Naruto: Drop System

"Yagyu, who are these two?"

"This little girl is Hanabi, Hinata's younger sister; and this is Karin, a descendant of the Uzumaki clan, and my distant relative."

"Hanabi, Karin, nice to meet you both! Wow, Hanabi is just as cute as Hinata was when she was young. You'll definitely grow up to be beautiful. Wait... Karin is your distant relative? Yagyu, are you really a descendant of the Senju Clan?"

"Yes, I've known about my lineage for a long time. I'm sorry for keeping it from you all for so long."

"No wonder your chakra is so strong, and your hair and eye color resemble the Second Hokage in the books. So that's how it is..."

Yagyu, along with Hinata, first went to Ino's family flower shop and then to Konoha Hospital to pick up Ino and Sakura, who were helping at the shop and working as interns. He introduced Karin and Hanabi to both girls.

Just as they had treated Hinata when she was younger, Ino and Sakura were warm and welcoming to Karin and Hanabi.

When they found out Yagyu was a descendant of the Senju Clan, both girls were surprised, but after Yagyu apologized for not telling them earlier, they quickly let it go.

Unlike the prestigious Hyuga clan, Ino's family was more like an ordinary family. Her parents weren't the type to care about social status.

Sakura's family was even simpler—just a regular ninja family. As long as their daughters liked someone, their parents would agree without fuss.

Upon learning from Hinata that Karin had a background similar to hers, and after hearing from Yagyu about how Karin had been treated as a medical tool, both Ino and Sakura, who had already developed a good first impression because of Karin's connection to Yagyu, became even more affectionate towards her.

At first, Karin was unsure of how to handle the warm welcome from Ino and the others, but soon, a sense of warmth flooded her heart.

Although her sensory abilities weren't as advanced as those of Uzumaki Mito, who could sense good and evil, the genuine sincerity from Ino, Sakura, and Hinata was clear enough for anyone to see.

Realizing they didn't look down on her, Karin sighed in relief, feeling touched.

Just as Yagyu had said, they were indeed kind people.

As Karin continued to interact with Ino and the others, her tone became less nervous, and she eventually smiled from the heart, beginning to resemble the Karin of the original series.

Seeing her transformation, Yagyu couldn't help but smile.

He had guessed correctly that only Ino and the others could help Karin truly come out of her shell.

Karin's reliance on Yagyu was too strong—similar to how Haku was devoted to Zabuza or how Kimimaro was to Orochimaru.

No matter how much Yagyu tried to correct her, Karin always placed herself in a position of extreme humility.

But with Ino and the others, Karin could slowly regain her confidence and free herself from that mindset.

Although having an extremely loyal and devoted follower wasn't a bad thing, Yagyu preferred to nurture a capable partner rather than someone overly dependent.

Karin had that potential.

Originally, Hinata had been the most talented among the girls, given her connection to the Ōtsutsuki Clan and the purity of her Byakugan, the most refined in the Hyuga Clan for a thousand years.

If her bloodline were ever upgraded, her Byakugan might even evolve or mutate.

But now, Hinata was no longer the most talented.

Enhancing a bloodline was no easy task, unless someone of Six Paths' level intervened or she consumed a chakra fruit or medicine refined from it.

Otherwise, Hinata's potential would cap at that of a top-level jonin, like her father Hiashi. Even if Yagyu taught her many advanced techniques, her maximum potential might only reach kage-level.

Karin, on the other hand, was different.

Even in the conditions of the original series, she had awakened the three unique abilities of the Uzumaki Clan.

Her chakra nature was the same as Yagyu's before he graduated: Yin, Yang, Water, and Earth.

The Uzumaki bloodline came with an enormous amount of chakra and exceptional chakra control.

This meant Karin could not only learn Yagyu's genjutsu and Water Release techniques, but also the Uzumaki Clan's sealing techniques, the Senju Clan's chakra bursts, and Tsunade's medical ninjutsu, including the future Hundred Healings technique, and perhaps even Sage Mode.

If Karin mastered all these abilities along with her clan's unique powers, she would become the Uzumaki equivalent of Mito, capable of standing alongside Naruto, who could fully transform into a tailed beast, and Sasuke, who had obtained the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan. She would be part of a new generation of "Legendary Sannin."

And turning Karin into this future version was far easier than upgrading Hinata's bloodline.

Right now, Karin had the highest potential of the four girls.

Both Tsunade and Yagyu had high hopes for her.

Of course, Karin had no idea about this.

If she did, she would likely be as driven as Kimimaro, making it her lifelong goal to achieve such heights.

