Naruto Immersive Replay, The Curse of the Sharingan

Your gaze grew increasingly profound, as if you were staring at a distant scene unseen by others. "Hashirama Senju once convened the Five Kage Summit. The ninjas feared his power, which is why they maintained a facade of peace."

"Once the deterrent disappears, war will immediately return."

The night wind suddenly became biting, and Yahiko unconsciously sat up straight, staring at you without blinking.

He recalled the suffering endured by Amegakure during the three Shinobi World Wars, and the ordinary people who eked out a living under the oppression of tyranny.

Your words were like a lamp, illuminating the truth he had always vaguely sensed but could not articulate.

“As long as this flawed system exists,” your voice suddenly rose, and the three tomoe in your Sharingan began to spin wildly, “then wars and conflicts will continue to repeat themselves.”

The last sentence struck like a heavy hammer blow to everyone's heart.

The paper flower in Xiaonan's hand was squeezed out of shape, Nagato's breathing became rapid, and Rin's face was as pale as paper.

Even the usually optimistic Yahiko fell silent, his brows furrowed.

As you scan the reactions of the crowd, a complex emotion stirs within you. You have never expressed your views on the ninja world's system so frankly before.

These ideas mostly come from Ban's indoctrination, but also from his own observations and reflections during his travels to various countries over the past five years.

In some ways, you even saw this earlier than Madara: the Tsukuyomi illusion alone cannot truly solve the problem.

"Then... what should we do?" Lin timidly broke the silence, her brown eyes filled with confusion and unease.

You didn't answer immediately, but instead looked at Yahiko and found him staring at you with an unprecedentedly complex gaze.

There was shock, contemplation, and a glimmer of hope in those eyes?

"Change requires power," you said slowly, tapping your finger lightly on the ground. "Not the power to intimidate, but the power to overturn the entire system."

Nagato suddenly spoke, his voice hoarse, "Power like a tailed beast?"

"No, it's more powerful than that, a power capable of rewriting the rules."

Yahiko suddenly stood up. "You mean...the revolution?"

You look up at him, a half-smile playing on your lips, "You finally understand, little sun."

Xiao Nan gasped, "This...this will cause even greater bloodshed!"

“Konan is right,” Nagato added, frowning. “What we’re looking for is peace, not another war.”

Your gaze suddenly sharpened. "Do you think the ninja world is peaceful right now?"

Your voice was filled with suppressed anger, "Innocent people die every day, they just die where you can't see them!"

Yahiko suddenly placed his hand on your shoulder; his touch was surprisingly warm, miraculously calming your emotions that were about to erupt.

“We need to have a serious talk,” Yahiko said, his voice firm yet gentle, “about your ideas, about the future of the Akatsuki.”

You look up at this once innocent and passionate boy and find that his eyes now hold a maturity and decisiveness you've never seen before.

“Okay,” the madness in your eyes gradually faded, “but it’s too late now.”

You stood up and dusted off your clothes. "Tomorrow, in the conference room."

As Yahiko watched your departing figure, he was filled with mixed emotions. The views you put forward were too radical, almost overturning the Akatsuki's long-standing principles.

But undeniably, you have pointed out the cruel truth that everyone is deliberately avoiding.

“She has changed a lot,” Xiao Nan said softly, her fingers unconsciously smoothing out the crumpled paper flowers.

“No,” Nagato shook his head, a strange light flashing in his Rinnegan, “Perhaps this is the real her.”

Lin didn't speak, but silently stared at her palm.

The morning light, like a golden veil, covered the metal structure of the Akatsuki base. Inside the medical room, Rin Nohara was changing the bandages of an injured Amegakure ninja with practiced and gentle movements.

The rustling sound of papers turning could be heard outside the window; Xiao Nan was organizing the intelligence she had gathered the previous night, a hint of worry on her brow.

In the conference room, Yahiko and Nagato sat facing each other, with a map of the area surrounding the Land of Rain spread out between them. Complex light and shadow were reflected in the red-haired youth's Rinnegan.

"Yahiko, do you really think Tanuki's idea can be realized?" Nagato's fingers tapped unconsciously on the table, his brows furrowed. "That would mean we would be at odds with the entire ninja world system."

Yahiko's gaze fell on the small flag representing the Akatsuki organization on the table. The sunlight turned his orange hair gold and cast dappled shadows on his face.

“It’s risky,” he said slowly, his voice much lower than usual, “but perhaps it’s the only way.”

Have you thought it through?

Your voice came from the stairwell, your black high-collared Warring States robe accentuated your snow-white skin, and your Sharingan scanned back and forth between them.

Nagato looked up and nodded slightly. "But we need a more detailed plan."

