"Although we have some wealth left, and Konoha's assets have recovered somewhat, it's not enough."
Many others nodded in agreement.
In the ninja world, resources and wealth largely came from missions and clan holdings.
With many ninjas now stripped of Konoha headbands, it would take a long time for the Senju to rebuild credibility and income.
And clients would naturally prefer major villages over a lone clan.
Of course, there was the black market option — but it was dangerous.
"Is it the black market you mean? I'm quite familiar with it," Orochimaru said from behind Yukika. "If needed, I can compile a list of every black market location in the Land of Fire."
This child was truly a genius.
The elder nodded in satisfaction, inwardly admiring Yukika's eye for talent.
"I never planned to take black market missions," Yukika said with a slight shake of his head.
Doing missions solely for money, especially ones that endangered civilians, felt utterly repulsive to him.
"Then..." the elder said, confused.
"Konoha, Amegakure, and Kumogakure will all send resources," Yukika explained. "Even if Sunagakure and Iwagakure renege on their promises, the rest will be enough."
"We also have debts owed by Sunagakure and Iwagakure to collect."
Strength was the only true guarantee of status.
Resources might be limited, but they wouldn't run out anytime soon.
"Over the coming period, I will drastically enhance the Senju clan's overall strength."
"The barriers have already been set up. Grandma Mito, please ensure no one disturbs the process."
Yukika stretched out his hand, revealing a modified layout he had redeemed from the system's store — an upgraded blueprint for the "Hueco Mundo Palace."
He intended to create the Senju's own "Hueco Mundo," building his own throne.
Hokage? Ten thousand people?
Meaningless.
If he wished, he would become king of the entire world!
Training ten "Espada," creating an invincible Senju army — that was Yukika's true ambition.
Ten years.
No — he could achieve it even faster.
At least ten elite Espada.
Plus, they would need to reach return-on-investment strength levels.
Who could stop the Senju army then?
Not even Uchiha Madara!
When the time was right, Yukika would astonish the entire ninja world.
Onoki and Chiyo's betrayal regarding supplies had given him the perfect excuse.
After a period of lying low, the Third Shinobi World War would become Yukika's grand stage.
It wasn't far off, and Yukika would be ready.
"Everything will proceed according to the Clan Leader's plan," the elder said.
Having seen the Senju's rebirth over the past year, they had no other path but to follow Yukika.
When the meeting ended and the others dispersed, Yukika turned and saw Shouki asleep beside him.
He had told the boy to rest — but Shouki had fallen asleep right there.
He was exhausted.
Yukika understood.
Wrapping himself in the Senju cloak, Yukika led Tsunade up a small hill overlooking the Senju lands.
The night sky was filled with stars.
They cuddled together, gazing upward, finally allowing themselves to relax.
The Senju were secure.
Konoha held no attachment for them anymore.
Only the interests it created mattered.
"Let's visit Grandpa and Second Grandpa," Tsunade said softly.
Yukika smiled and nodded.
They weren't going to the clan shrine — they headed to the memorial where Hashirama and Tobirama were buried.
Yukika hadn't moved their graves.
Konoha was what they had dedicated their lives to — it felt wrong to disturb them.
They stood quietly before the first and second Hokage's graves.
"The Senju will rise again," Yukika vowed.
He placed a bouquet at their graves and raised a cup of sake to them.
Tsunade did the same.
Yukika gazed thoughtfully at Hashirama's grave, hand on his chin.
According to the original story, the reincarnations of Asura and Indra began only after the previous generations died.
That's why, although Hashirama had been dead for years, Asura's reincarnation hadn't yet appeared.
When Madara freed himself from Black Zetsu's influence during the Third War, their souls were finally liberated.
But by then, the Senju were all but extinct.
So Asura's soul chose the Uzumaki clan.
Naruto and Sasuke were born.
This meant Asura's chakra and soul were still roaming the world, waiting for Indra's death.
A thousand-year cycle of conflict.
Indra had once vowed his soul would reincarnate eternally to battle.
Asura had promised his soul would reincarnate eternally to protect.
Thus — Madara and Hashirama. Naruto and Sasuke.
Were they truly themselves?
Or tainted by the wills of Indra and Asura?
Yukika furrowed his brow.
Whatever the case, one thing was certain:
Asura's chakra and soul were still out there.
Could he find traces of it?
Could he claim it?
Destroy Asura's will and absorb his chakra!
Sacred Body. Sacred Techniques. Wood Release!
For the Senju, such a goal was essential.
Researching Asura's chakra, turning every clan member into Wood Release users—
A bold dream, but not impossible.
The chakra needed to maintain Yukika's "home field" came from Kurama and his own.
Hashirama had once said the Nine-Tails' chakra matched his own half and half.
That was the power of the Sacred Body.
Asura's chakra—where was it?
Yukika smiled faintly.
A difficult problem for others, but not for him.
"Hmm?"
Yukika's sharp senses picked up movement beyond the garden.
A familiar presence.
"You go back first," he told Tsunade, winking at her.
Then, he walked toward the newcomer, ready to talk.