Naruto Immersive Replay, The Curse of the Sharingan

You are ready to leave this uncomfortable and troublesome place, where the sadness and despair that permeate it are merely a noisy background noise to you.

"Wait!" Sasuke suddenly called out to you, his voice carrying a tone of pleading that even he himself found repulsive.

You stopped in your tracks, but didn't turn around. You just tilted your head slightly, waiting out of the corner of your eye for what he would say next.

Sasuke looked at your profile, and pain overwhelmed him again like a tidal wave. He closed his eyes, forcibly suppressing the sob in his throat, and used the last bit of strength to try to maintain his crumbling dignity. His voice was hoarse and tired.

"The grudge between Itachi and me has nothing to do with you. From now on... we are just strangers."

Sasuke is trying to completely remove you from his world in this way, as if this will alleviate the complex pain caused by you, which is a mixture of love and hatred.

You finally turned your head completely, looked Sasuke up and down as if assessing the value of an item, and ultimately just casually said, "I hope so."

The footsteps faded into the empty, desolate territory, eventually disappearing completely, as if they had never existed.

The moment your footsteps completely disappeared, Sasuke's body, which had been holding on, finally lost all strength and collapsed heavily to the ground.

He curled up on the cold ground, burying his face in his arms, and finally let out a long-suppressed, desperate cry, his shoulders trembling violently.

He couldn't understand why, overnight, heaven had fallen into hell.

He couldn't understand why his gentle brother had turned into a cold-blooded demon. He couldn't understand why you, whom he secretly cared about, would choose to stand against him and watch him fall into the abyss with such indifference.

All he knew was that from this night forward, hatred would permeate most of his future life.

He wanted to become stronger, stronger than anyone else! He wanted to kill Itachi Uchiha to avenge his parents and his entire clan.

At the same time, an even darker thought entangled his broken heart: he would make him regret it, regret choosing to help Itachi today, regret treating him so coldly, regret... pushing him into this wasteland where only hatred burned.

Stepping out of the Uchiha clan's territory, where an invisible aura of bloodshed and despair permeated the air, a cool night breeze brushed against my face, slightly dispelling the oppressive feeling that lingered around my nose.

The moonlight, like water, bathed the forest at the edge of the leaves in a silvery white glow, the shadows of the trees swaying gently, as if the hellish scene from before was just an illusion.

Before you've taken a long step, a subtle yet undeniable distortion or fluctuation emanates from the space behind you.

Circular swirling ripples appeared out of thin air, and then the figure wearing the orange swirling mask stepped out and landed not far behind you.

"What a wonderful show!" Obito Uchiha's voice came through the mask, carrying an undisguised sense of amusement and pleasure.

His single eye was fixed on your back; clearly, he had been watching you from the shadows for a long time.

You turned around and glanced at Obito indifferently, without any annoyance at being spied on, nor any surprise, as if his appearance was expected.

She simply watched him quietly, as if he were an inanimate object, waiting for him to state his purpose, without intending to speak first.

Seeing your indifferent attitude, Obito smirked under his mask, but didn't seem angry.

He seemed to have grown accustomed to being ignored when dealing with this girl.

He took two steps forward, closing the distance slightly, his single eye gleaming with a probing light, and suddenly spoke, asking an extremely abrupt and private question.

"I have a question... Is there a cursed mark on your collarbone?"

Chapter 290 Sincerity

Your eyes suddenly locked onto Obito, reflecting for the first time a clear, cold wariness and scrutinizing glint. How did he know?

This curse has existed since you gained consciousness; it is hidden and peculiar, and even you yourself have never fully understood its origin and function.

This is one of the deepest secrets you possess, and how does this masked man who calls himself Uchiha Madara know it?!

Obito took in your sudden, intense reaction, a hint of smugness flashing in his single eye.

It seems he has indeed grasped the key point. This cursed seal must be closely related to Madara Uchiha, and may even be the key evidence to confirm your identity.

He thought he had finally gotten the girl, who had always made him feel tricky and passive, under control.

Taking advantage of the moment when you were shaken, Obito was about to strike while the iron was hot and put forward the conditions he had already planned.

For example, you could stay in Konoha as an Akatsuki spy, providing him with intelligence and even, if necessary, working from within...

Before he could even speak, you had already swiftly regained your chilling composure from your initial shock. Instead of answering his question, you took a step closer.

Looking directly into the single eye beneath Obito's mask, he took the initiative and posed two pointed questions: "What exactly is your relationship with Madara?"

"What exactly does the Akatsuki organization want?"

Your voice has an undeniable penetrating power; every word strikes precisely at Obito's most sensitive nerves.

"!!!" Obito was completely stunned, his expression under the mask freezing instantly.

