Waking up to the fresh morning air and opening the window, Drake felt his mood brighten instantly.
As usual, the first thing he did was check his status panel.
Spirit: 1280 (*) [Ultimate Immunity]
"So today's double stat is Spirit, huh…"
He casually closed the panel and stepped into the courtyard.
Rustle…
Rustle…
His gaze moved from the small sapling to the jujube tree beside it, and a hint of surprise surfaced on his face.
"You two don't want to stay together?"
"I even planted you so close…"
Muttering to himself, Drake pulled the sapling out, roots and all, and moved it a few meters away.
Rustle…
This time, the sapling seemed visibly happier.
Even the jujube tree swayed its branches in delight.
"Seriously… you're both plants. Why stay so far apart?"
Shaking his head, Drake turned his head back inside.
Originally, today was supposed to be a perfect day for doing absolutely nothing.
But just as he relaxed, another assembly signal arrived.
"We just got back from a mission yesterday and we're gathering again?"
As expected, Drake was late. Again.
Training Ground No. 9
When Drake finally arrived, he was completely dumbfounded by the scene.
"Why are there so many people?!"
The entire field was packed with shinobi, bustling like a marketplace.
He glanced at the signboard to confirm — this was indeed Training Ground No. 9.
"So impressive!"
"That's Wood Release?!"
"He's only six years old, right?"
"Is he the next First Hokage?!"
Voices buzzed all around him, instantly piquing Drake's curiosity.
He squeezed through the crowd and joined the spectators.
At the center of the field stood a six-year-old boy, half-crouched, wooden constructs extending from his palms.
Whoosh!
The wood shot forward like twin serpents, spiraling as they surged.
BOOM!
They smashed into a boulder, shattering it instantly.
"What terrifying destructive power…"
"Wood breaking stone… so this is Mokuton."
"He's the village's future."
"Why did someone like this end up in Team Nine?"
The surrounding shinobi sighed in admiration — and jealousy.
After all, a seven-man squad was unheard of.
"Drake! Over here!"
Rin waved excitedly from within the crowd.
Drake shoved his way over and stood beside her.
"What's going on? We recruited someone again?" he muttered, genuinely puzzled.
He knew Yamato existed — but this early? And in Team Nine?
"Yeah… and we're about to fight him too," Rin said.
"Fight him?"
"Team Nine will take turns sparring with him."
Drake was left speechless.
So this was public exposure now? A live performance of Wood Release?
And Team Nine… was being used as the demonstration board.
His eyes swept the area. Minato. The Third Hokage. Danzo. Even the clan heads were present.
"So this child has the First Hokage's Mokuton…"
Uchiha Fugaku murmured, eyes narrowed at the boy.
"This is wonderful! If he grows up, Konoha might dominate the entire shinobi world!" another clan leader exclaimed.
"Team Nine is assembled. We can begin," Minato said, noticing Drake's arrival and turning to the Third.
"Let the sparring commence," the Third Hokage nodded.
The center field expanded as the crowd stepped back.
"I'll go first."
Rin took a deep breath and stepped forward.
Drake didn't cheer — he already knew the outcome.
And sure enough…
"Begin!"
The moment an ANBU gave the signal, a wooden spike slammed into Rin's abdomen, launching her backward.
Swish!
Drake leapt up and caught her mid-air.
"I lost…" Rin groaned, clutching her stomach.
"That was inevitable," Drake said gently, gesturing for her not to blame herself.
"Next, me!"
Obito squeezed through the crowd and jumped into the arena.
"You were hiding well, huh?" Drake muttered. "Didn't even notice you."
"Just watch me, Drake!"
Obito formed seals the instant the match began.
Fire Style — Great Fireball Jutsu!
WHOOM!
But before his flames even reached their target, a wooden strike sent him flying just like Rin.
"HE CHEATED!"
"He ambushed me!!"
Drake pinched the bridge of his nose.
Losing isn't shameful.
Making excuses after losing? That's just pathetic.
Even Minato wasn't spared from the surrounding whispers.
"Seems Minato's Team Nine still needs more polishing," Danzo sneered.
The Third Hokage didn't disagree.
Aside from Kakashi, the rest really did look… disappointing.
"Is that so?" Minato smiled lightly.
Then his gaze shifted to Drake.
"Drake. Step forward."
Kakashi paused mid-step and quietly backed off.
If Drake was going, there was nothing to worry about anymore.
"Huh? Me already?"
Drake blinked in surprise.
Shouldn't the captain be the finale?
Red Bean, Yugao, and Kakashi hadn't even stepped in yet.
Still, since Minato called him out, Drake had no choice but to end this farce early.
He walked into the arena and casually beckoned the child forward.
"Use everything you've got. Defeat me."
He generously allowed the boy to attack first.
After all, the kid was only six.
"…I'm being looked down on."
Yamato could see the confidence — even disdain — in Drake's eyes.
So he struck back with full force.
Clap!
Hands pressed together, Yamato unleashed a stronger technique.
Wood Release — Four Pillars Assault!
Zzzzt!
Four thick wooden pillars formed from his arms and shot straight at Drake.
"Before it was two… now it's four?"
"His power's increased!"
The crowd gasped in shock.
The speed and force were clearly on another level.
"Hmm?"
Drake stared at the incoming wood, expression strangely calm.
Originally, he planned to end this with one punch.
But now… he didn't need to.
He could feel it.
He felt the resistance.
The wooden constructs rushing toward him were filled with rejection.
Whoosh!
The attack surged forward—
And then… something impossible happened.
Just as Drake was about to be struck, the Wood Release began to tremble violently.
Then it twisted unnaturally mid-air and veered off —
Straight back toward its caster.
Minato: "???"
Third Hokage: "???"
Danzo: "???"
Team Nine: "???"
Spectators: "???"
Yamato: "⊙o⊙"
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