Naruto Immersive Replay, The Curse of the Sharingan

Page 309

He wanted to roar, to tell these idiots that the assassin really existed, that the masked man was real!

However, due to excessive blood loss, coupled with extreme anger and frustration, he eventually lost consciousness and passed out.

Chapter 291 Bored

The commercial street gradually awakens, shops open one after another, and the air is filled with the sweet aroma of freshly baked bread and the lively atmosphere of breakfast stalls.

As promised the day before, you stood quietly next to that familiar comic book store, still dressed in dark casual clothes, your long, raven-feather-like hair casually draped over your shoulders.

Sakura Haruno strolled among the manga shelves, her pink hair gleaming healthily in the sunlight, her face radiating pure happiness and joy.

Her gaze greedily swept over the rows of ornately covered comic books, occasionally picking one up, carefully flipping through a few pages, then putting it down again to continue her search.

The allowances for the secret service have been distributed, and the amount is unexpectedly generous.

Kakashi Hatake seems to have quietly added a considerable amount under the guise of 'mission allowance' or some other pretext.

You don't feel much about it; money is just one of the tools to achieve your goals.

When Sakura somewhat shyly took a liking to two of the latest, expensive serialized books, you simply and calmly stuffed the cloth bag containing the money into Sakura's arms.

"Spend it however you like." Your voice was still flat, but it made Sakura's heart feel like it was wrapped in warm honey, melting instantly.

She had never felt so happy, not because of the money, but because of the indulgent gift that came from you.

This made Sakura feel that she was special in your heart, different from everyone else.

"Nagi, what do you think of these two books!" Sakura finally selected two books and presented them to you like treasures, her bright green eyes sparkling with anticipation.

You glanced at the brightly colored cover and nodded slightly. "Okay."

The content is the same; as long as Sakura likes it, that's fine.

After paying, Sakura carefully held the two comic books in her arms, as if they were the most precious treasures in the world.

Her free hand naturally tugged at your sleeve.

"Nagi, let's go check out the food street! I smell something delicious!"

You didn't break free, letting Sakura pull you along as you blended into the bustling crowd.

The snack street was bustling with a cacophony of aromas.

Sakura drags you around to various stalls, standing on tiptoe, curiously sniffing the enticing aromas of takoyaki, dango, and oden wafting in the air.

This pure joy was quickly shattered by a series of sighs and hushed whispers.

"Have you heard? Last night..."

"The Uchiha clan... only that youngest is left."

"It's Itachi Uchiha! He defected! You can never truly know a person's heart just by looking at their face..."

“It’s horrible…”

The fragmented words instantly froze Sakura's smile, and the color drained from her cheeks. The Uchiha clan massacre? Itachi...defected?

She suddenly turned her head and looked at you beside her.

You remained calm and composed, as if the surrounding discussions about bloodshed, betrayal, and death were merely insignificant background noise.

Sakura knows about your relationship with Itachi Uchiha... it seems quite good, at least the way Itachi looks at you is different from how he looks at others.

So, did you know about Itachi's defection and the Uchiha's demise? When did you find out?

Will you be sad? How will this affect you?

Countless questions swirled in Xiaoying's mind, making her feel a suffocating heartache and worry. She subconsciously clenched your sleeve.

You noticed her overly focused and complicated gaze, and turned your head slightly, your dark eyes meeting Sakura's eyes filled with worry.

"What's wrong?" Your voice sounded perfectly normal.

Sakura suddenly snapped out of her daze, as if her thoughts had been read. She hurriedly let go of your sleeve, shook her head vigorously, and forced a smile.

"N-nothing! I was just... just thinking about what to eat next!"

Some things are better left unsaid.

Since you chose to appear so calm, she cooperated by maintaining that facade of calm.

She didn't want to delve into any potential wounds, nor did she want to disrupt this hard-won companionship.

That's fine too.

As long as you're still within her reach, as long as you allow her to be this close.

Sakura took your arm again, rested her head gently on your shoulder, and felt the cool body temperature and faint fragrance.

Half a year passed quietly beneath the seemingly calm surface.

After the upheaval caused by the Uchiha clan, Konoha Village seems to have gradually healed its surface wounds and regained its former order and vitality.

