Naruto Immersive Replay, The Curse of the Sharingan

You sighed and pushed the door open, but you didn't see the dark glint in Lin's eyes as you entered.

In the darkness, Lin's fingertips traced the red mark on your neck, her lips close to your earlobe, her breath carrying the intoxicating scent of sake, "Tonight's shooting star... I made a wish."

"What is your wish?" Your voice was exceptionally clear in the room.

Lin didn't answer immediately, but tilted her head slightly, a playful smile curving her lips, as if she were hiding some unspeakable secret.

She tiptoed closer to your ear, her warm breath gently brushing against your earlobe, "If you say it out loud... it won't work."

Your fingertips trembled almost imperceptibly, and you suddenly realized that what was hidden in Lin's eyes was not simple dependence, but something darker and more stubborn.

Like a female ghost lurking in the shadows, it silently and stealthily coils around you, making it impossible to break free.

You dared not think too deeply, and simply took a step back, your voice low and hoarse, "It's very late, you should get some rest."

After you finished speaking, you turned to leave, but Ke Lin blocked the doorway first. Her fingers gently touched the door frame, her fingertips turning slightly white, as if she was afraid that you would disappear into thin air.

Lin's eyes were no longer as gentle as before, but carried a hint of resentment, a hint of loss, and even... a hint of cold possessiveness.

Why...why do so many people want to take your heart away?

Her voice was soft, yet like fine spider silk, it slowly coiled around your heart, carrying a suffocating obsession.

You stopped in your tracks, remained silent for a moment, then suddenly turned around, grabbed Lin's wrist, and pinned her against the wall.

The distance between them suddenly shortened, their breaths mingled, and Lin could even feel the heartbeat coming from your chest, steady and strong, yet with a subtle erratic rhythm.

"Lin." Your voice was low and restrained as your fingertips gently traced her cheek. "You are... a different person to me."

As you spoke, you slowly took Lin's hand and placed it on your heart.

In that instant, Lin even felt completely sober. The heartbeat under her palm was so clear and so hot, as if silently declaring some kind of exclusive right.

"Be good, okay, my Lin?" Your sigh brushed against her burning earlobe, and your other hand ruffled her fluffy brown hair. This affectionate gesture carried a hint of taming, yet it miraculously soothed Lin's restlessness.

As Lin nodded vigorously, strands of her hair brushed against your fingers, like a docile pet rubbing against its owner's palm.

Only after the door closed gently did she slowly slide to the floor, pressing the hand that had just touched your heart to her lips, where the warmth of your skin still lingered.

In the corridor, your steps quicken, and you look down at your chest where Lin had just touched you; the cold lines of her hand still remain on the fabric.

A self-deprecating smile involuntarily crept onto his lips. He was truly insane, actually trying to appease a drunkard in this way.

But what's even crazier is...

You're actually enjoying this dangerous pulling.

The windowpane you passed reflected your slightly gleaming eyes. Those who are crazy in love are like moths drawn to a flame, knowing they will be burned but still going forward without hesitation.

And you only need to occasionally offer a little warmth, which is enough to make them burn with passion.

You know you're already caught in an emotional vortex from which you can't escape, but what can you do about it?

—Wasn't all of this something they did willingly?

A soft laugh echoed through the night, then quickly subsided. The figure disappeared at the end of the corridor, leaving behind only the lingering ambiguity of the room, and in another room... a girl still gazing intently at her palm, as if trying to etch the remaining warmth into her very bones.

Chapter 128 The King's Game (5)

Dawn in Sunagakure always brings fine sand, and golden sunlight shines through the yellow sand, casting dappled light and shadow on the earthen buildings.

Gaara huddled on the wall outside the Kazekage's office building, like an abandoned little animal, his wide collar covering half his face, revealing only his dark circles and deep blue eyes.

Five-year-old Gaara was used to such mornings, alone and unnoticed.

He could hear the hurried footsteps and hushed conversations of the ninjas below and knew that something big was happening in the village today.

The ninjas' waist-mounted ninja tools clattered together, their expressions a mixture of tension and excitement.

"I heard that the Akatsuki's 'Tanuki' came to Sunagakure in person?" A young ninja lowered his voice, his eyes shining with admiration.

“Of course! I heard that this time they’re discussing with the Kazekage how to control the core power of the Land of Wind?” Another older ninja looked around warily, lowering his voice even further. “I just can’t stand those nobles. If we could control the Land of Wind, our lives would be much easier.”

Gaara's pupils contracted slightly. "Tanuki?" He murmured the name to himself, a cold smile playing on his lips.

So what if he's powerful? He thought of his father Rasa's perpetually cold face, the villagers' fearful retreat when they saw him, and Yashamaru's dying words, "No one loves you." Hatred coiled around his heart like a venomous snake.

"If I kill that raccoon dog, my father will be in great pain, won't he?" This thought flashed through Gaara's mind, making his fingertips tremble with excitement.

The sand flowed silently around him, as if responding to his distorted expectations.

The midday sun scorched the desert like a furnace, and Gaara used the sand as cover to lie in ambush on a high ground outside the village.

