Chapter 126: CHAPTER 126
The Hidden Rain Village
Inside the Root headquarters.
Danzo Shimura sat behind his desk, his single visible eye studying the young man before him. Without preamble, he spoke:
> "Chi Yu. I want you to join Root."
Chi Yu met his gaze directly.
> "Lord Danzo, may I ask a question?"
Danzo nodded, terse as ever.
> "Speak."
> "Do you want me to choose a side?"
By now, Chi Yu was no longer viewed as an outsider. His value was known across Konoha's inner circle—powerful, resourceful, and increasingly influential. Danzo had approached him directly, so Chi Yu didn't hesitate to ask plainly.
He had one goal: if allegiance was the price, then what was the compensation?
He wasn't going to join Root—become a pawn of Danzo—without extracting something in return.
Danzo narrowed his eye.
> "I do want you to stand with me. So, tell me—what do you want?"
Chi Yu answered without hesitation.
> "Lord Danzo, you're surely aware that I've opposed Kushina Uzumaki becoming the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki from the beginning. I want that decision changed.
Miyuki Uzumaki, another of the clan, is equally qualified. Her chakra is strong, her talent in fūinjutsu is exceptional, and unlike Kushina, she doesn't attract as much attention. Moreover, with my Mangekyō Sharingan, I can control the tailed beasts directly."
Danzo was silent.
He had expected this.
Indeed, Chi Yu was not wrong—Kushina, though strong-willed and gifted, was not the only viable candidate. And the idea of someone who could control a tailed beast with their dōjutsu? That offered intriguing potential.
> "And what will you offer in return?" Danzo finally asked.
Chi Yu's voice dropped to a solemn tone.
> "If Kushina is removed from the selection, I will stand with you from this day forward.
I will act only on your orders. I will be your most loyal subordinate."
Danzo's gaze lingered on the young man. The offer was tempting. This was the same Chi Yu who had infiltrated Kumogakure, stirred unrest, and even aided in the release of the Eight-Tails. His abilities—especially the Mangekyō Sharingan—were beyond valuable.
But Danzo was not one to give in so easily.
> "This is not a light matter," he said slowly. "I'll consider it. But I require proof of your loyalty first."
Danzo leaned forward, fingers steepled.
> "As it happens, an opportunity is approaching. I will be traveling to Amegakure—the Hidden Rain Village. You will come as my escort."
Chi Yu's eyes flashed.
The Hidden Rain?
It was clear now—Danzo intended to move against the Akatsuki.
Chi Yu bowed, his expression composed but inwardly calculating.
> "Yes, Lord Danzo. I will obey."
---
Amegakure — The Shadow of Akatsuki
At this point in time, the Akatsuki was not yet the feared criminal organization it would later become. Under Yahiko's leadership, it was a group striving for peace through nonviolent means. The organization had grown rapidly during the war, gaining influence and drawing support from war-weary civilians and rogue ninja alike.
Located at the intersection of Fire, Earth, and Wind countries, Amegakure had become a strategic hotspot in the Third Shinobi World War. The Akatsuki's idealistic efforts resonated with many, especially given the political instability of the region.
The Third Kazekage had vanished, leaving Sunagakure weakened and directionless. Hiruzen Sarutobi, meanwhile, sought to end the war through diplomacy. Only Iwagakure and Kumogakure, the war's original instigators, remained committed to conflict.
In such a landscape, the Akatsuki could have succeeded—peace might have prevailed.
But Danzo would never allow it.
He thrived on conflict. War was an opportunity: to expand Konoha's influence, gather resources, and consolidate power. A peaceful resolution would empower Hiruzen and marginalize Root.
So Danzo acted behind the Hokage's back. He approached Hanzō of the Salamander, the ruler of Amegakure, and whispered poison in his ear.
> "The Akatsuki are rising too fast. Soon, they'll threaten your leadership."
Hanzō, once a believer in peace himself, had grown paranoid over time. He had long abandoned his ideals, focusing instead on self-preservation. Though he once hoped to unify the shinobi world, he now saw threats everywhere—even in his own village.
Danzo's words found fertile ground.
Heavily influenced, Hanzō decided it was time to crush the Akatsuki—Yahiko, Konan, and the mysterious red-haired boy with the Rinnegan: Nagato.
Danzo's true aim? Sabotage peace. Ensure the war continued. And eliminate potential threats to Konoha's military dominance.
Taking Chi Yu along served multiple purposes.
For Danzo, it was a test of loyalty.
For Chi Yu, it was a golden opportunity.
Destroying the original Akatsuki would earn him status—and perhaps something more: Witness Points, power, and leverage.
Most importantly, this operation was kept secret from Hiruzen. If the Third Hokage knew, he would have led a formal peace negotiation. Konoha had already lost too much—Danzo intended to reclaim its strength through blood and manipulation, not peace talks.
By accompanying Danzo, Chi Yu would be seen by others as part of his faction. After that, even if he regretted it, there would be no turning back. His choice would be sealed.
As for the Nine-Tails... Danzo didn't care whether it was sealed in Kushina or Miyuki. As long as Chi Yu was on his side—armed with the Mangekyō Sharingan—the tailed beast was his to control.
> "Come to Root tomorrow at noon," Danzo said. "You'll leave with me for the Hidden Rain."
> "Yes, Lord Danzo."
Chi Yu turned and exited the building.
Both men were satisfied.
If Danzo backed him, Kushina's fate would change—and the Akatsuki's destruction would bring him power.
---
Later That Evening – Streets of Konoha
As Chi Yu made his way home, he spotted two familiar figures walking side by side.
His expression darkened.
One of them was Uzumaki Kushina. The other—Miyuki Uzumaki.
They were laughing, walking closely, hand-in-hand. The sight disturbed him more than he expected.
> "Chi Yu!"
Kushina called out cheerfully, running over.
> "Hey! You're back? When did you get home?"
Chi Yu forced a smile.
> "Just today. I stopped by the house and left a note when I saw you weren't in. Out shopping?"
> "Mhm! Guess what—someone from my clan came to visit Konoha! Let me introduce you!"
Still blissfully unaware of Chi Yu's plans, Kushina grabbed Miyuki's hand and pulled her forward.
> "Miyuki, this is Chi Yu. I've told you about him."
Miyuki smiled politely.
> "Nice to meet you. I'm Miyuki Uzumaki."
Chi Yu hesitated for a heartbeat, then nodded.
> "Nice to meet you, too."
His expression remained calm—but deep down, a storm was brewing.
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