Tekka Uchiha's impulsive ambush was merely a small ripple in the grander current of Kei's life. As he resumed his walk home, he didn't dwell on the encounter, entirely satisfied with how he had neutralized the threat.
The psychological dismantling he had delivered at the end of the alley was far more effective than a simple physical beating.
In the shinobi world, humiliating a proud clan member usually invited a tedious, escalating cycle of retaliation. You defeat the subordinate, and the captain arrives. You defeat the captain, and the elders mobilize to defend their honor. It was a tiresome, endless loop of vengeance that Kei had absolutely no desire to entertain. He preferred to accumulate his power in the shadows, unbothered by clan politics.
That was the true power of psychological warfare. By thoroughly analyzing a target's emotional vulnerabilities and meticulously breaking down their mental defenses, one could achieve absolute victory without shedding a drop of blood.
The Uchiha clan worshipped their pride. They would absolutely not tolerate their name being publicly shamed by an incompetent officer. By trapping Tekka in a paradox where admitting defeat meant disgracing his entire bloodline, Kei ensured the Jonin's silence. Tekka would likely never bother him again; in fact, out of sheer self-preservation, Tekka would probably actively discourage the rest of the Military Police from investigating the blind doctor.
Of course, the human heart was inherently volatile. Even a master psychologist could not predict a broken mind with one hundred percent certainty. But the probability of success was high enough to satisfy him.
His peaceful stroll, however, was destined to be interrupted yet again.
Just as Kei approached the perimeter of the Hyuga compound, a figure melted out of the shadows, physically blocking his path.
Kei paused, a faint, knowing smile touching his lips. "Kakashi-senpai. I regret to inform you that the clinic is currently closed for a period of rest. If you are finally ready to confront your deep-seated psychological trauma, I am afraid you will have to schedule an appointment for a later date."
"I am not here for a consultation," Kakashi replied, his voice a flat, humorless drone. "Lord Third wants to see you. Follow me."
Without waiting for an acknowledgment, Kakashi turned and began walking briskly toward the center of the village, heading straight for the Hokage Tower.
Kei merely shrugged at the ANBU captain's icy demeanor and followed the rhythmic sound of Kakashi's footsteps.
As they navigated the winding streets, Kei's mind raced, rapidly calculating the tactical implications of the sudden summons. He knew exactly why Hiruzen Sarutobi was calling for him. Kakashi, observing from the shadows, had undoubtedly witnessed the one-sided massacre in the park. The Hound had reported back to his master that the blind, civilian psychologist possessed the combat reflexes and lethal speed to effortlessly dismantle an elite Uchiha Jonin.
A civilian therapist was a novelty. A Hyuga with Jonin-level combat capabilities, operating outside the standard military hierarchy, was a high-value geopolitical asset.
During their first encounter in the alley, Kei had aggressively projected the persona of a fanatical disciple of the Will of Fire specifically to establish his political value to the Hokage. If he could perform flawlessly during this impending meeting, his manufactured identity as a fiercely loyal Konoha patriot would be permanently cemented in the Hokage's files.
Kakashi maintained a rapid, silent pace, clearly eager to minimize his proximity to the doctor. Before Kei could fully finalize his conversational strategy, they were standing before the heavy oak doors of the Hokage's private office.
Kakashi knocked once, sharply, and pushed the door open.
Kei stepped over the threshold, instantly shifting his demeanor. He allowed an expression of overwhelming, starstruck excitement to wash over his features. He bowed deeply, his posture a portrait of absolute reverence.
"Lord Third," Kei breathed, his voice trembling with manufactured awe. "You summoned me?"
Even stripped of his sight, Kei's heightened senses immediately locked onto the man sitting behind the massive desk. Hiruzen Sarutobi did not need to flare his chakra; the sheer, ambient pressure radiating from the 'God of Shinobi' was suffocating. It was the aura of a man who had commanded armies and ordered the deaths of thousands.
Hiruzen, who had been reviewing a stack of mission reports, set his brush down. A warm, grandfatherly smile creased his weathered face as he looked up at the blind youth. "My deepest apologies for the delay, Kei-kun. The village has been beset by administrative burdens of late. I have actually been looking forward to this meeting for quite some time."
"Thank you for your boundless consideration, Lord Hokage," Kei replied, rising from his bow but keeping his head respectfully lowered. "I, too, have prayed for the opportunity to stand in your presence. You have always been my greatest idol."
Hiruzen let out a soft, self-deprecating chuckle. "An idol? Now, what is there for a bright young man like you to admire in a tired old man like me?"
