Dusk.
Team Nine entered the Land of Rice Fields.
During a short break, everyone gathered together.
"Are we seriously going to capture Orochimaru?" Kakashi asked suddenly.
He'd been thinking about it the entire way.
If they actually caught Orochimaru — and he managed to clear his name — then Team Nine would instantly become the prime suspects.
"Yes… and no," Drake replied with a vague smile.
That answer left everyone confused.
"Does that even count as an answer?" Rin muttered.
"Explain properly, Drake," Anko pressed.
"It's simple."
Drake chuckled.
"This mission is killing three birds with one stone."
Everyone leaned in to listen.
"First, let me tell you this — the other ANBU squads have already reached the Land of Rice Fields. We're the slowest ones."
"Wait." Kakashi frowned. "How did they know Orochimaru is here?"
"Yeah, Drake, you figured it out by talking to the trees. How did they also get it right?" Rin added.
"With such messy intel, they all magically chose the right location? No way," Anko scoffed.
Drake looked at them as if he'd lost faith in humanity.
"Analyzing Orochimaru's hideout isn't difficult at all."
He began calmly explaining:
"First — the Cloud and Stone Villages. They're clearly searching for an excuse to start a war. Agree?"
Everyone nodded after a moment of realization.
"Next — the Land of Waves. That was nothing more than one of Orochimaru's clones. No objections there either, right?"
More nods.
"Which leaves only the Land of Grass and the Land of Rice Fields."
"Grass is a hub for intel trading and already tangled with rumors of Uchiha Madara's presence. Do you seriously think Orochimaru would hide there?"
With that logic laid out, everyone finally understood.
"So the other ANBU squads choosing the Land of Rice Fields… actually makes perfect sense," Drake concluded.
The team exchanged glances, slightly embarrassed.
They couldn't shake the feeling that Drake had just subtly called them idiots.
"Then what did you mean by 'three birds with one stone'?" Rin asked again.
"Killing, framing, and credit," Drake replied succinctly.
"…Huh?"
Blank stares all around.
"With your intelligence, it's hard to expect understanding."
"Let's move."
He stood up and continued forward, leaving them in stunned silence.
As they traveled, everyone felt strangely heavy-hearted.
"It makes no sense… Drake used to score zeros in every subject…" Anko muttered, scratching her head.
"When did he become this smart?" Yugao wondered.
Back in the academy, Drake had been the infamous dead-last. Now his mind was crushing the entire team.
"Did Obito lend him his brain or something?" Kakashi thought darkly. "Two minds fused into one?"
Only Rin and Yamato said nothing.
They had accepted the simple truth — they were just not on Drake's level.
The sky slowly darkened.
Drake led them to a steep hillside.
When they looked down, everyone froze.
Below them, more than a dozen ANBU were already engaged in fierce combat with Orochimaru.
"T-They're already fighting?!" Rin whispered.
"What did you expect?" Drake shrugged coolly.
"Don't underestimate ANBU tracking. Aside from being a little weak, they're pretty competent."
BOOM!
An explosion rocked the ground.
Fire and elemental ninjutsu clashed, lighting up the battlefield in chaos.
For now, the fight looked evenly matched.
"Should we go support them?" Kakashi reached for his blade.
"Are we going in?" Rin asked nervously.
"I'm ready." Yamato nodded.
"Why would we?" Drake shook his head, hands in his pockets.
"…What?"
Everyone stared at him.
"Did you forget? Minato-sensei said we need to secure our standing in ANBU."
They remembered. Very clearly.
"But wouldn't helping them strengthen our position?" Rin asked hesitantly.
"Yeah!" Yugao agreed.
Drake sighed.
"You two? One kunai from Orochimaru and you'd be done."
"Knowing your limits is a vital life skill."
Rin and Yugao both flushed bright red.
"Then what do we do?" Kakashi pressed.
"Wait."
"Wait…?"
"That's right. When all those ANBU are dead, it'll be our turn."
He smiled — bright, calm… and absolutely terrifying.
Everyone felt a chill.
This wasn't ruthless.
This was calculated cruelty.
"Well… if they're all gone, then there's no competition… so we automatically stand at the top?" Anko muttered awkwardly.
"But… they're still our comrades…" Yamato began.
He stopped instantly when Drake glanced at him with that familiar devilish smile.
"Yamato, do you even know any of them?" Drake asked.
"N-No…"
"Then why the hell do their lives concern you?"
BOOOOOOM!!!
A massive shockwave erupted below.
From their vantage point, an enormous python surged into view at the foot of the hillside.
In mere moments…
The ANBU were completely annihilated.
Drake's eyes lit up.
"See? The opportunity just presented itself."
He turned sharply, voice ringing with command.
"Team Nine! Follow my lead!"
And with that—
Drake charged down the hillside, straight toward Orochimaru.
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