Catching Tailed Beasts

Seeing their reactions, Hidan rested his chin on his hand, crouched down, and peered at them: "Hey, hey, you two know each other from before?"

Tobi chuckled: "Of course, after all, I'm the one who brought him here~ Well, that said, since I'm the one who brought him, it wouldn't be very good if he got slaughtered by you seniors the moment he walked in, right?"

"Hmph!" Sasori's voice was hoarse and cold: "Then I'll just kill you along with him."

"..."

Tobi immediately put on a terrified expression, shrinking into a corner: "Waaaaah, have mercy, Senior!"

Sasori: "..." Why am I even bothering with this idiot... Forget it, I'm just in a bad mood, and he's not even here right now, so let it be.

Uchiha Gen watched Obito's reaction and froze in place, then looked at the trembling "Tobi" in the corner: His cowardice is so natural, I'm impressed!

Since neither of them intended to speak, Uchiha Gen decided he wouldn't play the coward either—mostly because he couldn't outdo them—and introduced himself: "Greetings everyone, my name is Uchiha Gen. Also, if there are any seniors who find me an eyesore, I am at your disposal at any time."

Hearing this provocation, the atmosphere suddenly stiffened. And an Uchiha? Everyone immediately cast playful, lingering glances between Uchiha Gen and Itachi Uchiha.

Sasori's eyes turned slowly as he began to size up Uchiha Gen properly.

Kisame Hoshigaki crossed his arms; he had thought this kid was just like Tobi, but it turned out he was quite arrogant. Still, he was an Uchiha? At this thought, Kisame looked at Itachi, who showed no reaction at all, as if this person claiming to be Uchiha Gen had nothing to do with him.

Deidara's forehead pulsed with a vein; if they were in the real world, his eyes would probably be spitting fire. He was muttering something under his breath while kneading something in his hands...

Kakuzu didn't speak, but he was calculating something in his mind, planning to check the Black Market bounties later to see if Uchiha Gen's name was on the list.

Hidan, however, laughed heartily: "You're not bad, kid. Any interest in joining my Jashin Cult? Lord Jashin would probably like you."

"Thank you! But I don't really like believing in such things. If Lord Jashin knew he had such an unfaithful believer, he probably wouldn't be happy either," Uchiha Gen replied with a polite refusal.

Hidan looked disappointed, but seemed to accept it: "Alright then."

Seeing that the new member's introduction was over, Pain said: "Enough. I didn't gather you all today to welcome a new member. We recently received news that the Five-Tails Jinchuriki, Han, is traveling alone..." He left the rest unsaid; everyone present knew what it meant.

Pain scanned the group and suddenly called out: "Uchiha Gen, what is your take on this?"

The group was surprised by Pain's sudden inquiry. Had this kid displeased the leader? They all looked at Uchiha Gen with schadenfreude.

Uchiha Gen: ...I'm standing here looking at it? He replied with a hesitant, speculative tone: "How about—I go capture him?" Wait, interns have to capture Tailed Beasts?? Give me a promotion to full-time staff, you jerk!

Pain nodded: "Then you and Itachi Uchiha will go capture the Five-Tails."

"???" Kisame Hoshigaki was stunned. My partner is gone?

Originally, Pain had intended to capture the Five-Tails himself, but this unexpected development changed his mind.

Seeing the confused looks on everyone's faces, Pain said: "This is just a temporary team. Even as an intern, since you have no track record, you need to demonstrate your strength if you want to join our Akatsuki."

That was what he said, but the primary reason for this arrangement was the layer of vigilance Pain held in his heart. Including Uchiha Gen, there were already four people in the organization introduced by Uchiha "Madara."

Furthermore, this person's background was unknown, and he was of the same clan as Itachi Uchiha, who had wiped out his own kin. This was the perfect opportunity to test Uchiha Gen's strength and the attitude between them. Pain had always harbored suspicions about the masked "Madara," though he couldn't discern what his true purpose was.

Itachi didn't say much about the arrangement. From the start, he had been pondering one question: Uchiha Gen? He remembered there was no such person in the clan. A pseudonym?

Thinking about how he was brought in by Uchiha "Madara" personally, could it be—that he was from the same era as "Madara"?

Konoha...

Uzumaki Reikawa watched Sasuke's movements. Although he had changed much of Sasuke's experience and provided him with a great deal of information and intelligence, who knew what the Second Pillar was thinking?

Without Orochimaru, Sasuke's strength wouldn't improve? Don't make me laugh. The reincarnation of Indra wouldn't be mediocre no matter who taught him. What truly made Sasuke stronger was those eyes, wasn't it? Besides the Kusanagi Sword and the Curse Mark, which had more side effects than utility, what did Orochimaru have? As for combat experience, Konoha had plenty of people who could teach him.

And if he were to be honest, Uzumaki Reikawa felt that the Uchiha Gen main body would also work. Although he lacked practical experience, being of the Uchiha clan, his insights into ninjutsu and the Sharingan were things Orochimaru could never match.

Most importantly, he hadn't gotten the autograph yet. Come to think of it, it was fortunate the system had a function to block the green light, otherwise, there were times Uzumaki Reikawa might have burst out laughing unexpectedly.

Corresponding to Jiraiya teaching Naruto.

Because of a previous promise, Kakashi and Sasuke were also practicing at the training ground. Kakashi intended to teach Sasuke the advanced versions of the Lightning Blade and Chidori.

However, when Sasuke's hand was injured due to his constant impatience, Kakashi was forced to stop the training.

"I advise you to rest. If you keep this up, your hand will be ruined." Kakashi grabbed Sasuke's hand with a serious expression, trying to make him stop. In truth, being able to practice to this level so quickly was already quite impressive.

Sasuke looked unwilling: "No, I think I can do it! I'm almost there." Sasuke stubbornly shook off Kakashi's hand.

Without waiting for Kakashi to dissuade him, he unleashed the Chidori again. The crackling electricity slowly gathered together. A drop of sweat fell from Sasuke's forehead, and only white lightning remained in his vision. Gather for me!!

Suddenly, Sasuke's pupils constricted. He succeeded!!!

Kakashi, who had been wearing a grave expression and intending to intervene by force, was left speechless by the sight.

However, once the ninjutsu was successful, Sasuke completely relaxed. Due to the exhaustion from overdrawing his chakra, he couldn't control himself and collapsed to the ground, fainting. His hands were numb and he couldn't move them; it was estimated he wouldn't be able to use ninjutsu for quite some time.

Kakashi walked over and sighed helplessly at Sasuke: "Too reckless!"

But—well done! Kakashi picked up Sasuke, intending to take him to the hospital.

Uzumaki Reikawa had no intention of appearing; he simply followed silently, memorizing the location of the hospital. He spent most of his free time around the hospital where Sasuke was, until he sensed the approach of those four people, taking advantage of the fact that they were unprepared.

Tayuya and the others, dispatched by Orochimaru, were on their way. However, the closer Tayuya got to the hospital, the more she felt an inexplicable sense of panic. Something was wrong!

"Kidomaru, do you feel anything?"

Knowing Tayuya wouldn't make such a claim without reason, Kidomaru thought for a moment, but he didn't sense anything.

Jirobo mocked: "What? Are you scared?"