Uchiha Fugaku finished reviewing the last document and stretched his stiff arms.
"…I didn't disappoint Drake."
Looking at the now-cleared desk, he felt a surge of emotion.
Drake had entrusted him with the Hokage's administrative authority.
That trust meant everything.
With a Hokage like Drake, how could Konoha not prosper?
Bang!
The office door burst open.
Kushina rushed in, holding a Flying Thunder God kunai.
"…Fugaku? Where's Drake?" she demanded urgently.
"Drake and Minato left the village," Fugaku replied.
"Something's wrong!" Kushina raised the kunai. "Minato just activated the seal on this blade. That means he and Drake are in extreme danger!"
Fugaku shot to his feet.
"You're certain?"
"Yes."
"Kakashi!"
He shouted toward the next room.
A blur flashed.
Kakashi appeared instantly.
"Do you know where Drake and Minato went?"
"I don't," Kakashi replied.
Then he froze.
White Zetsu.
"I'll ask White Zetsu."
"Go!"
Moments later—
A White Zetsu clone appeared alongside Kakashi.
"You know Drake's location?" Fugaku asked immediately.
"I do," the clone replied.
After all, Drake carried one of its spores.
Fugaku exhaled sharply.
Good.
He turned to Kakashi, voice iron-hard.
"As Acting Hokage, I order: every ninja in the village assemble at the central plaza. Immediately."
"I'll notify everyone."
Kakashi vanished.
Fugaku turned to Kushina.
"Go to the Nara clan. Tell Shikaku to report here. He'll handle administration."
"You're going too?"
"Yes."
Fugaku's eyes sharpened.
Drake must be rescued.
Drake was the Hokage who had given the Uchiha full trust.
He could not fall.
Uchiha District
Kakashi's voice echoed through the compound.
"The Fourth Hokage has encountered a crisis! Acting Hokage Fugaku orders immediate assembly!"
Doors slammed open.
Uchiha clan members emerged one by one.
"What?! Drake is under attack?" Obito shouted.
"Then what are we waiting for?!" he roared, already sprinting.
"…Drake, you better not die. Looks like I've gotta save you for once," he muttered while running.
Hyūga Clan
Hiashi's brows furrowed.
"You cannot die yet. The flight technique hasn't been settled… and Lingyin…"
He stood abruptly.
"Main branch leaves one behind. Everyone else—assemble!"
Across Konoha
The rumor spread like wildfire.
"The Fourth Hokage is under siege!"
"What? He's severely injured?"
"Enemies everywhere?"
"Does Konoha lack manpower?!"
"Gather!"
Within minutes—
The central plaza overflowed.
Over a thousand ninja.
Then more.
Then more.
Central Plaza
Uchiha Fugaku stepped forward.
"Everyone!"
The noise quieted.
"The Fourth Hokage, Drake, is facing a crisis."
"You all know his record."
"This rescue mission will be extremely dangerous."
The crowd erupted.
"It must be the Sarutobi clan!"
"Asuma was exposed yesterday. Today Drake is attacked?!"
"It's the Third Hokage's retaliation!"
Fugaku raised his voice again.
"Silence!"
The plaza stilled.
"Our priority is rescuing the Fourth Hokage. Everything else comes later!"
Obito stepped forward.
"Clan leader, stop talking! Lead us! Drake won't last forever!"
"Yes! Save him first!"
Fugaku nodded.
He bit his finger and slammed both hands onto the ground.
"Everyone, back up!"
"Rashōmon!"
BOOM!
A colossal gate erupted from the earth.
It trembled—
Then hovered above the ground.
Ninja leapt atop it in waves.
"White Zetsu, guide the direction!"
"Understood."
The giant gate lifted into the sky.
Thousands of Konoha ninja stood upon it.
It accelerated like a flying fortress.
Onboard
Obito clenched his fists.
"Hold on, Drake. This time I'm the one coming to save you."
Kakashi removed his mask slightly, eyes dark.
"What kind of threat could corner even Minato?"
"I trust Captain!" Yamato said firmly.
No one responded.
Female Squad Section
Rin's face was pale.
"Drake… we're coming. You must hold on."
Yugao clenched her sleeves.
"I still haven't shown you my new outfit…"
Lingyin spoke calmly—
"Have faith in him."
Yet even she felt uneasy.
Front of the Flying Gate
Fugaku stood beside Hiashi.
Alongside them were clan heads from across the village.
"What kind of crisis could push both Drake and Minato to signal for aid?" Fugaku murmured.
"Poison, perhaps," Hiashi speculated.
He could imagine nothing else capable of stopping Drake.
Mount Myōboku
Drake stood calmly before Minato.
Giant toads encircled them.
Gamabunta.
Fukasaku.
Shima.
Jiraiya.
Drake stepped forward slightly.
He raised his chin.
"Come."
"Let me see what strength frogs at the bottom of a well possess."
◇ I'll be dropping one bonus (KH)Chapters for every 10 reviews. comment
◇ One bonus (KH)Chapter will be released for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ You can read 60 (KH)Chapter ahead on P@treon if you're interested: patreon.com/SwipeSage