Jiraiya's expression was grim after hearing Nara Shinsuke's analysis.
"So," Jiraiya concluded, "you rushed to the Grass Country for Miyuki Uzumaki. You want her to replace Kushina as the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki. Is that it?"
Nara Shinsuke nodded. "Yes, Lord Jiraiya. The matter of the Nine-Tails' vessel is of the utmost importance. Regardless of Qianyu's true aim, we should report this to the Hokage."
Jiraiya understood the gravity. The Nine-Tails jinchūriki was a weapon of war. You could never be too careful.
"I'll report it to the old man."
After Jiraiya left, he first wrote a letter to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
The letter detailed everything: Miyuki Uzumaki, Nara Shinsuke's suspicions, and Qianyu and Kakashi's request for a transfer to the Hot Water Country.
Once the messenger hawk carrying the letter was winging its way back to Konoha, Jiraiya stood up from his chair.
Time to ask Qianyu what the hell he was thinking.
Qianyu and Kakashi had just finished a meal at the outpost and were heading to their quarters when they ran into Jiraiya.
"Qianyu. A word."
Qianyu's brow furrowed. Again? This guy was a serious pain.
But rank had its privileges. When Jiraiya said 'a word,' you listened.
"Kakashi, head back first."
After Kakashi left, Qianyu and Jiraiya walked to the shade of a large tree.
"Why were you looking for Miyuki Uzumaki?" Jiraiya asked, cutting straight to it.
Qianyu's frown deepened slightly. "I just happened to find her."
"Happened to?" Jiraiya's gaze was intense. "I doubt it. Shinsuke analyzed your movements since arriving in the Grass Country. You were searching for someone with a clear purpose. You already know about the jinchūriki selection, don't you? You came here specifically for Miyuki Uzumaki. Your goal is to have her replace Kushina as the vessel. Am I wrong?"
The corner of Qianyu's mouth twitched.
Damn Nara clan and their high IQs. Annoying. He hadn't expected Shinsuke to piece his goal together from the scattered clues.
Well, the cat was out of the bag. No point pretending.
"Yes," Qianyu admitted. "My goal is indeed for Miyuki Uzumaki to replace Kushina as the jinchūriki."
"Qianyu, give it up," Jiraiya said, his voice stern. "It's impossible. Kushina has mastered Lady Mito's sealing techniques. Once she becomes the vessel, she can suppress the Nine-Tails. Prevent it from running wild. Miyuki Uzumaki doesn't know any sealing arts. She can't suppress it. She'd lose control. The damage to Konoha would be… incalculable. And Lady Mito… she doesn't have the time or energy left to train Miyuki. So stop wasting your effort on a lost cause! I promise you, aside from a very few individuals, no one will know Kushina is the jinchūriki. You don't need to worry about her facing unfair treatment in the village."
A faint, mocking smile touched Qianyu's lips. "So, in Lord Jiraiya's eyes, I waste time on lost causes. And as for your promise… can you even make such a promise? Lord Sakumo's case wasn't that long ago. A classified mission leaked until everyone knew. What's truly impossible?"
Jiraiya opened his mouth, then closed it. He had no rebuttal.
Qianyu continued, his voice cool. "If your concern is Miyuki losing control and causing damage to Konoha, then set your mind at ease. That won't happen. It's not too late for her to learn sealing arts after becoming the vessel. And until then… I will suppress the Nine-Tails."
Jiraiya stared at him, startled. "You suppress it? How?"
Qianyu's eyes changed. The familiar black tomoe swirled and morphed, resolving into a complex, ominous pattern. Scarlet pinwheels spinning to life.
"These eyes," Qianyu said softly. "You recognize them, Lord Jiraiya."
Jiraiya's breath caught.
Mangekyō Sharingan.
"Capable of controlling a Tailed Beast," Qianyu stated. "Do you still think I'm wasting my time on a lost cause?"
Jiraiya could only stare, shock plain on his face. The upgraded form of the Uchiha's famed dōjutsu. The Mangekyō. As far as he knew, not a single pure-blooded Uchiha in the entire clan had awakened it. And yet here was Qianyu, with only half their blood, standing before him with those legendary eyes.
The blow to the Uchiha's pride if they found out… it didn't bear thinking about.
But Jiraiya still couldn't endorse the plan. "Qianyu, even with the Mangekyō, even if you can suppress the Nine-Tails… can you watch over Miyuki Uzumaki every single moment? The old man won't agree. Kushina is the safer choice. And with your Mangekyō, she'd be even more secure."
Qianyu let his eyes revert to their normal state. His voice was calm, final. "Lord Jiraiya, I believe in shaping my own fate. Not in predestination. That day hasn't come yet. So, as I see it, anything is still possible. If there's nothing else… I'll take my leave. I need my rest. As for the transfer to the Hot Water Country… I'll leave that in your capable hands."
He turned and walked away, not waiting to see if Jiraiya had more to say.
Qianyu's mind was clear. No matter what he said, Jiraiya would report everything to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Better to be upfront. Let them know his intentions outright, rather than invite deeper suspicion later.
And revealing the Mangekyō… that was a calculated move. Hiruzen would have to reassess his value now. Weigh it carefully.
They were still at war. Merit on the battlefield would only increase his importance. Once his value to the village outweighed the perceived risk of making Miyuki the jinchūriki… even if Hiruzen refused now, he'd come around eventually.
And then there was the Uchiha problem. A constant thorn in the Hokage's side.
The clan was being conspicuously active on all fronts, sending almost every able-bodied fighter to the war. Everyone knew why. They weren't fighting for Konoha's glory. They were fighting for influence, for a seat back at the table of power.
Old man Uchiha Shigeki had sent Fugaku to apologize before. It wasn't just about the Sharingan. It was because after contributing the Thunder Breathing techniques, Qianyu had been marked as part of the Hokage's faction. That apology had been an investment. A bet on his future.
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