Separation
Chi Yu gave Miyuki Uzumaki three choices, each one difficult and cruel.
Miyuki's tears slipped down her cheeks.
"Is there… is there no other way?"
Seeing her friend in pain, Uzumaki Kushina's heart ached as well.
Chi Yu sighed.
"How about this, Miyuki? You first try to leave with Naruto and see how Konoha reacts. If you can take him out of the Land of Fire, then no matter what happens afterward, I'll protect both of you.
But if you can't, then leave Naruto here. My people in Akatsuki will ensure you make it safely out of Konoha. I'll watch over Naruto and train him while I remain in the village. When the time is right, I'll tell him about you."
It was the most Chi Yu could offer. He didn't believe Miyuki could smuggle Naruto past the Fire Country's security and Konoha's barrier, but if she somehow did, he would keep his promise—even though Naruto, as the child of prophecy, would inevitably draw endless trouble.
This was the consequence of altering Miyuki Uzumaki's fate.
Miyuki gazed down at the sleeping child in her arms, sorrow flooding her eyes. She gently rocked him, her tears soaking his blanket.
After a long silence, she whispered, her voice breaking:
"Chi Yu… if I leave with Naruto and Akatsuki, it will bring you nothing but trouble. But if I stay with him in Konoha, he'll be shunned, and I can't guarantee his future.
If my departure can ease his suffering, even a little, then I'll go. Please… watch over him in my absence. When the time comes, tell him his mother loves him very much. Tell him she didn't abandon him."
Her tears fell harder.
Chi Yu nodded solemnly.
"I will. Then—when do you plan to leave?"
Miyuki shook her head, choking back sobs.
"You decide. I don't have the courage to choose a day."
"Alright," Chi Yu said softly. "I'll arrange everything."
Miyuki left, clutching Naruto, her face pale with grief.
Beside him, Kushina bit her lip, her voice trembling.
"Chi Yu… I don't ever want to be separated from Cangna. Just imagining it hurts."
Putting himself in Miyuki's place, Chi Yu rubbed Kushina's head gently.
"Don't worry. No one will take Cangna from you as long as I'm here."
After steadying her breath, Kushina asked,
"Then when will you help Miyuki leave?"
"As soon as possible," Chi Yu replied. "Right now, enemy shinobi are already lurking outside Konoha. If Miyuki disappears, the village will conceal it to avoid revealing weakness. They won't pursue her openly. I'll have Yahiko and the others meet her beyond Fire Country's borders.
And while we're still in Konoha, we can protect Naruto ourselves."
Chi Yu touched his Akatsuki ring, sending word to Yahiko to prepare.
---
Days passed.
Miyuki refused to leave Naruto's side, cherishing every moment. The closer her departure drew, the more she dreaded it. Regret weighed on her heavily.
On the eighth evening, a snake slithered silently through her window. Miyuki stiffened—she recognized the summoning.
The serpent shimmered and transformed into Chi Yu's figure.
"Miyuki," he said quietly, "it's time. My people are waiting outside the village. I've already incapacitated the ANBU watching you."
Her hand trembled as she caressed Naruto's cheek one last time. She wanted to take him, to run, to break her promise—but then she thought of the life he would face.
Drawing a deep breath, she forced resolve into her voice.
"Let's go."
Chi Yu handed her a mask, pulling on one himself.
"Wear it."
Masked, the two moved swiftly over Konoha's rooftops. Chi Yu's sharp perception guided them through blind spots in the barrier patrol.
They slipped through the gates without raising alarm and raced toward the arranged rendezvous point.
Meanwhile, in the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi received grim news: the ANBU guarding Miyuki were unconscious, and she was gone. Only Naruto remained in her home.
Hiruzen's face darkened. "An infiltration?" But the barrier seals had not been disturbed.
He ordered immediate action.
"Protect the boy. Dispatch Inuzuka trackers, Hyūga patrols, Aburame scouts, and elite ANBU. And make sure the outsiders watching us never learn the jinchūriki's mother is missing!"
---
At the forest's edge, Chi Yu and Miyuki met with three cloaked figures: Yahiko, Pakura, and Raiga Kurosuki.
"This is the Akatsuki's vice leader," Chi Yu introduced.
Yahiko nodded politely.
"Welcome, Miyuki Uzumaki. I am Shindai."
Chi Yu gestured to the others.
"Pakura of Sunagakure, and Raiga Kurosuki. From now on, they'll be your comrades."
Both greeted her with respectful nods.
Chi Yu added, "Miyuki is of the Uzumaki clan, a master of fūinjutsu and skilled in sensory ninjutsu. Treat her well—she'll be invaluable to Akatsuki."
The three exchanged surprised looks. The reputation of the Uzumaki clan's sealing arts was legendary; they knew this new recruit was no ordinary kunoichi.
But before Chi Yu could continue, his expression hardened. He sensed movement.
Miyuki's own sensory ability confirmed it.
"They're here!" she said nervously.
Chi Yu's eyes narrowed.
"Just as expected. Ten shinobi… and two hounds."
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