CHAPTER 19

Becoming a Faster Man

Uzumaki Kushina blinked, visibly stunned.

"Chi Yu… what do you mean everything you said in the Hokage's office was a lie?"

Chi Yu leaned in, whispering close to her ear. "I never cared about protecting Konoha. This place? It's a gilded cage. You've gotten a glimpse of my past these last few days, haven't you?"

Kushina nodded, a little dazed.

While Chi Yu was hospitalized, every time someone came to mock Kushina, they'd take the opportunity to sling mud at him, too.

He was the son of traitors, they'd say. Destined to be a double agent. His mother was Uchiha — one of the most prestigious clans in Konoha — but even they had disowned him. He was clanless. A mutt in the alleyways.

Kushina heard it all. Every. Single. Day.

And for the first time, she understood why everyone avoided him.

Chi Yu's voice was low, but sharp as a kunai. "I've never had it easy here. And the only reason Lord Third didn't punish me for what happened is because I handed over a powerful jutsu. Simple transaction."

He gave a cold smirk. "No love for this village. But I've got to act like I bleed Konoha-red. Otherwise, life gets even harder."

He paused, eyes narrowing. "And Kushina, you're not as safe as you think, either."

"I know," she replied, face serious.

"No. You think you know." Chi Yu shook his head. "I'm not talking about some bratty classmates. Konoha didn't bring you here to be your savior. They brought you to be a vessel — the next Jinchūriki. That's not kindness. That's calculation."

His words hit like a thunderclap. "Whatever anyone tells you, doubt it. Think twice. Even Mito-sama."

Kushina clenched her fists. "I get it."

Chi Yu's expression softened. "Good. Don't be scared — just be smart. For now, do what you've got to do: get stronger. And don't repeat a word of this to anyone. Especially not your grandmother."

Kushina nodded fiercely. "I won't."

Chi Yu ruffled her hair. She didn't stop him. She never did anymore — though she puffed out her cheeks in protest.

"Hmph! We were supposed to go see the cherry blossoms, remember? Now you're grounded for three days. By the time you're out, they'll all be gone!"

Chi Yu chuckled. "It's okay. Cherry blossoms bloom every year. Next year, the year after — I'll go with you, no matter what."

Kushina held out her pinky. "Promise?"

Chi Yu hooked his with hers. "Promise."

---

Three days passed.

Chi Yu stayed home, reflecting and training. Kushina brought meals each day before heading to the Ninja Academy.

In that time, he focused on mastering his Sharingan.

His dual single-tomoe Sharingan wasn't much yet. Basic insight. Better dynamic vision. He could now track subtle hand signs, slight twitches in an opponent's muscles.

The chakra consumption? Tolerable.

So were the first four Forms of Thunder Breathing: Full Sword Style. He could cycle through them three times before chakra fatigue kicked in.

But Form Five took more from him — and Form Six: Electric Rumble and Lightning would probably drain him dry.

Form Seven: Fire Thunder God? A full-on bodybreaker. The last time he simulated it with the system, his chakra channels nearly ruptured.

To make matters worse, the katana he'd bought for 10 Witness Points? Toasted. Cracked and warped from overuse. He didn't have the cash to buy a new one either. These days, he was barely scraping by.

Chi Yu sighed. Burning a perfectly good blade on those two brats… definitely not worth it.

At this rate, he'd need to wait until graduation just to afford a replacement.

---

When his punishment was over, Chi Yu left home and walked to Uzumaki Mito's estate to pick up Kushina for class.

The second they stepped into the classroom, the whole vibe changed.

Every student turned to stare.

Rumors had already spread: Chi Yu had sent a Chūnin to the hospital.

It wasn't Namikaze Minato who spread the story. It was the Chūnin's little brother — terrified that Chi Yu would come for him next. The kid applied for a transfer the next day. When everyone demanded an explanation, he spilled everything.

No one believed it.

Until Minato confirmed it himself.

Minds. Blown.

Chi Yu, the outcast — the kid they mocked behind his back — had gone full beast mode and hospitalized a real shinobi?

Now they were terrified.

What if they pissed him off next? What if they were the next ones laid out?

And worse — Kushina was under his protection now. That meant messing with her was off the table.

Minato was watching Chi Yu.

Chi Yu met his gaze, unblinking.

Once, Chi Yu thought Minato might be different. Maybe decent.

But after what happened last time? He saw through the golden boy.

Minato was just another hypocrite. A polite fake. The kind that smiled with his mouth and judged with his eyes.

Double standards, Chi Yu thought. At least I'm honest about mine.

Kushina caught the look between them and immediately glared at Minato.

She didn't trust him. Didn't like him. Not even a little.

Minato averted his gaze, clearly uneasy.

Originally, he was on track to graduate early and become Jiraiya's student next year.

But after his fight with Chi Yu, he couldn't ignore the truth — he was weak. Not there yet. He'd asked Jiraiya to take him on early.

Jiraiya tested him — and passed him.

Because Jiraiya could tell: Minato was running scared. But fear, when harnessed, sharpens ambition.

Now, Minato trained with Jiraiya at night and went to school during the day.

And he'd picked a path:

Speed.

He was going to become faster than Chi Yu.

No matter what it took.