Naruto Immersive Replay, The Curse of the Sharingan

Leng Xi remained silent for a moment. In the dim light, he subconsciously clenched his fist and then relaxed it.

"The Crimson Flame Spirit Grass has limited effects on ordinary Sharingan users," Leng Xi said slowly, "but on 'reincarnated users'..."

You suddenly stood up, the movement kicking up a cloud of dust. "What do you know?"

“That’s enough.” Leng Xi looked up at you, the moonlight shining on his calm face. “The vision loss of a Prajna reincarnation is not something that can be cured by ordinary medicine, but the Crimson Flame Spirit Grass combined with the sealing technique of the Vortex Clan may be able to slow down the process.”

The Uzumaki clan... The image of the red-haired girl flashed through your mind. That princess had indeed displayed amazing talent in sealing techniques, but you never thought of using that.

"You suggested I ambush the betrothal convoy from the Land of Wind," you slowly sat back down, "and then use Mito Uzumaki's sealing techniques and the Crimson Flame Herb to make a potion?"

“I’m just providing intelligence.” Leng Xi shrugged. “How you do it is your choice.”

Silence fell over the dark room. You rapidly calculated various possibilities in your mind: the risks of hijacking the car, the safety of Mito Uzumaki, the possible relief that success would bring... and the impact on the Uchiha clan if you failed.

"Ban will not agree to this plan."

"So you weren't planning to tell him," Leng Xi said knowingly, "just like you weren't telling him the real reason your eyesight was deteriorating."

You smiled wryly. Leng Xi is always so perceptive, which is why you are both competitors and able to appreciate each other.

"The strength of the escort team?"

“Two Jonin will lead the team, along with six Chunin. The nobles won’t personally participate, as it’s just a routine marriage alliance,” Leng Xi replied quickly, clearly having already investigated the matter. “However, the reinforcements from the Land of Water might be a bit troublesome.”

You nodded. In the current situation, a direct confrontation is unlikely to succeed, but an ambush...

"There's a seal left by the Whirlpool Clan in the waters near the Land of Tea," you say thoughtfully. "If we could utilize the natural barrier there..."

“We can create chakra interference to temporarily disable sensory ninjas,” Leng Xi continued, a slight smile playing on her lips. “Looks like we’re on the same page.”

You reach out and pick up the purple scroll he brought, untie the ribbon, and inside is a detailed sea chart and the escort team's itinerary, even marking each ninja's specialty ninjutsu. The level of detail in this information is astonishing.

"I'll reluctantly accept your suggestion." You spread your hands, a relaxed expression finally appearing on your face, something you hadn't seen in days. "However, I need an assistant."

Leng Xi stood up and patted off non-existent dust from her clothes. "I've already applied for a mission to the Land of Hot Springs in three days, which will take me through the waters off the Land of Tea."

You chuckled softly, "What a coincidence."

“Indeed.” Leng Xi walked toward the exit, paused at the door, and said, “By the way, Tobirama Senju has been researching something interesting lately that might be useful to you.”

"You even know this?" You raised an eyebrow.

Leng Xi nodded, then took out another scroll from his ninja tool bag and placed it on the table. "This is information on Tobirama Senju. See you at the usual place tomorrow night at this time."

You fumbled to pick up the scroll, your fingertips able to feel the intricate chakra markings on it. This was Lengxi's unique method of encrypting information, and only the two of you knew how to decipher it.

"Leng Xi." Just as he was about to leave, you suddenly called out to him, "Thank you."

There was no response, only the sound of the wooden door opening and closing, and the footsteps gradually fading away in the corridor, but you know, Leng Xi heard it.

You look down at the scroll in your hand, a slight smile playing on your lips.

Perhaps blindness is not as terrible as you imagine; at least it allows you to see some people and things clearly again.

Gently push open the door, the wooden door makes a slight creaking sound. Your fingers are still on the doorknob when you feel an unusual chakra fluctuation inside the house, calm yet with a suppressed restlessness, like the sea before a storm.

Where did you go?

A deep voice came from the shadows of the porch. You looked up and saw Uchiha Madara leaning against the door frame with his arms crossed, his long black hair falling over his shoulders. His expression was not visible in the backlight, but his Sharingan, which was clearly visible even in the dim light, was staring straight at you.

You paused slightly, then casually stepped into the room, closing the door behind you. "Let's have tea in a quiet place."

You answered casually, your fingers unconsciously brushing against the purple scroll hidden in your sleeve. The information Leng Xi gave you still carried a hint of the coolness of the night breeze.

Ban's gaze shifted slightly downwards as you moved, then quickly returned to your face.

You could sense the probing in his eyes, but surprisingly, Ban's expression softened, and his furrowed brows relaxed slightly.

"Why won't you let me stay with you?" Ban's voice was still low, but it lacked the coldness and hardness of before, and contained a hint of barely perceptible grievance.