A satisfied smile curved your lips as you walked to the table and pointed to the Land of Rain on the map. "First of all, the Akatsuki needs strength, enough strength that the Five Great Nations dare not underestimate."

“We have always advocated for peaceful negotiations…” Nagato hesitated.

"And then what?" you suddenly interrupted. "Will Hanzo of the Salamander listen to you? Will Konoha listen to you? The weak have no voice, that's reality."

The meeting room door was gently pushed open, and Xiao Nan and Lin walked in one after the other.

The blue-haired girl held a stack of documents in her hands, her face solemn. "Breaking news: Iwagakure has reinforced its troops on the border again."

You sneered, "See? This is the result of your 'peace negotiations'."

Lin nervously twisted her fingers. "But what if we also use force..."

“It’s not about ‘using force’,” you turn to Rin Nohara, “it’s about ‘demonstrating force.’ Only by instilling fear in them will they sit down and listen to you properly, just like Hashirama Senju did back then!”

Yahiko suddenly slammed his fist on the table and stood up, shouting, "Enough!"

The meeting room fell silent instantly, and everyone stared in surprise at the usually mild-mannered leader.

Yahiko took a deep breath to calm himself down. "Tanuki is right, but we need a more systematic plan."

Over the next few hours, the five sat together, engaging in a heated discussion about the future direction of the Akatsuki organization.

You advocate immediately starting the recruitment of capable rogue ninja, while secretly gathering information on the tailed beasts.

Konan insisted that intelligence networks should be prioritized, Nagato proposed strengthening influence over the small countries surrounding the Land of Rain, while Rin worried that excessive militarization would change the Akatsuki's original intentions.

“We are not fighting for the sake of war,” you suddenly said during the most heated argument, your voice unusually calm. “It is to create a world that no longer needs war. Sometimes, stopping war with war is the only option.”

As the sun began to set in the west, the debate in the meeting room finally came to an end.

The group reached a consensus: the Akatsuki organization would begin to recruit outstanding ninjas in a targeted manner, while strengthening its intelligence network and its own armed forces.

“I will be responsible for drafting the first recruitment list.” You stood up, your black hair cascading down like a waterfall. “Some of these ‘talents’ happen to be somewhere I know where.”

"Phase One..." Your kunai are nailed to the map of the Land of Fire, "so that the world may feel pain."

"The second phase..." Another kunai pierced the Land of Lightning, "to rebuild order from the ruins."

"Finally..." Your palm suddenly covered the entire sand table, and chakra shattered all the king pieces. "Let me give you... a brand new dream~"

"These are the candidates I recommend." You place a sealed intelligence scroll on the table, and with a gentle push of your finger, you let it slide to Nagato and Konan.

Xiao Nan's slender fingers unsealed the scroll, and her pale purple eyes quickly scanned its contents.

As she read on, her brow furrowed deeper and deeper. "Kisame Hoshigaki...one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, who murdered many of his comrades and superiors?"

She looked up, her eyes full of disapproval. "Li Nu, are you serious?"

Nagato's Rinnegan flickered slightly, and after quickly scanning the information, he also showed doubt, "A ninja who killed his comrade can join us?"

His voice was lower than usual, and his fingers unconsciously traced the edge of the scroll. "This goes against the Akatsuki's principles."

You leaned against the wall with your arms crossed. The rain outside the window was getting louder, but your voice clearly pierced through the rain, "Don't jump to conclusions. You can go to Kirigakure and observe him secretly for a while to understand his true nature and abilities before deciding whether to let him join."

Konan rolled up the scroll again, her movements slightly forceful. "Killing a comrade is, in any case, a violation of the basic code of ninjas."

Her sharp gaze met yours directly. "If someone like that joins Akatsuki, they might bring instability."

You suddenly chuckled softly, walked to the window, and the rainwater meandered across the glass, cutting your reflection into fragments.

"Sometimes, there may be deeper reasons hidden beneath the surface. The 'Bloody Mist Policy' of Kirigakure forced ninjas to kill each other to graduate... In that environment, who was the real culprit?"

A brief silence fell over the meeting room. Nagato and Konan exchanged a glance, both seeing wavering in each other's eyes.

They have long since learned to respect your judgment, and you can always see the truth that ordinary people cannot.

“...Alright.” Nagato finally relented, putting the scroll into his sleeve. “We’ll go and confirm it ourselves.”

Xiao Nan sighed softly, but didn't object further. She turned to you, "Are there any other candidates?"

Just as you were about to answer, you caught a glimpse of Lin, who had been standing quietly in the corner.

