Uchiha Kei didn't know how long the celebration lasted. He had already returned to the clan compound early alongside Uchiha Fugaku and a few others.
This was the era of Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage. Despite Kai's major contributions to the war effort, he had little interest in public praise or ceremonies.
Being too low-key was dangerous—it led others to disregard your views and weaken your political influence.
But being too high-profile was even more perilous. "The tree that stands out in the forest is the first to be felled." That proverb was especially clear to any Uchiha.
Kai had to strike a balance.
Upon returning to the Uchiha district with Fugaku, Kai noted how little his return seemed to stir the clan.
Everything remained calm.
He wasn't surprised. He knew how he was perceived among his people. Those from the lower ranks—chūnin and civilians—were more supportive of him. But the elites, those aligned with internal power factions, were indifferent or even wary.
The so-called doves found him slightly more tolerable. But the hawks outright disliked him.
Kai's presence disrupted the status quo. He threatened too many entrenched interests within the clan.
Even though his political stance leaned closer to moderation, those same moderates found themselves frustrated. Kai remained cold and aloof toward them, just as he did with the hardliners.
He had never taken a firm stance, never pledged loyalty to either faction. That neutrality left everyone uncertain—and some, dissatisfied.
As for the hawkish members, Kai suspected they might have even tried to connect him to Uchiha Yuchi's mysterious disappearance—if not for the chaos caused by the recent Orochimaru incident.
Still, Kai figured no one would seriously believe that a 13-year-old boy could single handedly defeat an elite adult jōnin like Yuchi.
Even with his battlefield fame and fully awakened three-tomoe Sharingan… so did Yuchi, after all.
"Pride blinds even the powerful," Kai thought.
The lower-ranked clansmen were the ones who suffered the most. They had wanted to celebrate, but fear of retribution from the clan's upper echelons held them back.
Those without a voice were always the ones ground down. Kai remembered well—he had once been one of them.
After parting with Fugaku and agreeing to meet again the next morning, Kai returned home.
He didn't pay any mind to the other Uchiha along the way, even when their expressions turned strange or hostile. Kai ignored them all.
"I'm home," he said softly, sliding open the door.
The moment he stepped inside, the tension slipped from his shoulders. His parents, Ryoko and Keisuke, were visibly relieved to see him safe.
They were proud of his achievements, yes—but more than that, they had simply been worried about his well-being. Once Kai assured them he hadn't been seriously injured, they could finally relax.
At dinner, Keisuke even brought out a small bottle of sake, half-jokingly offering some to Kai. That nearly earned him a scolding from Ryoko.
"Kai's only thirteen—almost fourteen," she snapped. "He's not drinking anything."
Despite the minor clash, Kai felt at ease. Here, he didn't have to plan, calculate, or walk the razor's edge of clan politics.
Strategic maneuvering was draining. And the stakes in Konoha were high—one misstep could ruin everything.
But in this home, with his family, Kai could let himself rest.
Still, he knew it couldn't last.
The next morning, Kai arrived at Uchiha Fugaku's home as agreed.
As he stepped through the front gate, he spotted Mikoto Uchiha walking out with a small child—her son, Itachi. Both paused at the sight of him.
"Kai-kun, good morning," Mikoto said with a polite smile. "Itachi, greet your teacher properly."
"Good morning, Sensei," the young Itachi said, bowing obediently.
"Morning," Kai nodded. He couldn't help but twitch slightly at the word sensei.
Fugaku had once considered Kai as a potential mentor for Itachi. But after Kai awakened his Mangekyō Sharingan, Fugaku dropped the subject—at least officially.
Clearly, Mikoto hadn't been told everything. Kai didn't mind. The fewer people who knew the truth, the better.
After a brief and cordial exchange, Mikoto and Itachi departed. She was taking him to the Academy—still treating him like an ordinary child.
Kai watched them go. He couldn't understand how Itachi, so loved by his mother, could later make the choices he did.
Though Itachi had expressed deep regret in the end, nothing could undo what he had done. And Kai had no desire to understand him.
"You're here."
Kai entered Fugaku's garden, where the clan head was already seated with tea.
"Sit. There's no need for formality between us," Fugaku said.
Kai nodded silently and took his seat across from him. He didn't speak. He knew Fugaku would bring up the matters that needed discussion.
Fugaku sipped his tea and finally said, "I've secured what you asked for."
"The medical equipment?" Kai asked, eyes narrowing slightly.
"Yes," Fugaku confirmed. "You really made this difficult. With all the attention on the Orochimaru situation, it's been hard to move anything sensitive. But I managed. It's hidden in the Konoha Police warehouse—quietly. No one noticed."
Kai gave a rare, appreciative smile. The device was essential for a project he couldn't afford to explain to anyone else.
The Orochimaru incident had provided just enough cover, but it had also increased scrutiny across the village—especially on the Uchiha.
If anyone linked the acquisition to forbidden research… the clan would take the fall.
The village elders were already suspicious of the Uchiha. Public backlash would be inevitable.
"Thank you," Kai said sincerely. "And… what about Uchiha Yuchi?"
Fugaku's expression remained calm. "He's proving surprisingly resilient. He used chakra control and nutrient infusions to stabilize himself. He's recovering slowly, perhaps biding his time for a counterattack."
Kai raised an eyebrow. "That cockroach…"
Yuchi's tenacity was disturbing. Kai had thought he'd broken him completely.
"He won't be a problem," Fugaku said flatly. "I made sure of it. I did what you did—shattered his limbs and removed any hope of resistance. He's no longer a threat."
Kai stared, slightly surprised.
This wasn't the cautious and politically hesitant Fugaku from the manga. This was a man capable of quiet brutality.
Maybe if he'd been like this earlier… things would've ended differently for the clan.
"Was he able to activate his Sharingan?" Kai asked.
"No," Fugaku replied. "His hate blinded him. And I didn't give him the chance."
Kai exhaled. "Good. When the time comes, maybe I'll give him a farewell present."