Chapter 50: Return to the Village
After several days of travel, Uchiha Kei finally returned to Konoha alongside a group of injured comrades. As he looked up at the familiar village gates and the three towering stone faces of the Hokage Rock, his heart was filled with emotion.
Finally back. Finally alive.
He wasn't the only one feeling this way. Every wounded ninja who made the journey home with him shared the same overwhelming sense of relief.
The desire to survive wasn't something unique to Kei—it was a thought that crossed the mind of anyone who had ever set foot on the battlefield.
While such thoughts might be seen as distractions in combat, they were, in truth, the most deeply rooted desires in any shinobi's heart. And the moment one found safety, those buried instincts would resurface in full force.
Perhaps because their unit hadn't returned victorious, no one came out to greet them.
But Kei didn't mind that in the slightest.
Just as he was saying his goodbyes to Yamanaka Masato and preparing to head toward the Uchiha compound, he noticed several ninja in Uchiha clan uniforms approaching him.
Kei recognized a few of them by face, though he had no real connection to any of them—they simply weren't from the same circle.
Within the clan, these individuals belonged to the group considered "worth cultivating"—the ones who didn't need to set foot on the battlefield. They served the elders or were part of the Konoha Military Police Force.
In short, they were the model Uchiha: well-bred, well-placed, and not the kind to mingle with someone like Kei—a so-called fringe member of the clan. Especially someone who hadn't even awakened the Sharingan.
But things were different now.
Word from the frontlines had spread. This "nobody" had awakened his Sharingan. And not just any Sharingan—he had reached the level of the three tomoe.
"Looks like the clan finally recognizes you," Masato said with a grin as he noticed the approaching Uchiha. "Well, I won't keep you. Time for me to head home. And… thanks again—for saving me."
"You've said that enough times on the way back, Masato-san," Kei chuckled. "Get going. Your injuries are way worse than mine."
"Hah, maybe next time we meet, I'll have to call you Jōnin Kei," Masato teased with a wave before turning and walking off.
Kei watched him go with a smile. But once Masato had walked some distance away, that smile slowly faded from his face.
Masato was from the Yamanaka clan. Kei wasn't sure how close he was to Yamanaka Inoichi, but regardless, he was a textbook example of a shinobi from a respected noble family.
There was no harm in maintaining a good relationship with someone like that.
Still, now that he was gone, there was no need to keep smiling.
Kei wasn't Imai Kenta, after all.
---
Especially since the annoying ones had arrived.
Kei had little respect for these particular members of the Uchiha—especially those who served the clan elders. Every clan was complicated in its own way. Even a family like the Hyuga, with their clear distinction between main and branch houses, had internal strife.
Back then, even Hiashi Hyuga had been put in a difficult position regarding the issue with his brother, Hizashi. And that pressure hadn't come only from the clan elders—the Third Hokage had played a major part too.
The Uchiha clan was no different. There were various factions within it. The elders and the clan leader weren't always on the same page. After all, if they were, why would the clan leader be sent to the frontlines while these others remained safely behind?
Perhaps Uchiha Fugaku wanted to train Itachi personally. But maybe there was something more to it—like the control over the Konoha Police Force.
That position, while arguably the root of the Uchiha's growing alienation from the rest of the village, was still a form of power. And power, as always, had the potential to corrupt.
"Uchiha Kei, welcome back," one of the female Uchiha greeted him with a formal smile as she approached the returning team.
Kei recognized her. Her name was Uchiha Jun—a beautiful and cunning woman, well-connected within the clan.
"Ah, hello," Kei nodded. His expression was calm, his tone neither warm nor cold.
Jun didn't seem to mind his indifferent attitude. She kept smiling as she said, "Welcome back, and congratulations on your achievements at the front. We received intel that you've awakened your Sharingan. Naturally, we'd like to verify it."
"Mm," Kei nodded again, though inside he was sneering coldly.
So that's what this was about—they were here for his eyes. Of course. In this clan, the Sharingan was valued above all else. Possessing it meant possessing power.
Even if they didn't say it out loud, Kei knew exactly what they were thinking. Many in the clan—especially the powerful ones—would already be trying to win him over. A young member who had awakened the Sharingan? Definitely worth pulling into the fold.
But first, they had to confirm one thing: the level of his Sharingan.
The information they received said Kei had awakened the three-tomoe Sharingan right off the bat. That had never happened in the clan's recorded history.
Kei knew the truth, though—his eyes weren't as miraculous as they believed. He wasn't some chosen one like Uchiha Obito, who'd gone down a twisted path.
If he had the choice, he would've preferred to show only two tomoe… maybe even just one. That way, he could've activated it more freely without drawing attention. But that wasn't an option anymore.
So now, if they wanted to see it, then fine—they could see the "truth" Kei chose to show them.
Closing his eyes for a moment, Kei opened them again. Blood-red irises, with three jet-black tomoe spinning slowly around his pupils.
Three-tomoe Sharingan—the pinnacle form of the base Sharingan.
As expected, the expressions of those who had come to greet him changed immediately. Envy, awe, even a tinge of jealousy—they tried to hide it, but Kei saw it all. His eyes made sure of that.
His inner sneer deepened.
How many of these people had even reached this stage with their own eyes?
And this wasn't even Kei's full strength. But this level alone was already more than enough. He could see Jun's expression tighten for a brief second—then she smiled even brighter.
With a slight shake of his head, Kei deactivated his Sharingan, silently observing the group.
"Kei-kun, you truly are a genius of the Uchiha," Jun said brightly. "I'm sure the clan leader and elders will be thrilled to see someone so talented paving the way for our clan's future."
"Genius, huh?" Kei's face remained calm. "I know exactly what I am. And right now, I'm tired and not in the mood for small talk. If you've got something to say, get to the point."
"Proud, aren't you? But you've earned it, Kei-kun," Jun chuckled. "We're simply here to welcome you home."
(End of Chapter)