Three major events shocked the ninja world.
The Mist Village's internal chaos.
Konoha's two Wood Release users.
And the sudden fame of Kannabi Bridge.
The first two were already earth-shattering, but Kannabi Bridge alone had become a full-blown tourist hotspot.
Ninjas from every village flooded into the Land of Grass, all rushing toward that bridge.
Under the blazing sun, Uchiha Madara — disguised with a transformation technique — stood among the crowd, watching countless shinobi dig wildly around the area.
"So this is what my legacy has turned into…"
"Madara-sama, it's time to leave."
Without looking back, he slipped through the crowd and vanished.
Konoha Village
Drake rubbed his eyes. Life was becoming unbearable.
This was supposed to be prime napping time, yet Team Nine insisted on group study.
He hadn't even finished page two, and the others were already on page three.
Out of genuine curiosity, he glanced at Anko's answers.
He froze.
Question: Short explanation of the Will of Fire
Options:
A. Unity
B. Selfishness
C. Sacrifice
D. Hot and stuffy
Anko circled… D. Hot and stuffy.
Drake sighed deeply.
"I really want to see the examiner's face when he reads this…"
There were ten full pages.
Harder than the Ninja Academy.
Just when despair reached its peak —
救世主登场.
BAM!
A woman stepped into the courtyard.
The moment Drake saw her, an inexplicable sense of familiarity washed over him.
Those waves.
That presence.
"Drake~~~"
"Lady Minai?!"
The arrival of the Hot Springs Daimyo instantly saved both Drake and the entirety of Team Nine.
"I actually came to thank you personally."
Sitting gracefully, Minai brushed her hair back, her tone soft and warm.
"There's really no need — I should be thanking you instead…" Drake replied politely.
After all, she had gifted him a massive bathhouse.
"Oh, by the way," she smiled, "I've designed a new private room in the bathhouse. You can bathe while enjoying a meal."
"It just opened today, so I'd like to invite you to dinner."
Gulp.
Drake swallowed.
Obito's eyes widened.
Kakashi ground his teeth beneath the mask.
WHY HIM?!
The girls, on the other hand, were about to explode.
"Even if she's a Daimyo, how can she invite Drake to eat in the bathhouse?!" Rin muttered.
"She's way older than him too!" Yugao added.
"And that's the women's bath now, right?" Anko blurted.
Minai nodded.
"Yes, we only serve female guests now."
Then, smiling sweetly:
"But Drake is the owner, so he's naturally allowed inside."
Complete silence.
A noble Daimyo was inviting him — alone — to eat while bathing.
Who wouldn't be jealous?!
Obito and Kakashi were practically bleeding from the eyes.
The reveal alone shattered the girls' souls.
But this was the Daimyo.
They couldn't protest.
With all eyes on him, Drake stood.
Rin clutched his arm.
Anko grabbed his clothes.
"For the sake of Konoha's honor, I must accept this diplomatic dinner."
He spoke righteously.
Minai laughed.
"Am I really that scary? I'm not going to eat him."
Her laughter sent waves… literally.
Obito and Kakashi stood petrified.
The girls slumped.
And just like that, Drake left with Minai.
Team Nine — Emotional Collapse
"…Life has lost its color," Obito sighed.
Kakashi's jealousy faded into pure melancholy.
"We have to stop this dinner!" Anko declared.
"But that's Daimyo…" Rin hesitated.
Meanwhile — On the Street
Minai naturally hooked her arm through Drake's.
Then leaned closer.
Soft. Warm. Dangerous.
"Uh… isn't this a bit much?" he asked.
"Is it? You didn't think that when you hugged me all night," she teased.
"That was for intelligence gathering!"
"You gathered intel all night?"
"That was… close-protection!"
Minai smirked.
"Very close."
Witnesses Appear
"Is that Drake?" Might Guy squinted.
"It is…"
"And he's with a woman?!"
Ibiki passed by calmly.
"What's strange? He's strong. Strong men date powerful women."
At that exact moment—
Team Nine arrived, tailing them.
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