Naruto: Drop System

It was nighttime, and the silver moonlight illuminated the plains.

Uchiha Sasuke hadn't gone far from the underground base when he saw the figure who had blocked his path a few days ago—Hundred Faces, the wood clone of Yagyu, disguised as 'Uchiha Yusuke.'

"Was what you said the other day true?" Sasuke asked immediately upon arriving, wanting to resume the conversation they had in the illusionary space.

"Whether it's true or not, you'll find out once you awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan and go to Naka Shrine to check the stone tablet yourself, or ask Uchiha Itachi directly," Hundred Faces replied indifferently. "I've spent years investigating this information. Besides, no one can explain why he suddenly awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan or why he killed your parents but spared you."

Sasuke clenched his fists, his expression shifting as he growled through gritted teeth, "No wonder someone from the clan suspected him of killing Brother Shisui! He killed Shisui to gain the Mangekyō Sharingan and spared me so he could eventually gain the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan. Are family and bonds really worth less than eternal power?"

"For some power-hungry maniacs, the allure of an Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, and the chance to become the second Uchiha Madara, is too great to resist," Hundred Faces said, pointing at Sasuke. "Right now, it's just you two left in the Uchiha clan. If he seeks the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, you have the same potential to claim that power, Sasuke!"

"I don't want his cursed eyes!" Sasuke, now in tears, had activated his three-tomoe Sharingan, his gaze filled with hatred. "I'll kill him and bring his head to our parents' and the clan's graves!"

"That's exactly why you need to take his eyes and restore the glory of the Uchiha clan," Hundred Faces said. "You must become the second Uchiha Madara. Only then will you possess the power to fear nothing, control everything, and change the world."

Then, Hundred Faces threatened, "If you refuse to take his eyes and gain the Eternal Mangekyō, I won't teach you powerful jutsu or how to break free from that snake."

Activating his own three-tomoe Sharingan, Hundred Faces used a genjutsu on Sasuke again.

Night turned to day, and the plains transformed into a battlefield.

Scenes of Fire Style and Lightning Style techniques, and even combined jutsu, appeared before Sasuke's eyes.

These jutsu included techniques that Yagyu had obtained from Kakuzu, as well as other advanced techniques from the forbidden jutsu archive.

Staring at these powerful jutsu, Sasuke couldn't resist the temptation and finally nodded. "Alright, I agree!"

"Good," Hundred Faces said with a satisfied smile. "Starting tomorrow, I'll use a secret technique to shield you from that snake's detection. Come here every night and train with my clone. I'll teach you everything I know through real combat."

"Yes!"

Sasuke's agreement marked the success of Yagyu's plan. All that remained was for him to extract Indra's chakra from Sasuke.

When the ultimate Yin and Yang forces combine, they will give rise to the power of all creation!

As the Uchiha stone tablet foretold, "When the poles unite, the power of all creation shall be yours!"

At this time, Yagyu hadn't yet gone to sleep.

As soon as Hundred Faces succeeded in his plan, the information was transmitted to Yagyu in real time, filling him with joy.

This plan, which Yagyu called the "Indra Plan," was one he had devised for Sasuke when he was still very young.

If Yagyu didn't extract Indra's chakra during their academy years, he would activate this plan.

This was why Yagyu didn't stop Sasuke from defecting and even looked forward to the "Retrieve Sasuke" arc.

By letting Sasuke defect, Yagyu had many ways to approach him and extract Indra's chakra.

As a transmigrator, Yagyu's narrative control was above everyone else's.

When he was weak, he acted cautiously, always preparing for the worst.

Naruto and Sasuke were special—Naruto was constantly monitored by Hiruzen Sarutobi and the Anbu, while Sasuke was watched by Danzo. This was why Itachi returned to the village immediately after Hiruzen's death.

Even though Yagyu was just a civilian genius without a kekkei genkai, he didn't dare get too close to Naruto or Sasuke, nor did he dare challenge Sasuke in private.

Because even the smallest chance of discovery was too risky.

Thus, the "Indra Plan" was born.

Originally, Yagyu had planned to carry it out himself.

However, after various unforeseen events during graduation and his bold ideas during the Chunin Exams, Yagyu continuously revised and perfected the plan. What started as a task for his true body eventually became one for his wood clone, using the Disguise Technique as Hundred Faces.

During this process, Yagyu also freed the souls of the previous Hokage and obtained Konoha's most powerful legacy: the Sage Art Wood Style: True Several Thousand Hands.

This trip had been just as rewarding as the Konoha Crush arc.

With the Wood Style, Water Style, and Sealing Techniques he obtained from the Konoha Crush, Yagyu's potential had been elevated to beyond Kage-level.

If this plan succeeded, Yagyu's ceiling would be reaching the level of the Six Paths.

At that point, he would ascend to another dimension of existence.

Just imagining this filled Yagyu with excitement, banishing any thoughts of sleep.

If Karin hadn't already gone to bed after her exhausting training, Yagyu would've gone to her room to share his joy.

Time flew by, and it was now late October of Konoha's 60th year.

Two months had passed since Tsunade became the Fifth Hokage.

In that time, the villagers had recovered from the grief and shadow of the Konoha Crush and adapted to life under Tsunade's rule.

The backlog of missions that had accumulated between the Third Hokage's death and Tsunade's appointment had been cleared by the efforts of the Jonin, Chunin, and the new generation.

During this period, many Jonin on missions outside the village also took the opportunity to retaliate against Orochimaru, wiping out the fledgling village of Otogakure.

