Naruto: Drop System

Whish, whish, whish…

Boom, boom, boom…

Sounds of missiles whistling through the air and explosions thundered relentlessly.

Unlike the severely battered Kumogakure and Sunagakure—or the cunning Kirigakure that wisely fled—Konoha displayed the same unstoppable force as Sunagakure did in swiftly dealing with their enemies.

But whereas Mei Terumī, Ōnoki, and Gaara personally fought at the front, Tsunade never left the rear. Even with Yagyu pinned down by the Six Paths of Pain, Konoha still demonstrated crushing might.

Leading the charge, Team 7's new generation showcased their unique talents.

Having fully mastered Sage Mode in just a few days—thanks to his genuine Sage body—Naruto had returned from Mount Myōboku. In the battlefield, his fighting style now looked calm and measured, entirely unlike his usual chaos. Each punch and kick—while seemingly plain—carried extraordinary power.

In contrast, Sakura's every blow felt colossal, her strength shocking to behold. Watching her fight, one would think she was the real "human Tailed Beast."

Uchiha Sasuke, on the other hand, displayed exquisite swordsmanship. Though he only wielded the Kusanagi Blade imbued with Lightning Release, each slash struck an enemy's fatal point precisely. Closer inspection showed he'd activated his Mangekyō Sharingan. Without employing unique dojutsu or ninjutsu, simply leveraging the Mangekyō's insight and ocular power, Sasuke could wield a force that would unsettle even the Five Kage.

Hence, the three members of Team 7—essentially the new "Sannin"—were all relying on taijutsu and cold steel in close combat. Their sensei, Kakashi Hatake, was the one assisting with ninjutsu, targeting a white-haired figure riddled with cracks, holding a short blade plucked from who knew where.

That man excelled at kenjutsu and was fiercely powerful. Each slash was simple yet deadly. Even with the Mangekyō's dynamic vision, Sasuke—refraining from unique jutsu—wasn't his match. And that figure's vacant eyes betrayed no consciousness of his own.

Indeed, he was "Konoha's White Fang," Sakumo Hatake.

Just as in the original storyline, where Kabuto didn't properly handle Edo Tensei–Nagato, so here, although self-awareness was stripped, it didn't hinder the caster's use of a reanimated's abilities. Over the past few years, Yagyu had also mastered Spirit Transformation (Reika no Jutsu), gleaned mind-reading from Ino, so his Wood Clone manipulator could deploy Sakumo's kenjutsu through Edo Tensei. Tapping into Sakumo's memories like a sponge, they swiftly absorbed his combat experience. Coupled with their own powers, the reanimated Sakumo actually surpassed his living prime.

That was why Team 7 needed to join forces.

"Kamui!"

Aided by his three disciples, Kakashi finally found a perfect window to warp space, tearing off Sakumo's upper half.

"Karin!"

Seizing the moment, Sakura suddenly shouted.

Whish—

A sharp whistle sliced the air. A long, seemingly infinitely extendable chain flew forth, entangling Sakumo's remaining half. His upper half, already disintegrating into white dust, was quickly regathering itself.

"Sealing Technique: Contract Release!"

Hearing a girl's commanding voice, tadpole-like markings glowed across the chain, swiftly covering Sakumo's regenerating body.

The next instant, Hundred Faces (Hiruko) and the Wood Clone controlling Sakumo both lost control over him. Sakumo's body had just finished regenerating.

Karin flickered before him, applying medical ninjutsu with a green glow on her hands to scan for the Edo Tensei's talisman and medium. Immediately finding them, she placed one hand atop Sakumo's head while forming one-handed seals with the other:

"Edo Tensei—Release!"

Whoosh—

A brilliant white glow flared up. Sakumo's newly reformed body dissolved again into white dust at a speed visible to the naked eye. A translucent pale spirit, enwrapped in radiant light, floated upward, manifesting Sakumo's visage.

This Sakumo, however, differed from the puppet stripped of its mind. His eyes shone with compassion as he gazed upon Kakashi, wearing a gentle smile:

"Kakashi, you've really grown up."

"Father, I'm glad to see you again,"

Kakashi said quietly, lowering his headband. His expression was complicated as he faced his father's ascending soul:

"I finally understand why you made that decision. I'm proud of you."

"Is that so… seems you've been through a lot,"

Sakumo murmured, scanning the battlefield. Then he smiled:

"I'm sorry I've caused you trouble. Wish I could stay to make amends and help, but don't come see me too soon, Kakashi."

"Don't worry. I won't die."

In a soft glow, Sakumo's form soared skyward like a shooting star, vanishing in a blink.

Elsewhere, after finishing off the few surviving members of the four major Konoha clans, the other Wood Clones eased off, allowing Hinata, Ino, Shizune, and Yakumo Kurama—skilled in sealing techniques—to seal the reanimated foes or release their Edo Tensei. If Yagyu's clones hadn't held back, the fight might have lasted longer, but Sakumo and other fallen Konoha heroes, aside from the former Hokage, were no match for the united new generation. Between Sasuke, Hinata, and the rest, their power was overwhelming—particularly Kurama Yakumo, who was a veritable battlefield sweeper. Whenever White Zetsu tried to fake an ally, she'd cast them into her illusory world, sealing them instantly. They never even got to disrupt formations. Only a handful of White Zetsu managed to ambush any Konoha nin.

