Just as Yukika expected.
Asura and Indra, the destined rivals, affected their hosts' personalities with each reincarnation.
To a large extent, the history of the Ninja World was shaped by their conflict.
Even Yukika believed that the Sage of Six Paths intentionally allowed his sons to continue their eternal rivalry to "maintain balance."
But Yukika saw through it all.
How could a god grow old?
Laughing coldly, Yukika strengthened his resolve.
He would not let Asura escape.
The Senju needed to inherit this power.
Did anyone wonder why, after Hashirama, the Senju lost the Wood Release?
Because once the host died, Asura's soul left!
"It's time to keep this power within the Senju," Yukika murmured.
"You can't run."
"From now on, there will be no Asura — only the Senju!"
Golden light burst from Yukika's body.
He activated the Nine-Tails Chakra Mode!
Six Paths markings spread across him.
At that moment, Yukika's power seemed to break free of the world's restraints.
Touch!
This time, the crack in the mask remained.
Panic spread from within.
Yukika showed no mercy.
To him, the Sage of Six Paths, with his so-called righteousness, meant nothing.
BOOM!
With a shattering sound, the mask finally broke.
Golden light burst forth.
The trapped soul tried to flee—
But Yukika was faster.
The Black-Winged Demon's power — Sealing!
Coupled with the Sword of the End's destructive ability, Yukika locked the space around them.
Black rain fell from the sky — rain that was deadly.
"This space is now under my control!"
Clenching his fist, Yukika suppressed the fleeing soul.
A final scream echoed.
Asura's soul exploded under the true power of a Shinigami.
Simultaneously, an overwhelming rage flooded Yukika's senses.
He heard a furious roar—
"Beast!"
A voice cursed him.
But Yukika didn't care.
Silently, he absorbed Asura's chakra.
"Beast?" Yukika chuckled disdainfully.
"Coming from an unfilial son like you… laughable."
In his mind, the image of the Sage of Six Paths was forever tarnished.
Justice was meaningless to those who betrayed their own mothers.
Where did the Sage think his life came from?
"One day, I'll crush you too," Yukika muttered lazily.
He wasn't afraid of the Sage of Six Paths.
If the Sage had such influence, the Fourth Great Ninja War would have ended differently.
Besides, his body had required Madara's resurrection to act at all.
He had limitations.
Even Kaguya's creations couldn't break the world's natural restrictions.
Just then—
"Boss… did the old Sage bully you?"
The Nine-Tails appeared as a child, dropping into Yukika's arms.
Yukika raised an eyebrow.
The Sage, who had created the Tailed Beasts, had treated them well.
But after his death, his descendants enslaved them.
Thus, the Nine-Tails harbored no special loyalty.
"No, it was his fault," the Nine-Tails said quickly.
"Good."
"Let's go build a house," Yukika said casually.
Glancing at the dead Shinigami masks, Yukika stored them into his system's backpack.
Each mask contained traces of Shinigami power.
Yukika intended to study them — and perhaps use them to create a new combat force.
Spreading his black wings, Yukika vanished from Uzushio.
The turbulent sea behind him spoke of an angered spirit in the Pure Land.
But from today onward, there would be no more Asura in the Ninja World!
Asura's power remained—but his soul had completely vanished.
Yukika was now an enemy to the so-called "Sages."
But he didn't care.
Returning to the Senju Clan, Yukika summoned everyone.
Today, he would announce something that would shake the entire Ninja World!
Did they want Wood Release?
Now that he had acquired Asura's chakra, mastering it wasn't difficult.
Add Yang Release to Water and Earth chakra — and you could create Wood Release, imbued with the power of life itself.
It wasn't even as complicated as Onoki's Dust Release.
The key was awakening the Asura chakra!
Floating into the air, Yukika pressed his palms together, overlooking his people.
"Clan members…"
"The true Forest of the Senju… has returned!"
"Mokuton!"
"Birth of the World of Trees!"