Naruto Immersive Replay, The Curse of the Sharingan

Sasuke practiced shuriken throwing at the training ground behind the Uchiha clan's territory. The sharp sound of shuriken cutting through the air seemed to be a way of throwing away all the restlessness in his heart.

Just then, out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of a pink figure approaching the training field with some hesitation.

Is that Sakura Haruno? What's she doing here?

Sasuke frowned slightly, a vague sense of unease rising in his heart.

Sure enough, Sakura blushed, clutching a carefully wrapped bento box tightly in her hands. She walked up to him, took a deep breath, mustered all the courage she had ever had, raised her head, and looked at him with bright, sparkling green eyes. Her voice trembled but was exceptionally clear.

"Sasuke-kun! I...I like you! This is a bento I prepared for you; it's a token of my affection!"

Sasuke was taken aback by this sudden, direct confession.

Before he could react, a gaze filled with palpable killing intent shot out from the shadows of the bushes behind him and locked onto him.

Sasuke turned his head sharply and met a pair of black eyes that he knew all too well.

You stared at him silently, your eyes clearly reflecting a warning and undisguised hostility, as if to say—dare he try agreeing?

In that instant, Sasuke realized something: this was the rival in love that the tarot cards had pointed to.

A wave of realization, absurdity, and twisted pleasure washed over Sasuke. He understood, he understood everything!

He turned back to look at Sakura, who was still anxiously waiting for a reply. His heart was no longer filled with any emotion, only the urgent need to get rid of the misunderstanding.

His face was cold, his voice flat and even a little impatient, "I don't like you, so stop thinking about me."

His refusal was crisp and decisive, without any hesitation.

Surprisingly, upon hearing such a blunt rejection, Sakura didn't feel much sadness; instead, she felt a sense of relief.

It's as if this outcome was already in her subconscious. Could it be that Viya's divination was true? Her true emotional destiny is not Sasuke, but rather a deeper entanglement with you.

The thought made her cheeks instantly burn, and her mind was in turmoil.

She didn't dare look at Sasuke again, and said softly, "I'm sorry, I disturbed you," before taking the undelivered lunchbox and hurriedly turning away from the training ground.

Against the backdrop of Sakura's hurried departure, her flushed cheeks and slightly flustered steps, seen by you who had been watching closely, were completely misunderstood.

In your view, that was clearly a girl's shyness after receiving some ambiguous response.

What did Sasuke say to Sakura?

Your dark eyes narrowed slightly, and your aura grew even colder as you looked at the boy in the training field, who was staring directly into the direction where you were hiding without any attempt to hide.

The two stood facing each other, a few steps apart.

"Stay away from Sakura." Your voice wasn't loud, but it pierced the silence like an ice pick, heading straight for Sasuke.

Sasuke was taken aback at first, then, as if he had heard a joke, he let out a short, cold gasp, almost laughing out loud in anger.

What is this? The person he likes sees him as a rival in love? This twisted situation made him feel a surge of anger and bitterness in his chest.

“As for her,” Sasuke suppressed his turbulent emotions, staring into your eyes, trying to make his explanation sound clear and serious enough, “I…haven’t…thought…about…it.”

He emphasized, word by word, that from the very beginning, his gaze and his thoughts had been focused on only one person, but that person had never noticed, or... never wanted to notice.

The doubt in your dark eyes hasn't dissipated. Even though Sasuke denied it himself, the burning longing in Sakura's eyes when she looked at Sasuke was undeniable.

As long as Sasuke exists, as long as he still has that face and that talent and appears in Sakura's field of vision, he is a potential threat.

This guy is definitely a thorn in your side.

You still wore a cold and wary expression, clearly not fully accepting his words. Sasuke's long-suppressed emotions finally broke through the critical point.

Just as you were about to turn away from this unpleasant standoff, Sasuke stepped forward and, with an irresistible force, wrapped his arms tightly around your waist from behind, resting his chin on your thin shoulder.

The warmth of his body seeped through the thin fabric, and the boy's cool aura, mixed with a hint of sweat from training, instantly enveloped you. This overly intimate contact made your body stiffen instantly.

"Uchiha Nagi... why can't you look me in the eye?"

His embrace was hot and forceful, as if he wanted to crush you and integrate you into his very bones. The complex emotions in his voice were so intense that they almost overflowed.

Why is your gaze always fixed on others? Why would you rather pay attention to insignificant people than spare even a sliver of attention for them? They share the same blood, bear the same surname, and should be the closest of kin!

The aggressive aura of the opposite sex enveloped you, making you extremely uncomfortable. What you couldn't understand even more was the deeper meaning behind Sasuke's words.

