The Drifting Uchiha Obito
When Zetsu heard that Uchiha Obito planned to stop both Chi Yu and Minato Namikaze by himself, he felt Obito was becoming dangerously overconfident.
Forget Chi Yu for a moment—just Minato alone would be a formidable opponent. Obito's intangibility had limitations, and both Minato and Chi Yu were veterans of the Third Shinobi World War, renowned for their speed and battlefield prowess.
Perhaps Obito's recent successes had come too easily, making him overestimate his own strength.
"Since you've already decided, I won't say anything more," Zetsu remarked. "But you should at least have a backup plan. What if you fail to hold them off? You need a way to keep at least one of them from fighting you."
Obito gave him a strange look. "Keep one of them from fighting me? I'm posing as Uchiha Madara and planning to unleash the Nine-Tails on Konoha. Why wouldn't they attack me?"
Zetsu leaned closer, lowering his voice. "Because Chi Yu isn't loyal to Konoha. He has long-standing conflicts with Minato Namikaze. He's pragmatic—a mercenary at heart. If we can offer him the right reward, he may choose to stand aside."
The real reason Zetsu suggested this was simple: he feared Obito would be killed by Minato and Chi Yu if he confronted them both.
True, Madara had once struck an agreement with Chi Yu, but that pact had no real binding force. Chi Yu might choose to betray them at any time.
Zetsu hoped Obito would recognize his own limits.
Obito fell into thought. Chi Yu had once told him that he believed Obito would stand at the pinnacle of the ninja world someday. Chi Yu had even said Obito could come to him for cooperation—though only in exchange for proper compensation.
In truth, Chi Yu was exactly as Zetsu described: not loyal to Konoha, in conflict with Minato, and pragmatic enough to bargain.
But…
"We don't have anything to offer him," Obito muttered with a frown.
"That's only because you don't know what he wants yet," Zetsu replied smoothly. "Find out, and maybe we already have it."
Obito was silent for a long moment. If Chi Yu simply stood aside, the Nine-Tails operation would be far easier.
Finally, he nodded. "Very well. Let's speak with him."
Zetsu pressed, "Do you want to notify Nagato first?"
Obito thought it over. "Yes. Nagato doesn't trust me. Go inform him, so he doesn't interfere later. Then return—we'll head to Konoha together. I still have preparations to finish in the Hidden Mist."
Zetsu nodded, though in truth he had no intention of reporting to Nagato immediately. First, he would confirm Chi Yu's intentions. If Chi Yu betrayed their arrangement, then Obito's plan had to be stopped.
As for danger—Black Zetsu, a manifestation of Kaguya's will, had no fear of Chi Yu.
---
At that same time, inside the Hokage's office in Konoha, Hiruzen Sarutobi had summoned Minato.
"Minato, regarding Miyuki's upcoming delivery," Hiruzen said gravely, "we must convene the council and make preparations."
Minato frowned. "Third Hokage, is that necessary? I've studied sealing techniques, and according to Anbu, Chi Yu has already returned to the village. If the Nine-Tails stirs, I can reseal it. And if things worsen, Chi Yu's Mangekyō Sharingan can subdue the beast."
Hiruzen's expression hardened. "This is not a matter to take lightly. The birth of a Jinchūriki's child is a moment of utmost danger. We must prepare with absolute caution—for the sake of the village."
Minato sighed but nodded. "Very well. Should we gather now?"
"Immediately," Hiruzen said. "I'll summon the elders. Have Anbu notify Chi Yu. We'll convene in the council chamber."
As Hiruzen departed, Minato exhaled quietly. He hated the idea of Miyuki's delivery being watched over by half the village leadership, but he understood there was no avoiding it.
---
At Chi Yu's home, the man was wearing an apron, spatula in hand, cooking dinner.
"Kushina, dinner will be ready soon," he called.
"Alright," Uzumaki Kushina replied, switching off the television. Just as she rose from the sofa, a knock sounded at the door.
Chi Yu frowned. It was too early for Kakashi, and Orochimaru had said the next check-up was five days away. Who could it be?
Opening the door, Chi Yu found Minato Namikaze himself standing there.
Minato blinked at the sight of Chi Yu in an apron, spatula still in hand. For a moment, he wondered if he'd come to the wrong house. Regaining composure, he smiled faintly. "It's been a while, Chi Yu."
"What do you need?" Chi Yu asked bluntly.
"The Third Hokage has called a meeting about Miyuki," Minato explained. "He asked that you attend."
Chi Yu raised an eyebrow. "Biwako already told me what's needed. If you want my help, I'll give it. But sitting through a council meeting? Not interested."
Hearing this, Kushina interjected from the living room, her tone firm. "Chi Yu, you should go. If Miyuki's safety depends on it, even small preparations are worth making."
Faced with Kushina's words, Chi Yu had no choice but to relent. "Fine. But you eat first."
He calmly set the dishes on the table, guided Kushina to sit, then untied his apron and turned back to Minato.
"Let's go," he said flatly. "The sooner this is over, the better."
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