Chapter 333 — "The One Who Returned Home"
Walking along the road toward home, Kei mentally replayed everything that had just happened.
Shisui…
That kid's worldview must've shattered today.
To put it bluntly, the impact he took probably amounted to a full-blown collapse of faith.
After all, Kei had deliberately fed him certain "truths"—truths sharp enough to tear apart the beliefs he'd held for years.
Everything Shisui thought he understood—his ideals, convictions, and certainties—had been crushed in an instant.
The psychological damage from that… was immeasurable.
Especially because Kei had told him to go ask Uchiha Jin for confirmation.
Shisui knew very well what Kei's relationship with Jin was like.
That man would never voluntarily say anything that favored Uchiha Kei.
He'd already told Shisui the truth behind Uchiha Shin's death, after all.
Before Kei intimidated him into submission, Jin had clearly viewed Kei as a dangerous rival.
But the situation had changed.
Kei didn't know whether Jin's newfound obedience was because he'd grown timid…
or because the "dove faction" had fractured internally…
Either way, Jin was gradually leaning toward Kei's and Fugaku's side.
The Uchiha clan's internal conflict was meaningless in Kei's eyes.
It was simply a matter of removing "unstable elements" for the sake of a stable future.
And those who once threatened that stability—like Jin—were now beginning to exhibit a desire to keep the clan unified and peaceful.
As long as they weren't creating trouble, Kei had no interest in uprooting them.
If Jin hadn't understood the value of Uchiha Kei and Fugaku's leadership,
he wouldn't have so readily "sold out" Shisui just now.
"Shisui will definitely go ask Jin.
And Jin—no matter his motives—will tell him everything."
Kei smirked inwardly.
"And once Shisui realizes he was treated as a pawn…
Once he sees the village and the clan stabilizing…
He'll inevitably make a decision that is—
amusing."
A decision that aligns with Kei's interests.
If the Third Hokage dared extend his hand into Uchiha affairs…
Then why couldn't Kei redirect that very hand and plant it deep inside the Third's political network?
Shisui was a perfect blade.
Perhaps not sharp enough to strike directly at Sarutobi yet—
but once embedded deeply enough, once trusted deeply enough…
Kei would eventually get his chance to drive that blade straight into the old man's political heart.
"Of course, I need time. The messier things get, the better…"
Kei casually greeted passing neighbors, his mind racing.
"Best case?
After he finishes the mission I assign him, I can send him straight into Akatsuki."
The organization's mastermind might already be "one of his own,"
but that wasn't enough.
Spies were like kunai—the more you had and the deeper they were buried, the better.
If Kei had influence at both the leadership level and the execution level of Akatsuki…
then monitoring their movements would be trivial.
And with Shisui and Obito appearing as enemies in public eyes,
Obito's position would become even more secure.
Meanwhile, Kei would reap benefits:
Shisui could help gather the tailed beasts' chakra, then pass it secretly to Kei.
A perfect arrangement.
"But that depends on whether Shisui uses that brain of his.
If he's stupid enough to resist…
Then I can't help him."
Kei sighed.
He only hoped the boy's intelligence wasn't broken beyond repair.
As for the mystery surrounding Fukuhiko's behavior…
Kei truly hadn't expected the man to be involved at such a deep level.
A jonin with unpredictable ideology and real experience surviving two great wars—
that kind of man was dangerous and useful.
If Fukuhiko genuinely aligned with Kei's goals,
Kei would happily divert resources his way.
If not…
Kei would take even more.
"Forget it. No need to think that far ahead."
Kei reached his home and chuckled softly.
"Time to rest. I'll deal with the rest later."
Pushing open the door, Kei stepped inside.
Ryoko and Keisuke were already home—Ryoko cooking in the kitchen, with Iori likely helping.
Keisuke sat in the living room, seemingly talking with someone.
A guest?
The man's clothing marked him as a member of the Uchiha.
Kei frowned.
"Ah, Kei, you're back." Keisuke looked up with a smile.
"Yeah," Kei nodded. "We have visitors?"
"A member of your Police Force," Keisuke said.
"He came by around the time you should've gotten off work, but couldn't find you.
Said he has something important to report."
He chuckled.
"Quite the impressive young man—seems he's seen battle.
Didn't know your Police Force was recruiting such quality ninja."
Kei's face darkened slightly.
Anyone from the Police Force should know the rule:
Don't bother the Captain after hours.
If it were truly urgent, a division captain would come.
Not some nameless youngster.
Kei approached calmly, though his chakra quietly surged—
ready to kill in an instant if needed, without endangering his family.
The young man turned toward him… and immediately stepped away from Keisuke.
"Captain," the man bowed,
"my name is Uchiha Rin.
Forgive me for intruding during your rest hours."
Kei froze.
Then his eye twitched.
This face.
That stupidly familiar forehead protector.
That terrible name none of them had forgotten.
This wasn't Uchiha Rin.
This was—
Uchiha Obito.
And he had the gall to come to his house?!
Kei forced a smile.
"Ah… It's you.
Why are you here at this hour?"
"Captain, I have urgent intel to report," Obito said earnestly.
"Don't worry—nothing dangerous. But time-sensitive."
"Mm. Not here." Kei turned to Keisuke.
"Sorry father, I need to handle this. Slightly unexpected."
Unexpected was an understatement.
Kei grabbed Obito by the collar and dragged him into his room.
Once the door shut, Kei dropped the act.
---
"Have you lost your damn mind?"
Obito scratched his head, looking sheepish.