Your brow furrowed tightly, a strong sense of absurdity welling up inside you. Your rival likes you? What is this? An outrageous love triangle? You can't understand it, and you can't accept this chaotic emotional entanglement.

You broke free from Sasuke's embrace, took a step forward, creating distance between you, turned around, and spoke with a clear sense of estrangement and incomprehension.

"How am I supposed to face you? There's absolutely no need."

If you want him to hate you and completely cut off this inexplicable thought, the best way is to reject and ignore him without any mercy.

Upon hearing these cold words, Sasuke showed no sign of defeat or anger; instead, he sneered again.

“As expected…” he said in a low voice, his eyes becoming even more determined, even with a twisted, burning intensity, “It’s always been like this.”

He took a step closer, his gaze fixed on you, as if making some kind of vow, "It's okay, I'll try my best."

Is he trying to make you face him? Or is he trying to make you regret ignoring him today?

Sasuke's nonsensical words only made you more confused, and you felt that his behavior was becoming increasingly incomprehensible.

Not wanting to get entangled with this eccentric fellow tribesman any longer, she gave him a deep look and disappeared without hesitation.

Once again, only Uchiha Sasuke remained in the courtyard, his lonely figure silhouetted against the light.

He stared in the direction you disappeared, motionless for a long time. Finally, with all his might, he hurled you to the ground.

The kunai struck the stone slab with a piercing, sharp sound, sending up a few sparks.

The boy clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles turned white, and his chest heaved violently.

In those dark eyes, all the pain, resentment, and loss transformed into an even deeper obsession at that moment.

I will definitely... make you regret it.

I regret pushing me away so easily today, I regret... that you don't see me.

Rumors about a mysterious fortune teller named Viya had already been circulating privately for some time.

At first, Neji scoffed, thinking it was nonsense. How could fate be predicted by a few cards? Especially for someone like him, whose fate was already bound by shackles.

But he needs an answer, even if that answer is vague and unreal, even if it's just a mirage.

"I want to ask if the future will be as I wish?" This question concerns the destiny he has struggled with for more than a decade, the endless darkness of the Hyuga branch family, and the caged bird on his forehead that is like a curse.

The cards slowly unfold: Nine of Pentacles reversed, Chariot upright, The Star upright, The Sun upright.

Viya looked at the cards, a knowing glint in her eyes.

She raised her head, meeting Neji's seemingly calm white eyes, and began to analyze in a gentle yet firm voice.

“You were in the past,” Viya’s gaze seemed to pierce through time, seeing the boy struggling under the rules of the Hyuga clan, “bound by the so-called family honor, the insurmountable strict boundaries between the main family and the branch family, as if trapped in a beautiful but cold cage.”

Neji's eyelashes trembled slightly, but he did not deny it.

“And now,” Viya’s voice was encouraging, “you are on the right path to becoming stronger through your own strong will and unremitting efforts. You are fighting in your own way.”

Neji understood this deeply; his daily arduous training was all for the sake of gaining the power to break free from fate.

Then, Viya's tone became serious as she pointed to the star card that radiated hope, "And in the future, you will meet a truly powerful leader whose appearance will bring about revolutionary changes."

She paused, her gaze sharpening as she looked at the mark on Neji's forehead. "The possibility of removing the Caged Bird Seal is now on your horizon."

Upon hearing the words "encountering a leader" and "releasing the caged bird," Hyuga Neji's carefully maintained composure was finally shattered! His pure white eyes were filled with disbelief and shock.

Is this possible? That curse, branded upon him since birth, symbolizing absolute obedience and death... could it really be lifted?

Viya didn't give him much time to process the shock. Her finger finally landed on the radiant sun in the center of the sky. "The final future belongs to you. Your soul will be free, your future will be bright, and you will break free from all constraints and truly take control of your own destiny."

Chapter 322 Tarot Cards (7)

"Freedom", "Light", "Sun"...

These words firmly dispelled the gloom and frost that had accumulated in Neji's eyes for over a decade.

He didn't shout excitedly like Naruto Uzumaki, nor did he question with a gloomy tone like Sasuke Uchiha. He simply remained silent, silent for a long time.

The sense of destiny that was about to crush him seemed to have really dissipated a lot at this moment.

He stood up very solemnly and gave Viya a respectful bow.

"Thank you very much for your guidance." His voice was still clear and cold, but it had a slight tremor.

In his pure white eyes, it seemed as if he could already see the sun rising for him.

The prophecy that the future is free was like a seed full of vitality, deeply planted in his long-parched heart.

It stirred his heart more than any powerful ninjutsu or any arduous training, and it showed him the direction to move forward.

