Naruto: Konoha's Traitor

Rejection

Mito Uzumaki suspected that Senyu had found traces of surviving Uzumaki clan members—possibly hoping to find one who could replace Kushina Uzumaki as the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki.

But she did not agree to anything immediately.

She also understood Senyu's true motive: he wanted her support. He was hoping she would stand with him in the future if conflict arose.

After all, even if Senyu managed to find another Uzumaki, convincing Konoha to give up Kushina as the vessel for the Nine-Tails was no simple matter.

And more importantly—even if a replacement could be found—Mito herself would never approve.

She had spent years carefully teaching Kushina the Uzumaki clan's sealing techniques, all tailored specifically to restrain the Nine-Tails.

Now that Kushina had finally mastered them, throwing all that preparation away would be foolish. Worse, placing the beast in someone untrained would dramatically increase the risk of losing control.

An unstable Jinchūriki wasn't just a danger to themselves—it was a potential disaster for the entire village. Countless lives could be lost.

As Mito remained silent, her expression torn, Senyu's heart began to chill.

Over the years, he had believed that Mito truly cared for Kushina—as though she were her own daughter. Senyu had genuinely thought that once he found a solution to prevent Kushina from becoming a Jinchūriki, Mito would gladly accept it.

But he had been wrong.

When weighed against Konoha's interests, Kushina simply didn't matter.

Senyu's gaze hardened. "Mito-sama, I apologize for disturbing you at this hour. Let's pretend I never brought up this matter. However, I do have one other request—one that should not be difficult."

Senyu's cold tone and the intensity in his eyes were impossible to ignore. Mito could feel the sharp edge of his hostility, and she sighed quietly.

She gave a slow nod, allowing him to speak.

"I would like Kushina to begin living with me starting tomorrow," he said.

Mito's eyes narrowed in surprise. "You want to take Kushina away from me?"

"That's not it," Senyu replied calmly. "Kushina is lively, energetic... I'm concerned her presence may disturb your rest. Moreover, she is not your daughter—just a member of the same clan. She has already troubled you for years, and it would be improper for her to stay any longer."

He paused, then added, "I will take full responsibility for her from now on. You have my word, Mito-sama: as long as I live, I will not let any harm come to her."

Mito gave a bitter smile. "Is that truly how you see us, Senyu? That Kushina and I are simply from the same clan? I have raised her like my own child."

"But that doesn't change the reality," Senyu replied firmly. "She is not your child. Your only child was Tsunade-sama. Kushina was brought here as a vessel for the Nine-Tails—nothing more. You raised her to be that vessel. In time, you grew attached. But that affection doesn't erase the truth."

His words cut deep—harsh and merciless.

The lines on Mito's already-aged face seemed to deepen further.

"Senyu," she said quietly, "no matter what you believe, my feelings for Kushina are real. You cannot speak for my heart."

She straightened her back, her voice turning resolute. "And you may be wrong. Becoming the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki may not be a curse for her. She has the Uzumaki vitality, and she's learned advanced sealing techniques. I believe she can control the Nine-Tails. I believe its power could become her strength."

Senyu met her gaze silently.

He, too, had once entertained that hope—that Kushina might wield the Nine-Tails' power for her own good.

But he couldn't allow that future to unfold.

Because the system had already warned him: some events were inevitable.

The Child of Prophecy would be born.

And the Nine-Tails, as the Child's greatest weapon, would be claimed—one way or another.

If Kushina became the Jinchūriki... she would become a target. She would die.

That was why Senyu was determined to change her fate.

"I'm not denying your feelings, Mito-sama," he said quietly. "You've done more for her than anyone. Without you, she wouldn't have come this far. You deserve peace now. Please allow me to carry the burden from here."

Mito rubbed her temples, clearly torn. "Why are you so desperate to stop this, Senyu? Kushina is the best candidate—and it's the best option for Konoha."

"Everyone says that," Senyu said flatly. "Even you, whom she considers family. But has anyone ever asked her? Who would willingly carry a bomb inside them, never knowing when it might go off?"

Mito's breath caught. She had no reply.

Senyu's voice lowered. "You said it yourself—Kushina has grown up. She may not be able to decide everything... but she can choose some things. I'll come for her tomorrow."

With a respectful bow, Senyu turned and left.

---

Walking down the quiet streets of Konoha, Senyu's face was dark and brooding.

If Mito had supported him, everything would've changed. Once he found Karin's mother—another Uzumaki—Mito's endorsement would have carried enough weight to sway the village. If Mito had simply said, "She is more suitable than Kushina," Konoha would have followed her lead.

Even if Mito passed away, Kushina already knew the sealing techniques. She could pass them on herself.

But now, hearing Mito claim her feelings for Kushina were genuine... Senyu felt only contempt.

In the end, to her, Konoha's interests mattered more than even her kin.

He couldn't forget what he had learned from Orochimaru—the true reason the Uzumaki Clan had fallen.

Once a proud ally of Konoha, the Uzumaki Clan had made enormous contributions to the village—promoting peace, embodying the Will of Fire.

And yet, when foreign powers feared the clan's sealing prowess and launched an assault on the Land of Whirlpools, Konoha did nothing.

No reinforcements. No support. Just silence.

The Uzumaki were left to die.

Those who survived had to scatter, change their names, and live in hiding.

And still... Mito Uzumaki, the last pillar of that shattered clan, put Konoha before her own people.

Visit patreon.com/Akeyno to get 30+ chapters