Leaning against the tree trunk, Drake slowly opened his eyes as the spiritual will of his Wood Clone returned.
"So Nagato's control over the Rinnegan is still immature."
He had originally intended for the clone to remove Nagato's Rinnegan on the spot.
But upon arrival at Rainfall Mountain, the clone realized—
Nagato did not possess the ability to revive the dead.
Which meant one thing:
He had not yet mastered the Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique.
Drake agreed with that assessment.
"If Nagato already had that technique… Madara wouldn't be hiding."
"He would have used Nagato to resurrect himself long ago."
Drake walked back toward the village.
Through the Yang Release chakra he injected, he could now continuously sense Yahiko and Nagato's locations.
They were heading toward Konoha.
"When they arrive, I'll perform the eye transplant."
His tone was calm.
Calculated.
Evening — Village Stroll
As dusk fell, Drake wandered through the village.
He received waves of praise and admiration from civilians.
Children pointed.
Vendors bowed.
Women—
Left lipstick marks on his face.
Drake wiped one away thoughtfully.
"Engaging the grassroots regularly… is politically essential."
He approved of this strategy.
8 PM — Barbecue Shop
Kushina waved from a private room.
"Over here!"
Drake entered.
"…Just us?"
"Yes."
She listed everyone absent.
Mikoto was at the Uchiha compound.
Rin was on assignment—apparently sent to find Tsunade.
Others were unavailable.
Dinner began.
Kushina drank heavily.
And talked.
A lot.
"Minato became like that…"
"I'm alone now."
"The Uzumaki clan is gone."
"You promised him you'd take care of me."
She grabbed Drake's hand.
"You're alone too… so you understand."
Drake frowned slightly.
"Kushina-senpai, you're drunk."
"I'm not."
But moments later—
She collapsed.
Drake sighed and carried her back to the bathhouse.
Inside her room—
She clung like an octopus.
"Are you part octopus?" he muttered.
Eventually, he lay down.
He fell asleep.
Sometime later—
Kushina opened her eyes.
"I need someone to rely on."
"Drake… you're the best choice."
Quietly, she removed her clothes.
And embraced him.
Her decision—
Was made.
Land of Lightning — Night
A toad emerged from underground.
It surveyed the area.
Minato.
He had tracked Hiruzen and Orochimaru this far.
"Sarutobi clan settles in Moon Country…"
"But the two of them entered Lightning Country."
"They're seeking Madara."
Suddenly—
Snakes slithered across the ground.
Minato instantly transformed into a stone.
The snakes dispersed.
"I see… Orochimaru is using snakes to search for Madara."
Minato burrowed underground—
Moving in the opposite direction.
He didn't need to follow the snakes.
He only needed to track the source.
"As long as I monitor those two… something will surface."
His plan was forming.
Mountain Graveyard — Lightning Country
Danzō stood outside the cave, staring at the moon.
Madara walked out behind him.
"You're not sleeping?" Danzō muttered.
Madara chuckled softly.
Suddenly—
His expression shifted.
He returned inside.
"You're right. I'm old. I should rest."
Deep inside the cave—
Black Zetsu emerged from the earth.
"How did it go?" Madara asked.
"Mission successful," Black Zetsu replied.
"Yahiko is dead. Nagato was stimulated and summoned the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path."
Madara smiled broadly.
"Excellent."
A Uzumaki activating the Rinnegan—
It meant the resurrection plan was nearly complete.
Once Nagato mastered the Samsara technique—
Madara would return at full power.
"And when that day comes…"
"I'll personally crush that brat Drake."
"And uncover the secret of his power."
Black Zetsu added:
"I withdrew immediately to avoid being detected."
"You did well."
Madara closed his eyes.
The moonlight filtered through the cave entrance.
Everyone believed they were ahead.
But unseen—
Variables were already moving beyond their control.
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