Naruto Immersive Replay, The Curse of the Sharingan

Body heat mingled through the thin clothing, and the sound of heartbeats could be clearly heard through the chest, each beat rapid and powerful.

Shisui buried her head deep in the crook of your neck, greedily inhaling the cold breath emanating from you.

He felt like he was going all out, disregarding the decorum of the prestigious Uchiha clan and the gentlemanly manners he had been taught since childhood.

Forget about missions, responsibilities, and the possibility of death... At this moment, he only wants to abandon all reason and constraints, follow his instincts, and draw from you the warmth and affection he has longed for to fill the immense fear and emptiness.

Shizuku's movements were too sudden, completely beyond your comprehension. Your body stiffened as you were held, and your mind went blank for a moment.

While at the orphanage, you would occasionally feed some stray cats that wandered around. After receiving food, those wary little creatures would sometimes cautiously rub against your fingers.

Facing Shisui, who was seeking comfort like a wounded little animal in your arms, you froze briefly before subconsciously mimicking the actions you used to soothe a stray cat in your memory. You raised the hand that wasn't being held and clumsily rubbed his slightly curly head.

His movements were awkward, even a little bewildered.

This comforting gesture, completely out of character for you, made Shisui tremble and hug you even tighter.

Suppressed sobs finally escaped in a low voice, dissipating into the silent wilderness night sky.

Yuan Ni rolled over on the boulder, smacked his lips, and mumbled a garbled, sleep-talking phrase, "...the red thread...is tied tight."

You quietly packed your bags, appearing as usual, as if the incident from last night had never happened.

But only you know that something deep inside is quietly changing, and deep down you actually have an extremely rebellious streak, which is just usually wrapped up by reason and indifference.

Seeing that Shisui, after a night of emotional outburst, still had bloodshot eyes, her mental state was noticeably more vibrant than before, even... like a relaxed feeling after giving up entirely?

You realize that this is an opportunity; Zhi Shui is in a vulnerable emotional state and urgently needs to find a new foothold.

So, you casually said, "It's fine to submit the mission report a few days later. Since we're out here, why don't we... not go back to Konoha for now?"

You are speaking in a declarative sentence, not an interrogative sentence.

If it were the old Shisui, upon hearing such a suggestion that clearly violated the discipline of the Dark Guard, he would have gently but firmly dissuaded him, emphasizing that the mission took priority.

But Shisui only paused slightly for a moment, then nodded without hesitation, "Okay."

After last night's out-of-control embrace, and feeling the strangely calming aura emanating from you, the missions of Konoha, the rules of the Anbu, and even the looming threat of death all seem... insignificant.

A thought that "since the future is destined to be dark, we might as well cherish the present" is growing wildly.

He's happy to support whatever you want to do.

He even felt a long-lost, vague sense of warmth from this almost indulgent following, as if he had returned to his childhood when his parents were still alive, and he could rely on and trust them without any worries during that short but happy time.

And you, inexplicably, became the object of this emotional projection.

Yuan Ni, yawning as he lay on his luggage, his beady eyes darting around, keenly sensing that something was amiss.

This morning, something feels off about the vibe between you guys. Especially that kid Shisui, the way he's looking at you is practically drooling!

It waddled its short legs, struggling to climb to the space between you and Zhishui, tilting its head back to look at this and then at that, finally unable to resist, and with the air of someone catching someone cheating, asked suspiciously.

"What did you two do behind my back? Something feels off about you after just one night?"

You didn't understand what nonsense the old tortoise was spouting, so you just glanced at it indifferently and ignored it.

But Shisui understood!

Yuan Ni's words were clearly pointed at something, referring to his impulsive embrace last night!

His cheeks flushed bright red, his ears burned, and his heart pounded wildly, as if he had committed some heinous crime and been exposed on the spot.

"Hahaha—" Shisui let out a few dry laughs, then suddenly reached out and covered Yuanni's still-chattering mouth with his hand, the force almost suffocating Yuanni.

"It...it's just sleepy! Talking in its sleep!" Shisui's eyes were panicked, she didn't dare look at you, and could only grit her teeth as she explained to Yuanni, as if to say, "Ignore it! Yes! Ignore it!"

Yuan Ni was covered and kicked its limbs wildly, staring wide-eyed at Zhi Shui in disbelief.

It never expected that Uchiha Shisui, who usually seemed reliable in crucial moments, would be such a coward when it came to matters of the heart! He dared to do it but didn't dare to take responsibility.

Upon receiving Yuan Ni's accusing gaze, Zhi Shui quickly warned it with his eyes, his expression filled with a plea and threat that seemed to say, "Please shut up and stop talking."

