This was... the familiar world of ninjas!
What had he just gone through?
Why did it feel so real when his body was crushed?
Why were the enemies so... overwhelming?
Standing up shakily, the young man — Senju Monet — immediately noticed something strange.
His body felt... stronger!
Testing his chakra flow, Monet's face filled with astonishment.
He could clearly sense it:
His strength had grown!
And his chakra reserves had expanded.
Even if it was a small increase, for a ninja, it was a huge deal.
Since chakra came from the cells themselves — the very essence of the body —
Any boost meant his limits had been raised!
"Chief..."
Realizing Yukika's intentions, and feeling the lingering power left by him, Monet nodded firmly.
They must not betray the trust their chief placed in them!
Just as he prepared to head toward the training grounds to adapt to his new strength — another tribe member appeared.
"Phew, I really thought I was dead for real."
Shaking his head in disbelief, the newcomer's expression soon mirrored Monet's shock.
Whoosh!
One figure after another materialized.
Clearly, the pressure of being besieged had taken its toll.
In the end, apart from Yukika, Orochimaru, and Hatake Sakumo, nearly everyone else had been forced back early.
Even Nawaki's younger brother, Rope Tree, was among the returnees.
Quietly, they counted time.
They wanted to know —
How long could Yukika survive alone?
Reports from the last few who escaped indicated that both Marine and Pirate top brass had already started fighting!
Minutes ticked by.
An hour.
Two hours...
Until finally, after the full five hours expired, Senju Yukika reappeared!
From the look in his eyes, the Senju Clan members could tell:
Their chief hadn't just endured the full time — he was still hungry for battle!
Such overwhelming strength!
In an instant, everyone's hearts filled with admiration.
"Let's go. Same time tomorrow," Yukika said simply.
Turning, he headed toward the training grounds instead of dispersing.
Today's battle had left a deep mark on them.
They now truly understood what real war meant.
They had witnessed legends — men like Whitebeard, whose single slash could shatter their organs and kill them instantly.
The gap was too vast.
They needed to train!
Only by recognizing their own weakness could they become stronger.
Yukika sighed lightly, recalling the fierce battle.
Though he lasted five hours and killed countless enemies —
he hadn't wiped out everyone.
He even lost two of his three lives.
The tribe had died too quickly.
In the end, Yukika had singlehandedly fought his way to the summit, even dragging Red-Haired Shanks into the battle.
But Yukika didn't spare him either and continued fighting until the time ran out.
The battle had been incredibly rewarding.
He gained a 5% progress boost, nearly reaching 40% unlock completion.
His spiritual pressure, chakra, and physical prowess all saw massive improvements.
Next time —
He would definitely kill even more!
Although he tried to seize a rare loot item by force afterward, he ultimately failed.
(After all, the chance of looting treasures was about as low as pulling a legendary item from the abyss.)
Still, Yukika was very satisfied.
The Next Day —
Same time, same gathering.
This time, no one needed encouragement.
Everyone was ready.
As the light of teleportation engulfed them, they entered the dungeon again — only to find the battlefield in utter chaos.
Ace looked at his chains, then at Luffy in the distance, puzzled.
Hadn't he already died once?
Why was he alive again?
And why was he back at the same battlefield?
No one knew.
No explanations were given.
The only constant was:
Senju Yukika and the Senju Clan once again dove into battle.
Over the next month, Ace repeatedly reenacted the scene of taking a punch for Luffy.
Every time he revived, it was the same.
Until eventually, after another revival, seeing a swordsman nearby, he stiffly asked:
"Can you... kill me first?"
It was that bad.
Even Ace eventually realized — the Marines were messing with him.
After one month, whenever he saw Kizaru, he instinctively punched him.
He even vomited after killing another Ace.
Whitebeard, betrayed by his "sons" after a month of chaos, finally snapped — and executed the Grand Whirlpool Spider without mercy.
At this point, no more words could excuse anything.
Even the strongest hearts have limits.
Meanwhile, the only ones steadily growing stronger were the Senju ninjas.
In a month, their average survival time jumped from ten minutes to two hours.
A qualitative leap.
After another full five-hour session, Yukika sent the others home, keeping only Orochimaru and Hatake Sakumo behind.
With a month's worth of improvement, he could feel it — his forces had truly crossed into a new level.
They had become fully qualified Espadas.
"According to Grandma Mito's latest news," Yukika said,
"the Sand and Rock villages still haven't paid their reparations."
"We've been patient, but if they think we won't act, they're gravely mistaken."
"And Rain Village — they haven't given up either."
Looking at Sakumo and Orochimaru — both now exuding terrifying energy — Yukika smiled.
"Go show them."
"Show the world what the Espadas of the Night Palace can do!"
"Kill as you see fit. Make it clear — No one disrespects the Senju Clan! No one!"
Flagging new orders, Hatake Sakumo and Orochimaru exchanged a glance, then saluted, fire burning in their eyes.
Only two would go — but neither showed the slightest fear.
"Same plan as before," Yukika said.
"Sakumo, you head to the Sand Village. Orochimaru, you deal with the Rock Village."
With a nod, Orochimaru's colossal spiritual pressure surged into the sky —
Flying was now a basic skill for him.
The world was about to witness the true terror that Senju Yukika had created.