Naruto Immersive Replay, The Curse of the Sharingan

But his unconventional personality hasn't changed at all.

"Tanuki...?" Xiao Nan dropped the paper flower in her hand to the ground, her pale purple eyes widening in surprise.

Nagato's Rinnegan contracted slightly, and he subconsciously tensed his body.

As a sensory ninja, the fact that he didn't notice anyone approaching can only mean that your strength is now unfathomable.

Lin's reaction was the most unusual. Her lips trembled slightly, and her right hand unconsciously touched her left palm, where there was a secret known only to her, a talisman mark that she had never told anyone in the past five years.

"It's me~" You tilted your head, your black hair cascading down your shoulders like a waterfall.

You deliberately picked up the largest piece of grilled fish from Yahiko's bento box with your chopsticks, waved it in front of him, and then slowly put it into your mouth. "Mmm~ Rin's cooking is really good."

Yahiko finally found his voice, "You...these past five years..."

"Missed me?" You suddenly leaned closer, your Sharingan staring directly into Yahiko's eyes.

The two were so close they could feel each other's breath. Yahiko's face instantly turned bright red, even his ears turned red.

"Just kidding~" You suddenly stepped back, laughing as you turned and walked towards Lin, "Long time no see, Lin~"

Nohara Rin's body stiffened slightly, but you naturally put your arm around her shoulder, as if you were treating a longtime friend intimately.

"Your medical ninjutsu has improved quite a bit. I've heard about it outside, you're known as the 'White Angel of the Akatsuki'~"

"You...how did you know..." Lin's eyes widened in surprise.

“I know a lot.” You gently tapped Lin’s nose with your finger, an intimate gesture that stunned everyone present.

"Hey!" Yahiko finally regained his composure, stood up, and pointed at you, "That's my bento!"

You turned your head, a sly smile spreading across your face. "Now it's mine." You picked up another piece of food and deliberately waved it in front of Yahiko. "Want some?"

"You wouldn't be so stingy, would you, Chief?" You blinked, deliberately drawing out the words, "I came back specifically to seek refuge with you, you know~"

These words exploded in the room like a bomb, and Yahiko's expression instantly changed from anger to disbelief. "You...you're coming back?"

"Aren't you welcome? Or..." Your gaze swept over Nagato and Konan, "...is someone not welcoming me?"

Xiao Nan suddenly stood up, walked a few steps to you, and just when everyone thought she was going to say something stern, she hugged you tightly.

"Welcome back." Xiao Nan's voice was a little choked up.

You were clearly taken aback for a moment, but quickly relaxed and gently hugged Minami back. "Oh my, Minami's become so frank?"

Nagato also came over. Although she didn't say anything, the wariness in her eyes had turned into approval.

Only Lin remained standing in the same spot, her right hand still unconsciously rubbing her left palm.

As Yahiko watched this scene, an indescribable surge of heat welled up in his chest.

For five years, he had imagined countless times what it would be like to reunite with you, but he never thought it would be like this, so natural, as if you had never left.

“Hey, my bento box…” Yahiko deliberately put on a stern face.

You raise an eyebrow and suddenly toss the lunchbox to him, saying, "Here you go, you cheapskate."

Yahiko hurriedly caught it and found that the largest piece of grilled fish was still lying there intact. He looked up at you.

He saw the other person devouring Lin's bento box, and when she noticed his gaze, she deliberately made a face.

Five years have changed everyone's appearance, but they haven't changed the bond forged in the flames of war.

As you ate Rin's bento, you stole glances at Yahiko's profile, a complex emotion that only you knew flashing in your eyes. In these five years, you had never truly been far away from them.

Now, it's time to officially return to this 'home'.

After all, the day when that plan is launched is not far off.

In Amegakure, the continuous drizzle seems to be the eternal melody of this land, and the gloomy sky and damp air have long been the background color of the villagers' lives.

That night, however, the sky cleared up, a rare occurrence, and the stars twinkled in the dark blue sky.

You sit alone on a rock outside a village house, gazing up at the starry sky, your thoughts drifting far away.

Past experiences kept flashing through my mind: those battles, those partings, those days of struggling for survival and faith.

After a while, a soft footstep broke the silence of the night.

You didn't turn around, but a slight smile played on your lips as you softly said, "Lin, can't you sleep either?"

Nohara Rin walked to your side and slowly sat down. "No, I came here specifically to find you."