"You are entirely mistaken, Lord Third," Kei countered instantly, his voice ringing with fierce, unyielding conviction. "Without your steady hand, this village would not know the prosperity we enjoy today."
Kei took a step forward, placing a hand over his heart. "It is your Will of Fire that has ignited the spirits of generations of shinobi! You are the guiding light in the dark, leading us forward when the path is obscured by shadows. It is the greatest blessing of my life to serve a village protected by a Hokage such as yourself."
Listening to the torrent of passionate, heartfelt praise, Hiruzen was momentarily taken aback. Even for a loyalist, the sheer intensity of Kei's patriotic fervor was staggering.
Clearing his throat softly, Hiruzen gently steered the conversation away from the flattery. "I understand you have recently opened a psychological clinic, Kei-kun?"
"Yes, Lord Hokage. After the tragedy that claimed my sight, I chose to dedicate my life to the clinic," Kei confirmed.
"It is a noble endeavor," Hiruzen praised, leaning back in his chair. "Tell me... why did you choose this specific path? Psychology is a rare pursuit in a village built on military strength."
Kei knew this was the true test. The Hokage was not making idle conversation; he was probing the foundation of Kei's psyche.
Without a fraction of hesitation, Kei delivered his flawless, empathetic lie. "Because I wanted my life to retain meaning, Lord Third."
Kei allowed a shadow of vulnerability to cross his face. "It was only after I was plunged into permanent darkness that I truly understood the agonizing isolation of a disability. In my suffering, I began to perceive the invisible wounds carried by the people of this village. The trauma of war, the crushing weight of loss... they are drowning in psychological agony, just as I drowned in physical pain. I simply wanted to use my remaining days to alleviate their suffering."
Hiruzen nodded slowly, his eyes softening as he studied the blind youth. "Very good, Kei-kun. Your compassion is a testament to your character."
Internally, Kei's heart remained as cold and still as a frozen lake. Outwardly, he adopted a look of profound, humbled modesty. "Lord Third, I am tragically destined never to become a great hero on the battlefield. I can never contribute to Konoha's military glory as you have."
"But," Kei added, his voice hardening with resolve, "I swear to do everything within my meager power to ensure the enduring prosperity of this village. Even if my contribution is but a single, insignificant drop in the ocean."
"Doing what you can for the village, regardless of your station?" Hiruzen's eyes sparked with genuine approval. He picked up his old wooden pipe, his aura softening into genuine patriarchal warmth. "You speak with the true spirit of Konoha, Kei. As long as the village possesses young men with your unyielding fire, our future is secure."
"I have only performed trivial civilian tasks, Lord Third," Kei deflected modestly. "It is you who must lead us toward the dawn."
Hiruzen struck a match, taking a long, slow draw from his pipe. He exhaled a plume of sweet-smelling smoke, his gaze turning assessing. "Kei... I wonder. Would you be willing to lend that fire to the village in a more... official capacity?"
"Of course!" Kei answered instantly, his face lighting up with genuine excitement. "It has been my lifelong dream to actively serve Konoha!"
Hearing the absolute, unhesitating compliance, a satisfied smile spread across the Hokage's face. "Excellent. You may return to your clinic for now, Kei-kun. I will have an operative contact you when your unique skills are required."
Kei offered a crisp, flawless salute, turned on his heel, and began walking toward the heavy oak doors.
Just as his hand grazed the brass doorknob, Hiruzen's voice drifted across the room, carrying the weight of a Kage's promise.
"Continue to serve the village with such flawless devotion, Kei... and I will personally allocate the resources necessary to find a cure for your blindness."
"Thank you, Lord Third!" Kei gasped, perfectly simulating the breathless, overwhelming joy of a cripple offered a miracle. "I swear on my life, I will never let you down!"
Kei stepped out of the office, the door clicking shut behind him.
The moment he was alone in the corridor, the ecstatic joy melted from his face, replaced by an expression of cold, clinical amusement.
I am not Shisui Uchiha, Kei thought, his cane tapping rhythmically against the floorboards. Your empty, manipulative promises mean absolutely nothing to me.
He knew the Hokage had no intention—nor the medical capability—of curing a severed Byakugan. It was a dangling carrot designed to ensure his absolute, unquestioning obedience.
However, the fact that Hiruzen Sarutobi was willing to offer such a massive, impossible 'pie in the sky' reward proved one undeniable reality.
His performance had been utterly flawless. He had successfully manipulated the God of Shinobi.