The brown-haired girl bit her lower lip tightly, her fingers nervously twisting the strap of the medical kit, her eyes flashing with complex emotions.

"Lin?" Xiao Nan noticed her unusual behavior. "What's wrong?"

Lin looked up as if startled awake, and the sound of the rain seemed to suddenly increase, filling the void of her hesitation.

"I..." Her voice was so soft it was almost inaudible, "Should I continue hiding in Amegakure?" Her fingers unconsciously traced the Akatsuki headband on her left arm. "I also want to do my part for the organization..."

Nagato and Konan were stunned. They had always placed Rin in a relatively safe medical position, almost forgetting that she was also a rigorously trained ninja.

Your gaze softened subtly as you walked up to Lin and, unusually, bent down to look the medical ninja in the eye.

This movement causes your high-tied black hair to slip down your shoulders, forming a small barrier between the two of you.

"This is the last time." Your voice was soft, yet carried an undeniable firmness. "Soon, you will have a partner."

A fleeting emotion, unreadable to Nohara Rin, flashed in your Sharingan. "We will accomplish even more important tasks together and move forward to achieve our goals."

Lin's pupils dilated slightly. She had never seen you speak in such a gentle tone, nor had she ever seen you make such a clear promise to anyone.

The brown-haired girl's gaze fell on your eyes, and those legendary 'cursed eyes' now seemed so...reliable.

“Yes!” Lin nodded emphatically, the gloom in her eyes vanishing. “I believe you.”

You straightened up, a barely perceptible smile curving your lips, then turned to Nagato and Konan, "We'll discuss the other candidates in detail when I return from Konoha."

"Konoha?" Konan keenly caught the name. "Who are you going with?"

As if in response to your question, the meeting room door opened.

Yahiko stood at the door, already dressed for his journey. His orange hair stood out starkly in the dimly lit corridor. "Are you ready, Tanuki? The rain's lessening."

You picked up the ninja tool bag from the table and slung it over your shoulder with a swift and decisive movement. "Let's go."

As you passed by Yahiko, your arms brushed together unintentionally before quickly separating, as if there was some unspoken understanding between you.

Nagato watched this scene thoughtfully, a complex light flashing in his Rinnegan. He turned to Konan, "It's time for us to set off too."

Chapter 97 - Eye-Catching

In the rain, your and Yahiko's figures gradually faded into the distance. Rin stood by the window, her fingers gently pressing against the glass, tracing the blurry silhouettes.

She didn't know who your 'partner' was, nor what kind of 'important mission' awaited her, but at this moment, her heart was filled with long-lost anticipation.

"Be careful..." Lin murmured softly, her breath forming a small white mist on the glass before quickly dissipating.

In the distant forest, you suddenly turned around and glanced in the direction of the Akatsuki base. Your Sharingan pierced through the rain, and you could almost see the brown-haired girl standing by the window.

"What's wrong?" Yahiko followed your gaze, but only saw a gray curtain of rain.

You shook your head, the water droplets on your black hair flying away with the movement. "It's nothing. Hurry up, we need to cross the border before dark."

The two figures eventually disappeared into the depths of the rain and mist, leaving only a few trampled blades of grass as proof that they had passed by.

Zhi Shui hid behind a boulder, breathing heavily against the rock, his chest heaving violently, sweat mixed with blood sliding down his cheeks.

His Mangekyou Sharingan was throbbing slightly from overuse, and his vision was somewhat blurred, but his keen hearing still picked up on the enemy's movements.

"We can't let them succeed..." he gritted his teeth, his heart filled with unwavering resolve.

Itachi arrived, having tracked Shisui down, and upon seeing his pitiful state, his heart sank. He rushed forward to support him, crying, "Shisui-nii..."

When Shisui saw Itachi, a hint of relief and liberation flashed in his eyes. He gripped Itachi's hand tightly, his voice weak but firm.

"I can't take on seven opponents at once. Promise me you'll live, protect the Uchiha clan, protect Konoha..."

Itachi, his eyes red-rimmed, nodded vigorously. "I promise you, Shisui-nii."

Suddenly, the secret agents discovered their presence and quickly surrounded them.

The leader of the ANBU members had a cold look in his eyes, gripping a sharp ninja sword as he approached step by step, the blade gleaming with a chilling light in the moonlight.

Shisui's eyes sharpened, and he forced himself to stand up, activating his Mangekyou Sharingan once more. Although his eyes were exhausted, they were still shining brightly.

He whispered to Itachi, "I will use my last strength to buy you time. Take my left eye with you and make sure you live well..."

Shisui dashed towards the shadows like lightning, his figure weaving through the night, each movement kicking up a cloud of blood mist—the result of his wounds reopening.