Who's interrogating whom here? He clearly came to take the initiative, but how did he end up being led by the nose by you again?

For a moment, he was speechless.

The girl in front of me, though young, possessed an extraordinary level of insight and a terrifying calmness that made even lies seem pale and powerless.

After a brief silence and deliberation, Obito took a deep breath. He knew that hiding too much from you might only lead to deeper suspicion and defensiveness. It would be better to tell some of the truth, which might earn you some trust... or at least the possibility of cooperation.

“All you need to know is this,” Obito’s voice deepened, deliberately mimicking Madara Uchiha’s oppressive tone, “I am now 'Madara'.”

This is a vague acknowledgment, acknowledging that he is not the original, yet emphasizing the identity and will he inherited.

He paused, a glint of fanaticism and obsession flashing in his single eye, and continued, "As for Akatsuki... we will bring true, eternal peace to this false, painful, war-ridden, and betrayal-filled ninja world!"

His voice carried a martyr's fervor, as if he were proclaiming a great and unquestionable truth.

The Eye of the Moon Project, the ultimate goal of creating a perfect illusionary world, was, in his heart, the only true peace that could end all suffering.

True peace? You scoffed at this, not exposing it, but firmly imprinting the two key pieces of information—Madara's will and the Akatsuki organization—in your heart.

Whether the world is at peace or not is not important; what matters is whether these fanatical and ambitious individuals can be used, whether they can better control their own destiny and obtain what they want amidst this chaos.

The masked man who calls himself Ban is undoubtedly a path worth exploiting that leads to more secrets and power.

"So, what do you want from me?" You already guessed that this secretive man would not show up for no reason, nor would he just want to enjoy a good show.

Seeing that you had taken the initiative to get to the point, Obito's single eye flashed with a glint of light. He adjusted his tone, "Joining Akatsuki and becoming a spy for Konoha, your abilities, whether it's your special eyes or the mindset you just displayed... that you had in control of the situation, are really too much of a waste for you to stay in Konoha."

You lowered your eyelashes slightly, as if you were thinking seriously.

Looking at you like this, Obito couldn't help but feel a glimmer of anticipation. Perhaps, this enigmatic girl had ultimately become interested in power and the wider darkness?

Just when he thought you were about to nod in agreement, you raised your eyes. There was no longer any hesitation in those dark eyes, only extreme calmness and calculation.

"I need to think about it for a while, but before I give an answer, I need to see your... sincerity."

Obito's face under the mask froze instantly. He cursed inwardly, "Just as I thought! He knew you were a troublesome guy, slippery and not falling for his tricks at all."

But he cannot lash out yet; he must remain calm, after all, your abilities and potential identity are extremely valuable.

"...What kind of sincerity do you want?" he asked, suppressing his impatience. This question also indirectly indicated that he was willing to wait and was willing to pay a certain price for it.

“It’s simple for you.” A faint smile curved your lips, tinged with a cruel, mischievous glint in your eyes. “Go stab Danzo twice.”

Obito: “…”

His lips twitched violently beneath the mask, as if he almost thought he had misheard.

He thought it would be some confidential information, rare ninja tools, or the life of a specific person... but unexpectedly, it turned out to be about assassinating a high-ranking Konoha official whom he considered unworthy of respect.

This is simply... ridiculous! It's a childish prank!

"I won't kill a useless ninja." He refused resolutely, his voice carrying a hint of anger at being mocked. Danzo's life or death was of no consequence to the overall situation.

"Is that so..." You sighed softly, seemingly with some regret, your tone becoming somewhat detached, as if talking to yourself, and very casually mentioned that name.

"It seems that the wound Kakashi-senpai inflicted is really almost healed..."

The name 'Kakashi' seemed to possess a magical power, instantly striking the most sensitive chord in Obito's heart!

"You mean... Kakashi did that too?" His voice rose unconsciously, filled with disbelief and a concern he himself was unaware of.

Kakashi, always living with guilt and adhering to tedious rules, would actually engage in such... childish acts of revenge? Why? Could it be... also because of you?

You didn't answer his question, as if it had just been a casual remark. You turned away, your tone distant, "Looks like I'll have to find someone else."

"Wait!" Obito immediately called out to you, driven by an impulse not to be excluded and a competitive spirit not wanting to lose to Kakashi, he blurted out, "Okay!"

He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the complex emotions surging within him, and stared intently at your retreating figure. "Think carefully about my proposal. I'll come to see you in person after some time."

This is tantamount to agreeing to your 'sincere' request, even though he finds the request utterly absurd.

With your back to him, the moment you heard him compromise, you simply said in a flat, teasing tone, "You and Kakashi-senpai... you're really good at helping others, aren't you, Uchiha Obito?"

