The old saying, “Never judge a person by their appearance,” only makes sense once you understand the logic behind it.
Most of the time, people do judge by appearances.
The saying exists because the exceptions are rare.
With the dramatic arrival of Minato Namikaze, the Yellow Flash of Konoha, the vague and meaningless conversation between Orochimaru and Uchiha Fugaku came to an end.
Everyone’s attention shifted to the newcomer.
Even standing on the opposite side politically, Uchiha Kei had to admit one thing.
If success required luck…
Then Minato Namikaze was undoubtedly a man blessed by fortune.
He possessed a bright, open face…
A warm, approachable smile…
And astonishing space-time ninjutsu.
No matter where he stood, he resembled a firefly glowing in the darkness—impossible to ignore.
That…
Was true charisma.
Moreover, Minato was currently at the pinnacle of his life.
He had recently married Kushina Uzumaki, a princess of the Uzumaki Clan and the daughter of the former Daimyō of the Land of Whirlpools.
His career was flourishing.
His reputation now stood shoulder to shoulder with one of the Legendary Sannin, Orochimaru.
By any standard…
He was a remarkably successful man.
And success only made that confidence shine even brighter.
“Lord Fugaku.
Lord Orochimaru.” “So you’re both here.” After the flash of light faded, Minato greeted them with nothing more than a simple smile and an ordinary greeting.
Yet when those words came from him…
They felt like a ray of sunshine breaking through a gentle summer rain.
Merely hearing them put people at ease.
That single sentence pushed Kei—who had already become a supporting figure after Fugaku entered the conversation—even further into the background.
Watching Minato’s every gesture, Kei didn’t even need to look directly to know what expressions now filled the faces of Fugaku and young Itachi.
Their eyes were practically glowing.
A future Hokage who respected the Uchiha…
Could there possibly be anything more perfect than that?
“What?” “He only greeted the Uchiha Clan Head out of courtesy?” That alone was already more respect than many people in Konoha ever showed.
At least…
Fugaku certainly seemed pleased.
Scary…
Kei couldn’t help thinking.
The saying “people let attractive appearances shape their judgment” truly was terrifying.
Minato had completely ignored him.
Yet somehow…
Kei couldn’t summon the slightest dislike toward him.
What could possibly be more frightening than that?
He didn’t even feel the urge to point out that he’d been overlooked.
No…
Something’s wrong.
Damn this hero worship.
Why am I so willing to trust someone whose life I barely know?
It was no different from blindly idolizing a historical hero without understanding who they really were.
Forget it.
No point overthinking this.
Being ignored wasn’t the end of the world.
Reality wasn’t some romantic fantasy where whoever won an argument automatically became the victor.
Heroes were the same.
At some point in their lives, they simply found the courage to do something noble.
There was no reason to burden them with impossible standards of perfection.
Since Minato was a real person…
Then Kei wanted to see exactly what kind of man he truly was.
In the real world…
Verbal sparring in politics was merely the prelude to real action.
Whether someone appeared to win or lose an exchange of words, both sides usually achieved exactly what they intended.
Kei could believe that meeting Orochimaru today had been a coincidence.
But he absolutely refused to believe Minato’s arrival was.
If Minato had come with a purpose…
Then Kei intended to discover what it was.
Go ahead.
Show everyone how dazzling you are.
Let’s see what lies beneath that brilliance.
Kei quietly suppressed his own presence, making himself as inconspicuous as possible.
He wanted to observe.
Although Konoha’s leadership treated the kind-hearted, handsome Minato like an idealistic fool to be maneuvered, Kei had never underestimated any opponent.
Weakness and ignorance weren’t what got people killed.
Arrogance was.
No matter how insignificant someone seemed…
If they were qualified to stand across from you and speak as an equal…
Then they were already your equal.
The people you truly admired…
Were usually so far above you that you’d never even have the chance to speak with them.
Perhaps…
That was simply another irony of life.
Unfortunately…
While Kei believed he was qualified to converse with Minato…
Minato clearly didn’t think the same.
In Minato’s eyes, Kei was probably no different from Itachi.
Simply another young Uchiha destined to inherit status within his clan.
As for why Minato viewed him that way…
Kei couldn’t care less.
What interested him was watching today’s carefully orchestrated political performance.
How exactly would Konoha’s newest hero perform?
And more importantly…
Was this meeting with Fugaku part of that performance?
Only Minato’s actions would reveal the answer.
It reminded Kei of a childhood game.
Everyone would deliberately ignore one child while showering another with attention.
Then, if that favored child showed the isolated one even the smallest kindness…
The ignored child would instantly become their most loyal supporter.
And together…
They would isolate someone else.
Perhaps…
Today’s scene wasn’t so different.
Having accepted that he was little more than an extra in today’s performance, Kei quietly faded into the background.
Orochimaru had originally been considering whether, for Jiraiya’s sake, he should help Minato a little.
But he soon noticed something far more interesting.
The introduction he had been about to make never left his lips.
Instead, he simply smiled.
“Oh?” “Minato.” “Have you just returned from the battlefield?” “Yes, Lord Orochimaru.” Although Minato answered modestly, every movement radiated boundless energy.
After all…
He was the central figure in today’s celebration.
More and more shinobi who had recently returned from the frontlines gathered around them.
Watching the man who had led them to victory…
Their exhaustion seemed to disappear.
Following someone like Minato made victory feel attainable.
Even if achieving it demanded tremendous sacrifice.
“You’ve worked hard.” Fugaku offered his sincere praise.
As he looked toward the weary Uchiha shinobi returning from the battlefield…
Those words were spoken on their behalf.
Minato immediately shook his head.
“No.” “I haven’t worked nearly as hard as those fighting on the front lines.” “I only provided support where I could.” “But the situation at the front remains far from optimistic.” He looked directly at both Orochimaru and Fugaku.
“Lord Orochimaru.” “Lord Fugaku.” “The front lines need everyone’s strength.” The moment Fugaku spoke, Minato got straight to the point.
There was no hesitation.
No indirect wording.
No political maneuvering.
He simply stated exactly what he wanted.
To someone as naturally suspicious as Kei…
That straightforwardness was deeply unsettling.
Isn’t that a bit excessive?
You show up out of nowhere…
Exchange one polite greeting…
And immediately ask people for something?
How can you make that request as though it’s the most natural thing in the world?
Perhaps the problem lay with Kei himself.
If he wanted something…
He would first build rapport.
Arrange an exchange of benefits.
Carefully negotiate.
Only then would he reveal his true objective.
But Minato…
Simply believed his request was justified.
Is this…
What true selflessness looks like?
Yet that wasn’t even the most astonishing part.
What truly surprised Kei…
Was Fugaku’s reaction.
The moment he heard Minato’s request…
The Uchiha Clan Head’s eyes lit up with unmistakable excitement.