Naruto Immersive Replay, The Curse of the Sharingan

In the end, Mitokado Homura pushed up his glasses, steeled himself, and spoke, trying to ease the atmosphere with his usual caution and smoothness.

"Elder Koharu, please calm down. I think... the Hokage must have his reasons and considerations for doing this. Perhaps it's to deal with the pressure from Danzo, or perhaps there's a deeper plan..."

"Deeper meaning? Considerations?" Koharu Tsuru interrupted him rudely, sneered, and her sharp gaze swept over everyone present.

"I think he's been driven mad by that lunatic Danzo Shimura! He's desperate! Such a crucial matter, concerning the safety of the village and the ownership of that 'weapon,' he actually stamped it with the Hokage's seal without consulting the Supreme Advisory Council."

"Does he even respect us old folks anymore? Does he even care about Konoha's rules and regulations?!"

She grew angrier as she spoke, and slammed her hand on the table again, making the teacups on the table shake.

"Now that's settled! Danzo can forget about getting that 'forbidden' item easily, but what about us? How do we control her? How do we ensure that her dangerous power doesn't get out of control? How do we prevent her from being used by other forces, like the ever-opportunistic Uchiha clan!"

Koharu's barrage of questions came like hail, each one hitting the nail on the head and reflecting the concerns of many present.

Nagi Uchiha's existence was a ticking time bomb. Previously, the Root organization and the Hokage's direct ANBU were jointly monitoring and suppressing her, which was able to maintain a dangerous balance.

The Third Hokage's sudden move has completely shattered the existing order, pushing everything into an unknown direction.

Sitting a little further away, Nara Shikaku listened quietly to the argument between the two advisors and elders, habitually resting his chin on his hand as he fell into deep thought.

As the head of the Nara clan, one of the three Ino-Shika-Cho clans, and also Konoha's recognized strategist, he had naturally heard about the Uchiha orphan who was known as a taboo in Konoha.

He Chuan's strange phenomena, bizarre birth, and closely monitored upbringing... all of this reveals her extraordinary danger.

He has always believed that placing this dangerous individual in an orphanage, where the Hokage and Root would check and balance each other, is the safest course of action.

The Third Hokage's move is indeed too abrupt and bizarre, completely out of character for his usual composed demeanor. What deeper meaning lies behind it?

Was this a decisive blow against Danzo? Or a test of the Uchiha clan? Or... was there a deeper reason, one that even they couldn't fathom?

Shikaku frowned slightly. There was too little information and the motives were unclear. Even he could not easily see through the Hokage's true intentions.

After careful consideration, Shikaku decided to remain silent.

As long as this matter does not directly affect the interests of the three races of pig, deer, and butterfly, and does not cause large-scale turmoil, he chooses to stand by for the time being.

It would be unwise to rashly get involved in the power struggle between the Hokage and the advisory group, or even with Root. The Nara clan's way of survival lies in assessing the situation and making a well-thought-out plan before taking action.

The sky over Konoha seemed to sense the unusual nature of the day. The clear skies of the past few days were replaced by a sudden downpour. Large raindrops pelted down, splashing up countless droplets and making a loud, clamorous sound.

Lightning flashed intermittently, tearing through the dark sky, followed by the deafening roar of thunder that sent shivers down one's spine.

The air was filled with the damp smell of rain and earth, but it did nothing to wash away the silent tension that permeated the air.

You stand by the window of your room, quietly watching the world outside blurred by the torrential rain. You have already packed your meager belongings and a few changes of old clothes.

At this moment, you are reaching into a well-hidden compartment under the bed, taking out a specially made kunai that emits a cold, icy light, and carefully hiding it inside your wide black cloak. Your movements are practiced and natural, as if this were just part of your daily routine.

Outside the villa, two figures had already quietly lurked.

Kabuto Yakushi barely slept all night. He waited here in the rain before dawn, completely unconcerned about being soaked to the bone, his eyes behind his glasses fixed on the entrance to the villa.

He wanted to see which damned family dared to steal you away from him.

On another, even denser tree, Kakashi Hatake lay silently, like a shadow blending into the rain.

Even in such terrible weather, he never left his post. His brows were furrowed beneath his mask, and his heart was filled with doubt and a hint of indescribable anxiety.

