Qianyu's consciousness snapped back to reality, leaving Miyuki Uzumaki's inner world behind.
Miyuki lay collapsed on the ground, but the violent cloak of tailed beast chakra was gone. She was normal again.
Minato Namikaze was at her side in an instant, gathering her into his arms with palpable worry.
"It's done, Hokage-sama," Qianyu reported to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Hiruzen let out a long, slow breath before issuing orders. "Return Lady Mito's remains to the village. Minato, look after Miyuki. The rest of you—erase all traces here. What happened today is a top-secret Leaf matter. No one else is to know."
The ANBU set to work, cleansing the area.
The matter was concluded. Danzō turned to leave with his Root operatives. As he passed Qianyu, he offered a curt nod. "Adequate work."
Minato, carrying Miyuki, paused beside Qianyu. His gratitude was earnest. "Thank you, Qianyu."
Qianyu's expression remained impassive. "I was just following orders."
With the affair settled, Qianyu returned home.
The house was dark. He found Kushina Uzumaki sitting alone on the sofa in the gloom.
"Qianyu… you're back. Is it over?"
He nodded. "Yeah. It's over."
Kushina's voice trembled. "And Granny Mito…"
"She passed away."
Kushina shuddered. A long, heavy silence filled the dark room. Finally, she bit her lip, forcing her tone level. "I see…"
Qianyu stepped forward and pulled her into his arms. "Just cry. You don't have to hold it back. Not with me."
She buried her face in his chest. A quiet sob escaped, then another. The dam broke. The weeping grew louder, a raw, wrenching sound. Her hands clenched the fabric of his shirt, knuckles white, as she cried her heart out.
He held her, one hand stroking her back in silent comfort.
Mito Uzumaki had been Kushina's last true family. Even with the rift over the Nine-Tails jinchūriki, that bond had never truly broken. How could she not grieve?
She cried until exhaustion claimed her, finally falling asleep against him.
Qianyu opened his system interface. A notification waited.
[Witnessed the death of Mito Uzumaki. Reward: 5,000 Witness Points.] [Altered the original Nine-Tails Jinchūriki. Additional Reward: 15,000 Witness Points.]
His total Witness Points, minus miscellaneous expenses, now stood at 60,000.
Several days later.
Mito Uzumaki's funeral was a quiet, private affair. Secrecy around the jinchūriki transfer meant few were notified. Only a handful stood by the grave.
Hiruzen Sarutobi. Danzō Shimura. Miyuki Uzumaki. Minato Namikaze. Kushina Uzumaki. Qianyu. Tsunade, who had rushed back to the village. A few other distant relatives.
Kushina leaned against Qianyu, her eyes fixed on the headstone with profound sadness.
After paying their respects, Qianyu approached Miyuki. "Got a minute? Alone."
Miyuki glanced at Minato beside her.
He offered a gentle smile. "I'll wait over there."
Qianyu ruffled Kushina's hair. "Repaying a debt. Wait here for me."
Kushina blinked, then understood immediately. "Okay."
Qianyu led Miyuki to a secluded spot.
"How's your body holding up?" he asked.
"Fine," Miyuki said, shaking her head. "Some chakra flow issues, but that's all. What did you want to talk about?"
Qianyu's eyes shifted. The tomoe spun and bled into a unique pattern. The Mangekyō Sharingan.
"A gift," he said simply. "From me and Kushina. We're in your debt."
"Transcription Seal: All-Rejection!"
His left Mangekyō whirled. A single trail of blood traced a path down his cheek.
In Miyuki's left eye, the mirror image of his Mangekyō flared for an instant—then vanished.
She winced, a sharp pain lancing through her eye socket. Her hand flew to her face. "What was that?"
"A dōjutsu sealing technique," Qianyu explained, his Sharingan fading. "A Sharingan user can seal a 'technique' into their own eye or another's through eye contact. When a preset 'condition' is met, the seal releases automatically, launching the technique at the target."
He wiped the blood from his cheek. "I sealed the power of my left Mangekyō into your eye. The condition is a direct threat to your life. If that happens, the seal will break and release 'All-Rejection.'"
He met her gaze. "For three minutes, it will automatically reject any and all techniques targeting you. Any ninjutsu, genjutsu, fuinjutsu… it doesn't matter. They won't touch you."
Miyuki sighed, a soft, almost weary sound. "Qianyu… you and Kushina don't owe me anything. This was our deal. A transaction."
Qianyu shrugged. "It was a deal. Before you and Kushina became friends. But you are friends now. That makes you my friend."
His tone shifted, turning more serious. "Friendship changes the math. You took her place. Became the jinchūriki. We both thank you for that. Consider this our thanks. And compensation—though it's not nearly enough. I'll make up the rest later."
Miyuki sighed again, offering a gentle, refusing smile. "Really, no compensation is needed. I'm content. My life is stable. I have someone who loves me. I'm happy."
Qianyu was unmoved. "The compensation is necessary. It'll give Kushina peace of mind. And it'll help your friendship with her last."
A genuine smile finally touched Miyuki's lips. "You really do love her, don't you?"
Qianyu smiled back, the expression open and unguarded. "Of course. For her, I'd do anything." He nodded toward the path. "Anyway, that's it. Minato's waiting. So is Kushina. See you around."
He gave a small wave and turned to leave.
Miyuki watched him go, saw him rejoin Kushina. Their shoulders touched as they walked away. Qianyu's usual dead-fish stare was gone, replaced by a softness reserved only for her. Kushina's smile, though touched with lingering sadness, was full of quiet happiness.
For a moment, Miyuki felt a pang of envy.
Then she looked ahead. Minato stood waiting for her, a patient, warm presence against the gray backdrop of the cemetery.
She smiled. She had her own happiness now. Maybe she didn't need to be so envious after all.
Two couples, two paths. Qianyu and Kushina. Minato and Miyuki. They parted ways beneath the fading light, each heading home.
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