"Looking for me? That sounds interesting." Your tone was ambiguous, but your eyes seemed to have anticipated Lin's arrival tonight.

After Lin sat down, she remained silent for a moment, seemingly organizing her thoughts.

Finally, she spoke and asked, "Why...why did you save me in Kirigakure five years ago?"

This question had been troubling Lin for years, and she had wanted to ask it countless times. Now, in this quiet night, she finally mustered up the courage.

"That's a tough question!" You frowned slightly, a wry smile appearing on your face, before regaining your carefree expression. "Probably because of peace."

This answer may seem simple, but it contains some of your deepest thoughts.

In this war-torn ninja world, the loss of every life can exacerbate hatred and chaos, and saving Rin may be a subconscious desire for peace, even if it is just a small effort.

"Peace? That Tanuki is truly an idealist...reminds me of a friend."

Lin was all smiles at first, but when she mentioned the word 'friends', her eyes dimmed instantly, filled with longing and sorrow.

You probably guessed who Lin was referring to as her friend, but you didn't reveal it. Instead, you asked knowingly, "Really? How is your friend doing now?"

Nohara Rin's eyes became somewhat vacant, as if she were lost in memories.

"He liked wearing goggles, and he always messed up his own affairs while trying to help others. He clearly needed companionship, but he was always stubborn... It's just a pity that he died at Kannabi Bridge to save me and Kakashi. He was so young. War is truly cruel!"

Lin's voice trembled slightly, tears welled up in her eyes, and finally she couldn't help but let them fall.

You reached out and wiped away Lin's tears. "Your friend is very kind. He must be very happy in the Pure Land!"

Although the sentence sounded ordinary, it warmed Lin's heart when it came from someone as seemingly indifferent as you.

Lin stopped crying and smiled, nodding vigorously, "Mmm!"

Then, there was another long silence. The two of you sat there quietly, each lost in your own thoughts, with only the occasional breeze causing your clothes to flutter gently.

Suddenly, you turn to look at Lin with great interest, your eyes sparkling with excitement. "Lin, how about we achieve our dreams together? It might be a bit cheesy, but with me here, all difficulties and dangers will be overcome!"

Your eyes are full of confidence and expectation. Your ideals have been burning in your heart for a long time, and at this moment, you feel that Lin may be the one who can fight alongside you.

Lin looked at you without the slightest hesitation in her eyes. She turned her head slightly and said, "Actually, from the moment I came to find you tonight, I was already prepared."

You extended your little finger, making a pinky promise, "Mission accomplished!"

Lin extended her little finger and hooked it tightly with yours, her face beaming with a hopeful smile. "Please guide me, Master Tanuki!"

Your ears twitched slightly, and your Sharingan instantly turned behind you. Rin immediately noticed the abnormality and her fingers unconsciously reached for the kunai on her side.

The footsteps approached from afar, neither hurried nor slow, yet clearly purposeful.

You exchanged a wary glance, but a knowing smile curved your lips. You gently pressed down on Lin's hand, which was about to draw her weapon, and shook your head.

"It seems Lord Tanuki is being quite distant with us?"

Nagato's voice accompanied his slender figure. The red-haired boy's Rinnegan gleamed strangely in the moonlight, and a faint, mocking smile played on his lips.

His tone was casual, but it made Lin's face turn red instantly.

Before you could respond, a blue figure flitted past Nagato's side like a butterfly. Konan puffed out her cheeks, her pale purple eyes wide open, looking just like a cat whose dried fish had been stolen.

"What are you talking about? Did the Akatsuki offend Tanuki?" Her voice echoed crisply in the night sky, tinged with deliberately exaggerated grievance. "They'd rather secretly invite Rin than come to us!"

You raised an eyebrow, about to speak, when an orange figure suddenly darted between you and Lin like a whirlwind.

Yahiko squatted on the ground without any regard for his image, resting his chin on his hands and looking up at you. "Boss, this can't be explained without an explanation, can it?" He deliberately dragged out his words, looking just like a scheming fox.

You were slightly taken aback at first, then turned your head, feigning surprise and widening your eyes, "Oh, I didn't expect all three of you to have the habit of eavesdropping!"

"No way!" Xiao Nan plopped down next to you angrily, poking your shoulder with her finger. "It's because you've changed so much in the last five years that we were worried something had happened to you, so we had no choice but to do this."

