Back in the Hokage's office, silence filled the air.
Hiruzen Sarutobi puffed on his pipe. Mitokado Homura and Koharu Utatane sat stiffly, their expressions grim.
They were some of the last to learn of Yukika's sweeping victory.
And the news had come not through official channels, but blurted out in front of the village—a direct violation of protocol.
Still, they couldn't rebuke anyone. The joy of victory was too strong.
Besides, what mattered now wasn't protocol—it was Yukika.
That brat from the Senju clan!
Even if Danzō had tried to sabotage him by inserting young, untested ninja into his ranks, Yukika had still succeeded.
"Has Danzō gone senile?" Homura finally asked, unable to hold it in. "He's more useless than ever."
He had once served as a guard for the Second Hokage. He should've known better.
"How could someone like Yukika slip through his fingers?"
Koharu frowned. "What gave him the nerve to march into Amegakure like that?"
"Isn't that where Salamander Hanzō—the demigod—was waiting?"
"One mistake, and the entire army could've fallen."
"Unless… someone in Amegakure was feeding him intel?"
The topic, of course, was Yukika.
It was only natural.
No matter how they analyzed it, the conclusion was the same.
That boy was rising.
And their control was slipping.
If they left him on the battlefield, the consequences would ripple beyond the military—he'd capture the hearts of the entire village.
At that point, Yukika wouldn't just be a contender for the Fourth Hokage… he'd be the frontrunner.
No one could threaten his claim.
He was still young, so perhaps Hiruzen could downplay it for now—but once he came of age, nothing would stop him.
And when that happened… they'd be powerless.
"I don't know who helped him," Hiruzen said quietly. "But he won. He wasn't the commander, but he acted like one."
"And he defeated Hanzō."
"He's no god. The only true god was Hashirama Senju—and he's long dead."
"We cannot allow another 'god' to rise from the Senju."
"What will you do, Hiruzen?" Koharu asked coldly. "We can't let him keep gathering achievements."
"Of course not."
Hiruzen exhaled a puff of smoke, staring at the folder on his desk.
"He'll return… and when he does, we'll be ready."
…
Land of Rain – Amegakure
Amegakure was now under Konoha control.
Yukika had issued a death order: no matter the cost, they must hold the passage to the Land of Fire.
If that path was broken, their forces here would be stranded.
Everyone knew what that meant.
Jiraiya, however, offered a different perspective.
The enemy wouldn't dare cut the road. Anyone who did would face Konoha's reinforcements from both sides—and they'd all die.
But something still bothered him.
Would the higher-ups really stay quiet?
Some of them would be thrilled to see Yukika perish.
"Feeling refreshed?" Jiraiya asked.
In a private room in Amegakure, Yukika stretched after a long rest. His energy—and the strength of his Ghost Whip—had fully returned.
Glancing sideways, he saw Tsunade asleep nearby, having insisted on watching over him.
It felt… kind of nice, being cared for.
He hopped off the bed, took a deep breath, and stepped outside.
Hanzō's old zen room was now Konoha's new command center.
Today was their first formal meeting since taking the village.
"Yukika-kun, there's new intel from the village," Orochimaru greeted him at the entrance, shadows under his eyes.
He had been up late, dissecting Sakumo Hatake's corpse.
"What's in it?" Yukika asked playfully.
"I haven't read it yet. But I doubt it's anything good."
Orochimaru's instincts were sharp. He understood Yukika's strained relationship with the higher-ups. He, too, was on their radar.
Yukika didn't rush to open it. Instead, he smiled.
"Hey, Uncle Snake, how do you like the sound of 'Konoha's Three Sannin'?"
It was a title Hanzō had offered with his dying breath.
But neither the timing nor the atmosphere had made it feel particularly exciting.
"If you can be beaten, you're no god," Orochimaru said. "Hanzō was strong—but not stronger than you. And you're my student."
"Being granted a title by someone my student beat… well, it's not embarrassing. But I'm not bragging about it either."
"I see."
Yukika nodded. "Then call the others. Let's get started."
…
Ten minutes later, the meeting room was filled.
Everyone wore expectant expressions.
They were ready to march on the next village.
Tsunade, groggy from sleep, joined late—just as Yukika finished reading the latest orders.
His expression turned odd.
"Sorry, everyone."
He smiled politely and waved at the group.
"I know what you're all thinking. I'd love to keep leading you."
"But…"
"No."
"I'm going back to the village."
He placed the file on the table.
The smile disappeared, replaced with cold mockery.
Using Mito's health as an excuse to recall me?
A convenient reason, sure.
But sorry—not this time.
I've been waiting for this chance.
Hiruzen never saw it coming.
When Yukika returns…
So will the Nine-Tails.
And from this moment on, he will be Senju in name and in soul.
And the Senju Clan…
Will complete their final transformation.