Naruto Immersive Replay, The Curse of the Sharingan

Page 194

His voice was hoarse beyond recognition, “I think you must be very curious about... the current situation of Uchiha Nagi and Tobi.”

Ban paused almost imperceptibly.

"Nagi...?" He repeated the name softly, a hint of tenderness in his voice that Kabuto hadn't expected. "She's still alive?"

Dou finally struggled to his feet and brushed the dust off his knees.

He pushed up his glasses, the lenses reflecting the eerie light left by the spell. "Not only are they alive..." he deliberately dragged out the words, "but they're also surrounded by quite a few 'interesting' people."

The air inside the cave suddenly became viscous. Madara didn't speak, but Kabuto could feel the gaze in Madara's Rinnegan eyes become sharp as a knife.

"Tobi, Nagato, Yahiko, Sasori, Deidara..." Kabuto listed the names as if they were his own treasures, carefully observing Madara's reaction to each one.

"...Even your juniors Shisui and Itachi, especially Itachi, the way that guy looked at Nagi..." He deliberately hesitated.

Ban's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly, and this tiny change in expression caused the temperature inside the cave to plummet, with fine ice crystals condensing on the stone walls.

Kabuto's breath created a white mist in the air, and he involuntarily shivered, but his fingertips trembled with excitement at Madara's reaction.

"Afei..." Madara murmured the name, a dangerous glint in his voice, "What's the relationship between that masked kid and Nagi?"

Kabuto's lips curled into an exaggerated smile. "Oh? Lord Madara is particularly interested in this question?"

He paused deliberately, "Afei is always sticking to Nagi's side, calling her 'senpai' this and 'senpai' that, like a puppy in heat."

The ice crystals on the stone wall suddenly burst open, making a crisp sound.

A flash of crimson crossed Ban's eyes, but it vanished in an instant. He strode forward, his red armor making a soft metallic scraping sound with each step, causing the ground to tremble slightly.

"Take me to see her." This was not a request, but an unquestionable command.

Dou felt a shiver run up his spine to the back of his head.

Even after becoming the user of the Impure World Reincarnation technique, he still acted like a frog being stalked by a snake when facing Madara Uchiha.

But he quickly composed himself, flashing a fawning smile. "Of course, Lord Madara, but..."

He glanced around meaningfully, "You might need to adjust to this new era first, after all..."

"Enough with the nonsense." Madara interrupted him, his voice like the clash of cold steel. "Where is Nagi now?"

"Amegakure," Kabuto replied quickly, "the Akatsuki's base, but..."

He pushed up his glasses. "Are you sure you want to appear before her like this? An Edo Tensei body, and these cracks..." He looked meaningfully at the clay-like patterns on Madara's face.

Madara remained silent for a moment, then suddenly raised his hand to form a hand seal. In an instant, all traces of impurity on his body disappeared, making him look no different from a living person. Only his Rinnegan eyes still revealed his inhuman nature.

“Such petty tricks…” Ban said coldly. “Now, lead the way.”

Kabuto clicked his tongue in amazement. Was this the legendary power of the ninja Asura? He could even easily break through the limitations of the Impure World Reincarnation.

He bowed respectfully in a "please" gesture, but as he turned away, he couldn't help adding fuel to the fire, "Speaking of which, Yahiko and Nagato have been getting quite close to Nagi lately. I even saw them at the training ground a few days ago... uh!"

An invisible hand suddenly grabbed his throat, and Dou was horrified to find his body uncontrollably levitating, his feet off the ground, and his vision beginning to go black.

“Remember who you are, brat.” Madara’s voice was close at hand, yet as cold as if it came from hell. “You are merely a tool for me to return to the mortal world, not a gossipy old woman to stir up trouble.”

Just when Dou thought he was about to suffocate, the invisible force suddenly released, and he fell heavily to the ground, panting heavily, his throat burning with pain.

"I...I'm sorry, Lord Madara..." he managed to squeeze out an apology, but secretly he was pleased with himself for successfully provoking this legendary figure.

Ban ignored him and strode toward the cave exit.

Sunlight streamed in through the opening, gilding his tall silhouette with a golden edge.

Dou stumbled and followed, looking at Ban's profile as he stood in the sunlight, gazing up at the sky. His resolute jawline, his tightly pursed thin lips, and the complex light swirling in his eyes were striking.

Is this the man you once loved so deeply? A bitter jealousy welled up in Dou's heart.

He remembered how you captivated countless powerful figures within the Akatsuki organization, how Tobi was always by your side, how Itachi silently protected you, and even how even a ruthless puppeteer like Sasori would specially brew you a cup of hot tea...

"What are you dawdling about?" Madara's voice pulled Kabuto back from his thoughts.

