The command room was silent.
When Senju Yukika's ambitions first revealed themselves, the others could only sit in shock.
The Senju clan was undoubtedly one of the great clans.
Even though they had been integrated into other squads on the battlefield, their impact was still significant.
In other words, if they were reassembled into a single unit, their numbers would be astonishing.
With his status as the Senju Clan Leader, Yukika had obtained partial command authority.
Then, taking it a step further, he unified and reorganized the troops, gaining actual military command.
Even just from these actions, it was obvious to everyone that he hadn't come to the front lines due to some blunder Sarutobi had seized on. Rather, it was all meticulously planned—he had thought it all through before setting out!
Such strategic foresight was admirable.
Kakashi Sakumo let out a sigh of admiration.
After all, they were the Senju Clan.
"I absolutely do not agree with this!"
The initial shock wore off, and Danzo immediately spoke in opposition.
"Not only are you disobeying the First Hokage's orders, you're treating war like a child's game!"
"A fresh genin just out of the academy—what right do you have to command troops?"
"Can you bear the responsibility for their lives?"
He had to oppose it.
To be blunt, both he and Sarutobi Hiruzen needed the Senju to quietly disappear, not vanish all at once.
Originally, everything was going smoothly.
After the Second Hokage's death, the Senju merged into the Hidden Leaf. They were then gradually placed into front-line units under various pretenses.
That way, whether it was ANBU or ROOT who made a move, or if they were killed by other ninja villages, it wouldn't raise any suspicion.
But if the units were reorganized and the Senju clan members brought together, the movement would be too large. If an entire Senju battalion were to be wiped out...
There would be no way to explain it to the villagers!
Yukika's strategy had completely disrupted their plan.
"It's not about whether you agree or not."
Yukika leaned back in his seat, calm as ever. "As I said, whether it's the Senju's return or me reorganizing them—this is my right as their clan leader."
"In simple terms, this is a family matter."
"So what if I'm young?"
"The affairs of the Senju Clan are none of your business, even if you are the front-line commander. Not even the Hokage has the right to interfere."
You? No.
Even the Hokage? Also no.
This time, Yukika was determined. Only by placing the Senju out in the open would the upper echelons be forced to act more cautiously.
And really, was anything he said wrong?
This was a family matter. Even Sarutobi Hiruzen—what right did he have to interfere?
So Danzo had even less of a right.
"As for your doubts about my capability..."
Yukika turned to Danzo with a peculiar look in his eyes.
"I've undergone special Hokage examinations. Even Lord Third has tacitly acknowledged my position as a member of the village's leadership. On what basis do you oppose me?"
That's right.
Back in the Senju estate, when Sarutobi had tried to intervene, he was forcefully shut down by Mito.
Yukika had said, as the Senju Clan Leader, he naturally deserved a seat among the village's leaders.
Sarutobi hadn't said yes or no.
But to Yukika? That silence was agreement.