Naruto Immersive Replay, The Curse of the Sharingan

"Nagi—!" Sakura excitedly stood on tiptoe and waved vigorously at the figure on the float. Her voice was drowned out by the clamor of the crowd, but it carried all her joy and pride.

You heard a familiar voice, and the gaze beneath the mask seemed to flicker slightly, but this was not the scheduled interaction, and the High Priest's rituals had to be maintained, so you did not respond.

But this did nothing to dampen the crowd's enthusiasm!

Compared to previous High Priests of the Deer Dance, this year's one has an exceptionally outstanding presence!

Even without seeing the face, the jawline outlined by the mask, the pale, jade-like skin, and the black eyes that occasionally peek through the holes in the mask all make one absolutely certain that an unparalleled beauty is hidden beneath.

"Look! A banner!" someone shouted.

At the front of the crowd, Haruno Chika and Haruno Mebuki vigorously held up a banner they had prepared beforehand, which read in bold letters: "Nagi's path to popularity is unstoppable!"

"Nagi-chan! I love you so much!" Naruto Uzumaki didn't care about any rituals. He cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted his love with all his might.

"Me too—! Uh-huh!" Deidara wasn't about to be outdone, so he immediately yelled at the top of his lungs, almost knocking his kappa mask off.

Kiba Inuzuka opened his mouth, wanting to shout something, but his voice was instantly drowned out by the even more frenzied shouts around him.

Looking at the seemingly radiant figure on the float, he felt both proud and a little bittersweet; it was just too popular.

Apart from the initial faint shouts from Sakura, all subsequent sounds, including the confessions, were almost entirely drowned out by deafening cheers and drumming.

Obito Uchiha, wearing a vortex mask, stood quietly by the window of a private room in a teahouse facing the street.

His gaze pierced through the noise, fixing firmly on the red figure on the float.

He never expected that you, having shed your usual dark colors and donned such vibrant hues, would be even more dazzling than usual.

The light shone on your bare, pale skin, giving it a cold, jade-like sheen. Obito felt his throat go dry and subconsciously looked away, but couldn't help looking back.

"That's amazing, Nagi!" An irrepressible urge welled up in Yamanaka Ino's heart.

She quickly pulled a pre-prepared sachet from her sleeve and threw it forcefully at you on the float!

The sachet gently landed on your arm, then rolled onto the red carpet laid out on the float.

You paused for a moment, then quickly realized that during festival processions, if an audience member showed extreme enthusiasm for a particular priest, they would throw sachets at him. This was both a blessing and a symbol of his immense popularity.

You are the first priest to receive a sachet at this year's summer festival!

Ino's actions flipped a switch, and the next moment, sachets embroidered with various auspicious patterns were tossed from the excited crowds on both sides of the road toward the float you were on!

Faced with this sudden attack, you calmly adjusted your dance steps, skillfully avoiding most of the sachets' direct hits within the limited space.

The sachets jingled as they landed on the floats, piling up like offerings for a coronation.

Just as you turn around, a sachet embroidered with silver thunder patterns happens to hang on the antler branch on your left!

Suddenly, a weight appeared on your head, causing you to look in the direction the sachet had flown from. There, on the outskirts of the crowd, Kakashi Hatake was leaning lazily against a lamppost.

He was still wearing his ninja vest, not a yukata, and his face was covered by a mask. He casually waved at you as a greeting.

Chapter 339 Summer Festival Dance (13)

Although the march was much more troublesome than expected, with a constant barrage of stares, shouts, and attacks, the experience of being genuinely loved and adored by countless people... didn't seem so bad after all.

Especially when your gaze sweeps across Sakura's flushed face in the crowd, and the banner that Haruno and his wife are waving vigorously, a strange sense of satisfaction quietly washes over you.

After all the clergy's floats had passed the main road in turn and completed their initial display, the massive parade came to a temporary halt.

The clergy disembarked from the floats and rested in designated areas in preparation for the more central blessing dance segment that followed.

As one of the symbols of the festival, the Kagura shrine maiden was the first to perform a dance in front of the temporary small Kagura Hall.

