Naruto Immersive Replay, The Curse of the Sharingan

They possess the Uchiha bloodline, yet it is considered an ominous taboo, not officially recognized, and they are not even allowed to use the Uchiha surname.

Since then, she has been secretly placed in the Konoha Orphanage, under the tight and continuous surveillance of Root, becoming a deliberately forgotten yet impossible to truly forget existence.

Kakashi encountered her several times by chance while carrying out various missions.

Each time, the girl left him with the same deep impression: gloomy, dark, and indifferent.

Like a plant growing in absolute shadow, pale and quiet, yet exuding a sharp aura that keeps strangers away, her very existence is a huge mystery and secret.

He unknowingly stopped on a large tree not far from the orphanage, the dense foliage perfectly concealing his figure.

Kakashi's gaze passed through the fence and landed on the familiar courtyard. He didn't expect to see anything; it was just some inexplicable habit, or rather, a deep-seated vigilance that prompted him to come and check his surroundings.

"The third time this month."

A cool, calm voice, even with a hint of childishness, suddenly pierced the tranquility around him, pinpointing him precisely to his alert nerves.

Kakashi's muscles tensed instantly, and almost instinctively he turned around, his right hand already on the hilt of the short sword behind his back.

Although his Sharingan wasn't activated on its own, his intuition, honed through years of battle, was frantically warning him—someone had silently intruded into the range of his absolute perception!

When he saw who was behind him, all his vigilance turned into a moment of stunned silence and disbelief.

You were standing a few steps away, wearing a slightly oversized old outfit, faded from washing, yet exceptionally clean.

A gentle evening breeze stirred your dark hair and wide trousers. You tilted your head slightly, your renowned dark eyes fixed on him without blinking.

What kind of eyes are those?

Kakashi had seen it before, but each time, it felt as if he was being struck by its unfathomable depths for the first time.

It is neither the innocent clarity of a child nor the weariness and confusion of an adult after experiencing the vicissitudes of life.

It is an ultimate 'emptiness', a pure black stripped of all emotions and impurities, eerily calm, as if it can absorb all light and sound, dragging people's gaze and thoughts into a silent abyss.

Under such scrutiny, no secret can hide, and any excuse seems pale and laughable.

When did you appear? How did you appear? With his strength, he didn't even notice!

You completely ignored the shock, wariness, memories, and indescribable complex emotions surging in Kakashi's eyes.

He simply repeated the question, his voice as flat as a taut string, "Every time you observe me here, you do nothing. What exactly do you want?"

Kakashi loosened his grip on the hilt of his sword slightly, but his inner tension tightened even more.

He paused for a moment. The discipline of the roots was ingrained in his bones; he shouldn't say more, but looking into those eyes, the official explanation of "just passing by" or "carrying out official business" seemed particularly powerless.

He even had the absurd illusion that any lie would be instantly exposed in front of those dark eyes.

Perhaps it was the pressure from the strange rumors about your birth, or perhaps it was this unusual, almost provocative calm, that made Kakashi find himself speaking up to explain, his voice muffled through his mask.

“It was an order from the Root.” He paused, then added, as if drawing a line, or as if convincing himself, “I didn’t mean to disturb your life.”

As soon as the words left his mouth, he realized how abnormal his behavior was. He, Kakashi Hatake, an elite member of the Anbu, had subconsciously offered an explanation in front of a little girl from an orphanage.

After you listened, your face showed no change in expression, neither fear nor curiosity, as if the words "roots" were no different from the fact that the weather was nice today.

You merely tilted your head slightly, your gaze sweeping over Kakashi's striking silver hair and the mask that covered most of his face, before finally settling back into his eyes.

The gaze was tangible, carrying a cold, scrutinizing quality that made Kakashi feel a strange pressure, as if he were the one being evaluated and monitored.

"Have you finished observing?" you ask, your tone devoid of emotion, neither a dismissal nor an invitation, but simply a pure inquiry.

Kakashi was speechless for a moment.

Instead of waiting for his reply, you turned away and walked towards the drab building of the orphanage.

His steps were light, almost inaudible on the grass, his back was slender and straight, yet he exuded a sharp and aloof aura.

Kakashi breathed a barely audible sigh of relief only after the small black figure had completely disappeared into the shadows of the porch.

He realized that he had been holding his breath without even noticing, and a bead of cold sweat was slowly sliding down his forehead, seeping into the edge of his mask.

The evening breeze carries the moist air of the Namka River and the scent of the distant forest.

The last rays of the setting sun dyed the sky a poignant orange-red, reflecting off the silent river and the quiet outline of the orphanage, creating a scene so beautiful it was almost melancholic.

