Stand on My Side
Danzo urged Hiruzen to address the Uchiha clan's position without further delay.
Hiruzen sat in silence, his brow furrowed with thought.
Naturally, he understood what the Uchiha wanted—greater recognition, a seat closer to the village's power structure. After all, they had fought fiercely in the war, their strength and skill undeniable.
But Hiruzen would never allow the Uchiha clan to approach the heart of Konoha's political power again.
Currently, the Uchiha were viewed with suspicion and hostility by much of the village. Their conduct during past political disputes had alienated many—including Danzo, who made no secret of his animosity toward them. Truthfully, even Hiruzen himself harbored concern about the clan's ambitions.
Their military power, however, was immense. Even as Hokage, Hiruzen could not risk suppressing them too overtly, especially during wartime.
Konoha's position in the ongoing war was precarious.
The strength of the Uchiha clan was essential.
What troubled Hiruzen most was the aftermath—what would happen after the war ended.
Given the Uchiha's prominent role in the fighting, they would no doubt emerge with substantial merit and demands for reward. But what could be given to a clan that already held more influence than any other? They already controlled the Konoha Military Police Force, a critical institution within the village.
Surely, they couldn't be given a direct path to the Hokage's seat?
The Uchiha were known for their pride and intensity. Granting them more political clout would upset the delicate balance within Konoha, particularly among the other clans.
If left unchecked, tensions between the Uchiha and the rest of the village would only escalate—until they inevitably exploded.
Hiruzen exhaled through his pipe and turned to Danzo.
"You're suggesting we put Chi Yu forward to restrain them? But… can he handle that?"
Danzo's gaze was cold and sharp. "In my view, Chi Yu is the only one suited for it. He carries Uchiha blood—if we push him forward, the others will see it as an internal dispute among the Uchiha themselves. And besides… he has our support."
Hiruzen frowned, puffing on his pipe. "Chi Yu is only a jōnin. To elevate him, we need to give him a title—something with weight."
Danzo replied, "The name of Root should be sufficient."
Hiruzen was silent for a long while before tapping the ash from his pipe.
"Let's focus on winning this war. Everything else… we'll revisit afterward. Even if we intend to use Chi Yu to check the Uchiha, his reputation must be elevated first. Otherwise, the move won't be effective."
Danzo said nothing more, but the faint curl of his lips showed satisfaction. He knew Hiruzen well enough to recognize agreement when he heard it.
---
Chi Yu arrived at the Uzumaki residence—once Mito Uzumaki's domain, and now home to Kushina.
Coincidentally, Kushina had no missions today and was home.
Before Chi Yu could knock, the door flung open and Kushina leapt into his arms, laughing.
"Chi Yu! You finally came to see me again!"
Chi Yu smiled, rubbing her head fondly. "Yeah, it's been a while. How have you been?"
Kushina pouted. "Same as always. I keep asking to go to Kusagakure, but they keep turning me down. Seriously! I'm strong enough now!"
Chi Yu chuckled. "You're too valuable. They can't let you run around like that. And besides… I'm being transferred to Kusagakure soon anyway. You won't find anything for you in Yumegakure."
Kushina blinked, surprised. "Wait—what? You're going to Kusagakure?"
Chi Yu nodded. "Yeah. The order's already been given. I'll be here in the village for a few days, then I'm gone."
Kushina's eyes lit up. "A few days? You're not leaving right away this time?"
Whenever Chi Yu returned to Konoha, he would spend a few short hours with Kushina before vanishing again. But now…
"Yay!" Kushina jumped excitedly. "Then come on! Let's go out and have fun! You have to tell me about Yumegakure!"
The two wandered through Konoha together, Chi Yu recounting stories from his travels—half-serious, half-teasing. Kushina laughed until she was breathless.
As dusk fell, Chi Yu carried a tired Kushina back home.
After putting her to bed, he didn't leave. Instead, he sought out Mito Uzumaki.
The elder Uzumaki was in the sitting room. At the sound of the door, she spoke with her usual calm gravitas, her voice raspy with age: "Come in, Chi Yu."
Chi Yu entered. Compared to the last time he'd seen her, Mito looked markedly older.
She sighed softly. "You and Kushina have both grown. Time flies."
Then, without pretense, she asked, "You've never sought me out like this before. What's on your mind?"
Chi Yu sat opposite her, his expression serious. "Lady Mito… forgive my bluntness, but… how much time do you have left?"
Mito studied him with soft, unreadable eyes. "You're not really asking about me. You're asking about how much longer I can keep the Nine-Tails sealed."
She paused, then added, "Three years. Perhaps less."
Chi Yu's eyes narrowed slightly. Three years. That meant about a year after Kushina reached adulthood.
Mito continued, her voice gentle but firm. "You still oppose Kushina becoming the next jinchūriki, don't you?"
Chi Yu didn't flinch. "I do. I understand that in Konoha, not everything is ours to decide. But that doesn't mean it's impossible to change. And I came here today to ask something of you."
Mito said, "If it's something I can do, I will help."
Chi Yu met her gaze, unwavering. "If I can find another path—another solution—I want you to stand with me. When the time comes, I want you on my side."
Mito was visibly surprised.
Chi Yu was not the type to speak aimlessly. If he said this, it meant he might actually have found a way to change Kushina's fate.
She asked cautiously, "Do you mean you've found an alternative?"
"I haven't found the person yet," Chi Yu replied. "But I believe they exist. And if I can bring them to Konoha… then the turning point will appear."
Mito's brows furrowed. "Is that why you were transferred to Kusagakure?"
Chi Yu nodded. "Yes. That's the real reason behind it."
Mito remained silent for a moment, processing. As someone who kept a close eye on Chi Yu's activities, she had already learned of his reassignment.
A "turning point" that could prevent Kushina from inheriting the Nine-Tails?
Then the person Chi Yu spoke of… could only be a surviving member of the Uzumaki clan.
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