Afternoon.
At the rear mountain of Konoha, Drake wandered around aimlessly before circling down to a stream at the foot of the slope.
Crouching beside the flowing water, he carefully recalled the contents of the Wood Release manual.
Then—
Clap!
His hands came together, chakra surging within his body.
Wood Release — Twin Wood Chain Technique!
Sizzle—
Chakra poured from his palms, forming two tree trunks as thick as barrels. They twisted together and shot forward, slamming into a massive bluestone over three meters tall.
Boom!
The impact shattered the rock on the spot. Fragments splashed into the stream, sending ripples dancing across the surface.
Yet Drake frowned.
"Hmm… doesn't feel that strong."
He'd expected something earth-shattering, like the devastation his Gravity Orb could cause. But this? The destructive power was only decent at best.
"I can feel it… my output of Wood chakra has already reached its current limit."
"This isn't because my chakra reserves are low… I'm being restricted."
After thinking for a moment, he reached a conclusion.
"When I tested the Gravity Orb before, I didn't encounter this issue. But Wood Release has a clear conversion ceiling."
"So the problem is my understanding of Wood Release isn't deep enough yet?"
That seemed to be the only reasonable explanation.
Which meant if he wanted stronger Wood Release, he'd either need to deepen his mastery or wait for his attributes to double again.
After testing a few more techniques, Drake quickly lost interest.
Compared to his fists, this level of power just wasn't worth the effort.
Before leaving, he planted several leftover chunks of Wood Release timber into the soil beside the stream.
"With the mountain at your back and water at your side, you guys should grow up healthy and strong."
He clapped his hands, satisfied.
The embedded wood bent slightly, as if bowing in thanks — and promptly snapped with a crack.
"…Stop thanking me! If you keep doing that, you'll break again!"
Sighing, Drake stuck the broken piece back into the ground.
"This really is an efficient way to plant trees… one piece of wood can snap a dozen times and still be useful."
When he returned home, he was surprised to find Minato already in the courtyard.
Minato was bent over, carefully observing the little sapling Drake had grown.
"This seedling of yours is quite special," Minato said, straightening up.
"Huh? What's so special about it?"
"When you came back just now, it trembled slightly."
Looking at Drake, Minato continued,
"This means you can establish a shallow form of communication with plants."
Well damn.
Drake had to admit — Minato's observation skills were terrifying.
"Sensei, don't tell me you came all the way here just to admire my tree?"
"There are other matters as well."
"Hold on."
Drake dashed inside and dragged out a tiny stool.
"Let's sit and talk properly, Sensei."
Plopping down onto a wooden chair, he gestured for Minato to sit too.
"The two Sand shinobi escaped," Minato said bluntly the moment he sat down.
"Sand shinobi? Escaped?" Drake blinked in confusion.
"You really forgot already — Maki and Pakura," Minato reminded him.
"Oh, those two."
Drake remembered now. The Sand infiltration squad from before.
"Didn't you personally send them to the front lines?"
"Yes, but Orochimaru's defection caused the front to collapse. They ended up being rescued by Sunagakure."
Minato's expression turned grim.
"They know you killed Root members. If they expose that… you'll be in danger."
Drake thought for a moment.
"I don't think they'll say anything."
From his perspective, spilling the truth would only humiliate themselves within Sunagakure. Getting captured by a genin team on first contact wasn't exactly glorious.
If they swallowed the shame and stayed quiet, they might even be reused and promoted.
"Let's hope so," Minato sighed.
Then he continued,
"The second matter — a Kumogakure envoy has just arrived in the village. Prepare yourself mentally."
"Kumo envoy?"
"Yes."
He spoke gravely.
"In my report, I only mentioned that you, Kakashi, and Yugao formed an infiltration unit to destroy their supply station."
"I did not report that you repelled the Raikage's son."
"So for now, the village doesn't know your true taijutsu strength."
Drake understood immediately.
Minato had deliberately concealed his power, most likely to prevent people from connecting him to the Root incident.
But while Konoha remained ignorant…
Kumo knew everything.
Which meant this diplomatic visit might very well come with conditions — possibly targeting him directly.
Was Drake worried?
Not in the slightest.
Minato thought he was on the third floor.
Kumo thought he was on the ninth.
But Drake himself?
He was chilling on the 999th.
Grass Country — Near Kannabi Bridge
Underground Cavern.
An aged, withered Uchiha Madara reclined against his stone throne, eyes closed, listening as White Zetsu relayed the latest intelligence of the shinobi world.
"This is the Land of Grass. Our information network here is the most comprehensive in the shinobi world."
White Zetsu continued.
"Orochimaru fled the front. Sunagakure broke through Konoha's first defensive line."
"Konoha deployed large reinforcements and stabilized the battlefield. The two sides are now in another stalemate."
"Kumogakure's vanguard was intercepted by Minato Namikaze. Their supply outpost was destroyed, and the unit withdrew."
"The Uchiha Clan is currently defending against the Mist."
Madara showed no particular reaction.
So White Zetsu went on.
"Konoha has produced a new Wood Release user. Six years old."
Swish.
Madara's eyes opened sharply, a flicker of surprise crossing his ancient face.
"Wood Release?"
"Yes. He was secretly cultivated by Danzo, but suddenly exposed and placed into Team Nine under Minato."
"Hoh…"
Madara nodded slowly and closed his eyes again, indicating Zetsu should continue.
"And also in Konoha… a boy has appeared who can counter Wood Release."
"...What?"
Madara's voice rose for the first time, sharp and tense.
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