Naruto Immersive Replay, The Curse of the Sharingan

There was no joy, no relaxation, not even a trace of doubt.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's fingertips tapped the table unconsciously, making a rhythmic, soft sound. He observed you, weighing his options carefully, and finally threw out the real bargaining chip he had been thinking about for a long time.

"Uchiha Nagi, your abilities and talents... it would be a waste to keep you in an ordinary family, and it would also make you more likely to attract covetousness. I formally invite you to join the Anbu."

He leaned forward slightly, his tone carrying a hint of seduction and promise, "As long as you join the Anbu and become a sharp blade directly under the Hokage, then the entire Konoha leadership will be your support."

"At that time, neither the Root nor any other force will dare to touch you easily, let alone try to control you like before. You will gain true freedom and power."

A brief silence fell over the office, with only the smoke slowly rising.

You weren't immediately swayed by this seemingly promising prospect, but you didn't reject it outright either.

After a few seconds of silence, you slowly said, "I can consider it."

There was no excitement, no gratitude; it was simply taken into consideration as an option to be taken into account.

This composure and rationality beyond his years made Hiruzen feel that sense of being out of control rise again in his heart.

But at least you didn't refuse, which is a good start.

To further comfort and compensate you for the fright you suffered, or perhaps to make up for some of your guilt, Hiruzen softened his tone and asked.

"This incident must have been frightening for you. As compensation, you can make one request. As long as it's reasonable, Konoha will try its best to fulfill it. Is there anything you want?"

Compensation? You seemed slightly surprised by the word, tilting your head as if in thought.

You don't really have anything you particularly want; you can acquire power yourself, and you can seek knowledge yourself...

In that instant, a strange echo flashed through my mind of Sakura's unconscious murmur in her sleep last night: "...a big house...a villa with a garden...I wish it were like that..."

The pink-haired girl's vague words of dreaming about a better life echo clearly in your ears now.

So, under Hiruzen Sarutobi's expectant gaze, you clearly stated your request: "A villa."

"..." Hiruzen Sarutobi clearly hadn't expected such a simple yet somewhat abrupt request.

He paused for a moment, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

He anticipated you might want high-level ninja tools, forbidden technique scrolls, or even the lifting of some seals... but he never expected it to just be a house?

But he quickly returned to normal.

Although I don't understand its meaning, this request is indeed within a "reasonable range" and can even be said to be easily met.

“Okay.” Hiruzen nodded in agreement. “I will have someone arrange a quiet and comfortable place to stay as soon as possible.”

"Thank you." You said your thanks in a formulaic way, your voice still revealing no emotion.

The conversation seemed to be over. You nodded slightly and stood up, leaving the Third Hokage alone at his desk. Smoke began to swirl around him again, and his gaze became deep and complex.

The news spread like wildfire, quickly reaching the Haruno family.

When Haruno Chizuru and Haruno Mebuki learned that the Hokage had compensated them with a villa because of them, the two could hardly believe their ears!

Overwhelmed with immense surprise and unbelievable joy, this ordinary family was instantly overwhelmed.

"Oh my god... a villa? Really? Am I dreaming?" Yachui covered her mouth, her eyes welling up with tears. They had worked diligently for so many years and never dared to imagine that they could live in such a house.

Haruno Chōya rubbed his hands together excitedly, his face beaming with a simple yet excited smile. "Great! Great! Now the children will have more space! It's all...it's all thanks to Nagi!"

In their excitement, the couple instinctively wanted to give you a grateful hug, but seeing how out of place it was with the warm atmosphere, they quickly restrained themselves. The child seemed to dislike physical contact.

But Sakura is different.

The pink-haired girl was overwhelmed by the unexpected good news. Joy surged up like the bubbles of champagne, making her want to embrace the whole world.

And the person she most wants to share this joy with is you, the one who brought it all together.

"Really? Are we really going to have a big villa?" Sakura's eyes sparkled, filled with pure joy.

She flew to your side like a happy little bird, completely forgetting the invisible boundary you usually drew.

She naturally and affectionately wrapped her arms around your slender shoulders, and then, driven by extreme excitement, made an even bolder move.

Sakura turned her head and gave you a quick kiss on your pale, jade-like left cheek.

It has a soft touch and carries her unique fresh scent, like flower petals gently brushing against the ice.

