A Rift in the Chains of Power
If things continued like this, it was bound to stir resentment in Hyuga Hizashi toward the Main House. In the original timeline, he even once harbored killing intent toward Hinata and was ultimately placed under the Caged Bird Seal by Hiashi himself.
That moment... Neji had seen it all.
The Hyuga Branch family's "friendship," huh? Yukika figured it might come in handy someday.
Still, rescuing Hyuga Hizashi? That part was just a convenient byproduct.
The truth was simple: even if Yukika hadn't been involved in this war, Hizashi likely would've survived anyway.
But now—things were different. Now, the reason Hizashi lived would forever be tied to Senju Yukika.
And that… that was exactly Yukika's purpose in breaking through the enemy encirclement with the Senju clan.
To reestablish the Senju in the eyes of Konoha's other clans.
Not to chase the Hokage's seat.
But to solidify the Senju's unshakable status—and seize a real chance to enter Konoha's upper echelon.
He needed allies.
To challenge the Hokage himself.
The unit pushed forward.
With Yukika's sharp sensory perception and the Hyuga's Byakugan working together, their ranks swelled.
The chaotic situation caused by the earlier full encirclement was finally coming under control.
The Uchiha.
The Ino-Shika-Cho.
Even the smaller clans had begun merging into Yukika's force.
"We just did a headcount. Aside from the Shimura and Sarutobi clans, the rest of the ninja have been more or less gathered."
The battle raged on.
Shinobi clashes rumbled in the shadows, away from the front lines.
Tsunade, now energized, came over with Hatake Sakumo, Orochimaru, and the newly found Jiraiya.
It was Sakumo who spoke, his gaze filled with respect.
He hadn't expected this boy to have the guts to lead the Senju into a rescue operation.
It was a direct violation of orders, but no one would blame him—not even Danzo.
Because Yukika saved lives.
"What's the next move? Do we take this momentum and wipe out the Sand shinobi?" Tsunade was practically itching for action.
"What's next?" Yukika grinned.
"My dear foolish sister… did you forget our mission?"
"Our glorious Commander gave us very clear orders not long ago."
Orders?
Tsunade blinked, confused.
Orochimaru, eyes narrowing, smoothly took over.
"Yukika's orders were to hold the line. Defend the position."
"So now, we retreat—to preserve our remaining forces."
The message was crystal clear:
As for the Shimura and Sarutobi still missing? Let them be.
Whether they lived or died was no longer the concern of Yukika's unit.
After all, his stepping out to help was already against orders.
"Uh, is that really okay?" Jiraiya asked, hesitant.
The remaining Shimura and Sarutobi weren't far. Rescuing them wouldn't require much.
The breach had already been made. Reforming the enemy's encirclement wouldn't be easy.
"What's not okay?" Yukika replied calmly.
"If you want to go, take whoever's willing to follow you. I'm not your commander."
He glanced at Jiraiya, a tinge of warning in his gaze.
That bleeding heart of his—one day it would get him killed.
Save those two clans?
Sorry. Yukika couldn't do it.
In fact, if Danzo ended up captured or even eliminated by the Sand… well, that was exactly the outcome he wanted.
"Listen up!"
Yukika raised his hand and looked around at the gathered shinobi.
"Follow the Commander's orders—hold the line!"
"Withdraw!"
The Senju clan's first reemergence on the battlefield had made its mark. That was enough.
Sakumo let out a soft sigh, subtly holding Jiraiya back from arguing.
Even here, in the middle of war, Yukika acted like this.
What would he be like in times of peace?
Sakumo shot a complicated glance at Yukika. He understood now.
This wasn't about ambition.
This was a clan leader doing whatever it took—for the survival of his people.
Because at this point, the Senju had only two options left:
Resist—or perish.