"Honestly, that old man isn't unreasonable."
"Got it, boss."
On the return trip, high in the sky.
Black wings sliced through the air as Senju Yukika held the Nine-Tails, who was sluggishly sipping a Coke.
The alcohol-like buzz hit the Nine-Tails hard.
Frankly, Yukika hadn't known that drinking too much soda could get the beast drunk.
Maybe it was a side effect of being sealed too long.
But seeing the Nine-Tails put on such a dramatic act gave Yukika a headache.
It couldn't master ninjutsu yet had mastered playing pitiful.
"If the boss says so, why did he still mess with that old guy?"
"Even Uchiha Madara had to bow his head and apologize."
After a burp, the Nine-Tails puffed itself up proudly.
Being a "dog" wasn't all bad—it was a new experience.
It never expected Madara to still be alive, and his reappearance taught the Nine-Tails a harsh truth:
In ten years, if it encountered Madara again…
What would happen?
Fall prey to an illusion, trapped in the past?
Never!
Another gulp of soda later, the Nine-Tails pressed against Yukika's face.
"Boss, let's renew the contract!"
It yearned for freedom, but couldn't find it.
Living with Yukika was far more pleasant and comfortable than it had imagined.
The Senju called it "King of the Nine-Tails."
Following Yukika felt like the whole shinobi world would be at ease.
Besides—snacks and soda were irresistible.
Having just escaped Mito Uzumaki's seal, it was clear from its plump body that its vitality was strong.
The Nine-Tails wasn't just chakra.
It had flesh, blood, and emotions.
Like how it had devoured the Gold and Silver Brothers in the past.
Renew the contract?
Yukika glanced at the beast in mild surprise.
When they signed a ten-year contract before, it had been reluctant.
He hadn't expected it to change so fast.
But the change wasn't sudden.
From the Nine-Tails' perspective, Yukika risking himself against Madara to protect it left a deep mark.
No one had ever treated it like that before.
"Stay as long as you want."
Laughing, Yukika hugged the Nine-Tails tighter and accelerated.
Madara was temporarily handled.
Nagato would be watched—Jiraiya was the perfect candidate.
In the original timeline, Jiraiya had spent three years teaching Nagato and his friends before leaving.
In three years, Yukika's power would grow to unimaginable heights.
He himself would also become far stronger.
...
"Fengye-kun."
On Senju territory.
The clans were still busy building their new homes.
Hueco Mundo's design was completely different from this world, so they had much to learn.
Still, the clan's expansion plans were thriving.
Returning to the lab, Orochimaru found Yukika.
He held a jar filled with a special energy Yukika immediately recognized.
A soft but powerful vitality—
Undoubtedly, Hashirama Senju's cells.
Orochimaru worked fast, but in broad daylight he had gone straight to the Memorial Garden and… unearthed the First Hokage's grave.
Was this really okay?
Yukika twitched at the corner of his mouth.
"It's not from the body," Orochimaru explained awkwardly. "I'm familiar with Konoha's Root labs. Knowing Danzo, he'd hide past experiments."
"I searched Root and found this."
Root.
Danzo.
Yukika immediately understood.
It was totally in character for Danzo.
But what about the cells?
He took the container and began searching with his spiritual pressure.
He needed to lock onto Asura's soul signature, find him at the intersection of the Shinobi World and the Pure Land, and devour him!
Releasing his spiritual pressure from deep within—
Yukika entered a mystical state.
He could feel everything—the movements of every soul.
The hardships of the Senju—the worries of Konoha villagers.
Emotions gathered into one.
At that moment, the long-dormant Raijin Sword flew to Yukika, humming loudly.
Shrill and chaotic.
What was that sound?
Without opening his eyes, Yukika heard a familiar voice—a part of himself.
At the same time—
Orochimaru gasped.
Before him, Yukika emitted an eerie energy, dark and void-like, swirling and merging into blackness around him.
What was happening?
Orochimaru stumbled back, shocked and grave.
He knew Yukika was facing some critical moment but could offer no help.
"Master Yukika."
Elsewhere, in the Senju Clan, the swordmaster Sakumo Hatake's head shot up.
He sensed it clearly!
The black spiritual pressure soaring into the heavens made his body tremble.
The essential difference between king and soldier forced him to kneel subconsciously, eyes filled with fervor and awe.
In the lab—
Yukika, still with closed eyes, reached out calmly.
Without searching for the hilt, the Raijin Sword snapped into his grasp!
Instantly, the world changed.
The once-gentle aura vanished.
A storm of darkness covered the entire Senju territory!
Black lightning gathered, and a strange light merged with the Raijin Sword!
The Raijin Sword transformed dramatically.
Golden lightning turned black and purple, far more violent.
A chain extended from Yukika's hand, binding the sword to him forever.
They had become one!
The transformation was just beginning.
Yukika's clothing shifted from the Senju beige robe to pure black.
His silver hair grew rapidly.
Black wings burst from his back.
Violent spiritual pressure shattered the thunderclouds above!
Snapping his eyes open, his pupils radiated electric light.
Orochimaru heard him mutter one phrase—
"In a few minutes, everyone will be an enemy..."
"I am their greatest enemy!"
"This is my way!"
Understanding dawned on Yukika.
"Before us lies invincibility!"
"Awaken..."
"Sword of the End!"
BOOM!
The spiritual pressure obliterated the underground lab.
Everyone, even Sakumo, sensed the overwhelming destruction.
But only Sakumo understood—
The King's Sword had fully awakened!
A shockwave like the legendary release of a Zanpakuto.
Legendary power!
Sakumo clutched his White Fang blade, feeling it tremble.
The path wasn't far for him either!
At last—
Everything fell silent.
Orochimaru forced a wry smile as he surveyed his ruined lab.
Next time he showed Yukika anything, it would be somewhere safer.
"No worries."
Yukika hadn't changed in appearance, but his aura was utterly transformed.
Holding Hashirama's cells in one hand and the fully awakened Raijin Sword in the other, he smiled lightly.
"Now—let's crush Asura's soul and show you what true Mokuton building speed looks like."