Naruto Immersive Replay, The Curse of the Sharingan

His steps froze.

His damn pride and ego prevented him from swallowing his pride.

What should we do then?

Sasuke pressed his lips together anxiously, his gaze sweeping across the crowded living room like that of a trapped beast...

Finally, his gaze settled firmly on the pink-haired girl who was busy running around.

Since you're so close to Sakura Haruno and practically obey her every word, then he'll start with Sakura Haruno!

By getting close to Sakura Haruno, I naturally draw near to you.

This way, you won't seem too calculating or lose face, and you'll have a reasonable excuse to stay by your side...

A new light instantly ignited in Sasuke's beautiful eyes.

He adjusted his expression, trying to suppress his innate arrogance, and walked towards Sakura Haruno, who was struggling to carry a box.

"Hey," he said, his voice trying to be calm, yet still carrying a hint of barely perceptible awkwardness, "Is this... heavy? Do you need... help?"

Seeing Sasuke approach Sakura and even ask if she needed help, your dark eyes narrowed slightly. A vague sense of unease, like an undercurrent, quietly swept through your heart.

Sakura was pleasantly surprised by Sasuke's sudden action. She quickly smiled and said in a clear voice, "Sasuke-kun! That's great! Thank you so much! This box is a bit heavy!"

Without any hesitation, she handed over the heavy cardboard box filled with old toys and odds and ends.

Sasuke took the box, his movements seemingly effortless, but his gaze unconsciously and quickly swept over you not far away.

You had already indifferently looked away the moment he took the box, as if your gaze just now was merely his illusion.

This complete disregard dampened Sasuke's newly built confidence, but he gritted his teeth and told himself that this was only the first step in the plan.

Finally, with everyone's help, mainly Naruto and Kabuto carrying the heavy objects, Kakashi, Shisui, and Itachi handling the technical and physical tasks, and Sasuke... mainly helping Sakura move things, the Haruno family's not much luggage was quickly packed and organized.

Before leaving, Sakura looked back at the small house where she had grown up, a house that, though cramped, was full of memories, and a hint of disappointment flashed in her eyes.

But soon, that sense of loss was replaced by anticipation for the future: a new house, a new environment, new bonds, and... her new family, Nagi!

Thinking of you, Sakura's heart immediately leaped with joy again. She took your hand, "Let's go, Nagi! Let's go to our new house!"

The newly assigned villa is located in the most tranquil area of ​​Konoha, far from the bustling city, and comes with a well-maintained large garden.

The interior decoration and facilities are all top-notch, spacious and bright, a world apart from the slightly cramped little house that Haruno's family had lived in before.

"Wow—! What a huge house!!" Naruto exclaimed dramatically as soon as he entered, his blue eyes wide with amazement. He touched and looked around, "This carpet is so soft! This sofa is so big! And this TV is so big!"

Although Kabuto Yakushi appeared more reserved, his eyes behind his glasses betrayed surprise and a subtle, complex emotion.

The Hokage really went to great lengths to appease you.

Others, however, were more curious about the new environment, while secretly marveling at the level of "importance" the higher-ups placed on them.

Seeing their reactions, Haruno Mebuki's face beamed with satisfaction and gratitude. She clapped her hands. "Sakura, you should treat your and Nagi's friends well. Mom's going to the kitchen to prepare a big meal! We must thank everyone properly for helping out today!"

After saying that, Yabuki tied on her apron and energetically went into the huge kitchen.

The spacious living room was suddenly left with only a group of teenagers and an adult ninja pretending to be a background character.

The atmosphere became subtly awkward and quiet for a moment.

Everyone, more or less, intentionally or unintentionally, turned their attention to you, who seemed to be detached from the situation.

You completely ignored all the gazes around you, whether overt or covert, and silently looked at Sakura, as if waiting for her instructions.

Sakura felt uneasy about the eerie silence, and as one of the hosts, she felt it necessary to do something to liven things up.

Her eyes lit up when she saw the huge LCD TV.

"Ah! Um...would you all like to watch anime together?" Sakura suggested nervously, and before anyone could answer, she picked up the remote and turned on the TV.

Instantly, brightly colored and noisy children's cartoon images filled the entire screen.

Everyone: "..."

Naruto Uzumaki was the first to join in, immediately sitting cross-legged on the soft carpet, watching with great interest. He would even laugh along with the plot or clench his fists in tension, exclaiming, "Wow! That's amazing! Hit him! Yes! That's it!"

