Naruto Immersive Replay, The Curse of the Sharingan

You take a deep breath, take the herbs, and squat down in front of the scorpion.

The light inside wasn't bright, but it was enough to show you the terrible state of Scorpion's hands. His ten fingers were a bloody mess, and several wounds were so deep that the bone was visible. Frostbite had given his skin an unhealthy bluish-purple color.

You understand the value of a puppeteer's hands better than anyone, and now they're almost destroyed.

"Tell me if it hurts," you warned softly.

Scorpion did not respond, but merely slightly raised his eyelids. The light from the fire danced in his amber pupils, forming a strange golden-red hue, like a desert under the setting sun.

He stared straight at you, his gaze so intense it felt almost tangible, causing your hand holding the gauze to tremble involuntarily.

You lower your head, avoiding the intense gaze, and begin to focus on treating your wound.

He first crushed the herbs, and when the pale green juice seeped into the scorpion's wound, he didn't even flinch, but you could still feel the muscles under his fingertips tighten instantly.

Scorpion's lips curled into a barely perceptible smile. "I'm more worried about you than that."

"I'm fine," you replied quickly, continuing to wrap the gauze. Scorpion's hands had distinct knuckles, and even the injury couldn't hide his innate elegance.

Throughout the entire process, the scorpion's gaze remains fixed on your face, with an almost suffocating level of focus.

You could feel your ear tips burning, but you stubbornly refused to look up and meet his gaze until you finally tied the last knot and breathed a sigh of relief.

"Okay." You said, and were about to pull your hand back, but Scorpion suddenly grabbed your wrist. His strength was light, but enough to make it impossible for you to break free.

"Ouch! It's burning hot!"

Hidan's scream suddenly shattered the delicate atmosphere in the room. You jerked your hand back and turned to see Hidan jumping up like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, almost knocking over the medicine bowl in his hand.

Byakuya swiftly caught the bowl of medicine, shaking his head helplessly. "Mr. Hidan, this is medicine to reduce Mr. Yahiko's fever. Be careful."

His voice carried a hint of amusement, as if he were already used to taking care of such impetuous guests.

Hidan rubbed his scalded fingers, muttering in dissatisfaction, "Who knew it would be so hot!"

Chapter 105 - Finding a Place to Stay

You approach Yahiko, who is lying on the bed. The orange-haired boy's face is still pale, but his breathing has become much more steady.

Bai carefully fed him the medicine spoonful by spoonful, his movements as practiced as if he had done it a thousand times.

"The medicine should take effect soon," Bai said softly from the side, giving you a meaningful look as he took the empty bowl. "He's in good physical condition; he'll be fine."

You nodded, your gaze never leaving Yahiko's face. "...Thank you."

Bai smiled and left, leaving the space to the group of guests with complicated relationships.

Hidan somehow sidled up to Sasori and whispered, "Hey, Sasori, is that Haku a boy or a girl? My senses seem to be malfunctioning."

Sasori didn't even spare him a glance, squatting down beside you, his voice regaining its usual calm, "How is Yahiko?"

“We’re out of danger for now.” You smoothed the stray strands of hair from Yahiko’s forehead. This intimate gesture made Sasori’s eyes darken, but he said nothing.

The only sound in the room was the crackling of the fire burning in the stove. Haku and Zabuza sat on the other side of the stove, their unspoken understanding evident.

Hidan looked left and right, and suddenly felt like an unwanted outsider.

Just then, a violent cough broke the silence, and Yahiko suddenly opened his eyes, his chest heaving violently.

You and Hidan rushed over at the same time to help him sit up. Your hands accidentally touched each other on Yahiko's back, and then quickly separated as if you had been burned.

"Where...where am I?" Yahiko's eyes had regained their usual clarity. His gaze swept over everyone in the room, finally landing on your face, which was so close to his. "Tanuki...I'm so glad you're alright."

You could only nod in response. Yahiko didn't seem to need any more answers. He leaned towards you naturally, and you didn't move away, letting part of his weight press on your shoulder.

Hidan stood to the side, watching this intimate scene, and the corners of his mouth involuntarily turned down.

He intended to sit to your right, but found that Yahiko had already taken that seat.

To your left, Scorpion stands there as a protector, his face expressionless, but the warning in his eyes is all too clear.

"The Jashin-sama is way too popular," Hidan muttered to himself, feeling inexplicably annoyed.

He scratched his head and finally plopped down in the spot furthest from the stove, like a sulking child.

"Um..." Yahiko's voice was hoarse, "Thank you everyone."

Bai brought over hot soup at just the right time and distributed it to everyone. You carefully held the bowl for Yahiko and watched him sip it.

Scorpion sat on the other side, maintaining a proper distance, but whenever you turned your head, you would always meet his thoughtful gaze.

"You are... ninjas from Kirigakure?" Yahiko asked, turning to Haku and Zabuza after taking a few sips of soup. His voice was weak but much more coherent.

Zabuza snorted in response.

Bai nodded gently. "Yes, but we are now rogue ninjas." He said this calmly, as if he were simply stating the weather.