"Coming right away, Lord Madara." Kabuto jogged after him, his eyes behind his glasses gleaming with calculation. "Speaking of which, what's your relationship with Nagi...?"

Madara's steps did not falter, but Kabuto keenly noticed that the lines of his shoulders tensed for a moment.

"This is none of your business." Madara's voice was terrifyingly calm. "Ask one more question, and I'll shut you up forever."

Kabuto wisely kept quiet, but he was even more convinced that the relationship between Madara Uchiha and you was definitely not simple.

And he, Kabuto Yakushi, will uncover this secret.

The two walked out of the forest one after the other, heading towards the direction of Amegakure (the village of Rain Ninja).

Kabuto kept stealing glances at Madara's profile and noticed that although the legendary ninja had no expression, his Rinnegan eyes were always fixed on the distance.

There is a girl he hasn't seen for many years, and... a group of obstacles that need to be cleared away.

Chapter 182 - A Perilous Love (1)

The rain in Amegakure never stops.

You stand before the window of the tower, your slender fingers slowly wiping the kunai in your hand.

The cold metal reflected off your pale cheeks, your black hair cascading down like a waterfall, meandering over your dark red robe. Suddenly, a sharp pain exploded from your collarbone.

The curse mark, which had not reacted for many years, was now burning your skin like a branding iron.

"Ah!" The bitter pill slipped from your fingers and made a crisp sound on the ground. You clutched your collarbone, your nails digging deep into your flesh.

"What's wrong?"

Afei's voice came from behind, but it was no longer the frivolous tone of the past. He stood in the shadows, his Sharingan under the mask turning slightly, his gaze falling on your tightly covered collarbone, where the black curse mark was glowing with an ominous red light.

“I don’t know…” You shook your head, a strand of black hair clinging to your forehead where fine sweat had seeped out. “I just suddenly felt…” Your brows furrowed, the curse mark on your collarbone radiating an unusual heat. “It’s like he’s… coming back.”

Afei's Sharingan beneath his mask contracted slightly; he knew better than anyone who was buried in the northern forest.

If that man really comes back...

Obito's fingers twitched unconsciously. He remembered that many years ago you were a stubborn girl with this special curse mark on your collarbone.

"The Madara mark isn't something just anyone can touch," you said at the time, your tone carrying an emotion he couldn't decipher.

"Ah Fei?" Your voice pulled Obito back to reality. "What's wrong?"

"It's nothing~" Afei instantly regained his exaggeratedly cheerful tone, crossing his hands behind his head, "I was just wondering if Senior Tanuki was too tired~ Do you want Afei to massage your shoulders?"

But instead of coldly refusing him or hitting him with a kunai as usual, you looked past A-Fei and gazed at the dark, overcast sky to the north, your dark eyes flashing with a complex light he had never seen before.

Obito's expression behind his mask turned serious. As one of the few who knew the truth, he understood the complex bond between you and Madara.

That cursed mark is not just a symbol, but a contract. What Ban left you is both a constraint and a protection.

"Hey, Tanuki-senpai~" Tobi suddenly leaned closer, his mask almost touching your face, "If... I mean, if Madara-sama really came back, would you be happy?"

Your body stiffened noticeably for a moment, and you turned to look at Afei. The two were so close that they could feel each other's breath.

Obito could see his distorted reflection in your clear pupils. "Why did you suddenly bring him up?" Your voice was soft but carried a dangerous undertone.

"Haha~ I was just asking!" Tobi waved his hand exaggeratedly and backed away. "After all, Lord Madara is a legendary ninja~ Tobi is curious too!"

But you didn't miss the slight unnaturalness in his tone. You took a step forward and suddenly reached out to grab the edge of Ah Fei's mask, a move that stunned both of them.

At that delicate moment, the door was suddenly pushed open.

Deidara stood at the door, his long golden hair still dripping with rain, his blue eyes widening instantly when he saw you two almost embracing.

"Hey! What are you doing, huh!" His voice was full of dissatisfaction.

You quickly released your hand, regaining your usual calm expression. "It's nothing."

But Deidara had already strode over and grabbed Tobi by the collar. "You masked bastard, are you harassing that wicked woman again, huh?"

"No, no!" Afei said, looking aggrieved. "It was Senior Tanuki who touched my mask on his own!"

"What?!" Deidara's voice rose several octaves. "Wicked woman, is this true, huh?"

You sighed, the curse mark on your collarbone still throbbing slightly. You walked past the two arguing men and headed for the door. "I'm going to report to Yahiko about the mission."

"Wait, I'll go with you, okay!" Deidara immediately let go of Tobi and followed.