Uchiha Sasuke crossed his arms and let out an undisguised sneer, "Hmph, childish." But his gaze kept glancing at you, wanting to know your reaction to this boring program.

Kakashi Hatake watched the exaggerated cartoon battles on the screen, and the corner of his mouth twitched involuntarily beneath his mask.

He silently shrank into the corner of the sofa, trying to cover his face with "Intimate Paradise".

Taking care of kids is definitely harder than an S-rank mission...

Looking at this bizarre scene, Uchiha Shisui scratched his head, somewhat amused and exasperated, but his good manners kept him sitting quietly to the side with a gentle smile.

Itachi chose a spot where he could clearly observe you and sat down. He didn't watch TV; instead, he seemed casual but was actually intently watching your every move.

He noticed that although your gaze was directed at the television, your eyes weren't focused; it seemed you were just... listening to the boy next to you named Dou?

Kabuto is sitting not far from you. He has seized this rare opportunity and is whispering something to you, his expression showing just the right amount of grievance and dependence.

"...Nagi-chan, you have no idea, after you left the orphanage, the headmistress became even stricter with me...she wouldn't let me go out freely...I finally managed to find a chance to come see you..."

You listened quietly, your face expressionless, but you didn't interrupt him.

On the other side, Hinata gradually relaxed after Sakura took the initiative to talk to her, and the two girls huddled together and chatted quietly.

Hyuga Neji dutifully stayed by his cousin's side, forced to listen to the private conversations between the two little girls.

For example, Sakura suddenly lowered her voice and asked Hinata mysteriously, "Hinata, do you... have someone you like?"

Hinata's face flushed red instantly, her fingers nervously fidgeting, her gaze quickly glancing at your profile by the window, then she nodded almost imperceptibly.

Seeing how shy she was, almost fainting, Sakura was curious but considerately refrained from asking who the lucky person was.

So she turned to share her secret, leaning close to Hinata's ear and saying in a softer, sweetly troubled voice, "I...I think I might...like Sasuke-kun."

As she said those words, she felt her cheeks burning and her heart pounding.

Every time I see Sasuke, that feeling of my heart racing uncontrollably, a mix of nervousness and anticipation—that must be love, right?

Sakura, lost in her shyness, didn't realize that in making that judgment, she had completely overlooked the overwhelming sense of destiny she felt when she first met you.

The deeper, darker, and more deadly attraction seemed to be temporarily overshadowed by a superficial attraction to Sasuke.

In the living room, the cartoon was still playing noisily. Although you seemed to be listening to Kabuto, your peripheral vision never left the pink-haired girl with a charming blush on her cheeks who was whispering to Hinata.

Sakura seems to have a new little secret.

Haruno Meibuki's carefully prepared sumptuous dishes are fragrant and full of a warm family atmosphere.

As everyone took their seats, you sat down without hesitation in the seat next to Sakura.

The seat on your other side immediately becomes the focus of attention.

Who sits there seems to be a silent declaration and a test.

Uchiha Shisui paused slightly, his gaze lingering on the empty spot for a moment before choosing a location a little further away.

Itachi Uchiha sat down directly next to Shisui, silent and restrained, but his gaze would occasionally sweep over you unintentionally.

Sasuke Uchiha crossed his arms and stared coldly at the empty seat, his heart filled with inner turmoil.

Neji Hyuga and Hinata politely chose the last seat.

There's always that one person who doesn't play by the rules and completely misses the point of this subtle atmosphere.

Naruto Uzumaki didn't notice the complex exchange of glances at all. His eyes lit up, and like a puppy seeing a bone, he happily ran over and plopped down in the empty seat on the other side of you.

"Great! I'll sit here! Nagi-chan!" Naruto smiled brightly, his blue eyes curving into crescents, completely unaware of the several cold gazes that suddenly fell upon him from all around.

He turned to you and said excitedly, "Nagi-chan! Does this count as our first meal together?" He didn't even need to answer; he was already planning for the future.

"Next time! Next time I'll treat you to Ichiraku Ramen by myself! Their miso chashu ramen is the best in the world! Just the two of us!"

If Sasuke felt jealous and annoyed by Sakura's approach, then he felt pure anger towards Naruto's undisguised and even possessive behavior.

What an idiot! Does he even know what he's saying?! Inviting a girl to dinner alone in private?! Doesn't he understand the concept of boundaries?! Doesn't he understand the difference between men and women?!

