Naruto Immersive Replay, The Curse of the Sharingan

Shisui packed the things she was going to take to the orphanage. Since it was a public visiting day, it wouldn't be right to go empty-handed.

He bought some candy and simple toys suitable for children, carefully packed them in paper bags. Although the mission was secret, he still needed to put on a good show, and it was a way of genuinely bringing some joy to those children.

He walked to the entrance of the corridor, where Itachi and Sasuke were already waiting.

Itachi changed into a dark blue Uchiha clan uniform, exuding a calm demeanor. The little Sasuke beside him was also wearing a smaller version of the same uniform, looking exceptionally cute.

Seeing that what Shisui was carrying was clearly a gift for the children, Itachi nodded slightly.

Sure enough, when it comes to interpersonal relationships, Brother Zhishui is always more thoughtful and meticulous than him.

Sasuke looked at the light rain pattering outside the door, his little brows furrowing unconsciously, a hint of irritation on his rosy face that he himself was unaware of.

This feeling came out of nowhere, making him feel somewhat down.

But deep within this inexplicable restlessness, there was an even stronger premonition, as if some voice in the deepest part of his heart was quietly hinting that he would meet a very important person today.

This was a secret that belonged only to him. He couldn't even clearly describe the feeling in words; it was just a vague yet firm intuition, like a deeply buried seed, eager to sprout after being nourished by today's rain.

Because this premonition brings with it a strong, almost instinctive...repulsion? Or perhaps, a wariness akin to the feeling of having one's possessions touched?

Young Sasuke was too young to understand such complex emotions.

He didn't know what it was, but he subconsciously felt uneasy and a strange possessiveness was beginning to sprout.

He didn't tell anyone, not even Nissan, whom he trusted most.

Many years later, when the trajectory of fate became fully clear, after experiencing endless gains and losses, Uchiha Sasuke stood alone in the pouring rain, recalling that gloomy Sunday morning, remembering that inexplicable anxiety and premonition from his childhood, and only then did he truly understand—

It was never about rejection.

That was a possessiveness imprinted in the deepest part of his soul, a premonition of destiny that had already been sounded even before he had truly met you.

It is something unique to him, an instinctive, extremely subtle yet incredibly strong warning and declaration that arises when it is about to be spied on and approached by the outside world.

"Let's go." Shisui's voice interrupted Sasuke's chaotic thoughts.

Itachi took his younger brother's hand and said, "Mm."

Shisui carried the gifts, Itachi held Sasuke's hand, and the three of them walked into the light rain, heading towards the Konoha Orphanage.

When the three appeared at the entrance of the orphanage's main building, a kind-faced but undeniably tired middle-aged woman came to greet them.

"Welcome to the Konoha Orphanage, all three of you."

The vice dean wore a professional, gentle smile, but when her gaze swept over the striking Uchiha fan crest on Shisui and Itachi's dark blue clan robes, her smile froze almost imperceptibly for a moment, and a barely perceptible hint of tension and apprehension flashed across her eyes.

Although he concealed it very well, he could not escape the keen observation of Shisui and Itachi.

Hearing the commotion, some of the orphanage children who were hiding in the corridor or peeking out of the windows looked curiously at the three extraordinary visitors.

Shisui's gentle and cheerful nature, and Itachi's calm and handsome appearance, made the children's eyes show envy and longing.

When some of the older girls saw Sasuke behind Itachi, who, though young, was already as exquisite as a doll and had a slightly awkward expression on his face, they couldn't help but blush slightly and whisper among themselves.

Sasuke felt uncomfortable under those direct gazes and subconsciously shrank behind Itachi, trying to avoid the troubling stares.

His small brows furrowed, the feeling of being watched intensifying the inexplicable irritation that had been lingering in his mind ever since he left home.

Zhi Shui handed the paper bag full of candy and toys to the vice principal with a warm smile on her face. "It's just a small token of my appreciation. Please share it with the children."

The vice dean quickly accepted the gift, saying, "Thank you so much! The children will be very happy."

After exchanging pleasantries, Shisui casually got to the point, asking in a gentle tone, "Vice Director, if I may ask, is there a child named 'Nagi' in the orphanage?"

"Nagi?" The vice dean's surprise was more obvious this time, but she quickly controlled her expression and regained her composure.

She glanced quickly at the Uchiha clansmen in front of her with a complicated expression, and understood what was going on.

Although Nagi's identity is special and sensitive, she does have Uchiha blood flowing through her veins, so it's not entirely unexpected that her clansmen would come to inquire.

The vice dean hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded. "Yes, there is indeed such a child." He didn't say anything more about you, but simply gestured to the side, "Please come with me."

The vice-director led the three of them away from the bustling area where the children usually played, and instead turned onto a quieter path behind the orphanage.

The sound of rain was particularly clear here, and the surrounding scenery seemed even more desolate.

Finally, they stopped in front of a secluded, old courtyard house that was clearly separated from the other buildings.

