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Hiruzen Sarutobi leaned forward, his voice low. "We need a plan. A course of action until Miyuki Uzumaki is recovered."
Koharu Utatane considered this. "Her defection must be concealed. Above all, her status as a jinchūriki. If another village captures Miyuki Uzumaki, it would be a disaster."
Homura Mitokado nodded in agreement. "Correct. Furthermore, Miyuki is the Fourth Hokage's wife. If her betrayal becomes public knowledge, it would devastate the village's morale. Yet, we cannot not pursue her. And any pursuit risks exposure."
Then Danzō spoke. "I have a proposal. The fact that Konoha possesses two jinchūriki is known only to a handful. Therefore, we can alter the narrative. Miyuki Uzumaki was not a traitor. She was abducted."
He let the idea hang in the smoky air.
"Her jinchūriki status is a closely guarded secret. Other villages are unlikely to know. And Miyuki herself, now a fugitive, will do everything to hide it. We maintain this lie. Meanwhile, we allow a carefully controlled leak—the faintest rumor—that Naruto Uzumaki is the Nine-Tails' container."
A cold smile touched his lips.
"This creates the perception that the Nine-Tails jinchūriki remains safely within Konoha. External interest in Miyuki will diminish. We minimize the fallout."
"You, Hiruzen, can then use the 'abduction of the Fourth's wife' as justification. Dispatch teams openly for a 'rescue mission.' Their true purpose? Hunt the traitor down."
Koharu, Homura, and Hiruzen exchanged glances. Surprise flickered in their eyes. Danzō wasn't obstructing. He was offering a solution. And on the surface, it was a solid one.
The three elders turned the plan over in their minds. It held water. It allowed for a public pursuit and contained the damage.
Hiruzen glanced at his two advisors. They gave subtle nods.
"Very well," Hiruzen decided. "We will proceed as Danzō suggests."
Then Danzō's voice turned sly, oily. "Hiruzen. This defection… it reeks of complexity. Your Anbu guarded her night and day. How did she communicate with outside agents?"
He leaned in. "Her prowess lies in sealing and sensory arts. Combat is not her strength. So tell me… how did she incapacitate a team of Anbu without raising an alarm?"
Hiruzen's brow furrowed. "What are you implying?"
"I am stating a fact," Danzō said, voice dripping with certainty. "Miyuki Uzumaki did not act alone. She had help. From within Konoha. Her social circle is small. And one individual within it possesses both the motive… and the precise skill set required."
Hiruzen's eyes narrowed to slits. He knew exactly who Danzō meant.
Qianyu.
From his hidden vantage point, Qianyu's eyebrow twitched.
He'd expected it. Still, a grudging respect surfaced. Of course. Danzō could pin a crime on a shadow. And this time, the logic almost fit. If he were in Hiruzen's place, he'd suspect himself too.
The operation had been rushed. Loose ends remained.
But they were just that—loose ends. Suspicion, without proof, was worthless.
Hiruzen fell silent, his thoughts churning. Over a week ago, Miyuki had visited Qianyu and Kushina Uzumaki with Naruto. Kushina and Miyuki were clan-sisters, friends. Qianyu and Miyuki were also friends.
If anyone inside Konoha would help her… Qianyu topped the list.
But if it was Qianyu… why knock the guards out? Why not use a Sharingan genjutsu? To avoid leaving a chakra signature? A possibility.
Yet, even with suspicion, Hiruzen could not act recklessly against Qianyu.
He shook his head. "There is no evidence of an accomplice. We return to the matter at hand. After this meeting, I will announce Miyuki Uzumaki's abduction and dispatch pursuit teams immediately. If there is nothing else—"
"There is," Danzō cut in, his voice sharp. "The jinchūriki. What is your plan for him?"
Hiruzen met his gaze. "Naruto's true identity will be classified as an S-rank secret. Officially, he will be an orphan. We will allow the rumor linking him to the Nine-Tailed Fox to spread, cementing the idea that he is the vessel. This further dissociates Miyuki from the title of jinchūriki."
He took a slow pull from his pipe.
"In time, I will issue a decree forbidding all mention of Naruto's connection to the fox. His status as a jinchūriki will be buried."
Danzō's stare was a blade. "Hiruzen. My question is about his custody. How will you arrange for this jinchūriki?"
Hiruzen's eyes darkened. He saw the gambit now. "I will adopt him."
"You?" Danzō's voice was ice. "Adopt the jinchūriki? That would be a billboard announcing his true nature. The Nine-Tails attack left many orphans. Naruto will not be the only one. And once the 'fox-child' rumor spreads, for the Hokage to take in this cursed boy? It is the height of foolishness. Do you find that appropriate?"
Koharu and Homura shifted uncomfortably. "Danzō has a point," Koharu said. "Concealing his identity is wise, but your adoption would undermine it entirely."
Homura nodded. "The contradiction is too great."
This was it. The blade was drawn.
Danzō made his move. "To prevent another 'Miyuki Uzumaki incident,' the jinchūriki should be placed under Root's jurisdiction. I will oversee his training."
Hiruzen opened his mouth to refuse.
"Do not be hasty, Hiruzen," Danzō pressed, his words a relentless tide. "Think. Even if you hide the boy's past, Qianyu and Kushina Uzumaki remain. They are living keys to the truth. What happens when Naruto grows older? What if they tell him something, and he develops the same… disillusionment as his mother? What if he, too, decides to flee?"
He leaned across the table, his single visible eye gleaming.
"A jinchūriki is a tool of war. A tool requires no emotions, no attachments. Handing him to me is the only logical choice to ensure stability. This is not a time for sentiment, Hiruzen. Think of the greater good! If Konoha loses both of its jinchūriki, you know the consequences!"
Silence engulfed the room, thick and heavy. Hiruzen Sarutobi's face darkened. He frowned, pulling hard on his pipe, the glow at its bowl the only light in his shadowed eyes.
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