What infuriated Sasuke even more, to the point of almost breaking his chopsticks, was that you showed no sign of rejection or opposition to Naruto's overly enthusiastic invitation and approach.

They simply ate their food quietly, as if acquiescing to it!

Chapter 255 - What a pity

"Will you be in the same graduating class of the Ninja Academy next year?" Yabuki asked with a gentle smile, ladling a generous amount of fragrant rice onto each person's plate with a wooden spoon.

Kabuto adjusted his glasses, his gaze subtly sweeping across you across the almost ethereal silence. "Yes, Auntie, it's just that I'm not sure if we can be in the same class."

A vague anxiety lingered in his heart. If he couldn't be in the same class as you, it meant he would spend a lot of time each day unable to see you or confirm your existence. This thought made him feel a cold emptiness.

"I'm definitely in the same class as Nagi-chan!" Naruto Uzumaki almost jumped up with his chopsticks in hand, his bright blue eyes filled with unwavering optimism and certainty.

Like the most intense sunlight, it couldn't wait to dispel all shadows, especially the invisible silence that enveloped you.

A faint sense of envy welled up in Uchiha Shisui's heart; he seemed to see the streets of Konoha becoming even more deserted soon.

Sasuke's gaze kept glancing at you, seemingly uninterested in the discussion about the Ninja Academy. His long eyelashes drooped, obscuring his always unsettling black eyes.

He could almost picture what you would be like after entering the Ninja Academy—like an isolated island, rejecting all attempts to approach. This image made him inexplicably irritable.

After a subtly awkward dinner, they politely said their goodbyes.

Before leaving, Itachi Uchiha walked up to you and said, "I will be in the clan compound for the time being. You can come to the library anytime."

He knows that the library might be the only place that can pique your interest even slightly.

Upon hearing this, you nodded in response, but your gaze wasn't even fully focused on Itachi.

I watched as those figures disappeared into the deepening night and lights of Konoha.

Next is choosing a room.

"I want this one! It's right next to Nagi's!" Sakura chose the room next to your bedroom without hesitation.

She hugged her little pillow, her face flushed with excitement, "Now I can come find Nagi anytime to read comics together!"

You didn't object, but silently walked into your own Japanese-style room.

The room was simple, with a faint camphor smell, and a few items were placed in the corner, neatly arranged to the point of being rigid.

As night deepened, Konoha fell completely silent, save for the occasional chirping of insects.

Sakura finished washing up, wearing cute pajamas, her hair still damp.

She tiptoed to your door. No light shone through the crack. She hesitated for a moment, then gently knocked and pushed the door open a crack.

"Nagi? Is she asleep?" she asked softly.

In the room, you weren't asleep, not even lying in the made-up bedding, but standing by the window with your back to the door.

The cool moonlight shone through the windowpane, outlining a slender and upright figure, as if shrouded in a layer of cool icy halo.

Outside the window is an endless night sky and a sleeping village. Your gaze seems to be directed far away, yet it also seems to be looking nowhere at all, as if you are simply immersed in an inner world that no one can reach.

You turn around when you hear the sound.

The moonlight illuminated only half of her cheek, while the other half remained hidden in shadow.

Sakura's heart skipped a beat, a mixture of slight fear and intense longing.

"Goodnight, Nagi!" Sakura forced out her sweetest smile, trying to use that warmth to penetrate that coldness.

You stared at her silently for a few seconds, then your lips twitched almost imperceptibly.

"...Goodnight." The voice was very soft, like a feather falling on the snow, almost imperceptible.

This was enough to make Sakura overjoyed. She felt as if she had received a great blessing, and her smile became even brighter. "Yes! Get some rest!"

She thoughtfully pulled the door shut gently, blocking out the faint light from the corridor and allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the moonlight and darkness once again.

After the door closed softly, the room fell silent again.

You turn to the window again, your gaze returning to the outside, your attention no longer seeming to wander.

Unconsciously, my fingertips lightly brushed against the cool wooden frame of the window.

You don't quite understand this emotion; your world is filled with something darker, heavier, and more indescribable.

Those doubts, those secrets, entwine your very bones like vines, making it impossible for you to perceive and respond like a normal person.

Finally, she moved from the window and silently walked towards the bed.

When you lie down, you turn to your side, facing the wall that separates you from Sakura next door.