Inside the courtyard.
Drake wore a strange expression.
Squad Nine was collectively speechless.
Because—
Kakashi had just walked in carrying a massive cleaver-like greatsword on his back.
The blade was nearly twenty centimeters wide and over a meter long.
"This is a greatsword my father once seized in battle," Kakashi said, setting it down.
"Will this work?"
"Hey, Kakashi, that's way too much!" Obito shouted immediately.
Drake's straight sword was already impressive enough—
and now Kakashi shows up with a weapon that had several times the surface area?
Just from the blade alone, it was obvious:
standing on this thing mid-air would be way more stable.
"You're really putting me in a tough spot here, Kakashi." Drake hesitated.
Rustle!
Kakashi calmly pulled out a thick stack of high-denomination banknotes and handed them over.
"…Alright then. I'll give it a try."
Drake accepted the money, slipped it into his clothes, and stood up.
"Everyone move back a bit," Obito said helpfully.
"Drake's about to begin."
Forging the Flying Weapon
Drake picked up the greatsword and examined it carefully.
"The material is excellent."
Nodding, he infused his will into the blade.
The dual intents of "float" and "fly" poured in, and the sword began to hum softly.
Then Drake injected chakra, activating its flying properties.
"Done."
He clapped his hands and stepped back.
"…Huh?"
"That's it?"
Squad Nine stared blankly.
Drake had barely done anything—just looked at the sword for a few seconds.
And just like that…
37 million ryō was gone.
Ignoring their stunned expressions, Drake explained the usage.
"Kakashi, connect with it using chakra to communicate with the flying intent inside."
"One important thing—when you're standing on it, don't forget to keep supplying chakra."
"If the sword runs out mid-air and you fall to your death, that's on you."
After giving his warnings, Drake sat back down on the wooden chair.
First Test Flight
Kakashi mulled over the instructions, then stepped onto the greatsword.
He channeled chakra into his feet and connected with the sword's internal intent.
"So that's how it works… floating and flight."
Realization dawned on him.
"Up!"
The blade rose smoothly into the air.
"It's floating!" Obito exclaimed.
For the first time, they were seeing someone other than Drake take flight.
"I—Hatake Kakashi!"
Kakashi's aura suddenly shifted as he declared his name.
Pointing forward, he commanded:
"Fly!"
Whoosh!
The greatsword shot forward like an arrow—
Thud.
The sword flew away…
but Kakashi dropped straight down.
"Tch."
Obito clicked his tongue in disdain.
"You need to keep chakra attached to your feet," Rin reminded him.
"Seriously, you fell off that easily? And you're supposed to be a genius?" Anko mocked.
Clearly, Kakashi had only linked his chakra to the sword's intent—
then removed the chakra from his feet.
Falling was inevitable.
"I was just testing," Kakashi said stubbornly, brushing dirt off himself.
He crooked a finger toward the sky.
The greatsword sharply changed direction and flew back at high speed.
"So it can be controlled remotely too?" Obito muttered in awe.
"Looks like once the flying intent is activated, it can be manipulated from a distance," Anko said thoughtfully.
"That's correct," Drake added.
"But you still need to make sure it has enough chakra."
Everyone nodded repeatedly.
Success
Moments later, Kakashi successfully rode the blade, circling the courtyard over ten times.
The rest of them watched with open envy.
When he finally landed, Kakashi flicked two fingers.
The greatsword spun several times mid-air and stabbed neatly into the ground before him.
"Definitely a divine weapon."
Kakashi was more than satisfied.
"Of course," Drake said smugly.
"I poured my heart and soul into making it."
"All I know is that you earned 37 million ryō in under ten seconds," Anko rolled her eyes.
"Hey! I expended tremendous effort!" Drake said seriously.
"What you saw was only the surface."
"Drake," Obito leaned in excitedly.
"Can anything be made to fly?"
"Sure," Drake nodded.
"As long as the material is sturdy enough."
"Got it! Wait for me!"
Obito clenched his fist and bolted off like lightning.
Watching him go, the others immediately understood—
Obito was going to get his own flying artifact.
Flying was just too tempting.
"Wait… does Obito even have that much money?" Anko frowned.
"Probably not?" Rin agreed uncertainly.
"Don't underestimate him," Kakashi said calmly.
"If Obito really needs money, he can get it."
"…Huh?"
Anko and Rin stared at him.
"You're all thinking too much like before," Drake said lightly.
"Obito is the Uchiha clan's treasure now."
"Do you really think the Uchiha wouldn't pay for this?"
Understanding dawned on them instantly.
With Wood Release, Obito was priceless to the clan.
"…Then what about us?" Anko sighed, glancing at the others.
"We don't even have enough for a down payment."
"Hey—where's Yamato?" Anko suddenly noticed.
"He's gone."
"He probably went to get money," Kakashi said.
"From where?" Anko was baffled.
"He's only six!"
"You're seriously underestimating him," Drake said calmly.
Meanwhile — Root Base
Yamato crept quietly into a hidden chamber.
"Danzo-sama already defected," he muttered.
"So using his private stash is totally reasonable."
Forming hand seals, Yamato activated the mechanism.
"Four-Layer Concealment Seal—release!"
Hummmm—
A hidden door slid open in the wall.
Inside—
Stacks upon stacks of banknotes.
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