"I dreamt I was planting flowers in a big villa yesterday, and I never imagined I'd be moving today!" Sakura's voice was filled with joy as she gently shook your arm. "Nagi! I love you so much!"

In an instant, time seemed to be paused.

Your body stiffens very briefly, and the skin on your left cheek, which has been intimately touched, feels as if it has been branded with a hot iron, but the heat is not uncomfortable.

Instead, it spread to every part of the body at an astonishing speed, eventually converging at the heart, stirring up a strange and burning shiver.

But his strong self-control quickly suppressed these outward emotions.

Almost instantly, your expression returned to its usual indifference, "...Sakura."

"Hmm? What's wrong?" Sakura was still immersed in immense joy, looking up at you with her emerald green eyes like the purest gemstones, without a trace of gloom.

Looking into those eyes, the words that were about to spill from my tongue froze on my tongue.

I want to present you with all the best things in the world.

I want you to smile like that only at me forever.

I want to hide you away, so that only I can see you.

These dark and paranoid thoughts were completely suppressed.

Being too direct and impatient might scare her away, right?

Take it slow, let things flow gently, let her get used to your presence, let her depend on you, until she... can never leave you again.

So you just shook your head slightly and looked away, "It's nothing, I just wanted to call your name."

"Huh? Hehe, call me whatever you want!" Sakura chuckled, completely unaware of anything amiss, and soon skipped off to discuss moving with her parents.

You stand still, your gaze following Sakura's lively figure, your fingertips unconsciously brushing lightly across your left cheek where you were just kissed, where the soft touch and warmth still linger.

Suddenly, I realized that if I gave Sakura all the best things, she might always have that happy smile on her face.

Everyone started packing their luggage, and the room felt busy yet cozy.

Soon, a polite knock sounded on the door.

"Who could it be at this time?" Meibuki wondered as she walked over and opened the door.

When the door opened, she froze.

A large group of people stood outside the door!

Kabuto pushed up his glasses, a gentle smile on his face, while Naruto tried his best to put on his most obedient expression, his bright blue eyes wide open.

"Hello, Auntie! We're Nagi-chan and Sakura's friends. We heard you were moving, so we came to help!"

Kakashi Hatake leaned lazily against the door frame, Shisui stood a little behind him, and Itachi stood quietly beside Shisui, his expression as calm as ever, but his gaze skipped over Mebuki the moment the door opened and landed precisely on a certain spot inside the room.

Uchiha Sasuke, on the other hand, crossed his arms, looking visibly annoyed, and turned his face away as if he were merely being forced to pass by.

A little further away, Hinata Hyuga blushed slightly, looking somewhat shy, while Neji Hyuga stood beside her, his expression indifferent yet carrying a hint of barely perceptible inquiry.

What... what kind of lineup is this?! When did you guys make so many... friends?!

Haruno Meibuki felt like she was being melted by the cuteness of these high-value and seemingly well-behaved children.

"Oh, is that so! Thank you so much! But... the house is a bit small, so please make do for now." She quickly stepped aside from the doorway.

One by one, the group went inside, making the already cramped living room feel even more crowded.

Almost simultaneously, everyone's gaze fell upon you and Sakura, who were standing together packing their things.

Although your face still wore your signature indifferent expression, those present, who were paying more or less attention to you, could keenly sense that you seemed to be surrounded by a subtle aura of pleasure.

Is it because you're moving to a new house?

Or is it because of... the pink-haired girl chattering happily beside you?

You, the center of attention, seemed completely oblivious, merely glancing indifferently at this group of uninvited 'helpers' before continuing to silently organize the few comic books belonging to Sakura in your hands.

Naruto Uzumaki was the first to react; his simple mind only saw this as a good opportunity to show off!

He dashed up to you in a flash, his face beaming with an excessively bright smile, and reached for the Sakura manga books in your hands. "Nagi-chan! Let me help you with this! I'm very strong!"

Almost simultaneously, Kabuto Yakushi stepped forward, his eyes behind his glasses gleaming, a flawless, gentle smile on his face, and his hand also reached for the same stack of books.

"Leave it to me. Naruto is clumsy and might break Nagi's things. I'm very good at organizing books."

Both hands gripped the pitiful stack of comic books simultaneously, neither giving way, secretly competing with each other; their gazes collided in the air, almost sparking.

Caught in the middle, you furrowed your brows slightly and pursed your lips.

These two are so noisy!

