Naruto: Konoha's Traitor

Actions of the Hidden Rain Village

Evening.

At home in Konoha, Chi Yu sat down to dinner with Uzumaki Kushina and her cousin, Uzumaki Miyuki.

Kushina looked up from her plate. "Chi Yu, how long can you stay this time?"

Chi Yu gave her an apologetic smile. "I came back because of a transfer order. I have to leave tomorrow. I'm sorry, Kushina—I won't be able to stay with you."

Kushina pouted, setting down her chopsticks. "Why are you apologizing? If it's a mission, you have no choice, right?"

Chi Yu smiled. "I'm glad you understand. Once the situation on the front lines settles, I'll take a few days off to come back and be with you."

Kushina's face softened into a sweet smile. "Alright. I'll be waiting."

Across the table, Uzumaki Miyuki took a bite of rice and regretted staying for dinner.

She was definitely a third wheel. The awkwardness was palpable.

As soon as the meal ended, Miyuki made up a flimsy excuse and left quickly.

---

The next morning.

"Chi Yu, have you packed everything?"

"Yeah, I'm ready. I'm heading out now, Kushina."

"Wait—" Kushina stepped in front of him and straightened his collar with care.

Chi Yu watched her closely, his gaze making her cheeks flush. "Why are you staring like that?" she asked, embarrassed.

Without warning, Chi Yu leaned in and kissed her cheek. "Wait for me."

Blushing furiously, Kushina pressed her head against his chest. "I will. Come back safe."

Chi Yu turned and left for Root headquarters.

Danzo Shimura was already waiting for him.

"You're on time. Good," Danzo said with a nod. "Let's move."

Wearing his usual dark garb and with a ninjatō strapped to his back, Danzo led Chi Yu out of the village.

They traveled until they reached a forest clearing well beyond the borders of Konoha. There, Danzo abruptly stopped.

Chi Yu activated his sensory perception—not Observation Haki, which is a One Piece term, but rather a form of high-level chakra sensory common among elite shinobi. He detected roughly 30 ninja nearby.

"Come out," Danzo ordered.

One by one, Root operatives emerged from hiding, kneeling on one knee behind him.

Because such a large movement of Root agents would arouse Hiruzen Sarutobi's suspicion, Danzo had sent them out in small groups ahead of time. They had been waiting here, hidden in the forest, for the final order.

Danzo's tone was sharp. "We're moving out. Destination: Amegakure."

---

Several days later — outskirts of Amegakure.

Danzo's unit arrived at the outskirts of the Hidden Rain Village. They were met by Hanzō the Salamander, flanked by a dozen Rain ninja.

Hanzō stood with his arms crossed, his breathing audible beneath his iconic breathing apparatus. "Danzo. You made it."

Danzo nodded curtly. "We had an agreement. I intend to keep it. Are your preparations in order?"

"They are. Tomorrow, I'll lure the Akatsuki with a fake peace negotiation. We strike then. My shinobi have already been dispatched. Come."

Hanzō's gaze lingered on Chi Yu for a few seconds longer than necessary. He had heard of him. In recent months, "the Blood-Eyed Shura" had become a name known to the upper echelons of many villages.

Without further words, Hanzō led them to his stronghold deep within the village.

Inside, he gestured toward a meeting room. "Let's talk."

Danzo motioned to Chi Yu. "You're coming in with me."

"Yes, Lord Danzo."

Inside, Hanzō and Danzo sat across from each other. Chi Yu stood silently behind his superior.

Hanzō studied him. "So this is the Blood-Eyed Shura. You've done well, Danzo—he's infamous even outside the Land of Fire."

Danzo didn't respond to the flattery. "Let's get to the point."

Hanzō leaned forward, clasping his hands. "I want to reaffirm the terms of our agreement."

Danzo's expression darkened slightly. "You maintain power over Amegakure with my support. In exchange, you endorse me for the position of Hokage. We've been over this."

Hanzō nodded. "Just wanted to be sure."

Danzo sneered. "The ones I brought are Root elites. Akatsuki are nothing more than idealistic upstarts. They won't be a problem."

"Good," Hanzō said. "After this, I'll throw my full support behind your ambitions."

With the plan confirmed, the conversation turned to the finer details of the ambush. Once finished, Hanzō left the room.

Danzo stayed behind. Only Chi Yu remained.

He glanced over his shoulder. "What do you think of my path to Hokage?"

Chi Yu bowed his head. "It's not for me to question. I follow your orders. Whoever stands in your way, I will eliminate."

Danzo's lips curved into a rare, faint smile. "Good. When this is over, I'll propose to Hiruzen that we replace the current Jinchūriki."

Chi Yu bowed again. "Thank you, Lord Danzo."

---

The next morning.

Danzo's agents lay in ambush around the meeting site, hidden and poised to strike.

Chi Yu remained by Danzo's side.

Meanwhile, Yahiko, leader of Akatsuki, walked alongside Nagato and Konan toward the designated location.

Yahiko was animated. "Nagato, Konan—this is it! Hanzō said leaders from the Great Nations are attending. If we can get even one of them to listen, we could change everything!"

Nagato was less enthusiastic. "Yahiko, don't get ahead of yourself. The Great Nations aren't exactly known for diplomacy. Don't trust this too easily."

"But even getting them to the table is a start," Yahiko said, still hopeful. "If this doesn't work, we try again. If twice doesn't work, then three times! We won't stop."

Konan gave a quiet smile. "I believe in you, Yahiko."

Yahiko turned to the Akatsuki members trailing behind them. "We've come so far. Together, we can bring peace to the world!"

But as his voice carried, there was a disturbance at the rear of their formation.

Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan turned.

Their expressions hardened.

Their own allies—Rain ninja—had suddenly turned on them. Akatsuki members were being cut down by supposed comrades.

The betrayal had begun.

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