Naruto: Konoha's Traitor

Questioning

Miyuki Uzumaki arrived at Chi Yu's residence with a message.

"Mito-sama wishes to see you at the Uzumaki estate," she said calmly.

Chi Yu nodded. "I'll go right away."

Stretching her arms, Miyuki added, "Well, now that I've delivered the message, I'm going back to rest."

"You're not coming?" Chi Yu asked, slightly surprised.

Miyuki smiled. "Why would I? Lady Mito asked for you, not me. Besides, I heard the Hokage is also looking for her. If both of them are involved, it must be about the Jinchūriki. That's your problem, not mine. I'll just wait to hear what comes of it."

Chi Yu stared at her for a moment, then said sincerely, "Thank you."

"That doesn't sound like you," Miyuki chuckled. "Besides, I made this promise to you a long time ago. Anyway, I'm exhausted—don't keep me standing around."

With a wave, she turned and departed.

After watching her disappear down the road, Chi Yu made his way to the Uzumaki estate.

---

The Uzumaki mansion, once full of life and strength, now echoed with the weight of time. When Chi Yu entered, he found Mito Uzumaki seated quietly, her body frail and her presence diminished. The air around her carried the scent of fading life.

"You succeeded," her voice rasped, ancient and hollow.

Chi Yu couldn't read her tone. Regret? Resignation?

After a pause, he asked, "So… Naruto didn't become the Jinchūriki, as you intended. Are you disappointed?"

Mito's pale, clouded eyes met his. A faint smile touched her lips.

"Your hostility toward me hasn't changed," she said. "But whether you believe it or not, I feel relief—relief for Naruto, and even for you.

"You must have fought hard to sway Hiruzen. Alone, no less. That you endured all that for Naruto is a testament to your will—and your love for him.

"You were right from the beginning. Between Naruto and Konoha… I chose Konoha. This village was built by my husband. It holds the dream of Hashirama Senju. I've always wanted to protect it, to see it thrive.

"But that doesn't mean I didn't care for Naruto. He is like my own grandchild. I had high hopes for him—not just because he's an Uzumaki, but because I believed he could tame the Nine-Tails and use its power to protect the village.

"Chi Yu… sometimes, choices must be made. Sacrifices. One day, you'll face such decisions too. Maybe then, you'll understand."

Chi Yu's gaze sharpened. "With all due respect, Lady Mito… maybe I will face such choices. But I will never understand you."

Mito blinked, visibly taken aback.

"When you say a trade-off is necessary," Chi Yu continued, voice steady, "you imply that both things are dear to you. But tell me—did the Jinchūriki have to be Naruto? Did it have to be an Uzumaki?

"If you truly believed only an Uzumaki could endure the Nine-Tails, then why do other villages—who don't have our bloodline—still manage to create Jinchūriki?"

Mito remained silent.

"Because Konoha needed a vessel. And you offered your clan," Chi Yu said. "Don't pretend it was some noble sacrifice. You didn't trade anything—you gave the village what it needed, whether it was fair or not.

"And don't say you feared other candidates couldn't contain the beast. We both know Madara Uchiha controlled the Nine-Tails with a standard Three-Tomoe Sharingan, not Mangekyō. If he could do it, then multiple Uchiha working together could do it too. But no one trusted the Uchiha, did they?"

Mito's lips tightened.

"I'm not denying you cared for Naruto," Chi Yu went on, "but let's not pretend that Konoha hasn't used emotional ties to bind him. You all speak of love and protection while laying chains under the guise of duty. You want me to understand that?"

Mito said nothing. Her silence spoke volumes.

Chi Yu changed the subject, his tone cool. "There's something I've always wondered, Lady Mito. Why didn't you take your husband's surname—Senju—after your marriage to the First Hokage?"

Mito hesitated, then answered, "It was a political marriage. Our clan leader, Ashina Uzumaki, agreed to an alliance between Uzushiogakure and Konoha. He suggested I keep the Uzumaki name, and Hashirama accepted."

Chi Yu narrowed his eyes. "And why would Ashina-sama insist on that?"

"Perhaps… so I'd never forget where I came from," she said quietly.

Chi Yu let out a faint, humorless laugh. "So you knew. But did you remember?"

Mito stiffened.

"Let's talk about Uzushio," Chi Yu said, his voice like a blade. "When our homeland was destroyed… where were you? Don't tell me it was for Konoha's sake.

"Orochimaru told me the real reason Konoha didn't intervene: there was nothing left to gain. You'd already handed over Uzushio's strongest sealing techniques. With no benefit in helping, Konoha stood by as Uzushio burned."

He stepped closer.

"If you truly remembered your clan… why didn't you act? Even if Konoha refused, why didn't you go?"

Mito's face paled. "I was the Jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails. Leaving the village—"

"—would've risked Konoha," Chi Yu interrupted coldly. "Exactly. So let's be honest, Lady Mito. You weren't an Uzumaki anymore. You were just someone who shared our name."

Even Mito, known for her composure, looked shaken. Her silence turned to faint anger.

Chi Yu, undeterred, pressed on. "Is this still the Konoha that Hashirama dreamed of? Do you even see what it's become?

"You must have heard of what happened to Sakumo Hatake. A hero shamed for doing the right thing. Or all the quiet betrayals before that. I ask you again—what exactly are you protecting? The village? Or Hashirama's dream?

"Because from where I stand… this village has long since turned its back on his ideals."

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