The walls here are higher, and the atmosphere is more tranquil, as if isolated from the world.

“Nagi usually… stays in here.” The vice-dean’s tone became somewhat ambiguous, with a hint of evasion. “She doesn’t like being around people, so I won’t lead the way. You can go in and see if you can find her.”

Her words were evasive, clearly indicating her reluctance to step into the courtyard, as if there were some invisible taboo or ominous presence there.

The three exchanged a glance, vaguely guessing what was going on.

The girl named Nagi's situation in the orphanage was probably far more special and...isolated than they imagined.

Zhi Shui nodded slightly and politely thanked her, "Thank you for showing me the way."

After the vice dean left in a hurry as if he had breathed a sigh of relief, the three of them turned their attention back to the quiet courtyard in front of them.

The gate was ajar, and inside seemed to be a small courtyard. Rain dripped from the ancient eaves, forming small puddles on the ground.

Is this where Nagi lives? It doesn't seem quite like the orphanage living environment they imagined.

An atmosphere mixed with curiosity, exploration, and a slight sense of oppression permeated the air.

They gently pushed open the half-closed courtyard gate and stepped into this excessively quiet little world.

Almost at the same moment they stepped into the courtyard, under the cherry blossom tree, you, who were gazing absently at the rain, suddenly had a slight movement in your dark eyes.

You keenly sensed the unfamiliar presence and footsteps behind you, and your premonition came true; a fateful encounter was about to take place.

You slowly turned your head around.

At the same time, Dou, who was holding the umbrella, sensed your movement and the sudden change in your aura, and subconsciously turned his head to look at the intruder.

Thus, this is the scene that Shisui, Itachi, and Sasuke witnessed:

In the fine drizzle, under a cherry blossom tree that was barely blooming, the girl was almost soaked to the bone. Her messy black hair clung to her pale, almost transparent face and neck, making her upturned eyes appear even more strikingly dark.

Beside her, a gray-haired boy holding a transparent umbrella was squatting, looking back at them in surprise. The boy's face showed concern and a gentleness that had not been completely worn away by the world.

But Shisui and Itachi's gazes immediately bypassed the boy and locked onto you.

No confirmation was needed; a strong intuition told them it was you.

His unique temperament was too striking; it wasn't simply gloom or aloofness, but rather a kind of nihilistic indifference.

Rain dripped down your jawline, your gaze unwavering and devoid of any emotion, simply calmly returning the gaze of these three uninvited guests.

Your gaze swept over the three people very slowly.

His gaze lingered briefly on Shisui, whose warm smile and cheerful demeanor were captivating. Then it swept over Itachi, whose handsome face bore deep tear troughs that belied his age. Finally, his eyes settled on the youngest boy, also dressed in Uchiha clan attire, staring at him with wide eyes.

The moment our eyes met——

You feel that, beneath your clothes, the strange curse mark on your collarbone, which you've never shown to anyone since childhood, suddenly begins to heat up, as if awakened by some kind of shared power, burning your skin and bringing a subtle yet clear throbbing sensation.

Sasuke stared at you almost absentmindedly. The rain blurred his vision, but he felt that your image was clearly etched into his eyes.

My heart started pounding inexplicably, and an indescribable, intense sense of resonance coursed through my body like an electric current.

Sasuke wanted to see what was behind the darkness, he wanted... for those eyes to reflect only his own image.

The rain pattered softly, and time seemed to stand still at that moment.

Chapter 226 - Hospitality

A dark and obsessive, morbid and fatalistic bond was quietly formed and spread silently, foreshadowing the beginning of countless entanglements and madness in the future.

Kabuto, holding his umbrella, looked at the three Uchiha clan members who had suddenly appeared, especially the little boy who was staring at him. His eyes narrowed slightly as he felt an unprecedented sense of threat.

"Who are you?" The first to speak was Kabuto Yakushi. He stood up, still holding the transparent umbrella, cleverly blocking you from the three uninvited guests, his eyes filled with obvious vigilance and a hint of barely perceptible hostility.

His tone was polite enough, but his posture was like that of a young dragon guarding a precious treasure.

When Shisui, Itachi, and Sasuke truly approached and clearly saw your full appearance in the rain, the impact was far stronger than when they saw you from afar.

Zhi Shui quickly and perfectly suppressed the complex emotions surging in her heart, and a warm and cheerful smile returned to her face, as if it could dispel the gloom of the rainy day.

He took a step forward, skillfully bypassing the pocket's cover, and his gaze fell on you.

"I am Uchiha Shisui, this is Uchiha Itachi, and this is Sasuke!" He spoke quickly and clearly, then naturally extended his hand to you, as if to offer a friendly handshake. "And you?"

His gaze shifted between you and Dou, finally settling on you.

You didn't move, not even a change in your gaze, but simply answered in that cool, indifferent voice, "Nagi, my name." As if stating an unrelated fact.

