Yukika was born with a natural advantage. His sensory technique was similar to the Kagura Mind's Eye of the Uzumaki clan—but even more powerful.
When it came to scheming in the shadows, Yukika, with his knowledge of the future, had the upper hand. As long as he could endure the pressure early on, the rest of the game would be his to control!
The second point was a bit more complex—but it was also the main reason why the higher-ups didn't dare touch him.
The key figure? Mito Uzumaki.
It was probably time to have a serious conversation with that elderly woman.
Yukika believed they shared the same vision.
The tense atmosphere in the classroom began to ease slightly. People were finally snapping out of their shock.
Yamazaki Ryuji swallowed hard, his throat dry as he re-evaluated the bold young man standing before him.
"Uh, um…" he began hesitantly. "Yukika… I think…"
*Whoosh!*
Like a bolt of lightning, Yukika disappeared—only to reappear like a phantom right in front of Yamazaki Ryuji.
Gracefully brushing aside his silver hair from his forehead, Yukika spoke slowly, his tone calm yet firm.
"Yamazaki-sensei, it seems you didn't hear what I said earlier."
"I asked you one final time… to introduce yourself."
He pointed to himself and offered a polite, humble smile.
"Newly appointed head of the Senju clan."
"Senju Yukika."
As the teenager stood before him, Yamazaki Ryuji felt a pressure surging from within, stretching outward as if something—no, *someone*—was gripping his very soul.
A cold sweat broke out on the teacher's face, and panic flickered in his eyes.
His voice trembled as he hurriedly responded.
"I-I just thought… this kind of matter…"
"…should be reported to Lord Hokage."
*Again with the Hokage.*
Yukika chuckled coldly. Then, in one swift motion, he turned to face the other students behind him.
"Why is it," he asked, "that you all seem to believe that the internal affairs of the Senju clan… require the Hokage's approval?"
"Or are you saying that, as the Senju clan leader, I need *outsiders* to weigh in before I make a simple decision?"
*The Hokage?*
*Outsiders?*
Shock once again spread across the students' faces.
But it didn't last long.
Because… Yukika had a point.
Reclaiming the Senju name? That really *was* a clan matter, wasn't it?
Whether or not they reinstated the surname depended entirely on whether the clan members supported the decision.
What the hell did it have to do with the Hokage?
Yamazaki Ryuji let out a bitter laugh.
If only things were that simple.
This wasn't just about bringing back the Senju surname anymore.
This… was the current Senju clan leader expressing outright dissatisfaction with the Third Hokage!
Two generations of Senju had sat in the Hokage's chair. Now, to call the Hokage an "outsider"… if word of that spread…
Maybe the students didn't understand the implications.
But Yamazaki Ryuji wasn't some greenhorn. As a teacher of the elite class, he was a seasoned veteran—he knew exactly what this meant.
Ever since Hiruzen Sarutobi took the position of Third Hokage, he had quietly been diminishing the influence of the Senju clan. He was redirecting all of Konoha's glory and prosperity toward himself.
This was obvious if you looked closely.
From the way the Second Great Ninja War was framed in history, to how Sarutobi was always in the spotlight—his ambition, his eagerness for credit, even his inclusion in the textbooks as "the strongest Hokage."
And now? Senju Yukika was reversing that trend. He was bringing the Senju name back into the light.
This was a direct challenge to the Hokage's authority!
"Heh…"
A chuckle echoed through the room.
"What's all the commotion about?"
The classroom door swung open.
A familiar, kind face appeared in the doorway.
*So you finally decided to show up, old fox.*
Yukika didn't flinch. His expression didn't change one bit as he met the newcomer's gaze.
The Third Hokage of Konoha…
Hiruzen Sarutobi.