Naruto: Drop System

"Orochimaru-sama, you seem a bit worse for wear," Yagyu appeared out of nowhere, holding an unconscious White Zetsu clone. He glanced at the bloodied and heavily bound White Phosphorus Snake, lying on the ground with green vines wrapped around it, and teased with a smile.

"Hehe... You've caught me at a bad time, Yagyu-kun," the White Phosphorus Snake rasped, gazing at Yagyu, who had just saved him.

Instead of feeling relieved, Orochimaru's mood grew heavier.

It didn't matter to him if he lost to Uchiha Sasuke. Even dying wasn't a problem.

As long as he could seize the right moment, he could always be reborn through Sasuke or Anko Mitarashi. Of course, successfully taking Sasuke's body now would be ideal.

But Yagyu's sudden arrival made Orochimaru uneasy.

Orochimaru feared Yagyu even more than Itachi Uchiha.

After their deal was struck years ago, Yagyu could have easily killed both him and Kabuto, yet he let them go. It wasn't out of disdain but sheer confidence in his strength, much like Pain of the Akatsuki.

Now, Yagyu's appearance here was no coincidence. It meant he had anticipated this all along and had been watching them through unknown means.

What was he planning?

Orochimaru couldn't help but wonder.

At that moment, he realized the vines binding him had loosened.

Yagyu placed the unconscious White Zetsu clone on the ground, pried open its mouth, and smiled at Orochimaru. "Orochimaru-sama, forget about Sasuke's body. Take over this one. I promise it won't disappoint you."

Orochimaru remained silent for a moment.

As the former member of the Akatsuki, Orochimaru recognized Zetsu, the sole member who had no partner or was essentially a team unto himself. White Zetsu could create numerous clones, with infiltration skills unrivaled in the ninja world, yet Yagyu had managed to capture one.

Was this Zetsu clone more special than a Wood Clone? Would it not vanish?

After only a few seconds of hesitation, Orochimaru made his decision. He leaped toward the White Zetsu clone.

He had no other choice.

Though the White Phosphorus Snake's body was enormous, larger than Yagyu and the Zetsu clone combined, it flowed like liquid into the Zetsu clone's body, entering through its mouth.

At first, the Zetsu clone's body expanded like a balloon, with something writhing and colliding inside. But soon, its swollen form returned to normal, and the white body began transforming into Orochimaru's likeness at a visible rate.

What was even more astounding was that the Zetsu clone, initially without clothing, had somehow created clothes to match Orochimaru's typical attire.

"This body..."

The newly possessed Orochimaru stared at his hands, his pupils shrinking in disbelief. "Incredible. Is this really just a clone?"

Normally, after every reincarnation, Orochimaru needed a period to adjust to the new body, which would begin deteriorating after three years.

But with this body, there was no discomfort whatsoever—it felt as if it were his original body.

Moreover, Orochimaru could sense a tremendous amount of life force within it.

"Orochimaru-sama, how do you like the body?" Yagyu's voice interrupted his thoughts.

Suppressing the urge to dissect and study the Zetsu clone, Orochimaru smiled. "Ah... Yagyu-kun, you've certainly given me a great surprise."

"You've traveled all this way to bring me such a gift. What would you like me to do in return?"

"We'll discuss that later," Yagyu replied, walking over to Uchiha Sasuke and forming a single hand seal.

The branches binding Sasuke immediately fell away.

"It's been a while, Sasuke," Yagyu said, raising a hand in greeting as Sasuke turned to face him.

"The future Sixth Hokage of the Leaf, siding with the rogue who killed the Third Hokage? How ironic," Sasuke couldn't resist mocking him.

"Orochimaru-sama is a valuable asset. Letting him die here would be a great loss for the ninja world," Yagyu explained with a smile. "Likewise, if you were ever in danger, Sasuke, I'd intervene as well."

"Hmph," Sasuke grunted, sheathing his Kusanagi sword. "If you've come to take me back, don't waste your time. Unless you plan to seal me away for good."

"Relax, I have no intention of doing that," Yagyu responded with a smile. "I'm not like Naruto, who can be a bit thick-headed. I understand that right now, you're just a pure avenger."

"Good. Then let's leave it at that."

Sasuke turned to leave, but suddenly, he remembered something Hundred Face had told him three years ago. With newfound confidence, he turned to Yagyu and declared, "Next time we meet, I won't lose to you."

With those words, Sasuke disappeared in a flash, leaving Yagyu standing there with an amused expression.

Sasuke's unwavering confidence truly was impressive.

No matter how many times he stumbled or how many beatings he took, Sasuke always managed to maintain that self-assured demeanor.

"Yagyu-kun, would you care to visit my lair?" Orochimaru asked with a smile.

He didn't care that Sasuke had left. That didn't mean he had given up on taking Sasuke's body and obtaining the Sharingan.

On the contrary, Orochimaru eagerly anticipated Sasuke's battle with Itachi Uchiha. He planned to use Itachi to push Sasuke to the brink of death, then seize his body at that critical moment.

But for now, Orochimaru was more interested in studying his new body and uncovering Yagyu's true motives.

From the moment Yagyu had brought him the White Zetsu clone, it was clear Yagyu knew much—like how he had known that the Reaper Death Seal could be undone with the Shinigami Mask.

What exactly was Yagyu plotting?

"Very well, I'll take you up on that offer, Orochimaru-sama," Yagyu replied with a smile, unaware of Orochimaru's inner thoughts.

The two descended into Orochimaru's underground lair through the crater Sasuke had created earlier.

Inside the dimly lit room, illuminated only by candles, Orochimaru poured tea for Yagyu and asked with a smile, "Yagyu-kun, can you explain now?"

"Orochimaru-sama, isn't this Zetsu clone quite useful?" Yagyu asked instead of answering directly.

"Yes, the compatibility of this body with my soul is identical to that of my original body," Orochimaru nodded, marveling. "Furthermore, the life force within it is similar to that of Hashirama's cells, yet fundamentally different."

"What's even more astonishing is that this is a clone—an actual, permanent physical clone."

Yagyu didn't tell Orochimaru that the so-called Zetsu clone was originally a human being.

Instead, after taking a sip of tea, Yagyu smiled cryptically and said, "Orochimaru-sama, since your soul fits so perfectly within this Zetsu clone, have you considered... if we summoned the souls of the dead and allowed them to possess Zetsu clones, wouldn't that be a form of resurrection? If those souls had limitless chakra, wouldn't they be able to wield their full power from when they were alive?"

Whoosh!

Orochimaru's mind was suddenly struck with inspiration, as if a floodgate of ideas had burst open.

It was as if a jolt of electricity ran down his spine and shot straight to his brain. His body trembled with excitement, and his voice quivered as he spoke, "A perfect Edo Tensei!"

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