Naruto Immersive Replay, The Curse of the Sharingan

The girl's warm palms sent a strange sensation through his forehead protector, making his ears burn.

"Bear with it for now, let's talk about it when we get back to the organization," you advised helplessly.

"Ahem..." Yahiko suddenly turned his face away, his voice inexplicably softening, "Actually, it's still within my tolerance range."

Sasori coldly watched Yahiko's sudden change in attitude, the puppet strings at his fingertips tightening silently. He deliberately walked to the other side, his red hair brushing against your shoulder, "There's a river ahead, let's rest for a bit."

Hidan shouted as soon as he broke free from the genjutsu, "I'm going to catch fish for Lord Jashin!"

"Sit still and don't move!" they shouted in unison.

Hidan tried to get closer to you again, but was blocked by Shisui who suddenly appeared. The black-haired boy expressionlessly formed a hand seal, "There's an ambush."

"There's no buried thing—ow!" Hidan stepped on a trap that suddenly appeared, hanging upside down from a tree. He angrily swung his three-moon scythe, "Uchiha Shisui! You tricked me!"

Shisui calmly withdrew his hand seals, saying, "It was just an accidental triggering of a mechanism."

You were trying so hard to suppress your laughter that your shoulders were shaking. When you looked at Shisui, a triumphant smile flashed in his Sharingan eyes, but he quickly returned to his serious expression.

As Scorpion arranged the puppet scrolls, his red hair gently brushed against your cheek. "We need to get to the next town before dark."

His voice was very soft, but his breath deliberately brushed against your ear.

Before you could react, Yahiko had already grabbed your wrist. "It's definitely time to speed things up!"

"Wait! Lord Jashin!" Hidan struggled desperately in the tree. "Put me down first!"

A faint smell of blood permeated the Akatsuki base, where new and old members gathered together.

You leaned against a stone pillar, your long black hair cascading down to your waist, your fingertips unconsciously tracing the edge of your kunai. "Shisui and Rin are paired together, any objections?"

Shisui stood in the corner, his Sharingan gleaming slightly in the shadows, a gentle smile on his lips, but his gaze never left you. Upon hearing the arrangement, he nodded slightly, but his eyes lingered on Rin's face for an extra second.

Lin stood beside him, noticed his gaze, and glanced at him thoughtfully.

"Sasori and Hidan will be paired together." Yahiko's voice carried an undeniable authority, his orange-haired eyes sweeping over everyone, softening almost imperceptibly when they met yours.

"What a joke!" Hidan kicked over the stone bench beside him, the March Scythe scraping across the ground with a grating sound. "I'm going to follow Lord Jashin! Who wants to team up with this puppet-playing pervert?"

Scorpion's fingers twitched slightly, and the puppet's joints made a soft clicking sound. He didn't speak, but his eyes had turned cold, staring straight at you as if silently questioning you.

“Tanuki and I are a fixed team.” Yahiko put his hand on your shoulder, a gesture that made Sasori’s pupils suddenly contract. “If you’re not satisfied, find someone to team up with yourself.”

Kisame Hoshigaki grinned, revealing his mouthful of sharp teeth, his Samehada throbbing excitedly behind him. "Newcomers need to know the rules."

The air froze instantly, the sounds of Hidan's curses, Sasori's taut puppet strings, and Shisui's metallic scraping as he drew his kunai mingled together.

You suddenly chuckled, breaking the tense atmosphere.

"It's really lively." You casually toy with the end of your hair. "How about this—"

Before he could finish speaking, Sasori's chakra threads suddenly wrapped around your wrist. This action caused Yahiko to instantly unleash his chakra, and Shisui's Sharingan began to spin wildly.

"Let go." Yahiko's voice was as cold as ice.

Scorpion ignored you, staring straight into your eyes, "You know what I want."

Taking advantage of the situation, Hidan pounced and hugged your leg, "Lord Jashin! Let me be your servant!"

