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As Tsunade flipped through the classified files Danzo had left behind—human experiments, slaughtering ninjas from the same village, plotting to seize the Uchiha Clan's eyes—she could even tell from the wording of the documents that Danzo had attempted to assassinate the Third Hokage. White Fang's death might have been connected to him as well.

And that was only what could be seen in these files. In the places no one could see...

In the end, the furious Tsunade could only reach one conclusion: he had gotten exactly what he deserved!

When Tsunade moved to purge Root, one-third of its ninjas had already been killed by Aburame Torune, Yamanaka Fu, and several of Danzo's most loyal followers. Fortunately, the Anbu discovered them in time and stopped them, though they paid a price for it as well.

After handling everything, Tsunade solemnly sealed the documents away in the highest-level classified archives. At the same time, Uzumaki Reikawa's test results came out. He was indeed from the Uzumaki Clan, and his bloodline was unexpectedly pure.

Jiraiya returned from gathering intelligence outside. After learning this information from Tsunade, his expression immediately darkened. Combined with the information he had obtained about Akatsuki, it was truly a complete mess. And according to the intelligence the Toad had delivered before, those three kids from back then were already dead.

But then Jiraiya suddenly thought of Uzumaki Reikawa. He decided to go see him personally. He could not deny the trace of hope in his heart; the coincidence was simply too great.

Over here—

"Finding cats, farm work, cleaning drainage ditches..." Uzumaki Reikawa pulled a long face. "Can I only take missions like these?"

Kakashi nodded seriously. "You're only a Genin right now. You can't take higher-level missions." What Kakashi did not say was that Reikawa could carry out higher-rank missions if a higher-ranked ninja led the team.

Uzumaki Reikawa actually knew that, but he had never been officially registered as a ninja, so he was not supposed to know now. So I really shouldn't get too carried away, huh?

While he had been hesitating, the cat-finding mission had already been taken by another Genin. "..." He glanced at the farm work mission and decided against it; it would take too long. He had no sense of smell anyway, so Uzumaki Reikawa was just about to take the drainage-cleaning mission.

"Is Uzumaki Reikawa here?" Jiraiya's voice arrived before he did.

The moment he entered, his gaze locked onto that head of red hair. It could not be helped—red really stood out.

Hearing the call, Uzumaki Reikawa reflexively reached out and tore down the mission slip. But when he turned around, he saw the dazzling, green, brilliant glow above Jiraiya's head~

"..." That was really conspicuous! Uzumaki Reikawa's mouth twitched. No, I can't laugh. They'll think I'm insane. He coughed twice and lowered his gaze, forcibly suppressing his amusement. "I'm here. What is it?"

Kakashi stepped forward and greeted him. "Lord Jiraiya."

Jiraiya nodded and asked, "Have all the records been registered?"

"They've all been registered. He's choosing a mission now."

Jiraiya indicated that he understood, then carefully studied Uzumaki Reikawa's face. He really did resemble Nagato quite a lot, but why did this kid's expression seem so strange? "Do you know me?"

Hearing that, Uzumaki Reikawa looked at Jiraiya's questioning face, then at the green glow above his head. No, I can't hold it in anymore! His expression slipped out of control. "Sorry, excuse me. I need to use the bathroom."

However, after Uzumaki Reikawa went in, laughter immediately erupted from the bathroom. But because he did not want the people outside to hear, he laughed so painfully that it sounded like he was about to choke to death.

Once he calmed himself down and mentally prepared himself, he came out to find Kakashi and Jiraiya staring at him with dead-fish eyes.

Uzumaki Reikawa asked, "What's wrong?"

"We both heard you. What were you laughing about?"

Uzumaki Reikawa awkwardly covered for himself. "Nothing. I just remembered a funny joke from before and accidentally laughed."

"..." Kakashi and Jiraiya.

Forget it. Jiraiya did not intend to pursue the matter. His purpose in coming here was to take a look at this Uzumaki Clan junior and, while he was at it, test his strength.

He also wanted to see whether there was anything he could teach him. Akatsuki's goal was the Tailed Beasts, and Uzumaki Reikawa was highly talented. He should play a major role in the coming conflict with Akatsuki. "Come with me for a moment."

Uzumaki Reikawa spread open the mission slip in his hand. "I just took a D-rank mission. Can we wait a little?"

Jiraiya asked, "Has the mission been registered?"

Uzumaki Reikawa shook his head.

Jiraiya thought for a moment, then said to Kakashi, "Then I'll have to trouble you, Kakashi. I'll be looking after Uzumaki Reikawa from now on. Do this mission for Lingchuan in his place."

Kakashi instinctively accepted the mission slip and looked at the words "clean drainage ditches." "..." What the hell?!

What had Uzumaki Reikawa been thinking? Out of all those missions, he chose cleaning drainage ditches. That stench could cling to someone for an entire day!!!

After Uzumaki Reikawa was taken away, he suddenly realized what that meant. His lack of smell made it no concern of his, but as for Kakashi—he could only offer his condolences.

Following behind Jiraiya, Uzumaki Reikawa heard him suddenly ask, "Do you know Nagato?"

"Nagato? Who's that?" The confusion in Uzumaki Reikawa's eyes did not seem faked. Jiraiya sighed. Though both had red hair, who could guarantee that Nagato was from the Uzumaki Clan too? And those eyes... could he have been the Child of Destiny?

Over on Uchiha Gen's side, after successfully roasting two snakes, he fed them to the kitten. To his surprise, the kitten quite liked them. It could not finish them all at once, so he put the rest in the refrigerator for later.

Based on what he had learned in his previous life, there should have been about two and a half years left before Akatsuki began acting. By now, they should have gathered most of the information they needed. The first Tailed Beasts they would capture were the Seven-Tails and the One-Tail.

By that logic, White Zetsu should also be nearby. If he showed interest in the Tailed Beasts, Akatsuki's people should reveal themselves. He just had to control the degree; if they regarded him as a threat, he would be finished.

He was not really planning to capture a Tailed Beast anyway. The bigger the commotion, the better. With that in mind, Uchiha Gen decided to write a warning letter:

Hello. Since your Kazekage is already dead, and I have no idea who will see this letter first, I won't bother writing whom it is addressed to.

I want to keep a Tailed Beast as a pet. The One-Tail in your village seems pretty cute. I hope you know what's good for you. In three days, I will come to take possession of the One-Tail. Please be informed.

To prevent it from being dismissed as a prank, Uchiha Gen carefully dressed up the letter. Using the Sharingan, he infiltrated Sunagakure and placed it neatly in the very center of the table at their meeting place.

During his infiltration, he also happened to find the Four Celestial Commanders, those idiots, sneaking around nearby. After giving it some thought, Uchiha Gen captured them all and knocked them unconscious.

He could not let White Zetsu lump him together with those guys. They ignored the Nine-Tails and went after the One-Tail. That alone would have been one thing, but they even dreamed of conquering the Five Great Nations with the One-Tail, only to be killed in turn by Gaara. There really was no one else like them.

What Uchiha Gen did not know was that Akatsuki was also looking for him. Since he was very likely from the Uchiha Clan, Obito had personally come by once and passed the pet shop where the kitten was staying.