After returning home to secure Minato's cultivation vessel, Drake arrived at the Hokage Office.
He stopped.
The desk was stacked with documents again.
"…It's only been half a day."
He picked up the first file.
"Chiyo of Sunagakure is approaching the village?"
Second file.
The Mizukage's official correspondence.
Third.
The Tsuchikage's letter.
Fourth.
The newly appointed Raikage's notice.
Drake leaned back.
"I see."
Compensation talks were one purpose.
But the larger objective—
The Chūnin Exams.
He flipped through more scrolls.
Even minor villages were sending participants.
"They're efficient."
"My genin aren't even warmed up yet."
" Kakashi."
Shun.
An ANBU appeared.
Drake narrowed his eyes.
"…You're not Kakashi."
"Captain Kakashi is expanding ANBU recruitment," the masked figure replied coldly.
Drake stepped closer and pulled the ANBU into his arms.
"Don't speak. Let me guess."
His hand slipped inside the cloak.
"…Anko."
"You pervert," came the softened reply.
Moments later—
Anko collapsed to her knees.
Drake cleared his throat.
"This is the Hokage's office. Maintain decorum."
Immediately after—
His pants were pulled down.
Footsteps echoed in the hallway.
Anko vanished in a flash of body flicker, leaving Drake mid-adjustment.
The door opened.
Kushina entered.
She saw him fastening his pants.
"…What are you doing?"
"Ventilation," Drake replied solemnly.
"It's warm."
Kushina stared, then shook her head.
"I brought the bathhouse profits."
She handed him a heavy pouch.
"Last month's earnings."
Drake weighed it briefly—
Then handed it back.
"Consider it your salary."
Kushina blinked.
"That's too much."
"You're worth it."
She hesitated.
"Then… I'll treat you to dinner tonight."
"Don't I already freeload often?"
"Barbecue."
"…Alright."
"Eight o'clock."
She left lightly.
Drake sighed.
"…She didn't even ask about Minato."
Only yesterday, Minato's condition would have devastated her.
Now—
Dinner invitations?
"Women truly are unpredictable."
He summoned Anko again.
She reappeared—
And immediately knelt.
"Stand up."
"I have work."
He gave orders for Chūnin Exam preparation.
She refused to leave.
"Then you watch the moon with me tonight."
"…Fine. Now go."
She vanished happily.
Drake rubbed his temples.
This village was exhausting.
Land of Lightning — Border Region
Orochimaru and Hiruzen emerged from a giant snake's mouth.
Hiruzen spat mucus violently.
"Was it necessary for both of us to ride one snake?"
"If you had your own," Orochimaru replied dryly,
"You couldn't control it."
They had infiltrated successfully.
"Where do we find Danzō and Madara?" Hiruzen asked.
"We don't."
"Then why come?"
"We let them find us."
Hiruzen considered.
"What if Cloud nin find us first?"
"Kill them."
"And frame Madara."
Simple.
Efficient.
Cold.
Mountain Graveyard — Hundreds of Miles Away
Danzō burst out of a cave, drenched in sweat.
"You said a few tunnels!"
"Why does this cavern need to be larger than Konoha's plaza?!"
He glared at the empty air.
"Planning to build a ninja village underground?!"
Inside the cave, the echoes of digging continued.
Far away—
Two fugitives approached Lightning Country.
A frustrated conspirator dug underground.
And Drake—
Sat calmly in Konoha.
Waiting.
The League of Failures was nearly assembled.
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