Now, Orochimaru only had a few bases and loyal subordinates left.

With Otogakure under attack from all sides, Orochimaru instructed Kabuto to have their operatives remove their headbands and operate as rogue ninja.

After all, anyone Orochimaru had entrusted with working at his other bases was either fiercely loyal or controlled by his curse marks. With or without headbands, they would remain Orochimaru's people.

As more ninja returned to the village, the pace of life began to return to normal.

"Congratulations to Yagyu and Shikamaru on becoming Chunin! Cheers!"

That day, at Konoha's most famous barbecue restaurant, members of Teams 8 and 10 gathered together for the first time.

Led by Kurenai Yuhi and Asuma Sarutobi, the group raised glasses of juice to celebrate Yagyu and Nara Shikamaru's promotion—the only two candidates from this Chunin Exam to be elevated to Chunin rank.

"Being a Chunin sounds like such a drag," Shikamaru muttered, resting his face on one hand, his expression uncharacteristically shy.

"Thanks, everyone. I wouldn't have made Chunin without Kurenai-sensei's guidance and the help from Shino and Hinata during the second exam. I wouldn't have made it to the finals without them," Yagyu said with a humble smile as he raised his glass.

Kurenai, beaming with pride, ruffled Yagyu's hair in a gesture reminiscent of Tsunade's playful mannerisms.

After all, Yagyu had made her proud!

She couldn't help but wish she could invite Team 7 and Team 3 over, just to show off in front of Kakashi and the other elite Jonin.

When they had once excluded her from bets on whose students were the best, they hadn't anticipated that the most outstanding member of the new generation would be her disciple. Talk about a slap in the face!

Just as the celebration was underway and Akimichi Choji was devouring plates of meat, a sharp eagle's cry pierced the air, reaching the ears of Teams 8 and 10.

Kurenai and Asuma immediately froze, exchanged glances, and then got up to leave.

Before departing, Asuma fished out his wallet and told Team 10, "I've already paid. Once you're done, you can head home."

Kurenai, doing the same, added, "Today's on me. Eat as much as you like, and we'll meet at the usual spot tomorrow."

In no time, Kurenai and Asuma had left the barbecue restaurant and sped off toward the Hokage's office.

They weren't the only ones—other Jonin who were still in the village were also heading there.

Inside the restaurant, as Yamanaka Ino kept serving meat to Hinata, she couldn't help but ask, "Hey, did that eagle cry sound familiar to anyone else?"

"That's the signal for an emergency summons," Shikamaru said slowly. "The last time we heard it was right before the Chunin Exams."

"Oh, right! I remember now," Ino said, her face lighting up in realization. Then she frowned. "But what could be so urgent this time? Do you think something big is happening again?"

"I'm not sure," Shikamaru said, looking thoughtful. "For ninja, the most important event is the annual Chunin Exams, and it's the only open event. Jonin promotions are handled privately, through missions assigned by the Hokage. If the eagle's cry was heard, it probably means something serious is happening that requires the Jonin to be mobilized."

After hearing Shikamaru's analysis, Yagyu frowned, his eyes filled with curiosity.

After the "Retrieve Sasuke" arc, the information in Yagyu's journal regarding the original story had stopped. The final entry stated that Naruto would leave with Jiraiya for training six months later.

Everything else was related to the Shippuden era.

So, Yagyu either had a vague recollection of future events or had completely forgotten them.

As for not having seen them, that was unlikely.

Emergency summons were never issued for minor matters. Unless this event didn't exist in the original story at all.

Soon enough, Yagyu learned what had happened.

Swoosh!

As Choji ate with gusto and Hinata, blushing, began to enjoy her meal, a shadowy figure suddenly appeared.

A member of the Anbu in a black cloak and white cat mask bowed respectfully to Yagyu. "Yagyu-dono, the Hokage has requested your immediate presence in her office."

Unlike the gate guards and other Chunin who addressed Yagyu more casually, the Anbu, who knew of Yagyu's elevated status, treated him with great respect.

"Understood, thank you for coming," Yagyu said, his eyes flashing with surprise. Then, turning to his friends, he added, "You all keep eating. If I don't come back, don't wait for me."

With that, Yagyu and the Anbu vanished in an instant.

Upon arriving at the Hokage's office, Yagyu didn't see any of the Jonin, only Tsunade with a deep frown on her face. Even Shizune and Karin were absent.

"Hokage-sama," Yagyu greeted her formally, his voice and demeanor respectful due to the situation.

"Yagyu, you're just in time. I have an urgent mission for you," Tsunade said, not wasting any time. "Just now, there was a riot at the prison by the quarry outside the village. Many prisoners have taken the guards hostage, and we're not sure how many have escaped."

"To prevent them from fleeing Konoha or taking villagers hostage, I've already mobilized all the available Jonin to block the village exits and gather the villagers at the center of town. I've also sent Karin and Shizune to assist Kurenai and Asuma in surrounding the prison."

"But I'm still not fully confident. If the prisoners inside realize they can't escape or fear punishment later, they might harm the guards. That's why I want you to go there and use your Wood Style to put an end to this riot."

As she finished, Tsunade's face lit up with a proud smile. "It's time for Konoha, and the whole ninja world, to know your name!"

"Yes, Hokage-sama," Yagyu responded, his own face lighting up with confidence. "I'll be back soon."

With those words, Yagyu disappeared, leaving only a gust of wind to shake the open window.

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