Naruto Immersive Replay, The Curse of the Sharingan

Itachi was startled. Several small countries, led by the Land of Snow, regarded her as their behind-the-scenes power minister. Under her guidance, the Akatsuki organization rose rapidly and was even able to rival the Five Great Nations.

The intelligence reports were scattered, only knowing that "Tanuki" was a woman, but no one expected that... she was actually of Uchiha blood.

The secret archives room was filled with records of her political operations: undermining the marriage alliance of a daimyo, plotting a coup, and supporting a puppet regime... and now the legend was standing right in front of him.

"You..." Itachi's voice was a little hoarse.

Tanuki's political achievements were so astonishing, and her methods were ruthless yet precise. Even the Third Hokage once lamented, "If she were in Konoha, the situation might be different."

And now, you gaze at him with those eyes that seem to see through everything.

He suddenly realized that his chakra was leaking out uncontrollably, and the fallen leaves beneath his feet were moving without any wind.

This feeling of being out of control made him want to back away, much like someone who has been staring at the sun for too long will instinctively close their eyes.

"Why tell me all this...?"

“I need the Uchiha,” you said calmly, your tone devoid of any humility, only absolute confidence. “Therefore, I will take care of those people from Konoha for you.”

Before he could respond, you had already turned around, and just as you were about to disappear into the darkness, Itachi suddenly reached out and grabbed your wrist.

Is there anything I can do for you?

His palm touched your skin, cool and delicate, like a piece of cold jade.

You stop and slowly turn around, then suddenly raise your hand, pinching Itachi's chin with your fingertips, forcing him to look up and meet your gaze.

"Use Tsukuyomi to deceive yourself," you commanded with unwavering authority, "and also to deceive your brother."

After saying that, you let go of Itachi's hand, the warmth of your fingertips still lingering on his skin. "I will wait for you at the Valley of the End."

The night breeze from the border of Konoha carried the scent of cherry blossoms through the inn's curtains, and the moment you stepped into the lobby, the noisy chatter abruptly ceased as if cut by a sharp blade.

The travelers' hands, holding sake, hovered in mid-air, and the porcelain bowls on the waitress's tray gently clinked together, producing a crisp, resonant sound.

"Two ninja masters..." The shopkeeper behind the counter rubbed his hands together, his gaze shifting between the scythe at your waist and the shuriken scroll on Itachi's back.

The oil lamp illuminated the fine beads of sweat on his forehead. "There's really only one superior room left."

Your fingertips tapped lightly on the edge of the counter. "Would you be willing to spend the night in the same room as me?"

"Mmm." The monosyllabic response drifted into a deep pool like a fallen leaf.

The sound of wooden clogs on the stairs was particularly clear in the quiet corridor, and the brass key in your hand swayed gently with each step, gleaming with an antique luster in the candlelight.

The eagle's shadow always kept three steps away from you, like a silent silhouette.

"This is it." You stop in front of the door at the end of the corridor, the click of the key into the lock sounding particularly crisp in the quiet night.

The moment you push open the door, a rich floral fragrance wafts out, and the candlelight in the room pours down like a galaxy, casting flickering light on your astonished faces.

Hundreds of bright red camellias spread out in a heart shape on the ground, each petal glistening with the undried night dew.

On the low table by the window, next to two porcelain cups, sat unopened bottles of sake, with a reddish piece of paper pressed under the bottom of each cup.

The eagle's breathing stopped behind him; you could imagine his taut jawline without even turning around.

You suddenly feel like laughing; the absurd scene is like some terrible illusion. But when you actually laugh out loud, your voice is hoarseer than you expected. "It's no big deal!"

You stomped heavily on the petals, the crushed rose petals oozing sap, leaving ambiguous pink marks on the soles of your feet.

Itachi stood motionless in the entrance hall, as moonlight streamed in through the window, dividing him into two halves of light and darkness.

You see his fingers twitching slightly at his sides, as if resisting some kind of impulse, perhaps wanting to burn the room down.

"I'm going to take a shower first." You grabbed your bathrobe and headed towards the stall, the sound of the fabric rubbing together being particularly clear in the silence.

The moment the sliding door closed, you heard Itachi's footsteps finally moving, and his extremely light breath, like a sigh.

The sound of water in the bathroom stopped.

You push open the door and walk out, your hair still dripping with water. Your wet black hair clings to the side of your neck, shimmering in the candlelight. You casually wipe it with a towel, water droplets sliding down your collarbone.

