Because Kakashi left first again, Team Nine's second gathering ended just as abruptly as the first.
After escorting Rin home, Obito started venting to Drake on the way back.
"Did you see that? So-called genius ninja? He didn't even say goodbye when he left!"
"And you even gave him food!"
"We should join forces and kick Kakashi out of Team Nine!"
Obito swung his fists through the air as he ranted, releasing all his frustration.
He felt completely overshadowed — cold, arrogant, pretending to be cool, and even more handsome than him!
It was unbearable.
Naturally, he assumed his good brother Drake must feel the same.
Drake couldn't be bothered to respond.
But they were the legendary dead-last duo, comrades who had suffered together at the academy.
Not reacting at all would've been a little heartless.
So after thinking seriously for a moment, he said:
"I think… you should train harder."
"…Huh?"
Obito looked at him as if he'd seen a ghost.
You — the absolute bottom of the class — are telling me to train harder?
Where's your shame?!
Before Obito could protest, Drake added calmly:
"I'm going home to train too."
With that, hands in pockets, he walked away.
Leaving behind a totally confused Uchiha Obito.
What Obito didn't know was that once Drake got home, he immediately collapsed onto the chair in his courtyard and took a long nap.
That nap lasted straight into the middle of the night.
Midnight.
As Drake eagerly awaited, the system's voice echoed once more.
"Daily Random Doubling commencing!"
"Constitution doubled!"
His eyes instantly dropped to the status panel.
Name: Drake
Age: 13
Strength: +
Constitution: (×) Genin-tier
Agility: + Genin-tier
Spirit: 1
Chakra Capacity: 4
Skills: None
Ninjutsu: None
Overall Combat Rating: Apprentice Genin
Seeing all four core stats finally break free from single digits, Drake felt genuine joy.
As for the "overall evaluation"?
He ignored it completely.
Resting his chin in his hand, he began to analyze.
"Doubling constitution also increased my strength and agility…"
"So among the four stats, constitution has the highest value."
He clenched his fist and could clearly feel his body had become tougher, sturdier, more resilient.
To celebrate his newfound power, Drake cooked himself a luxurious midnight feast.
After all, he was still growing — eating more never hurt.
A New Day
Training Ground No. 7.
"HEY! Drake! You're late again!"
Obito waved his arms furiously, making sure the whole village probably heard him.
"Drake, what's your excuse today?" Minato asked sternly.
Being late once was one thing.
Twice in a row?
Did he think this was still the Ninja Academy?
Faced with his sensei's interrogation, Drake rubbed his stomach and drooped his head, looking utterly exhausted.
"Sensei… I ate too much last night. I was so full I couldn't sleep."
He looked up, revealing two massive dark circles.
Minato: "..."
At that moment, Minato really wanted to ask:
Are you a pig?
"You… overate?" Rin gasped, covering her mouth in astonishment.
"You're not Rin! You can't eat that much!" Obito blurted out without thinking.
The moment the words left his mouth, he realized something was wrong and quickly shut up.
"Obito! Don't say things like that! I only ate a lot yesterday because I skipped breakfast… and Drake's cooking is really good." Rin hurried to explain.
"Tch. Childish." Kakashi muttered coldly.
"WAIT! Kakashi, why are you looking at me? Shouldn't you be looking at Drake?!" Obito shouted, utterly baffled.
He's the one who was late! Why am I getting judged?!
Kakashi ignored him completely, as arrogant as ever.
"KAKASHI! I'VE HAD ENOUGH! DUEL ME!"
"Cough cough."
Drake cleared his throat at just the right time.
"…I'll let you off again today!" Obito instantly found himself an exit strategy.
Minato pressed a hand to his forehead, his head throbbing.
He'd figured it out by now.
This team desperately needed a stabilizer — and that person was Drake.
Without him, Team Nine probably would've disbanded within days.
Today's Task
The farce over, Minato finally announced the mission.
"Today's only task is this — each of you will demonstrate your taijutsu and ninjutsu."
"Only by understanding each other can you truly cooperate."
"This will be crucial when you step onto the battlefield."
As he spoke, his gaze moved to Kakashi, signaling him to go first.
After all, Kakashi was the acknowledged genius — a perfect motivator.
Under everyone's gaze, Kakashi stepped forward.
His silver-haired face cold as ever, he slowly raised his right hand.
"Blade technique."
At those simple words, the short sword behind him was already in his hand.
Whoosh!
In the blink of an eye, he vanished — and reappeared several meters away.
A tree trunk slid down silently, perfectly sliced.
The cross-section was charred black.
When he returned to the group—
Obito's eyes bulged.
Rin looked dazzled.
Drake yawned.
"That's it? What about ninjutsu?" Obito asked, confused.
Didn't Sensei say taijutsu and ninjutsu?
"You idiot. That blade was infused with Lightning Release," Minato corrected, unable to hold back.
To avoid another round of chaos, he waved Obito forward next.
Compared to Kakashi's brief performance, Obito's was far more dramatic.
First, he showed a set of Uchiha-style taijutsu, then formed hand seals and spat out a small fireball.
Drake sized it up — its diameter was a solid thirty centimeters.
Next came Rin.
She flicked a kunai, which flew straight and embedded itself firmly into a tree three meters away.
Finally…
It was Drake's turn.
Under the gaze of all four of them, he slowly stepped forward, tilted his head, and pondered.
"Taijutsu… hmm…"
"Ninjutsu… hmm…"
"Demonstration complete."
He turned around and walked back into line.
The entire squad froze.
Collectively.
Speechless.
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