When Minato Namikaze returned, he instinctively reached out to push open the door.
Then he realized…
There was no door.
Looking at Drake sitting casually in the living room, crunching on snacks, Minato's forehead veins twitched.
"You're back," Drake greeted with a mouthful of chips, munching noisily.
"I've seen people break in through doors. I've seen people break in through windows. But someone who removes the door entirely? You're the first." Minato clicked his tongue in amazement.
He didn't even need to think. If Drake was here like this, something was definitely up.
"Alright, talk," Minato said, sighing. "What is it this time?"
"I want to study some history," Drake replied seriously, wiping grease from his fingers.
"...Huh?"
Minato stared at him in disbelief.
History?
You expect me to believe that?
"Sensei," Drake continued, "who was stronger, the First Hokage, or Uchiha Madara?"
"First Hokage," Minato answered after some thought.
"Then what about the Senju clan and the Uchiha clan? Which one was stronger?"
"That's not something you can compare so simply."
He adjusted his posture and began speaking more carefully.
"In the past, the Senju had the upper hand. But in recent years, the Uchiha have grown much stronger."
"Why did it turn out that way?" Drake asked.
"Well… that goes back to the Warring States Period."
A trace of nostalgia appeared on Minato's face as he grabbed a few chips himself.
"Before ninja villages existed, countries constantly fought over land and resources. Ninja clans existed as mercenaries, hired by nations to wage war."
"And the most powerful clan serving the Land of Fire was the Senju."
He paused, seeing Drake listening intently, and continued.
"However, they weren't the only clan. Many ninja families surrounded the Senju and were hired alongside them. Together, they formed a massive mercenary force."
Drake frowned slightly.
"Then what about the Uchiha?"
"The Uchiha were different. They had members doing business across many nations and were financially independent. They didn't need to be hired."
Now Drake understood.
The Senju being hired inevitably interfered with Uchiha business interests.
So the Uchiha weren't just fighting the Senju — they were fighting an entire hired alliance.
"Wait," Drake suddenly narrowed his eyes. "Sensei, how do you even know all this?"
"Jiraiya-sensei told me. And he heard it from the Third Hokage," Minato chuckled.
...From the Third Hokage?
Drake's trust in this 'history lesson' instantly dropped by at least 60%.
"Alright, history class is over. Is that it now?" Minato yawned.
"Uh… not quite," Drake said shamelessly, not moving an inch.
"Speak. Now."
"How did the Second Hokage die?"
Minato looked utterly defeated.
First the First Hokage, then the clan wars, now the Second Hokage?
"Well... I don't know the full details," he admitted. "But if there's anyone who might know, it would be the current Third Raikage. He was the one who returned the Second Hokage's body."
Drake's eyes flickered.
Based on what he knew, the Second Hokage died fighting the Gold and Silver Brothers — and at that time, the future Third Raikage was likely present.
"Alright, we're done now, yes?" Minato rubbed his temples.
But Drake still didn't move.
"Drake… just say everything at once. Let's get this over with."
"Oh! Then I'll continue," Drake said earnestly.
"Sensei, how does Wood Release come into existence?"
"Wood Release?"
Minato gave him a surprised look.
"Wood Release is a Kekkei Genkai. It's created through the fusion of Earth and Yang chakra."
"And what if someone has Earth and Fire attributes? Can that also create Wood Release?"
"Well..." Minato pondered. "Theoretically, yes. If Earth is dominant and Fire is extremely weak, Fire can act as a catalyst, producing a Wood-like mutation."
Seeing Drake's confusion, Minato gestured as he explained:
"Think of Earth as soil, and Yang as water. So what's Fire?"
"Slash-and-burn farming?" Drake muttered.
"No," Minato corrected. "Sunlight is more accurate."
Drake suddenly understood.
"So that's how it works..."
He nodded appreciatively.
Minato shot him a look.
"Next time, don't take such a roundabout way to ask your real questions."
"Huh?"
"I checked your academy records," Minato continued. "You had Earth, Fire, and Yang attributes from the beginning."
Smiling knowingly, he shook his head.
"You're not satisfied with just the Rasengan anymore, are you? You want more techniques."
"But listen carefully — Wood Release has only ever belonged to the First Hokage. No one else in history has possessed it."
"Don't aim too high. Focus on taijutsu and mastering the Rasengan properly."
Drake curled his lips, clearly unconvinced, murmuring under his breath:
"Yeah? Then how come I personally saw Danzo walking around with some little kid who could use Wood Release..."
Whoosh!
Minato shot to his feet, eyes wide in shock.
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