The massage service at Happy Hot Springs finally finished its bidding.
The highest bidder was the wife of the Akimichi clan leader.
Her final offer — 170,000 ryō!
Drake didn't find it surprising, but Anko was completely stunned.
"That's insane! One massage for 170,000 ryō?!"
"Is it really that expensive?" Drake replied calmly.
"How is that NOT expensive?!" Anko shook her head.
"That kind of money could buy me dumplings for months!"
Dumplings?
Could those possibly compare to a luxury massage?
"This is Hyūga Gentle Fist massage, assisted by the Byakugan — and it's the first of its kind in history," Drake said, casually launching into premium-level sales talk.
"Anko, don't you want to experience a service provided by one of the village's noble clans?"
After that little speech, Anko's interest was clearly piqued.
"If it were a little cheaper… I'd actually like to try it."
Of course she wanted to — it just cost too much.
"This is luxury. This is status. This is top-tier class!" Drake declared confidently.
Just then, his gaze shifted slightly.
He saw Rin, dressed in a Happy Hot Springs staff uniform, running into the massage area.
"Did you see that? Why does Rin look like an employee now?" Anko blinked in surprise.
"Probably just helping out for a bit," Drake chuckled.
"In no time at all, she's become a part-time worker."
Seeing that Rin was safely inside, Drake decided there was nothing more to worry about.
After all, this place was filled with women — his presence would inevitably affect the atmosphere.
So he turned to leave.
But the moment he stepped outside, his eyes narrowed.
A Root ninja was standing there, clearly waiting for him.
Anko instinctively grabbed Drake's sleeve, her expression tense.
"You here to arrest Anko?" Drake's voice turned icy.
"Drake. Lord Danzō wishes to see you," the Root operative replied coldly.
"Hmm?"
Drake paused.
Not here for Anko — but for him?
BBQ Restaurant – Private Booth
Once again, Drake found himself seated across from Danzō.
"My congratulations, Drake. You've successfully entered ANBU," Danzō said in a deep voice.
"Your congratulations are a bit late, aren't they?" Drake replied dryly.
"I've been in ANBU for days now — and we've already met several times."
By that logic, should he congratulate Danzō's mother for giving birth to such a fine son?
"I called you here to discuss something important," Danzō ignored his sarcasm and continued.
"What is it?" Drake asked.
"As a member of ANBU, I want you to keep an eye on the Uchiha clan's movements," Danzō said quietly.
"The Uchiha?" Drake frowned slightly.
You're the leader of Root, and instead of using your own people, you want an ANBU operative to spy on them?
Is Root out of manpower?
Sensing his confusion, Danzō elaborated.
"Root is currently handling a critical mission. We are short on personnel," he said.
"And because of your connection to Uchiha Obito, you monitoring them will not raise suspicion."
As he spoke, Danzō stood up.
"Drake, I have always believed you are someone worth cultivating. Do not disappoint my goodwill…"
With that, he left.
Drake narrowed his eyes thoughtfully before exiting the restaurant as well.
Outside, he was surprised to see Anko dragging Minato over at full speed.
"It wasn't easy, but I brought Sensei! Did Danzō make things difficult for you?" she asked, breathing heavily.
"I'm fine," Drake smiled. "No issues."
"Let's talk at my place," Minato gestured. "Better than standing in the street."
Meanwhile — Konoha Police Force Headquarters
Uchiha Fugaku stared at the scroll in his hand, his expression dark.
"Is this intelligence reliable?" he asked a clan member coldly.
"It should be. This information is being sold widely across the Land of Grass. It's even on a half-price promotion — that means it's considered credible."
Crack!
Fugaku crushed the scroll in his hand.
"Damn Danzō…"
His voice carried killing intent as his eyes shifted into the Sharingan.
"Orochimaru conducts the experiments… but Danzō captures the test subjects?!"
"So my Uchiha clansmen became experimental material?!"
His tone turned colder by the second.
And then, one name surfaced in his mind — the missing Uchiha prodigy.
Obito.
"This means Obito's disappearance must also be Danzō's doing."
"Orochimaru fled, so Danzō continued the experiments and captured Obito."
With the intelligence in front of him, such a conclusion felt inevitable.
"Obito's teacher is Minato… I should inform him."
Minato's Residence
When Fugaku arrived, he heard voices coming from inside.
Drake: "It's strange. Danzō actually asked me — an ANBU member — to monitor the Uchiha clan."
Minato: "That does sound abnormal."
Drake: "He even said my relationship with Obito would prevent suspicion."
Minato: "Is Root really that low on manpower?"
Drake: "Who knows? He said they're off on some critical mission."
Outside the door, Fugaku's eyes narrowed.
"Root on a critical mission…"
In an instant, he realised what that mission was.
The hunt for Orochimaru.
If Orochimaru died, Danzō could deny everything without fear. No witnesses. No evidence.
"How shameless…" Fugaku muttered.
"Fugaku, you've been standing out there for quite a while. Why not come in?" Minato's voice suddenly rang out.
Since he'd already been detected, Fugaku made no attempt to hide and stepped inside.
He got straight to the point.
"I believe Obito was taken by Danzō."
"Danzō?" Minato raised an eyebrow.
If he hadn't already known the truth from Drake, he might have believed Fugaku's conclusion entirely.
"Are you certain?" Minato asked carefully.
"I'm simply informing you. Whether you choose to believe it is up to you."
With that, Fugaku turned and left.
Uchiha Police Force — Emergency Meeting
Returning to headquarters, Fugaku immediately summoned his elite members.
His command was cold and absolute.
"Mobilise all elite clan operatives."
"Prepare to intercept and eliminate Root forces."
The air grew heavy.
The storm had begun.
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