The cicadas' chirping gradually subsided, and the early autumn wind brought a touch of coolness, as well as the start of the ninja academy's term.

For students who filled out the application form last year, today is the day they can directly enter the school.

The cozy villa was filled with a mix of excitement and tension early in the morning.

Sakura Haruno searched through almost the entire wardrobe before finally choosing a refreshing green dress. She repeatedly adjusted her hair and the hem of her dress in front of the mirror, her cheeks flushed with excitement.

"On the first day of school, I must leave a perfect impression!" She clenched her fist at herself in the mirror, her bright green eyes sparkling.

You sit quietly on the sofa in the living room, watching Sakura move around the room. In the past six months, the masked man who calls himself 'Uchiha Madara' has not come to find you as he said he would; he seems to have vanished into thin air.

There's no rush. You have plenty of patience, and you know that as long as you're still in Konoha, as long as the mystery surrounding you remains, that man will reappear sooner or later.

You just can't understand what's so exciting about going to school.

It's just another form of constraint and a waste of time, but Sakura's tangible joy is like a warm flame, making you feel inexplicably...infected?

No, more accurately, it is a desire to explore the unexpected reactions produced by the sample.

Haruno Mebuki came out of the kitchen, carrying two carefully prepared bento boxes, with a gentle smile on her face. "Here, these are your bento boxes. Remember to eat them on time at school."

The lunchboxes are a lovely pink and a simple black, clearly chosen especially for you.

Haruno Chiya, unusually, didn't leave early in the morning. He patted Sakura's shoulder, ruffled her hair, and said in a cheerful but concerned tone, "On your first day at the Ninja Academy, pay close attention in class, and also, make sure you make some friends!"

“Okay, Mom and Dad, we understand!” Sakura immediately responded loudly, and at the same time, she didn’t forget to answer for you who was silent beside her.

She deftly slung her brand-new backpack over her shoulder, then handed you the black one, before eagerly grabbing your wrist. "Nagi, let's hurry! We're going to be late!"

You were pulled up by her, and involuntarily stood up. You nodded slightly to the Haruno couple as a farewell, and then Sakura hurriedly dragged you out of the house.

"Those two kids..." Haruno Mebuki watched their figures disappear through the doorway, shook her head helplessly, and took out freshly washed strawberries and grapes from the kitchen. "We haven't packed the fruit for them yet!"

Haruno Chō walked to his wife's side, and looking out the window at his daughter running with the black-haired girl on the sun-drenched street, a relieved smile appeared on his face.

Although you are still quiet and aloof, the sharp aura that keeps strangers at bay seems to have subsided somewhat, making you more like... a slightly withdrawn ordinary girl.

And Sakura, because of your presence, has become more cheerful and assertive.

“Never mind,” Haruno Cho put his arm around his wife’s shoulder and laughed, “Let them be. Now we don’t have to worry too much about Sakura being bullied or lonely at school.”

With Uchiha Nagi around, probably no one would dare to mess with Sakura easily.

The school gate was filled with the noise of children and their anticipation for the new environment.

Just as she was about to step into the school gate, Sakura seemed to suddenly remember something, abruptly stopped, turned to you who had been quiet beside her, and spoke with a joyful tone.

"Oh! I forgot to tell you, I have a good friend, and you'll be able to meet each other in a bit!"

You just nodded indifferently, showing no particular interest.

For you, meeting strangers, especially peers who seem out of place, is not something to look forward to.

You've simply tacitly approved of Sakura's social life, just as you've tacitly approved of her tying your hair and taking you shopping—it's a form of indulgence based on some special status.

Standing on one side of the school gate, Xiaoying tiptoed and peered into the crowd.

You stand beside her, your invisible aura of sharpness and coldness seemingly shielding you from the noise of the surrounding children.

"Haruno Sakura!" A clear and high-pitched voice came from behind them.

Sakura's eyes lit up, and she immediately turned around, a bright smile spreading across her face as she waved vigorously, "Ino!"

You followed Sakura's gaze and looked over indifferently.

A girl with a bright golden high ponytail was running towards them, full of energy.

Behind her were two boys with very different styles.

One of them had a signature pigtail sticking up in the air, his hands in his pockets, and a lazy look in his eyes, as if he had no interest in anything.

