Hozuki Gengetsu never would have imagined that his proposal… would be rejected.
He scanned the surrounding factions, but not a single one voiced opposition.
This kid's presence alone… is enough to dominate the entire situation?
His wariness toward Drake deepened, his expression darkening repeatedly.
"Old man, you just want to use us. Do you really think we're idiots?" Maki sneered.
"What did you say?"
Gengetsu narrowed his eyes, anger creeping into his tone.
"The Hozuki Clan used to be impressive, sure… but now? Heh," Pakura added coolly, delivering a second strike.
"Very good. Very good indeed, Sand ninja!"
Being mocked by youngsters pushed Gengetsu from rage into bitter laughter. Then his gaze shifted back to Drake.
"Brat, you'd better think carefully. If you refuse to cooperate with me, the consequences will be severe."
Drake blinked.
"Consequences… severe?"
"Yes!" Gengetsu doubled down, clearly threatening him.
His words, however, only made the others burst out laughing.
"Hahaha! Is this old fossil senile or what?" Killer B howled.
"Maybe he thinks he can take all of us on alone," A said dryly.
"Looks like he's been isolated too long and forgot what era we're in," Huangtu shook his head.
"In that case, I guess it's necessary to beat some reality into you," Drake murmured, stroking his chin thoughtfully.
Step.
Gengetsu suddenly placed his left foot forward.
His face twisted with contempt, madness, and a twisted sense of triumph.
"You brats should know — under my foot is the trigger mechanism. If I press down just a little, this entire mountainside will explode!"
"Let me be clear. This place has been rigged with over a hundred thousand explosive tags!"
"What?!"
Everyone's faces changed in an instant.
A hundred thousand explosive tags?!
That wasn't just flattening the mountain — it would erase it.
"Well? Scared now? Terrified?"
Gengetsu cackled wildly.
"Where's that bravado from earlier?"
Looking at the pale faces around him, he felt utterly satisfied.
"I'm old anyway. If I can take you all with me, I'll die happily."
His gaze locked onto Drake, eager to see fear.
But to his confusion—
Drake looked… calm.
"You're not afraid?" Gengetsu growled.
"Afraid? Why would I be?" Drake shook his head lightly.
"Because I bet you… that foot isn't coming down."
Those words made everyone's souls nearly leave their bodies.
"Oi! Don't provoke him! If he detonates, we're all done for!" A hurriedly warned.
"Drake, if this blows, we're dead!" Maki added urgently.
"You can just agree to his terms!" Huangtu echoed.
Under the threat of annihilation, the three factions chose temporary compromise.
Seeing this, Gengetsu's smile widened in triumph.
"See? Fear is the foundation of cooperation!"
"Now, brat — choose. Cooperate… or die together!"
All eyes turned to Drake.
This time, his expression finally changed.
Not fear.
Annoyance.
"Are you deaf or just stupid? I said — you're not stepping down."
"You…!"
Gengetsu's eyes widened in disbelief.
Fine. You want to die? Then die.
Madness overtook his face as he slammed his foot downward.
"We're finished!"
"Damn it, he's taking us with him!"
"It's going to explode!"
Despair spread through the crowd.
"Wood Release — Twin Binding Trees!"
Drake suddenly brought his palms together and shouted lowly.
Boom!
Two massive tree trunks erupted from the ground, wrapping around Gengetsu and hoisting him into the air like a ragdoll.
Swoosh—!
Before everyone's eyes, he was suspended helplessly in midair.
"Wood Release?!" A stared in shock.
"He actually has Wood Release?!"
"So it was him at Kannabi Bridge…" Huangtu gasped.
Minato simply chuckled softly, sliding his kunai back into his sleeve.
"These people really worry too much. With Drake here, was anything ever going to explode?" Obito said casually.
"Tch, their mental strength isn't even as good as ours," Anko scoffed.
"Well I was kinda scared just now…" Rin admitted, patting her chest.
"Stay close to Drake more often and your nerves will toughen up," Yugao suggested.
The girls nodded in agreement.
The wooden branches trembled, lowering Gengetsu in front of Drake.
"You possess Wood Release? Are you from the Senju Clan?!" he shouted in disbelief, terror replacing arrogance.
"You talk too much."
Drake waved to Obito.
"Oi, get your kunai ready."
"Huh? Oh! Right!" Obito hurried over.
"Everyone — each village gets one stab."
The Cloud duo stood frozen.
Huangtu and his subordinate exchanged uneasy looks.
Maki and Pakura, on the other hand, stepped forward without hesitation.
Veterans already. They knew the routine.
"You damned invaders! The Hidden Mist will make you pay for this!" Gengetsu roared, straining uselessly.
Shhk! Shhk! Shhk!
Sand, Stone, Cloud — one after another, they stabbed him mercilessly until his life faded.
At first, everyone thought it was over.
But then—
Drake's expression shifted.
"Tut tut tut… look at you three villages. So cruel. Ganging up on a poor elderly man?"
"You stabbed him to death… and without shame."
He straightened, radiating an almost holy brilliance.
"As a righteous ninja of Konoha, I hereby deliver justice upon you!"
The words struck like thunder.
Every single member of the three factions froze.
Realisation hit.
They had just been framed…
again.
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