Naruto: Konoha's Traitor

Escape

Chi Yu received Danzo's order and entered the battlefield.

Upon seeing Chi Yu preparing for combat, Hanzō of the Salamander immediately retreated to Danzo's side, intending to observe rather than interfere.

Chi Yu cast a glance at Nagato, then at the massive Demonic Statue of the Outer Path (Gedo Mazo) behind him, and began forming hand seals.

"Earth Release: Heavenly Descent Cover!"

A massive slab of rock emerged from a spatial rift above, crashing down toward the Gedo Mazo.

The statue reacted with brute strength. Its enormous hand struck upward, shattering the falling rock with ease.

Nagato responded swiftly, manipulating one of the chakra dragons extending from the Gedo Mazo to attack Chi Yu, attempting to absorb his chakra.

Chi Yu dodged nimbly and formed another rapid sequence of hand seals.

"Earth Release: Heavenly Descent Clay!"

A torrent of clay rained from above, adhering to the Gedo Mazo's body.

"Fire Release: Great Fire Annihilation!"

Chi Yu inhaled deeply, then expelled a vast sea of flames that engulfed the Gedo Mazo.

Nagato raised his arms.

"Shinra Tensei!"

A shockwave burst forth, repelling the flames and protecting Nagato, Yahiko, and Konan.

But the clay coating the Gedo Mazo ignited. Its body smoldered, layers of dried clay burning into thick, steaming mud.

Danzo and Hanzō watched in silence.

Was it being restrained?

Cracks soon formed along the mud-caked surface of the Gedo Mazo until its outer shell split open with a thunderous crack.

The statue roared, brought its hands together, and hammered them toward Chi Yu.

Chi Yu vanished in a blur—Body Flicker Technique.

The statue's blow shattered the earth. The ground caved in under the force, and the resulting shockwave blasted Yahiko and Konan away.

But Nagato didn't glance their way. In fact, it was better that they were now distant.

In the swirling dust, Chi Yu silently formed a summoning seal.

As the smoke cleared, he appeared again—not far from Nagato, feet planted against the vertical cliffside, body horizontal, parallel to the ground.

"Fire Release: Dragon Flame Singing Technique!"

Four fiery dragons burst from his mouth, spiraling toward Nagato from all directions.

Nagato calmly spread his arms.

"Sealing Technique: Absorption Seal!"

A translucent barrier formed, absorbing all four fire dragons in an instant.

Chi Yu's posture shifted. He lowered his stance.

"Breath of Thunder: First Form: Thunderclap and Flash!"

Lightning crackled around his body. In a single burst of speed, Chi Yu vanished and reappeared like a thunderbolt, sword drawn, aiming straight for Nagato.

But the Rinnegan locked onto him.

Nagato's unique vision and Uzumaki sensory prowess let him track Chi Yu even through the blur.

"Shinra Tensei!"

Just as Chi Yu's blade was about to strike, a violent repulsive force exploded outward. Chi Yu was flung back, skidding across the dirt before finally grinding to a halt.

Nagato gasped for breath. Controlling the Gedo Mazo directly through the black chakra rods was draining—especially for the first time.

Chi Yu's relentless assault had left him on the verge of collapse.

Chi Yu glanced to the side—and his pupils shrank.

Yahiko was gone. No longer by Konan's side.

Konan was also frantically scanning the area, but the remaining Ame and Root ninja were pressing in. She had no choice but to abandon the search and defend herself.

Nagato frowned. Chi Yu was already preparing for another attack.

If this continued, both he and Konan would die here.

But he couldn't afford to die yet.

Yahiko had entrusted him with a mission: protect Konan and carry on his ideals.

Gritting his teeth, Nagato made a snap decision. Before severing the chakra rods, he commanded the Gedo Mazo to launch one final attack.

Two more chakra dragons surged toward Chi Yu.

Simultaneously, Nagato tore the rods from his back, severing the connection. The backlash wracked his body with pain.

Yet he forced himself forward, stumbling toward Konan.

"Shinra Tensei!"

A burst of repulsive force blasted away the enemies surrounding her. Nagato coughed violently, blood staining his lips.

"Konan… run."

Konan's eyes widened. She looked around one last time, but Yahiko's body was nowhere in sight. Reluctantly, she wrapped Nagato's arm over her shoulders and fled.

Chi Yu avoided the chakra dragons and was about to pursue—only to be blocked by the Gedo Mazo's massive form.

He sighed inwardly.

To be honest, if Nagato and Konan hadn't retreated, he would have been forced to kill them under Danzo's orders.

But Chi Yu had been holding back from the start.

Killing Nagato now would be troublesome. According to the system, some major events were destined to happen in the future. If Nagato died prematurely, someone else would inevitably rise to take his place—and that unknown was far more dangerous.

Better the devil he knew.

With Nagato alive, Chi Yu could prepare in advance.

And besides…

Yahiko was no longer missing.

When the shockwave struck earlier, Chi Yu had secretly summoned a White Snake from Ryūchi Cave, who then swallowed Yahiko whole and returned to the cave.

Chi Yu would eventually leave Konoha. For that, he needed allies.

He didn't know Yahiko's full strength, but Nagato clearly valued him deeply.

Chi Yu thought: Perhaps I can use Yahiko to negotiate with Nagato.

But only if Yahiko is truly alive.

And only if he doesn't interfere.

If he did… Chi Yu would eliminate him without hesitation.

---

Chi Yu returned to Danzo's side.

"Apologies, Lord Danzo. I couldn't kill him."

Danzo waved his hand.

"This isn't your fault."

The Gedo Mazo had shaken him to his core. And Nagato's Rinnegan eyes—that alone demanded further investigation. Still, this was also Danzo's first time witnessing Chi Yu in battle.

In his eyes, Chi Yu had performed remarkably well. If not for the lack of intel on Nagato, the outcome might have been different.

Danzo turned to Hanzō.

"That red-haired boy—who is he?"

Hanzō responded, "I don't know him well either. This exceeded my expectations."

Danzo's eyes narrowed.

"The Akatsuki has been dismantled. Our cooperation ends here. My part is done."

Hanzō nodded. "Understood. I will provide full support as promised."

Danzo looked at the remaining Root operatives.

"Begin cleanup. Retrieve all fallen comrades. We return to Konoha immediately."

Root members gathered the bodies. None could be left behind. Their minds held Root's secrets—leaving them would risk exposure

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