CHAPTER 114

Showdown

Jiraiya's expression grew grave as he absorbed Nara Shinsuke's report.

"So, Chi Yu's support of Kusagakure is ultimately for Uzumaki Miyuki… He wants her to replace Kushina as the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki?" Jiraiya summarized, his voice low.

Nara Shinsuke nodded solemnly. "Yes, Jiraiya-sama. The matter of the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki is of great importance. Even if Chi Yu's objective isn't exactly that, we should report this to Hokage-sama immediately."

Jiraiya understood perfectly. The Nine-Tails wasn't just a beast—it was a weapon of war. Mishandling it could have catastrophic consequences.

"I'll inform the old man," Jiraiya said, referring to Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Once alone, he composed a detailed letter to the Hokage. In it, he relayed Nara Shinsuke's deductions, Chi Yu's suspicious activities in Kusagakure, and the peculiar request from both Chi Yu and Kakashi to be reassigned to the Land of Hot Water.

He tied the letter to a messenger hawk and released it toward Konoha.

Then, rising from his seat, he muttered, "Time to hear it from the source."

---

Chi Yu and Kakashi had just finished their meal at the encampment and were heading back to rest when Jiraiya intercepted them.

"Chi Yu. We need to talk."

Chi Yu's brow furrowed. Again? Jiraiya really was persistent. Still, rank was rank—refusing wasn't an option.

"Kakashi, you go on ahead," he said.

Once Kakashi departed, Chi Yu followed Jiraiya to a quiet grove.

Jiraiya wasted no time. "Why are you searching for Uzumaki Miyuki?"

Chi Yu's expression didn't change. "I found her by coincidence."

Jiraiya stared at him. "Coincidence? Shinsuke analyzed your movements after arriving in Kusagakure. You weren't wandering—you were targeting someone. You already knew about the Jinchūriki transfer, didn't you? You came here looking for Miyuki. You want her to replace Kushina and become the new Jinchūriki."

Chi Yu's lip twitched into a smirk. The Nara clan were always a problem—smart, thorough, impossible to mislead. He didn't expect Shinsuke to piece everything together so quickly.

Since the truth was out, there was no need to maintain a façade.

"You're right," Chi Yu admitted. "That's exactly my goal."

Jiraiya's tone hardened. "Give it up, Chi Yu. That plan won't work. Kushina has been trained in sealing by Mito-sama herself. She can suppress the Nine-Tails. Miyuki, on the other hand, knows no sealing techniques. If we seal the Nine-Tails in her, it's almost guaranteed she'll lose control. The resulting destruction would be on your head—and on Konoha's."

He paused, then added, "Besides, Mito-sama is nearing the end of her strength. She doesn't have the time to train another vessel. It's over. Don't waste your effort."

Jiraiya looked him square in the eyes. "Only a few of us know about Kushina becoming the next host. We'll protect that secret. Kushina won't face any discrimination—your concerns are unfounded."

Chi Yu's eyes gleamed with sarcasm. "In your eyes, I'm just a fool chasing impossibilities, is that it? And as for your promise... Jiraiya-sama, you can't promise anything. Not truly."

He narrowed his eyes.

"Sakumo-sama's fall wasn't long ago. A classified mission leaked, and the village turned on a hero. What makes you think this situation would be any different?"

Jiraiya opened his mouth to respond but had no rebuttal.

Chi Yu pressed on. "If you're worried Miyuki won't be able to suppress the Nine-Tails, then let me put your mind at ease. I'll suppress it myself."

Jiraiya frowned. "You? Suppress the Nine-Tails? How?"

Chi Yu's gaze sharpened—and then his eyes began to change. The three tomoe of the Sharingan twisted into a new form.

He had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan.

"These eyes," he said coldly. "You know what they mean. The Mangekyō Sharingan—capable of controlling tailed beasts. Still think I'm chasing shadows, Jiraiya-sama?"

Jiraiya recoiled, stunned. The Mangekyō? No one in the modern Uchiha clan had awakened it—not officially. And Chi Yu, only half Uchiha by blood, had done it?

If the clan found out...

Still, Jiraiya's doubts remained.

"Even if you can control the Nine-Tails, can you guarantee you'll always be by Miyuki's side? The Hokage won't approve of such a gamble. Kushina is the safer option—and with your eyes aiding her, even safer."

Chi Yu closed his eyes and deactivated the Mangekyō.

"I believe more in effort than fate," he said calmly. "The future isn't fixed. Anything is possible."

He turned to leave.

"If there's nothing else, I'll go rest. I'll leave the transfer request to you, Jiraiya-sama."

Without waiting for a reply, Chi Yu walked off.

He knew Jiraiya would report everything to Hiruzen. That was fine. Better to be open than appear subversive. At least this way, the Hokage would be judging him based on his value—not suspicion.

Chi Yu was betting on that value.

The Mangekyō Sharingan wasn't just a tool—it was leverage. And in wartime, leverage was everything. As long as he performed well in battle, as long as he built undeniable merit, the old man would reconsider.

Once Chi Yu's usefulness outweighed the perceived risks of Miyuki becoming a Jinchūriki, Hiruzen would come around. He had to.

And besides, there was another factor—the Uchiha clan.

Right now, they were more active than ever. Nearly every combat-capable Uchiha was deployed across the frontlines. Everyone knew why: they were proving their worth, pushing for influence, not loyalty.

The Uchiha weren't shining for Konoha. They were playing a long game—seeking power.

Currently, the clan had no say in Konoha's political core. Their efforts were aimed at changing that.

When Uchiha Masaki had Fugaku apologize to Chi Yu, it wasn't over just the Sharingan. No—it was because Chi Yu had brought the Breath of Lightning to the Hokage's attention and had positioned himself under Hiruzen's wing.

Masaki wasn't expressing humility. He was investing.

Chi Yu knew exactly what he was worth.

And soon, so would everyone else.

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