The scene instantly descended into chaos. Kisame's Samehada hissed excitedly, Konan's paper sword was already unfurled, and a hint of helplessness flashed in Nagato's Rinnegan.

You sighed, suddenly formed hand seals, and a powerful chakra storm erupted from you, shaking off all those who were entangled with you.

"Enough is enough." Your Sharingan transformed into kaleidoscope patterns. "The Akatsuki doesn't need internal strife."

“Since you’re not satisfied with the partner arrangement,” Konan’s voice was as light as her paper, “then let’s follow Tanuki and Yahiko on missions for now.”

When Sasori heard this arrangement, his gloomy expression finally eased a bit, but his gaze remained fixed on you. Although he couldn't monopolize your attention, at least he didn't have to be tied to that madman Hidan.

"Lord Konan is wise!" Hidan brandished his three-month scythe, his crimson eyes darting about, and suddenly whispered in your ear, "I will pave your way with the blood of my enemies..."

Shisui silently stepped between you two, saying, "Keep your distance." His voice was soft, but it made Hidan unconsciously take a half step back.

"The mission to the Land of Snow is now in your hands." Konan handed the scroll to Yahiko, who frowned slightly as he took it.

“The Land of Snow…” Kisame suddenly spoke, a rare gentleness appearing on his shark-like face. His thick fingers moved with surprising agility as he manipulated the bandages. “I can knit scarves. Should the leader and Tanuki wait a few days?”

"I didn't expect Kisame-nii to be so thoughtful." You tilted your head, your black hair slipping down your shoulder. "Then I'll have to trouble you."

Yahiko's gaze shifted between you and Kisame, and thinking of the biting cold winds of the Land of Snow, he finally nodded in agreement.

Chapter 103 Avalanche

Hidan suddenly knelt on one knee and frantically grabbed your clothes, "Lord Jashin! I can skin the enemy alive to make you a cloak!"

"...No need." You pulled your clothes back. "We'll be leaving in three days."

Nagato looked at Konan, a hint of helplessness flashing in his Rinnegan. Leading this organization would probably be even more difficult than conquering the ninja world.

After the meeting ended, everyone went their separate ways.

“Tanuki.” Scorpion’s voice broke the silence.

As you turn around, the ends of your black hair brush against Yahiko's suddenly tense arm.

Yahiko suddenly stopped in his tracks, his eyes beneath his orange hair suddenly sharpening. He instinctively reached out to grab your sleeve, but stopped abruptly in mid-air.

"What's wrong?" You tilted your head, completely unaware of the tense atmosphere between Sasori and Yahiko.

Sasori's fingertips gently traced the puppet strings, his gaze sweeping over Yahiko's tense figure, a provocative smile curving his lips. "I'd like to invite you to see my new puppet."

Two voices rang out simultaneously, and Hidan's purple-red eyes almost popped out of their sockets. "What do you, you insidious puppeteer, want to do to Lord Jashin!" He brandished his three-month scythe, the chains rattling loudly.

Sasori didn't even bother to glance at him; his amber eyes beneath his red hair were fixed solely on Yahiko.

Yahiko took a half step forward, his orange hair burning like a flame under the oil lamp. "In the dead of night..." His Adam's apple bobbed, his voice lower than usual, "It's not appropriate."

"So you're here to see puppets!" Your eyes lit up, and you walked past Yahiko towards Sasori. "Of course!"

Yahiko grabbed the back of your collar. "Wait!" He didn't control his strength well, and you staggered back two steps, crashing directly into his arms.

The scent of sunlight on the grass and trees emanating from the boy instantly enveloped you.

"What are you doing?" you asked, rubbing your collar and glaring at him.

Yahiko's ears burned, and he hurriedly let go. "Be careful..." He glanced at Sasori's gloomy face and deliberately raised his voice, "Some ill-intentioned guys!"

Scorpion forcefully suppressed his anger, his voice sounding like it was being squeezed out from between his teeth, "Let's go."

