"Even if I went down to the Hidden Cloud and killed your son…"
"What exactly would be wrong with that?"
BOOM!
A blinding flash of lightning exploded from the body of the Third Raikage.
In an instant, he was right in front of Yukika—his hand just inches from Yukika's glasses, fingers aimed like a spear.
"Ippon Nukite, huh?"
(One-Finger Thrust Technique)
"Getting nervous just because your son's in danger?"
But Yukika didn't flinch. Not even a bit. He looked at the Raikage with utter disdain and gently pushed the man's hand away from his face.
"See? That expression on your face right now."
"This is war. We've always been enemies."
"What? Your village gets wrecked by the enemy, the Eight-Tails goes on a rampage, your Jinchuriki Yugito Nii gets taken—and now you're expecting an apology? Maybe even compensation?"
"What kind of joke is that?"
"Why don't you head to the battlefield and ask my clansman, Senju Jirō, if he agrees?"
"Or better yet, go ask my grandfather, Senju Tobirama, in the ancestral shrine if he thinks you deserve anything."
That's when it hit him.
The Third Raikage suddenly remembered.
The man standing in front of him was the direct grandson of Senju Tobirama. He'd even come to Konoha once to attend the Second Hokage's funeral.
"Consider yourself lucky," Yukika said, voice calm but chilling.
"A."
(The Raikage's true name.)
"You're still alive. You walked into Konoha as an enemy, wearing your Lightning Release Armor, showing off like a peacock, and yet you're not dead. Why?"
"Because I told Granny Mito…"
(referring to Uzumaki Mito, the wife of the First Hokage)
"I want to kill you myself."
"That's the only reason."
You want to kill me with your own hands?
The cold glint in the Raikage's eyes grew sharper.
"You wanna fight? Try me."
"But remember this—" Yukika's voice suddenly carried an iron resolve.
"I inherited my grandfather's unyielding will. I, Senju Yukika, will never apologize to the Hidden Cloud for a battle you lost and ran away from!"
"Not now. Not ever!"
At that moment, a breeze moved through the shattered room, and Yukika's silver hair swayed gently.
Even Sarutobi Hiruzen, standing off to the side, felt a strange sense of déjà vu.
The Second Hokage…
Senju Tobirama.
"He's inherited everything Tobirama was."
"His power. His genius."
"And even his will."
Those were Orochimaru's words once.
And now, Hiruzen finally understood what that meant.
Yukika had inherited the pride of the Senju.
There were no Senju who surrendered—only Senju who died in battle.
Once upon a time, the Senju of the Forest reigned supreme during the Warring States Era. And now, that terrifying clan still endured.
Just like Yukika had said:
"I did it. So what?"
"We're enemies."
"If you don't like it… see me on the battlefield."
That was his answer.
Huff…
After a long silence, the lightning around the Raikage's body finally faded away.
He didn't make a move in the end.
To kill Senju Yukika… even if it meant trading his own life… would only leave the Hidden Cloud even weaker than it already was.
He couldn't do that.
Not yet—not while his son was still growing.
"I admit it."
"The Senju clan… has given rise to another extraordinary man."
His eyes locked onto Yukika's face as he took a long, deep breath.
"Using underhanded tactics against the Senju… I admit that was my mistake."
"And as for the betrayal by the Gold and Silver Brothers years ago, the one that ended in your grandfather's death… I regret it. Truly. I had deep respect for the Second Hokage, and I offered my sincere condolences at his funeral."
"But… just like you said…"
"Senju Yukika, right now, we are enemies."
"And if that's the case, I'll wait for you—on the battlefield."
"If you want to carry the Senju name, you'll have to do more than talk."
And just like that, it was over.
The Raikage didn't even speak to the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, on his way out.
He had said what he needed to say—to Yukika.
The Senju had their pride.
And so did the Yotsuki Clan.
Waiting for Yukika on the battlefield…
That was a promise.
A man's promise.
The broken Hokage's office fell quiet once more.
Sarutobi Hiruzen stood there, his expression twisted with conflicted thoughts.
Should he be relieved?
No.
Absolutely not.
Because when he looked at Yukika now…
All he saw was something to be feared.
A power, a will, and a presence that could shake nations.