"Only if he keeps failing," Senju Yukika said, "will it highlight just how hard-won our victories are. Only then will people feel grateful and treasure what we achieve. This is a golden opportunity to rack up war merits."
"As for why I'm certain he'll continue to lose? Simple. With a few misleading intel leaks, I can trick him into thinking he has the upper hand. But it's all a delusion."
Rope Tree nodded in a half-understanding way.
"Of course," Yukika continued, "those two reasons aren't the main point."
He let out a quiet sigh.
"You know not all of the Senju clan members are on the frontlines. Many are still in the village—elderly, sick, or too young to fight. Those are the families of our warriors. If Danzo dies, the blame will fall squarely on us."
"Think about what a furious Hiruzen Sarutobi would do."
"Sure, Grandma Mito is still in Konoha, but she's old. I don't want to give her more to worry about."
"And even if Danzo died cleanly, the higher-ups would just send a replacement. If it's someone I don't know or can't control, things could spiral."
In short, Danzo had to die, but not yet—and not too far off either.
Yukika's plan was to squeeze every last drop of value from Danzo's remaining time. He had never seen Danzo as a real threat. Not before, and certainly not now. From the beginning, Yukika had been five steps ahead of Konoha's leadership.
"Got all that?" Yukika asked.
Rope Tree looked totally lost.
Yukika grinned. "You don't get it, huh?"
"Not even close," Rope Tree admitted, pounding his chest, "but like always, if Big Bro says it, it's right! I'll do exactly what you say!"
That's the way of a headstrong ninja.
As for that old dream of becoming Hokage? Rope Tree had long since let it go.
"If you understand, then get to work. Keep a close eye on Sakazaki Ryo."
Yukika yawned as he spoke.
Just then, Hatake Sakumo walked in, his expression clearly showing he had questions.
After Rope Tree left, the White Fang sat across from Yukika, a puzzled look on his face.
"You're wondering about your body, right?" Yukika asked.
Sakumo's expression turned solemn.
Over the past month, he'd noticed something strange. Since his injuries had fully healed, everything—his speed, strength, reflexes—had all improved drastically.
Even a deep cut on his palm had completely healed in a matter of hours the day before.
More unsettling, he'd been having strange dreams.
He glanced at the White Fang blade in his hand, lost in thought. Something about it felt... off.
Or maybe not off—alive.
The blade seemed to be developing a will of its own.
This change was something Sakumo couldn't quite comprehend.
"I see," Yukika said with a knowing smile, eyeing the White Fang blade. "So it's begun."
He could sense the soul fluctuation in the sword—it was unmistakable.
If things continued as expected, someday Hatake Sakumo would possess his own Zanpakuto!
Just like the Shinigami, the Hollow also had Zanpakuto. The release of their blades was called Resurrección.
Yukika slowly drew his own blade—Raijin's Sword—lightning crackling along its edge.
To Sakumo's eyes, the dancing lightning looked almost… alive.
"This is my grandfather's relic," Yukika said, "but I've infused it with my own soul."
"It's awakening—becoming my personal weapon."
"You can call it... a Zanpakuto."
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