Her tone was extremely aggrieved, as if you had committed some unforgivable crime.

Nagato walked over silently and sat down on your other side. His movements were light, yet carried an undeniable firmness.

“You left too suddenly,” his voice was softer than the night breeze, “and your return was too mysterious.”

Your Sharingan slowly swept over the three of them, finally landing on Yahiko. The orange-haired boy remained in that comical squatting posture, but the concern in his eyes could not be hidden.

You sighed, leaned back, and braced your hands on the cold ground. "You guys... you're still so prone to worrying."

Lin smiled unconsciously as she watched this scene.

She quietly moved to the side to make room for Yahiko, who finally gave up his squatting position and sat between you and Rin.

“So,” Yahiko nudged your shoulder, “what secret were you two talking about just now?”

"You have to pry into girls' private matters?" You glanced at him sideways, your Sharingan flashing dangerously in the moonlight. "Little Sun, this gossip won't do~"

Xiao Nan immediately perked up, "What private talk? I want to hear it too!"

She grabbed your arm, completely unlike her usual aloof goddess self.

You burst into laughter, your voice exceptionally clear in the night sky. Suddenly, you reached out and ruffled Konan's blue hair, then flicked Nagato's forehead in his surprised gaze, before finally turning to Yahiko—

"Dream on!" Yahiko nimbly leaned back, dodging your sneak attack, and grinned smugly. "The same trick won't work on me!"

"Is that so?" Your Sharingan suddenly spun rapidly, and your figure vanished from the spot in an instant.

The next second, Yahiko felt a sharp pain on his head. "Ouch!" He clutched the spot where he had been thrown, staring incredulously at you, who had somehow returned to your seat. "You cheated! You used a Sharingan!"

"All's fair in war." You wag your finger triumphantly, your smile so radiant it could eclipse the moonlight.

Konan and Nagato couldn't help but burst out laughing, and even Rin covered her mouth and chuckled.

The night breeze carried the laughter of the crowd into the distance, as if even the gloomy sky over the Rain Village had brightened up a bit because of it.

As you look at your friends laughing and joking around you, the crimson in your eyes gradually fades, revealing a rare tenderness beneath.

For the past five years, I've walked the line between darkness and light, almost forgetting this pure joy.

Yahiko keenly caught that moment of vulnerability in you. He moved closer without making a sound, his shoulder gently pressing against yours.

“This time,” he said in a low voice, so that only the two of them could hear, “it won’t suddenly disappear again, will it?”

You didn't answer immediately, your gaze passing through Yahiko and looking towards the rain curtain that was faintly visible in the darkness in the distance.

"No, I won't." You finally answered softly, a complicated smile playing on your lips. "At least... I won't leave without saying goodbye."

Yahiko seemed about to say something, but was interrupted by Konan's sudden interjection, "Oh, right! Tanuki, you still haven't told us where you've been for the past five years!"

Nagato also cast a curious glance, and even Rin quietly pricked up her ears.

You stretched and deliberately kept everyone in suspense, "Well... it's a long story~"

"Then get to the point!" Xiao Nan persisted.

The night is still long, and your story has only just begun.

Chapter 96 Consensus

The night breeze suddenly turned cool, and the lively atmosphere abruptly subsided with Yahiko's question. His gaze passed through the flickering campfire and landed directly on your face.

How can the Akatsuki organization achieve true peace?

This problem is like a stone thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples.

Konan's origami fingers stopped, Nagato's Rinnegan turned slightly, and Rin unconsciously clenched the hem of her clothes.

Everyone knew that although Yahiko was asking everyone, he really only wanted to hear one person's answer.

The corners of your mouth still held the smile of your earlier joke, but the mockery in your eyes had receded like the tide.

A moment later, you let out a barely audible chuckle and looked up at the bright moon on the horizon.

His gaze pierced through the clouds, as if he saw something far more distant, perhaps the illusory world of Tsukuyomi described by Madara, or perhaps something from long ago.

"The ninja world is flawed, and even its system is flawed."

Nagato's pupils suddenly contracted. This view was too radical and completely overturned the Akatsuki's long-held belief in achieving peace through dialogue.

But he didn't interrupt; he just quietly gazed at your profile, waiting for what would happen next.

"This kind of world is bound to change sooner or later," you continued.

"Peaceful negotiations can only bring temporary peace, but cannot fundamentally solve the problem."