Who exactly passed the Hokage's test? Danzo? The Hyuga clan? Or some other hidden force?

You've already suspected this, weighed the pros and cons, analyzed the situation, and the Hyuga clan is currently the most logical choice.

You were even prepared to face the scrutinizing gaze of the Hyuga clan head.

When the figure of Dean Pharmacist Nonou appeared in the rain, the person following her was not the expected white eyes and traditional clothing of the Hyuga clan.

Instead, it was a couple who looked somewhat nervous and awkward, and a little girl with rare pink hair and emerald green eyes, whose hand was being held tightly by her mother.

Even your usually absolutely calm demeanor was momentarily stunned.

Even Kabuto and Kakashi instinctively widened their eyes, almost wondering if they were hallucinating because the rain had blurred their vision!

Just considering your identity being closely monitored by higher-ups, the people who adopted you... should at least be from a prestigious and influential family.

The family in front of me... looks like an ordinary commoner ninja family, and has absolutely nothing to do with words like taboo, power, or conspiracy.

Led by Nono, the Haruno family nervously entered the villa. They immediately noticed the girl in black standing alone by the window, almost blending into the shadows.

Despite his young age, his seemingly innate, aloof demeanor, calm and unwavering dark eyes, and sharp aura all silently proclaimed his extraordinary nature.

Haruno Mebuki instinctively gripped her husband Haruno Chō's arm, whispering quietly in his ear, her voice trembling slightly.

"Honey... I feel like... we can't handle this child..." This doesn't seem like someone they could take home and raise as a daughter. Her aura is even more frightening than some of the Jonin they've ever met.

Chapter 243 Child's Play

This blatant cricket chatter caused Dean Nono, who was trying hard to maintain an official smile, to have her lips twitch almost imperceptibly, and her smile became somewhat stiff.

She coughed lightly, stepped forward, and forced herself to introduce, "Nagi, come here for a moment. This is... um... your adoptive parents, Haruno Sakura." She pointed to the pink-haired little girl, "These two are her parents, Mr. Haruno Cho and Ms. Haruno Mebuki."

No sooner had Nono finished speaking than Kabuto, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but speak up before you could even react.

He rushed forward abruptly, disregarding all manners, pointed at Sakura Haruno, and raised his voice in excitement and anger as he loudly complained to Nono.

"Headmistress! What kind of joke is this?! Letting such a... such a young girl adopt Nagi-chan?! Is this even in accordance with the rules?! What is the Hokage thinking?!"

Hidden in the shadows, Kakashi's pupils beneath his mask widened in shock, his Sharingan nearly activating on its own. A little girl adopting you?! Has the Third Hokage gone mad? This isn't a plan; this is utter child's play!

Even you, who are usually calm and collected, experienced a rare moment of mental lapse as your rapidly working brain froze, and a clear look of astonishment flashed across your eyes.

What exactly is the Third Hokage doing?

Did you guess wrong? So the Konoha higher-ups really aren't interested in the power and value you might possess? Or... is Hiruzen Sarutobi simply trying to infuriate Danzo Shimura with this utterly absurd method?

The scene fell into an extremely awkward silence.

Both sides—the Haruno family who came to pick you up, you who were about to be taken away, and Kabuto and Nonou who were watching—had a sense of absurdity written on their faces: 'unwilling to believe it, but forced to accept it'.

Sakura kept her head down, her little hands nervously clutching the hem of her clothes.

She always felt that this absurd misunderstanding was entirely her fault.

If she hadn't been so nosy in delivering that form, if she hadn't signed it without thinking... perhaps this seemingly extraordinary girl in black would have been adopted by a truly prestigious family and lived a better life, instead of being forced into their ordinary, even somewhat impoverished, home...

Guilt and unease nearly overwhelmed her.

But it's too late now. The Hokage's seal has been stamped, and everything is set in stone. Neither running away nor regretting can solve the problem.

Sakura took a deep breath, mustered the greatest courage she had ever had, and took the initiative to break the suffocating stalemate.

She walked up to you, struggling to lift her head to meet his dark eyes, which seemed to have a tangible, oppressive quality. Sakura's heart skipped a beat, but she still managed to keep her gaze fixed on him.

She extended her slightly trembling hand, trying to make her voice sound calm and friendly, "You... hello, although... this is really unexpected, and also... strange."

