Once again, the roof of Rin's house.
But this time, it wasn't just Drake and Rin enjoying the cool night air — the entire Team Nine was present.
"So this is where you fell off last night?" Yugao looked around, clearly thinking Rin was far too careless.
"The roof is flat, how did you even manage to fall?" Anko added curiously.
Kakashi and Yamato both stretched their ears, eager to hear the true reason.
Under everyone's intense gaze, a flicker of panic crossed Rin's face.
"Umm..."
She instinctively looked toward Drake for help.
"Hm? Why are you looking at me? Don't you know yourself how you fell?" Drake replied calmly.
"Yeah, what, did Drake kick you off or something?"
"Come on, tell us."
The girls pressed harder.
Completely flustered, Rin tried to escape the topic — but in her rush, she misstepped.
Thud!
Team Nine instantly understood.
Clearly, because Drake hadn't helped her come up with an excuse, tonight's Rin had become extra hardworking!
The Next Morning
The sun rose.
Drake walked out of Rin's room with an easy stride.
Behind him, Rin leaned against the door, looking even weaker than the past thirty days combined.
Today was the official day to report to ANBU.
As he walked, Drake casually checked his status panel.
Ability: Ultimate Wood Release Control (Trait: Loyalty)
"Huh?"
He was slightly surprised.
Yesterday the trait was Intimacy.
Now it had evolved into Loyalty?
"What's this supposed to mean?"
"Are the plants now willing to die for me?"
Just then, he passed by a flower shop.
Rows of vibrant potted flowers were lined up outside.
Drake bent down and looked at one of the plants.
"Good morning?"
Potted Plant: Respected Lord Drake!
"How polite of you."
Potted Plant: I am your loyal subordinate!
"And what can you do for me?"
Potted Plant: I am willing to offer my everything!
The next scene left Drake genuinely stunned.
The plant began to grow at visible speed, devouring all nutrients in the soil.
It bloomed.
It bore fruit.
And then — it withered.
Finally, a single green fruit dropped onto the ground.
Drake fell silent.
He had just witnessed a plant offering its entire life for a single command of his.
He picked up the fruit and slipped it into his pocket.
"You're making it hard for me to even eat you," he murmured.
He decided instead to replant it back home later.
"Customer, are you buying flowers— huh?"
The shop owner stepped out, only to see the pot completely dead.
"Ah… must be root rot!" he hastily explained.
As Drake walked away, hurried footsteps approached from behind.
"Drake! I saw that!"
Rin caught up, eyes sparkling strangely.
"Saw what?" Drake replied indifferently.
"The plant! I saw it give birth to a fruit just for you!" Her gaze dropped to his pocket, clearly swollen from the fruit.
"Oh."
He responded coolly, showing no reaction.
ANBU Base – Konoha Back Mountain
Team Nine gathered at the entrance of the ANBU base.
Rin once again became the center of attention — limping two days in a row made her impossible to ignore.
Anko and Yugao started whispering questions again.
But Drake was deep in thought.
"So this is the entrance to the ANBU base…"
He was genuinely surprised.
This place was far too close to the cave he had accidentally created with a single punch last time.
He was certain the shockwave should have reached here.
"Then why didn't ANBU show up that day?"
"Or did they… and I just didn't notice?"
As he pondered this, the massive stone gate slowly opened.
A tall, powerfully-built ANBU stepped out and gestured impatiently.
"Come in."
His deep voice carried rough irritation.
"That should be the ANBU Commander — Sarutobi Shinnosuke," Kakashi whispered, clear resentment in his tone.
"Sarutobi Shinnosuke? The Third Hokage's eldest son?" Drake raised an eyebrow.
Now it made sense.
After White Fang's death, Hiruzen had simply installed his own son as ANBU head.
Inside, a vast underground space opened up.
Despite its size, only Sarutobi Shinnosuke stood there.
"Your ANBU uniforms aren't ready yet."
He tossed several thick manuals at them.
"This is the ANBU handbook. It contains all rules and regulations."
"You have until noon to memorize it."
"If anyone fails…"
"Don't blame me for what happens."
His tone was aggressive and hostile, as if Team Nine had personally offended him.
Once he left, the team exchanged looks.
"If Obito were here, he'd definitely curse this guy out," Anko grumbled.
"He really doesn't like us, does he?" Yugao muttered.
"We didn't even do anything to him," Rin said, confused.
Drake already knew the reason.
"It's because of me."
Everyone looked over.
"Me? Did you forget I dismantled Sarutobi Yakumaru's entire squad?"
Realization dawned instantly.
No wonder Shinnosuke's attitude was so awful — family pride had been trampled.
"Trust me, trouble hasn't even started yet," Kakashi sighed, flipping through the thick book.
"So thick, and we're expected to memorize this in one morning?"
"I don't know who can manage that — but Drake definitely won't."
Everyone silently agreed.
Yamato hurried to a corner and began reading seriously.
The others followed suit, trying their best to memorize.
Drake, however, just shook his head.
"They're still too naive."
"This is obviously deliberate targeting."
"What's the point of memorizing this garbage?"
He casually kicked the book to the ground.
Bam!
One stomp — and it turned to powder.
Memorization?
Yeah, right. What a joke.
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