The atmosphere was taut with tension. Senju Rinju's face was ashen—though, to be fair, it hadn't looked normal for a while now.
Yako stepped in behind Yellow Dog, standing by for orders.
Danzo, standing opposite, declared coldly,"The Senju Clan must surrender the Uzumaki sealing arts. The ANBU will handle the Nine-Tails' containment.
Senju Rinju—your clan is not what it used to be. Not like when Lord Tobirama led it.
If anything goes wrong with the Nine-Tails seal, half the village will burn alongside your ambitions!"
Rinju's expression contorted with pain. He exhaled sharply before speaking."Our strength declined because we've sacrificed too much for the village.
My father died. My uncle died. My brother died. And now—my son is dead too.
Tell me, which one of them didn't die for Konoha?
The Nine-Tails seal is the foundation of the Senju. We're the only ones with sealing techniques strong enough, and my niece, Princess Kushina, is the only one who can bear the Nine-Tails' chakra.
The sealing must be done by the Senju. On this matter—I will not compromise."
Yako listened, deeply intrigued. Both sides were clearly unwilling to back down.
As long as the Nine-Tails remained, the Senju were still Konoha's most important shinobi clan.
Even after immense losses—even in decline—they remained central to the village.
If they gave in now, letting the ANBU control the seal, the ANBU could use "maintenance of the Nine-Tails seal" as justification to seize custody of the jinchūriki.
Sarutobi Hiruzen interjected,"This isn't the place for shouting."
Danzo's face didn't flinch. Rinju clenched his teeth hard.
Hiruzen glanced at Rinju's stubborn, even twisted, expression. His eyes flickered with complex emotion before he finally spoke:"Arguing like this won't solve anything. Lady Mito's mind is slipping further with each passing day.
But we cannot risk a sealing transfer within the village. If something goes wrong, it will take half of Konoha with it.
Clan Head Rinju—draft a proposal. Begin preparations for transferring the Nine-Tails seal."
Rinju's eyes lit up. Was this… finally a concession?
Danzo turned to Hiruzen with visible confusion. Why wasn't he following through with their plan to corner Rinju?
"Understood, Lord Hokage! I'll prepare a flawless sealing plan!"
Hiruzen nodded, though worry still lined his features."Rinju, I understand your position.
But does the Senju Clan truly have the power to see this through? What strength can you bring?
It's undeniable—your clan has grown weaker, just as Danzo said.
I need more than conviction—I need a plan that works."
Rinju answered without hesitation."Lord Hokage, the Senju have always believed in unity above all.
It's true—we no longer have as many Kage-level or elite shinobi. But we've never worshipped individual strength. We believe in collective power.
We've developed a Collaborative Sealing Technique, one that gathers chakra from every single Senju shinobi.
When the time comes, I'll mobilize every member of our clan—men, women, young and old. We'll complete the seal together."
From afar, Yako overheard fragments of their conversation. A chill ran down his spine.
Rinju… was he really going to bet everything on this seal?
Was this transfer ritual about to become the Senju Clan's Night of Annihilation?
His heart trembled. No. I can't let the Senju fall like they did in the original timeline.
Sarutobi and Danzo turned toward the Hokage Tower.
They walked alone—ANBU had cleared the path ahead and behind.
Danzo asked, "So, you've decided?"
Hiruzen nodded grimly."The Second Shinobi World War only lasted two years, and yet… too many have died.
In just those two years, Konoha lost a quarter of its shinobi forces.
So many families lost someone—and more and more people are turning against me.
I can't afford risks. I need total control of the Nine-Tails.
Danzo—go to the frontlines. Find Orochimaru. Execute the plan."
Danzo gave a small nod and vanished with the Body Flicker Technique.
The next morning, after the shifts changed, Yako followed Yellow Dog back to the ANBU base.
A new order came down: all squad captains and team leaders were to begin researching Collaborative Sealing Techniques—find historical records, gather intel.
At this point, ANBU wasn't known for sealing techniques. Root didn't yet have the Self-Binding Curse Mark either.
Yako, on the other hand, already knew several: the Self-Binding Curse Mark, which came from the System, and the Contract Seal, given to him by Yuka in a scroll.
He played along—pretending to brainstorm sealing methods with his squad leader, all the while hiding the techniques he already had.
Time passed. The Nine-Tails' chakra grew more and more unstable.
Month Two, Day 12.
The sealing ritual was about to begin.
Under the night sky, the Senju Clan Compound darkened one lantern at a time.
Doors opened silently as shinobi emerged from their homes.
Husbands and wives. Fathers and sons. Brothers and sisters.
Every single one of them who had graduated from the academy put on their clan robes—emblazoned with the Senju crest.
Unlike standard flak vests, the Senju robes were elegant, noble—long sleeves, flowing fabric. They looked like something out of a bygone era.
An ancient and glorious shinobi clan, with a legacy stretching back over a thousand years.
Pride was etched into every face.
If they could successfully transfer the Nine-Tails' seal, the Senju would continue to thrive around Princess Kushina for decades to come.
Back when Hashirama entrusted the Nine-Tails to Konoha—and to the Senju—it was because he believed only the Senju and Uzumaki had the power to control it.
No one could've predicted the Senju would weaken to this point, forced to rely on the jinchūriki just to stay relevant.
But this… this was their lowest point. With Nawaki, the young heir, fallen in battle, tonight would be the moment they either collapsed—or rose again.
Princess Kushina would become the Senju's next Kage-level shinobi.
Yako stood on a rooftop outside the compound, casting one last glance over the now-empty estate.
Only a few academy-age children remained.
Some were carrying infants on their backs—siblings younger than themselves.
At the entrance, a few elderly, disabled clan members waited with quiet anticipation.
From what Yako had heard, all Senju shinobi not currently in key frontline positions—like Tsunade—had returned.
Deep in the compound, Uzumaki Mito was helped slowly into a carriage. Her steps were shaky. She had to pause every few feet to rest.
Princess Kushina boarded as well.
This time, it wasn't a fake operation like the one at Mount Ushiga.
This was real. The seal transfer would happen tonight.
The carriage rolled forward, carrying both the elder and the child of the Uzumaki line.
Eight elite Senju surrounded them in escort.
Tonight… might be the funeral dirge of the Senju Clan. Their final swan song.