Naruto Immersive Replay, The Curse of the Sharingan

"Oh dear...did I come at the wrong time?"

You closed your eyes in despair.

Silence returned, broken only by the sound of water dripping from the broken ceiling. Ban had finally released you from your confinement, but the gloom in his eyes remained.

"You're protecting them." This isn't a question.

You rubbed your reddened wrist, avoiding Ban's gaze, "I just don't want to make a big deal out of it."

As he crossed the threshold, Madara turned back for one last look at you, the lines in his Rinnegan slowly rotating. "Tomorrow, let's continue."

You get up and pick up the chibi-style clay doll that Deidara slammed and deformed, and with a wry smile, smooth out its distorted face with your fingers.

What a terrible... experience.

"Madara is back. This is really not good news." Obito's voice came from the side, hoarse and suppressing his anger. Even through that orange swirling mask, you could imagine him gritting his teeth.

Those eyes must have turned back into that familiar, murderous look you know.

"Be careful he doesn't hear you," you whispered a warning.

Obito suddenly turned around, his mask almost touching the tip of your nose. "Are you concerned about me?" he asked, his voice rising.

You rolled your eyes, took a half-step back to create some distance, and said, "Is this something to worry about? How can I break free from his control?"

Your voice was very low, but it couldn't hide the anxiety in it.

A hint of a smile flashed in Obito's eyes. "Looks like you don't like Madara that much after all!"

"Stop making sarcastic remarks and think of a solution." You angrily punched him on the shoulder, the force not heavy but enough to express your dissatisfaction.

This action stunned both of them. Obito's body stiffened for a moment, and your fist stopped in mid-air. A strange sense of familiarity filled the air.

—Years ago, in that dark and damp cave, you also played around like this.

Back then, Obito would blush if you touched him, and you would laugh uproariously at his clumsy jokes.

Without the Akatsuki organization, without the Eye of the Moon Project, without these tangled and complicated emotional entanglements.

Obito's hand suddenly covered your fist, which you hadn't yet retracted, and the warmth of his palm came through the glove. "Leave Akatsuki with me," his voice softened unusually, "go to a place where it's just the two of us."

You looked up at Obito, trying to glean more information from his single eye, but before you could respond, a cold voice cut in from behind.

Where do you want to take her?

Itachi appeared behind you without you even noticing. His black robe with red clouds swayed gently in the wind. His face was calm as usual, but the undercurrent in his Sharingan eyes betrayed his displeasure.

The next second, you feel an irresistible force plundering you.

Your back bumped into Itachi's chest, and you could clearly feel his steady and powerful heartbeat. At the same time, Obito's hand gripped your wrist tightly and refused to let go.

So you ended up sandwiched between the two of them, your chest pressed against Obito's arm and your back against Itachi's chest. This bizarre position made you both ashamed and annoyed.

"What's the difference between your situation and Madara's?" you said through gritted teeth, one hand pressing against Obito's chest and the other against Itachi's arm wrapped around your waist.

Obito and Itachi's gazes both fell on your face at the same time, and that focused stare sent chills down your spine.

Obito's mask was almost touching your forehead, while Itachi's breath was warm and even, blowing into your ear.

The silence lasted for a few seconds, then Itachi's hand suddenly rested on your waist, the pressure just right to make you tremble slightly. "If Yahiko can do it, so can I."

The implication in that sentence makes your ears burn; you certainly know what Itachi is referring to.

Obito chuckled softly, then suddenly rested his chin on your shoulder, his voice filled with mischievous pleasure, "Carrying Madara on my back feels really exciting!"

His lips were almost touching your earlobe, and the heat of his breath made you involuntarily shrink your neck.

You suddenly find the scene absurd and funny, take a deep breath, and do something that leaves both men stunned.

With his right hand, he pinched Itachi's chin, forcing him to look down at him, while his left hand stroked the edge of Obito's mask, his fingertips gently tracing the swirling patterns.

“Fine,” you said with a wicked grin, “I can’t bear to part with any of you.”

This sentence was like a detonating token, shattering an eerie silence.

A muffled laugh came from beneath Obito's mask, while a flicker of surprise flashed in Itachi's eyes, which then transformed into a deeper desire.

“Greedy,” Itachi commented, while letting your fingers linger on his chin.

Obito grabbed your hand that was touching the mask and pressed it against his chest. "Do you know what those words mean, Nagi?"