But Kakashi only felt a chill creeping up his spine.

He recalled Shisui's question—"What's so special about that orphan?"

Special? More than just special.

The taboo of living, a walking enigma, your very existence is a dark fragrance carried in the fresh air, unnoticed at first, but deeply penetrating the lungs upon second whiff.

With its morbid allure that tempts and corrupts, it makes people unknowingly lose themselves and sink deeper and deeper into its allure during the process of exploration.

Kakashi suppressed the turmoil in his heart and glanced once more at the closed back door of the orphanage.

Next week's spring outing escort mission will probably not be as simple as Shisui imagined.

He turned and left, his figure quickly disappearing into the deepening twilight.

Behind him, the curtains of a window on the second floor of the orphanage moved almost imperceptibly.

Behind the gap in the curtains, a pair of calm, unwavering black eyes silently watched the direction he had gone, until that silvery figure completely disappeared at the end of the road.

Inside the window, you slowly lower your head and open your palm. On your fair palm, a few faint, almost invisible red lines appear and disappear quickly.

My palms are clasped together, and my fingertips feel slightly cool.

That silver-haired ANBU... In his eyes, besides the mission and vigilance, there seemed to be something else, fragments of the past.

You walk to the old bronze mirror in the room and gaze at the pale, delicate, yet lifeless face reflected in it.

“Root surveillance…” you murmured.

The mirror's smooth surface cannot reflect the chaotic sea of ​​memories in my heart, nor the bloody curse that lingered at the beginning of my destiny.

But there's one thing you're sure of.

A spring outing might actually be interesting.

Especially when the guards assigned to watch over you arrive.

The corners of your lips, very slowly, curved into a tiny, almost non-existent arc.

There was no smile in the curve, only an almost naive yet chillingly inquisitive desire to explore.

As soon as Shisui stepped into the clan's territory, he saw that familiar figure. Itachi Uchiha was carefully carrying Sasuke, who was already a little sleepy-eyed, and slowly walking towards him.

"Itachi!" Shisui smiled and quickly stepped forward.

Itachi looked up at the sound and saw Shisui. His cool and aloof expression softened instantly, revealing obvious joy.

"Shisui-nii." He responded softly, and Sasuke in his arms rubbed his eyes, looked at Shisui curiously, and called out in a soft voice, "Shisui-nii-san."

"Sasuke has grown quite a bit taller again." Shisui gestured with a smile, and the little guy seemed a bit shy, burying his face in his brother's shoulder.

Itachi gently patted his younger brother's back and looked at Shisui. "Shisui-nii, you seem to be very busy lately?"

“Yes,” Zhishui nodded, his smile fading slightly. “I took on another mission today. I won’t be in the clan’s territory next week, so I’ll have to trouble you to take care of some things in the clan.”

Despite their youth, Shisui and Itachi have already shouldered responsibilities beyond their years.

"Yes, it's what I should do." Itachi's answer was as calm and reliable as ever.

He keenly noticed a trace of contemplation between Zhi Shui's brows, different from usual. It wasn't just the fatigue from the mission, but more like a curiosity and confusion entangled by something invisible.

Shisui hesitated for a moment, but couldn't suppress the question that had been lingering in his mind since he left Root. He lowered his voice and asked, "By the way, Itachi, do you know that girl named Nagi at the Konoha orphanage?"

Itachi's gaze shifted slightly. Shisui had suddenly asked about an unknown orphan, and considering the mission he had just mentioned, Itachi almost immediately connected the two.

He hesitated for a moment before replying, "I've heard of her, but I don't know much about her. My father seems to mention her occasionally. As far as I know..." He paused, making sure no one was paying attention, before whispering, "She has Uchiha blood in her veins."

"Still a member of the clan..." Zhishui murmured, his curiosity not only not lessened, but instead spread even wider, like the ripples on a lake after a stone was thrown in.

Why would a child with Uchiha blood be abandoned in an orphanage and even become someone requiring special 'care' from the Root and Anbu?

Kakashi's enigmatic attitude has been given a vague explanation, but it has also brought more mysteries.

Seeing Shisui deep in thought, Itachi quietly suggested, "Tomorrow is Sunday. The Konoha Orphanage is open to the public briefly at this time every week, allowing visits. If you're really curious, we might be able to go and take a look."

The suggestion immediately caught Zhi Shui's eye. "Great!" he agreed right away. "Thank you for solving another problem for me."

He instinctively wanted to ruffle Itachi's hair, but seeing that Itachi was still holding Sasuke in his arms, he smiled and gave up.

