Han

Seeing that this person knew him, Sasuke immediately put on an expression of just as I thought. Doesn't know me + knows me + red hair = Uzumaki Reikawa!

Certain that he had uncovered the truth, Sasuke gave Karin a deadpan look and commented, "This version isn't as pretty." Then, without waiting for Sakura to come over and catch up, he greeted her and vanished in a flash.

"??" Karin stood there in a daze, having no idea what Sasuke meant. This version wasn't as pretty? Sasuke remembered her? Was he saying she was ugly now?

Sakura was a little disappointed that she had not gotten to speak with Sasuke. Then she saw Karin's expression, and a woman's intuition told her something was off. "...Karin, do you know Sasuke?"

"Yeah. He saved me during the Chunin Ninja Exams."

"Then do you like him?"

Karin blushed. She had originally wanted to say yes, but the words changed as they reached her lips. "I don't know. Maybe I like him a little."

Sakura relaxed upon hearing that. It was probably just the kind of feeling one had toward a lifesaver. "Is that so? We've been walking around for so long, you must be hungry. Come on, let's get something to eat." As she spoke, she tried to take Karin's hand, only for Karin to dodge away again.

"Mm, okay." Karin concealed her expression and tucked her hands behind her back.

When Sasuke found Kakashi, Uzumaki Reikawa was there as well. Sasuke fell into thought. "..." So that woman earlier was not Reikawa?

"I don't think Lady Tsunade will agree."

"We have to try."

Kakashi spread his hands. "Suit yourself. Oh, Sasuke, come out."

"You were here the whole time?" After stepping out from behind the bushes, Sasuke looked at Uzumaki Reikawa and asked.

Uzumaki Reikawa looked puzzled. "??? What's wrong?"

"...Nothing. What were you two talking about just now?"

Not getting an explanation left Uzumaki Reikawa somewhat annoyed. Suddenly feeling mischievous, he leaned close to Sasuke. "We were talking about—" Then he abruptly changed the subject. "Not telling you."

Sasuke's mouth twitched. He flicked several shuriken at him, though shuriken of that level naturally posed no threat to Uzumaki Reikawa. Uzumaki Reikawa simply leaped aside to avoid them, then slipped away to find Tsunade.

"..." Kakashi was already used to Uzumaki Reikawa's behavior. Before he had systematically learned the basics, he had been easier to catch. After studying under Jiraiya, unless he did it on purpose, he was genuinely difficult to catch.

In terms of strength, Uzumaki Reikawa had, in a sense, already reached Jonin level due to his bloodline. He simply lacked combat experience badly and was accustomed to crushing opponents with raw power. If he encountered someone stronger, he would probably go down quickly.

As for the explosion he had cleverly arranged among the Grass ninja before, Kakashi guessed that Uzumaki Reikawa had spent all of Konoha's subsidy on Explosive Tags.

But what Kakashi could not understand was how Uzumaki Reikawa had managed it. Judging from the timing, after they separated, Uzumaki Reikawa had found Karin in a very short time. Was it really just luck?

Orochimaru, meanwhile, was in an exceptionally foul mood. Ever since he killed the Third Hokage and had his hands sealed, nothing had gone his way. He had sent four people to take Sasuke away, yet there had still been no news from them. As a result, Orochimaru had no choice but to pick the best of a bad lot and casually choose someone for reincarnation.

Kimimaro had not died as he did in the original story. Orochimaru looked at Kimimaro, who lay on the operating table receiving treatment, and frowned slightly. It was truly a pity. If not for the Kekkei Genkai Disease, Kimimaro would have been the best candidate for his Living Corpse Reincarnation from every possible angle.

As for Uchiha Gen, who had played him, Orochimaru searched through all the Uchiha Clan records and found no one named Uchiha Gen, nor anyone who matched those conditions. Uchiha Obito was likewise absent from the records.

Obito's side, however, was rather amusing. Unaware that Uchiha Gen was a Reanimated Body, he searched for ages and discovered that the clansman who best matched Uchiha Gen's circumstances was actually himself.

However, according to the intelligence gathered by Zetsu, the earliest point that Uchiha Gen's appearance could be traced back to was after Orochimaru invaded Konoha. Putting those scattered clues together, Uchiha Gen and Orochimaru were undoubtedly connected in some way.

But Orochimaru was difficult to catch, while Uchiha Gen was currently with Itachi. With two pairs of Mangekyo together, Zetsu could not get too close to gather intelligence. The investigation into Uchiha Gen thus temporarily stalled.

Here, Uchiha Gen received some information from his clone. He needed to recharge. Earlier, Uchiha Gen had forcibly filled the clone with as much chakra as his main body possessed, yet it had already been used up. Uchiha Gen could not help thinking how nice it would be if clones could recover chakra automatically too.

Using nature's call as an excuse, Uchiha Gen created a clone and then dispelled it to send the information from this side back. Uchiha Gen sighed. They had been traveling nonstop these past two days, and Itachi had not been talking to anyone either.

"Itachi, can you give me an autograph?"

"..."

While walking, Itachi unexpectedly spoke two words. "We're here."

Uchiha Gen immediately concealed himself upon hearing that. Looking ahead through the bushes, he saw a heavily disguised person wearing a red conical hat and a mask—the legendary Five-Tails Jinchuriki, Han!

Calling him alone was not entirely accurate. In truth, if he simply turned back and ran a little farther, he could return to the border of the Land of Earth.

Moreover, information on Jinchuriki was confidential. Even if ninja from other countries knew about him and wanted to make a move, it was not a question of whether they could capture him. Even if they did, their identities would inevitably be exposed, and they would face pressure from the other four great nations.

Only White Zetsu could have found him. If it had been anyone else, they might not have managed it. He was probably out here to relax.

Uchiha Gen looked at Itachi. "You going first, or me?"

"..."

A gentle breeze brushed through the branches. The surroundings were quiet, without even a single birdcall.

Walking across an open clearing, Han frowned deeply. Something felt off. This place seemed familiar, as if he had passed through it before. Suddenly, the space at his side seemed to distort. Just as Han's instincts blared a warning—

Han immediately activated Steam Armor, explosively accelerating beyond his usual speed and leaving his current position. Yet when he turned back, there was nothing there, as though he had merely been overthinking things.

But Han knew something was definitely wrong with the surroundings. He cut a bloody gash across his hand, and the environment around him immediately began to change. When he opened his eyes, he found that ever since entering this place, he had been circling the same spot without moving at all.

Han's expression turned grave. Genjutsu capable of affecting him, a Jinchuriki? Suddenly, he saw a corner of clothing seemingly accidentally exposed behind a tree, only to quietly withdraw again. Seizing the chance, Han directly used Boil Release: Unrivaled Strength and kicked at the tree.

However, only a flock of crows burst out from behind the tree and rushed toward his eyes. Han swung his arm, sweeping them away with his monstrous strength. A large number of crows died and fell to the ground.

Han grew irritated. With the enemy hidden and himself exposed, he directly activated the first stage of Tailed Beast Transformation, a tail appearing behind him. He intended to break through cunning with brute force. Since they refused to show themselves, he would return to his village and see whether they dared to follow.

Yet the instant Han leaped up in his tailed beast state, a massive, translucent black hand suddenly slapped him back down.