“Rogue ninja…” Yahiko’s gaze drifted to you, then looked at Sasori and Hidan, a knowing smile playing on his lips. “Looks like we’ve found our kind.”

Hidan sneezed dramatically by the stove, deliberately splashing snow water everywhere.

Watching this scene, you suddenly chuckled, "Stop fooling around, come and warm yourself by the fire."

The silver-haired boy immediately rushed over, and the March Scythe almost swept across Scorpion's red hair.

Bai's gaze lingered on your red-robed, black-clad figures for a moment before he finally couldn't help but ask, "Excuse me, but who are you all...?"

"Cough cough..." Yahiko coughed weakly a few times, his pale face flushed with an unnatural red from difficulty breathing. "We are members of the Akatsuki organization, and we've come to the Land of Snow to carry out a bounty mission."

Hidan casually sat down at the table, propping his legs up on it. "I am Hidan, a follower of Jashin! This is our leader, Yahiko, and Lord Jashin, Tanuki—"

He pointed at you, grinning with his signature maniacal smile, "and that Scorpion who's always fiddling with dolls."

Sasori leaned against the corner of the wall, his bandaged hands crossed in front of his chest. Hearing this, he merely glanced coldly at Hidan.

But you might notice that when Hidan said "Jashin-sama Tanuki," Sasori's fingertips twitched almost imperceptibly.

"Evil God...Master?" Bai blinked, his gaze lingering on you for a few more seconds, as if reassessing this seemingly harmless girl.

Zabuza's expression grew even more serious, aside from the "evil god tanuki" whom he had never heard of before.

These are all dangerous figures in the ninja world: Yahiko, the founder of Akatsuki; Hidan, who is immortal; and Sasori of the Red Sand, who turns living people into puppets.

Any one of them would be enough to strike fear into the hearts of ordinary ninjas.

Bai keenly sensed the change in atmosphere and tentatively asked in a soft voice, "Your mission... is it an assassination?"

“It’s a guard.” Sasori suddenly spoke, his eyes beneath his red hair coldly sweeping over Zabuza. “A request from a nobleman of the Land of Snow.”

His fingers unconsciously traced the bandage, where you had just carefully tied the knot.

"I see." Bai breathed a sigh of relief, and his icy eyes regained their smile. "My name is Bai, and this is Mr. Zabuza."

"Are you two planning to stay in the Land of Snow permanently?" Yahiko asked casually, his eyelids drooping slightly from fatigue, but he still forced himself to keep the conversation going.

Bai shook his head gently, "I have no ideas right now, and I don't know where to go." He looked at Zabuza, but the latter just silently gazed at the snow falling outside the window.

"You are always welcome in Amegakure." Your words made Haku look up in surprise, only to see you intently adjusting the position of Yahiko leaning on your shoulder, your movements as gentle as if you were handling fragile glass.

Scorpion's puppet strings tightened silently in his sleeve, and he suddenly felt his newly bandaged wound begin to ache again.

“We’ll consider it,” Zabuza replied gruffly, slamming his guillotine into the ground. A complex emotion flashed in his single eye. Freedom was precious, but the days of wandering were indeed arduous.

"I'll go get some hot water," Bai said, breaking the delicate atmosphere of the moment.

As Haku passed by Hidan, this perpetually clueless cultist suddenly leaned close to Haku's face, looking him up and down with curiosity. "Hey, there's something I've been wanting to ask you—"

He pointed to the white kimono collar, "Are you a man or a woman?"

With a "thud," the water bottle in Shiro's hand fell to the ground. He glared fiercely at Hidan, his usually gentle face now slightly distorted with anger.

Zabuza suddenly burst into a rare laugh, his gruff voice shaking the windowpanes. "Haku is a real man!"

He slapped his thigh, as if it were the funniest joke he'd heard in years.

Hidan touched his nose and muttered, "It's all because he looks too effeminate..." Before he could finish speaking, a senbon needle grazed his ear and was pinned to the wall.

“If you ask that kind of question again,” Bai smiled, but there was no smile in his eyes, “I’ll make sure you never have a chance to speak again.”

"The Akatsuki..." Zabuza suddenly spoke, interrupting your thoughts, "I heard you've been spreading peace everywhere?"

The temperature in the room seemed to drop to freezing instantly. You felt Yahiko unconsciously tense up on your shoulder. He wasn't asleep at all; he was just resting with his eyes closed.

“Just a rumor,” Scorpion replied coldly, tapping his fingers lightly on the puppet scroll. “We are only interested in power.”

Haku picked up the water bottle, glanced at you thoughtfully, and said, "Sharingan...you're an Uchiha ninja from Konoha?"

"I do not belong to Konoha."

"After the Third Shinobi World War began, many bloodline limit families disappeared," Zabuza suddenly said, his voice unusually calm. "Those who survive must keep moving forward."

You never expected that this notoriously ruthless rogue ninja from Kirigakure would say such a thing. Yahiko on your shoulder moved slightly, his fingers brushing against the back of your hand unintentionally, like a silent comfort.

