A flash of light—
The plaza of the Senju clan.
This time, Yukika was the first to return.
And in his hand—an orb glowing with power capable of altering the ninja world:
The Hōgyoku.
With it, the Hollowfication process would accelerate. He could even form a mask-wearing faction like the Visoreds.
The Senju clan's potential had expanded.
Leaving the dungeon entrance, Yukika walked away.
He planned to absorb the Hōgyoku's power and elevate himself to the level of a second-stage Resurrección.
Once his strength improved, his clansmen would graduate from Shin'ō Academy.
Then, the true war in the ninja world would begin.
"Issue the order. Effective immediately, I resign as clan leader. The Senju will keep a low profile."
Yukika stepped toward his throne.
The Hōgyoku held infinite potential.
Once he controlled its power, the ninja world would be his playground.
Still, he had to first suppress the Hōgyoku's will. For now, he was merely a conduit for his master's pure strength.
This would not be easy.
...
Time passed.
The ripples of the Second Ninja War had faded.
All the villages were developing rapidly, preparing for future battles.
But something puzzled them.
They had expected the Senju, after asserting dominance, to launch a new conquest. Perhaps declare another war.
Yet after the Arrancar incident, the Senju grew silent.
Outside their fortress, only the occasional resource transport occurred.
What was the Senju clan planning?
Land of Fire.
Konoha.
Winter had arrived.
The streets bustled with people.
An old man swept snow with a broom, indistinguishable from other workers at first glance.
But on closer look—his face was familiar.
Stripped of power, prestige, and status, Hiruzen Sarutobi had been humbled.
He finally understood what he'd once told Senju Yukika:
"If you truly want to contribute to the village, scheming is useless."
Even clearing snow could make you feel that you were serving your village.
He'd grown used to scornful gazes and his fallen reputation.
He was still Hiruzen Sarutobi—but no longer the Third Hokage.
That title was history.
As he straightened up from the snow, his eyes widened.
A familiar figure.
"Six years."
"He's returned."
The man who changed Konoha—Senju Yukika.
Six years had passed. He was more composed, even more charismatic.
"Lady Tobirama… he inherited everything from you."
"And he made your legacy shine."
"I once opposed him becoming Hokage, but now… I want him to protect this village."
"That is fate."
Hiruzen shook his head and returned to sweeping.
Snow still fell. His task wasn't done.
"What do you think?" Kushina playfully blew in Yukika's ear, following his gaze.
Hiruzen's figure stood before them.
This was the unique scenery of Konoha.
Six years after being vilified, the pain had dulled.
Time heals—but no one forgot what Hiruzen had done.
"...No thoughts."
Yukika flicked his hair, the gel-enhanced style sharp as ever. One arm around Mikoto, the other around Kushina, he walked on.
Six years since he last left the clan grounds. His first steps into Konoha again.
Though not part of the village, tales of Yukika still echoed.
Konoha was changing.
The Senju were changing.
Only one thing remained unchanged:
Konoha still had no Hokage.
That seat was still reserved for Yukika.
Everyone knew it.
Today, Mikoto and Kushina exchanged smiles.
They had finally lured their fiancé back into the village—under the pretense of checking their duties as Naruto's advisors.
Yes, fiancé.
Six years had passed, and Yukika had grown.
Kushina and Mikoto had become the village's most admired women.
They had accepted their roles: future wives of the Senju clan leader.
Yukika was exceptional. They never intended to monopolize him, only to support him.
Konoha's villains had been punished.
Recently, during a village leaders' meeting, the clan heads again proposed Yukika become Hokage.
They didn't want to control him, only offer the choice.
The wise women knew: some things, their man had already arranged.
For instance, the invitation to return.
This time, Yukika did not decline.
All questions had been answered. Now it was up to the clans.
As for Yukika—he knew what Kushina and Mikoto wanted.
And when he stepped into Konoha, he was ready.
During the first three years, he had secluded himself to absorb the Hōgyoku.
The next three, he unlocked the entire "Little Shiro" (Kurosaki Ichigo's Bankai) template from the Bleach world!
Second stage complete.
Hōgyoku fully absorbed.
Thousands of Senju ninjas were ready.
He knew: the time had come.
He walked to the old Hokage building.
Yukika smiled.
All the village's ninjas lined the streets.
Even the villagers followed.
Among them: Minato Namikaze, the Hyūga brothers, Fugaku Uchiha—the new Uchiha clan head.
Also, the new Ino-Shika-Chō heads had fully taken over family affairs.
Yukika knew what was happening.
"Lord Yukika, please ascend to the Hokage's Peak!"
"Lord Yukika, please ascend to the Hokage's Peak!"
...
They knelt, saluting the one man they all acknowledged.
This was no mere approval from the Hokage. This was true recognition.
Yet to Yukika, "Hokage" was just a word.
Even Konoha would soon become like Kirigakure—a vassal of the Senju.
Speaking of Kirigakure, Yukika sneered.
When the Senju pulled back, the Mist Village seemed to receive outside support and even built a dam to fend off tsunamis.
They had also failed to deliver supplies recently.
"Hmm, it's time."
Yukika's robe flared as he stepped forward.
Hokage?
He wasn't that interested.
But ruler of the ninja world?
Now that was worth considering.
The campaign would begin today!