Obito refused.
The moment those words left his mouth, Hiruzen Sarutobi was caught completely off guard.
What confused him even more was this—
When Obito rejected the order, his eyes had unconsciously shifted toward Drake.
"Could it be… Drake participated in the rescue?"
"So in Obito's heart, he feels especially close to him?"
The thought surfaced, and regret instantly followed.
If I'd known this, Hiruzen thought grimly, I should've sent Drake out earlier.
Tap. Tap.
At that moment, Drake turned and began walking toward the office door.
Seeing this, Hiruzen felt a surge of relief.
Good.
Drake still knew his place.
"I'll take my leave, Hokage-sama," Obito said hurriedly—and bolted straight out.
"???"
Hiruzen stood frozen.
He opened his mouth to speak, but the room was already empty.
Outside the Hokage Tower
"Drake, wait!"
Obito came running after him.
"Hm? What is it?" Drake turned around.
"Lunch. Barbecue place."
"You're paying?"
"No, not me—our clan head! He wants to thank you," Obito explained quickly.
"Oh?" Drake hesitated.
Honestly, the noon heat made him want nothing more than a nap under the jujube tree.
"It's not just you. The entire Team Nine is invited. And Minato-sensei too," Obito added hastily.
"…Alright," Drake nodded.
"Deal! Don't be late!" Obito shouted before dashing off.
Drake's Courtyard
Drake lay back in his wooden chair and casually checked his status panel.
Strength: 7,328 (×) — Sage-tier
"Strength doubled today?"
He clenched his fist.
A terrifying, overwhelming force surged through his body.
"…Wait."
He frowned.
"Where's White Zetsu?"
Drake expanded his perception.
Nothing.
White Zetsu was gone.
"That guy went shopping again?"
After a moment's thought, Drake shrugged.
"Meh. He'll survive."
Instead of searching, Drake vanished toward the back mountain.
Today's power needed testing.
Back Mountain · Shaded Cliffside
Drake stood before a towering rock wall and scanned the surroundings.
"No one within a kilometer."
He drew in every ounce of strength.
Boom—!
The air exploded as his fist shot forward.
THUD—!!!
His punch slammed into the cliff with a deep, suffocating impact.
Crack. Crack. Crack.
Drake withdrew his fist and stared at the spreading fractures.
"My full power only cracked it—"
ROOOOOOM!!!
Before he could finish speaking, the hundreds-of-meters-high cliff collapsed outright.
Drake vanished backward in a blur, dodging the avalanche of falling boulders.
The mountain roared.
The earth trembled.
Shortly After
Drake returned home and flopped back into his chair.
Even the courtyard ground was faintly shaking—proof that the mountain was still collapsing.
"Eh. Worst case, only half of it caves in."
A mountain that big wouldn't disappear so easily.
Later · Back Mountain
Ninjas gathered in shock.
"Magnificent…" someone murmured.
"Looks like at least half the mountain's gone."
"Probably internal erosion."
"Sun and wind wear everything down eventually."
Most concluded it was a natural collapse.
After investigation, no traces of chakra or explosive tags were found.
Even Hiruzen had to accept the result.
A natural disaster.
Noon · Barbecue Restaurant
Drake arrived right on time.
"Drake!"
Fugaku Uchiha stood up smiling warmly.
Obito had already explained everything—his rescue, the Sharingan awakening, even Wood Release.
Fugaku's opinion of Drake had skyrocketed.
"Clan Head Fugaku," Drake greeted calmly.
Then he nodded politely to the woman beside him.
"Lady Mikoto."
Mikoto Uchiha smiled warmly.
"Thank you, Drake… for bringing Obito home safely."
"Am I early?" Drake glanced around. The restaurant was empty.
"They're already in the private room," Fugaku explained.
Drake finally understood.
So the Uchiha really did buy out the entire restaurant.
Private Room
Laughter filled the air.
Drake was surprised to see White Zetsu mixed in—chatting with Yamato like old friends.
Only Minato was missing.
"Minato-sensei's late too?" Drake asked.
"He left on a mission this morning," Fugaku replied.
That made sense.
Since Team Nine had joined ANBU, Minato technically no longer led them.
Plates of sizzling barbecue kept coming.
This "thank-you banquet" felt more like a Team Nine reunion.
Kakashi, Obito, and the three girls devoured everything—apparently testing whether barbecue increased intelligence.
Meanwhile, Yamato ate slowly beside White Zetsu.
Drake stared.
White Zetsu made a friend in one day?
Suddenly—
Footsteps approached.
An unfamiliar ANBU stood at the door.
"ANBU Team Nine. Captain Luli orders immediate assembly at base."
The room went quiet.
Fugaku looked awkward.
He'd chosen noon specifically to avoid missions.
Drake calmly picked up another slice of meat.
"Come on. Eat."
The moment he spoke, Team Nine resumed eating.
Captain Luli's orders?
Please.
Drake's words outranked them.
The ANBU messenger froze at the doorway.
…How exactly am I supposed to report this?
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