Naruto: Konoha's Traitor

Recruitment

Chi Yu returned to the Konoha encampment and reported directly to Orochimaru.

Orochimaru glanced up from his scrolls, his golden eyes narrowing slightly.

"What of the Raikage's son and the Jinchūriki?" he asked.

"Both are still alive," Chi Yu replied calmly. "But they won't be showing their faces in the Land of Hot Water again anytime soon."

With that, he retrieved a sealing scroll from his pouch and offered it to his teacher.

"Orochimaru-sensei. This contains a severed tentacle of the Eight-Tails. I thought it might interest you."

Orochimaru's lips curved into a thin, serpentine smile as he took the scroll.

"Interesting indeed..."

After securing the scroll, he looked back at Chi Yu with something almost like satisfaction.

"Chi Yu, an order just arrived from Konoha. You're to return immediately."

Chi Yu's brow furrowed.

"Return to Konoha? At a time like this? What's so urgent?"

"The order came from Danzo—acting in his capacity as Hiruzen's advisor," Orochimaru replied, his smile becoming more sardonic. "He wishes to speak with you personally."

Chi Yu's eyes narrowed slightly.

Danzo… If he was reaching out directly, it likely meant preparations against the Uchiha clan had begun in earnest.

Orochimaru's voice turned low and cautionary.

"Be wary, Chi Yu. I was once part of Root myself. Danzo is suspicious by nature, obsessed with control, and utterly ruthless. He trusts no one and tolerates no deviation from his designs. But your current value is considerable. He may attempt to draw you in.

"If your only true objective remains Kushina... then cooperating with Danzo might not be entirely unwise."

Chi Yu nodded.

"I understand, Orochimaru-sensei."

Before departing, he found Kakashi—who was also stationed at the camp—and informed him of the sudden summons. Then, without delay, he set off for Konoha.

---

A Few Days Later

Until recently, the name Minato Namikaze—the Yellow Flash—had been rising uncontested. But following Chi Yu's confrontation with the Raikage and Killer B, the legend of the "Blood-Eyed Shura" roared back to life.

This time, the entire shinobi world took notice.

Konoha's higher-ups weren't the only ones watching. Spymasters, tacticians, and leaders across the other Great Nations began reviewing intelligence reports on Chi Yu.

When he arrived back in Konoha, the atmosphere was different. The villagers no longer hurled curses or suspicion at him. Ever since his success in the Land of Hot Water, their open disdain had shifted to a grudging respect.

Now, it was admiration.

Children ran past him, calling out, "Chi Yu-sama!"

But he paid them no mind. He hadn't fought for the applause of ignorant civilians.

Expressionless, Chi Yu passed through the crowd, heading home. His first thought was to see if Kushina Uzumaki was there.

Just as he crossed the main street, an Uchiha shinobi appeared, bowing respectfully.

"Chi Yu-sama, the clan head invites you to the Uchiha district."

Chi Yu's voice turned cold.

"Tell Uchiha Masaki that he can come to me himself. If he won't, then he lacks the qualifications to summon me."

He walked past the stunned Uchiha without another glance.

The ninja's face paled, fists trembling with suppressed anger—but he dared not speak further.

Chi Yu was no longer just a prodigy. He had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, placing him above all others in the clan—including the clan head, who had yet to do so.

---

The Root Summons

When Chi Yu returned home, Kushina was not there. He scribbled a brief note and left it on the table.

As he stepped out again, a masked ANBU operative appeared wordlessly in front of him.

"Chi Yu-sama, Danzo-sama requests your presence."

Chi Yu gave a curt nod.

"Lead the way."

They traveled in silence through a concealed passage into the Root headquarters—deep underground, oppressive and airless. The Root shinobi they passed showed no emotion, their faces masked, their movements mechanical.

Finally, they reached a plain office chamber.

Danzo Shimura stood inside, his visible eye sharp beneath his bandaged head.

Chi Yu bowed slightly.

"Danzo-sama."

Danzo's face barely shifted, but the corner of his mouth twitched in the faintest hint of a smile.

"You've done well, Chi Yu."

Chi Yu assumed he referred to the battle against Ay and Killer B.

"Konoha's training made it possible."

But Danzo's interest was elsewhere—specifically, Chi Yu's encounter with the Uchiha messenger earlier that day.

Without any pretense, Danzo asked:

"Tell me. Do you resent the Uchiha clan?"

Chi Yu's eyes flickered, surprised by the directness.

He replied cautiously,

"Personal grudges are irrelevant before Konoha's greater interests."

Danzo chuckled—a dry, unsettling sound that felt more like mockery than amusement.

"And what if Konoha's interests can no longer tolerate the Uchiha's presence?"

Chi Yu met Danzo's gaze evenly.

"Then whatever mission Konoha assigns, I will carry out."

Danzo nodded, satisfied.

"Just as expected. You already knew Konoha would move against them. You even anticipated I would come to you."

Chi Yu didn't respond, but Danzo continued,

"You were too calm. Too composed. Not a flicker of surprise when I mentioned the Uchiha. That told me everything I needed to know."

Chi Yu finally spoke.

"You're right. I suspected the clan's path would lead to confrontation. Their arrogance and their separatism make them a liability. But I only knew it was you reaching out because Orochimaru-sensei told me so."

Danzo's expression didn't change.

"Very well. Then I'll be blunt. The Hokage and I intend to assign you to a sensitive mission. In the upcoming conflict, you will act as a stabilizing force within Konoha. If necessary, you will bring the Uchiha to heel. Do you accept this role?"

Without hesitation, Chi Yu responded,

"As a shinobi of Konoha, I will faithfully execute any mission entrusted to me by the Hokage."

Danzo studied him for a moment longer, then stepped forward.

"Chi Yu, you're a capable man. You must know why I summoned you here, and not through official channels."

Chi Yu gave a bland, unreadable expression.

"Danzo-sama, I assume you wished to discuss this mission privately?"

Danzo's visible eye sharpened.

"I wish to recruit you into Root. Officially. What is your answer?"

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