At this moment, Sasuke, who had been listening obediently to their conversation, perked up immediately upon hearing the words "go outside" and "take a look." He tugged at Itachi's sleeve and shook it gently, his bright black eyes filled with anticipation. "Nii-san, I want to go too! Take me with you!"

Before Itachi could answer, Shisui smiled and agreed for him, "Alright, alright, let's take our little Sasuke with us. We're just going to take a look anyway, and it might be more lively with more people." He liked this lively little guy who was so attached to his older brother.

Itachi looked at his younger brother's longing face, then at Shisui, and finally nodded quietly, "Mm."

Sasuke was happy wherever he went as long as he was with his brother. He immediately waved his little arms contentedly, and his sleepiness had long since disappeared.

Chapter 225·Rainy Day

On Sunday morning, a light drizzle began to fall.

The fine rain, like smoke and mist, enveloped the entire leafy area in a hazy moisture. The air was filled with the fresh scent of damp earth and plants, yet also carried a lingering chill.

The courtyard of the Konoha Orphanage was more deserted and quiet than usual, with most of the children hiding under the eaves or in their rooms, avoiding the unexpected spring rain.

Only under that cherry blossom tree that always seemed somewhat frail, a figure still sat alone on that old bench.

You sit there quietly, letting the cold rain soak your messy black hair. Strands of hair stick to your pale cheeks and neck, bringing a damp and cold touch, but you seem completely unaware.

With his head tilted slightly back, his eerie, calm black eyes gazed at the gray sky and the fine, continuous rain.

Raindrops slid down your eyelashes like silent tears, yet they couldn't stir the slightest ripple in your eyes.

All the sounds around you—the rustling of raindrops hitting the leaves, the faint sounds of children playing in the distance—seem very far away.

You are immersed in your own world, a realm that others cannot reach or understand.

I have a strange premonition, something I can't quite explain, just a vague yet strong intuition that today you will encounter someone... a special being.

Is it an entanglement of fate? Or a variable in life? You don't know who it will be, nor what it means, but that premonition is like an undercurrent, quietly surging in the dead silence of your heart.

The cold rain continued to fall, soaking my clothes.

It brought a deeper chill, but you remained motionless, like a pale sculpture forgotten in the rain.

Suddenly, the raindrops falling on me disappeared.

A shadow fell, blocking the fine rain. Your long eyelashes trembled slightly, and you raised your head.

A transparent umbrella, like a pure crystal dome, opened up a rainless sky above my head.

The boy holding the umbrella squats down beside you, his face bearing a cautious yet undisguised smile of concern.

When he saw you completely soaked by the rain, a clear pang of heartache flashed in his eyes, but he tried his best to make his tone sound light and natural, "Last time... you said I disturbed your sightseeing."

"Dou" refers to the time he tried to shield you from the rain with his body, but you silently refused.

"I used a transparent umbrella this time, so... it shouldn't bother you." His voice was gentle, with the clear and bright quality unique to young people, yet it was slightly tense due to nervousness.

You didn't speak, but stared at him quietly for a long time, your gaze seemingly able to penetrate the transparent umbrella and see directly into his heart.

Dou's heart was pounding uncontrollably under your gaze; he could almost hear the rapid drumming in his chest. He forced himself to remain calm and not look away.

Finally, you turn your gaze back to the distant rain curtain, tacitly acknowledging its presence and the umbrella.

He took a quiet breath, trying to calm his heart, which was pounding in his throat.

Dou held the umbrella carefully, adjusting the angle to ensure the rain wouldn't splash on you, while most of his shoulder was exposed outside the umbrella and quickly got soaked.

A strange silence fell between them, broken only by the soft patter of raindrops on the umbrella.

"Nagi-chan," Kabuto hesitated for a moment, then couldn't help but speak softly, breaking the silence, "Why... do you always like watching rainy days?"

He asked the question that had been on his mind for a long time. He had seen it many times, whether it was a drizzle or a downpour, you always seemed to have a special...focus on the rain.

You remained silent, as if you hadn't heard his question. Your profile, framed by the transparent umbrella and the hazy rain, possessed an almost ethereal beauty, yet also a cold indifference that kept people at a distance.

It seems that Dou has long been used to your 'read but not replied' attitude.

He didn't feel embarrassed or discouraged; instead, he felt a strange sense of satisfaction. At least now he could be close to you, hold an umbrella for you, and watch the rain with you.

So he stopped talking, and just quietly squatted down beside you, holding up the transparent umbrella, and together you looked at the world blurred by the rain.

The raindrops, like threads, connect heaven and earth, weaving a tranquil space around you that belongs only to the two of you.

The fresh, moist air was filled with an indescribable atmosphere, a mixture of faint sadness and subtle happiness.

Meanwhile, in the Uchiha clan's territory.