Naruto Immersive Replay, The Curse of the Sharingan

Chapter 107 - Handover

You trembled all over. Scorpion instinctively wanted to step forward, but Yahiko grabbed your wrist. "Don't go," Yahiko's voice was unusually tense. "She's normal."

The trembling grew more and more violent, your long black hair moved without wind, your head was lowered, and your shoulders heaved. At first, people thought you were crying, until the sound gradually became clearer—

"Hehe...hahaha...hahahaha!" That was laughter at the height of madness.

Hidan's pupils dilated to their limit, and his trident clattered to the snow. He spread his arms wide, and as if welcoming a miracle, he looked up to the sky and shouted, "This is the true form of the Jashin!"

Kakashi instinctively protected Yuki, his Sharingan spinning rapidly. He had never seen this state before. Your chakra is increasing exponentially, and the surrounding air is distorted by the energy fluctuations.

“Take good care of the princess,” you say without turning your head, your voice carrying a chilling pleasure. “Now it’s my turn.”

The next second, your figure disappeared.

No, it didn't disappear; it just moved at a speed that exceeded the limits of what the naked eye could perceive.

A cloud of blood mist suddenly exploded in the ranks of the Snow Ninja, followed by a second cloud, a third cloud... Rows of elite ninjas fell like straws, without even having time to scream.

Kakashi's Sharingan barely caught a glimpse of your afterimage, the trajectory you traversed through the enemy ranks, each flash accompanied by the blossoming of death.

“This…” Scorpion’s pupils contracted sharply. He knew you were strong, but witnessing it firsthand was another matter.

That overwhelming power, that almost artistic way of killing, suffocated even this puppeteer who pursued eternal beauty.

Feng Hua Nu Tao's face turned deathly pale. His carefully cultivated elite Snow Ninja were like ants in front of that woman.

"Too slow! Too slow!" Your voice came from all directions, and your maniacal laughter echoed across the snowfield. "Is this all you've got?"

Hidan raised his crescent scythe high, cheering like a fanatical believer, "Yes! That's it! Let them witness the might of the Jashin!"

Yahiko's eyes, however, were unusually complicated. He had seen you in this state before, and each time it filled him with both awe and heartache.

Kakashi unconsciously clenched his kunai. The strength displayed by this girl named "Tanuki" far exceeded his understanding of the Akatsuki organization.

What's even more frightening is that you seem to be handling it with ease.

When the last Snow Ninja's formation was completely disrupted, your figure finally reappeared in everyone's sight, your Akatsuki robe spotless, a naive yet cruel smile on your face, "You really are too fragile!"

Before you finished speaking, you suddenly clenched your left hand.

A burst of golden light erupted, instantly shattering the ice crystal barrier. The light condensed into a form, and a gigantic warrior phantom rose from the ground, the clanging of his twin swords being drawn resounding through the sky.

The moment Susanoo fully manifested, avalanches occurred simultaneously on the snow-covered mountains within a ten-mile radius, as if the entire world was bowing down to this power.

"This...this is..." Feng Hua Nu Tao staggered backward, his legs trembling uncontrollably.

His proud ambitions and meticulously planned usurpation schemes seemed utterly ridiculous in the face of this behemoth.

The remaining Snow Ninja elites completely collapsed. Some dropped their weapons and knelt down to beg for mercy, some fainted, and many more were stunned, not even having the courage to run away.

"This is the ultimate enjoyment!" You stand in the crystal head of Susanoo, arms outstretched, as if to embrace the whole world.

Scorpion's breath caught in his throat. In his eyes, you were more perfect than any work of art at this moment. The paradoxical blend of destruction and beauty was the very state he had pursued his whole life but could never achieve.

“Then,” your voice suddenly turned cold, “the game should end.”

Susanoo's twin swords slashed down in a cross pattern.

It seemed as if only this one ray of light remained in the world. The distant snow-capped mountains were neatly cleaved in two, and an avalanche poured down like a silver river, burying the remaining Snow Ninja troops along with Feng Hua Nu Tao's ambitions.

As the smoke cleared, Feng Hua Nu Tao knelt alone in the middle of the snow, looking up at the figure standing among the golden giants. His lips trembled as he managed to utter two words, "Monster..."

There was no answer, only deathly silence.

Kakashi felt his heart pounding wildly in his chest, not with fear, but with an indescribable sense of awe and...longing.

He never imagined that the Sharingan could reach such a level.

Xiaoxue gripped Kakashi's sleeve tightly, but her eyes were fixed on you, her face flushed with excitement.

In that instant, she seemed to see the person she had always dreamed of: powerful, free, and invincible.

Hidan was already kneeling on the ground, muttering to himself like the most devout believer, while Yahiko stood quietly, his eyes filled with complex pride and worry.

You slowly landed on the ground, Susanoo dissipated like morning mist, and your Sharingan returned to normal.

Feng Hua Nu Tao finally collapsed. He collapsed on the snow and wailed like a child. All his ambitions and schemes had become a joke in the face of absolute power.

