Qianyu listened to the strategy meeting led by Hatake Sakumo and the other jonin. A cold realization settled in his gut. This has to be the one. The mission that breaks him.
Sakumo was the commander here in the Land of Grass. His job was strategy, oversight, holding the line. In this stable sector, there was no reason for the White Fang himself to lead a field operation.
Yet here he was, personally volunteering to intercept a critical scroll from Iwa. The math was simple. Ten-to-one odds, this was the mission.
And it was critical. If that scroll really contained Iwa's future war plans, securing it could shift the entire front. No wonder the village would be furious if Sakumo prioritized a comrade's life over it.
A darker thought nagged at Qianyu. Who leaks it? Who turns a commander's tough choice into public condemnation? Even Danzō, for all his scheming, wouldn't cripple the White Fang now. The man was a snake, but a loyal one. He knew how vital Sakumo was. Sacrificing a pillar of Konoha's defense made no sense, not when the village itself was at stake.
Not my problem, Qianyu decided. His role was clear: watch, witness, collect the points. Stay clean.
He settled back into observer mode, mentally already distancing himself from the coming drama.
Then Sakumo's gaze landed on him.
"Qianyu. Your mobility is exceptional. Would you be interested in joining this operation?"
Qianyu's brow furrowed. Hell no. He was here to watch the play, not become a character in it. Getting involved now would poison everything with Kakashi. That idiot Sakumo would save? The other teammates? They'd all point fingers. Even if Qianyu stayed silent, he'd be lumped in with the accusers by association.
This was a cesspool he couldn't afford to step in.
"My apologies, Lord Sakumo," Qianyu said, his voice respectfully neutral. "I'm at a critical stage in developing a new technique. Returning to the base was specifically to focus on that in a secure environment. Furthermore, Lord Orochimaru is expected to contact me via summon soon. While I would be honored to serve alongside you, I must regrettably decline this time."
Sakumo nodded. He'd never treated Qianyu as a subordinate, assuming the boy operated under Orochimaru's direct orders. The reasons given—research, his master's potential summons—were valid enough.
He'd only extended the offer because Qianyu was strong, and the mission's glory could have been shared. A favor for his son's teacher. But a refusal was a refusal.
"Understood. Then it's settled," Sakumo said, turning back to the others. "I will lead. The three of you are with me. We'll take one sensory specialist. Move out in one hour." His gaze fell on Shinsuke, a Nara with the clan's trademark pineapple hairstyle. "You have command in my absence. This mission stays between us."
After the meeting, Sakumo approached Qianyu. "Your work has been invaluable, Qianyu. Uncovering so many of Iwa's hidden outposts… if war had flared, they would have cost us dearly."
"Just fulfilling my duty, sir," Qianyu replied modestly.
Sakumo's lips stretched into a strained, uncharacteristic smile. "I saw Kakashi last time. He's grown much stronger. It's his fortune to have you as a teacher. I leave him in your hands. I must prepare for the mission. Rest well at the base."
"Of course, Lord Sakumo. You have nothing to worry about regarding Kakashi."
Qianyu left the room and found Kakashi waiting outside.
"Teacher Qianyu? Is the meeting over?"
Qianyu looked at the boy, his expression… complicated. "Yes. Your father is inside."
"Right."
As Kakashi entered, Qianyu let out a soft breath. After this, the balance here in Grass would shatter. Losing its cornerstone would leave the forces here shaky, vulnerable.
He felt a faint pang of guilt. He knew what was coming for Sakumo, yet he could do nothing. A man so deeply indoctrinated in the Will of Fire wouldn't listen to some vague warning. He'd probably see Qianyu as a cynic, an enemy of his ideals.
Standing aside was the only option.
Sakumo and his team of four slipped away under cover of darkness. Their departure was known only to a handful.
In his quarters, Qianyu spread out his map, marked with countless 'X's over cleared outposts. He used the quiet days to review, to search for any location he might have missed.
Time passed.
A week since Sakumo's departure. Seven days under Nara Shinsuke's command, peaceful and tense.
Qianyu spent them between his own training and drills with Kakashi.
Then, on the seventh night, they returned.
Five left. Five came back. All bore injuries. One man had lost his right arm; his legs were a mess of shredded flesh and uniform—the brutal signature of explosive tags.
The moment they staggered into the base, Sakumo's voice, raw with urgency, cut through the night. "Medics! Now!"
Qianyu watched from the shadows beside a wall, a silent spectator.
Now, he was certain. The incident had begun.
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