Qianyu returned home. Kushina Uzumaki wasn't there—probably out on a mission.
Today, Danzō had proposed to Hiruzen Sarutobi the candidate for the new Nine-Tails jinchūriki. Hiruzen hadn't given a definitive yes, but it was practically a done deal.
Mito Uzumaki only had a year left. But this war wouldn't be over in a year.
As long as he remained the key figure suppressing the Uchiha clan, Hiruzen had to consider his position.
And with Danzō speaking for him… the matter was as good as settled.
After years of grinding effort, he could finally see the dawn. Qianyu let out a long, slow breath. A smile tugged at his lips.
Once Kushina Uzumaki's situation was resolved, Qianyu would have no more restraints.
He could continue developing in the shadows beneath Konoha… or just leave the village entirely.
Feeling lighter, Qianyu opened his system.
A prompt chimed immediately.
[Witnessed pivotal event: Death of Yahiko. Reward: 20,000 Witness Points.]
Surprise flickered in Qianyu's mind.
The reward was the same as when he altered Kakashi Hatake's life path.
It made sense, though.
Yahiko's death itself wasn't the important part.
What mattered was Nagato's transformation. From a kind person to an extremist.
Qianyu glanced at his status panel.
[Name: Qianyu] [Bloodline: Uchiha Clan, Senju Clan] [Kekkei Genkai: Mangekyō Sharingan] [Chakra: Equivalent to three Kakashis with their Sharingan active] [Ninjutsu: E-Rank Three Basic Techniques, C-Rank Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique…] [Genjutsu: Demonic Illusion: Shackling Stakes Technique, Genjutsu: Sharingan…] [Taijutsu: Shuriken Throwing Mastery, C-Rank Taijutsu…] [Abilities: Dōjutsu: Ten Thousand Rejections, Dōjutsu: Unseen Summit, Thunder Breathing, Observation Haki] [Remaining Witness Points: 42,000]
Looking at his panel, Qianyu had to admit it. He was a pentagon warrior. Almost no weaknesses.
He closed the system and expanded his Observation Haki, scanning the surroundings.
No surveillance. Good.
He formed a hand seal.
"Summoning Technique!"
POOF! Smoke billowed. A white snake with a distended belly appeared.
The snake saw Qianyu and greeted him with enthusiasm. "Lord Qianyu~"
Life had been good since following Qianyu. So good. Every summon meant a full belly. The snake had even gained weight.
Now, if Qianyu said east, it wouldn't go west. If Qianyu said eat a person, it wouldn't eat anything else. If Qianyu said die… well, that was a bit much. If real danger appeared, it would be the first to bolt.
"Spit him out."
"Right away!"
The white snake opened its jaws. Its belly convulsed. A sticky, slime-covered Yahiko was vomited onto the floor.
"As you requested, Lord Qianyu," the snake explained. "After I took him to Ryūchi Cave, I spat him out. Applied some of the cave's special herbs to his wounds. He's got a bit of a fever, but he's alive."
Qianyu crouched to examine Yahiko.
Alive, yes. But weak. The wounds were indeed covered in a poultice. No active bleeding, but signs of festering.
Left like this, Yahiko would still die.
Qianyu cleaned the wounds, reapplied medicine, and bandaged them.
Finished, he addressed the snake. "White Snake. I have a task for you. An important one. Fail it, and I'll never summon you again. I'll find another snake."
The snake's head shot up. "No, wait, Lord Qianyu! No snake is more loyal than me! What's the task? I'll get it done!"
A faint smirk touched Qianyu's lips. "I can't keep him here in Konoha. Take him back to Ryūchi Cave. Keep him alive. I'll send you some food for now. If he wakes up, let him eat. Then find a snake with paralytic venom and have it bite him. Keep him unconscious. Understood?"
The snake's face twisted into a disturbingly human expression of distress. "That's… difficult, Lord Qianyu. The snakes of Ryūchi Cave love human flesh. And the White Snake Sage won't permit an un-contracted human to stay."
Qianyu shrugged. "That's your problem to solve. Succeed, and I'll keep summoning you regularly. I'm heading to the Land of Waves soon. The war there is more chaotic. That means… more food for you."
He paused, letting it sink in.
"If you find it too troublesome, I'll find a snake that doesn't. No need to trouble yourself."
"Wait, Lord Qianyu! Let me think, let me think…"
"Take your time. But think carefully. You know how few Ryūchi Cave contractors there are. Finding another one like me who feeds you so well… won't be easy."
The snake flicked its tongue. It made a decision. "I'll do it, Lord Qianyu!"
"Good. You agreed, so see it through. If you're discovered, reverse-summon me to Ryūchi Cave immediately. Don't worry, it won't be for long. A few days at most. Once I reach the Land of Waves, I won't need your help anymore."
"Understood. But be quick, Lord Qianyu! If the White Snake Sage finds out, I'm in deep trouble."
The white snake swallowed Yahiko once more.
"Lord Qianyu, I'm returning now! Don't forget my food!"
POOF. It vanished in a cloud of smoke.
With the Yahiko situation handled, Qianyu moved towards his bed. Finally, some rest.
A knock sounded at the door.
Qianyu frowned.
He'd just returned from Amegakure. Went straight to the Hokage Building and the Root base. Then home.
Even Kushina Uzumaki didn't know he was back.
So even if she'd forgotten her keys, she wouldn't be knocking.
Not Kushina, then.
Who?
Qianyu walked to the door and opened it.
Surprise. It was Miyuki Uzumaki.
"It's late," Qianyu said. "What do you need?"
"It's not me," she replied. "Lady Mito wants to see you. Kushina is on a mission, so I've been studying sealing techniques with Lady Mito. The Hokage visited her just now. After their talk… she sent me to find you."
Qianyu's eyes narrowed slightly.
So. Hiruzen had gone to discuss the Nine-Tails jinchūriki with Mito.
And now Mito wanted to see him. Ninety percent chance it was about the same thing.
"I see," Qianyu nodded. "I'll head over immediately."
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