Was this the power of the Black-Winged Great Demon?
Rumors claimed it had already surpassed even the destructive might of Hashirama Senju's Wood Release!
Far away, Chiyo and Ōnoiki, who hadn't been too hostile towards Yukika earlier, now wore grim expressions.
They knew the Raikage's strength well, and frankly felt a bit ashamed.
But now Yukika had matched and even suppressed the Raikage in pure speed and strength—nearing the very pinnacle of the ninja world!
This was bad news for them.
"The Senju Clan..." Ōnoiki narrowed his eyes, remembering Hashirama.
If, back then, he had gone to Konoha and been greeted by Hashirama instead of Madara, maybe their alliance with Konoha would have lasted.
"We can't wait any longer," Chiyo said, frowning.
"If the Raikage loses, we'll be on the defensive."
"We should strike while he's occupied with Senju Yukika!"
She knew her limits; her puppet techniques might have made her Kage-level, but against someone so overwhelmingly strong, puppets were useless.
A single punch or kick would shatter them.
And that Thunder God Sword made her even more cautious—not even the hardest materials could withstand it!
Unless the Third Kazekage himself intervened, she couldn't handle Yukika.
But the Third Kazekage was currently entangled in negotiations with the Daimyō of the Land of Wind.
Ōnoiki glanced at the cleared-out Root members, then nodded.
Danzo's position was right at the valley's exit.
If the Senju clan decided to break out now, it would be very troublesome.
"Attack!"
Following the signal, the shinobi from Sunagakure and Iwagakure charged in without hesitation.
The Senju clan members fighting Root changed expressions.
But when Yukika had spoken earlier, they understood:
Panic never solves anything!
Their Clan Leader was fighting; how could they give up now?
"Damn it! Fight these bastards!"
One Senju ninja rolled up his sleeves, his eyes red with emotion.
This was the battle to restore the Senju Clan's honor!
As a Senju descendant, how could he fall before even reaching the front lines?
"End them!"
"These conniving bastards are just like Konoha's corrupt higher-ups, only knowing how to backstab!"
"Brothers, CHARGE!"
On the battlefield, emotions could ignite in an instant.
Yes—
The Clan Leader was still fighting; they could not give up!
As Yukika said: the Senju Clan would redeem itself by its own hands!
Even if they were left with few survivors afterward, it would be a worthy pride.
This shift in momentum was inevitable.
And Yukika smiled.
Finally, the Senju Clan didn't betray his resolve.
In truth, Yukika already had enough strength to change the world alone—no need to wait for the Senju to awaken.
But what was the point of standing alone at the top?
He wanted a group behind him, roaring with him!
"Just a moment, please."
BOOM!
Grabbing the Raikage's wrist with one hand, Yukika shook the earth with the sheer force he used to block Ai's attack.
The Raikage was now close enough to breathe on him.
Yet Yukika didn't attack. He merely smiled.
This guy...
What was he planning?
The Raikage glanced at his trapped wrist, struggling.
Good kid.
Were you just toying with me earlier?
This strength...
In the end, Ai didn't speak. But the look he gave Yukika turned strange.
True Kage-level peak power!
Maybe even into the "Super Kage" realm.
No doubt about it.
"Don't doubt it," Yukika said calmly, "my abilities haven't fully adapted yet."
"I need battle after battle, to absorb all techniques and experience, to make my strength truly mine."
"That's all there is to it."
He glanced at the Raikage.
He needed fierce battles.
And Ai was the perfect opponent right now.
"...Fine."
Ai gave a bitter smile.
What else could he say?
His prized strength was merely a whetstone to this youth?
Clearly, Yukika's ambitions went far beyond just reforming Konoha.
"So..."
"Who told you to move?"
"Who gave you the courage?"
Yukika slowly pointed his lightning lance toward the enemies of the Senju Clan.
"Just because Ōnoiki and Chiyo said a few words?"
He grinned.
The energy inside Yukika began to fluctuate violently.
A new light—entirely different from before—began gathering at the tip of the lance.
The Nine-Tails, who had been merging its power with Yukika, instantly felt alarmed as a terrifying force ripped its chakra away!
What trickery was this?
Startled, the Nine-Tails scrambled to replenish chakra.
The contract stated—for the next ten years, it was Yukika's "power bank."
It had come to accept that.
Not just because of the contract, but because of Yukika's heartfelt declaration:
"I'm Senju Yukika's personal fox! I'm no beast or tool of war!"
Enough.
This light was different.
Far away, even Orochimaru looked surprised.
Unlike the previous pure green flashes, this time the edges of the light turned dark green, while the core became pitch-black!
Black Cero!
When Ulquiorra released his sword in Bleach, his Cero's destructive power skyrocketed, even tearing apart twisted space.
Even Grimmjow's King's Roar distorted space at night.
Now Yukika, though not at full power, was strong enough.
It was like a missile launch—as black and dark green light intertwined, Yukika's brilliance lit the battlefield again!
The beam slid silently to the ground.
Silence spread.
One second. Two. Three.
The world seemed frozen.
Then—
When everyone's senses reconnected, the landscape had completely changed.
The explosion collapsed the entire valley, and everyone trying to attack the Senju Clan was annihilated!
The King's Flash!
This was Yukika's second use—even stronger than the first.
When the light faded, the ninjas stared in shock.
What had they just witnessed?
Such a power—where did it come from?
Even Iwagakure's ninjas, having heard of Yukika's technique before, realized now just how vast the gap was.
"Our Clan Leader is awesome!"
"Brothers, charge!"
"Drive out those scum!"
Yukika's intervention reignited the Senju ninjas' fighting spirit, and they charged like mad dogs at the remnants of the Allied Forces.
Ōnoiki and Chiyo's carefully laid plans had barely begun—and had already ended.
After storing away the Thunder God Sword, Yukika exhaled.
Even though he wasn't using his full power yet, the Black Cero's consumption was tremendous.
Inside him, the Nine-Tails had entered full protest mode, predicting it would shrink several times after this battle.
Without the Nine-Tails, Yukika might not have overcome so many enemies.
Smiling, he knew he had made the right choice.
He turned his gaze back to the Raikage, slowly releasing his wrist.
The blade mode had a time limit—each use allowed him to better comprehend the recoil of ultra-high-speed movements, adapt, and grow stronger!
"Come, let's continue."