The conversation between Uchiha Kei and the Third Hokage was kept confidential—mainly the part concerning the possibility of Kei becoming Hokage.
There were simply too many implications. Revealing such information under current circumstances would only lead to unrest and complications.
Additionally, Hiruzen Sarutobi was concerned that if the world learned of Kei's intellect, he might become a target for assassination from other villages. For the sake of protecting this genius who carried the Will of Fire and remarkable wisdom, it was necessary to withhold key details.
Then came the proposal—
"The Department of Culture, centered around the culture of the Land of Fire and the Will of Fire of Konoha, will promote the village's values and beauty, attracting talent and capital, increasing both population and economic growth."
"This department will use the 'genjutsu game'—a path only Konoha possesses—as its foundation, creating a new mode of conflict distinct from traditional combat. As the sole proprietor of genjutsu games, Konoha will hold the advantage..."
"When fully established, this department will enable Konoha's soft power to crush the other nations and create at least ten thousand stable jobs, transforming the village into a shinobi city with a population exceeding 100,000..."
"With population and economy both booming, Konoha will be able to expand the Academy, boost unity, and train more shinobi—leading to further market expansion and more job creation, forming a healthy cycle..."
Inside the Hokage Office, Hiruzen Sarutobi held the lengthy report authored by Uchiha Kei. As he read, his eyes grew increasingly bright. Often, he found himself impressed by sudden flashes of insight, and he began to seriously consider the plan's feasibility.
New terms like employment posts and the economic benefits outlined for Konoha opened his mind to the possibility: "So this is another way the village can grow."
The advanced concepts from the 21st century had been localized for the shinobi world by Kei. Nothing felt overly foreign or impossible to understand—Kei had added annotations to help Hiruzen digest the more novel ideas.
The proposal was submitted the day after Kei and Hiruzen's private discussion.
Through that conversation, Kei had confirmed that Hiruzen wasn't the scheming manipulator some conspiracy theories claimed. He was an idealist with ambition—but his lack of capacity was his greatest flaw.
Such a man was cautious, often indecisive, but as long as he was presented with effective and reasonable plans, he wouldn't hesitate to give them a try.
So Kei decided to test the waters—and tossed out the idea of forming a Department of Culture.
At its core, the department was a vehicle to promote genjutsu games and expand their market. Everything else was a byproduct.
The plan Kei provided was tailored entirely to Konoha's existing structure and the shinobi world's circumstances. After long deliberation, Hiruzen nodded decisively, stamped it with the Hokage seal, and summoned his two trusted advisors, Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane, to review the plan.
That Hokage seal meant Hiruzen officially supported the proposal.
After reading the report, the two advisors frowned instinctively. Though the days of persecuting the Uchiha were gone, they still reacted warily—after all, this proposal for a new department came from an Uchiha.
Hiruzen spoke plainly: "Don't worry. Uchiha Kei won't staff the department exclusively with Uchiha. Positions will be open to all major clans and even civilian families. This will be a true Department of Culture—not another Police Force."
"However, as the originator of the plan, Kei will serve as the first department head. And I choose to trust him."
"You've read the report. If it succeeds, Konoha's population and economy will skyrocket. This can only benefit us. I see no reason to oppose it."
The two advisors hesitated, then nodded in agreement. As Hiruzen said—if recruitment was open and not monopolized by the Uchiha, then even if an Uchiha headed it, it remained a department of Konoha.
Trusting Hiruzen, respecting their clan's growing cooperation with the Uchiha, and seeing the potential benefits in the plan, the advisors found their approval inevitable.
They signed the plan, officially signaling that Konoha's leadership was in full agreement. Danzo Shimura, while part of the leadership, oversaw Root and didn't participate in regular administrative matters.
With the plan approved, the document was returned to Kei. The Hokage Office's stamp now meant he had the official authorization to build the new department.
He could ask the Third Hokage or other clans for personnel—and of course, the Uchiha would also need to contribute.
Truth be told, Kei was a little surprised. He hadn't expected Konoha's leadership to approve things so smoothly. He thought he'd face pushback—or even a flat-out rejection. He had prepared several backup plans.
In the end, he didn't need any of them.
"Looks like the not-yet-fully-old Third still has ambition. His later ultra-conservatism and indecisiveness probably came from the horrors of the Third Shinobi War and the Nine-Tails incident wrecking the village."
Muttering this to himself, Kei took the approved document and headed to the Uchiha compound to inform the clan's leaders.
Shock followed immediately—an almost disbelieving excitement.
After all, under the Second Hokage's policies, the Uchiha had been locked into the Police Force. No other departments welcomed them. Even mission assignments were rarely given to Uchiha.
For a clan that valued honor, ambition, and the desire to prove themselves, this had been suffocating.
This was why the successful debut of the genjutsu game had stirred the Uchiha so deeply—it gave them hope. Hope for change, for support from other clans, for cooperation.
And now, the Konoha leadership had thawed. They had agreed to let Kei form an entirely new department.
Though it wouldn't be exclusive to the Uchiha, the first department head was Kei. And that was an opening—a chance to work with other clans and even civilians.
For the Uchiha, it was a crucial step toward gaining popularity, building alliances, and finally entering Konoha's upper echelons.
"No surprise—it's Kei-kun! He achieved what none of us could. He even convinced that stubborn old Sarutobi Hiruzen. Amazing. Truly, a sage of our Uchiha Clan!"
Uchiha Setsuna couldn't suppress his grin and launched into an all-out praise fest, once again earning the approval of the other clan leaders.
Then Setsuna's face turned stern. He activated his Mangekyō Sharingan and glared at the others with crushing intensity.
"Everyone, remember—this is an opportunity Kei-kun secured for our clan. It is a critical step toward a brighter future."
"I do not want anyone holding us back. Especially those entering the department—I do not want arrogance, nor condescension toward others."
"Such foolish pride will only attract backlash and destroy everything Kei-kun worked for. If I learn of anyone sabotaging his efforts—I will personally show them the power of the Mangekyō Sharingan!"
"Remember—I may be spent, but I am not dead!"
It was a threat. A very real one. Empowered by Mangekyō, Uchiha Setsuna had now become a rabid supporter of Kei—even wary of their own kin.
His stance was clear: "Only Uchiha Kei can make the Uchiha great again. Anyone who hinders him—will die!"
The other leaders immediately expressed their understanding, promising to warn the clan and ensure no one became a liability. They all knew how rare this chance was—and that Setsuna wasn't bluffing.
Thus, with the full effort of the Uchiha Clan, the Cultural Department's framework was swiftly built. And with help from the "Konoha Game Chamber of Commerce," arcades were opened simultaneously in the Konoha commercial district and several major cities across the Land of Fire.
At the same time, spies from various nations began entering the Land of Fire—all heading for Konoha.
Then, quietly, a malicious rumor began spreading in Konoha:
"The genjutsu game released by the Uchiha is actually part of a sinister plot. Players are unknowingly placed under the Sharingan's control and turned into puppets of the Uchiha Clan."
In an instant, the previously booming genjutsu game market suffered a major blow.
After all, in a world with high illiteracy rates, people were easily swayed by fear-based rumors. It was nearly impossible for the average citizen to distinguish truth from fiction.