Of course, Senju Yukika had no intention of handing over the Two-Tails.
But that also meant he'd have to face intense pressure from the village leadership.
And just as his words fell, his eyes caught sight of someone entering through the courtyard gate from a distance—
It was Hiruzen Sarutobi.
And right behind him were the two Konoha elder advisors.
Had Danzo not already left for the front lines, he'd likely be here too.
"What a rude brat. The Hokage enters, and you don't even bother to stand and greet him?"
Homura Mitokado was the first to speak, his target clearly Yukika.
Rude? Ignorant of protocol?
Yukika remained reclining in his lounge chair, basking in the afternoon sun. Instead of replying, he tilted his head and looked at Yugito beside him.
"Did you hear a dog barking just now?" he asked casually.
Dog barking?
Homura's expression twisted, ready to retort, but Yukika didn't give him the chance.
With a flash of Shunshin, Yukika appeared like a phantom right in front of him—his hand wrapping around Homura's throat.
"INSOLENCE!"
Koharu Utatane shouted in outrage, but before she could finish, her neck was also caught by Yukika's hand.
Another blur of movement—Shunshin again—and Yukika had already dragged both advisors to the courtyard gate.
"Hmm, since we're talking about rules…"
"Then allow me, as the Clan Head of the Senju, to remind you of our rules."
BAM!
BAM!
With no hesitation, he smashed both of their heads against the gate, pinning them against the wood, still wearing his usual warm, gentle smile.
"Remember this—next time, knock before you enter."
"That's how we do things here."
"This is Senju territory. No one barks here. There is only one voice that matters—and that belongs to the Clan Head of the Senju."
Everything happened so fast.
By the time the two advisors groaned in pain, their heads still embedded in the gate, Hiruzen's clenched fists and sharp, narrow gaze were already locked on Yukika.
He looked ready to strike.
Even Orochimaru beside them was startled.
He'd expected Yukika to stir up trouble when he returned—but this?
Assaulting two top advisors in front of the Hokage?
Telling them to knock next time?
This wasn't just defiance.
It was open humiliation.
A direct, public stomping on Hiruzen's authority as Hokage.
Would there be a fight?
Orochimaru inched closer to Yukika, just in case.
Yukika noticed the small gesture—and it warmed him.
But a fight? No.
Orochimaru was overthinking it.
Even if Yukika and Hiruzen had completely fallen out, they wouldn't exchange blows here. Not outwardly.
And Hiruzen wouldn't dare strike first.
Returning to his chair, Yukika signaled Yugito to continue fanning him, then finally turned his gaze to Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Yukika had already made it clear—
Once he sees someone as an enemy, he'll never act with the possibility of reconciliation.
Especially someone who had just tried to manipulate and sacrifice him.
The fact that he didn't kill the two advisors outright was already Yukika's greatest mercy.
"Even if they didn't knock, that still doesn't justify assaulting the village's elder advisors," Hiruzen said calmly, his tone now using the title "Clan Head of the Senju."
"They've contributed greatly to the village."
"And?" Yukika raised an eyebrow. "As far as I know, the Senju Clan is also part of the village's leadership. As the current head of the clan, I inherited the Will of Fire passed down by the First and Second Hokage."
"Shouldn't that make me part of the leadership too?"
"I was simply teaching my colleagues some manners. Hokage-sama, do you have a problem with that?"
Was this his declaration to bring the Senju Clan back into the village's power structure?
Hiruzen inhaled deeply, a glint of sharpness flickering in his eyes.
"It's not entirely impossible," he said at last. "But the First and Second Hokage contributed a great deal to Konoha."
"Don't you think… you should make a contribution as well?"
"For example—"
His gaze shifted to Yugito.
Swish.
The moment Hiruzen's eyes landed on her, the young girl instinctively hid behind Yukika.
"And if I refuse?" Yukika said plainly.
The words struck Hiruzen like iron.
"So, the great Senju Clan's current leader has no intention of contributing to the village?" Hiruzen said, his voice laced with disappointment. He was about to apply pressure, invoking the interests of the village.
But then—
A figure appeared at the entrance to the house.
"The Two-Tails Jinchuriki will remain in the Senju estate, under this old woman's care…"
"Lord Hokage…"
"Do you have an objection?"
It was Uzumaki Mito.
The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki of Konoha.
And her presence—
Was the source of Yukika's confidence and boldness.
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