Danzō had advised Hiruzen Sarutobi to consider the Uchiha matter sooner rather than later.
Hiruzen sat in thought.
He knew exactly what the Uchiha wanted. Their sudden, aggressive participation in the war wasn't subtle.
But letting them back into Konoha's center of power? Absolutely not.
The Uchiha were hated. Now. Everyone despised them.
It wasn't just Danzō who wanted them dealt with. Hiruzen wanted them dealt with, too.
But the clan's strength was immense. Even as Hokage, he couldn't move against them too aggressively.
Especially now, during a war. Konoha's position was precarious. The Uchiha's military might was… essential.
Hiruzen's real worry was for after the war.
If the Uchiha kept fighting this hard, they'd claim the lion's share of the credit. The biggest contribution.
How do you reward the clan that's already the largest, that already controls the Military Police?
You can't just hand them the Hokage's hat.
And they were already arrogant. Giving them more power? The other clans would riot.
The tension would boil over. And then? Explosion. A disaster.
Hiruzen considered Danzō's proposal, a frown etched on his face. "Your idea is to use Qianyu. To check the Uchiha?" He puffed on his pipe. "But can he do it?"
"Qianyu is the only viable candidate," Danzō stated coldly. "He carries their blood. If we back him, the village sees an internal Uchiha squabble. Nothing more." A pause. "And he will have our assistance."
Hiruzen's frown deepened. He took a long drag. "Qianyu is just a jonin. To push him forward… he needs a title. Authority."
"The authority of the Foundation," Danzō said, his voice flat. "It should suffice."
Silence stretched. Hiruzen tapped his pipe against the ashtray. Clink. Clink. "Our focus must remain on the war. This… will have to wait. Even if we use Qianyu to contain the Uchiha, his reputation needs to grow first. Otherwise, it's pointless."
A faint, cold smile touched Danzō's lips. He knew Hiruzen too well. The Hokage had already agreed.
Qianyu arrived at Lady Mito's residence.
As luck would have it, Kushina Uzumaki was home today. No missions.
He hadn't even raised his hand to knock.
The door flew open.
Kushina launched herself at him. Her arms wrapped around his waist, squeezing tight.
"You're back!" she exclaimed, voice muffled against his chest. "You finally came to see me!"
He smiled, ruffling her vibrant red hair. "I did. How are things? Everything okay?"
She pouted, pulling back to look up at him. "Same as always! I keep applying for a transfer to the Land of Hot Water. They keep rejecting me. It's so annoying! I'm strong enough now!"
He chuckled. "Hey, if they say no, they say no. Besides, I'm being transferred to the Land of Grass soon. You'd be in the wrong place anyway."
"Eh?" Her eyes went wide. "You're going to Grass Country?"
"Yeah. Orders are in. I'll be in Konoha for a few days, then I'm off."
"A few days?" Her face lit up. "So you're not leaving right away?"
Every other time he'd returned, it was a brief hello, then gone.
"Yes!" She bounced on her toes. "Perfect! Let's go out! You have to tell me everything about Hot Water!"
He spent the day walking with her through Konoha, sharing stories from the front. The funny moments. The strange ones.
Night fell.
Kushina, exhausted from the day, slumped against his back as he carried her home. He placed her gently on her bed, then didn't leave.
Instead, he sought out Lady Mito.
He found her in the sitting room. Her voice, raspier than he remembered, answered his knock. "Come in, Qianyu."
He entered. She looked… older. Frailer. The years were pressing down hard.
Her wise eyes studied him. "You've both grown so much," she said, a touch of melancholy in her tone. "Both of you. Standing on your own now." She paused. "This is the first time in all these years you've sought me out on your own. What is it?"
No point in circling it. "Lady Mito. I mean no disrespect. I have a question." He met her gaze directly. "How much time do you have left?"
Her expression didn't change. Only kindness. Only understanding. "You're really asking about Kushina's time, aren't you?" She sighed softly. "I can hold on. For three years, at least."
Three years.
Qianyu's eyes flickered. That meant… a year after Kushina came of age.
Lady Mito shook her head slowly. "Qianyu. You still cannot accept it? That she will be the vessel?" Her voice was gentle, but firm. "Living in Konoha… some things are beyond our choosing. My time is short. Kushina is the most suitable candidate. It is already decided."
"Not yet," Qianyu said, his voice iron. "Some things are beyond our choosing. But not beyond our changing." He leaned forward slightly, his gaze intense. "I have a request."
"If it is within my power, I will help you."
"Should a chance arise… a chance for Kushina to avoid becoming the Nine-Tails' vessel," he said, each word deliberate, "I need you to stand by me."
Surprise flashed in Mito's aged eyes.
Qianyu was not one for empty words. If he said this… he might truly have found a way.
"A chance?" she asked quietly. "Can you tell me what it is?"
"I haven't found the person yet. But if I do, and bring them to Konoha… that will be the chance."
Mito's brow furrowed slightly. Then, realization dawned. A sharp intake of breath. "Is that… why you requested the transfer to Grass Country?"
"Yes." No denial. "That is the reason."
She kept close tabs on him. She'd known about his new orders almost immediately.
A chance to change Kushina's fate as the Nine-Tails jinchūriki.
The person he spoke of… could only be one thing. A survivor. An Uzumaki orphan, like Kushina.
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