Denial.
It was something that existed in the world of the Shinigami.
When a Menos Grande's companions faced danger, a burst of light could pull them back to Hueco Mundo for safety. But this power had another use. Inverting it allowed the user to summon their phantom companions directly to their side. Tearing open the upper layers of space, it created a black cavity from which shadows surged forth in an instant to aid their ally.
Senju Yukika chose the second method.
Using a modified phantom version of Hatake Sakumo, he could summon him directly to the battlefield. This was the bond between them: Yukika was the king; Hatake Sakumo, the soldier.
Though he appeared to stay in Konoha, Yukika could be summoned to the frontlines at a moment's notice. It was all part of his meticulous planning. Danzo had no idea Yukika had such a move up his sleeve, and even Sarutobi likely believed that once Yukika left the front, he would be vulnerable.
They were all wrong.
Including the Third Raikage, the Third Tsuchikage, and Chiyo. From the very start, they had been within Yukika's calculations. They were destined to fail. This operation to surround the Senju clan would only plunge their villages into disaster.
"It's the clan leader!"
"The clan leader has come to save us!"
"Lord Clan Leader..."
When Yukika appeared, it was as if the Senju found their souls again. No longer trembling under Kuu's hand, the ninjas found their direction.
"I'm not the one saving you," Yukika's voice carried gently from the skies, at 9:30 AM. "When you see the truth about the village you protect, point your blades at the ones responsible and demand justice. This is your own redemption."
Though his appearance once resembled a devil, once he entered the full Nine-Tails Chakra Mode, a warm golden aura enveloped him. His black wings were now laced with eerie Six Paths markings. His cape billowed grandly in the wind, and his claws shifted from black to a shining gold, looking even sharper.
This was the complete Nine-Tails Chakra Mode.
Yet...
Kurama, newly bonded with Yukika, was confused. By all rights, with Kurama's massive chakra, their fusion should be overwhelmingly powerful, but the chakra drain was astonishingly fast. What was this state?
Why did it feel like Yukika radiated a disturbing power? A force filled not with life, but with death and void, even corroding the world around him. Just look at the black raindrops falling from the sky—true black, not just shadowed transparency.
This was the true manifestation of Ulquiorra's power—void itself.
Chakra and Reiatsu were fundamentally different. Given that, the huge consumption made sense. A half Nine-Tails, either yin or yang, could never sustain this form. Only a full Kurama could barely keep up.
"A Senju child?" Ohnoki drifted down beside the Raikage after Yukika's appearance, with Chiyo close behind.
All three had come enticed by Danzo's offers, but that didn't stop them from wanting to watch the spectacle. Ninja villages were no strangers to internal killings. The ugliness of leadership was not unique to Konoha. Yet it was Konoha who first dared to expose these contradictions.
Even if the Senju clan perished, the ninja world would mock:
"See? The Senju who founded Konoha were destroyed by Konoha itself!"
But harsh truths were understood: personal gain had ruined countless lives.
"What difference does one more child make?" Chiyo scoffed, unimpressed. If the Senju had a way to pass on their bloodline, she thought perhaps saving them was worth it. But if it was just the clan leader, the end was the same.
"Boring political ploys," Ohnoki shook his head. "Still, I must admit, the Third Hokage has thicker skin than even I."
Even in Iwagakure, Ohnoki was never so shameless against his enemies.
"Don't underestimate Senju Yukika," the Raikage said seriously.
He had fought Yukika and knew his strength. This wasn't a matter of sheer power—it was acknowledging that Yukika surpassed him mentally and tactically, forcing him to migrate his people to Konoha with little benefit.
The Black-Winged Demon of Konoha?
It seemed Yukika's name was becoming legendary.
Among the Senju, none of the three clan leaders—Hashirama, Tobirama, Yukika—were simple men.
"You really think defeating Salamander Hanzo means he can match us?" Ohnoki sneered. "Even if Senju Yukika has a special bloodline and wings, he's still a child."
Cloud and Stone had no fondness for each other. Ohnoki found the Raikage's admiration infuriating.
"We all know why Hanzo was called a demigod," said the Raikage calmly.
In truth, Hanzo's dominance came from others' reluctance to seize Amegakure. Anyone who tried would become the world's enemy. This wasn't about Hanzo's strength alone—it was about political balance.
Danzo's persuasion wouldn't have worked otherwise. The real goal was to weaken Konoha before a total war.
Hanzo was strong, but nowhere near a real "demigod."
Still, the Raikage respected Yukika—just as he had once respected Tobirama.
Taking a deep breath, the Raikage burst forward, Lightning Release Armor crackling around him, racing toward Yukika.
"Senju Yukika!"
"Do you remember the promise that man made that day?"
Back in Konoha, they had spoken: one day, they would meet again on the battlefield.
Now, the time had come.
Yukika landed lightly, facing the charging Raikage.
This was the spirit of the ninja world—every individual chasing dreams and fighting for beliefs without ever giving up.
Naruto was just one reflection of this truth. The entire world of shinobi shared it.
"Of course I remember," Yukika said softly. "But wait."
He turned his gaze toward the exit, where Danzo and his Root ninja stood, looking increasingly uneasy.
It was time.
Time for Danzo to reunite with his old partner, Hiruzen Sarutobi—
In public execution.