Standing to the side, watching the chaotic scene between the person and the tortoise, you couldn't help but sigh inwardly, "Does keeping a pet really change a person's personality?"

Why do you feel that Shisui has become more and more... childish since he took in this old tortoise? This flustered state of his is nowhere near the elite demeanor of Shisui of the Body Flicker Technique.

However, this change... doesn't seem to be disliked.

At least, it's much better than the Shisui who was previously overwhelmed by a heavy fate.

Thinking this way, a sudden inspiration flashes in your mind.

A place that would allow Shisui to temporarily escape the sight of Konoha and relax his mind has emerged.

You've decided where to go.

"Go to Sakura Saki-niwa." You spoke, interrupting the man and the tortoise who were still exchanging intense glances.

Zhishui and Yuanni stopped what they were doing and looked at you.

"That legendary place where cherry blossoms never fade throughout the four seasons?" Shisui asked, somewhat surprised.

It was a famous scenic spot on the border of the Land of Fire, but it was just a landscape and had no special significance.

The beauty that will never fade... perhaps, is the dream that you, whose hearts are filled with cracks right now, need to briefly immerse yourselves in.

Looking at your calm profile, the panic in my heart caused by Yuan Ni instantly subsided.

"Okay." He released his hand from Yuan Ni and replied softly, a gentle smile unconsciously curving his lips.

Yuan Ni gasped for breath, looked at Zhi Shui, then at you, and finally resignedly lay back down in his bag.

Well, it's been a matchmaker turtle for nothing. The people involved in this matchmaking are all pretending to be clueless.

Well then, Sakura-no-Saki-niwa it is. I've heard their cherry blossom cakes are absolutely amazing...

Sakura Tokiwa, truly deserving of the name.

Even outside of cherry blossom season, this place is still shrouded in a dreamlike, pale pink haze.

Countless cherry trees bloom with flowers that never fade. A gentle breeze blows, swirling up petals like soft snow.

The air was filled with a delicate floral fragrance, so tranquil it seemed otherworldly.

Uchiha Shisui was clearly very willing to spend money. He used some method to book the entire Sakura Saki Garden for three consecutive days.

When you arrive here, you will see nothing but cherry blossoms fluttering in the air, and no one else in sight.

It was as if the whole world consisted of only the two of you, and the Yuanni perched on Zhishui's shoulder.

I wandered around the cherry blossom grove a few times, stepping on the thick carpet of fallen petals, feeling the ultimate tranquility and beauty.

The excessive silence makes you wonder if such a famous tourist attraction should be completely deserted, even if it's not peak season.

You murmured to yourself, as if talking to yourself, "Strange...aren't there any tourists here?"

Shisui, who was following behind, coughed guiltily, her ears turning slightly red, and explained with a shifty look in her eyes, "Maybe... everyone's been pretty busy lately? Yeah, that must be it."

This excuse was so lame that even Yuan Ni couldn't stand it.

It perched on the other shoulder of Zhishui, looking at you with an extremely mocking gaze, its little eyes blinking rapidly.

You felt Yuan Ni's undisguised gaze, and combined with Shi Shui's obviously unnatural reaction and flushed cheeks... even if you were slow to react, you would guess what was going on.

By booking the entire venue and clearing out the other tourists, you can create opportunities for solitude.

The underlying motives behind these actions are quite obvious.

A subtle ripple passed through your heart. You hadn't expected that Zhi Shui's affection, or rather, this desire to get closer and possess, would come earlier and be so... direct than you had anticipated based on those future fragments.

You don't find it offensive; in fact, you find it... kind of interesting.

The feeling of being so carefully and meticulously planned is a novel experience.

It's like discovering a toy with potential value.

"Rest first," you said, not bothering to expose Zhishui's thin facade, your tone remaining calm and unreadable. "You've been tired these past two days."

You choose to maintain the status quo.

At least for now, Zhi Shui's emotions are restrained and controlled, and will not erupt and cause trouble when you need to focus on thinking about the next step of the plan.

What needs to be done now is not to respond to this feeling, but to think about how to better transfer Shisui's will to oneself, so that his powerful strength and the obsession he foresaw can be used for one's own purposes.

This is a game that requires patient planning.

"Sweet dreams, Nagi!" Shisui was visibly relieved when you didn't ask any further questions. A bright, relieved yet shy smile appeared on his face as he gently waved his hand.

You nodded slightly in response, then turned around, stepping on the fallen cherry blossoms, and left the cherry blossom grove that Zhishui had carefully created for the two of them.

