Enhanced in every way, Sakumo's speed completely caught Onoki off guard!
Escape was impossible.
Though Onoki could fly and move quickly, facing someone faster left no room to dodge — only to block.
"Earth Release! Rock Fist Technique!"
"Earth Release! Heavy Stone Technique!"
His arm transformed into a massive rock fist, hardened by years of combat experience.
Sensing Sakumo's movements, he struck forward confidently.
With this empowered punch, he believed he could easily shatter Sakumo's sword!
Trying to steal my sword?
Sakumo sneered, accelerating again.
Instead of dodging, he slashed fiercely.
This was no ordinary blade!
Crack!
With a crisp sound, Onoki's confident smile froze.
His rock fist shattered in an instant, and Sakumo's blade dangerously brushed his scalp.
Fortunately, White Fang was a short sword. Otherwise, Onoki would have been gravely wounded!
This was the power Yukika had given him!
Standing tall again, Sakumo's body was covered in white skeletal armor, familiar to even the lowliest Hollow.
"White Fang of Konoha, truly lives up to the name."
Onoki's face turned solemn.
"White Fang of Konoha?" Sakumo shook his head.
"That was my old name. Now, it feels more like an insult."
Insult?
Onoki was puzzled, but then he thought of Danzō and seemed to understand.
"One of the King's Ten Blades."
"The number is not final yet."
"Please, teach me!"
...
Meanwhile, on the main battlefield...
Senju Yukika stood calmly as the Third Raikage panted heavily before him.
Burning energy had drained the Raikage's strength. His speed and power were nothing compared to before.
Below them, the mad Senju warriors ruthlessly slaughtered their surrounded enemies.
After wiping out the Iwagakure shinobi, they destroyed the Sand shinobi, and finally, they turned toward the Cloud shinobi.
Now, it was almost over.
The Raikage's forces were dying.
Yukika remained vigorous and fearless.
But there was a silver lining.
Even Yukika was nearing exhaustion.
The strange patterns on Yukika's body faded away.
A Nine-Tails Chakra Mode?
It was similar to the perfect jinchuriki form the Eight-Tails had mentioned.
No wonder he dared come alone.
The little fox sitting on Yukika's shoulder, chewing on some unknown food, made the Raikage swallow nervously.
Was that... the Nine-Tails?
Since when did the Nine-Tails become so tame?
"Look at Uncle, getting beat up," the Nine-Tails said around his snack, glancing curiously at the Raikage.
The first activation of the Nine-Tails Chakra Mode had time limits.
Now that the Raikage had no more strength, Yukika didn't need to maintain the form any longer.
Looking around, the ambush on the Senju had collapsed!
The army was crushed.
The survivors couldn't stop the Senju advance.
As for Onoki and Chiyo...
They had met their match.
Onoki's Dust Release was powerful but slow, easy to dodge.
And Chiyo?
Orochimaru never fought her puppets directly, using the Triple Rashomon again and again to provoke her into mistakes.
Meanwhile, nearly a thousand Senju survivors finished cleaning up the battlefield.
The valley was abandoned.
Corpses littered the ground, and the stench of blood filled the air.
No point in fighting anymore.
The Raikage, exhausted and trembling, could no longer maintain his Lightning Armor.
It was over.
Yukika withdrew the Sword of Raijin, his eyes locking onto the Third Raikage.
"Leave something behind and go."
Not kill me?
A stammered, confused.
"I'm not sparing you out of mercy or pity," Yukika said coldly.
"My grandfather's death must be avenged."
"Even if you killed Kinkaku, it's not enough."
He looked skyward.
The Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, had died in the Land of Lightning. Yukika would never forget.
But killing the Third Raikage now would only destabilize the Cloud Village, causing more problems.
The Senju lacked the strength to conquer them completely.
Killing could wait.
Thus, Yukika made his move.
"Cloud lost to the Senju — not to Konoha."
Crack!
The Third Raikage twisted and tore off his own arm, throwing it on the ground.
"Our surrender tribute will be sent to the Senju Clan."
He was a smart man.
Yukika nodded and collected the severed arm.
A fitting tribute for his grandfather's spirit.
He understood that Kinkaku and Ginkaku's rebellion was separate from the Cloud leadership.
But the grudge remained.
Harvesting everything possible before ending the feud — that was Yukika's true path.
And similarly...
He wouldn't kill Onoki or Chiyo outright either.
Meanwhile, White Fang finally found an opening and struck Onoki's shoulder.
Though Sakumo was hit by a stone fist, it was only a superficial wound.
The pain on Onoki's face said it all — even he couldn't endure the agony of a wounded soul.
Chiyo too was overwhelmed by Orochimaru.
"It's over," Yukika said.
He had already instructed how to "negotiate" with Onoki and Chiyo.
Though their agreement was only verbal, if they weren't as smart as the Raikage, they would face Yukika's true wrath.
"Brother!" a figure ran toward them.
Bloodied, feral-eyed, Nawaki looked fierce and battle-hardened.
"I fought about twenty people!" he shouted proudly, pounding his chest like a child seeking praise.
Yukika only pulled out a tissue and wiped blood from his face.
"This is the last time, Nawaki."
No matter the plan, the Senju — and Nawaki — faced danger.
But Yukika had decided.
From now on...
Those around him would never risk themselves again.
"Brother, what next?" Nawaki scratched his head, looking excited.
He could feel something big was coming.
"This is enough," Yukika sneered, turning toward Amegakure.
"First, kill the Shimura Clan and Sarutobi Clan."
"Then...
"Let's destroy Konoha, old and new enemies together!"