You certainly know that this means you're getting deeper and deeper into this dangerous relationship, and that you may never be able to escape these tangled emotional shackles.

In their arms, you suddenly don't want to think about anything else.

“It means…” you deliberately drawled, tapping Obito’s mask lightly with your fingertips, “that our mission is going to be late.”

You nimbly slipped between the two of them, Obito and Itachi's hands simultaneously grasping at empty air. They exchanged a glance and then turned their faces away in unison.

Chapter 189 - A Perilous Love (8)

You raise your hand to shield your eyes, squinting as you gaze at the blurry outline of the village in the distance.

"Watch out." Obito suddenly stepped forward, his large body blocking your way. His voice came through the vortex mask, tinged with tension.

Almost simultaneously, an exceptionally violent sandstorm rushed towards you like a giant wave, the sand grains condensing in the air into countless sharp cones, gleaming with a dangerous cold light.

You gently pressed Obito's shoulder and stepped out from behind him, saying, "No need, we're just acquaintances."

The sandstorm abruptly subsided the moment it approached you, like a tamed beast sheathing its fangs. As the dust settled, the figure of a red-haired boy gradually became clear.

Gaara stood atop the sand dune, his dark circles starkly contrasting against his pale face. His emerald green eyes were fixed intently on Obito, the hostility in them almost tangible.

The gourd behind him tilted slightly, and fine sand flowed around it as if it were alive.

"Who are you?" Gaara's voice was much lower than he remembered, but that distinctive hoarseness remained unchanged.

Obito exaggeratedly clutched his chest, then hooked his other arm around yours, practically hanging on you. "I'm Tanuki-sama's favorite man~"

Gaara froze on the spot.

In that instant, he seemed to hear the sound of something shattering, perhaps it was his own reason, or perhaps it was Shukaku roaring wildly within him.

You, who once gave him warmth and taught him the meaning of "bond," now... have someone you like?

You sighed helplessly and pushed Obito's sticky head away. "Don't listen to his nonsense. He's my partner on this mission."

Gaara's tense shoulders relaxed almost imperceptibly, but the gloom in his eyes still lingered.

"Are you taking me to the Akatsuki?" Gaara's voice was soft, but it carried an unmistakable expectation.

He didn't care what Akatsuki was, or that it might be a trap; he only cared whether the person in front of him would disappear again.

You tilt your head, lightly tapping your chin with your fingertip as if in thought, "Yes, would you like to come with me?"

"I am willing."

Gaara answered without hesitation. He stepped forward, suddenly reached out and hugged your waist, burying his face in your chest.

The boy's height was just up to your waist, and this posture made him look like a small animal seeking shelter.

"Hey! Kid! You—" Obito's face under the mask twisted instantly, and the tomoe in his Sharingan spun wildly, almost bulging out of their sockets.

He grabbed Gaara by the back of his collar, trying to tear this arrogant brat off you.

But Gaara's sand automatically formed a barrier, firmly protecting him and you. At the same time, Shukaku roared madly inside Gaara: "You idiot brat, do you know what you're doing?! That's the Akatsuki! They'll take my life!!"

Gaara ignored you, only holding you tighter, his voice muffled as he said, "I'll do anything you say."

You paused slightly, then chuckled softly, ruffling Gaara's red hair with a gentle touch, as if soothing a ruffled cat.

Obito: "..."

Shukaku, inside Gaara's body, screamed wildly, "Do you know how dangerous this is?! You'll die!"

But Gaara paid no heed. To him, being surrounded by your presence again was far more important than Shukaku or the status of a Kazekage candidate.

He greedily inhaled the faint minty scent emanating from you, a scent he had sought countless times in his nightmares.

Obito stood to the side, staring at Gaara's arm around your waist, imagining the scene of him twisting it off with Kamui. Especially when you naturally raised your hand to stroke Gaara's hair, he almost couldn't control his killing intent.

"Hey, have you hugged enough?" Obito forcefully stepped between the two, his displeasure undisguised.

Gaara raised his head, the softness in his eyes vanishing instantly, replaced by icy hostility. "It's none of your business."

"Ha!" Obito spread his hands dramatically. "Kid, do you know who you're talking to?"

You intervene at the opportune moment, saying, "Alright, you two." You place one hand on Gaara's shoulder and the other helplessly press down on Obito's mask, "We should go back."

Obito snorted and reluctantly took two steps back. "Do as you please, but if this brat causes trouble halfway, I won't be responsible."