Viya lingered in Konoha for several days, using the crystal ball and astrolabe, but she was still unable to accurately pinpoint the energy fluctuations guided by the gods.

Until her senses swept over the girl named Uchiha Nagi countless times, gloomy, cold, and shrouded in mystery.

The source of the energy is now obvious, and Nagi clearly has little interest in such mysterious matters.

"I must create an opportunity," Viya thought, and then contacted Kakashi Hatake, with whom she had some prior connections.

"A divination game?" Kakashi's face, hidden behind his mask, flashed with surprise when he received Viya's invitation.

Viya, speaking through the crystal ball, spoke with an ethereal laugh, her words carrying a hidden meaning: "Yes, sir, please be sure to invite Nagi to the event. It might have unexpected positive effects."

Kakashi narrowed his exposed eye slightly. He didn't completely believe in divination, but he keenly caught the hint in Viya's words.

Getting you involved isn't difficult. Just gather people who have connections together, and you'll likely show up at the scene out of some observer's instinct or to avoid further trouble.

So, on Friday night, the atmosphere in the elegant private room of the café, which had been reserved, was subtly different.

An old tarot deck was laid out on the table, and the invited young generation of Konoha sat around it.

The energetic Naruto Uzumaki, the skeptical Ino Yamanaka and Sakura Haruno, the cold-faced Sasuke Uchiha, the gentle Neji Hyuga, the curious Tenten, and Kakashi's casually brought along Shikamaru Nara and Choji Akimichi, who were still confused about the situation...

The door to the private room was gently pushed open. You had just escaped from a mission with the Dark Division, and a chilling aura still lingered on you.

You completely ignore the gazes that instantly focus on you indoors—gazes that may be curious, intense, or complex.

He sat down directly in the empty seat reserved next to Kakashi, as if it were just a routine matter.

A barely perceptible hint of satisfaction flashed across Viya's eyes as she expertly shuffled the cards, the cards rustling softly as they rubbed together. "Tonight, how about we play a game? Each of us will randomly draw a card, and I will interpret it. Perhaps it will reveal relationships, perhaps feelings, perhaps... the subconscious."

Naruto had doubts about the Tarot, but under everyone's gaze, he scratched his head, hesitated, and was the first to reach out and draw a card.

“The Sun in the upright position,” Viya said gently, looking at the radiant golden sun and the joyful child on the card.

"Naruto is like this sun, full of energy, sincerity and vitality. He is a natural focus and easily becomes the center of attention."

She shifted her tone slightly, adding a hint of caution, "But be careful, an overly dazzling light can sometimes unintentionally burn those who want to get close."

Upon hearing this, Naruto first chuckled twice as usual, then looked at you across from him with a hint of expectation, only to find that you were looking down at the table in front of you, seemingly lost in thought, not even sparing him a glance.

Naruto's bright smile froze instantly, deflated like a punctured balloon.

"What about me? What about me?" Ino eagerly drew the second card.

“The Chariot reversed,” Viya said, looking at the overturned chariot and the out-of-control centaur on the card. “Ms. Ino, this card suggests that you may be losing control in the arena of emotions.”

"Being too proactive can sometimes backfire and cause things to go against your original intentions."

Ino blushed, and she secretly glared at Sasuke, who had remained expressionless throughout, while her gaze involuntarily drifted towards you, who was sitting quietly.

When it was Sakura's turn, she drew the Hermit.

"A hermit with a lamp walks alone on a snowy plain." Viya interpreted, "Miss Ying, this card reminds you that you need to calm down, get away from the noise of the outside world, and think deeply about what you truly pursue and what you truly want to protect. The answer may lie deep within your heart."

Sakura held the card thoughtfully, her gaze involuntarily shifting between the aloof Sasuke and the cool you, her brow furrowed slightly, clearly lost in deeper thought.

Sasuke's movements were clean and efficient; he casually pulled out a card and placed it on the table without even looking at it.

The card depicts the Hanged Man.

Viya looked at the serene figure hanging upside down on the cross-shaped wooden stake, pondered for a moment, and then softened her voice, "The Hanged Man symbolizes sacrifice, waiting, and different perspectives. Perhaps you are willing to be temporarily suspended in a predicament for a firm belief, or... for someone."

You were finally moved by the overwhelming gaze and met Sasuke's burning eyes without batting an eye.

There were no sparks flying, no verbal exchanges.

In that instant, your gazes collided in mid-air, and a tense tension spread throughout the quiet private room, making even the air seem to freeze.

You indifferently withdrew your gaze and lowered your eyes again, as if that brief eye contact had never happened.

Sasuke's fingers tightened slightly as he gripped the teacup.

Next up is Hyuga Neji, who drew the star card.