Naruto: Konoha's Traitor

Danzo proposed to Hiruzen that Chi Yu be dispatched to the Land of Waves to take command of the Uchiha forces stationed there.

Hiruzen Sarutobi sat quietly in his chair, pipe in hand, smoke curling lazily around his solemn expression.

After a long silence, he finally spoke in a deep, measured tone.

"Very well. Chi Yu, you are to head to the Land of Waves immediately and take command of the Konoha forces deployed there. Your primary objective is to resist the advance of the Kirigakure forces. You will have full command over the Uchiha shinobi operating in that theater."

He paused, then narrowed his eyes slightly.

"But I have two conditions. First, do not let the Uchiha realize they're being singled out or tested. Second, although the Land of Waves will eventually withdraw support for ninja presence, it cannot be allowed to fall under foreign control. You'll have a wide degree of operational autonomy—but the village must not lose its hold on that territory. Understood?"

Chi Yu bowed slightly and replied firmly, "Yes, Hokage-sama. I will not fail."

Hiruzen nodded. "Good. I'll have your transfer orders ready by tomorrow. For now, Nara Kubota is acting as interim commander. Once you arrive, you'll take over as official commander; Kubota will serve as your deputy."

He leaned back slightly, exhaling a puff of smoke.

"The situation is urgent. The Mist-nin are engaging our forces with increasing aggression. You are to depart at dawn and assess the battlefield conditions immediately. Reinforcements from the Uchiha clan will arrive in waves, roughly a hundred in total."

Chi Yu bowed once again. "Understood."

Just then, Danzo interjected.

"There is one more matter, Hiruzen. It concerns the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki."

At the mention of the Nine-Tails, Chi Yu's body tensed slightly, a reaction he couldn't suppress.

Hiruzen's expression darkened, and he gave Chi Yu a sidelong glance before addressing Danzo.

"What about the jinchūriki?"

Danzo responded calmly.

"Mito-sama has little time left. Her chakra is weakening, and her death from natural causes is likely this year. Preparations must be made for a new jinchūriki."

"I'm aware," Hiruzen said, his voice heavy. "I've already begun making arrangements."

Danzo continued, "Then let me offer a recommendation. I suggest we reconsider our chosen candidate."

Hiruzen frowned. "You're referring to Kushina?"

Danzo nodded slightly. "Kushina is strong, yes. But I believe Whirlpool Miyuki is a superior option. Her talent in fūinjutsu already surpasses what Kushina had at her age. Given time, she could master the sealing arts to a degree even Uzumaki Mito would have respected."

He leaned in.

"With such an important responsibility, why not choose the more gifted vessel? The more compatible the host, the lower the risk of instability. You know what would happen if a jinchūriki lost control, Hiruzen."

Hiruzen replied, voice firm but conflicted, "And that is precisely why Kushina is the safer option. She's already made progress in sealing and has been partially prepared by Mito-sama herself. This is not the time to gamble on raw talent."

Danzo shook his head.

"You're thinking short-term. Over the years, Miyuki will surpass Kushina without question. And even if instability arises—Chi Yu has awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan. As you know, that eye has the potential to subdue tailed beasts. He can act as a fail-safe."

Danzo's voice lowered slightly.

"Besides, Chi Yu is about to shoulder a dangerous mission for the village. Shouldn't we give him some peace of mind?"

Hiruzen sighed inwardly. Of all times, Danzo had to bring this up now, in front of Chi Yu.

His gaze flicked toward Chi Yu, who remained impassive.

Danzo's move was strategic. He was clearly attempting to draw Chi Yu further into his faction—something Hiruzen had long suspected.

And the worst part? It was working.

Though Danzo's methods were always cloaked in manipulation, he rarely made promises he couldn't fulfill. Even Orochimaru had once admitted that aligning with Danzo could be… effective, if one could stomach the cost.

Hiruzen weighed his options. Kushina was stable. Miyuki was promising. One was a safe torchbearer. The other, a bright but untested flame.

But now, with Chi Yu watching and Danzo pressing, Hiruzen couldn't dismiss the proposal outright—not without undermining their current mission.

He looked at Danzo. Then Chi Yu. Then back at Danzo.

"I'll give the matter further thought," Hiruzen said quietly.

Danzo smiled thinly. He understood Hiruzen well enough to know that meant yes.

He rose from his seat.

"Very well. Chi Yu, go prepare. You depart at dawn."

Chi Yu bowed to Danzo. "Yes, Danzo-sama."

Turning to Hiruzen, he added, "Hokage-sama, I'll take my leave."

Hiruzen gave a nod. "An Anbu will bring you the official orders tomorrow. Dismissed."

---

Once outside the Hokage building, Danzo turned to Chi Yu.

"Follow me."

Chi Yu trailed Danzo to the hidden base of Root.

Inside the dimly lit command office, Danzo sat behind his desk and gestured for Chi Yu to stand before him.

"The matter of the jinchūriki is settled. Leave that to me," Danzo said. "What concerns you now is integration into Root."

He continued, "All members of Root are subject to a particular sealing technique. It is not harmful—it merely enforces confidentiality. Should you attempt to speak of classified matters, the seal will paralyze your body and silence you."

Danzo's voice dropped to a near whisper.

"This is non-negotiable. Do you accept?"

Without hesitation, Chi Yu nodded. "I do."

Of course he knew what this was. The Curse Mark of Tongue Eradication—a binding fūinjutsu unique to Root, used by Danzo to ensure absolute loyalty and silence.

But Chi Yu had already anticipated this. And with enough preparation, the mark could eventually be countered—especially if he had the right resources.

Danzo smirked at his swift compliance.

"Good."

He stood, approached Chi Yu, and began weaving hand seals.

"Fūinjutsu: Curse Mark of Tongue Eradication."

His palm pressed over Chi Yu's jaw, chakra flowing as the mark burned itself into Chi Yu's tongue.

Danzo stepped back, examining his work with satisfaction.

"You're now truly one of us."

Visit patreon.com/Akeyno to get 30+ chapters