Only when your figure completely disappeared at the end of the cherry blossom path did Shisui finally feel as if he had finally unloaded a huge burden, panting heavily, and even breaking out in a thin layer of sweat on his back.

He quickly held the mythical lion on his shoulder to his face, his face still flushed, but his eyes were filled with confusion and an urgency that he himself could not understand. He lowered his voice and asked.

"Yuanni! I...when I saw Nagi, my heart started racing faster and faster. I was so nervous I couldn't speak. I wanted to get closer, but I was also afraid of upsetting her...what's going on?"

Like a naive young man experiencing his first love, he sought help from the only person who might know the truth: the tortoise.

Yuan Ni sighed as it looked at his pathetic state, slapping his fingers with its flippers in a tone of utter disappointment.

"What else could it be?! You silly boy, you're doomed! Completely doomed! This is liking! This is love! This is the kind that's unforgettable!"

It paused, a hint of schadenfreude flashing in its beady eyes, "But, judging from Nagi's behavior, she's quite calm about your burning passion. You'll go crazy sooner or later! The worst kind of one-sided infatuation is this!"

Shisui automatically ignored the unpleasant things Yuanni said, such as that he would go crazy, and only caught the two keywords: like and love.

A surge of emotion, a mixture of sweetness, bitterness, fear, and joy, instantly coursed through my body.

Does he... really like you?

This feeling of feeling at ease just seeing you, missing you when you're not around, your heart racing at the slightest glance, wanting to offer you the best of everything in the world... is that love?

He never imagined that in his destined short and thorny life, he would meet such a person, someone he loved who made him forget his responsibilities, forget the shadow of death, and only want to cherish every moment of the present.

Even just looking at you is enough to make me happy.

Shisui raised her head and looked in the direction you left; cherry blossoms were still falling like rain.

His lips curled up uncontrollably, forming a silly yet pure and happy arc.

If it's you, he seems to enjoy it immensely.

Chapter 271 - Heartfelt Concern (7)

The nights in Sakuragi Garden are even more dreamlike than during the day.

Countless exquisite lanterns hang along the paths and branches, emitting a warm and soft light that makes the ever-blooming cherry blossoms appear like transparent pink glass.

The interplay of light and shadow creates a dreamlike atmosphere, as bright as a summer festival, yet with a touch more tranquility.

As you push open the wooden door to the guest room, you see Zhishui and Yuanni sitting opposite each other at the end of the corridor, with a Go set in the middle.

Shisui seemed somewhat distracted, hesitating as he placed his piece, while Yuanni scratched his head and cheeks, looking impatient and confident of victory.

Upon hearing the sound of the door opening and footsteps, Shisui immediately looked up, distracted.

When he saw you bathed in the glow of the lanterns, his eyes lit up instantly, and his attention was completely drawn to you.

"Hey~! I won!" Yuan Ni seized the moment when he was distracted, quickly placed a piece, and announced triumphantly.

It looked up to see the reaction of the still water, only to find that the other party was staring at it intently, completely ignoring the outcome of the game.

Shisui belatedly glanced down at the chessboard; as expected, it was too late to turn the tide. He scratched his head sheepishly, "Ah... I lost..."

There was no hint of frustration in his tone; instead, there was a touch of embarrassment at having his little scheme exposed.

Yuan Ni shook its head helplessly at his pathetic state, pointing at the chessboard with its flippers, "I wouldn't even deign to speak to you! Playing chess requires the unity of mind and spirit, but your soul has flown away, how can you even play chess!"

You approached, your gaze sweeping over the chessboard before turning to Shisui. Ignoring Yuanni's吐槽 (tu cao, a Chinese internet slang term for sarcastic or critical remarks), you asked directly, "Want to go out and see the cherry blossoms?"

Shisui's face immediately lit up with undisguised joy, and he stood up without any hesitation. "Okay!"

It was as if I had been waiting for these words for a very long time.

Your gaze then shifts to the still indignant Yuan Ni, "Where is it?"

Before Yuanni could speak, Zhishui immediately answered for it, speaking so quickly it seemed to be covering something up, "It? It goes to bed early! It's getting old and needs more rest! We can go together!"

As he spoke, he almost urgently grabbed your wrist, wanting to leave as soon as possible.

"Hey! Uchiha Shisui! You shameless brat who values ​​women over friends! I..." Enni jumped up from the mat in anger, about to unleash a torrent of curses, but Shisui had already quickly pulled you away.

"...I haven't finished yet!!!" Yuanni's last sentence was cut off by the closed door, leaving it alone in the spot, its shell trembling with anger.

Shisui leads you along the cherry blossom path illuminated by lanterns.