The outstretched hand hovered in mid-air. Kabuto immediately stepped forward and took Shisui's hand in your place, his face bearing an impeccable, gentle smile. "I am Kabuto Yakushi, Nagi-chan's 'good friend'."

He deliberately emphasized the words "good friend," as if declaring some kind of ownership.

Their hands touched briefly before separating. Shisui could feel the cool sweat on the boy's palms and the hidden repulsion. He withdrew his hand without showing any emotion, his smile unchanged, as if he didn't care at all.

Your gaze lingered on Dou for a moment, neither acknowledging nor refuting his presumptuous definition of 'good friend'.

In your understanding, the relationship of 'friends' doesn't exist. The definition of 'dou' has no practical meaning for you, so there's no need to correct it.

His gaze returned to the three of them, a calm stare carrying a silent question, as if waiting for them to explain their true purpose.

Shisui guessed that you were the kind of person who absolutely disliked beating around the bush and wasting time, so he summarized his purpose in the most concise language: "I am the ninja who will be protecting you during next week's spring outing, and we are from the same clan. I came here mainly to get to know you."

He omitted the root and only mentioned the guard, trying to make the purpose sound more friendly.

Upon hearing the word "guard," you subconsciously thought of that silver-haired ANBU member, but your expression remained unchanged, and your voice remained calm and even. Your refusal was crisp and decisive, leaving no room for negotiation: "I do not acknowledge anyone as a member of my clan, nor do I need to know them."

Zhi Shui's smile froze slightly. He had anticipated various reactions, but he hadn't expected the other party to reject him so directly and thoroughly, like a piece of ice without any gaps, where any attempt at warmth to approach would be instantly frozen.

He was momentarily speechless, all the prepared words stuck in his throat.

The atmosphere instantly froze in a subtle tension, and the sound of rain seemed to grow louder.

Just then, Itachi, who had been observing silently, spoke up. His voice was calm and gentle, carrying a maturity beyond his years.

"The rain is getting heavier. We apologize for disturbing you, but please allow us to take shelter from the rain. We will leave once the rain stops. Thank you." He did not mention knowing or being from any tribe, but simply made the most practical and difficult-to-refuse request at the moment.

You turned your dark eyes to Itachi, looked at him for a few seconds, and said nothing, neither agreeing nor refusing again in a cold and hard tone.

A moment later, you silently turned around and walked towards the old building in the villa.

This is a silent default.

Dou immediately followed with an umbrella, carefully shielding you from the growing raindrops, while glancing back at the three of you with a complicated expression.

Shisui and Itachi exchanged a glance, both seeing a barely perceptible hint of relief in each other's eyes.

Itachi, holding Sasuke's hand tightly, immediately followed and entered the secluded courtyard building, which was filled with an atmosphere of mystery and solitude.

The first floor is a small living room, with extremely simple, even rudimentary, furnishings. There are only a few old sofas and a low table, but it is very clean, giving off a cold sense of neatness and lacking any sense of life.

The group sat down on the sofa without hesitation, their clothes still damp from the rain.

You didn't look at them much, but walked straight to the wall and lit a dim oil lamp. The flickering light barely dispelled some of the darkness in the room.

He turned silently and walked up the wooden stairs leading to the second floor, his footsteps barely audible.

Dou remained on the first floor. He didn't sit down but leaned against the wall, his gaze occasionally sweeping over the three people on the sofa. His initial wariness seemed to slowly transform into a somewhat complicated calm.

Perhaps it was because he realized that you couldn't be bothered with these people at all, and their arrival didn't seem to stir any ripples in your heart.

Not long after, you came downstairs, carrying a small cloth bag.

Walking to the sofa, in front of Shisui, Itachi, Sasuke, and Kabuto who was leaning against the wall, on the low table in front of each of them, placed a... soldier's ration pill.

The unremarkable military rations lay quietly on the old table.

Shisui, Itachi, and Sasuke were all visibly stunned, somewhat bewildered.

Only Dou, with a knowing yet somewhat helpless smile on his face, skillfully picked up the soldier's ration pill in front of him, but instead of eating it, he carefully put it into a transparent glass bottle that he carried with him.

The glass bottle was already nearly half full of ration pills, clearly indicating that he was a regular here and this wasn't the first time he had received such 'hospitality'.

Seeing Kabuto's actions, Shisui and Itachi immediately reacted.

This is probably the only way of hospitality you can think of, or rather, the only option you can come up with.

In your mind, this might be the best thing you can give.

Sasuke was the first to extend his hand. As the pampered young master of the Uchiha clan, he had seen countless exquisite and delicious snacks and gifts, but this was the first time he had received such a... special welcome.

He picked up the soldier's ration pill, pinching it between his small fingers, his big, dark eyes filled with curiosity and a subtle emotion that even he himself didn't understand.

Itachi watched his younger brother's actions, then glanced at Kabuto's glass bottle containing half a bottle of soldier rations, his eyes flickering slightly.