At the end of the corridor, Kisame leaned against the door frame, grinning, his sharp teeth gleaming coldly. Shisui appeared around the corner at some unknown time.

Before the door closed, Hidan was still jumping up and down in the hallway, shouting, "Lord Jashin! Do you need me to guard the door?!"

Hidan, clutching his messy silver hair, glared at Yahiko's retreating figure with obvious displeasure. "Hey! Boss!" he yelled, "You're just going to let Lord Jashin go with him like that?"

Yahiko abruptly stopped in his tracks. He didn't turn around, but coldly uttered, "Mind your own business." The suppressed anger in his voice seemed to lower the temperature in the corridor.

Hidan scoffed, his three-moon scythe dangling from his shoulder. "Tch, what's it to me..." He scratched the back of his head. "It's not like I lured the Jashin into the room..."

Yahiko's figure had already disappeared around the corner. Hidan shrugged, turned around, and walked towards his room, muttering to himself, "They're all like they've eaten gunpowder..."

The room was filled with the smell of resin and metal, and under the light, countless puppet parts reflected a cold luster.

Your fingertips gently trace a delicate gear, and your black hair falls down to the puppet's joints.

“This is an improved version of the Third Kazekage.” Sasori’s voice was softer than usual, his eyes beneath his red hair fixed on your reaction. “The joints have a new shock absorption design.”

As you lean closer to observe, a strand of hair brushes against the back of the scorpion's hand, and the young puppeteer's breath catches up almost imperceptibly for a moment.

"You even redesigned the chakra transmission system?" You looked up in surprise, your Sharingan reflecting Sasori's slightly reddened ear tips. "You're even more powerful than the records of Sunagakure."

Scorpion turned his face away, pretending to tidy up the puppet strings, "...just some minor improvements."

"Why are you showing me this?" You suddenly looked up, just in time to meet Scorpion's gaze before he could look away.

He turned his face away, a rare occurrence for him, his red hair falling to obscure his expression. "Let you know... my value in Xiao."

The room was so quiet you could hear the candle wick pop. Suddenly, you reached out and lifted Scorpion's chin with your fingertips.

This action stunned both of them. Your intention was to make him look at you, but you didn't expect to touch such cold skin.

"Idiot, do you think we're here for puppetry?" Sasori's pupils dilated slightly as he saw a warm light emanating from your Sharingan.

"It's because you're a scorpion."

“And…” you suddenly smiled slyly, and casually poked his cheek with your finger, “your pretty face is also an asset to the organization.”

The sound of pacing back and forth was particularly clear in the empty room. "That red-haired bastard..." Yahiko slammed his fist on the stone table.

In the shadows of the corridor, Yahiko lurked outside Sasori's door like a thief.

The chill of the stone wall seeped into his bones through his robe, but it couldn't extinguish the burning jealousy in his chest.

"Art?" Scorpion's voice held an unusual warmth. "You actually understand..."

"Of course." Your response made Yahiko catch his breath. "Every single part has been the product of your hard work, hasn't it?"

Yahiko couldn't hold back any longer. He raised his hand and knocked on the door. The moment the door opened, you blinked. "Yahiko?"

“I…” Yahiko’s gaze passed over your shoulder and met Sasori’s sinister eyes.

Scorpion sneered, "The leader is checking rooms late at night?" He deliberately let the puppet's arm drape over your shoulder, "How considerate."

Yahiko's pupils contracted sharply. He grabbed your wrist with such force that you stumbled. "Come back with me."

"Let go." Sasori's puppet strings instantly wrapped around Yahiko's wrist, leaving fine, bloody marks. "She is not your possession."

You break free from their grasp, your Sharingan glowing red in the darkness. "Stop right there!" Your gaze sweeps over Yahiko's bleeding wrist, then glances at Sasori's taut jawline. "So childish."

Your temples throbbed, and you grabbed Yahiko by the collar and dragged him out, leaving without looking back with the words, "Scorpion, let's talk tomorrow."

