Cautious Eyes: An Uchiha's Path

A fire in the northern forest of Konoha had stirred many hearts. The incident marked a silent turning point—especially for those who understood its true cause.

The one who set everything in motion, Uchiha Kai, left the scene without lingering. He entrusted the aftermath to his subordinates. With Kenta Imai and Hyūga Aya handling cleanup and containment, there was no need for him to stay.

Danzo Shimura was dead—killed by Kai's Mangekyō Sharingan and the overwhelming force of his Susanoo. Danzo had no time to react, no opportunity to cast Izanagi. At this point in the timeline, Danzo had not yet fully integrated Hashirama's cells, nor had he stocked his Sharingan arm with enough chakra or eyes to fuel multiple uses of Izanagi, as he would years later during his final battle with Sasuke.

Kai had left him no opening, no chance to escape. Even Danzo's contingency plans failed—he had underestimated the sheer force and precision of Kai's Mangekyō ability. And even in his final moments, Danzo was still thinking of retreat.

But Kai had no intention of playing cat and mouse.

He had long since realized that Hiruzen Sarutobi, despite knowing Danzo's actions, might have still protected him, or at least tried to cover it up for the sake of preserving Konoha's image. Kai didn't want to give anyone that chance.

So, he eliminated Danzo decisively, using Susanoo's might without hesitation.

"It might have been overkill," Kai thought coldly, "but for someone as treacherous as you, Danzo, no effort is wasted."

Though it was his first time manifesting the third stage of Susanoo, Kai could still feel the echo of its chakra resonance. The sensation of its power pulsing through his nerves—he would remember it.

He believed that with more training, he could summon the third stage again with less strain on his Mangekyō. For now, the ribcage form sufficed—lightweight, efficient, and not too taxing. But in time, he needed to master the fully-formed Susanoo. The power was necessary—not for glory, but for survival.

The next morning, after a long overdue rest and a quick shower, Kai left for the Konoha Military Police headquarters. Technically, he should have reported to either Uchiha Fugaku or the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze. But since he hadn't participated in the body collection after the incident, and the Security Department had handled the mess, it only felt right to check in there first.

As he walked through the streets of Konoha, he noticed how quiet it was—eerily so. Few shinobi were visible. It wasn't until he encountered a patrol unit that he understood why: a village-wide emergency meeting had been called, likely in response to last night's events.

Everyone, it seemed, was already at the meeting—except for him.

Kai tilted his head, mildly amused. So he was finally getting special treatment? He decided not to head to the Hokage's office just yet. Better to deal with the police affairs first. Besides, in a private audience, Minato might be more candid about the political consequences of Danzo's death.

When Kai arrived at the department, Kenta Imai was already giving out assignments. He looked alert and focused, though the rest of the squad looked exhausted.

"Minister Kai, you're here," Kenta greeted him.

Kai nodded. "Why do they all look half-dead?"

"Because we haven't slept, sir," Kenta replied dryly. "You left us with quite a mess last night."

Indeed, Kai had left immediately after eliminating Danzo and his supporters, leaving the rest to clean up. And many of the shinobi killed hadn't been Root operatives—some were affiliated with noble families. A few were even recent transfers or suspected clan-affiliated agents. It made the whole incident politically explosive.

Kenta and Aya had spent the entire night identifying the bodies, separating them, and sealing them properly.

"A lot of these guys had clan traits," Kenta added grimly. "We couldn't just bring in parts. We had to reassemble what we could. Took us all night."

Kai sighed. That had been a clear oversight on his part.

"And Danzo?" Kai asked.

Kenta tossed him a sealed scroll. "Figured you'd want to take care of him yourself. He's in there."

Kai caught the scroll. That's why he valued Kenta—competent, thorough, and always one step ahead.

"It's a shame you're not Uchiha," Kai muttered. "But I suppose that's what makes you reliable."

He turned to leave. "I'll report to the Fourth now."

"Minister Kai—" Kenta started, then hesitated.

"I know," Kai interrupted. "I'll talk to Minato about the fourth unit. He's short on manpower. This is our opportunity."

Kenta nodded. "Understood. I'll file my report too."

"Oh, where's Aya Hyūga?"

"She went home early to study those notes you gave her. Said she needed more time."

Kai nodded. That was fine. She didn't need to be involved in police matters. She was more useful developing medical skills and training young Iori. A strong, loyal medical corps could be the backbone of his future plans.

"But their technical level still isn't enough," Kai thought. "And without Tsunade's influence, the Medical Department is still under Sarutobi's shadow."

Even if Minato claimed to control it, Kai doubted he'd ever truly own it. The loyalty Tsunade commanded, and her ties to Hiruzen, would keep it bound to the old guard.

"One problem at a time. Danzo's gone. The rest will follow."

By the time Kai reached the Hokage's building, it was already packed. From a distance, he could see the crowd of officials and clan heads gathering for what was likely a debrief or strategic council.

Kai didn't enter.

"No point being just another face in the room," he thought.

He found shade beneath a tree and sat, watching the young genin and chūnin waiting for their respective jōnin instructors.

The war was finally over—or close enough. The children here would be spared the horrors he had endured. They had graduated at seven or eight, like he once had. Too young. Too unprepared.

And yet, in their faces, Kai saw flickers of potential. He thought of one in particular—Uchiha Shisui. A prodigy, destined for great power.

"Still haven't met that kid," Kai mused. "I keep saying I will. I should."

Shisui hadn't awakened his Mangekyō Sharingan yet. Kai didn't know how or when it would happen—just that the boy's potential was terrifying.

He leaned back against the tree and closed his eyes briefly.

"One war ends, and another kind begins. And I'll need every piece on the board."