As the distance closes, you have to look up to make eye contact with him. In the past two years, Ban's height has increased by leaps and bounds, and he is now half a head taller than you.

“You are the young clan leader,” you gently stroked the contours of his cheekbone with your thumb, your voice soft, “you shouldn’t get involved in meaningless things.”

Your touch seemed to have a magical power; Ban's complexion softened at a visible speed.

He closed his eyes and nuzzled your palm like a tamed large feline.

"This is not a meaningless thing." Ban suddenly grabbed your wrist and pulled you into his arms.

You did not resist, letting Ban bury his face in the crook of your neck. His warm breath sprayed on your skin, trembling slightly, as if he was trying his best to restrain something.

This almost childish possessiveness, which seemed incomprehensible to you two years ago, has now become a common part of your life.

"Have you forgotten your promise to Hashirama?" you suddenly asked, your voice muffled inside Madara's clothes.

The embrace tightened suddenly, and Ban's chin rubbed against the top of your head. "...No."

"Then why don't you go?"

Ban was silent for a moment, then suddenly released his embrace, cupped your face in his hands, and in the moonlight, his expression was awkward like that of a sulking child. "I don't want that white-haired guy to get close to you."

You blinked, puzzled. "Why?"

The next second, the world spins, and your back sinks into the soft bedding. Ban kneels on one knee on the edge of the bed, his hands supporting him on either side of your ears, his black hair falling down to form an impenetrable curtain.

In this private space, his breathing became heavy, and his Sharingan shone frighteningly in the darkness.

"I don't like the way that guy looks at you," Madara gritted his teeth, "It's like..."

"Like what?" You were completely baffled, placing your hands on his chest and feeling the tension in his muscles.

Madara suddenly stopped, carefully observing your expression. You looked back in confusion, not understanding why the topic had suddenly shifted to Tobirama Senju, and even less why Madara cared so much.

After a few seconds of silence, Ban's expression suddenly softened, a hint of understanding and pleasure flashing in his eyes. He chuckled softly and released his grip on you. "It's nothing."

You sit up, straighten your disheveled collar, and can't help but frown. "You're so strange."

"Yes, I really find it strange." Ban's eyes were so intense they almost melted you. You had never seen him express his emotions so directly, and your heart raced and your ears burned.

It turned out that Uchiha Nagi had no other feelings for Senju Tobirama, and this realization suddenly improved Madara's mood.

He leaned closer, close enough to count the trembling of your eyelashes from nervousness.

"Go see the fireflies, don't keep them waiting."

Ban let you push her away, and was in an unusually good mood.

He enjoys seeing this rare moment of panic in you, like a crack opening in a glacier to reveal warm water flowing beneath.

"Yes, Elder Nagi." He deliberately used a respectful address to tease you, and seeing your ears turning red, he couldn't help but lean over and bite your slightly cool earlobe.

You quickly rolled out of bed, straightened your disheveled clothes, and Ban lazily followed behind you, like a satisfied cat.

When you open the door, he suddenly wraps his arms around your waist from behind and rests his chin on your shoulder.

"Promise me one thing." Ban's voice suddenly became serious.

“Whatever your plans are with that white-haired guy…” His lips brushed against the sensitive skin on your neck, “Don’t hide it from me.”

Your body stiffened almost imperceptibly. As expected, Ban noticed that his real purpose in agreeing to the appointment was never to see fireflies.

Tobirama Senju may possess a method to slow down the decline of his eye power, but this is a secret you cannot tell Madara.

"Mmm," you replied softly, neither a promise nor a rejection.

Madara seemed satisfied with the answer, released his arm and took your hand instead. The two walked one after the other on the path leading to the Naka River, the moonlight stretching their overlapping shadows long.

As Hashirama Senju stood on a boulder on the riverbank, he saw two familiar figures approaching from afar and immediately waved his arms wildly like a child.

"Madara! You've finally arrived! I knew you wouldn't break your promise!" Hashirama's voice was exceptionally loud on the quiet riverbank, startling several roosting water birds.

Ban crossed his arms and scoffed lightly, his long black hair fluttering slightly in the night breeze. "Is that all you think of me?" His tone was as arrogant as ever, but the curve of his lips betrayed his true emotions.

"No... I just thought..." Hashirama quickly explained, scratching the back of his head apologetically.

He jumped off the boulder and strode towards the two men, his straw sandals making a crisp sound as he stepped on the pebbles.

Standing beside Madara, with your eyes slightly narrowed, you can clearly see the undisguised joy on Hashirama's face, even in the darkness of night.

Such pure emotional expression is rare among ninjas, making you think of Madara's words: "That Hashirama guy lives like an immature child."

"By the way, Tobirama, weren't you going to help..." Hashirama was interrupted by a cold shout halfway through his sentence.

"Big brother! Shut up!"