You walk toward your companions, your gaze sweeping over each of their shocked faces, finally settling on Scorpion.

"What's wrong?" you asked, tilting your head, your voice regaining its usual clarity. "Is there something on my face?"

Scorpion was speechless for once. He opened his mouth but couldn't make a sound. In the end, he just shook his head, but the heat in his eyes didn't diminish at all.

Hidan was the first to rush forward, shouting, "That's awesome! That's awesome! Long live Lord Jashin!"

Yahiko gently pressed Hidan's shoulder and gave you a warm smile. "Thank you for your hard work."

Kakashi took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down, and pointed to the limp Fuuka Ryuu.

You looked at Xiaoxue, "What does the princess intend to do with him?"

A hint of hesitation flashed in Xiaoxue's eyes, but it quickly turned into determination. "Take him back to the palace... I want to clear my father's name in front of all the ministers."

You suddenly reached out and ruffled Xiaoxue's hair. "Good awareness."

“Let’s go,” Yahiko broke the brief silence. “The Land of Snow still needs to be cleaned up.”

The group began to move towards the palace. You walked at the front, your slender back conveying an awe-inspiring power. Behind you, five pairs of eyes followed your silhouette with different emotions.

Sasori's obsession, Yahiko's gentleness, Hidan's fervor, Kakashi's inquisitiveness, and Yuki's pure adoration.

The royal palace corridors of the Snow Kingdom resemble a carpet paved with corpses.

Your boots trod across the congealed blood, leaving dark red footprints on the white marble floor.

The bodies of palace guards lay sprawled on both sides, some still in the position of drawing their swords, the icicles on their throats gleaming coldly in the morning light. Clearly, when Feng Hua Nu Tao usurped the throne, he did not leave these loyal guards with intact corpses.

"What...tasteless slaughter." You turn over the body of a young guard with your toe; the dead man's wide eyes are still frozen in shock.

You look up at Feng Hua Nu Tao, whose neck is being strangled by Scorpion's puppet strings, and say, "You're too lazy to even clear the area, and you're in such a hurry to sit on the throne?"

Nu Tao's face was more ashen than a dead man's. His lips moved as if he wanted to explain, but you stepped on his face, and his exquisite mink hat rolled to the ground, covered in dust.

"You, go and summon those noble ministers to the palace." Your heel stomped, and your nose cracked under the strain.

It was at this moment that Feng Hua Xiaoxue broke down. The girl stumbled and rushed toward the magnificent corpse on the steps of the throne, her trembling fingers brushing across her father's pale face.

Zaoxue had a hole the size of a bowl in her chest, the edges still retaining the jagged shape of frozen blood.

"Father... Father..." Xiaoxue's sobs echoed in the empty palace, like a wounded little animal. She pressed her face against Zaoxue's cold forehead, her tears washing away the scabs on the other's face.

Kakashi placed his hand on Yuki's shoulder, but didn't know how to comfort her.

His gaze swept over the area behind the throne, where a figure in a gray cloak lay, with long, silvery-white hair spread out like a fan.

Naraku, Kakashi's breath hitched for a moment, but years of training in the Anbu allowed him to quickly regain control of his expression.

At least... Naraku had a smile on his lips.

"What exactly do you want?" Kakashi turned to you, his voice hoarser than you expected.

The Uchiha girl was leaning lazily on the throne, her black robe with red clouds standing out starkly against the golden chair back.

You propped your face up with one hand, your fingertips tapping lightly on the armrest. "Of course, we should give the princess a better option, instead of leaving the Snow Kingdom and wandering around like a stray dog."

"Lord Jashin! I am your eternal dog!" Hidan suddenly collapsed at the foot of the throne, his blood-stained crescent scythe held across his knees, resembling some kind of twisted sacrificial ritual.

Scorpion's puppet finger twitched, and the mechanical prosthetic limb clicked and turned ninety degrees, clearly expressing its stance of "not knowing this idiot."

Yahiko covered half of his face, his shoulders trembling suspiciously, it was unclear whether he was sighing or trying to suppress a laugh.

A bead of cold sweat slid down Kakashi's headband. He knew that the Akatsuki were a bunch of unorthodox rogue ninjas, but witnessing this kind of morbid display of loyalty still exceeded his expectations.

Especially when Hidan starts rubbing his face against your calf, Kakashi is certain that he sees Sasori's puppet strings have quietly wrapped around Hidan's ankle, ready to drag this shameful companion away at any moment.

Feng Hua Nu Tao finally finished writing the summons letter, and Scorpion's puppet strings suspended him in mid-air, hanging him on the right side of the throne like a trophy.

This angle allows Nu Tao to clearly see his former throne, now casually occupied by an outsider Uchiha girl, while his niece, whom he regards as an ant, is weeping over the corpse of his brother, whom he killed with his own hands.

"Little princess," you suddenly beckoned to Xiaoxue with your finger, "come here."

Xiaoxue raised her head, her red eyes still brimming with tears. She looked at Kakashi, who shook his head slightly, but the girl still staggered toward the throne.

