Naruto: Konoha's Traitor

Stability

Konoha's reinforcements had finally arrived.

Nara Shikaku handed over command of the stationed ninja forces to Orochimaru, who swiftly reorganized the deployment and oversaw the establishment of a proper forward camp—not just temporary tents, but a fortified, sustainable position.

Using Earth Release ninjutsu, the support units erected various basic facilities, including defensive walls, barracks, and medical posts.

This time, the Hidden Cloud forces witnessed Konoha's reinforcements with their own eyes. Over the next few days, they refrained from launching any direct harassment, limiting themselves to dispatching a handful of reconnaissance operatives.

But with Hyūga clan members now present, those spies had no chance of going unnoticed. The Byakugan left them nowhere to hide.

Now able to rest properly for the first time in days, Chi Yu sat alone in a compact earthen room he had crafted himself. Pen in hand, he was writing a letter.

A rare, gentle smile tugged at the corners of his lips—something only Uzumaki Kushina could inspire.

He filled two scroll pages with steady strokes before summoning a small snake, tying the letter securely to its body.

"Deliver this to Kushina in Konoha," Chi Yu instructed softly.

The serpent flicked its tongue once, then slithered out of the room to carry the message through covert routes.

After watching the messenger disappear, Chi Yu lay down on the stone slab that served as his bed. His eyes fell on the official notice of promotion lying beside him—Tokubetsu Jōnin, the rank newly awarded to him.

A few days ago, following the end of the recent advance, the system had issued a prompt:

> [System Notice: Host has participated in a major war-related event. Reward: 500 Witness Points.]

The reward had surprised Chi Yu. In his eyes, this wasn't yet a true war—only its overture.

He immediately questioned the system.

> [System Response: According to the original timeline, Konoha's response would have been delayed and led by Minato Namikaze. Your direct interference has altered this outcome. Significant deviations generate Witness Points.]

Chi Yu understood instantly.

The system had previously explained: any event that significantly impacted the ninja world—whether remembered in history or not—could grant Witness Points.

Originally, it should have been Minato Namikaze commanding this front. But Chi Yu had stepped in, changing the flow of events. That earned him credit.

Apparently, the criteria for Witness Points were more flexible than he'd first believed.

As it stood, the larger war hadn't yet begun in earnest. The true powerhouses from the Five Great Nations—such as the A–B combo from Kumogakure, or Chiyo and Pakura (Ye Cang) from Sunagakure—had not yet entered the battlefield.

Chi Yu's future rewards would depend on clashing with such powerful figures. Until then, he had to capitalize on every opportunity.

If Minato Namikaze had gained renown by acting on the front lines, then Chi Yu intended to outshine him—one stolen achievement at a time.

For now, Chi Yu's primary offensive abilities were Thunder Breathing and Fire Release ninjutsu. But he knew those wouldn't remain effective forever. Enemies would study and counter them.

To maintain an edge, he needed to evolve. Constantly.

And that meant acquiring more Witness Points.

He opened his rough, calloused palms and stared at them.

"It's not enough," Chi Yu murmured. "Not nearly enough."

---

Elsewhere, in a quiet room within the Konoha camp, Minato Namikaze sat across from Jiraiya.

Jiraiya handed him a sealed scroll, his expression unusually serious.

"Minato, this contains the formula and principles behind the Hiraishin no Jutsu—the Flying Thunder God Technique developed by the Second Hokage."

Suppressing a surge of excitement, Minato accepted the scroll with both hands and bowed deeply. "Thank you, Jiraiya-sensei."

"No need for all that," Jiraiya replied with a wave. "But there's something you need to understand. This technique isn't like your average ninjutsu."

He leaned in, his tone grave.

"Since Tobirama Senju created it, no one else has successfully mastered it. You need exceptional chakra control, precise sensory capabilities, and lightning-fast reflexes. You meet all the requirements, but that doesn't guarantee success."

Minato nodded solemnly. "I understand."

"If you fail, it's fine," Jiraiya added. "There's always Sage Mode from Mount Myōboku. That's still an option for you."

Then Jiraiya pulled out another envelope. "By the way, this is your Tokubetsu Jōnin promotion. Figured you deserved it."

Minato blinked. "I… really? Even with Chi Yu outshining me?"

Jiraiya clapped a hand on his shoulder. "Don't be so hard on yourself. Chi Yu may have stolen the spotlight recently, but your earlier contributions are what earned you this. Don't forget who you are."

Minato grinned faintly. "I won't. Thank you."

Once Jiraiya left, Minato opened the scroll without delay and began studying the complex, space-time formulas.

---

A week passed in relative calm.

There were occasional skirmishes with Cloud forces, but none escalated. Both sides seemed wary of pushing too far.

The new group of 80-plus Konoha reinforcements consisted almost entirely of ninja clan members. Even the Chūnin among them were elite, with real combat experience. If the enemy underestimated them, even a Special Jōnin could fall.

In fact, these 80 ninja were significantly stronger, man-for-man, than the 150 less-experienced troops Jiraiya had initially brought.

But above all, it was the eight medical-nin who proved most valuable. In any prolonged conflict, the survival rate skyrocketed when medical support was available.

---

Chi Yu received a reply from Uzumaki Kushina.

As he read through the letter, his rare smile returned, soft and genuine.

Kushina had resumed her missions, but mentioned a strange feeling—like someone was tailing her.

Chi Yu guessed correctly: it was likely Anbu.

After the near-kidnapping attempt by Cloud ninjas during Kushina's childhood, Hiruzen Sarutobi had every reason to arrange a discreet protection detail. Especially now, with Uzumaki Mito's health deteriorating, Kushina's safety was critical to Konoha's stability.

The rest of the letter detailed small slices of her daily life—minor mission incidents, little frustrations, funny observations.

Chi Yu read it over and over again.

Even trivial matters from Kushina felt precious to him.

And in the harsh atmosphere of war, that warmth was all the more valuable.

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