Naruto: Konoha's Traitor

Panic Uchiha

After finishing Kushina Uzumaki's letter, Chi Yu decided to take advantage of the clear weather to train.

When Chi Yu stepped out of his quarters, the surrounding shinobi who caught sight of his expression were visibly stunned.

The infamous ice-cold prodigy, who always looked like everyone owed him ryo, was smiling.

Actually smiling.

For a moment, it seemed as if Chi Yu was capable of normal human emotions.

Jiraiya, who had originally planned to check in on Minato Namikaze's training, caught a glimpse of Chi Yu's expression—and immediately abandoned his plan. Instead, he rushed straight to Orochimaru's tent, face full of urgency.

"Something big just happened, Orochimaru!"

Inside, Orochimaru was seated calmly, browsing through a ninjutsu scroll. Four shinobi from the Nara clan had just departed after submitting their strategy assessments.

With the support of high-IQ clans like the Nara, Orochimaru no longer had to oversee every operational detail himself, granting him time to focus on personal research.

Glancing up, Orochimaru narrowed his eyes at Jiraiya's outburst. "What is it? Has the Hidden Cloud launched an attack?"

Jiraiya waved his hand. "No, worse. Your precious student—Chi Yu—he smiled."

Orochimaru blinked, unbothered. "And?"

"That is the problem!" Jiraiya gestured wildly. "He smiled, not sneered. A real smile! Not that creepy little curl you two call an expression. You're rubbing off on him."

Orochimaru gave a low chuckle and returned to his scroll. "You're being dramatic again."

But he understood.

There was only one person who could make Chi Yu smile like that—and it wasn't him.

Without looking up, Orochimaru changed the subject. "Since you're here, it's time we discussed the next phase. Our camp is secure. It's time to eliminate the nearby Cloud strongholds."

Jiraiya's tone instantly shifted to match the seriousness. "With support from the clan forces, now's the time."

Orochimaru rolled up the scroll and summoned an aide. "Have Nara Shōji report here."

Soon after, the three convened around a battle map.

The camp held over a hundred shinobi. After reviewing intelligence, they decided to continue deploying three-man cells for missions, with at least fifty remaining to defend the base.

"Do you plan to have Chi Yu take command of those five?" Jiraiya asked, folding his arms.

Orochimaru nodded. "He's ready."

Nara Shōji furrowed his brow. "Lord Orochimaru, Lord Jiraiya—who are you referring to?"

It wasn't unusual for Chi Yu to be assigned leadership. But the fact that Jiraiya specifically mentioned five made Shōji wary.

Jiraiya replied, "The five Uchiha chūnin. Orochimaru plans to place them under Chi Yu's command. He's already agreed."

Shōji's face stiffened.

Chi Yu—an outcast of the Uchiha clan—commanding five proud Uchiha chūnin? That sounded like a recipe for mutiny.

Carefully, Shōji said, "My lords, those five Uchiha were originally under the direct command of Uchiha Kazuo, a jōnin from their clan."

Orochimaru fixed him with a cold look. "And?"

"...Nothing," Shōji murmured, unable to argue.

Jiraiya clapped a hand on Shōji's shoulder. "Tell us, how were those six Uchiha performing under your temporary command?"

Shōji hesitated, then sighed. "Arrogant. Uncooperative. They disregarded my orders, acted independently, and looked down on the chain of command."

Jiraiya smirked. "Exactly. That's why Orochimaru's handing them to Chi Yu. You've heard the rumors, haven't you? About Chi Yu's performance recently?"

"I've heard... that he's calm, precise, and ruthless—like Lord Orochimaru himself," Shōji admitted. "Still, even if he's capable, will those Uchiha obey him? Their clan pride runs deep."

"He'll make them obey," Orochimaru said coldly. "I don't need insubordination on the battlefield. I need results."

Shōji fell silent. The decision had been made.

And privately, he was curious—would Chi Yu really be able to suppress the prideful Uchiha? Would he bend them, or break them?

Orochimaru turned to him. "Shōji, assemble the camp."

"Yes, sir."

---

Shortly after, all active shinobi in the camp gathered before Orochimaru.

Orochimaru addressed them in his usual calm but commanding tone.

"First: effective immediately, Jiraiya and Nara Shōji are designated acting commanders. Unless I issue direct orders, their commands take precedence.

Second: the following four will serve as acting squad leaders—Nara Kensuke, Nara Shōgo, Hyūga Tsuneo, and Yamanaka Taiji. You will divide into teams of three and carry out field operations as assigned.

From each three-man cell, one will serve as team captain for mission reports and coordination.

Finally—Uchiha Ryuhei, Uchiha Keiichi, Uchiha Kyōsuke, Uchiha Yorito, and Uchiha Jin'ya. You five will form a single team. Your captain will be Chi Yu."

The announcement stirred immediate unrest.

A voice rang out from the crowd. "Lord Orochimaru, please reconsider!"

The speaker stepped forward—Uchiha Kazuo, the jōnin who had previously commanded the five chūnin. The five Uchiha behind him looked visibly alarmed.

Orochimaru's golden eyes narrowed. "Speak."

Kazuo bowed. "Lord Orochimaru, with all due respect, those five were under my direct command. I request that I continue to lead them in future missions."

The camp grew quiet.

Orochimaru's expression didn't change. "Your request is noted."

Kazuo's mouth tightened.

"But it is denied."

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