Hearing Drake's words, Minato Namikaze froze in shock.
Danzo secretly harboring a Wood Release user?
That was no small matter — this was information the entire village should have known.
"Drake… are you absolutely certain about this?" Minato's tone had never been this serious.
The implications were enormous.
A Wood Release ninja carried tremendous strategic value for Konoha.
"I'm sure," Drake replied without hesitation.
"Good. From this moment on, this matter no longer concerns you."
After giving that instruction, Minato vanished in a flicker.
"Haah… you really can't blame me for this."
Drake sighed faintly and grabbed another handful of chips.
After all, Danzo was always going on about sacrifice for the village.
Drake simply felt that the man should lead by example.
Hokage's Office
Minato pushed the door open without knocking.
"Minato."
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked up, pausing his work instantly.
The moment he saw Minato's grave expression, he knew something serious had happened.
"Hokage-sama, I have an urgent report."
"Oh?" Hiruzen straightened at once.
For Minato to call it urgent, it could not be trivial.
"I've confirmed that Danzo has secretly cultivated a Wood Release ninja."
"What?!"
Hiruzen shot to his feet, disbelief filling his face.
Danzo… hiding a Wood Release user?
And he knew nothing about it?
"Minato… are you certain?"
"Absolutely."
"Good! This matter no longer involves you. I will personally handle it."
Minato's expression turned slightly strange.
That line… sounded awfully familiar.
Later That Afternoon – Overcast Skies
Dark clouds hung low, and Danzo's mood matched the weather perfectly.
After all, he had just watched a hundred million ryō slip through his fingers.
No one would be pleased by that.
As he exited the yakiniku restaurant, his brow furrowed.
"Danzo-sama. The Hokage requests your presence."
An ANBU blocked his path, voice cold and emotionless.
"Again? Discussing the war situation?" Danzo scoffed inwardly.
In his heart, he was convinced that Hiruzen's leadership was far too soft.
If he were Hokage, everything would already be settled.
"Truly… the Hokage's seat is where I belong."
With that thought, Danzo headed toward the Hokage Tower.
But as he walked, something felt wrong.
Several ANBU had subtly surrounded him — almost as if afraid he might escape.
"What is Hiruzen playing at?"
His displeasure growing, Danzo stepped into the office.
The moment he saw the scene inside, his pupils shrank.
Hiruzen.
Koharu.
Homura.
And ANBU blocking the exits.
"Danzo," Hiruzen said coldly, "hand over the Wood Release ninja."
"I don't understand what you're talking about," Danzo replied calmly, denying it outright.
A man in power could never be shaken by a single accusation.
"Turn him over, and you may retain control of Root. Refuse… and return to your clan to retire."
"And the advisory council will remove you as well."
Danzo's mind is filled with confusion.
The Wood Release project was supposed to be completely secret.
Even his most trusted subordinates were branded with seal techniques.
So who betrayed him?
"Seems you have no intention of cooperating," Hiruzen said, disappointment in his eyes.
"Then—"
"Wait!"
Danzo interrupted abruptly.
"I'll hand him over. But I want to know who gave you this information."
He could swallow the loss — but he would not spare the traitor.
"Oh? Planning revenge?"
"I'm afraid I can't tell you."
If he exposed Minato, who would dare report future secrets?
This was a necessary precaution.
"Then I have a condition!" Danzo made one last attempt.
"Speak."
"I recommend that the Wood Release ninja be assigned to Team Nine."
"Team Nine?" Hiruzen's face darkened instantly.
Danzo had already stuffed two extra members into that team.
They already had six people — absurd by normal standards.
"And now you want to add another?"
"Have you ever seen a seven-man squad, Danzo?!"
"I don't care about the number!" Danzo snapped back. "This is my bottom line!"
Rain Begins to Fall
Thunder cracked through the heavy clouds.
As Danzo exited the Hokage Tower, his face was darker than ever.
"If I find out who betrayed me… I'll plant you in the soil and let you rot."
Courtyard – Beneath a Jujube Tree
And the culprit himself, the village's top undercover agent, stood beneath a tree, staring intently at the ground.
Clap.
Drake pressed his hands together, expression solemn.
Wood Release — Sprouting Sapling Technique!
Zzzzt...
A tiny tree seedling burst from the soil, wobbling as it stretched upward.
Drake immediately opened his status panel.
When he saw no new Wood Release skill listed, he let out a slow breath of relief.
"That means I can still learn Wood Release techniques the normal way."
In high spirits, he gently touched the sapling's leaf.
Rustle... rustle...
It swayed softly, as if responding to him.
Konoha's Rear Mountains
Rain soaked the ground.
A lone figure stood motionless.
Kakashi Hatake.
Thunder illuminated his silver hair as rain streamed down his clothes, yet he didn't move.
"I'm a genius… I can't stop here."
"If Drake can push his taijutsu to such heights… then my ninjutsu can't stagnate either!"
He extended his left hand, voice low but determined.
Zzt… zzzrrt…
Electric arcs sparked from his palm, unstable — as if waiting for the final trigger.
CRACK!
Another bolt of lightning tore through the sky.
Kakashi clenched his fist.
"Come forth… my jutsu."
ZZZZT!!!
Lightning exploded across his palm, the sound like a thousand chirping birds screaming at once.
"…Drake. I've finally caught up to you."
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