After their first encounter, this time Lady Mikoto was clearly far more at ease.
It wasn't until deep into the night that Drake finally left the bathhouse and departed from Joyful Hot Springs.
The Next Morning
At the crack of dawn, Drake once again showed up to freeload breakfast.
"You're here this early again?" Kushina blinked in surprise.
Once could be a coincidence — but twice?
Could it be that Minato's words were wrong?
Was Drake actually… punctual?
"Saves me from cooking," Drake replied casually as he sat down.
Breakfast passed peacefully.
"Huh? Mikoto, your complexion looks great today," Kushina remarked, glancing at her curiously.
"Wasn't it a bit dull a few days ago?"
"Meizi looks great too," Mikoto smiled, turning to her.
"Me?" Meizi paused briefly, then returned to her calm expression.
As the Daimyō of the Land of Hot Water, controlling her emotions came naturally.
Kushina stared harder now, eyes widening.
"You're right! Both of you look amazing! What's your secret? I want in too~~"
CRACK!
Suddenly, Drake's stool shattered.
"I HAVE A GREAT IDEA!"
The quick-witted Drake instantly changed the topic.
"What idea?"
"Is it about complexion?"
"Say it already!"
Even Rin leaned in, curious.
"It's about promoting the massage service," Drake cleared his throat.
"Think about it — Lady Mikoto can personally endorse the results!
She already has a child, yet her complexion is still this radiant. Isn't that the perfect advertisement?"
The moment he said this, Kushina's eyes sparkled.
"That's brilliant! Absolute genius!"
"Your business sense is frighteningly sharp," Mikoto chuckled softly.
"Truly unexpected," Meizi added with a smile.
"Just a sudden inspiration," Drake laughed awkwardly, feeling a bit guilty.
As soon as breakfast ended, he grabbed Rin and fled the scene.
On the Street
Hands in his pockets, Drake casually opened his status panel.
Spirit: 10240 (*) [Sage-tier Immunity]
"Spirit stat doubled, huh…" he mused.
He was about to close it when—
His expression froze.
"Wait… why is there an extra ability?!"
Name: Drake
Age: 12
Strength: 3664 [Sage-tier]
Constitution: 4608 [Sage-tier]
Agility: 372 [Ultra-tier]
Spirit: 10240 (*) [Sage-tier Immunity]
Chakra: 18884
Skills: None
Ninjutsu: Chibaku Tensei (S+ Rank) [Quality Evolution]
Abilities: Ultimate Wood Release Control (Trait: Loyalty), Perception
Overall Evaluation: Genin
A new ability: Perception.
"Did this come from my Spirit reaching Sage-tier immunity?" he muttered.
After some thought, he nodded.
"When Constitution hit Sage-tier, I unlocked Wood Release."
"Now Spirit evolved, and I gained Perception."
Then another thought struck him.
"But Strength is also Sage-tier… so why no ability from that?"
In the end, he reached a conclusion: Ability linkage.
"Wood Release wasn't just from Constitution — it was the fusion of Earth and Water attributes too."
"And Perception likely came from Spirit surpassing ten thousand, triggering a qualitative change."
Just as he finished reasoning—
Tap! Tap! Tap!
A figure ran past in the distance.
Drake focused his gaze.
"Is that… Anko?"
"Drake! She's being chased!" Rin cried, pointing behind her.
Indeed — a Root ninja was in hot pursuit.
"Anko!" Drake called out.
She turned, face lighting up with relief, and sprinted straight toward them.
WHOOSH!
Seeing Drake, the Root operative accelerated, trying to seize her.
But Drake had already stepped in front.
"A Root dog daring to arrest an ANBU?" his voice turned icy.
"Got a death wish?"
"I act on Lord Danzō's orders—"
"Orders your ass!" Drake snapped.
"You serve Danzō, we serve the Hokage."
"You think Danzō outranks the Hokage?"
He grinned coldly.
"By regulation, I'd be fully justified killing you on the spot."
The Root ninja seethed, unable to refute a word.
Drake slowly pulled his hand from his pocket.
"Sigh… Since you broke protocol first, don't blame me—"
FLASH!
Minato appeared instantly.
"…Sensei?" Drake frowned, lowering his hand in frustration.
Twice now. Always perfect timing.
Minato glanced at Anko and instantly understood.
Then he faced the Root ninja.
"Go back and tell Danzō this:
Orochimaru's crimes do not justify persecuting his former disciples."
The Root operative retreated.
BBQ Restaurant – Private Room
Present:
Drake, Minato, Rin, and Anko.
"Sensei, why was Danzō trying to arrest Anko?" Rin asked in confusion.
"This is what I was coming to tell you," Minato said gravely.
"Looks like Danzō's in trouble," Drake guessed.
"Exactly. Danzō has been exposed."
"By Orochimaru?"
"What happened?"
Minato's expression darkened.
"According to intel from the Land of Grass…
Orochimaru publicly declared that while he conducted the experiments—
Danzō was the one supplying human subjects."
Silence blanketed the room.
The implication was clear.
Danzō wasn't just shadowy.
He was a monster.
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