Just then, Sakura, like a mother hen protecting her chicks, suddenly stepped in, hands on her hips, blocking your way, and said irritably to the two arguing, "Hey! You two! Stop fighting! Don't make things difficult for Nagi!"

As she spoke, she forcefully pushed a large, heavy-looking cardboard box between Naruto and Kabuto, saying, "There's plenty of work to be done here! You all have a share! Help me move this!"

Naruto and Kabuto looked at the large box, then at you, who was firmly protected behind Sakura and couldn't even touch the hem of her clothes. They had no choice but to reluctantly put down the comic book and resignedly start to move the heavy box.

You are pleased to see someone else take over the trouble, your gaze sweeping indifferently over the other people in the living room.

Uchiha Shisui stepped forward at the opportune moment, a genuinely concerned smile on his handsome face. "Nagi, is there anything else I can help you with? Please don't hesitate to ask."

You glanced up at him and said, "We'll do whatever Sakura tells us to do." The meaning was clear: they would do whatever Sakura arranged.

Shisui's smile froze slightly, and a clear hint of disappointment flashed across his eyes, but he quickly composed himself. "I see... Alright, then I'll go ask Sakura if there's anything she needs to do."

Meanwhile, Kakashi Hatake had already started helping Haruno Mei move the heavy refrigerator in the kitchen, looking very familiar with her, if you ignored the fact that he occasionally slacked off by watching "Icha Icha Paradise".

Seeing this, Shisui and Itachi immediately stepped forward to help.

Uchiha Sasuke was standing alone in the corner furthest from you, arms crossed, with a sour face, clearly still upset about being pushed away last night.

But his gaze was fixed on you, as if glued to you.

Chapter 254 Villa

Hinata Hyuga waited until the strangers had all dispersed and gone about their other business before mustering her courage and taking small steps toward you.

Upon seeing your cool and refined face, her cheeks instantly flushed red, even her fair neck turned pink, and she stammered in a voice barely audible.

"...Nagi, please, please forgive my father...for his offense last time! He, he didn't mean it..." As she spoke, she bowed deeply to you at a ninety-degree angle, her attitude so sincere it was almost humble.

Seeing her like this, you subconsciously reach out your hand, as if to offer a helping hand.

When Hinata saw you extend your pale, slender hand, her heart pounded, and she almost felt flattered, so she immediately grasped it and straightened up with your help.

But after just a moment of contact, Hinata quickly let go as if she had been burned, her ears turning bright red.

She doesn't dare to hope for too much intimacy; just being able to touch you briefly and confirm that you are safe and sound is enough to make her feel incredibly satisfied.

Neji Hyuga stood a step behind. Compared to his cousin's outburst, he appeared much calmer, simply nodding slightly to you and saying in a gentle tone, "We meet again."

Your reaction was extremely bland: a mere "hmm." That was your response, and you showed no further intention of engaging with them.

Neji and Hinata were very in sync; knowing you didn't like noise or too much attention, they stopped bothering you and instead went to Sakura to ask if there was anything they could help with.

All of this was observed by Sasuke, who was hiding in the corner.

Especially your extremely brief yet seemingly tacit interaction with Hyuga Neji, it was like a thorn, piercing Sasuke's heart.

Why? Why does that guy from the Hyuga branch family get this kind of treatment from you... which is different from complete disregard? You don't even need to say much; it's as if you understand each other with just a glance.

Sasuke stared intently at Neji's gentle and humble demeanor, then glanced at his older brothers Itachi and Shisui, whose calm and reliable appearances were...

A sudden discovery struck Sasuke like lightning!

He suddenly realized that you seem to be more tolerant of people who are gentle, humble, and seemingly non-aggressive.

For example, there's Shisui, who always has a gentle smile; Nii-san, who is calm and reliable; and Hyuga Neji, who looks quite respectable.

This discovery clenched Sasuke's heart tightly!

From the very first time you met, he displayed Uchiha-style arrogance, indifference, and a strong possessiveness!

He even yelled at you and tried to forcibly hug you...

Could this be... the root cause of your continued ignoring and even rejecting of him?!

Sasuke's heart was instantly filled with immense regret and panic. He immediately wanted to rush over, trying to change his attitude and approach you in a gentler way...

But I'd barely taken a step when the image of you pushing me away so mercilessly last night, and that profound sense of humiliation, surged back into my mind...