Leaving the barbecue restaurant, Drake let out a long sigh.
Danzo seeking him out was no surprise — it was clearly just another attempt to keep tabs on Minato-sensei.
What really bothered him was what Danzo had casually revealed: there was a high chance that Team Nine would be deployed again tomorrow.
And this time… their destination was likely the Hidden Mist Village.
"Just one mission after another, huh…" Drake muttered.
Losing all interest in wandering around, he decided to head home and sleep.
"Hey! Drake!"
He had barely taken a few steps when Rin, Anko, and Yugao hurried after him.
"You've been quiet ever since you met Danzo. Is something wrong?" Anko asked, a trace of concern on her face.
"If there's a problem, you can tell us. We'll inform Minato-sensei," Yugao added gently.
"Yes, yes," Rin nodded in agreement.
Looking at the three girls, Drake simply shook his head.
"Just get yourselves ready. We might have a mission tomorrow."
With that, hands in his pockets, he walked off.
The Next Day
As expected, Team Nine's assembly signal arrived.
Before heading out, Drake glanced at his attribute panel.
Strength: 916 (×) [Super Tier]
Seeing that his strength had doubled again, he clenched his fists lightly.
"Power's overflowing…"
By his estimation, he was only a few dozen points away from breaking into an even higher tier.
"If we judge purely by strength… I should already be approaching monster territory."
Training Ground No. 9
Minato announced the details of the new mission.
"This operation requires us to gather intelligence on the Hidden Mist Village — even information related to the Mizukage — while strictly avoiding direct conflict with Mist ninja."
As soon as he finished speaking, Obito raised his hand.
"Speak," Minato gestured.
"Sensei, couldn't we just gather info in the Land of Grass? Aren't they famous for selling intel?" Obito suggested.
"It won't work," Minato replied with a smile. "The Land of Grass has virtually no reliable intelligence on Kirigakure."
"Huh? Why not?" Obito scratched his head.
"Because the Hidden Mist is extremely closed-off. Very little information ever leaks out."
With that simple explanation, Team Nine set off.
The journey this time was far longer than before.
They would leave the Land of Fire, pass through the Land of Waves, and then take a boat toward the Land of Water.
Along the way, Minato and Drake naturally fell to the back of the group.
But the moment they slowed down, the others also slowed, gathering around them.
"Sensei, you're whispering with Drake again," Anko complained.
It was the same last mission, and now again?
"If you're all so curious, then you might as well listen together," Minato said helplessly.
Mission Strategy
Minato and Drake began discussing the real objective.
"This mission is about Madara secretly controlling the Hidden Mist, isn't it?" Drake went straight to the point.
"Exactly," Minato nodded. "Every village has received this information. They'll all send people to verify it."
"So we're all hunting for proof," Drake mused.
"Yes. And under strict orders — no conflict with Mist ninja."
Hearing that, Drake found it mildly ridiculous.
"Sensei, if we're investigating in their territory, conflict is inevitable. Do you think they'll politely hand over intelligence to us?"
"It's a direct order from the Third," Minato sighed.
Drake snorted softly.
Investigate, but don't fight.
What kind of joke was that?
If Sarutobi wanted results without conflict, perhaps he should come personally and show everyone how it's done.
Meanwhile — Other Villages Move
At the same time Team Nine headed for the Land of Water, Sunagakure, Kumogakure, and Iwagakure also dispatched their own investigation squads.
Cloud Village
The first to reach the border were Killer B and A.
"Bro, the Raikage wants us to investigate but not arrest anyone. How are we supposed to do that?" B grumbled.
"We don't arrest," A replied coolly. "We interrogate — and then kill."
"Kill them? Won't that expose us?"
"Why would it?" A smirked. "The ones who did it were Konoha ninja. What does that have to do with us?"
"Big bro, you're a genius!" B laughed.
Two Mist border guards appeared.
"You've entered the Land of Water—"
Boom! Boom!
Both were smashed to death in a single strike.
Sand Village
On a distant island, Maki and Yakura gazed across the sea.
"If we run into Mist ninja and can't fight… what if we're captured?" Yakura asked.
"Simple," Maki replied. "Kill them."
"And expose ourselves?"
"The killers? Leaf ninja. What does that have to do with us Sand ninja?"
Stone Village
Within the Land of Water, Kitsuchi (Huangtu) encountered a Mist scout.
"Fog ninja? Tch."
He slammed his palms down.
Earth Style – Stone Spear Assault!
The poor Mist ninja was turned into a bloody sieve mid-air.
"We might get exposed, Lord Kitsuchi," his subordinate warned.
"Expose?" Kitsuchi chuckled, tossing out explosive tags.
BOOM!
"With these explosions, everyone will know — this was the Leaf's doing."
Back to Team Nine
On the second day of travel, Drake stood at the bow of the ship, gazing at the faint outline of the Land of Water.
"Looks close… but it's still pretty far," the boatman called out.
Drake returned to the cabin and checked his panel again.
Spirit: 2560 (×) [Divine Immunity]
Honestly, he still had no idea what this "Divine Immunity" truly entailed — and couldn't be bothered to overthink it.
"Drake," Minato reminded him once more, "once we enter the Land of Water, avoid clashes with Mist ninja as much as possible."
"Got it," Drake replied seriously.
Though in his heart, he already knew—
This trip was destined to be anything but peaceful.
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