"You told me to come back whenever I had time…"
"I didn't mean literally right now!" Kei hissed.
"How is it possible you had free time with Kirigakure in chaos?
Are you not supposed to be controlling the Mizukage?
And are you sure you weren't followed?
No trackers, no Zetsu clones, nothing?"
Obito raised his hands defensively.
"Relax, relax!
I told you—there's no problem.
The guy controlling the Mizukage now isn't me."
Kei narrowed his eyes.
"Him?"
"Yeah. That old fossil Uchiha Madara's will, through the curse mark." Obito explained patiently.
"Because you stole the control last time, he decided to establish a second layer of security—
my Genjutsu on one side, his curse mark on the other.
That way, if he runs into a monster like you again…"
Kei nodded slowly.
That actually made sense.
Black Zetsu was paranoid, cautious, and annoyingly meticulous—
not surprising he'd set up redundancies after Kei disrupted Obito's Genjutsu earlier.
And curse mark control was… effective.
Many were proof of that.
"Fine. That explains Kirigakure," Kei said. "But what excuse did you give to leave?"
"Oh, that?" Obito grinned.
"I told him I was heading to the Land of Rain to check on the newcomers Akatsuki recruited. Apparently they've brought in some pretty big names."
He began counting on his fingers.
"One called Sasori.
Another is Kakuzu.
And they're even looking for Orochimaru."
Kei blinked.
"Sasori. Kakuzu. And… Orochimaru?"
That was earlier than expected.
But the timeline still roughly matched: most Akatsuki members wouldn't assemble until many years later.
Still, hearing the names stirred Kei's curiosity—especially Kisame, who would join later.
"So," Obito continued, "since you know Orochimaru, should I keep Akatsuki from contacting—"
"No," Kei cut him off.
"Don't meddle. Orochimaru and I cooperate purely on mutual benefit.
Your interference will ruin everything."
Obito shrugged.
"You have the weirdest alliances."
"And your dream of becoming Hokage is still the dumbest thing I've ever heard." Kei shot back.
Obito winced.
But he didn't argue.
Kei noticed the shift in Obito's mood and changed the subject.
"So. How long will you stay in Konoha?"
"Just a few days," Obito replied. "I'll leave soon after."
"Plans?" Kei asked. "You return and… then what?"
Obito blinked.
Scratched his head.
"…Weren't you the one who told me to come back?
I figured… you'd have something arranged for me?"
Kei stared blankly at Obito's embarrassed expression, falling silent for a long moment.
He had met fools before—far too many, in fact.
But someone who could be this foolish?
Even he hadn't expected that.
Obito had returned to Konoha…
without even thinking about what he planned to do afterward.
No preparation. No plan. Just an impulse and then—action.
It was astonishing in all the worst ways.
Kei exhaled helplessly and began considering how to handle this idiot.
Obito returning to Konoha was a good thing.
It strengthened his ties to the village, especially after being away for nearly two years.
Kei believed Obito's affection for Konoha hadn't changed much—
if anything, it had deepened after the Nine-Tails incident.
But that uncertain, half-detached emotional state needed to be mended and reshaped.
And the best method?
Reconnecting him with the people he once cherished.
Obito was bound to visit Rin's grave.
In fact, Kei intended to let him see Rin's preserved body—
and have Ayaka show him the curse mark fragments extracted from her.
And since Obito was back,
there was no reason he shouldn't also visit his old teacher—even briefly.
That alone would have tremendous effect.
Their last "conversation" had only been a silent exchange through chakra.
Powerful, yes—but sometimes, true healing needed spoken words.
And Kei was certain Minato would want that chance as well.
"You really are an unrepentant idiot."
Kei said flatly after sorting out his thoughts.
"Stay at my house tonight.
Over the next few days, make your own plans—
meet Kakashi and the others, have a meal together or something.
After that, I'll take you to Rin's grave.
And I'll show you the fragments we removed from her body."
Obito stiffened.
"Meeting them for dinner… isn't that unnecessary?"
His voice wavered.
For some reason, the thought of seeing Kakashi again tied his stomach into knots.
"We could… just visit Rin's grave instead—"
"Shut up," Kei snapped. "Interrupting your superior is something you need to stop doing. That's an order."
He shot Obito a cold glance and continued:
"Finally, I'll arrange a chance for you to meet the Fourth Hokage.
You've returned—reporting to the Hokage isn't optional."
Obito's scattered emotions abruptly settled.
"…I understand."
It was true.
Since he'd risked so much to come back, meeting Minato-sensei was unavoidable.
He couldn't use his true identity, but…
just seeing them again—seeing everyone—didn't sound so bad.
Otherwise, what was the point of coming home at all?
Besides…
if he was going to see Minato-sensei,
then seeing the others too wasn't impossible—
As long as his disguise held.
"Before any of that, fix your disguise."
Kei's tone sharpened.
"It's terrible.
There are plenty of people in Konoha with sharper perception than me without using the Sharingan.
Your disguise would never fool them."
"I see…" Obito nodded.
Then he suddenly pulled a scroll from his pocket and handed it to Kei.
"Here. This is for you."
"…What is it?" Kei raised an eyebrow, taking the scroll.
"That black creature taught me a bunch of things," Obito said proudly.
"I wrote them down for you."
Then his expression twisted into something strange.
"And also—consider it a blessing."
"A blessing? Hold on—what do you—"
"Oh, I heard it the moment I came back."
Obito grinned like a fox.
"You and Ayaka-senpai are together now, right?"
Kei's face froze.
"…"