Senju Tobirama was already standing under a tree not far away, his white hair gleaming coldly in the moonlight.

His red eyes lingered on you for less than a second before quickly looking away, as if looking at you for even a moment longer would burn you.

Hashirama, who was publicly reprimanded by his younger brother, immediately wilted, his shoulders slumped, and it seemed as if tangible mushrooms were growing on his body.

"I just wanted to help..." he muttered softly, looking pitifully at Ban, hoping his friend would say a word for him.

Madara glanced thoughtfully at Tobirama, then suddenly turned around. "If you want to see fireflies, wait a moment. I have something to say to them."

You paused for a moment. Madara rarely needed to avoid things, especially in front of the Senju brothers.

You hesitate and look across the river. There, more fireflies are indeed gathered, their green lights floating in the darkness like scattered stars.

"Hmm." You finally just gave a brief reply, lightly leaping over a few rocks protruding from the water to reach the other side.

You can feel three pairs of eyes watching you from behind, one of which is particularly intense.

After you left, the gentleness on Madara's face vanished instantly. He turned to Tobirama, "You know her eyes very well!"

Tobirama was unfazed by Madara's anger, even giving a cold laugh, "At least I know more than you do."

He glanced meaningfully at you on the other side of the river, "After all, you don't even know the real reason why her eyesight is deteriorating."

"Why are you two arguing all of a sudden? Weren't you here to see the fireflies together?!" Hashirama quickly stepped between the two, placing his hands on their chests.

He could feel the boiling chakra within Madara's body and Tobirama's taut muscles.

"Heh, that guy probably has other ideas!" Madara scrutinized Tobirama, a mocking smile playing on his lips.

He was a head taller than Tobirama, and was currently exuding a sense of oppression from his superior position.

Tobirama's crimson eyes narrowed slightly. "It seems you care about that assassin more than I thought." His voice was chillingly calm. "Why? Is it because you discovered she's hiding something from you and is out of your control?"

These words were like a sharp knife, precisely piercing Madara's most vulnerable spot. His Mangekyou Sharingan spun wildly, the surrounding air distorted by the boiling chakra. "You want to die?"

Instead of raging here, Tobirama should think about how to save her eyes. Unmoved, Tobirama's gaze drifted back to the opposite bank.

You stand by the river with your back to them, the moonlight outlining your slender silhouette, fireflies fluttering around you, yet unable to illuminate the gradually dimming world.

"Stop talking!" Hashirama suddenly raised his voice, displaying an unusual air of authority befitting a young clan leader. "Today is for relaxation; let's not bring up such heavy topics!"

Although he was unaware of the specific details, he keenly sensed that this topic was far too dangerous for all three of them.

Madara and Tobirama exchanged a glance and simultaneously withdrew their chakra, causing the tension in the air to ease slightly, but undercurrents still flowed between the three.

Chapter 35 - The Seal

"Hey! Elder Nagi! We've finished talking." Hashirama called out to the other side, his voice regaining its usual cheerfulness, as if the conflict had never happened.

You turn around, lightly leap over the river stones, and return to this side. "What happened? You don't look well."

Ban shook his head, his expression quickly returning to calm. "We just chatted for a bit." He reached out and brushed a leaf that had fallen on your shoulder. "There are a lot of fireflies tonight; you'll probably enjoy them."

You know Ban is changing the subject, but you don't press him. When he decides to keep something to himself, no one can get him to talk.

"Wow, so many fireflies!" Hashirama suddenly grabbed Tobirama's sleeve excitedly and pointed to a denser cluster of fireflies in the distance. "Let's go take a look over there!" He pulled his reluctant brother away without waiting for a reply.

"Big brother, how childish are you!" Tobirama frowned in protest, but after seeing the pure smile on Hashirama's face, he reluctantly followed.

Before leaving, he turned back and gave you a deep look, his gaze complex and unreadable.

Soon, only Ban and you were left by the river, fireflies dancing around you, leaving green streaks of light in the darkness.

"I don't like fireflies," you suddenly said, looking up at the sky full of twinkling lights.

Ban paused for a moment, then looked down at you. In the faint light of the fireflies, your pupils dilated slightly, and your dim eyes reflected specks of green light, creating a strange and beautiful effect.

"You don't like it? Why didn't you tell me? You didn't have to come tonight." He asked softly.

"Actually, many choices are only about the person, not the matter." You took Ban's hand and intertwined your fingers with his.

Ban's ears turned bright red instantly. It was rare to hear such straightforward words of love from you. He held your hand tightly, unable to hide the surprise in his eyes.

At this moment, everything about Tobirama Senju and any hidden secrets was thrown to the winds.

However, the next second, your words were like a bucket of cold water poured over him: "I need to leave for a while."

Ban almost reflexively pulled you into his arms. "What did you say?" His voice was hoarse from suppressed emotions.