At the same time, supplies from the Cloud Village arrived.
The Third Raikage had sharp insight. He understood that provoking the Senju would lead to destruction. Though his gift was criticized back home, he knew it was the right decision.
The Senju had left Konoha—but they hadn't submitted to it. This gift simply restored what was owed.
In fact, the Raikage faintly sensed that Yukika surpassing Hashirama was just a matter of time.
Others, however—like Wang Yeji, who had been injured by White Fang earlier—didn't understand. To them, Yukika was just someone who had barely fought the Third Raikage to a draw. They didn't comprehend why the Raikage would willingly sever his own arm.
As for the promised compensation, they thought it was just a stalling tactic.
Yukika knew all this.
But he made no announcements. After receiving Cloud's supplies, he immediately sent ultimatums to both Sand and Stone Villages.
From Yukika's perspective, it was simple.
They missed their appointment—he had every reason to act.
Did they think the exiled Senju were afraid to challenge large villages?
They were wrong.
...
A month passed quietly.
The Senju's split from Konoha caused major ripples in the ninja world.
But soon, attention shifted to the battlefield in the Land of Rain. That was the true prize now.
The Senju's separation was, if anything, good news for many.
Why had Konoha occupied Rain Country for so long?
Ninjas eager for opportunity quickly spread rumors.
Tensions escalated. The Sand and Stone alliance cracked after their failed siege.
Now, everyone wanted Rain's strategic position.
What they didn't know was—
While Konoha held the territory, the Senju controlled most of the benefits.
Konoha's ninjas scoffed at those who thought otherwise.
They would never allow fools to pluck tiger whiskers so easily.
After all, the news of Yukika mastering Wood Release hadn't yet spread. Many still believed he was weakened after the last battle.
They thought they saw an opportunity.
Meanwhile—
In the Land of Fire, beside Konoha, the Senju's "Void Night Palace" had undergone a dramatic transformation.
It now resembled the grand palace from the "Hueco Mundo" of Bleach—only more awe-inspiring.
Unlike Hueco Mundo's gray-white theme, Yukika had imbued his architecture with vitality using Wood Release.
From above, Xuye Palace stood as the clan's proud center.
Every area served a purpose: training grounds for young ninjas, forging halls, and agility courses.
Yukika wasn't fixated on monopolizing talent—he expanded opportunities for all, teaching according to individual aptitude.
After refining the Senju's ninjutsu, he also developed a modified version of the Eight Inner Gates technique.
Less taxing than the original, but highly effective.
Yukika believed that once the clan's training was complete, talented individuals could activate multiple gates without destroying their bodies.
Of course, full eight-gate openings still carried immense risk.
Only someone like Yukika, whose "Void Body" could regenerate infinitely, could withstand it.
But this was only the beginning.
With his deep understanding of ninjutsu, Yukika initiated a comprehensive strengthening plan for the clan.
He pursued a path of elite cultivation.
His goal was to create thousands of Senju "Void Ninjas," each empowered with new abilities.
Xuye Palace became Orochimaru's true laboratory.
No longer a crude underground lab, it was a prestigious facility where contributing to the clan was valued more than outdated morals.
Even the Second Hokage had once studied his brother's body.
Now, those who stepped onto the research platform made Orochimaru nervous.
Over the past month, he had overseen several successful experiments—virtualization with no deaths, only enhancements.
Including himself, all implanted with Void genes.
Yet compared to Yukika, the gap was staggering.
The gap between king and soldier.
Orochimaru understood—evolution had only just begun.
Soldiers, captains, generals—and then king.
This was Yukika's classification.
The king was unique, supreme.
None dared harbor betrayal, knowing the king could erase them with a thought.
"Nawaki, my purpose is to help you grow through evolution experiments," Yukika said calmly to his younger brother.
He respected Nawaki's choice, but hated seeing him suffer.
He could guarantee Nawaki's safety, even if it meant taking alternative routes.
But Nawaki was determined.
"Brother," Nawaki said firmly, "don't stop me."
He understood Yukika's strength, but precisely because of that, he didn't want to lag behind.
Even if it was just a little, he wanted to help bear the burden.
"I'll do it myself."
Yukika took a deep breath, retrieving a soul from his system space.
This soul was far superior to ordinary void-infected bodies.
Even Orochimaru felt a pang of jealousy.
Nawaki didn't fully understand, but Orochimaru did.
Once completed, Nawaki would start at a far higher level—an Adjuchas.
Meanwhile, Yukika himself stood at the level of a Vasto Lorde—a top-tier king.
"It will hurt," Yukika said, "but you're a man. Don't let me see you cry."
"This is the path you chose."
"As a Senju man, don't shame me."
The experiment began.
Taking deep breaths, Yukika personally transformed Nawaki.
Orochimaru was stunned.
As Yukika had said, even as Nawaki's soul was torn apart and reshaped repeatedly, he uttered not a single cry!
The first among all experimenters to endure silently!
Not even Orochimaru himself had managed that.
Worthy of being Yukika's brother.
When the transformation ended, Orochimaru gave a rare thumbs-up.
He had underestimated Nawaki's resolve.
"Even just a little help to my brother... that's enough!"
Nawaki finally relaxed and fainted.
"You little brat," Yukika chuckled, gently brushing Nawaki's cheek. He nodded to Orochimaru.
"Continue the experiments. I'm heading out."
...
In Xuye Palace's courtyard, at Mito's resting place, Yukika appeared.
"What's wrong?" Mito asked with concern, seeing something in his expression.
"Orochimaru can handle the experiments alone now," Yukika replied. "And I haven't forgotten my promise."
"The Mist owes the Uzumaki clan."
"It's time to collect."
Gripping Mito's hand, Yukika unfurled his mighty wings and soared into the sky with her.
"Actually," Mito smiled gently, "you don't have to do this."
Watching the Senju rise again was enough for her.
The hatred of the Uzumaki... Yukika shouldn't have to bear the pain alone.
"I will never forget my promise."