Cautious Eyes: An Uchiha's Path

Although Uchiha Kai's words seemed cryptic, they were painfully clear.

The three of them were like grasshoppers tied to the same rope. Whatever their personal motives, striking at Orochimaru was inevitable—just like war itself.

Kai understood that he was the prime target now, but none of them could claim innocence.

When an avalanche falls, no snowflake claims responsibility.

The phrase weighed heavily. It mirrored their reality with eerie precision. Their actions had triggered an avalanche—one that might reshape the future of Konoha.

Everyone involved was now entangled in its path. If they succeeded, the village would benefit. If they failed... none of them would be spared.

Kai recalled something he'd once heard Aki Uchiha say:

"War is politics with bloodshed; politics is war without it."

In this shinobi world, Kai disagreed. When political power struggles failed here, the result wasn't just exile or disgrace—it could mean death for an entire family.

They wouldn't just kill you—they'd erase you from the record.

Seeing that Imai Kenta and Hyuga Aya remained composed, Kai felt slightly reassured. They had all expected to wait for the Fourth Hokage to return with evidence. Instead, the evidence had come to them—delivered straight from Orochimaru himself.

Now, Kai suspected Minato Namikaze was being delayed. According to Kenta's sensory input, the Third Hokage had sealed off the perimeter, letting no one else near the site.

Who was receiving the materials now? And where were they being taken?

These were troubling questions with even more troubling implications.

Not long after their discussion, a group of figures emerged from the charred edge of the forest. The area around Orochimaru's underground laboratory had been intentionally cleared—likely as a firebreak. Now, only ash and soot remained.

At the front of the group was the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen. His face darkened as he took in the sight: the smoldering carcasses of two giant serpents and Uchiha Kai standing unharmed among the wreckage.

But Orochimaru was gone.

The eerie, malevolent chakra from before had completely vanished.

All that remained were three shinobi—an Uchiha, a Hyuga, and a civilian-born swordsman—all members of the Konoha Military Police.

"Where is Orochimaru?" Hiruzen's voice was sharp, laced with suspicion. "And do you three even know where you've trespassed?"

The Hokage's tone was cold, and his question sent a ripple of unease through the shinobi gathered behind him. All eyes turned to Kai.

Hiruzen was indeed furious, though not solely with Kai. His anger stemmed from the fact that Orochimaru—his former student—had disappeared again. But could it really be that this Uchiha had bested him?

"Lord Hokage," Kai stepped forward and bowed slightly. "Orochimaru has fled. As for this facility... I'm fully aware of where we are. I also carry a valid search warrant signed by the Fourth Hokage."

"Fled?" Hiruzen's frown deepened. Kai's explanation made little sense, but before he could press further, another figure moved.

Shimura Danzo stepped forward, keeping a respectful half-step behind the Hokage. His expression was unreadable.

"This facility is a secret Konoha installation," Danzo said loudly. "It was established for the study of forbidden techniques recovered from other villages. Its destruction—by these three—is a serious offense."

His voice was calm, but many shinobi began whispering. Some outright cursed Kai and the others for jeopardizing what they were told was a secure site.

But the clan representatives—those from the Uchiha, Hyuga, Aburame, Nara, and Yamanaka—remained quiet. Something about the situation didn't sit right with them. Especially given that the Fourth Hokage hadn't shown up.

"These studies," Danzo continued, "help us understand and counter threats from outside the village. But now, thanks to reckless actions..."

"Danzo-sama."

Uchiha Fugaku's deep voice cut him off.

"The Military Police exist to protect Konoha and investigate crimes. Had there not been alarming activity here, Minister Kei and his team would never have acted."

Hiashi Hyuga nodded. "Danzo-sama, perhaps we should let Minister Kai explain. The presence of my own clan member, Hyuga Aya, gives me cause for concern."

Danzo gave them both a dismissive glance, lips curling into a sneer.

"Explain? This man destroyed a vital facility and likely assaulted Orochimaru. What's left to explain?"

At that moment, his Root operatives began stepping into view.

With the Fourth Hokage still absent, Danzo sensed opportunity. He'd installed layers of seals within the facility—traps built on First Hokage wood release and enhanced by Orochimaru's sealing techniques. Not even Namikaze Minato would bypass them quickly.

"As far as I'm concerned, this situation is under our jurisdiction now," Danzo said.

Jiraiya, who had remained silent until now, finally stepped forward.

"He has a warrant signed by Minato," Jiraiya said. "Which means he acted with approval. And I'd also like to know where Orochimaru went."

Danzo's expression darkened.

He had hoped to contain this and bury the truth—slowly eliminate those responsible. Now Jiraiya was interfering.

Hiruzen closed his eyes and remained silent. Danzo understood the meaning: he was displeased, but not about to stop Danzo outright.

Danzo made his move.

"Hmph. There's nothing more to say," he said. "They'll give their statements... elsewhere. Somewhere more secure."

"In Anbu custody?" Kai asked, his expression unreadable. "Or somewhere you control?"

Danzo's eyes narrowed.

"Everyone here is a Konoha shinobi. What is there to hide? Also—Danzo-sama, correct me if I'm wrong—you're not the Hokage, are you?"

Kai's tone sharpened.

"Are you saying Lord Fourth's search warrant means nothing?"

"The warrant matters," Danzo snapped. "But where is the Fourth Hokage now? Kai Uchiha, you destroyed a classified site. Are you going to claim Orochimaru was experimenting on people here?"

"Oh?" Kai raised an eyebrow. "How do you know that, Danzo-sama? Unless... you were involved?"

The moment hung in the air.

Danzo said nothing. Kai continued.

"Our investigation confirmed that missing persons were brought here. What we found below... was horrifying."

Danzo's eyes flickered. He made a subtle hand gesture—ordering Root to prepare for intervention.

"We'll search the remains," Danzo said. "Then we'll draw conclusions."

"I'm afraid that's not possible, Danzo-sama," Kei replied calmly.

His Sharingan activated, casting a red glow over his eyes. Hyuga Aya stepped forward with her Byakugan, and Kenta's hand moved to his blade.

"We'll wait for the Fourth Hokage," Kai said flatly. "Until then, no one enters."

Danzo's face was thunderous. Jiraiya, standing nearby, had already seen enough to know something dark was brewing beneath the surface. Kai wasn't bluffing—he had seen something.

Danzo didn't care who Kai was. Head of the Police? Uchiha? None of it mattered to him. But Kai had pushed too far.

"You defy me?" Danzo growled. "Do you not understand? The Military Police belong to Konoha—not to the Uchiha. If the Fourth Hokage is absent, we decide. Are you resisting the chain of command?"

Kai's voice was cold.

"I was authorized by the Fourth. And your secrecy has already crossed the line."

His chakra blade sparked to life—deep blue and crackling with energy.

"Danzo-sama, this place isn't just a lab. What we found exceeds anything we expected. I'm not handing this over to you."

The clan heads, watching all of this, finally understood.

Something far worse than unauthorized research had been happening here.

And Uchiha Kai... wasn't bluffing.