The fact that Hiruzen Sarutobi, the so-called "strongest Hokage," triggered a golden ntal point marked the complete breakthrough of Uchiha Kei's genjutsu ga among the upper echelons of the Hidden Leaf. It also ant the entire village—from top to bottom—had beco users of the genjutsu ga.
Uchiha Kei was quite satisfied. It signified the ga's position was now rock solid—barring any major incidents, no one could shake its foundation. And since only he could create it, and only the Uchiha could produce it, it underscored the clan's irreplaceability.
Anyone who tried to move against the Uchiha would now first have to contend with those benefiting from the genjutsu ga.
At this stage, if no one in the Uchiha Clan did anything stupid, they stood firmly in an unassailable position.
Fortunately, the clan's internal condition was very good now. The behavior that once drew criticism had greatly improved under Uchiha Setsuna and others' strict asures. Word had it that even the public reputation of the Konoha Military Police Force was starting to turn around.
There were even rumors the Uchiha were planning to recruit non-clan mbers into the Military Police.
This news clearly ca from the Uchiha leadership. Still, opposition within the clan was strong. Most Uchiha still viewed the Police Force as their exclusive domain—outsiders were unwelco.
In truth, if not for Kei's proposal, the clan heads would have never agreed to such interference.
But Kei had laid out the logic:
"Everyone, with genjutsu ga production continuing and the Konoha Ga Guild expanding, we'll soon be short on manpower."
"In that case, clinging tightly to every post in the Military Police—does that really help us? In my opinion, releasing a few of those posts is a triple-win for us."
"First, it attracts outsiders and builds goodwill with other clans, strengthening alliances. Eventually, our own people entering other clans' departnts won't be a pipe dream."
"Second, freeing up so Uchiha mbers ans they can shine in the Ga Guild. With the guild's aggressive expansion, there are many high-tier positions waiting to be filled. If we don't take them, do we just leave them for other clans?"
"Third, the Police Force deals with civilians more than any other departnt. Conflict is inevitable. Letting others handle so of that spreads the risk. Outsiders can take the brunt of the hate and complaints."
"T
here are more benefits too. Once this plan is in motion, you'll all see for yourselves. With Konoha entering a boom period, expansion is inevitable. Our current Police Force scale won't be enough."
"Wouldn't it be better to recruit now and avoid being ridiculed later for scrambling?"
This analysis left the clan leaders enlightened. They moved full-speed ahead with the external recruitnt plan and now had a clearer understanding of Kei's 'grow the pie' strategy.
The Uchiha had thus begun to actively promote 'universalization' of the Police Force. It was a bold move, but unlike the past, everything they did now was positive.
Danzo, already under public suspicion and warned by Hiruzen, didn't interfere.
Even the two Konoha elders among the "Leaf Four" turned a blind eye—possibly even approving. With Konoha on the cusp of explosive developnt, many old issues were being swept aside. Until that montum stopped, most problems simply didn't matter.
As for Kei, he had already delegated these matters. How far they went was up to others. After all, he wasn't the Uchiha's babysitter. He'd explained the strategy in simple terms. If they still failed, well... maybe the massacre in the original tiline wasn't so unreasonable.
————
Kei used the two golden ntal points triggered by Lord Third imdiately, but he couldn't help complaining: despite the gold trigger, Sarutobi was still unlucky, producing only a stamina potion and an advanced wilderness survival kit—diocre purple-tier items.
The drop rate for gold-tier items was absurdly low. On Earth, that rate would've gotten the devs cursed out for generations.
After drinking the stamina potion, Kei resud work on "Escape." The ga's developnt was nearly complete—just a few final tweaks remained.
He'd already chosen the person to play it first, mainly to test how well it worked as a Sharingan awakening tool.
If the chosen Uchiha could awaken their eye in-ga, any Uchiha with the basic potential might follow suit.
This would be the greatest wave of awakening in clan history—even the brutal Warring States era wouldn't compare.
And it was then that Minato Namikaze ca to invite Kei to dinner—barbecue, specifically.
This ti, he didn't invite him to his house because his team's three students would be there. Ho wasn't ideal.
Of course, Kei didn't refuse. They quickly set a ti.
Later, the two t at Kei's ho, drinking system-brand soda and catching up.
Kei told Minato about his deep collaboration with Orochimaru and their joint funding of a new lab under all three of their nas.
Minato was surprised, but didn't question it. He trusted Kei completely—that's what close friends did.
Honestly, Minato was almost too perfect. If he were a girl, Kei would've fallen for him on the spot.
Hands together, Kei gave thanks to the heavens that "Little Sun" was male.
Minato: "Uh, Kei… what are you doing?"
Kei lowered his clasped hands. "Nothing, just glad you're not a girl. Otherwise, I'd have to give up the whole forest for a single tree."
"…." Minato smiled awkwardly with a classic sweatdrop emoji face.
Kei: "Minato, rember the 'advanced' knowledge I once told you about?"
Minato's eyes glead. "Yeah, I rember. What about it?"
Kei looked out the window. "Would you like to learn more?"
Minato blinked, then hesitated. "Did sothing happen?"
Kei: "? Why would you ask that?"
Minato scratched his head with a sheepish smile. "Well, you sounded like you were giving a deathbed confession."
Kei gave him a deadpan look. "I was building suspense, you're ruining the mood."
Minato: "…"
Kei: "Forget it. Since the atmosphere is gone, I'll just say it. While studying my Sharingan, I triggered so kind of mutation, and—blah blah blah…"
The rest was the sa story he fed Orochimaru earlier.
It wasn't exactly a lie. It just danced around the truth with a flair for nonsense. Not false, but not really true either.
Still, Minato believed him—just like Orochimaru did—and nodded in realization. "So, Kei, you've discovered a special spiritual domain—sothing beyond the genjutsu world. In fact, the genjutsu ga probably ca from that realm, didn't it?"
Kei nodded. "Wanna take a look? I only have a few slots I can share. If you're not interested, I'll give yours away."
Minato smiled warmly. "Of course I'm interested. If it's from you, I can't wait to see it."
Kei activated his two-tomoe Sharingan and led the completely unresisting Minato into the illusory world of the ntal network.
The next mont, Minato saw a vast grassland. In the distance was a massive structure labeled 'Great Library.' Nearby were several houses—one still under construction.
And beside one of those unfinished buildings stood soone.
What startled Minato was that a square 'tile' the sa color as the wall floated beside this person. As he watched, the tile flickered twice, and two new blocks of wall appeared on the building.
"…What is this?"
Minato asked, clearly confused.
His voice startled the figure in the distance, who turned around. Most of her form had been hidden behind the floating tile, but now her face was visible.
It was Kikyo Uzumaki.
From Kikyo's perspective, she saw Kei and Minato clearly. Her face lit up with a bright, radiant smile, and she ran over.
"Kei-nii! Minato-nii!"
Yes, even Minato—destined to be her brother-in-law and Konoha's golden boy—had to co second to Kei.
Minato smiled and greeted her with Kei. But his eyes never left that floating 'tile' beside Kikyo.
To him, this was an odd and uncanny sight. His ninja instincts kicked in—what jutsu was this? Who could control a 'tile' and use it to build walls?
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