Shukaku inside him suddenly became restless, and this unusual reaction made Gaara frown.

"Quiet down, monster," he hissed inwardly.

"Kid, you'd better not make any rash moves." Shukaku's voice carried a rare warning. "The people who came today are not people you can mess with."

Gaara curled his lip in disdain; he didn't care about Shukaku's warning.

In the distance, a caravan of carriages slowly approached. Kazekage Rasa, along with Granny Chiyo and other village leaders, were already lined up at the village entrance, waiting for them.

The villagers also gathered on both sides of the road, curiously standing on tiptoe to look, all wanting to catch a glimpse of the powerful minister who had become the most troublesome figure in the five major countries in just one year.

The carriage stopped, and the first thing to step out was a black boot, followed by a long robe with red clouds and a black background.

You stepped off the carriage wearing a raccoon mask, then gracefully reached out to help Lin and Xiao Nan down from behind.

Although there were only three people, their uniform Akatsuki attire and the oppressive aura emanating from their leader made the air seem to freeze.

Gaara, hiding behind the sand dunes, suddenly felt a sense of suffocation. The chakra surrounding the masked woman was so thick that it was almost visible to the naked eye, as deep as the night and as sharp as a blade.

What shocked him even more was that Shukaku inside him was trembling. This monster, which usually looked down on him, was now too terrified to speak.

"This...this is Tanuki?" Gaara's breathing quickened, not from fear, but from excitement. A being that could frighten Shukaku...if he could kill such a person...

Just as Luo Sha was about to step forward to exchange pleasantries, an unexpected event occurred.

Gaara manipulates the sand, sending it hurtling towards you like a storm. The sand grains condense into sharp spears in the air, and the villagers scream in terror as they scatter and flee.

"Watch out!" Xiao Nan quickly activated her paper magic defense.

Luo Sha's expression changed drastically. "Stop him!"

But none of the Sand Village ninjas dared to step forward. Who didn't know that Gaara was a human weapon? Those ninjas who had tried to discipline him became bloodstains on the sand.

As the sandstorm subsided, everyone gasped in shock. Gaara was being held by the back of his collar with one hand, like a disobedient kitten.

The boy struggled desperately, the sand swirling wildly around him, yet unable to get any closer to you.

"The One-Tailed Jinchuriki?" Your voice came through the mask, deep and magnetic, raising Gaara to eye level with you. His Sharingan scrutinized the child with eyes full of hatred through the holes in the mask.

Gaara suddenly opened his mouth, his sharp fangs biting hard into your forearm. Blood slid down your fair skin, blooming into dark red flowers on the sand.

"Lord Tanuki!" Lin exclaimed, trying to step forward, but was stopped by Xiao Nan.

Beneath the mask, you didn't even flinch, quietly waiting for Gaara to relent. When the boy looked up, blood still stained the corner of his mouth, his eyes filled with confusion. Why didn't this person cry out in pain? Why wasn't he angry? Why wasn't he afraid of him?

To everyone's surprise, you reached out your other hand and gently ruffled Gaara's messy red hair, the movement so tender, as if you were stroking a frightened little animal.

"Was it fun?" you asked softly, your voice so soft that only Gaara could hear it.

This simple action and question acted like a key, suddenly unlocking the most hidden drawer in Gaara's memory.

He remembered that Yashamaru used to ruffle his hair like that, before his mother died because of him;

Thinking back to much earlier times, perhaps when he was just born, someone had treated him with the same tenderness.

The villagers' whispers reached his ears: "Monster...son of misfortune...why didn't he die on the battlefield..."

But the sounds suddenly seemed distant, and Gaara felt his eyes welling up. He quickly lowered his head, not wanting anyone to see his expression.

Your palm is still resting in his hair, the warmth passing through the hair to his scalp, both unfamiliar and comforting.

“Lord Kazekage,” you turned to Rasa, your voice regaining its businesslike calm, “it seems we need to take care of some…family matters first?”

Rasa's face turned ashen, but he couldn't lash out in front of everyone, so he could only nod stiffly. Granny Chiyo watched this scene thoughtfully, a complex emotion flashing in her old eyes.

You gently put Gaara down, but didn't let go of his hand. The boy's hands were small and cold, with rough calluses on his palms from years of manipulating sand.

Gaara looked up at the mysterious tanuki mask, and for the first time, he wanted to know what kind of face was behind it.

The sand settled down at Gaara's feet, and Shukaku remained silent within him. Gaara looked down at their clasped hands and, for the first time, felt that the scorching sun of Sunagakure could be less unbearable.

So this is what it feels like to be treated with kindness?

Steam rose from the guesthouse bathroom, water droplets slowly sliding down the stone wall. You half-squatted in front of Gaara, gently wiping the boy's dust-covered cheeks with a damp towel in your hand.

The towel was made of the finest silk. "Don't move," your voice came through the mask, carrying an undeniable tone.

Gaara stood stiffly, his deep blue eyes wide open, as if both fear and anticipation were present. He had never been touched so closely before, except by those who wanted to kill him.