When the name Uchiha Obito is clearly uttered from your mouth, Obito's first reaction is not the expected panic or rage, but a sense of relief as if it were true.

For some reason, when you call out his real name, his heart beats faster uncontrollably, and his blood seems to rush to his head, bringing a dizzying, burning sensation.

He could only attribute this abnormality to your excessive wickedness, as if you were born with a magical power that could disturb people's hearts and lead them astray.

"...I'm leaving now." Obito said this almost hastily, not daring to look you in the eye, or even to think about what his inexplicably accelerated heartbeat meant.

His figure twisted rapidly and disappeared into the vortex of the divine space, carrying the air of fleeing in panic.

"I'm genuinely curious..." you murmured to yourself, your voice fading into the night wind, carrying a chilling inquisitive tone, "What does he look like under the mask..."

Ever since you stabbed his right eye twice, Danzo Shimura's paranoia and fear have increased day by day.

Even during his rest, no fewer than ten of the most elite members of the Root were always lurking around his secret chamber, which was filled with barriers and mechanisms, like the most loyal hunting dogs, guarding their sinister master.

Despite all his calculations, the assassination attempt not long ago still haunts him.

A cunning ninja, whose origins are unknown, left two humiliating wounds on his body before vanishing without a trace. No matter how thoroughly he searched Konoha, he couldn't find a single clue.

This is an utter disgrace!

At this moment, Danzo sat in the shadows of the secret room, his remaining left eye gleaming with unease and calculation.

For some reason, his right eyelid had been twitching nonstop since evening, and a strange sense of palpitation lingered, as if something extremely bad was about to happen.

This unfounded premonition made him extremely agitated.

He was prepared to order an increase in guards again, even if it meant completely surrounding the secret room, to eliminate any potential danger.

The moment he opened his mouth, *pfft!*

A very faint sound of a sharp blade piercing flesh rang out behind him.

Danzo's left eye widened in disbelief as he looked down to see a cold blade tip piercing right through the center of his chest.

The excruciating pain, like a belated tide, instantly swept over his nerves.

"!!!" He wanted to exclaim, but only a hoarse sound came out of his throat. He used all his strength to turn his head sharply.

A man wearing an orange swirling mask appeared behind him at some point. The single eye beneath the mask was looking at him with a hint of mockery, as if enjoying his dying struggle.

The next second, the man flicked his wrist and swiftly drew his long knife.

Danzo's body went limp, almost collapsing to the ground, but before he could fall, the man's wrist moved again, and the cold blade pierced into the other side of his chest with lightning speed.

Another clean and decisive blow.

Exactly two cuts, no more, no less, almost symmetrical to the previous position, as if to complete some absurd task!

"Help... people!!!" Danzo finally let out a shrill and terrified roar, blood gushing from his four wounds, quickly staining his dark robes red.

The door to the secret room was suddenly kicked open, and several fully armed Root elites rushed in. They held kunai in their hands, their eyes sharp as eagles, and instantly locked onto the only target in the room: their leader.

The room was empty except for Danzo, who was lying in a pool of blood, convulsing while clutching his wound.

The masked man was as eerie as he appeared, vanishing without a trace in full view of everyone, as if he had evaporated into thin air.

There was no chakra fluctuation, no trace of space-time ninjutsu, and not even a slight breeze stirred it.

He seemed to be nothing more than a phantom from hell, returning to nothingness after completing his mission of slaughter.

The elites looked at each other, their faces filled with shock and disbelief. They could still deduce that the previous assassination attempt was carried out by a top expert who was extremely familiar with the terrain and patrol patterns of the base.

But this time... Lord Danzo's secret chamber was surrounded by an inescapable net; they were confident that not even a fly could get in!

How could someone possibly sneak in silently, stab Lord Danzo twice at such close range, and then completely disappear the moment they broke down the door?

This completely defies common sense!

The eyes of the elites involuntarily met, and they all saw in each other's eyes an absurd yet seemingly the only reasonable guess.

Was all of this a self-inflicted wound orchestrated by Lord Danzo? Was the purpose to create greater panic, or... to have a legitimate reason to meet the Third Hokage and gain more power or resources?

As expected of the Konoha high-ranking officials who manipulate power, they can even be so ruthless to themselves! Such methods are truly...admirable.

Despite their hearts filled with all sorts of speculations and even a hint of barely perceptible contempt, the elites quickly composed themselves and, with practiced ease, stepped forward to carefully lift up Danzo, who was bleeding profusely.

"Lord Danzo, please hold on! We'll get you to treatment immediately!"

Danzo felt so angry that he almost vomited blood as he listened to the seemingly respectful but actually inquisitive and suspicious looks from his subordinates and their formulaic attempts to appease him!