Naruto: Konoha's Traitor

Return to the Land of Grass

Chi Yu had no biological siblings. This meant he could not awaken the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, nor could he transplant Hashirama Senju's cells to stave off the inevitable blindness associated with overusing the Mangekyō.

Contrary to popular belief, it wasn't Wood Release that countered the Mangekyō's side effects. Rather, it was the unique life force and regenerative capabilities of Hashirama's body—a trait tied to what was known as the Sage of Six Paths' Body, or more simply, the Sage Body.

Hashirama's vitality was legendary. His wounds healed on their own, even without weaving hand seals. His chakra was vast, and his resilience nearly unmatched. As Madara Uchiha once declared, "On the battlefield, no one can kill Hashirama."

But such a body was exceedingly rare.

Even if Chi Yu awakened Wood Release, it wouldn't mean he had inherited the Sage Body. That level of physical prowess was unique to Hashirama himself—or, in very rare cases, others directly tied to the Sage of Six Paths' lineage.

So, for now, Chi Yu had no means of suppressing the degradation of his vision. Not unless he somehow acquired Hashirama's cells and survived the transplant—a feat most Uchiha failed to accomplish without consequence.

But that wasn't his priority.

He had only just awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan. His eyesight remained sharp, his chakra stable. The immediate concern was resolving the matter of Kushina Uzumaki.

Once that was handled, there would be time to address the rest.

Besides, with enough Witness Points, even the Mangekyō's drawbacks might one day be surmountable.

Deactivating his Sharingan, Chi Yu stepped out from Orochimaru's hidden base, his mood lighter than it had been in days. Awakening the Mangekyō had brought him clarity—both literally and figuratively.

He brought back Kushina's favorite: a bowl of rich, salty ramen. For Kakashi, he picked up grilled saury and miso-glazed eggplant, knowing it was his favorite.

They returned home together.

---

The Next Day

Chi Yu reported to the Hokage Building, where he informed Hiruzen Sarutobi that he and Kakashi were prepared to depart for Kusagakure to support the ongoing conflict.

Hiruzen approved immediately. He had hoped for Chi Yu's swift deployment—his skill was an asset Konoha couldn't afford to sideline. And he was quietly relieved that Kakashi, after the tragedy of losing his father, was beginning to move forward.

After packing their gear, Chi Yu and Kakashi stood at the village gates, ready to depart.

Kushina crouched before Kakashi, voice gentle: "If it gets dangerous, leave it to your teacher. Don't do anything reckless. Eat properly, grow tall."

Kakashi bit his lip beneath the mask.

Still reeling from the loss of Sakumo Hatake, Kakashi was deeply moved by Kushina's concern.

"I will, Mother," he said softly. "Teacher Chi Yu and I are heading to Kusagakure. Please take care of yourself too."

Kushina smiled and ruffled his silver hair.

Then she turned to Chi Yu.

"I'll wait for you to come back," she said quietly.

Chi Yu gave a rare smile. "Then wait for me."

Together, he and Kakashi set out for the Land of Grass.

---

A Few Days Later

The two arrived at Konoha's forward base in Kusagakure.

Among the shinobi stationed there—many of them former subordinates of Sakumo—Kakashi carried himself with a cold, distant air that kept others at arm's length.

Chi Yu brought him directly to Jiraiya, who was overseeing the situation in Kusagakure in place of Minato Namikaze, who was currently engaged on another front.

"Jiraiya-sama," Chi Yu said respectfully. "We're here to provide reinforcements."

Jiraiya smiled faintly at the young man. Though their interactions had been minimal, he had observed Chi Yu's resourcefulness during the Tanigakure operation. A sharp mind, and dangerous potential—hallmarks of Orochimaru's students.

He looked to Kakashi.

"I heard about Sakumo," he said with genuine regret. "I'm sorry."

Kakashi's voice was flat. "My father broke the rules of Konoha. There's nothing to be sorry for. But thank you, Jiraiya-sama."

Jiraiya frowned.

He remembered Kakashi being proud, perhaps rigid, but not this cold. The boy's detachment now—was it grief, or indoctrination?

Orochimaru had always been distant, emotionally flat.

His student, Chi Yu, was no different.

And now Kakashi—who once had warmth beneath his strictness—seemed to have followed suit.

Three generations, all emotionally stunted.

Jiraiya couldn't help but blame Orochimaru. After all, "If the top beam is crooked, the lower ones will follow."

Before Jiraiya could speak further, Chi Yu made a request.

"Jiraiya-sama, I hope you can assign Kakashi and me to a long-term reconnaissance mission."

Jiraiya blinked. "A long-term mission? I only just arrived. I'm not fully briefed on Kusagakure's situation yet. Shinsuke, anything appropriate for them?"

Nara Shinsuke, standing nearby, rubbed his chin in thought.

"There's one, though it's dangerous. Our intel on Iwagakure's movements is thin, and they've begun probing our defenses. We need someone fast and sharp to gather information without being detected. Chi Yu would be suitable."

Chi Yu nodded. "We'll take it."

Shinsuke hesitated. "Chi Yu, this task is tailored for you. Not for Kakashi. It's—"

"He's with me," Chi Yu interrupted. "I'm training him. His mobility is already better than most Chūnin. He won't slow me down."

Kakashi stepped forward. "If you're worried that I'll end up like my father—forcing my teacher to abandon a mission to save me—you can rest easy. If I'm captured or injured, I'll kill myself before I become a liability."

Silence fell.

Jiraiya and Shinsuke both froze.

They hadn't expected something so blunt—and so hollow—from Kakashi. It was clear now: Sakumo's suicide had scarred the boy deeply.

Chi Yu said calmly, "You've heard him. Let us handle it."

Shinsuke exhaled slowly. "Jiraiya-sama?"

Jiraiya hesitated, then nodded.

"Very well. Chi Yu, Kakashi—your assignment is to infiltrate enemy territory and gather intelligence on Iwagakure's formations. Report findings to me or Shinsuke directly."

"Yes, sir."

Neither Chi Yu nor Kakashi lingered. They were eager to move, both for the mission—and for their own personal reasons.

For Chi Yu, it wasn't just about reconnaissance. He was still searching for Kushina Uzumaki's clan, trying to understand her roots and perhaps uncover something she herself didn't know.

But as the two prepared to depart, Jiraiya raised a hand.

"Chi Yu. Wait. I want a word—with you alone."

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