Standing Strong
After Yahiko left, Chi Yu returned to the Konoha camp.
He felt a sense of relief—he wasn't particularly worried about Yahiko finding Nagato. People like Yahiko valued their comrades deeply. Once the safety of Nagato and Konan was on the line, Yahiko would act with utmost caution.
But if Yahiko truly went to find Nagato, then he was no longer Chi Yu's collaborator—or his comrade.
And if he was no longer a comrade, then Chi Yu would ensure Nagato once again tasted the pain of losing someone dear.
That said, Chi Yu suspected he might not need to lift a finger. Black Zetsu, lurking in the shadows, wouldn't allow Yahiko to live much longer. Not when his goal was to mold Nagato into something far more ruthless.
A gentle Nagato served no purpose for Zetsu's agenda.
Chi Yu sighed softly, hoping Yahiko would stick to the terms of their agreement. If Yahiko succeeded, the Akatsuki organization—founded as it was—would be of great use to Chi Yu.
> "Don't disappoint me, Yahiko... No—Shindai."
---
A Few Days Later
Uchiha reinforcements began arriving in the Land of Waves.
By the seventh day, the full support contingent had arrived: 98 Uchiha shinobi.
The numbers were telling—20 jōnin, 45 chūnin, and 33 genin. A mere fraction of the clan's total strength, and yet, more than most clans could hope to field.
Such was the might of the Uchiha.
Once assembled, Chi Yu called for an immediate formation. The Uchiha stood together in perfect formation, apart from the other allied ninja.
The disdain in their eyes was palpable—Uchiha pride never dulled, even in war.
Chi Yu and Nara Kubota stood at the forefront. Chi Yu's sharp eyes swept across the group, pausing on several familiar faces.
There was Uchiha Fugaku, now captain of the Konoha Military Police Force; Kyosuke, Keiichi, and Ryuhei, all of whom had once served under him; and Kazuo, the man Chi Yu had fought and outwitted in a prior mission.
Kyosuke, Keiichi, and Ryuhei all kept their heads down, avoiding his gaze. Even after all this time, they feared him.
Kazuo, however, glared openly. He hadn't forgotten how Chi Yu had maneuvered him into Orochimaru's hands and how he'd barely survived multiple suicide missions afterward.
His hatred festered.
Fugaku's expression was harder to read—reserved, contemplative. The current Chi Yu stood on a battlefield that even he had to acknowledge.
But many of the younger Uchiha still looked down on Chi Yu. Despite his reputation, despite the Mangekyō Sharingan, they remembered the stigma—Chi Yu was an outcast, an abandoned son of the clan.
> "From this moment on," Chi Yu declared coldly, "you Uchiha shinobi will be under my unified command. Jōnin—step forward."
Kyosuke, Keiichi, and Ryuhei were the first to comply.
Fugaku followed suit, falling in beside them.
The remaining jōnin moved slowly, exuding a dismissive arrogance.
Kubota, ever observant, kept his gaze to the ground. He understood the situation immediately—Chi Yu was establishing dominance. He had no intention of getting caught in a power struggle between the Uchiha.
Though he shared the general mistrust of the Uchiha, he was Nara. Politics demanded restraint.
Chi Yu smirked coldly at the jōnin's lack of urgency.
> "Each of you will form a three-man unit: one jōnin, two chūnin. Absorb remaining genin at your discretion. Starting tomorrow, you will engage in front-line operations—your sole objective is to hunt and eliminate all Kirigakure shinobi operating within the Land of Waves."
He turned sharply.
> "As for all non-Uchiha personnel—stand by and hold defensive positions. Without my direct order, no one leaves the camp."
A stir passed through the crowd. The audacity of the command stunned them—except Kubota, who had expected nothing less.
Fugaku stepped forward, concern etched into his features.
> "Chi Yu, please reconsider. The situation here is volatile. With just these numbers, we may not be able to match the Kirigakure's advance."
Chi Yu's response was merciless:
> "I am your commander. My word is law. You are not here to question orders—you are here to obey them."
Fugaku frowned, unease crawling up his spine. When he first heard that Chi Yu was appointed commander of the Land of Waves front, he had a bad feeling.
Now, that feeling tightened like a noose.
Kazuo snapped.
> "This is revenge! Just because the Uchiha disowned you, you're sending us to die!"
Fugaku's anxiety grew.
> "Kazuo! Stand down!"
But Chi Yu only smiled darkly.
> "The Uchiha clan disowned me? Ask Fugaku. Ask Masaki—your so-called patriarch—whether it was the Uchiha clan who rejected me, or I who rejected them."
His voice turned venomous.
> "Expelled? You can't expel someone who was never part of your little circle to begin with."
He took a step forward, voice booming.
> "So I'll ask you all one question: Will you obey my command?"
Kazuo sneered, no longer thinking, only raging.
> "Why should we listen to an outcast like you?! Everyone knows what you are—a discarded pawn!"
> "Kazuo! That's enough!"
Fugaku's voice cracked under the weight of dread. He knew what was coming.
Chi Yu's hand drifted toward the hilt of his blade.
> "Last chance. Obey my command. Kneel, repent—and apologize."
Kubota flinched.
Chi Yu wasn't bluffing.
Kazuo was beyond reason, locked in his pride.
> "Bastard! You're dreaming!"
In a flash, Chi Yu vanished.
The blade never made a sound—only the crackling of lightning as Chidori Current flared for an instant.
Chi Yu stood behind Kazuo, sword already sheathed.
Kazuo's hands flew to his throat.
Blood gushed between his fingers.
His body dropped.
Silence.
He was dead before he hit the ground.
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