Drake's sudden betrayal left all three factions reeling.
"So… he really just turned on us?"
Killer B stared at the blood still dripping from his kunai, completely stunned.
"This brat has no shame whatsoever," A cursed under his breath.
He'd just forced them to execute someone — and now he wanted them dead too?
"What a damn slippery Konoha ninja…" Huangtu fumed, but swallowed the rest of his anger.
He'd honestly thought he was on the same side as Drake. Turns out he'd been delusional.
"This kid switches faces faster than a theater mask…"
Maki and Pakura felt their hearts pound. This situation had gone straight to hell.
"Are you ready?"
Drake's voice fell like a death sentence as he once again clasped his hands together.
Clap!
"Wood Release — Deep Forest Emergence."
The ground trembled violently.
"Move!"
A slapped Killer B on the back as the brothers erupted in crackling lightning.
With their speed pushed to the limit by Lightning Release Body Flicker, the ground actually caved in beneath their feet as they launched themselves toward the cliff—
And jumped.
Maki and Pakura sprinted after them.
"Jump!"
Without hesitation, they also leapt off the mountainside.
CRACK—!
Massive trees erupted from the earth, expanding at terrifying speed.
"Retreat!"
Huangtu was a half-beat too slow, panic flashing in his eyes.
By the time he reacted, Cloud and Sand had already vanished over the edge.
Fortunately, this was only the mid-slope — the space was limited.
Dragging his aide with him, Huangtu dodged the last surging branches and threw himself off the cliff as well.
All three factions… escaped.
Drake released the technique.
He stood there calmly, watching their silhouettes flee down the mountainside — and made no move to pursue.
Below the Mountain
"Big bro! That kid's dumb! He didn't even use taijutsu!"
Killer B couldn't resist taking a jab even while running.
"You really think he couldn't kill us?" A replied flatly.
"If he truly wanted us dead, you'd already be corpses. That Wood Release was just a test."
"A test…?"
"Yeah. To check the range, control, and reaction."
On the Other Side
Maki and Pakura quickly came to the same realization.
"If he'd used his fists, we wouldn't have made it out alive…" Pakura muttered.
"So why didn't he?" Maki frowned.
"Who knows… but he let us live on purpose."
Rock Shinobi Perspective
"Do you think he spared us intentionally?" the subordinate asked.
"Most likely," Huangtu replied darkly.
He'd finally grasped the terrifying truth.
Konoha didn't just possess one Wood Release user.
They had two.
And Drake… was far more than that.
"Even the Cloud duo were shocked by his Wood Release," Huangtu muttered.
"Which means… he has other methods. Much worse ones."
At the Summit
Shrouded by drifting mist, Team 9 gazed down at Kirigakure.
Distant explosions echoed faintly. Occasionally, flashes of fire lit the fog.
"So the civil war is real…" Drake said softly.
He hadn't trusted Hozuki Gengetsu's words — so he'd come up here to confirm it himself.
"In that case, even if we found proof, it would no longer matter," Minato sighed.
"Exactly."
Even if evidence existed of Madara manipulating Kirigakure, the village could simply push all blame onto the defeated side.
The victor would remain clean. Even strengthened.
"This isn't coincidence," Drake murmured.
"It stinks of Madara's handiwork."
"Sensei, does this mean the mission failed?" Obito asked hesitantly.
"More or less. But given the circumstances, I'll explain everything to the Third." Minato remained calm.
Return Journey
Despite his efforts, Drake felt uneasy.
"It feels like… I missed something important."
He frowned, then shook his head.
"Am I overthinking?"
At the Shore
"You're… alive?"
The boatman stared at them in disbelief.
He'd ferried countless people into the Land of Water. None had ever come back.
"Guess we're just lucky," Minato smiled as they boarded.
Forest of the Land of Waves
As Team 9 passed through the dense woodland, an unexpected figure stepped into their path.
"Orochimaru?"
Instantly, everyone went on guard.
Drake glanced at him lazily, hands in his pockets.
"Minato… I waited here specifically for you," Orochimaru said, voice low and serpentine.
"You're a rogue ninja. I'm obligated to bring you in."
Minato's kunai flashed into his hand.
"Bring me in?" Orochimaru chuckled.
"This is only a shadow clone."
So that's why.
"What do you want?" Minato asked.
"I simply wish to ask… why my laboratory was destroyed."
"That wasn't me," Minato replied calmly.
"Not you?"
Orochimaru's gaze slid toward Drake.
"So… then it was you?"
"Huh?" Drake raised an eyebrow.
"You've got proof?"
"Only you were known to approach that place," Orochimaru said coolly, observing him closely.
"And did it ever occur to you… that Danzo did it?" Drake shrugged casually.
"Danzo? Impossible."
"Why not?" Drake countered smoothly.
"From my perspective, it fits perfectly. He had you expelled from Konoha, and now he's targeting my teacher."
Minato naturally added fuel to the fire.
"Danzo has been interfering in my affairs as well."
Orochimaru fell silent.
His eyes narrowed.
He was calculating.
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