The warm water washed away the sand, revealing her originally fair skin. Her cheeks, which had been covered by sand for years, looked surprisingly delicate, and a few light freckles on her nose made her look exceptionally youthful.

When you touched the word "love" on his forehead, your fingers paused slightly.

"What an adorable child!" Lin exclaimed in surprise as she stood to the side, her hands folded over her chest, her eyes shining with maternal love.

Xiao Nan leaned against the door frame, a rare smile playing on her lips, as paper flowers silently bloomed at her fingertips.

Gaara's ears turned slightly red, and he awkwardly turned his face away. Being praised as "cute" was a strange experience. The sand around his feet flowed uneasily, but no longer seemed aggressive.

He secretly glanced up and glimpsed your jawline through the gap in your mask—fair, sharp, yet unusually soft due to your current movement.

"Your name?" You let go of his hand, tossed the dirty towel back into the basin, and ripples spread across the water, reflecting Gaara's awkward expression.

He stole a glance at the raccoon mask on your face, then suddenly mustered his courage and said, "Take off the mask and I'll tell you."

The air seemed to freeze for a moment. Xiao Nan and Lin exchanged a glance, only to see that you had already swiftly and decisively untied the ribbon.

The mask was casually placed on the table, making a slight "click" sound.

Gaara's eyes widened. The girl before him had a cold and beautiful face, and her dark eyes were like an abyss that could devour all light.

Your beauty has sharp edges, making people hesitant to approach you, yet irresistibly drawn to touch you.

"Gaara, that's my name," he whispered, his fingers unconsciously gripping the hem of his clothes. This name carried too much pain; "the Asura who only loves himself" was both a curse and a shackle.

Your expression remained unchanged, as if the name were nothing out of the ordinary. "I understand. You should get some rest." You put your mask back on and turned to leave.

Gaara was suddenly tugged at the hem of his clothes. He didn't know why it was happening, but as he saw the figure about to leave, a strange panic welled up in his chest. "Where are you going?"

You sighed, put one hand on your hip and turned around. Before Gaara could react, a sharp flick landed on his forehead. "Of course, I'm here to do something important."

The gesture was too intimate, so intimate that Gaara covered his reddened forehead, at a loss for what to do. He should have been furious, like he would crush anyone who tried to touch him with sand.

But at this moment, the sand lay quietly dormant inside the gourd, as if it too had been tamed by that hand. "Then...then can you take me with you?"

Konan frowned slightly. "This is not appropriate." Her gaze swept over Gaara's dark circles under his eyes, recalling the information about this "humanoid weapon" in the intelligence report.

"Go ahead if you want," you said, already walking toward the door, your tone as casual as if you were agreeing to an ordinary request.

Gaara's eyes lit up instantly, and he hurriedly followed, almost tripping over his own robe.

When the doors to the conference hall were pushed open, all the high-ranking officials of Sunagakure shot their gazes like arrows. When they saw the red-haired boy following behind the three, the air froze instantly.

"Gaara! Who told you to—" Rasa slammed his fist on the table and stood up, his angry expression sending chills down the spines of everyone present.

“Lord Kazekage,” your voice was soft, but it stopped Rasa’s roar abruptly, “He’s just a child, there’s no need to get so angry.” You walked straight to the head seat reserved for the guests.

Gaara stood there, feeling countless gazes cutting into his skin like knives, until he noticed a council ninja sitting next to him.

A feeling he'd never experienced before suddenly welled up inside him. He strode over, staring intently at the other person. "Move aside, I want to sit here!"

The council ninja looked at Rasa with a troubled expression, whose face turned ashen, and the entire conference room fell silent.

"Didn't you hear me tell you to move aside?" Your fingers tapped lightly on the table, each tap feeling like a blow to everyone's nerves. The Jonin almost jumped up, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

Gaara experienced the thrill of "borrowing the tiger's might" for the first time. His father's furious face was distorted in his vision, while the council ninja who always glared at him like he was a monster was now slinking away from his seat.

He sat down as he wished, his small body sinking into the large chair, yet surprisingly not looking out of place, while Lin and Xiao Nan sat on his other side.

The meeting lasted for two hours. On everyone's tense faces, the high-ranking officials of Sunagakure remained silent, their gazes shifting back and forth between you and the Kazekage, Rasa.

With one hand supporting your chin, your fingertips lightly tap the table, the rhythm slow and unhurried, as if this negotiation is nothing more than a pastime in your spare time. Finally, you speak—"I can promise to provide Sunagakure with supplies unconditionally."

As soon as he finished speaking, the air in the entire conference hall suddenly froze.

The village of Sunagakure lacks resources the most. The daimyo and nobles of the Land of Wind are stingy and arrogant, and they look down on ninjas. Even though Sunagakure is one of the five great ninja villages, it has suffered from a lack of resources for many years.

Now, the conditions you've proposed are like rain in the desert, irresistible.

However, no one dared to agree easily.

Because he was a "raccoon dog," the most mysterious and powerful minister in the Akatsuki organization, he became a figure who struck fear into the hearts of the five great nations within just one year.