hoped they never would.
Only those who had endured that agony could understand how the Mangekyō was born —
from unbearable loss, from grief that warped the soul itself.
As a father, Fugaku would rather his children live ordinary, peaceful lives
than ever awaken that cursed light.
Still, he couldn't deny that as clan head,
having those eyes as a legacy was a necessary safeguard.
Fortunately, thanks to Kei, the Eternal Mangekyō might finally break that cycle of pain.
---
The meeting lasted until late morning before finally dispersing.
Perhaps it was because everything essential had been decided —
or perhaps because everyone had noticed how pale Minato had become.
Many of them knew the truth behind the Nine-Tails' sealing.
And though Kushina was the true Jinchūriki, they understood that Minato now bore part of that burden himself.
He needed rest.
And time.
As the others departed, Kei and Fugaku went their separate ways —
Fugaku returning to the Uchiha compound,
and Kei heading toward the Police Force headquarters.
There was work to be done —
reports to review, orders to issue, and a city still reeling from the night the Nine-Tails had torn it apart.
The casualties among civilians were the heaviest.
In the chaos of the Nine-Tails' attack, those who lacked preparation, coordination, or command — the on-duty shinobi caught off guard at their posts — suffered the most.
Later battles had losses too, of course, but compared to the initial onslaught, the difference was staggering.
Among all the units that responded, the Konoha Police Force had managed to control its damage the best.
Their quick coordination had saved lives — and it all came down to Kei Uchiha's decisive action.
The moment he realized what was happening, Kei had fired a signal flare, summoning every officer to regroup and follow his lead.
Had he not done so — had the scattered units rushed in without direction — the results would have been catastrophic.
He didn't even want to imagine it.
---
It didn't take long for Kei to reach the Police Force Headquarters.
The compound was quieter than usual. Most of the personnel were still out on assignments — guarding relief zones, maintaining curfews, assisting with rescue teams.
Those who remained behind — especially the hired auxiliary shinobi — were working harder than ever.
They had taken it upon themselves to help the stationed officers however they could: hauling debris, distributing supplies, keeping the armory secure.
Just a few days ago, these hired hands had been grumbling.
They'd resented Kei for forcing them to stay behind during the attack instead of joining the front lines.
But when they saw what nearly happened that night —
how the prisoners and spies locked inside the Police detention center had almost rioted amidst the chaos —
they finally understood why he had kept them there.
If the Nine-Tails had been stopped only for the village to be overrun by escaped criminals afterward, the consequences would have been unthinkable.
A city crawling with infiltrators and fugitives would have torn Konoha apart from within.
Now, they realized that their vigilance had mattered.
---
And word had spread fast.
Everyone in the village knew that the Nine-Tails had been defeated through the combined efforts of Fugaku Uchiha, Kei Uchiha's shadow clones, and the Fourth Hokage himself.
They also knew that the masked man who controlled the beast had been stopped —
not by Minato, but by Kei Uchiha in person.
People were talking about it everywhere — in markets, on the streets, even in the shelters.
How the Police Force, once mistrusted, had been the first to respond, and how they'd fought valiantly to protect the village.
And though the auxiliary shinobi hadn't fought on the front lines, they couldn't help but feel proud.
They had kept the headquarters safe, ensuring that the Police Force could fight without fear for what was behind them.
Now, their pride burned bright — mingled with relief and gratitude.
---
"Captain Kei!"
Kei offered them a brief nod of acknowledgment before stepping past the main hall and into his office.
Once inside, he summoned his three division captains — Uchiha Jun, Uchiha Ryu, and another squad leader — for a debriefing.
The three entered respectfully.
Aside from Jun, the other two bore visible bandages and scratches — a testament to the battles they'd endured that night.
Still, none of them complained.
They had come in promptly, without taking leave or rest.
They knew full well — this was not the time for breaks.
Kei might be able to afford a brief respite.
But for them, for the ones who followed him…
Duty came first.
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