Hidan yawned boredly. "If you ask me, the only reason I live is to serve Lord Jashin!"

The snow outside the window had stopped sometime ago, and a ray of sunlight pierced through the clouds, shining into the cramped yet inexplicably warm little house.

Suddenly, you realize that despite your identities being exposed and your wariness of each other, you have achieved a strange balance at this moment. You are not companions, but you are no longer strangers either.

The night sky of the Snow Country was torn apart by firelight, and the glazed tiles of the royal palace crackled and shattered in the flames. Kazeka Hayayuki stuffed a hexagonal crystal into her daughter's clothes, her fingers trembling so much that she could barely tie the knot.

"Master Ninja, I'm entrusting Xiaoxue to you."

Kakashi knelt on one knee, his Sharingan beneath his forehead guard gleaming coldly in the shadows. He felt the little princess trembling in his arms, like a frightened fledgling.

"I swear on my life."

A faint whooshing sound came from the shadows. Naraku flipped down from the beam, his pale mask flickering in the firelight. "Three streams of chakra are approaching."

"Go!" Kazayuki suddenly shoved Kakashi, whose usually refined daimyo eyes were now bloodshot. "Quickly take Yuki..." Before she could finish speaking, the carved wooden door exploded with a loud crash.

The instant Kakashi disappeared in the blink of an eye while holding Yuki, Fuuka Nutō's maniacal laughter echoed throughout the hall.

Inside a glacial crevasse, Yuki struggled violently in Kakashi's arms, crying, "Let me go! Father is still here—"

With perfect force, Kakashi handed the unconscious princess to his shadow clone, while the lightning of Chidori flickered between his fingers.

When he rushed back to the side hall of the palace, Naraku's mask was shattered on the ground, and blood was splashed on the snow in a glaring red.

"Cough...Kakashi..." Naraku leaned against a broken pillar, blood bubbling from the wound in his abdomen. "They're heading north...to the glacier..."

The sound of the kunai piercing the throat was as crisp as the breaking of an ice shard. Kakashi's Sharingan spun wildly, but he could only catch the departing figure of Fuuka Nyutō and Naraku's gradually cooling fingertips.

"Naraku..." Kakashi clenched his kunai tightly, oblivious to the fact that the metal edge cut his palm. Blood dripped onto the snow like a string of red teardrops.

A faint chakra fluctuation, characteristic of the Snow Ninja, emanated from afar. Kakashi forced himself to calm down, disappearing into the night in a few leaps. He still had a mission to complete.

Wolf Fang Avalanche stood at the edge of the glacier crevice and sneered. His ice-style ninjutsu was unique in the Land of Snow, and no chakra fluctuation within a ten-mile radius could escape his perception.

“Kakashi Hatake,” he licked his lips, “I’m finally going to meet the legendary Sharingan Kakashi.”

Meanwhile, five miles away on the frozen lake, four figures in red robes and black robes were walking through the snow.

"So, that hexagonal crystal really can activate the geothermal generator?" Hidan, carrying the Bloodstained March Scythe, kicked at a snowflake with a bored expression. "We came all this way just for this piece of junk?"

Yahiko walked at the front, his orange hair standing out against the snow. "The reward given by the nobles of the Land of Snow is enough to cover the Akatsuki's expenses for half a year."

Your Sharingan twitched slightly, and snowflakes fell all over your long black hair. "More than that, I'm curious why the Snow Ninja suddenly mobilized in full force."

Sasori, who had been silent all along, suddenly raised his hand, and the puppet "Crow" slid out from his sleeve. "There is a collision of chakra at the two o'clock position."

The four instantly entered battle mode. You leaped to a high place, your Sharingan piercing through the wind and snow—

The silver-haired Jonin was holding an unconscious girl in his arms, while being attacked by eight Snow Ninja.

Kakashi's headband was askew, revealing his crimson Sharingan. His movements were still swift, but his breathing was clearly erratic, and there was a deep wound on his left arm that exposed the bone.

"Konoha's... Sharingan Kakashi?" you murmured softly. Both Obito and Rin had mentioned his story.

Yahiko narrowed his eyes. "That's... the little princess of the Snow Country?"

"Need help?" Hidan asked eagerly. "I think that kid is about to give up."

Scorpion sneered, "Mind your own business."

Kakashi's kunai repelled a snow ninja, but an ice spike came from behind. At the critical moment, three shuriken precisely intercepted the ice spike, exploding into a burst of sparks on the snow.

"Who goes there?!" Xue Ren shouted sharply.

You stand on the ice pillar, your Sharingan slowly rotating, colliding with Kakashi's gaze in mid-air. At that moment, the power of their eyes resonated in a strange way, and Kakashi could even feel the burning sensation coming from his own eyes.

"The Akatsuki?!" Kakashi's pupils contracted; a situation worse than being surrounded by Snow Ninja had arisen.

Yahiko landed to Kakashi's left, his smile gentle yet firm, "It seems we need to talk."

Hidan's massive scythe was already pressed against the neck of the last snow ninja. "The Jashin-sama said he wanted to see some blood~"