Itachi sat on the edge of the bed, his hands clenched slightly, his knuckles turning white, but his gaze remained fixed on the night outside the window, as if there was something there that was worth his full attention.

"Well, it's your turn."

Itachi responded and got up a little faster than usual, as if he was in a hurry to escape something. The bathroom door closed behind him, and he stood in front of the sink, staring at himself in the mirror.

Those ever-calm eyes, however, now subtly flickered with a strange emotion.

He scooped up a handful of cold water and splashed it hard on his face. The icy water droplets slid down his chin, but they couldn't extinguish the inexplicable heat.

Chapter 119 - Dinner Party

That was extremely inappropriate.

When Itachi pushed open the door and came out, you were already lying on the bed with your back to him. Your figure under the covers was tall and quiet, but there was a hint of tension in your expression.

He walked very quietly, as if afraid of disturbing something, and slowly lay down on the other side of the bed, also with his back to you.

Although there was only an arm's length between them, it was as if an invisible barrier stood between them.

The room was so quiet that only their breathing could be heard.

The sounds of rapid, restrained, and intertwined breathing.

Itachi's heart was pounding in his chest; he even doubted you could hear it. He had never imagined he would feel so nervous in this situation.

He was usually calm and composed, but at this moment, he could clearly feel that every nerve in his body was taut.

When the name came out, Itachi himself was stunned. He had never called you by your code name before. The syllable rolled between his lips and teeth, carrying an inexplicable intimacy.

"Hmm?" Your response was quick, with a slight rise in your voice at the end, revealing that you were not asleep.

Itachi stared at the shadows of the two people on the wall. Your hair brushed against the pillow. He could almost imagine what you looked like with your eyes slightly open at this moment. Your eyelashes cast a fan-shaped shadow under your eyes. Your eyes would be more moist than usual after taking a bath.

"...nothing."

He closed his eyes, hearing his own heart pounding deafeningly. Under the sheet, his fingers unconsciously traced the patterns on the kunai, as if it were some kind of secret comfort.

But he knew that this night was destined to be sleepless.

As the night outside the window gradually faded, the first rays of dawn quietly crept onto the windowsill.

You and Itachi woke up almost at the same time, your eyes met in the air, and you both had an awkward smile on your faces, as if everything last night was just an unreal dream.

"Did you sleep well last night?" you ask, trying to break the somewhat awkward atmosphere.

"It's alright," Itachi replied, a barely perceptible flicker of panic in his eyes, before he got up and began packing his things.

The Akatsuki base was shrouded in the dark red of dusk, the setting sun like blood, painting the towering stone walls with a scorching golden edge.

The air seemed to freeze the moment Itachi stepped into the hall.

His gaze was fixed on the familiar figure in front of him—a red-and-black robe, slightly curly black hair, and eyes that always held a smile.

Uchiha Shisui.

"Zhishui...Brother?"

His voice was very soft, almost like a hallucination, but Shisui heard it.

"One against seven, long time no see!"

Itachi's fingertips trembled slightly when he touched Shisui's shoulder. The perfect expression control he had honed over three years in the Anbu crumbled at this moment, and he clutched Shisui's clothes like a lost child.

The familiar scent of herbs mixed with the smell of rust wafted over, it was a living, breathing still water.

"Hey, hey, don't cry." Shisui laughed and ruffled his black hair, his thumb wiping the corner of his reddened eyes. "There's no place for crybabies in the Akatsuki."

"Don't be so sad." Xiao Nan's paper flowers fell silently. "Everyone here is family."

Her voice was like a clear spring, but it couldn't extinguish the surging emotions in Itachi's heart.

He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but his throat felt blocked by something, and in the end he just stood there silently, his eyes slightly hot.

—Zhi Shui is still alive.

This realization nearly caused Itachi's rationality to crumble.

Just then, Yahiko strode over.

He bypassed everyone and came straight to you, gripping your shoulders tightly with such force that he almost crushed your bones.

Are you hurt?

His voice was low and tense, as if he was suppressing some emotion. You were taken aback by his sudden action, and then sighed helplessly, "I'm fine."

"Chief! You can't use your status to lay a hand on the evil god!"

Hidan's agitated shout broke the silence. Like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, he gripped the three-edged scythe in his hand, his open collar revealing large patches of reddened skin, and the incantations of the Jashin cult rose and fell with his excited breathing.

Kakuzu's green eyes flashed with impatience, and his arm, covered in black lines, gripped Hidan like an iron clamp. "Idiot, know your place."

