Half a month slipped by quietly.
The battlefield in the Land of Rain, after Sakumo Hatake's stunning display of prowess, had once again fallen into a stalemate.
But Yukika knew—it wouldn't last for long.
The battle where the Three Legendary Sannin would rise to fame, and where Nawaki would fall, was just around the corner.
And the countdown to the disappearance of the Senju clan had already begun.
Today marked the appointed day.
The atmosphere in Konoha was as calm as usual, but many shinobi had headed to the Ninja Academy early in the morning.
The fact that the Senju clan's young heir was about to be tested had stirred up significant attention, all thanks to Hiruzen's deliberate orchestration.
But clearly, no one really believed in his success.
Because this time, he would be going up against—the Hokage himself!
It was almost laughable.
The once-mighty Senju clan, heroes of the Warring States era, who had produced two consecutive Hokage and poured everything into Konoha—
And now, their young master was challenging that very position.
Ironic? Yes. But it was also reality.
A new ruler brings new ministers. That's just how it works.
Though Hiruzen never openly showed hostility toward the Senju, their very presence was a thorn in his side.
Everyone knew the truth.
Had the Second Hokage lived just a few more years, the next Hokage would've likely still come from the Senju.
Which made Hiruzen Sarutobi look like someone who had merely taken over by chance.
So weakening the Senju's influence was only natural for the Third Hokage.
"Big Brother, do you think that kid... can really pull it off?"
From the stands beside the training field, Hiashi Hyuga stood beside his elder brother, voicing his doubts.
He had already passed his graduation exam. A Konoha forehead protector now rested proudly on his head.
In fact, except for Yukika, all the students of this class had passed and officially become shinobi. What they didn't know yet was that the battlefield awaiting them would be soaked in blood.
The more the front lines stalled, the more they needed fresh blood to fuel the war. Logistics was stretched thin.
"No idea. Let's just watch."
Hiashi's elder brother, Hizashi, stared into the distance, his gaze a bit vacant.
In some ways, he felt a kinship with Yukika.
After graduating from the Academy, their father—Hiashi and Hizashi's—had sat them down for a serious talk.
As the heir to the main Hyuga household, Hiashi had to grow up quickly.
This time, he'd come to understand many things.
Like…
How the Hyuga clan must survive in the future.
Support the Hokage. Tread carefully. Endure. Only then could the Hyuga be preserved.
Freshly graduated, Hiashi didn't quite understand what his father meant.
But now, standing here and feeling the immense pressure crashing down on Yukika from all sides—
He suddenly got it.
One day…
Would that kind of pressure fall on him too?
Today, it was the Senju.
But who would it be next?
The thought sent a chill down Hiashi's spine.
If the Senju's fate became the Hyuga's future…
That must never be allowed to happen!
Endure.
That's the only way the Hyuga could survive.
Hiashi suddenly understood his father's words.
But what he didn't know was—even with endurance, the same pressure would still fall upon him in the future.
And that would be the day… he lost his younger brother.
"Shikaku."
From afar, Inoichi Yamanaka called out to the comrade beside him.
Shikaku Nara shook his head, eyes tinged with complexity.
As...