"But... I am Sakura, Haruno Sakura, and from today onwards... um... according to the documents, I, I am your... adoptive parent." As she uttered the last few words, she felt her cheeks burning, and her voice was barely audible.

You lower your eyes to look at the small, warm hand extended in front of you, then look up at the other person's clear green eyes, which are filled with tension, guilt, and sincerity.

It's unclear what kind of accident could have led to such a dramatic turn of events.

But for you, accepting all the illogical variables in life is a basic survival skill. Anger, doubt, resistance... these emotions are useless and a waste of energy.

After a brief silence, you slowly raised your always-cold hand, gently squeezed Sakura's hand with your fingertips, and then quickly let go.

"Nagi." You uttered only one word in response, your voice cold and indifferent, revealing no emotion.

Sakura, however, clearly felt the other person's unusually cold temperature during that brief touch, as if it could penetrate her skin and reach her heart, causing her to tremble involuntarily.

Sure enough... some people, even orphans, even if they are dressed simply, can sense your extraordinary nature at first glance.

That unique charisma, that captivating aura that seems to emanate from a protagonist, makes it hard not to draw attention to you.

And when you look at the pink-haired girl in front of you who is slightly shorter than you, with rare hair and eye colors, and trying her best to appear brave and friendly, your first impression is... cute.

Pink hair, emerald green eyes, a small body that is tense yet trying to stand up straight... all combined, they have an almost fairytale-like exquisiteness.

It forms two extremes with the lingering darkness and coldness around you.

Deidara sat on the edge of the giant rock, his legs dangling in the air, with a dizzying abyss below.

He was intently kneading a lump of specially made explosive clay in his hands, trying to shape it into a form that better reflected his artistic pursuits.

Perhaps it's a bird about to take flight, or a flower about to bloom, but his mind is not on the clay in his hands at all.

The eyes, which always shone with a fervent passion for the art of explosion, were now somewhat unfocused, staring blankly in the general direction of Konoha Village.

In his mind, the scenes from the dark and damp dungeon in Kumogakure kept replaying uncontrollably.

The girl in black silently dealt with the guards; her Sharingan eyes suddenly gleamed in the darkness; her cold profile as she swiftly pierced the attacker's chest with her long sword; and at such close range, the scent of herbs mixed with the stench of blood emanating from her...

Such amazing skills... such beautiful eyes... such a unique Nagi.

Deidara felt his heart begin to beat faster again, his cheeks flushed slightly, and an unprecedented desire grew wildly like vines, entwining his heart.

I want to see her again soon! I want... I want to stay by her side forever, letting her only look at my art!

"Brother Deidara!" A clear, slightly disgruntled female voice suddenly rang out from behind him, interrupting his reverie.

Deidara was startled, and the clay bird in his hand almost fell off the cliff. He turned around angrily and saw Kurotsuchi standing behind him with her hands on her hips, looking sullen.

"Junior sister! Why are you here again! How many times have I told you not to disturb me when I'm studying art! Ugh!" Deidara complained irritably, trying to use his impatience to cover up his distraction.

Kurotsuchi wasn't buying it at all. She walked over and sat down next to him on the edge of the rock, tilting her head to look at him with a tone of grievance and accusation, "Deidara-nii, you've been sneaking off by yourself lately! You don't play with me anymore! Do you hate me?"

"I didn't! I didn't! Don't talk nonsense! Hmm!" Deidara immediately denied it three times, but his eyes were a little unfocused. He had indeed been intentionally or unintentionally avoiding Kurotsuchi recently.

Kurotsuchi stared at him for a few seconds, then suddenly took a deep breath, as if making some kind of decision, and said loudly, "But I like you, Deidara-nii!"

This blunt confession froze Deidara instantly, his ears turning red at a visible speed. He waved his hands frantically, his voice both panicked and resolute, "No! Absolutely not! Junior sister, give up! I'm already... I'm already taken! Yes!"

"Wh...what?!" This time it was Heitu's turn to be stunned. Her eyes widened, her face filled with disbelief. "Taken? Who? When did this happen? How come I didn't know?!"

Deidara breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that he had successfully changed the subject, but he tried his best to put on a serious expression, which looked more like showing off. He cleared his throat and said.

