Recovery wasn't too much of a problem.
Even though Senju Yukika looked weak now, his potential had already been fully awakened. As Yukika's own power continued to grow, so too would the strength of those directly linked to him. And as Yukika's subordinate, the revived Sakumo Hatake would naturally grow stronger in tandem.
Hollowfication. Zanpakutō. Resurrección.
These abilities would gradually manifest in Sakumo. The stronger Yukika became, the more powerful the effects on Sakumo would be.
Among the Hollow species, Yukika was the king. Sakumo, by contrast, was a mere foot soldier—but due to the blood bond they now shared, an invisible contract tied them together. That contract ensured one thing: a soldier could never rebel against his king. Should Sakumo ever resist, Yukika could obliterate him with a single thought.
It was a direct attack on the soul.
Which is why Yukika never worried about loyalty.
"I've never seen anything like this," Orochimaru said, swallowing hard. The shock was plain in his eyes.
Why…
Why couldn't I understand what they were talking about?
Sakumo's eyelids trembled slightly. He didn't know exactly what had changed, but he knew something was different. His body, which had been blasted apart, was slowly piecing itself back together.
He was still alive.
"Ah, White Fang-senpai, you're awake," Yukika said with a calm smile as he approached Sakumo's bedside.
The experiment had been a success.
Even better, the amount of system energy it had cost to ensure the process succeeded wasn't high.
Yukika had discovered the key to evolving the Senju Clan. Mass Hollowfication.
Just imagine—when Yukika's power had matured enough, and he led an army of Espada-class warriors across the shinobi world… the very thought was thrilling.
"Where… is this?" Sakumo's voice came out hoarse, barely audible.
"A cave not far from the Konoha camp," Yukika replied. "Secluded enough to safely treat you."
He sighed.
"I know what you want to ask. Don't worry—Danzo's not dead. By the time we got there, he was already gone."
"Seems he thought you were already dead, so he ran off on his own."
He ran off…? That sounds exactly like something he would do.
Sakumo gave a bitter smile, saying nothing.
"He's back in his position as field commander now, strutting around like a hero. So, what do you say—want to go see him?"
Yukika helped Sakumo sit up slowly.
Orochimaru, watching this, was completely stunned.
Just moments ago, Sakumo had been in pieces. Now he was moving?
Even if he was still stiff, the fact that he could move at all was insane.
"But before you return, White Fang-senpai," Yukika added, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "There's something I want to make very clear."
There was no doubt in his mind—Sakumo would become one of his ten Espada. And as the one who had granted him new life, Yukika demanded more than gratitude.
"What you owed Konoha… what you owed the higher-ups… and what you owed the Hokage…"
"That all ended in that explosion."
"Think carefully about how you want to live from now on—and who you want to live for. It'll be good for you."
"And finally—"
Leaning close to Sakumo's ear, Yukika whispered:
"Remember who saved your life."
A debt to a savior must never be forgotten.
But what unsettled Sakumo wasn't the message—it was Yukika's tone.
The aura around Yukika now was completely different than before. In Sakumo's eyes, he radiated nobility… like a true king.
Where did this change come from?
He didn't know.
What he did know was that when he returned to camp, he would face the darkest moment of his life.
—
"Sakumo Hatake acted without orders, broke protocol, and jeopardized what could have been a successful rescue of the Sarutobi and Shimura clans."
"As Supreme Commander, I hereby strip him of all rank and authority!"
Besides the utter shock of seeing Sakumo alive, as if returned from the dead…
This was Danzo's entire way of repaying the man who had risked his life to save him.
He blamed the deaths of their clansmen… the failure of the mission…
All of it.
On Sakumo.
That—was Shimura Danzo.
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