Uchiha Madara's Growing Headache!**
Squad Nine returned to Konoha at high speed.
At first, Obito was sulking, feeling like his future was as dark as a pit.
"Obito, forget the results. You're already very strong."
"Don't keep thinking about surpassing me."
After Drake's casual enlightenment, Obito suddenly saw the light.
Right!
He was only suppressed because Drake countered him.
Aside from Drake, who could outperform him?
His confidence instantly returned.
Obito hugged his two saplings and walked proudly beside Kakashi.
"Kakashi, I'm the second strongest in Squad Nine. Any objections?"
"No."
Kakashi stared lifelessly.
"Haha! As expected, my aura has convinced you."
Obito puffed up again.
"Stop."
Drake patted Obito's shoulder lightly.
The next instant—
Obito froze. His body wouldn't respond.
"Eh?? Why can't I move?! Hey! Wait for me!"
Lunch Break
Obito was depressed again, feeling like his future was still dark.
He already figured out why he couldn't move.
But he didn't blame Drake—
If not for Drake yesterday, he'd be dead already.
"We seem to be missing someone…" Anko looked around.
"That white Zetsu hasn't shown up since morning."
"Did he run?"
Just as they were wondering, Drake looked down at his feet.
Zzz…
White Zetsu emerged from the ground.
"Lord Drake."
"Come out, I'll introduce you properly."
Drake was preparing to officially add White Zetsu to Squad Nine.
The reason was simple—
this White Zetsu was very different from all the others he had met.
More personality. More individuality. More… human.
Drake clapped his hands lightly.
"From now on, Squad Nine welcomes its eighth member—White Zetsu."
The squad stared.
"Hey! You can't just announce that! Will the village even agree?"
Anko protested.
"I'll handle the paperwork."
Minato said gently.
"With teacher handling it, isn't it approved by default?" Drake smiled.
He then nodded at White Zetsu to introduce himself.
"Hello~~ I'm White Zetsu, the most loyal follower of Lord Drake!"
"Hold on!"
Obito suddenly raised his hand.
He squatted down and inspected White Zetsu carefully.
"White Zetsu… why don't you have a ding-ding?"
White Zetsu: "..."
Squad Nine: "..."
Obito was soundly beaten shortly after.
Evening — Returning to Konoha
The moment Squad Nine re-entered Konoha, they noticed the atmosphere had worsened significantly.
Villagers were whispering everywhere.
"Did you hear? That squad defected because the Hokage plays favorites."
"I heard too. Because Orochimaru defected, tons of shinobi died on the frontlines.
But the Hokage didn't care. Yet the moment his son died, he mobilized half the village to hunt down the killer."
"Of course… his son is more important than a bunch of dead shinobi…"
"Then what about all the ninjas dying out there? Don't they matter?"
Hearing this, Drake and Minato exchanged glances.
"Did you spread this?" Minato whispered.
"Obviously not!" Drake sighed.
This level of widespread rumor-mongering…
This was clearly a coordinated effort by multiple parties.
Drake already had an idea who was behind it.
But… not his problem.
"Hey, Drake! I've been gone only a little while—did the village change this much? Is the Hokage stepping down?"
Obito was shocked.
Drake coughed and looked at the sky.
"No comment."
"Obito, don't say nonsense." Minato warned.
"Anyway, I'm heading to the Hokage to report and arrange White Zetsu's identity."
"Wait, teacher," Drake called out.
"Yes? Something else?" Minato turned back.
"What identity are you planning to give White Zetsu?"
Minato thought briefly.
"…Your long-lost relative?"
Drake stared blankly at him.
Obito burst out laughing, covering his mouth.
But in the end, Drake agreed.
Ridiculous… yet strangely airtight.
"Obito, you should head back to your clan. I bet Fugaku will be shocked to see you."
Drake said meaningfully.
"Really? I'll go immediately!" Obito sprinted off.
With the squad dismissed, Drake no longer had to escort Rin.
He returned home, laid down on the wooden chair beneath the jujube tree, and relaxed.
Rustle… rustle…
His two little saplings rustled warmly.
Zzz…
White Zetsu emerged and began inspecting his new home like a curious pet.
"I'm taking a nap. Don't wander."
After saying that, Drake closed his eyes.
Just before sleep overtook him, he suddenly remembered—
"Hmm… I forgot something, didn't I?"
But he was too sleepy.
He just let it go and drifted off.
Meanwhile — On a Distant Island
Uchiha Madara stood at the shore, staring into the horizon.
Every time he thought of Drake's ability, he developed a headache.
"He controls Wood Release… yet he also restrains Wood Release."
"He can gather information over absurd distances through trees."
"His taijutsu is stronger than expected."
"He even broke through my Sharingan genjutsu…"
The more Madara recalled, the more he realized—
He could not identify a single weakness in that kid.
Zzz…
Black Zetsu rose from the ground.
"Lord Madara… that special White Zetsu has been taken back to Konoha."
"As expected… they caught on?" Madara muttered, frowning.
That particular Zetsu was different.
The only one with a Wood Release amplification function.
A one-of-a-kind experimental body.
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