Targeting
Hiruzen Sarutobi harbored doubts about Chi Yu. The man who had appeared alongside Minato Namikaze, Miyuki Uzumaki, and the newborn Naruto during the Nine-Tails' rampage had to have been Chi Yu's true body.
After all, Chi Yu had split his chakra into four Shadow Clones to maintain the Four Violet Flames Formation. His true self could not have been far.
Danzo's accusations echoed in Hiruzen's mind. Chi Yu's strength was undeniable, yet his actions during the Nine-Tails' attack were cloaked in ambiguity. Official reports only stated that he had engaged invading enemies. Few had seen him fight, and fewer still understood the full scope of what he had done.
Hiruzen could not ignore the fact: if Chi Yu had focused his efforts against the Nine-Tails, then the beast might have been subdued more quickly. The Sharingan was a natural counter to Tailed Beasts. Why, then, had Chi Yu left such a threat to Minato alone?
Suspicion spread further. If Chi Yu's loyalty could be doubted, then what of the entire Uchiha clan?
During the Nine-Tails' attack, Hiruzen had initially ordered the Konoha Military Police Force—comprised mostly of Uchiha—to aid in subduing the beast. Danzo opposed this fiercely. If the Uchiha used their Sharingan to manipulate the Nine-Tails, he warned, the consequences could be catastrophic. Danzo further argued that some Uchiha might have orchestrated the attack in the first place.
After weighing the risks, Hiruzen had relented. The Uchiha were ordered to protect the villagers instead. Uchiha Fugaku, though dissatisfied, had offered no objection at the time. But it was no coincidence he was not summoned to this council.
When Hiruzen finally asked Chi Yu to explain himself, the latter only sneered.
"Originally, I had no intention of explaining anything," Chi Yu said coldly. "After all, explaining to an idiot is pointless. But since the Third Hokage himself asks, I will speak."
Danzo's face twisted in rage at the insult, but Chi Yu ignored him.
"Why were those Anbu killed so easily? Because they were weak. My mission was to guard the cave where Miyuki was giving birth, not to babysit incompetent guards."
Hiruzen's eyes narrowed. The implication was clear—Chi Yu had watched comrades die without lifting a finger.
Chi Yu continued unfazed. "As for the intruders, I recognized one of them: Kakuzu, formerly of Takigakure. He once attempted to assassinate the First Hokage."
Gasps filled the room.
"Kakuzu? He's still alive?" Utatane Koharu exclaimed.
Mitokado Homura elaborated for the confused clan heads. "Kakuzu was an elite shinobi of the Hidden Waterfall. He failed in his assassination attempt against the First Hokage and was imprisoned for it. He escaped, stole his village's forbidden technique, and murdered the village elders before defecting. That was decades ago."
Chi Yu inclined his head. "Yes. That man's longevity and power are troublesome. He wasn't alone. Another attacker wielded Samehada, one of the Seven Ninja Swords of the Mist—his chakra was monstrous. The most dangerous of all, however, was a shinobi who could make his body intangible. He slipped through the barrier as though it didn't exist."
Whispers spread. Some recognized the description of Uchiha Obito's Kamui, though the name was not spoken.
"I engaged Kakuzu and the swordsman," Chi Yu went on. "The intangible one I left to the Fourth Hokage, trusting him to protect the Jinchūriki. Miyuki was in labor—my duty was clear."
Danzo leaned forward, his voice sharp. "And yet the Nine-Tails appeared. How do you explain that?"
Chi Yu smirked. "If I wanted to unleash the Nine-Tails, I would have killed the Fourth Hokage outright. Instead, I aided him in suppressing the beast and completing the seal. Remember that, Danzo."
The chamber fell silent.
"Third Hokage," Chi Yu said at last, his voice calm but cutting. "Are you satisfied with my explanation?"
Hiruzen did not answer immediately. At length, he gave a small nod.
Danzo seethed but said nothing. He had succeeded in planting suspicion, and Hiruzen's silence only deepened the wedge.
But Chi Yu was not done. He turned his gaze directly upon Danzo.
"I fought with my life for Konoha," he said, voice low and dangerous. "Yet Assistant Hokage Danzo questions my loyalty. Does that mean any shinobi can be slandered without proof?"
Danzo's hand slammed against the table. "What are you implying?"
Chi Yu's killing intent flared, suffocating the air. "I imply this: during the Nine-Tails' attack, Root was absent. You, Danzo, did not lift a hand. And now you accuse me of treachery? Then hear my counter-accusation. I suspect you leaked information of Miyuki's labor to the enemy and sabotaged the barrier's defenses."
The council erupted in shouts. Danzo rose to his feet, livid. "You dare slander me!"
"Slander?" Chi Yu's tone was ice. "Is that not exactly what you are doing to me?"
"Enough!" Hiruzen's voice cracked like thunder. "Chi Yu, accusations of this weight cannot be spoken without proof."
At that moment, Orochimaru, who had remained silent, let out a soft laugh. "Curious. Danzo accuses Chi Yu without evidence, and you demand an explanation. Chi Yu accuses Danzo, and you cry slander. Tell me, Hokage-sama, is that not favoritism?"
Danzo snapped, "And what were you doing during the Nine-Tails' rampage, Orochimaru? You have no right to speak here."
Orochimaru's golden eyes narrowed in amusement. "I was in my laboratory, as always. I had no orders, and so I acted not. That is the shinobi way, isn't it?"
Hiruzen's jaw tightened. At last, he declared, "Danzo Shimura, your accusations were baseless. Root will be confined to headquarters for three days."
Chi Yu let out a bitter laugh. "Three days? Everyone knows Danzo can remain buried in Root for months without surfacing. That is no punishment, Hokage-sama."
Hiruzen's eyes hardened. "Then what would you have me do, Chi Yu?"
Chi Yu enunciated each word with deliberate precision.
"Strip Danzo Shimura of his title as Hokage's Assistant—
and disband Root."
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