There Is a Threshold for Those Who Do the Dirty Work
Masaki Uchiha was one of the few truly perceptive individuals within the Uchiha Clan.
Precisely because he was intelligent, Masaki must have understood how dire the Uchiha Clan's situation had become. He foresaw that the day the war ended would be the day Konoha might settle its accounts with the Uchiha.
So Masaki had begun laying his plans early. He had even reached out to him—Chi Yu, an Uchiha exile long cast aside. He was willing to go so far as to have Uchiha Fugaku personally apologize, a rare humiliation that underscored just how tense things had become within the clan.
Chi Yu believed that if Hiruzen Sarutobi and the rest of the high command intended to move against the Uchiha, then he was the most suitable tool for the job. No one else could fill that role better than him.
The reason was simple: Chi Yu was no longer truly part of the Uchiha Clan.
He speculated that Konoha wouldn't dare act after the war. By then, the Uchiha would be hailed as heroes for their battlefield contributions, their prestige peaking at a level that even the village leadership couldn't ignore.
No—the only window to suppress them would be before the war ended, during the uncertain stretch when the dust had yet to fully settle. As soon as Konoha regained its footing, the plotting might begin.
And if Chi Yu proved useful during that operation—if he helped "balance the scales"—then even Hiruzen Sarutobi would have to weigh the pros and cons carefully.
A Jinchūriki who could be replaced versus a rogue who could handle the village's dirty work. That decision would not be made lightly.
Chi Yu exhaled deeply.
> "Then, before that day comes, the name 'Blood-Eyed Shura' must echo across the Shinobi World. Even in dirty work… there's a threshold."
---
Days Later
Hiruzen Sarutobi sat in silence, eyes fixed on the letter sent by Jiraiya.
As he read Shikaku Nara's speculation regarding Chi Yu, the Sandaime Hokage's expression darkened.
The matter of the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki was a critical national security issue—mistakes could not be allowed.
Chi Yu had already overstepped the line.
And yet, Hiruzen had no intention of punishing him. Not yet.
So far, all Chi Yu had done was locate a surviving member of the Uzumaki Clan to potentially serve as a backup vessel for the Nine-Tails. Without the Hokage's explicit authorization, nothing could be done. Kushina Uzumaki was still the Jinchūriki.
Besides, Chi Yu's battlefield record remained impeccable. The war was still ongoing, and the village couldn't afford to discard such an asset.
As for his request to transfer to the Land of Hot Water, Hiruzen had no reason to refuse. That front—shared with the Land of Lightning and the aggressive Kumo forces—was among the most critical of the four battlefields.
Just as Hiruzen began drafting the transfer orders, another messenger hawk arrived at his window.
Opening the scroll, the Hokage's eyes suddenly narrowed.
> "Mangekyō Sharingan? I didn't expect Chi Yu to awaken that…"
Hiruzen had witnessed Uchiha Madara in his prime. The techniques wielded by the Mangekyō Sharingan were still etched into his memory—jutsu of overwhelming destruction and cost.
At first, he felt a flicker of joy. Another high-level combatant for Konoha, and not just any Uchiha—one who was politically isolated, and the personal student of Orochimaru, his own disciple.
Someone who could be counted as "one of their own."
But joy quickly gave way to concern.
Yes, with the Mangekyō, Chi Yu could theoretically control the Nine-Tails—but the risk was astronomical. Not only because of the power, but because of the toll the Mangekyō exacted on the user. And Chi Yu was not a figure to be easily manipulated.
After much thought, Hiruzen concluded: it wasn't worth changing the Jinchūriki candidate.
Chi Yu was valuable—but not that valuable.
He finalized the transfer order: Chi Yu and Hatake Kakashi were to reinforce the Land of Hot Water front.
---
Chi Yu studied the transfer scroll in his hand, a small smile tugging at his lips.
The order was concise. Hiruzen had approved his transfer and offered token encouragement—but had left out any mention of the Nine-Tails, or Miyuki Uzumaki.
That meant the Hokage knew everything—but was choosing not to act.
Just as Chi Yu had predicted.
Hiruzen's silence spoke volumes. It was a form of cold denial, a non-answer that kept options open while avoiding direct conflict.
Clearly, the Mangekyō had shifted Hiruzen's calculations.
That was a sign—however small—that things were beginning to turn in Chi Yu's favor.
Miyuki Uzumaki had already been escorted back to Konoha by two Anbu operatives.
> "Lord Jiraiya, Kakashi and I will take our leave."
With that, Chi Yu and Kakashi departed the Land of Grass, not once looking back.
---
Upon arriving in the Land of Hot Water, they were greeted by Orochimaru, who—as always—wore an unreadable expression.
His golden eyes flicked between Chi Yu and Kakashi.
> "It seems your mission went well, Chi Yu," he said with a faint, serpentine smile.
Chi Yu nodded.
> "I located remnants of the Uzumaki Clan. They've already been safely delivered to the village."
> "And now?"
Chi Yu's Mangekyō Sharingan ignited silently in his eyes.
> "Orochimaru-sensei, what I want to do next is… make a name for myself in the Shinobi World."
For a moment, even Orochimaru paused.
Then he smiled—something resembling genuine approval.
> "I see. So you've awakened the Mangekyō. In that case, you truly are qualified to chase that goal."
> "From now on," Orochimaru continued, "I won't assign you any more missions. You're free to act on your own. If you want to make a name for yourself, you'll need opponents who are worthy of it."
Chi Yu understood immediately: Orochimaru was giving him carte blanche to target Kumo.
> "Understood, Orochimaru-sensei. And… please take care of Kakashi. The battles I plan to fight next won't be suitable for him."
Orochimaru glanced at Kakashi.
> "I'll make the arrangements."
---
As Chi Yu and Kakashi exited the room, they were met by Minato Namikaze and his team: Obito Uchiha, Rin Nohara, and Takei Katsuhiko.
Obito waved enthusiastically.
> "Kakashi!"
Rin looked over shyly, her cheeks slightly pink.
Takei Katsuhiko bowed respectfully.
> "Lord Chi Yu."
Minato's gaze remained sharp, focused on Chi Yu alone.
Chi Yu turned to Kakashi.
> "From here on, follow Orochimaru-sensei's orders. I'm leaving."
> "Yes, Sensei Chi Yu. I will. Please be careful."
Chi Yu chuckled.
> "Worried about your teacher now? I'll be fine. Don't slack off. I'll come back to check on you sooner than you think."
With that, he vanished using the Body Flicker Technique.
---
Obito rushed forward.
> "Kakashi! Didn't you hear me calling you?"
Kakashi's face was cold, unreadable.
> "I have nothing to say to you."
He walked right past Obito without another word.
Visit patreon.com/Akeyno to get 30+ chapters