"Ate them to death?"
As chakra flowed back, Yukika's face twisted. Everyone knew Shadow Clones returned sensations—and pain—to the original. That was why the Multi-Clone Technique was forbidden; too much at once could kill you.
He shook his head. Now adapted to the "coal ball" rice—he sighed relief.
Yugito clearly lacked culinary talent. At most, his stomach would become steel.
"Yeah. Once I marry Mikoto and Yugito, Mikoto will be the cook," he decided, drawing his Raijin Sword to resume training.
But just then, he whirled to look where Yugito had walked off.
"You brat—how dare you?" he roared with fury, and vanished in an instant.
The Senju estate sprawled wide under moonlight. Though many clan members had merged into Konoha, Uzumaki Mito still lived—Sarutobi Hiruzen would never touch these grounds, even to guard the new Nine-Tails Jinchūriki. He knew that so long as Mito stood watch, the Senju domain was Yugito's absolute refuge—no one dared violate it.
Yugito's heart still glowed. Yukika had eaten her rice balls—an honor that made her determined to improve, to cook true delicacies for him. He'd said: Enjoying the process was what mattered.
But… something felt wrong.
Yugito's eyes widened as two masked shinobi slipped into view ahead.
She spun—but found two more blocking her retreat.
What could she do? Yugito clenched her kunai. No one would see her as helpless—she would never surrender!
Yet panic rose as she faced hopeless odds.
"Tired of living?" A familiar voice cut through the fear.
A figure landed before her—it was Yukika!
Lucky he hadn't eaten her rice balls—moving at top speed might have been… catastrophic. He felt relief—and blazing anger.
How dare intruders breach the Senju domain?
He unleashed ninja body art: channelling chakra into his fingertip, a black-and-red beam fired: Kage Shuriken: Phantom Bullet. Weaker than his Instant Flash but far faster.
BOOM! BOOM! Explosions swallowed the invaders before they could react.
As the shockwave faded, black wings unfurled, cocooning Yugito and lifting her skyward.
Under the night sky, she saw Yukika's face—so long since she'd felt safe. Nestled against his chest, she closed her eyes.
After a moment, the dust settled. Yukika landed and gazed off toward a bent figure watching them.
Uzumaki Mito.
She had known of the incursion—but she had let Yukika save her. Wiser for her years, she did not spoil his heroics.
But…
"They're from the Cloud Village—you shouldn't have killed them," Mito said, voice gentle.
Sarutobi must have known she guarded the estate. Yet he sent men to their deaths.
"I know," Yukika replied calmly. "But Granny Mito—surely you understand: no one harms my people."
"Anyone who tries… must die." He nodded. He recognized their affiliation the moment they attacked, guessed the Raikage's plan. He remembered the Hyūga massacre—identical tactics that doomed Neji.
But the Senju were no Hyūga. He would never let them be trampled—and he intended to strike back:
"Guards!" Yukika shouted. "Bring their bodies— And escort me to the Hokage's office!"