The negotiation between Drake and Ōnoki officially began.
Of course—
Drake was seated comfortably,
while Ōnoki was still hanging upside down.
"First, your Iwagakure launched a surprise attack on the Land of Fire's border," Drake said calmly, legs crossed.
"Then, when I personally went to negotiate, I was surrounded by over a thousand Iwa ninjas."
He glanced up at the inverted Tsuchikage.
"Tsuchikage, if you can't give me a reasonable explanation, I'll have no choice but to visit Iwagakure myself and solve it there."
Drake wasn't worried about Ōnoki denying anything.
The consequences were something Ōnoki absolutely couldn't afford.
"We can form an alliance!" Ōnoki shouted, shaking his head weakly.
His vision was spinning.
After taking two full slaps from Drake, his head was still buzzing.
"Go on," Drake gestured casually.
"After the alliance, Iwagakure will cease all hostilities against the Land of Fire," Ōnoki promised.
The moment those words left his mouth—
Drake raised his right hand.
"Wait!" Ōnoki yelled in panic.
"Hm? Last words?" Drake paused.
"No—no!" Ōnoki hurriedly added,
"Not attacking the Land of Fire is just the baseline.
Iwagakure will instead attack Kumogakure and Sunagakure."
Hearing this, Drake stroked his chin.
Iwa attacking Cloud and Sand?
"Your reason?" Drake asked.
"Because we were deceived by the Cloud!" Ōnoki snapped, rage flaring in his eyes.
This time, he wasn't lying.
Back when Kumogakure stationed troops in the Land of Hot Water, they were the first to encounter Drake.
Yet the Cloud Ninja side never once revealed Drake's true strength.
Instead, they even sent envoys urging Iwagakure to attack the Land of Fire.
It was a blatant setup.
Even after the so-called Three-Way Alliance formed, the Cloud still kept silent.
Because of that, Iwagakure's elite force had been completely annihilated by Drake.
If Ōnoki had known how terrifying Drake truly was, he would never have authorized that border attack.
Thump!
Ōnoki was finally set down.
He jumped up, rubbing his swollen face.
"It seems… our negotiation went quite smoothly," Drake said, standing up and glancing at him.
Then he waved his hand.
Whoosh!
The straight sword floated up and hovered before him.
"Wait!" Ōnoki suddenly spoke again.
"Hm?" Drake turned his head.
"Earlier, you were clearly hit by my Dust Release—why were you unharmed?" Ōnoki asked, genuinely confused.
"That was just a Wood Clone," Drake replied flatly.
"W–Wood Clone?!"
Ōnoki froze.
That meant the one who had utterly dominated him earlier…
wasn't even Drake's main body?
He hadn't gone all out—but Drake clearly hadn't either.
Ignoring Ōnoki's shock, Drake stepped onto the sword.
"Wait!" Ōnoki blurted out again.
"You'd better have a good reason," Drake frowned.
"C-can you解除 the seal you put on me?" Ōnoki asked stiffly.
"I… I can't fly anymore."
"You can fly," Drake replied indifferently.
The sword rose into the air and shot off.
Ōnoki remained standing there, expression extremely complicated.
He cautiously attempted to lift himself with chakra.
He flew.
"…This?!"
Ōnoki was utterly shaken.
Drake had merely said a single sentence—and his ability to fly returned?
What kind of absurd power was that?
Settlement
Footsteps echoed.
Kenjiro ran down from the second floor.
"Tsuchikage-sama," he said calmly, "please settle the bill."
"What did you say?" Ōnoki stared at him as if he'd heard a joke.
He might not be able to beat Drake—but now even an information broker dared speak to him like this?
"Drake pays for his intelligence purchases," Kenjiro said plainly.
"Tsuchikage-sama, you wouldn't stiff the bill, would you?"
"…You're impressive," Ōnoki said expressionlessly.
He tossed over a money pouch.
"Today's negotiations are classified at the highest level.
You understand the consequences of leaking anything."
"I do," Kenjiro nodded.
He hadn't overheard the negotiations.
Kenjiro understood very well—
this was not information one could afford to listen to.
If it leaked, Drake wouldn't even need Ōnoki's permission to kill him.
Evening — Konoha
A streak of sword-light descended from the sky, landing squarely within Konoha.
"That's Drake, right?!"
Squad Nine sat on a rooftop, witnessing the scene.
"It really is him!" Anko exclaimed happily.
"When did Drake learn to stand on a sword and fly?" Rin marveled.
"I want to fly too…" Yugao Uzuki said longingly.
"Drake's heading to the Hokage Tower," Obito said excitedly.
"When he comes out, I'll be the first to ask him to take me flying!"
"I remember you're afraid of heights," Kakashi remarked dryly.
"If anything, I should be first."
"Wait—me too!" Yamato raised a hand.
Hokage Office
Drake briefly summarized the negotiation results.
"You're saying… Ōnoki promised to attack the Cloud and Sand?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi was stunned.
His jaw nearly hit the floor.
Since when had Ōnoki become this cooperative?
"I'm done reporting," Drake said flatly and turned to leave.
"Wait, Drake!" Hiruzen hurriedly called out.
"What now?" Drake frowned.
"Take a look at this."
Hiruzen tossed over a scroll, his expression troubled.
Snap!
Drake scanned it quickly.
"The Sand has retreated to the Land of Rivers? That's good news, isn't it?"
"It is," Hiruzen nodded.
"But now the Sand is withdrawing, and Iwa has allied with us."
He sighed.
"That leaves only Kumogakure and Kirigakure."
Drake's impatience showed.
"What are you trying to say?"
Hiruzen hesitated, then spoke with a heavy expression.
"For the sake of the village…
I need you to make another trip—to the Mist front."
Drake's brow twitched.
I just got back.
Didn't even have a sip of water.
And you're already sending me out again?
"Third," Drake said slowly, his voice cold,
"you're really enjoying that Hokage seat, aren't you?"
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