In the woods outside Konohagakure, Drake and Minato Namikaze began interrogating Hanzō.
"Tell us everything," Minato said, arms folded. "My disciple has ways to extract information directly from your mind if you don't."
Hanzō sighed and didn't resist.
"I was hiding underground in Amegakure when a strange black shadow found me."
"And then?" Minato prompted.
"Then… behind that shadow appeared Madara Uchiha. But he looked like he was in his prime—his middle-aged form."
Drake narrowed his eyes. "His middle-aged form…"
Hanzō continued, "He ordered me to sneak into Konoha underground and release the poison from my salamander. He promised he'd lure the Fourth Hokage away."
Hanzō's voice trembled with anger. "That bastard deceived me."
Drake froze.
"Those were his exact words?"
"Yes."
Drake grabbed Hanzō by the collar.
"Sensei, return to the village now."
With that, Drake vanished, taking Hanzō with him.
Minato's expression changed.
"Madara's trying to draw Drake away from the village?"
Without hesitation, Minato activated the mark he'd placed at the Training Ground 9 and teleported.
Face to Face
The instant Drake returned to the village, he unleashed his sensory ability. His expression shifted.
"I see."
He sped toward his home.
Moments later, in the courtyard, Drake and Madara stood face-to-face.
"So," Drake said coldly, tossing Hanzō aside, "you used Hanzō to lure me out while you slipped into my house. Clever."
Madara's expression was grave. "Your speed exceeded my expectations."
"Find anything interesting in my home?"
"Nothing. It seems your secret lies within you."
Madara had searched every inch of Drake's house and found nothing but a strange artificial embryo. No clues. Nothing useful.
Which meant Drake's strength wasn't from a technique or artifact—it was embedded in his very body.
And now, Madara knew he couldn't win or escape.
"Why aren't you using Susanoo?" Drake mocked.
"No point," Madara replied. He closed his eyes. "Kill me."
The Trap Exposed
A terrifying mental force crashed down, forcing Madara to his knees.
Hanzō, watching from the side, was stunned.
To him, Madara was an untouchable legend. And yet here he was, surrendering to Drake?
Drake crouched, his smile fading.
"You think you're clever. You want me to kill you, so that the past version of you can continue to jump forward in time."
Madara's face changed instantly.
"You—?!"
"How could you know this rule?!" Madara was shaken. Only the ancient Great Toad Sage had foreseen that rule. No one else knew.
Drake's gaze was cold.
"I realized it the moment you first jumped to the present."
"I killed your older self and buried your body here. But when you appeared from the past, the corpse vanished."
"That told me everything."
He continued, voice calm and absolute:
"The past version of you can only come forward when the present version is dead."
Madara's face drained of color.
He had never imagined someone could deduce the mechanics of time travel without ever using it.
"You're… a monster."
The Research Subjects
Drake stood. "I won't kill you. You're going to make a contribution."
He tapped the ground. "Orochimaru."
From the soil rose Orochimaru in a White Zetsu body, eyes gleaming.
"So this is the legendary Madara," Orochimaru murmured.
"I'll seal Madara and Hanzō. Take them for research," Drake ordered. "But don't kill them yet."
Orochimaru's excitement was barely contained. "Thank you, Lord Drake. This is an incredible gift."
Hanzō panicked. "I'll serve you! I'll pledge loyalty!"
Drake didn't even look at him. "Next lifetime."
Madara's voice turned venomous. "Drake… I curse you and your entire bloodline."
Hanzō snapped back instantly, "Madara, you son of a—!"
Drake smirked. "Take them away. And Orochimaru… study Madara's tongue while you're at it."
"With pleasure."
Orochimaru grabbed them both and vanished into the earth.
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