Alias Number One

Finally, the 10 million ryo were gathered. Confirmed submission.

Uchiha Gen chose to use it on the spot. Instantly, his facial features underwent subtle changes, and his hair turned a vibrant shade of red.

Uchiha Gen looked at his reflection in the mirror... Isn't this just a healthy version of long-haired Nagato? Driven by a sense of dark humor, he stiffened his face and muttered to himself, "Almighty Push."

However, because his hair was quite long and the Uchiha clan's Yin-style chakra was heavy, his face appeared rather soft. If he were to put on makeup, it seemed he could easily pass for a girl... At this thought, Uchiha Gen gave himself the creeps.

Returning to check the system panel, Uchiha Gen was actually startled. The skill section now included Adamantine Sealing Chains and the Four Symbols Seal, which, combined with his own Sharingan, would make any Tailed Beast "delighted" to see him.

Uchiha Gen left the kitten at a pet shop and left behind a sum of money. He didn't give the kitten a name, because giving it a name meant he would have to keep it forever.

Uchiha Gen was not prepared to raise a pet right now. Although the kitten was very spirited, it had no combat ability, and if it followed him, it would likely become a casualty of the aftermath of battle.

Besides, Tsunade should have already seen this kitten.

Thinking of what he had to do next, Uchiha Gen could only sigh at the tangled fate between himself and Konoha.

Arriving at the gates of Konoha, Kotetsu Hagane stopped Uchiha Gen, a fresh face, as his red hair was truly eye-catching. "Who are you? What are you doing in Konoha?"

Uchiha Gen acted as if he were startled, pausing for a moment. "Hello, my name is Reikawa, Uzumaki Reikawa. I've come to Konoha seeking shelter."

"Uzumaki?!" Izumo Kamizuki, having just finished checking someone else and letting them in, walked over. He glanced at Uchiha Gen's hair, which indeed matched the descriptions of that clan in his memory.

Izumo Kamizuki tugged at Kotetsu Hagane, and after a brief discussion, they nodded. Kotetsu Hagane then went inside to report.

Izumo Kamizuki looked at Uchiha Gen, who seemed a bit nervous, and said, "Please wait a moment."

Uchiha Gen nodded and found a large rock to sit on.

"Are you a ninja?" Izumo Kamizuki asked.

"I suppose so."

"Suppose?"

"Because I'm not entirely sure; I only know one or two ninjutsu."

"Then where are you from? What were your parents' names?"

"If I had to say, I suppose I came from the Land of Grass. My mother's name was Uzumaki Yomi. I don't know what my father's name was, and my mother passed away when I was about six."

"My condolences."

Uchiha Gen shook his head. "It's fine, it's all in the past." He spoke effortlessly, almost believing it himself. As for verifying his identity, they certainly wouldn't be able to find anything; at most, they might trace it back to Karin.

But Uchiha Gen wasn't worried. The Uzumaki clan were early allies of Konoha, and after the Uzumaki were wiped out, the clansmen scattered everywhere. It was difficult to find detailed whereabouts for those who were targeted and persecuted, so even if they found no information, it wouldn't matter.

As long as he could prove his identity, the Uzumaki clan's power to seal Tailed Beasts would be a windfall for Konoha.

Uchiha Gen didn't know the exact location of Root, and wandering around hiding for a long time would make it easy to be discovered and alert the enemy. His only goal was the Sharingan in Danzo's possession. He didn't want to cause unnecessary slaughter in Konoha.

After all, Danzo valued his own life more than Konoha, believing that as long as he didn't die, Konoha would become better under his leadership—though, according to his way of thinking, that would only be if Konoha still existed by then.

"May we verify your identity?" Izumo Kamizuki used a tone of request, but his attitude was firm.

Uchiha Gen nodded and said, "What do I need to do?"

"Extend your hand." After saying this, Izumo Kamizuki used a kunai to make a small cut on Uchiha Gen's hand, and blood immediately began to flow slowly. It seemed it wasn't a Transformation Jutsu.

Until Kotetsu Hagane returned and nodded at Izumo Kamizuki. Izumo Kamizuki signaled that he understood and gestured for Uchiha Gen to follow Kotetsu Hagane.

"We have some things to handle recently, and the Hokage hasn't returned yet, so you'll stay here for the time being. If you need to buy anything, it's over there..." Kotetsu Hagane pointed in a direction and led Uchiha Gen to a small house on the outskirts of Konoha.

Uchiha Gen had no complaints about this. The Third had just died, and Tsunade hadn't returned yet; it would be strange if they let a stranger like him enter the core area immediately.

However, his information had likely already been reported to Danzo. At his age, he was a bit old for Danzo, who liked to abduct children, and he didn't know if Danzo would come to cause trouble. Of course, Uchiha Gen would be very welcoming of such an action.

Uchiha Itachi returned to the projection light and selectively explained the situation to the Akatsuki organization. To summarize simply: there was a mysterious powerhouse who could resist genjutsu, and his stance was unclear. The people present whispered among themselves.

Deidara was very annoyed; he hated anything Uchiha-related, let alone another one. It better not be an Uchiha, or he would let him taste the power of his C4 Garuda!

Kakuzu chuckled, "Didn't you clean them all up when you wiped out the clan?"

Itachi ignored Kakuzu's mockery and waited silently for Pain's instructions.

Nagato pondered. If he was of the same clan as Itachi, given the grudge between them, he certainly couldn't be recruited.

But if he wasn't—a ninja of unknown stance who could make Itachi acknowledge him must be strong. Although the Akatsuki was currently at full strength, it would be best if he could be recruited.

After thinking for a while, he finally spoke, "Zetsu, go and investigate."

"Itachi, you and Kisame go handle other missions. In a while, it will be time for us to collect the Tailed Beasts in unison. Get yourselves in top condition."

Hearing this, Hidan grumbled, "Can we do anything other than make money?"

Kakuzu: "I think it's quite good."

Pain ignored these complaints; as long as they could complete their missions, that was enough. "Does anyone else have anything to report?"

The group remained silent for a while...

"Dismissed!"

On Uchiha Gen's side, these days were not exactly idle, but because he was near the gate, he was frequently bothered by Izumo Kamizuki and Kotetsu Hagane.

He didn't know how the conversation started; they had originally come to probe his background, but as they talked, he shared some classic stories from his past life. Of course, he changed the names of the characters, but once he started, there was no stopping it.

Good grief, perhaps guarding the gate was too boring, so the two of them took turns coming over to listen to stories, only to retell them to each other later.

So why hadn't he learned the Shadow Clone Technique himself? After Uchiha Gen sent them off, his face darkened. Although they basically always brought some food over, wasn't this just rubbing salt into his wounds? He couldn't taste anything, yet these things looked so delicious... How vexing!

Such "pleasant" and peaceful days were broken by a knock at the door from an Anbu operative; before opening the door, Uchiha Gen had assumed it was those two guys again.

"Is this Uzumaki Reikawa?"

"It is."

"The Hokage has returned. He wants you to go to the Hokage Office, so come with me."

"!" Uchiha Gen took a deep breath. He had finally made it through.