Danzo's True Motives Revealed
Hiruzen Sarutobi asked the council to prepare a course of action before Uzumaki Miyuki was located.
Utatane Koharu considered for a moment. "We must conceal Miyuki's defection. Her status as a jinchūriki cannot be allowed to fall into enemy hands. If another village captures her, the consequences would be disastrous."
Homura Mitokado agreed. "And remember—she is the Fourth Hokage's wife. If word of her defection spreads, it will crush the villagers' morale. At the same time, we cannot simply ignore her disappearance; a search must be launched, but pursuing her could itself make the matter public."
Danzo leaned forward. His suggestion was smooth and economical. "We can thread the needle. Only a very small circle knows that Konoha hosts more than one jinchūriki. We announce that Miyuki was abducted. Frame the story so outside villages associate the Nine-Tails only with Konoha and focus on Naruto. In short: let Miyuki's disappearance become an abduction case and slightly emphasize that the Nine-Tailed jinchūriki remains inside the village. Other villages will accept that narrative and be less inclined to pry into Miyuki's status. That both protects her by obscurity and gives you, Hiruzen, plausible cause to arrange a 'rescue' force that can covertly track those who helped her leave."
Koharu and Mitokado exchanged uneasy glances at Danzo's composure. Hiruzen and the two advisors weighed the plan carefully. The logic was cold but serviceable: pursue openly without amplifying panic. Both women nodded almost simultaneously.
"Very well," Hiruzen decided. "We will present the matter as an abduction and dispatch a recovery team at once."
Danzo's lips curved with something like satisfaction. "There is, however, another problem. How did Miyuki contact outside help while under ANBU observation? Her sealing techniques and sensory abilities are formidable—she is not a frontline combatant. How did she neutralize the ANBU who watched her?"
Hiruzen's brow tightened. "You mean—"
"I think she was aided from within Konoha," Danzo cut in. "Miyuki could not have done this alone. Her circle is small, but one of her acquaintances has the means to assist her."
Hiruzen's gaze sharpened; the implication was clear. The name Danzo did not have to say—Chi Yu—hung in the room like an accusation.
Chi Yu, who had been listening, only raised an eyebrow. It was predictable. Danzo had crafted an argument that could turn suspicion toward him, and at first glance it was persuasive. Chi Yu's movements had been hurried; haste left gaps. Still, gaps were not proof.
Hiruzen recalled that more than a week earlier Miyuki had visited Chi Yu and Kushina Uzumaki together. Kushina and Miyuki were close; Chi Yu and Miyuki had been friendly. If anyone in Konoha could have helped Miyuki leave, the council's logic put Chi Yu high on the list. Yet suspicion alone was insufficient. "We have no evidence," Hiruzen said at last. "We proceed with the abduction narrative and the search. Anything else risks making the situation worse."
Danzo did not relent. "And the jinchūriki?"
Hiruzen took a slow drag from his pipe. "Naruto's identity must remain top secret. He will be treated as an orphan in the public eye. We will leak—sparingly—just enough for other villages to know Konoha harbors the Nine-Tails, then clamp down with orders forbidding anyone to speak of Naruto or the Nine-Tails."
Danzo's eyes glinted. "That is not the question. How will he be arranged—who will hold custody?"
Hiruzen gave a curt, instinctive reply. "I will see to his care."
Danzo's laugh was cold. "You? Adopting him would be the very thing that broadcasts his connection. So many families perished in the Nine-Tails' attack—there will be too many eyes on anyone who takes him in. To hide a jinchūriki while you raise him publicly is folly. It will only attract attention and sentiment."
Koharu and Mitokado echoed Danzo's concern. "If you make him publicly part of your household, concealment fails," Koharu said.
Danzo tapped his fingers together as if composing a larger plan. "To prevent another case like Miyuki's, Naruto should be placed under Root's supervision and trained by us."
Hiruzen stiffened. Danzo's offer carried a sting: Root's control meant wiping personal attachments and crafting weapons rather than people. Danzo continued before Hiruzen could refuse. "Consider this calmly. Even if you hide Naruto perfectly, associations—Chi Yu, Kushina—could expose him. What if when he grows, influences around him make him resentful, even lead him to run like Miyuki did? A jinchūriki is a strategic asset. Emotions are liability. Entrust him to Root; we will ensure Konoha retains its control."
Hiruzen's face darkened. He puffed his pipe in silence, the council's heat resting on his shoulders.
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