Hence, thousands of White Zetsu inflicted fewer casualties than a few dozen Edo Tensei elites.

"Everyone, retreat!"

Right after Kakashi's group wrapped up the Edo Tensei strike force, every Konoha ninja heard a voice in their minds. It belonged to Ino's father, Yamanaka Inoichi. Through the clan's secret telepathic jutsu, he'd broadcast an order to all.

Even though they had the clear advantage, the command was to withdraw. Some felt puzzled, but ninja exist to obey. Without protest, they swiftly carried sealed comrades and disguised White Zetsu back to camp, leaving the Land of Rain.

Before long, only the Kumogakure front and the Land of Iron's forces remained in combat. Yet soon enough, Mifune's face darkened, and he, too, ordered a retreat. With Yagyu not deliberately targeting them, and no reanimated juggernauts set upon them, the samurai force had minimal losses and pulled out smoothly.

Thus, only Kumo's forces continued fighting. Meanwhile, the A–B Combo had arrived, taking on the reanimated Third Raikage together. Yet that only succeeded in stalling their father. On top of that, besides the mass of White Zetsu, the Kumo-nin faced three more Edo Tensei–revived elites: Kakuzu, Hidan, and now Yugito Nii.

Controlling reanimated Kakuzu's formidable jutsu barrage, the Wood Clone unleashed five-element combos indiscriminately, wiping out White Zetsu and Cloud shinobi alike. Hidan spun his scythe, serving as Kakuzu's shield-breaker.

Meanwhile, the reanimated Yugito Nii—her entire body clad in a blue "cloak" with black cat-like patterns—constantly spat homing fireballs at the Kumo units, pouncing among them in partial Tailed Beast form, shredding multiple lives with one swipe.

"Damn you, Akatsuki!!"

As casualties mounted and the Kumo front scattered, Darui didn't know who to focus on.

"Sealing corps, restrain our wounded! Your new mission: withdraw from the Land of Rain, spreading out to watch everyone warily until further orders."

Samui didn't join him, focusing instead on rallying the panicked Cloud nin uncertain whether to flee or save possibly fake comrades, or help the Raikage. She next gave them hope:

"I'll go seek help. The Yamanaka clan's techniques can distinguish friend from foe. For now, stay alive!"

"Yes, ma'am!"

Her words gave them a sliver of light in the darkness. As a martial-minded village, they didn't fear war or death, but they never wanted to die so helplessly—aware of an enemy close at hand yet forced to hesitate lest they murder a disguised ally. Dying this way lacked any heroic dignity. Now Samui's promise that Konoha might assist them was a genuine relief.

Hence, the sealing division pinned down wounded Kumo-nin and carefully retreated from the Land of Rain in an orderly fashion. Their numbers, originally above ten thousand, now sank to four digits. They disappeared into the rain, leaving behind White Zetsu clones tasked with blocking them—and the A–B Combo plus Darui, who fought the Third Raikage and Yugito Nii. Kakuzu joined the Third Raikage, Hidan aided Yugito, intensifying the pressure against the Kumo trio.

"Bee, Darui—pull out!"

Seeing that all subordinates had withdrawn, and the enemy had gained reinforcements, the Fourth Raikage had no choice but to give the order. Going one-on-one against his father in life, the A–B Combo might have won eventually—there was a limit to any living person's chakra. The Third Raikage, after all, was worn out by ten thousand Iwa-nin attacking for three days. A protracted fight would favor the living. But now he possessed an immortal body and infinite chakra. Without a sealing specialist to assist, they had no chance.

Concluding his speech, the Raikage cloaked himself in blue-white lightning and led the retreat. Killer Bee, half-transformed, fired a beam not at the Third Raikage but at the ground, raising a massive dust cloud. Once it settled, Bee, A, and Darui were gone.

With their withdrawal, the armies of the Five Great Nations and the Land of Iron had all exited—save for Yagyu's ongoing duel.

"Leader, they've all pulled back,"

White Zetsu reported to Tendo Pain.

"I see."

Nodding, Tendo Pain caused Nagato's real body to form seals. Pop, pop, pop… The Six Paths of Pain battling Yagyu suddenly turned to white smoke and vanished. The Senju brothers and Mū, who never found a decisive kill shot, also withdrew quietly.

Thus concluded the first round between the Five Great Nations and the Akatsuki. White Zetsu's infiltration and Edo Tensei had shattered Kumogakure's pride, leaving the Five Nations to face reality: a single Great Village alone was no match for the Akatsuki. Even two or three allied villages might fall short. After all, the Akatsuki's ranks included an army of White Zetsu with dizzying numbers, plus reanimated elites who boasted undying bodies and limitless chakra.