Gaara watched Obito warily, but his fingers secretly gripped your sleeve.

As if afraid you would suddenly disappear, this subtle movement did not escape your eyes, and you gently squeezed the boy's cold fingers back.

“No way,” you winked at Gaara, “My little panda is the best behaved, isn’t it?”

As Obito watched this scene, the corner of his mouth twitched beneath his mask. He suddenly understood why Sasori always said that Deidara was like a clingy golden retriever.

Isn't this red-haired brat in front of you the same? He's just gone from being a vicious Shukaku Jinchuriki to a pet that only wags its tail at you.

"Let's go." Obito impatiently opened the Kamui dimension.

You took Gaara's hand and led him toward the spatial vortex, and the boy followed without the slightest hesitation.

Shukaku was still roaring madly, but Gaara had shut down his inner voice. At this moment, all he could see was your slender back and your clasped hands.

As Obito walked at the back, watching your backs as you walked hand in hand, he suddenly had an absurd premonition that bringing Gaara back might be the decision he regretted most.

Shukaku's roar grew weaker and weaker, finally turning into a helpless sigh, "So be it... I can't escape anyway..."

Finally, we slowly stepped into the gate of the Akatsuki base. What should have been a half-day journey was tacitly delayed by you and Obito for a full three days.

Fishing in the desert oasis during the day, counting stars by the campfire at night, and occasionally dealing with Gaara's persistent requests to hold hands.

"We're back~" you said lazily, with Obito looking gloomy and Gaara clutching your clothes behind you.

The arguing in the base's main hall abruptly stopped. Naruto was grabbing Deidara by the collar; both of them had blond hair that looked like lion manes and suspicious scratches on their faces.

"I'm clearly the more handsome blond guy!"

"No way! Art is an explosion of gold! Hmm!"

The moment they saw you, the two golden retrievers simultaneously let go of each other, their blue eyes lighting up instantly.

"Sister Tanuki!"

A clear shout interrupted your thoughts, and a boy with golden spiky hair rushed in front of you like a whirlwind, his azure eyes shining brightly.

Behind Naruto, Deidara's blond hair stood on end even more wildly. "Wicked woman! You're finally back! Hmm!"

"Hey, hey, I saw it first!" Naruto blocked your way like a possessive puppy. "Sister Tanuki, I'm the cutest blonde, right?"

Deidara grabbed your arm and shook it, "Don't listen to this brat's nonsense! When are you going to give me an explanation, you wicked woman!" He glared meaningfully at the lingering bite mark on your collarbone.

"It's so noisy." Scorpion stepped out from the Scarlet Amber, his puppet silk gleaming with a cold light. "Everyone stay away from her."

Naruto and Deidara were both grabbed by the back of their collars and thrown against the wall by the puppet. You took the opportunity to pull your arm back, but bumped into Gaara's silent embrace.

The boy was like a stubborn koala, wrapping his arms around your waist and refusing to let go, while Obito's mask made a dangerous "click-click" sound.

A voice came from the shadows. Itachi leaned against the wall, his Sharingan glowing red in the darkness.

Just as you were about to say something, the entire base suddenly shook violently, dust fell from the ceiling, and in the distance came Kakuzu's heartbroken wail, "My chandelier—"

"What's going on?" Itachi appeared beside you in an instant.

Your gaze turned to the spot where Ban should have been sitting, but it was now empty.

"Where's Madara?" you asked, frowning.

Minami's scraps of paper fluttered around her. "They suddenly disappeared three days ago, leaving only the message, 'Tell Nagi, I'll be back soon.'"

A chill suddenly ran down the back of your neck. Ban wasn't the type to disappear without a trace, unless...

There was no wind, no sound, only eternal darkness and floating boulders in the alternate dimension.

Madara stood on a floating platform, the patterns in his Rinnegan slowly rotating as he warily surveyed this realm that belonged to no one.

"Come out." His voice echoed in the void. "You pulled me into this space, but you dare not show yourself?"

A soft laugh came from behind, so faint it seemed like an illusion, yet it made Ban's muscles tense instantly. He turned around abruptly and saw a figure that shouldn't be there.

Otsutsuki Indra stood gracefully on another floating rock, his scarlet Rinnegan identical to Madara's, yet with an added touch of ancient mystery.

"Uchiha Madara." Indra's voice seemed to come from a great distance, or perhaps it resounded directly in his mind, "We have finally met."