Naruto: Konoha's Traitor

The Coming Dawn

Chiba returned home, but Kushina Uzumaki was nowhere to be found. She must have been dispatched on a mission.

Earlier today, Danzō Shimura submitted his candidates to Hiruzen Sarutobi to succeed the current Nine-Tails Jinchūriki. Although Hiruzen didn't give a clear response, the matter was essentially settled.

Mito Uzumaki's time was running out—she likely had no more than a year left to live—and the war showed no signs of ending within that time.

As long as I remain instrumental in managing the Uchiha situation, Hiruzen will have to consider my position carefully, Chiba thought.

Moreover, with Danzō supporting me behind the scenes, the outcome is all but secured.

After so many years of silent effort, the first light of dawn had finally broken through. Chiba exhaled deeply, a rare smile softening his expression.

Once Kushina's matter was resolved, he would be free to act without restraint.

Whether he chose to continue growing in Konoha's shadows or abandon the village altogether, the future was finally his to shape.

Feeling much lighter, Chiba opened the system.

As soon as he did, the system's prompt echoed in his mind:

> [Witnessed Key Event: Yahiko's Death – Reward: 20,000 Witness Points]

Chiba raised an eyebrow.

That was the same reward he had received for altering Kakashi Hatake's fate.

But he found the amount justified. Yahiko's death, while not earth-shattering in itself, was the catalyst that broke Nagato—the moment the future Pain was born.

It wasn't Yahiko's death that mattered most, but what came after: Nagato's descent into extremism.

He turned his attention to his stats panel.

---

[Character: Chiba]

[Bloodline: Uchiha Clan, Senju Clan]

[Kekkei Genkai: Mangekyō Sharingan]

[Chakra Level: Equivalent to Three Sharingan-Activated Kakashis]

[Ninjutsu: Transformation Technique (E-Rank), Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu (C-Rank), etc.]

[Genjutsu: Demonic Illusion: Shackling Stakes, Sharingan-based Genjutsu]

[Taijutsu: Mastery in Shurikenjutsu, C-Rank Taijutsu Techniques]

[Special Abilities: Dojutsu – All-Rejection, Dojutsu – Mount Fuji, Thunder Breathing, Observation Haki]

[Remaining Witness Points: 42,000]

---

Looking at his profile, Chiba couldn't help but scoff. A perfect all-rounder—his strength was a well-balanced pentagon, with no real weak points.

After closing the system, Chiba activated his Observation Haki, scanning the area for surveillance.

No chakra signatures. No ANBU. No Root operatives. All clear.

He began forming hand seals.

"Summoning Technique!"

A puff of smoke filled the room as a plump, white snake slithered forth.

"Lord Chiba~" the snake greeted him warmly.

Ever since forming a contract with Chiba, this snake had been living luxuriously. Every summoning meant plentiful food. It had grown noticeably fatter and more obedient.

If Chiba ordered it east, it wouldn't dare crawl west. If he asked it to eat humans, it wouldn't touch anything else. As for risking its life—well, that was a different story. The snake would still be the first to flee if danger truly loomed.

"Release him," Chiba ordered.

"Of course."

The snake opened its jaws. Its belly writhed before it spat out a slime-covered Yahiko.

"As per your instructions, Lord Chiba," the snake said proudly, "I took him to Ryūchi Cave, treated his wounds with the Cave's unique medicinal herbs, and kept him warm. He still has body heat, so he's alive—barely."

Chiba stepped forward to examine Yahiko.

Still alive. His condition was critical, but the bleeding had stopped. A thick paste of herbs covered his wounds, but some suppuration had already begun.

If left untreated, he wouldn't last much longer.

Chiba cleaned the wounds carefully, applied fresh medicine, and re-bandaged them.

Then he turned to the white snake.

"I have an important mission for you. If you fail, I'll sever our contract and summon someone else."

The snake's eyes widened. "No, please, Lord Chiba! No snake is more loyal than I am! Give me the mission—anything!"

Chiba's lips curved slightly.

"I can't keep Yahiko here in Konoha. Take him back to Ryūchi Cave. Keep him alive. I'll give you food to sustain him, but if he wakes up, feed him and then have a paralysis-venom snake bite him. He must remain unconscious. Understand?"

The snake squirmed. "That's... tricky. Lord Chiba, the snakes in Ryūchi Cave love eating humans. And the White Snake Sage forbids uncontracted humans from staying there."

Chiba raised his hands. "That's your problem. Solve it. If you succeed, you'll continue to enjoy my generosity. I'm heading to the Land of Waves next. More chaos, more food."

"But if it's too hard for you..." he added coldly, "I'll find a snake that can handle it."

The snake hesitated, tongue flicking nervously.

"You know how rare contractors are. Snakes don't eat well without one like me."

A moment of silence passed before the snake straightened its coils.

"I'll do it, Lord Chiba!"

"Good. If things go south, reverse summon me. I won't be long—just a few days. Once I reach the Land of Waves, I won't need to trouble you."

"Understood. But please hurry, Lord Chiba. If the White Snake Sage finds out, I'll be in trouble."

The snake swallowed Yahiko once more and disappeared in a puff of smoke.

"Don't forget my food!" it called out as it vanished.

With the Yahiko matter handled, Chiba stretched and made for his bed—only to hear a sudden knock on the door.

Odd.

He had just returned from Amegakure, reported to the Hokage and Danzō, and came straight home. Not even Kushina knew he was back.

And if she had forgotten her key, she'd likely climb in through the window before knocking.

So who could it be?

Chiba approached the door and opened it.

To his surprise, it was Miyuki Uzumaki.

"It's late," Chiba said, puzzled. "Do you need something?"

Miyuki shook her head. "It's not me. Lady Mito sent me. Kushina went out on a mission, so I'm currently studying sealing with Lady Mito. Hokage-sama came to visit her earlier. After their talk, she asked me to find you."

Chiba's eyes narrowed.

So Hiruzen had gone to consult Mito Uzumaki—likely about the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki issue.

If Mito wanted to see him afterward, the topic was surely the same.

Chiba nodded slowly. "I understand. I'll go now."

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