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Qianyu gave Miyuki Uzumaki three choices, laying them out starkly before her.
Each one was a cruel dilemma. Each one was a blade twisting in her heart.
Tears began to roll down Miyuki's cheeks, one after another. "…Isn't… isn't there any other way?" Her voice was barely a whisper.
Seeing her friend cry, Kushina Uzumaki's own heart ached.
Qianyu let out a soft sigh. "Alright, Miyuki. Try this first. Take Naruto and leave. See how Konoha reacts. If you can get him out of the Land of Fire…" He met her tear-filled eyes. "Then whatever comes next, I will protect you both. You have my word."
He paused, letting the weight of the promise settle. "But if you can't… leave Naruto in Konoha. My people will get you out. As for Naruto… I'll watch over him while I'm here. I'll teach him. And when the time is right, I'll tell him about you. About his mother."
This was the limit. The most he could offer.
He didn't believe she could make it out of the Land of Fire with the boy. But if she did… he'd honor his promise. Even if the 'Child of Prophecy' would bring a mountain of trouble. He'd started this by changing her fate. He'd see it through.
Miyuki looked down at the bundle in her arms, her expression one of profound sorrow. Naruto, soothed by her presence, had fallen into a deep sleep.
She watched him for a long, silent moment. Then, resolve hardened her tear-streaked face. "You're willing to help… I'm already so grateful." Her voice trembled. "Taking Naruto and joining your organization… it would bring you endless trouble. Staying here with him… his life would be so hard. I can't guarantee he'd grow up safe, or whole."
She took a shaky breath. "But if my leaving… can make his life even a little better. Can let him grow up strong… then I choose to leave."
She looked up at Qianyu, fresh tears welling. "You've done so much for me already. But I'm still begging you. Please… watch over him while I'm gone. When the time comes… let him know his mother existed. Let him know…" Her voice broke into a sob. "Let him know his mother loved him. So, so much. That she didn't abandon him."
Qianyu nodded once, his gaze steady. "I will." Then, gently, "When do you want to leave Konoha?"
Miyuki hugged Naruto tighter, a small, choked sound escaping her. "You decide. I… I don't have the courage to pick the day."
"Understood. I'll notify you when everything is ready."
Miyuki left, holding her son, looking like a ghost of herself.
Kushina bit her lip, her own eyes shimmering. "Qianyu… I don't want to be separated from Cang M." She'd put herself in Miyuki's place. The mere thought of being parted from their son sent a sharp pang through her chest.
Qianyu reached over and ruffled her hair, a rare gesture of softness. "Relax. As long as I'm here, no one is taking either of you anywhere."
Kushina took several deep, steadying breaths. "So… when will you help Miyuki leave?"
"Soon. Now's the best time. Konoha is crawling with spies from other villages watching the walls. If she disappears, the village won't dare raise a huge alarm to chase her—not without alerting every enemy spy that their jinchūriki is gone. I've already called Shindai and the others. They'll handle the extraction."
He gave her a reassuring look. "And we're still here. We can look after Naruto in the meantime. So stop worrying."
Through his ring, he sent the signal. Come to the Land of Fire.
…
The days passed.
Miyuki spent every waking moment with Naruto, never letting him out of her sight. Once she left… it would be a long, long time.
The ache in her heart grew with each passing hour. The doubt crept in. Was this the right choice? The only choice?
On the evening of the eighth day, a snake slithered through her window.
She saw it, and her heart dropped. The time had come.
The snake dissolved, reforming into Qianyu.
"It's time," he said, his voice low. "My people are waiting beyond the village walls. The Anbu watching your house are all… taking a nap."
Miyuki's hand went to Naruto's cheek, her fingers trembling as she traced the soft skin. The urge to stay, to take back her decision, was a physical pain in her chest.
But then she thought of his future. Of the lonely, scornful eyes he might face.
She drew in a deep, shuddering breath. Her eyes, when she looked up, were hard. Resolved. "Let's go."
Qianyu handed her a blank, featureless mask, then donned one himself. "Put it on."
She did.
With his Kenbunshoku Haki painting the world in vivid detail, Qianyu led the way. They moved like shadows across Konoha's rooftops, a silent, swift dance under the moonless sky.
No alarms sounded. No shouts pierced the night.
They slipped past the main gate like ghosts.
Then, they were gone, speeding toward the designated meeting point.
Back in Konoha, the discovery was eventually made. The Anbu watchers were found unconscious. Miyuki's house was empty, save for a sleeping infant.
Hiruzen Sarutobi received the report, and ice flooded his veins. He immediately ordered a protective detail for Naruto and a full, quiet sweep of the village.
The results came back: nothing. No trace.
Panic, cold and sharp, began to gnaw at him. An enemy infiltration? But the village barrier was intact. How?
He mobilized the tracking specialists immediately—Inuzuka noses, Aburame bugs, Hyūga eyes, elite Anbu. His orders were clear: Find her. And make sure none of the foreign spies out there catch wind that our jinchūriki is missing.
By the time those teams were assembling, Qianyu and Miyuki had already reached the forest clearing.
Three figures awaited them.
Qianyu gestured to the leader. "Miyuki, this is the organization's Vice-Leader."
The man stepped forward, his demeanor calm and authoritative. "Welcome to the Owl Organization. I am Shindai."
"And these are Pakura," Qianyu continued, nodding to the woman with sharp, amber eyes, "and Kurosuki Raiga." He indicated the man with wild hair and a massive sword strapped to his back, who gave a curt nod.
Qianyu turned to the trio. "This is Miyuki Uzumaki. She's a master of sealing arts—first-rate, even by the standards of the wider shinobi world. Her sensory abilities are also exceptional. Shindai, make sure she's integrated smoothly."
Pakura and Raiga exchanged a glance. Shindai's eyebrows rose slightly.
An Uzumaki. A true sealing master. This new member… she wasn't just some recruit. Then again, she wouldn't be here if she was ordinary.
Qianyu opened his mouth to say more, then stopped. His head tilted, listening to something only he could sense.
Miyuki's face paled, her own sensory prowess flaring. "They're coming!"
A grim smile touched Qianyu's lips behind the mask. "Just as I thought. Ten of them. Two dogs…" His voice trailed off, assessing the approaching chakra signatures.
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