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Based on the memories Uchiha Genichi had inherited, it was now the beginning of Konoha Year 51. Uchiha Itachi had already graduated from the Ninja Academy and had been doing genin-level missions for a few months.
At the same time, this year marked the beginning of a critical period when relations between the Uchiha clan and Konoha's leadership started getting tense.
Ever since the Nine-Tails' rampage was suspected to have been secretly caused by the Uchiha, the clan had been forced to relocate outside the village and was now under constant surveillance—ANBU and ROOT operatives taking turns watching them around the clock.
Because of this constant suspicion and oppression, the proud Uchiha had started to nurture thoughts of rebellion. They weren't just whispering about it anymore; they were openly discussing it and even holding secret meetings at the Naka Shrine.
Naturally, when Konoha's higher-ups learned about these movements, their fear and distrust toward the Uchiha only grew deeper.
In short, the relationship between the Uchiha clan and Konoha's leadership was deteriorating fast.
According to Genichi's memories from his previous life, Uchiha Itachi was thirteen years old when the Uchiha Massacre happened—meaning there were roughly five to six years left before that night arrived.
As for Genichi, he was three and a half years old now, born just a month earlier than Hyuga Neji—Neji in early July, and Genichi in early June.
Which meant that if Genichi didn't become strong enough before the age of eight, he'd likely end up one of the many who'd die under Itachi's blade when the massacre came.
So he had to act fast—build up a massive amount of emotional energy points to strengthen himself and, if possible, save the Uchiha clan while he was at it.
And the best way to rack up emotional energy quickly? Stir up some serious trouble.
As for who to mess with—well, that part was obvious. The Konoha leadership, of course.
Right now, tensions between the Uchiha and Konoha were already sky-high. If Genichi caused chaos inside the village, it would conveniently divert the higher-ups' attention elsewhere.
The only issue was that, at the moment, he only had two summon cards—Cerberus and Kars. Neither of them could take on Konoha's top brass head-on, so assassination or direct confrontation was off the table.
Besides, if one of his summoned characters died, their card would automatically shatter, and it would take a whole month of cooldown before he could summon them again. That kind of waste was unacceptable.
Worse, if the Konoha elders thought that an attack on the Hokage had come from the Uchiha, it might push the clan's downfall to happen even sooner.
No—he needed something big enough to make waves but not so direct that suspicion would fall on the Uchiha.
If we're talking about "big waves," the best option would've been to kidnap the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki, Naruto Uzumaki.
But that was way too risky. Everyone would immediately suspect the Uchiha.
After all, they were already being accused of plotting rebellion, and the Sharingan did have the power to control tailed beasts. The suspicion would've been overwhelming.
So kidnapping Naruto was definitely out.
Actually, anything related to the jinchūriki was off-limits during this fragile period.
That left one high-impact, low-suspicion option: stealing the Scroll of Seals.
In the original story, when Naruto stole that scroll, the Third Hokage sent nearly the entire ANBU and plenty of other shinobi to search the village—it was a full-blown emergency.
If Genichi played his cards right, this could net him enough emotional energy for at least a D-rank, maybe even a C-rank, card draw.
With that thought in mind, Genichi immediately summoned his trump card—the Ultimate Lifeform, Kars.
A flash of light filled the room, and a tall, muscular man with long purple hair, his body sculpted like living marble, appeared before him.
The sheer presence of the Ultimate Lifeform radiated pressure. Genichi nodded with satisfaction, then gave a quiet command.
"Kars, your mission is to retrieve the Scroll of Seals for me."
Hearing that, Kars immediately dropped to one knee, his voice deep and reverent.
"As you command, Lord Genichi."
After signaling him to rise, Genichi summoned his Anywhere Door and opened a portal directly to the third floor of the Hokage Building.
Without hesitation, Kars stepped through.
As soon as he disappeared, Genichi closed the door and activated his system's visual sharing function, switching his view to Kars's perspective.
Technically, Genichi could do more than share Kars's vision—he could even transfer his consciousness into Kars's body, taking full control of his movements, like Kabuto controlling the reanimated shinobi with Edo Tensei.
But since this was his first time summoning Kars, Genichi decided to let him move freely for now. He wanted to see the pure, unfiltered might of the Ultimate Lifeform in action.
"....."