Afei stood there, watching your departing figures. Once he was sure you were far away, he slowly removed a corner of his mask, revealing his Sharingan. The three tomoe in his eyes spun wildly, eventually connecting to form a kaleidoscope pattern.

Meanwhile, you walk down a damp corridor in Amegakure, with Deidara beside you grumbling incessantly about his recent mission.

But you didn't hear a word of it; all your attention was focused on the continuously heating seal on your collarbone.

"...So, that Sand Village girl... um? Wicked woman! Are you listening, um?" Deidara leaned closer to you, displeased.

You stop and suddenly grab Deidara's wrist, a move that makes the young explosives artist blush instantly.

“Deidara,” you look him straight in the eye, “what would you do if someone…someone you thought you'd never see suddenly came back?”

Deidara blinked, momentarily speechless.

He'd never seen you look so bewildered. "I...I'll welcome him with art, um!" Deidara finally replied, "With my greatest explosion, um!"

You chuckled softly and released his wrist. "Just like you."

"So...who came back, hmm?" Deidara asked curiously. "Could it be that Itachi guy? I mean, you wicked woman, that guy is so gloomy, he's not good enough for you at all, hmm!"

You shook your head and continued walking. "It's nothing, I was just asking."

But you know, this is by no means "nothing".

The curse mark on his collarbone grew increasingly hot, as if responding to something that was drawing ever closer.

You unconsciously touch that mark, and memories flood back like a tide—

Ban's long, slender fingers gently touched her collarbone. "This cursed seal will protect you until I return."

You were too young then to understand the meaning behind the word "come back".

"You wicked woman!" Deidara's voice pulled you back to reality. "You look terrible. Hmm, do you want to go and rest?"

"Go report first, I need to be alone for a while."

Deidara reluctantly nodded, not forgetting to warn before leaving, "Don't pay any attention to that pervert Tobi, hmm! And Sasori too, he's always using his puppets to spy on you... Ah, and of course, the one you should be most careful of is Itachi, hmm!"

You helplessly watch Deidara leave, then turn and walk towards the terrace on the top floor of the tower.

The rain lashed her face, a stark contrast to the burning sensation on her collarbone. Looking up at the forest shrouded in dark clouds to the north, an indescribable premonition welled up within her.

A storm is coming.

A storm started because of you.

The gates of Amegakure were faintly visible in the morning mist. You tugged at the collar of your Akatsuki robe and quickened your pace. Once you passed through this gate, you could temporarily escape that suffocating place and those troublesome men.

"Senior Tanuki~" A deliberately drawn-out voice came from behind you, and you stopped abruptly.

Without even turning around, you know who it is: Ah Fei, who always wears a vortex mask and is like a piece of chewing gum that you can't shake off.

“Abandoning your mission partner will be punished~” A warm breath suddenly approached your ear, and before you could react, a hand wearing a black glove was already on your shoulder.

Ah Fei suddenly appeared in front of you, his mask almost touching the tip of your nose, his other hand braced against the doorpost next to your ear, trapping you in a small space.

You force a smile and say, "I just want you to get some rest."

"Is that so?" Afei's voice suddenly lowered, and his eyes behind the mask darkened dangerously.

His slender fingers slowly tightened, and you could feel the irresistible force even through the fabric.

You looked away and saw the scene of a sudden cardiac arrest over Afei's shoulder. All the members of the Akatsuki were near the gate, some standing and some sitting, but their eyes were all focused on you.

"What...what's going on?" you muttered to yourself, your fingers unconsciously tightening around your ninja tool pouch.

Nagato stood at the very front, his Rinnegan coldly sweeping over you, who were trapped by Tobi, completely ignoring your pleading gaze. "I think the task partners for the meeting need to be adjusted." His voice was terrifyingly calm.

You almost laughed out of anger at this absurd situation again.

Since joining Akatsuki, you've been like a piece of fresh meat surrounded by hungry wolves, everyone wanting to have you all to themselves, yet they also restrain each other.

Now, they seem to have reached some strange consensus—to force you to make a choice.

"You wicked woman!" Deidara suddenly rushed in front of you, grabbing your collar and forcing you to look directly into his deep blue eyes. "This time, we can only choose one of us!"

You were pulled so hard you stumbled, and out of the corner of your eye you saw Sasori's Hiruko leaning slightly forward behind Deidara, Hidan grinning mischievously, and even the usually aloof Konan casting a concerned glance at you.

Everyone was waiting for your answer; the air was so thick it felt like you could squeeze water out of it.

"I'm suddenly hungry," you chuckled awkwardly, trying to pry Deidara's fingers open. "Can I... go get something to eat first before making my choice?"

"You!" Deidara's face turned red with anger, and he was about to retort when a sudden change occurred.