Fear
After Chi Yu departed, Hiruzen Sarutobi stood looking at the Hokage Building reduced to rubble; his expression was so grave it seemed water might drip from it.
The commotion had drawn many shinobi, and they now saw Chi Yu's towering Susanoo. Troops arrived in a steady stream, and the gathered jonin and chuunin pressed Hiruzen for information. He took the moment to speak for the village.
"An unknown shinobi infiltrated the Hokage Building and engaged Chi Yu. Their clash brought the building down. The unknown assailant has abducted the Fourth Hokage's wife, Kushina Uzumaki, and fled Konoha. The enemy is dangerous — organize pursuit teams at once and go rescue her."
Those who knew Kushina's status — men such as Nara Shikaku — went pale; the expression on many faces tightened into professional resolve. Units were formed and prepared to depart.
Meanwhile Homura Mitokado dug Danzo out from beneath the debris and ordered medical-nin to carry Danzo and Utatane Koharu to the hospital. As Homura prepared to escort them away, Hiruzen spoke sternly: "Tell both of them to watch their words and actions. I may not be able to protect you next time, especially you, Danzo."
Homura understood the warning.
Chi Yu's perceptive capabilities were more extensive than they had imagined. His sudden arrival at the Hokage Building was unlikely to be an accident; he might have been watching the village. If Chi Yu could sense Anbu activity and movements inside the compound, his awareness might extend across Konoha itself. They could no longer afford careless speech — Chi Yu might still be listening.
Homura bowed. "Understood. Thank you, Hiruzen."
He accompanied Danzo and Koharu to the ninja hospital.
Hiruzen felt boxed in. Chi Yu was like a wooden stopper pushed into a cracked barrel floating at sea — the stopper kept the village's contents from spilling, but it also stressed and weakened the vessel. The village needed this deterrent, and yet the stopper was itself a liability. Pull it out and the barrel's contents would be lost; leave it and the structural damage would only worsen.
For the moment, they would maintain the status quo. Chi Yu showed no desire for open war; they would deal with immediate crises first and return to the larger problem later.
Still, Hiruzen could not shake the image of Chi Yu's Susanoo. A cold light flickered in his eyes as he murmured, "The Uchiha… are a fearsome clan. First Madara, and now someone like Chi Yu appears."
•••
Chi Yu returned home. Kushina Uzumaki rose to meet him, anxious. "Chi Yu — how is Kushina?" she asked, voice tight.
Chi Yu sank onto a sofa and exhaled. "She's gone with Yahiko and others. They took her away; they'll look after her."
Kushina's next question was immediate. "And Naruto? He should be adopted by the Third Hokage — he is Minato Namikaze's son and a child of Konoha."
Chi Yu's voice carried a bitter edge. "A hero? No one treats Naruto like a hero. Hiruzen even considered handing him to Danzo, to be trained into an emotionless weapon."
Kushina stared in shock, then anger flamed in her eyes. "How could Hiruzen do that? Minato sealed the Nine-Tails into infant Naruto for Konoha — and they would treat him like that?"
Chi Yu put a hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry. You heard the commotion earlier — that was me. I destroyed the Hokage Building and forced Hiruzen into an agreement. Naruto will not be handed to Danzo. He will remain in Konoha as an orphan."
He added soberly, "His life will be hard — Minato's choice cast him into hardship. But for now, that is preferable to involving Kushina in whatever plans those others might have. The Akatsuki has not yet fully formed; protecting Kushina is already stretching certain groups thin. If Naruto were added to their targets, the situation would grow far worse — it would draw not just Konoha but other villages as well. The Nine-Tailed jinchuuriki is too valuable."
Kushina rubbed her temples and let out a fragile laugh. "So are we leaving Konoha? You threatened Hiruzen — he won't let us go easily, will he?"
Chi Yu shook his head. "Not now. Hiruzen cannot afford to let me leave; my presence deters other villages from acting rashly. He's also wary that if I left, I might be recruited elsewhere or join another village against Konoha. For the time being we stay. Hiruzen agreed that I may contact Naruto with his permission; I promised Kushina I would inform her of Naruto's condition when possible."
Hearing that she would have some news, Kushina visibly relaxed. "That's a relief."
Chi Yu's face darkened. "However… Orochimaru may not remain in Konoha much longer because of this."
Kushina frowned. "Why? What does Orochimaru have to do with this?"
Chi Yu's tone was flat. "I just threatened Hiruzen. He now knows my reach and that I do not accept Kakashi as my disciple anymore. The person still clearly tied to me is Orochimaru. Once the village stabilizes, Hiruzen will move against those he sees as dangerous. He will push to sideline Orochimaru to reduce my influence, consolidate his authority, and search for a weakness to use against me. Orochimaru has continued his own research despite warnings — that will make him a convenient target."
He looked at Kushina with certainty. "Orochimaru's days in Konoha are numbered."
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