A subtle change was taking place; as she stepped over the corpses, her trembling legs gradually became steady, and as she passed over the hanging raging waves, her hunched shoulders slowly straightened.

You reach out and stroke Xiaoxue's cheek. "Tell me, do you want to become the ruler of a country?"

Xiaoxue's eyes widened, her lips trembled, and her gaze drifted involuntarily to her father's corpse, then back to the raging waves hanging in the air.

Something fiery ignited in those blue eyes—hatred? Ambition? Or simply the will to survive?

"She's just a child!" Kakashi stepped forward, his fingers already touching the kunai, but Sasori's puppet silently blocked his way, its tail stinger only an inch from his throat.

You didn't even bother to glance at Kakashi, your thumb stroking Xiaoxue's chin, your Sharingan slowly rotating. "Imagine those opportunistic ministers kneeling at your feet... those nobles who once outwardly obeyed your father, now kissing the hem of your skirt..."

Xiaoxue swallowed, her fingers unconsciously clutching the hem of her clothes, the fabric still stained with her father's blood.

Yahiko appeared beside the throne at some unknown time and offered a kunai.

“That’s your father’s killer.” You pointed to the raging waves hanging in the air, your voice suddenly turning cold. “Kill him.”

Kakashi's muscles tensed. He had seen too many children consumed by hatred, but as he tried to break through the puppet's blockade, Hidan's three-month scythe was already across his carotid artery.

"Don't spoil the fun, Konoha!" Hidan licked his lips, his eyes brimming with genuine excitement. "This is a sacred rite of revenge!"

Xiaoxue took the kunai, which seemed too heavy in her small hands, but she held it very firmly.

One step, two steps... she walked toward the man who had once been her uncle, her boots making a sticky sound as they stepped into the pool of blood.

"Xiaoxue..." Nutao's voice sounded like it had been rubbed with sandpaper, "I'm your own uncle... I even held you when you were little..."

The sound of a kunai piercing flesh interrupted his pleas for mercy. The first strike missed, only piercing his shoulder. Xiaoxue's hand trembled violently, but your voice came from behind her.

"Very good, that's it, a little deeper."

The second blow struck right in the heart, and Nu Tao's eyes bulged out as he stared in disbelief at his usually docile niece.

Xiaoxue closed her eyes, tears welling up between her eyelashes, but her hands stopped trembling.

As the raging waves' pupils fully dilated, you slowly stepped down from the throne, applause echoing crisply throughout the palace, your black hair brushing against Xiaoxue's blood-stained cheek.

“Now,” you step aside, pointing to the blood-stained throne, “take your place.”

Xiaoxue loosened the kunai, and the metallic sound of it hitting the ground startled the crows roosting outside the window.

When she turned around, Kakashi almost didn't recognize the girl anymore. That innocent timidity had vanished, replaced by a cold decisiveness.

The girl's skirt swept across her father's body, like a silent farewell.

“Remember this feeling, Princess.” You whispered in Xiaoxue’s ear, your voice so soft that only the two of you could hear, “Power… is warmer than any other person’s embrace.”

The sound of hurried footsteps approached from afar; the drunken nobles had finally arrived. The moment they pushed open the palace gates, they were greeted by a scene they would never forget.

You stand beside the throne, bowing slightly like a most dutiful regent, and say, "Gentlemen of the Land of Snow, come and pay homage to your new daimyo."

The sound wasn't loud, but it caused the temperature in the entire palace to drop sharply.

Sasori's puppet strings gleamed coldly in the shadows, Yahiko's water-style chakra flowed in his palm, and Hidan licked the bloodstains on his three-moon scythe, letting out a chilling laugh.

Kakashi stood in the shadows, watching this absurd power transition, and suddenly realized something: the Akatsuki organization was reshaping the country's order in the most extreme way.

What's even more terrifying is that he seems to be unconsciously drawn to this madness.

Xiaoxue sat on the throne, her fingers gripping the armrests tightly. Her gaze towards you was a mixture of fear, dependence, and a burning, almost worshipful intensity.

The princess, who was once innocent and naive, now had a burning desire for power in her eyes.

Chapter 108 - Kakuzu

You responded with a smile and reached out to smooth the wrinkles in Xiaoxue's collar. This seemingly gentle gesture sent chills down the spines of all the nobles present.

"The ceremony has only just begun, my dear princess. Let's see which... disobedient ministers still need to be dealt with?"

Your gaze swept over the trembling nobles, and a cat-and-mouse smile curled at the corner of your lips.

“That one in the purple robe.” Xiaoxue’s clear voice echoed in the palace. Her childish finger pointed to a bloated nobleman in the crowd. “Last year on Father’s birthday, he gave us a bag of moldy rice.”

The man whose name was called turned ashen-faced, and the sound of his knees slamming against the marble floor was exceptionally loud. "Your Highness! It's all a misunderstanding—"

Your long sword is already pressed against his neck.

Blood gushed out like a fountain, drawing a bewitching arc in the air. A few drops of blood splashed onto your eyelashes. You casually wiped your face, only to spread the bloodstains, leaving several hideous red marks on your pale cheeks.