The other one had striking red hair, round cheeks, and was holding potato chips in his hand, eating them intently with a crunching sound.

The trio quickly arrived in front of Sakura. The girl named Ino and Sakura were clearly very close. As soon as they met, she smiled and opened her arms to give Sakura a warm hug.

"Long time no see, Sakura!"

The two girls' clear laughter mingled together, full of youthful beauty.

The moment they embraced, you, who had been silent all along, suddenly had a cold, sharp glint in your dark eyes, which instantly locked onto Ino Yamanaka's arms as she held Sakura.

How could he hug Sakura so naturally?

Perhaps it was the overwhelming pressure of your gaze that made Ino, who was holding Sakura, suddenly feel a chill run down her spine. An instinctive reaction, like that of a small animal, made her release her grip and take a half-step back, feeling somewhat embarrassed.

She leaned close to Sakura's ear, lowered her voice, and said with a hint of lingering fear, "Who is she? Her eyes... are a little scary!"

Sakura then realized that she had been so overjoyed at reuniting with Ino that she had forgotten to introduce her.

She quickly turned around, affectionately took your arm, and introduced you to her friend with an almost boastful pride.

"Ino, I forgot to tell you! She's my adopted Uchiha Nagi! Pretty impressive, right?!"

Upon hearing the name Uchiha Nagi, Nara Shikamaru, who had been standing at the back looking rather listless, slightly shifted his lazy gaze.

He recalled that his father, Nara Shikaku, had mentioned this name in a slightly solemn tone after a meal, saying that it was one of the Uchiha orphans who needed to be watched but not approached too closely.

Seeing it with his own eyes now, Shikamaru, with his insight beyond his years, felt that this black-haired, black-eyed girl was shrouded in an unfathomable mist, and getting close to her seemed to mean trouble.

He immediately sounded the alarm in his mind, deciding to keep his distance and maintain his signature troublesome expression.

Choji Akimichi, however, remained focused on the potato chips in his hand, only occasionally raising his eyelids to curiously examine this new friend whom Sakura valued so much.

Unlike Shikamaru's wariness, Yamanaka Ino, after a brief moment of shock, became even more interested in you.

Her bright eyes looked at you curiously, and with the cheerfulness and familiarity unique to mountain people, she took the initiative to extend her hand and said warmly.

"Nagi, hello! I'm Sakura's good friend, Yamanaka Ino! This is Shikamaru behind me, and that's Choji!"

Your gaze swept lightly over Ino's outstretched hand, without any intention of shaking it; you merely nodded slightly in response.

The atmosphere suddenly became somewhat tense.

Seeing this, Sakura, fearing her friend would be embarrassed and you would be unhappy, quickly stepped forward, took Ino's hand in your place, and tried to smooth things over.

"I'm sorry, Ino, Nagi... doesn't really like interacting with other people."

Ino, however, was quite easygoing and not angry at all. Instead, she seemed to suddenly realize something, withdrew her hand, put her arm around Sakura's shoulder with a grin, and whispered in what she thought was a very soft voice into her ear.

"I get it, I get it! That's just how the Uchiha clan is! They have such a cool vibe, they're practically masters!"

She put her arm around Sakura, chatting and laughing as they walked naturally toward the school gate, as if she had already included you in their circle of friends.

They didn't notice that a dark shadow was creeping deep in your eyes, and the feeling of having your possessions touched by others at will made you very, very unhappy.

Choji Akimichi, who was walking a little further behind, seemed to sense something. He shrank back, nudged Shikamaru beside him with his elbow, and muttered something under his breath.

"Hey, Shikamaru, don't you have a feeling that this Uchiha... seems a little strange?"

Before he finished speaking, you, who were walking in front, suddenly turned around as if you had eyes in the back of your head, and glanced at the two of them without any emotion.

Choji was so frightened that he immediately fell silent and stuffed a handful of potato chips into his mouth, trying to calm his nerves with food.

Shikamaru felt a slight stirring in his heart when he met your fleeting glance.

Those eyes...like the finest obsidian, calm and deep, as if they held endless secrets.

Uchiha's eyes were indeed beautiful, but the thought only flashed through his mind for a moment before he immediately reverted to his lazy demeanor and said indifferently, "Boring."

Chapter 292 Special