After successfully introducing Karin to Ino and the others and getting to know his future sister-in-law, Yagyu activated his Kagura Mind's Eye to locate Tsunade and Shizune's chakra.

They had already left the Hokage building and were now somewhere near the center of Konoha.

There wasn't another chakra presence near them, so they had likely returned to the Senju Clan's old estate.

Following the guidance of his Kagura Mind's Eye, Yagyu and the group arrived at a large house.

Much like Hinata's home, the house had walls, a courtyard, and an ancient architectural style.

"Yagyu, you're here!"

As Yagyu led the girls inside, the first thing they saw was several Shizune clones cleaning the house.

Seeing them, one of the Shizunes, whether the real one or a clone, raised her hand and greeted him.

Noticing the girls beside him, Shizune paused for a moment before asking, "Who are these girls?"

"They're my classmates and good friends who grew up with me... and, well, they're my wings."

The last part echoed in Yagyu's mind.

Suddenly, Yagyu formed a hand sign and said a jutsu name that froze Ino and the girls in place:

"Wood Style: Multiple Wood Clone Jutsu!"

There was no sound of an explosion like with a regular clone jutsu. Instead, green branches extended from Yagyu's body.

As the branches broke off, they rapidly took on his shape and form, eventually transforming into over twenty identical wooden clones of Yagyu.

"Wo... Wood Style?!"

By now, Ino, Sakura, Hinata, and Hanabi were all standing there in complete shock.

As Yagyu had once told Naruto, the Legendary Sannin were figures studied in second-grade history.

And in first-grade history, the first prominent figure introduced was the God of Shinobi, Hashirama Senju.

Anyone who attended the ninja academy knew about the First Hokage and his legendary bloodline limit: Wood Style!

Wood Style was called a legendary bloodline limit because, aside from Hashirama, no one else in Konoha had ever possessed it.

Now, they were seeing this legendary power displayed by Yagyu right in front of them!

"Ya... Yagyu..."

Ino, the first to recover, was so stunned that her words came out stammered. "Is this the reason you kept your identity hidden?"

"Yes."

"And is this why Shikamaru said you suddenly became more confident?"

"That's right. I had already awakened Wood Style by then."

"Wow..."

Seeing Yagyu confirm it, Ino let out a long breath.

"So... so cool..."

Sakura and Hinata were filled with awe.

As for Hanabi, her eyes sparkled as she looked at Yagyu.

At that moment, even Hanabi didn't realize that she was on the verge of becoming the type of fangirl she used to disdain at the academy.

If she noticed, she might finally understand why so many girls admired strong, handsome boys.

Already a highly accomplished individual, Yagyu's revelation of his Wood Style was like a morning sun suddenly becoming a blazing midday sun, so brilliant that looking directly at him could almost hurt the eyes.

"Help with the cleaning first, and later I'll introduce you to someone important," Yagyu said, snapping the girls out of their daze.

Together with his wood clones, he assisted Shizune with the cleaning.

The girls quickly calmed down and used their Shadow Clone Jutsu to join in.

With Yagyu's multiple wood clones and the girls' shadow clones working together, they soon finished cleaning the massive estate, which hadn't been lived in for many years.

By the time they were done, the sun was setting.

As Yagyu and the others took a break, Shizune returned with groceries.

"Yagyu, Karin, you're here!"

As night fell, Tsunade, who had been staying in a secluded area beneath the estate, finally appeared before Yagyu.

Like Shizune, Tsunade first greeted Yagyu and Karin before turning her attention to the girls.

She noticed Hinata and Hanabi's Byakugan, then observed Ino, Sakura, and their appearances. A knowing smile appeared on her face as she looked at Yagyu and asked, "Yagyu, aren't you going to introduce them to me?"

"Tsu... Tsunade-sama!"

Before Yagyu could respond, Ino and the others stood frozen once again in awe.

Ino was the first to snap out of it, rushing over to Tsunade with eyes full of admiration. "Are you the Legendary Sannin, Tsunade-sama?"

"Not bad, little girl. You've got some knowledge," Tsunade praised, patting Ino's shoulder. As she did, she silently infused a bit of chakra into Ino to assess her condition. "Judging by your hair and Yin-release chakra, you must be from the Yamanaka Clan, right?"

"Yes, yes..."

Ino nodded vigorously, looking every bit like a starstruck fan. "My father is Inoichi Yamanaka. Tsunade-sama, you're my idol!"

"Oh? So you're Inoichi's daughter," Tsunade said, slightly surprised, before teasing, "I didn't expect Inoichi to have such a cute daughter."

"Hehe..."

Ino scratched her head, bashfully smiling at the compliment.

At this point, Sakura, Hinata, and Hanabi also approached, their eyes filled with the same awe and admiration.