"Mind your own business!" Hidan's silver hair brushed against Kakuzu's mask as he struggled.

A hint of weariness flashed across Nagato's Rinnegan. He rubbed his temples, but out of the corner of his eye, he caught Sasori silently inserting himself between you and Yahiko.

The puppet's mechanical arms separated you. He glanced coldly at Yahiko without saying a word, but his eyes held a clear warning.

Amidst this chaos, Kimimaro stood quietly.

After confirming that you were safe and sound, he turned and left, his footsteps so light they seemed to have never existed.

When you look up as if you've noticed something, you only catch a wisp of white hair disappearing into the shadows.

Itachi stood in the shadows, his gaze calmly sweeping over everyone in the hall.

You stand in the center of the crowd, a faint smile playing on your lips, like an invisible thread subtly binding this group of dangerous traitors together.

(What exactly is your role in this organization?)

A thoughtful look flashed in Itachi's eyes. "Thank you."

His voice was low, yet it reached your ears clearly. The two words carried a heavy weight, expressing both gratitude for your care of Zhishui and a tribute to the only person in this unfamiliar and dangerous organization who gave him a sense of security.

Upon hearing this, you blinked gently, your eyelashes casting dappled shadows in the candlelight. "What should you call me?"

Your tone was slightly mischievous, but your eyes shone with an astonishing brightness, like a cat's pupils in the dark, gleaming with a cunning light.

—You're waiting for him to say that name.

Everyone's gaze was subtly drawn to you, even the usually irritable Hidan quieted down and stared intently at Itachi, as if trying to see through his intentions.

Itachi remained silent for a moment, his eyes filled with an unreadable emotion.

Then he strode toward you, his steps steady, his black robe swaying slightly with his movements, like a crow flying in the night.

When he stops in front of you, he lowers his head slightly, his black hair falls down, and a few strands gently brush against your cheek, with a cool touch, like a feather brushing against you, tickling you and making your heart tremble.

"...Lord Tanuki."

Itachi's voice was soft, carrying an indescribable gentleness, like warm water flowing beneath the ice, calm on the surface but containing an unspeakable heat within.

You tilt your head slightly up, looking at the ferret so close to you.

His face remained calm, but his deep black eyes churned with unreadable emotions: gratitude, confusion, inquiry, and... something deeper.

“Newcomer,” Scorpion’s voice was colder than ice, “Mind your distance.”

Itachi seemed not to hear, maintaining his slightly bent-over posture, the three tomoe in his Sharingan slowly rotating, and from an angle unseen by others, his fingertips lightly brushed against the scythe at your waist.

Shisui suddenly intervened, affectionately placing his arm on Itachi's shoulder. "Don't scare my junior." He smiled at Sasori, while his other hand secretly pressed down on Itachi's chakra pathways.

Hidan's three-moon scythe suddenly slammed into the ground between them, sending sparks flying. "The Jashin-sama belongs to everyone! No one is allowed to have him all to themselves!"

Kakuzu's black tentacles wrapped around his waist in time. "That's even worse!"

Inside the Akatsuki's main hall, the candlelight illuminated the dazzling array of dishes laid out on the long wooden table, making them look exceptionally tempting.

The sauce for the braised fish gleamed with an amber hue, while tiny oil bubbles rose from the golden, crispy coating of the tempura. The aroma of miso soup and the smoky fragrance of grilled saury mingled together in the air.

"Rin's cooking skills are getting better and better!" Hidan rushed into the hall like a whirlwind, his silver hair sticking up messily as he ran.

He practically pounced on the table, grabbing a fried shrimp and a piece of sushi with both hands and stuffing them into his mouth, his cheeks bulging exaggeratedly like a greedy hamster.

Zabuza then stepped into the hall, his steps steady as if he were measuring the land. He caught a glimpse of Hidan eating and his brows immediately furrowed, his scarred face filled with disgust.

"Eat slowly, no one's going to take it from you. Don't eat like a starving ghost!" His deep voice carried a clear reproach, but he casually pushed a cup of tea in front of Hidan. "Be careful not to choke."

Hidan grinned, revealing his teeth covered in rice grains, but he still obediently slowed down and grabbed the teacup, taking a big gulp.

As Zabuza looked at him like this, the corners of his chiseled lips curved up almost imperceptibly, and a hint of tenderness flashed in his eyes that he himself did not notice.

You had just sat down at the dining table, the wooden chair still warm from the heat, when you heard a slight rustling sound beside you. Scorpion had somehow taken over the seat on your left.