Scorpion's puppet strings stretched taut in the air before slowly retracting into his sleeve.

In the dimly lit corridor, Yahiko's footsteps sounded particularly heavy. "What are you worried about?" You suddenly stopped, your black hair gleaming in the candlelight.

Yahiko's Adam's apple bobbed. He wanted to say that he was worried Sasori had ill intentions towards you, that he was afraid you would be bewitched by that gloomy puppeteer, but in the end he could only awkwardly squeeze out a sentence, "...The way he looks at you is strange."

You suddenly leaned closer, and Yahiko could smell the faint herbal scent in your hair. "Then the way you look at me is right?"

Yahiko's ears burned instantly. He opened his mouth but couldn't make a sound. Suddenly, a heavy thud came from the end of the corridor. Hidan had deliberately kicked over the candlestick.

"Lord Evil God!" The silver-haired youth sprang from the shadows, his crimson eyes gleaming in the darkness. "Do you need me to teach these two a lesson—"

"Go back to sleep." You delivered a swift and clean chop to the back of Hidan's neck, leaving him with a fanatical smile before he fell to the ground.

At the same time, Scorpion's door opened silently a crack, and the red-haired boy's pale fingertips trembled slightly as he stared gloomily at the two people in the distance who were almost touching.

A biting wind swirled fine snowflakes, howling across the vast expanse of heaven and earth. The group's footprints were quickly covered by fresh snow, as if no one had ever set foot in this silent realm.

Yahiko walked at the front, his orange hair tips turned white by the frost and snow. He wrapped his dark blue scarf tightly around his neck, and his breath condensed into mist in the air.

“Intelligence indicates that the target may have hired a Snow Ninja,” he turned to look at the group, his voice low, “Don’t let your guard down.”

A few strands of your long black hair peeked out from your fur cloak, shimmering with a bluish hue in the snow. Just as you were about to respond, Hidan suddenly pounced from the side, the silver bells on his scythe jingling in the wind and snow.

"Lord Evil God!" His crimson eyes widened with excitement, "Let me go ahead and scout the way! I promise to rip out the enemy's hearts and offer them to you!"

Sasori took a step to the side without making a sound, and the puppet strings silently tripped Hidan's ankle.

The silver-haired boy fell into a snowdrift with a "plop," and the splashing snowflakes covered Yahiko.

You shook your head helplessly, reaching out to pull up the flailing Hidan. "Quiet down, do you want to trigger an avalanche?"

"It's so cold!" Hidan hunched his shoulders, his silver hair covered in fine snowflakes, and the white breath he exhaled quickly dissipated in the cold wind.

He looked down at the thick snow at his feet, then suddenly grinned, a mischievous glint flashing in his purplish-red eyes.

He crouched down, quickly gathered up the snow with both hands, and soon rolled out a huge snowball.

At this moment, Scorpion lowered his head slightly, his red hair falling down, and spoke to you intently, his voice deep and serious.

"Hey, Sasori—" Hidan shouted, and suddenly threw a snowball!

The snowball struck Scorpion precisely on the back of the head, scattering snowflakes and covering his eyelashes with frost that shimmered in the sunlight.

"Hahahaha!" Hidan laughed so hard he almost fell over, pointing at Sasori's disheveled appearance, "Your expression is more interesting than the talisman drawn by the Jashin!"

Sasori slowly raised his hand, wiping the snow off his face. His amber eyes were as cold as ice. He stared at Hidan, the puppet strings on his fingertips taut silently, as if he were about to cut the madman into pieces at any moment.

Before he could react, a low rumble suddenly came from afar—"Boom..."

Your expression changed drastically, "It's an avalanche!"

Before anyone could react, a massive white wave crashed down, sweeping in like a raging torrent!

"Tanuki!" Yahiko's pupils contracted, and almost the instant the snow wave crashed over, he turned around abruptly and pulled you into his arms!