Drake woke up.
And froze.
He was holding—
A voluptuous woman.
Red hair spilled across the pillow.
"…What the hell?"
His brain short-circuited.
He reviewed last night's memory carefully.
Dinner.
Drunk Kushina.
Carried her home.
Then… sleep.
He hadn't moved.
Which meant—
She had.
Drake shot upright.
"Did Kushina-senpai… take advantage of me?!"
Outraged and flustered, he slipped away at lightning speed.
He needed space.
Minato's Former Home
Drake entered quietly.
He picked up a framed photograph.
Minato smiling brightly.
Kushina smiling beside him.
Drake stared at it silently.
"…Did I do something wrong?"
He had never harbored improper thoughts toward Kushina.
He had only promised to look after her.
Yet last night—
He had been "violated."
"…Who do I even complain to?"
He sighed heavily and forced the matter out of his mind.
Then—
His eyes lit up.
Status Panel Update
Agility: 1482 (*) — Sage Level
"It finally doubled."
His mood instantly improved.
He stepped outside.
Shua!
In under two breaths—
He appeared back in his courtyard.
Speed.
Pure, overwhelming speed.
"With this velocity…"
"My punch could shatter a hill."
He didn't need Wood Release anymore.
At this level—
Physical combat alone placed him at the apex of the ninja world.
"Today is a good day."
"Time to trouble Fugaku again."
Uchiha Compound
Uchiha Fugaku once again assumed the burden of paperwork without complaint.
Drake wandered toward the training grounds.
"Obito."
Obito ran over enthusiastically.
"Go get Shisui. Important mission."
Moments later, Shisui arrived fully equipped.
Drake glanced at Obito.
"See? He prepared tools. You didn't."
Obito grumbled.
"Fire me from the Hokage if you want."
Shisui ignored him.
"What is the mission, Hokage-sama?"
"Escort."
Drake summoned a White Zetsu clone.
"White Zetsu will guide you to three individuals traveling from the Land of Rain."
"Bring them back safely."
"Anyone interferes—eliminate them."
Obito grinned.
"I'm Konoha's second strongest. Easy job."
Shisui remained cautious.
"We'll proceed carefully."
Drake nodded.
With those two escorting Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan—
Safety was nearly guaranteed.
Now—
Only Madara remained.
Lightning Country — Mountain Graveyard
Madara and Danzō stood outside the cavern.
A small snake slithered into view.
Silence.
Madara's eyes narrowed.
"Danzō… care to explain?"
"I have nothing to explain."
Madara's tone chilled.
"Then how did this snake get here?"
He wasn't ignorant.
Snake reconnaissance meant one person.
Orochimaru.
And Orochimaru had deep ties to Danzō.
Danzō calmly walked forward.
He removed a scroll.
The snake swallowed it and burrowed underground.
Madara's gaze turned dangerous.
"You send messages in front of me?"
"Planning betrayal?"
Danzō finally spoke.
"Orochimaru intends to join you."
Madara paused.
Recruitment.
Additional manpower.
That was useful.
But control would be essential.
Madara's lips curled faintly.
Perhaps—
The board was filling nicely.
And every piece believed it was acting independently.
Drake's Assessment — Back in Konoha
Drake stood beneath a tree, smiling faintly.
Minato was shadowing Hiruzen and Orochimaru.
Once they located Madara—
Reverse summoning.
Instant deployment.
Total annihilation.
The so-called Losers' Alliance—
Madara.
Danzō.
Hiruzen.
Orochimaru.
Their collapse was approaching.
Drake stretched lazily.
"…No difficulty at all."
But unseen to him—
Several variables were still moving.
And the countdown had begun.
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