Drake couldn't shake the feeling that Fugaku's reaction before leaving had been… off.
Almost like he was desperate to get away as quickly as possible.
Because of Mikoto's relationship with him, it wasn't really appropriate to press for answers.
Inside the room, Minato spoke in a serious tone.
"Drake, the village is going to be unstable for a while. Be careful."
"I'll be fine," Drake nodded calmly.
And silently added, Even if the village disappears, I'll still be fine.
Beside them, Anko looked completely lost.
The village won't be peaceful? What does that even mean? Is it about Danzō?
Still, she managed to find an opening.
"I saw people causing trouble at the hospital this morning~"
"That's normal," Drake replied casually.
Minato froze.
Normal?
"Right now this is just the beginning of the conflict," Drake continued. "It won't be long before something big happens in the village."
Those words caught Minato's full attention.
Even Anko stared at him.
Big trouble?
"Wait… are we even talking about the same thing?" Minato asked, confused.
"What are you referring to, sensei?" Drake countered.
"I mean a possible clash between the Uchiha and Root," Minato said.
"Oh, that? That's not what I meant at all," Drake said thoughtfully.
So Minato thought he was on the ninth level of insight…
Turns out he was barely on the first.
Minato frowned deeply.
Other problems? What else could happen?
Drake then laid it out plainly.
"First, let's look at Orochimaru's defection."
"He fled the battlefield, causing a collapse in strategy and massive losses for our frontline forces. That part is obvious, right?"
Both Minato and Anko nodded.
At this moment, Drake looked more like the teacher, and the two of them his students.
He continued.
"After that, the Third Hokage didn't prioritize chasing Orochimaru. Instead, he redirected manpower back to stabilize the frontlines."
"On the surface, that looks perfectly reasonable. Holding the frontline is the priority."
"And because of that, the frontline shinobi wouldn't complain."
Drake paused, giving Minato time to process.
Minato frowned in thought.
Anko blinked.
"I don't see any problem," she said honestly.
"Neither do I," Minato agreed.
"But that all changed because of one event," Drake said coldly.
"What event?"
"Hiruzen's son… Asuma's older brother — Sarutobi Shin'o was killed."
Anko still looked confused, but Minato's eyes flickered as realization began to dawn.
"You mean… frontline shinobi died and the Hokage didn't fully pursue Orochimaru, but when his own son was killed… he sent a massive ANBU force after him?" Minato slowly said.
"Exactly."
Drake gave a bitter half-smile.
"And at the worst possible time — when three major villages are allied and the frontline pressure is at its peak."
"What would the frontline ninjas think?"
'You don't care when we die. But when your son dies, ANBU pour out like a flood?'
"That kind of double standard… chills hearts."
Drake shook his head.
Minato said nothing more.
When Drake and Anko left, Minato stared at his back, clearly unsettled.
This wasn't just tactical understanding.
It was strategic vision on a level even the Third Hokage didn't possess.
Drake… you already see the whole board.
Training Ground No. 9
When Drake brought Anko to the training field, she was shocked.
Outside of mission assembly, she almost never saw him here.
"You're actually training?" she asked.
"Yep."
Then Drake casually hopped up into a tree and reclined in a comfortable position.
"That's your training?" Anko twitched.
Sleeping in trees was some next-level nonsense.
But Drake was training.
More specifically, he was testing his newly awakened ability — Perception.
His mind stirred.
The moment he activated it, the world shifted.
Even with his eyes closed, he could clearly "see" Anko standing beneath the tree.
"No color… but everything else is perfectly clear."
Especially certain areas —
Cough. He immediately redirected his attention.
Maximum range: ten meters
Field of view: 360 degrees
Precision: Everything except color, perfectly readable
"This is basically a discounted Byakugan," Drake concluded.
The only downside?
The range.
"And perception without range is pointless."
Worse, it wasn't passive. He had to consciously activate it, and even though the chakra drain was slight, it was still resource-based.
"I guess I'll have to wait for another stat increase," he muttered.
"If this doubles a few more times, I'll basically have an upgraded Byakugan."
Practical Test
Near a wooden target, Anko was preparing to practice her kunai throws when Drake suddenly walked over.
He shifted the target aside and stepped directly into its position instead.
Then he beckoned lazily.
"Hey Anko. I'm the target now. Throw."
Anko stared at him, dumbfounded.
"You moved the target… and now you're standing there instead? What are you doing?!"
"You heard me. Use your best kunai throw and aim right at me."
Drake even turned his back.
"You're insane! Facing me is one thing — but your back too?!"
"You think I'm some Hyūga with a Byakugan?" she snapped.
"Don't worry. Just throw."
"You're serious?"
"Stop thinking and throw!"
He urged again, completely calm.
"You better not blame me for this…"
"Will you hurry up already?"
Anko gripped the kunai tightly.
Swish!
The blade tore through the air.
Straight at his back.
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