Sakura and Hinata, in particular, had been studying medical ninjutsu since they were little under Yagyu's guidance.

Anyone who learned medical ninjutsu knew how incredible Tsunade was.

Both were huge fans of hers.

Without needing Yagyu's introduction, Tsunade already knew who they were and even their fathers' names.

Seeing this, Yagyu couldn't help but be amazed.

It seemed he had underestimated Tsunade's influence.

While Tsunade held her impromptu fan meeting, Yagyu left her to it and headed into the kitchen to help Shizune.

Karin followed him.

Soon, Karin was bringing out dish after dish and placing them on the dining table, which was a modern-style high table that contrasted with the traditional architecture.

Before long, a lavish feast was ready.

"Tsunade-nee-san, dinner's ready!"

After the final dish was served, Yagyu called out to the living room.

A few moments later, Tsunade entered with her four adoring fans in tow.

"Not bad, Yagyu! I didn't know you were a great cook too!"

Tsunade glanced over the dishes on the table. Having grown accustomed to Shizune's cooking, she could instantly tell which dishes Yagyu had prepared.

The styles were different.

Anyone who could create a distinctive style of cooking had to be a great chef.

"Mhm, mhm... Yagyu's cooking is delicious," Ino, Sakura, and Hinata agreed, nodding in unison. That was why they never stopped Yagyu from cooking.

As for Karin and Hanabi, they were both quietly drooling, with Karin feeling a rare pang of regret.

She hadn't realized Yagyu was such a good cook.

Had she not stopped him from entering the kitchen before, she could've enjoyed his cooking much sooner!

"Let's eat before it gets cold," Yagyu said with a smile, unfazed by the compliments.

They thought it tasted good because it was new to them. In Yagyu's opinion, his cooking was nothing special—just average.

But compared to the limited food choices in Konoha, it made sense why they found his dishes so appealing.

"Let's eat!"

Tsunade cheerfully invited Ino and the others to sit, taking the head of the table herself. She then turned to Shizune, who sat to her right, and asked, "Shizune, did you buy me some sake?"

"Yes, Tsunade-sama," Shizune replied, fetching a bottle of sake and some soft drinks from the kitchen.

"Let's raise a glass to celebrate—finding my little brother and getting to know all of you!"

Tsunade filled her cup with sake and raised it with a hearty gesture.

"Cheers!"

Yagyu and the girls raised their glasses of juice, clinking them together with smiles on their faces.

With Tsunade leading the conversation, the atmosphere quickly became lively.

Even the normally reserved Shizune and Karin were drawn in, occasionally joining in on the discussion.

But the biggest change was in Hanabi.

Just like Hinata's first dinner with Yagyu and the others, Hanabi, who was used to the strict and quiet atmosphere of her own home, where meals were eaten in silence on tatami mats, discovered how lively and fun eating together could be.

If she weren't so young and unable to fully join her sister's circle, Hanabi might have already started to show her more outgoing personality like she did later in Shippuden.

Sensing Hanabi's change, Yagyu would occasionally clink glasses with her, bringing a bright smile to her adorable, chubby face.

The young girl's affection for her future brother-in-law continued to grow.

The dinner lasted much longer than expected—so long, in fact, that Yagyu lost track of time.

The girls were having such a good time chatting!

At first, they had been reserved, only asking Tsunade about interesting stories from her era. But as Tsunade drank more and began boasting about her legendary feats, the atmosphere heated up considerably.

By the end, Ino, who was feeling envious of Hinata's figure, couldn't help but ask, in front of Yagyu, the burning question in her heart: "Tsunade-sama, how did you... uh... get so... big? Is there some sort of secret?"

"Oh, you mean this?"

Tsunade, completely unfazed by Yagyu's presence, proudly held up her "assets" and, with her face flushed from the alcohol, said with great satisfaction, "It's a gift from the heavens!"

"What?!"

Ino and Sakura, who had been hoping for some secret technique, were instantly devastated, turning to stone in disappointment.

Shizune and Karin glanced down at their own flat chests, then back at twelve-year-old Hinata, before also turning to stone.

Watching the girls having such a wild time, Yagyu, who had been quietly sitting with his chin resting on his hand, couldn't help but smile.

These girls were his wings!

It was also because of them that Yagyu, at some point, had developed deep bonds with this world, integrating himself into it and no longer seeing himself as an outsider, finally saying goodbye to his previous life.

Because of them, Yagyu had managed to keep himself grounded, avoiding extreme and dark paths in his pursuit of strength, still holding onto the light.

To Sakura and Hinata, Yagyu was their savior.

But to Yagyu, they had also saved him.

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