"It was during my time in Kumogakure that an orphan from Konoha saved me! He saved my life! I plan... I plan to repay his kindness by marrying him! Hmm!"

He tried to use the seemingly righteous excuse of repaying a debt of gratitude to cover up his true feelings of being deeply moved.

After he finished speaking, he secretly observed Heitu's reaction, thinking that she would back down, or at least be angry and sad.

Hei Tu remained silent for a moment, his bright eyes flashing with a complex mix of emotions: surprise, confusion, and then a strange... sudden enlightenment?

Just when Deidara thought she was finally going to give up, Kurotsuchi suddenly clapped her hands, looked at him with bright eyes, and said something surprising.

"So that's how it is! Since he's Deidara's savior, then he's also my savior! Deidara, if you're going to repay my kindness with your body, then I think... I think I should repay your kindness with my body too! Let's repay each other with our bodies! That would show more sincerity!"

Deidara: "???"

He was completely stunned, his brain felt like it had been bombarded by countless exploding clay cones at once, leaving it utterly blank! This... this was completely different from what he had expected! How on earth did his junior sister's thought process work?!

"Junior Sister! You...you're not allowed to come with me! Absolutely not! Ugh!" Deidara was so angry he could barely speak, his golden hair practically standing on end. "What kind of logic is this! How can two people repay a debt of gratitude together and then offer themselves to each other? Ugh!"

Kurotsuchi, however, felt her logic was flawless and retorted confidently, "Why not? I think it's great! Someone who would make Deidara-nii willing to repay a debt of gratitude with his body must be an incredibly powerful person! I trust Deidara-nii's judgment! If we go together, our benefactor will definitely be even happier!"

The more she thought about it, the more brilliant the idea seemed. She could be with Deidara and have another powerful companion—it was a win-win situation.

Deidara looked at Kurotsuchi's earnest expression that said, "I'm such a genius," and felt a wave of dizziness wash over him, a mix of powerlessness and absurdity washing over him.

He tried to explain, but found it impossible! Was he supposed to say that he had actually fallen in love with Nagi at first sight, and that it wasn't simply about repaying a debt of gratitude?

The heavy wooden door to the Hokage's office was kicked open with a brute force.

"boom--!"

The loud noise shattered the office's usual tranquility and solemnity. The door slammed heavily against the wall, then bounced back, groaning as if it could no longer withstand the pressure.

Danzo Shimura's face was grim, his single eye burning with undisguised rage as he stared intently at the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was sitting behind his large desk and had just looked up in surprise at the sudden commotion.

"Hiruzen Sarutobi!" Danzo's voice was hoarse and cold, filled with suppressed rage. "Are you insane?!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi paused slightly in his grip on his pipe, his brow furrowing unconsciously. Looking at his political rival, who was clearly enraged, his tone carried a hint of annoyance and confusion at being interrupted, "Danzo? What's wrong with you now? This is the Hokage's office. Watch your manners!"

"Behavior?!" Danzo let out a sharp laugh as if he had heard the biggest joke in the world, his face contorted with extreme anger.

"You're talking to me about manners?! Look at what you've done! Even if you're trying your best to prevent me from getting Uchiha Nagi, you could have found a respectable, prestigious clan to take her over! Hyuga, Nara, even the most peripheral Inuzuka would have been fine! But what about you?!"

He took a few steps forward abruptly, slamming his withered hand heavily on the desk with a loud "smack," causing the documents on it to jump and the ash in the ashtray to fall in a flurry.

"You actually! Let her be adopted by a five-year-old girl? A brat named Sakura Haruno, whose parents are just ordinary Chunin?! Hiruzen Sarutobi! Who are you trying to humiliate?! Are you trying to humiliate that 'weapon,' or are you trying to humiliate me, Danzo Shimura?"

"Are you going to tell the entire Hidden Leaf Village that after all these years of my efforts, I, Danzo Shimura, am not even as good as a five-year-old girl? I don't even have the right to snatch someone from her!"

Danzo's roar echoed in the office, every word filled with rage and humiliation at being mocked.

He no longer cares who adopted Uchiha Nagi; what he cares about is the meaning behind the process and the outcome. This is tantamount to Hiruzen Sarutobi slapping him hard in front of everyone!