Uchiha Jun felt that Uchiha Fugaku neither displayed warmth nor overt coldness. He was composed, reserved—true to his role as clan head.
Although Kai and Fugaku seemed close to outsiders, both knew the real reason behind their cooperation. Their relationship was built on mutual benefit, not trust. To bridge the gap between them, only time and a careful balancing of interests would suffice.
Fugaku could not fully grasp Kai's intentions, but he often had the unsettling impression that Kai could see through him. Regardless of whether that feeling was accurate, Fugaku remained wary—even as he chose to protect Kai within the clan's political framework. He suspected Kai did the same.
For now, Fugaku had a more immediate issue: cleaning up Kai's political mess.
Kai's recent actions did not merely stir internal clan matters. Word was bound to spread beyond the Uchiha—especially to those in the village leadership who monitored the clan closely.
Fugaku understood this, and he had to act swiftly to minimize the fallout. If he couldn't contain the consequences, he at least had to reshape the narrative.
And what Fugaku understood, Kai surely understood too—especially since he was the one who set everything in motion.
There were no secrets in Konoha, especially not for a clan that was watched.
The higher-ups may have hesitated to act directly against the Uchiha leadership, but others wouldn't show such restraint. Kai could safely assume that the Third Hokage and his advisors would hear about his recent moves very soon.
"Their caution gives me just enough breathing room," Kai thought, sitting alone in his office. "But after this, they'll probably consider courting me rather than confronting me."
Not long ago, Kai's name barely registered in the village's political circles. But now? Even the Third Hokage would have to pay attention—and tread carefully.
More importantly, Kai's actions had aligned him, temporarily, with Konoha's more moderate factions. "The enemy of my enemy," after all.
He wasn't reckless. He always weighed the consequences of his actions. While he sometimes gambled for the greater gain, he more often preferred stability—particularly now.
"Still," Kai mused, "they probably won't contact me directly. In their eyes, I'm still Fugaku's man."
He stood up. There was no point in lingering in this place.
His own division members were currently imprisoned in Konoha's detention facility—on his orders. The rest of the Uchiha force looked at him with thinly veiled unease.
Better to leave. He considered either continuing his training in Susanoo, or seeking out Isamu Uchiha for more information.
But before he could take a step, a knock came at the door.
"Come in. It's open," Kai said, tilting his head and sinking back into his chair.
The door creaked open. It was Kakashi Hatake.
"You?" Kai raised an eyebrow. "Didn't expect you of all people to come here."
"Sensei sent me," Kakashi replied, his tone cold—frosty, almost suffocating.
Kai frowned slightly at the heaviness in the air. Kakashi's exposed eye—dark, distant—made even someone like Kai feel a twinge of discomfort.
"Are you really going to wear that expression with me?" Kai exhaled. "Or is that all your emotional strength amounts to? You disappoint me, Kakashi."
"I..." Kakashi froze. His lone eye flickered with emotion, then dimmed. "I'm sorry... I..."
Kai narrowed his eyes. He understood. Kakashi couldn't forgive him.
After all, Kai had been involved in Obito's fate—and perhaps even Rin's, depending on the timeline. Even if indirectly, the scars were personal.
To live with the guilt of breaking promises to the people you swore to protect... that was a crushing burden.
But Kakashi wasn't like Itachi. He wasn't alone.
"Think about the others who care about you, Kakashi," Kai said gently, stepping forward. "Your teacher. Gai. Even Rin—had she lived. You're not alone."
"I... I'm sorry... I..." Kakashi trembled. His head lowered, his voice nearly cracked with a suppressed sob.
Kai was caught off guard. The apology wasn't for him—it was for everyone Kakashi believed he had failed.
"Cheer up," Kai said quietly, patting his shoulder. "Minato-sensei sent you, right?"
"Yes," Kakashi steadied himself. "But he said the place we talk has to be... secluded."
"Good." Kai nodded. "Let me give you a heads-up—Minato's going to propose that you join ANBU. He believes it will help focus you, sharpen your instincts, and maybe even... give you peace."
"Understood," Kakashi said with renewed clarity. "I trust you, Kai."
Kai looked into those eyes—so honest, so young—and turned away, pretending not to care. But he did care. Just not without conditions.
"If you were a woman with long white hair, maybe I'd care a bit more openly," he muttered, half-jokingly.
After some brief conversation, Kai saw Kakashi out. He still had to prepare for a critical meeting—with Uchiha Fugaku and Namikaze Minato.
The future of the Uchiha clan might shift with this discussion. Kai would play a quiet but essential role in facilitating it.
Later that night...
Under the moonlight, near a secluded forest bunker constructed by Kai, he and Fugaku stood together.
Both wore black cloaks and identical masks.
No one could know this meeting was happening—not even trusted clan members.
As the hour struck midnight, a faint shimmer of chakra appeared in the clearing. Minato Namikaze arrived, his face calm but cold.
"Apologies for being late," he said quietly. "Kushina just fell asleep. I couldn't risk leaving her earlier."
"We're not strangers, Minato," Fugaku replied, removing his mask. "Mikoto and Kushina are close. We've known each other for years."
"Hello, Captain Minato," Kai greeted politely as he pulled off his mask.
"Fugaku. Kai." Minato nodded. "If this were a personal visit, I'd enjoy catching up. But we all know... it isn't."
His meaning was clear. They were here not as friends, but as political representatives.
Minato glanced briefly at Kai. This meeting—risky as it was—had only been made possible by Kei's careful maneuvering.
Kai stayed quiet. He had already briefed Minato privately and prepared Fugaku separately. His job now was to ensure the conversation stayed on course.
He watched as Minato and Fugaku began to speak in earnest—about the village, the growing tensions, the future of the clan.
Both were powerful, both burdened. And ironically, both would die before their sons would change the world.
"Minato died protecting his son. Fugaku died by his son's hand," Kai thought, his expression unreadable. "Who was more fortunate?"
In the end, perhaps neither.
Kai could only hope that his own actions would lead the Uchiha clan down a different road.
"I may only be one man," Kai thought, "but one man can change everything."