Holding a kagura bell, she danced gracefully and sacredly, chanting ancient blessings, attracting many devout villagers to stop and watch and pray.

Kakuzu, with his keen sense of smell, immediately spotted a golden business opportunity.

He somehow managed to get a large basket of brand-new sachets, squeezed into the relatively dense front row of the crowd, and began his impromptu high-priced sale.

"Special offer for the festival: Blessing sachets! May the coming year bring favorable weather and all your wishes come true! Limited quantity, first come, first served!"

Kakuzu shouted in his hoarse voice, his green eyes gleaming shrewdly behind his mask.

Hinata Hyuga's eyes were drawn to the brightly colored, exquisitely embroidered sachets. She timidly stepped forward and asked softly, "Excuse me... how much does one of these sachets cost?"

As soon as Kakuzu saw a customer come in, and it was a young girl who seemed very easy to talk to, he immediately put on a heartbroken expression as if he was having a clearance sale at a loss.

"Young lady, you have excellent taste! This sachet originally cost five hundred taels! But today, for the sake of the summer festival, I'll only sell it to you for three hundred taels! It's an absolute steal!"

"Three...three hundred taels?" Hinata blinked her white eyes, thinking it was a bit expensive, but remembering she could throw it at him as a sign of support, she obediently prepared to take out her purse. "Then...please give me ten..."

"Wait! Three hundred taels each?! Are you trying to rob me?!" Before Hinata could even hand over the money, Naruto rushed over, pointing at Kakuzu and shouting, "You can buy ordinary sachets for a few dozen taels! You're so greedy!"

Kakuzu felt a chill run down his spine, but he forced a calm facade and retorted defiantly, "What do you know, brat! My sachet is made of fine materials, the embroidery is exquisite, and it's even been...blessed by a high monk! Three hundred taels is already a loss for me! You can't just spout nonsense!"

Just then, Deidara noticed the commotion and saw that Kakuzu was selling sachets. His eyes lit up, and without saying a word, he squeezed through the crowd and grabbed a handful of sachets from the basket.

"Hey! Deidara! Put that down! That's for selling!" Kakuzu's heart bled when he saw it. He couldn't care less about arguing with Naruto anymore and rushed to snatch the sachet back.

"Hey, Kakuzu, we're from the same organization, what's wrong with you giving me a few? Hmm!" Deidara said matter-of-factly, dodging Kakuzu's hands while continuing to grab the sachets.

Then, without even looking, he forcefully threw it towards the area where you were about to perform, muttering, "It's all for Nagi! Hmm!"

"How many are there?! This is clearly robbery!" Kakuzu shouted in anguish as he looked at the rapidly deflated basket, feeling as if his wallet was being slowly tortured.

On the other side, Hidan tries to preach his evil god doctrine to a seemingly quiet boy, rambling on about the beauty of pain and sacrifice.

Sai simply maintained his standard smile, as if he completely ignored Hidan's words.

He opened his sketchbook with focused attention and quickly and accurately sketched the stunning image of the High Priestess of the Deer Dance in the distance with charcoal.

Looking at the chaotic scene before him, Scorpion felt only disgust and a headache.

He quietly slipped away from the crowd, found a corner near the edge of the performance area, leaned against the cold wall, and tried to find a moment of peace.

His gaze, however, inadvertently fell on a figure not far away, who had also temporarily escaped the center of the commotion.

You are standing not far from the Kagura Palace, your head slightly bowed, reaching out to adjust the slightly crooked blue demon mask on your face.

The antler headdress swayed gently with each movement. You felt an undisguised gaze from the corner. You paused in adjusting your mask, then looked up, piercing through the noise and distance, and met Scorpion's eyes.

He had seen countless so-called works of art, from intricate puppets to fleeting explosions, but he had never seen eyes like these.

Like the finest black jade, yet lacking the radiance and warmth of a living person, it possesses only the stillness and indifference of stagnant water.

There was no fear, no curiosity, and not even any wariness towards this stranger who clearly exuded a dangerous aura.

Scorpion has always been obsessed with eternal art, but at this moment, he felt that these eyes themselves were a kind of art that existed briefly on a living being, making them unforgettable.

You met his gaze for about two or three seconds, and once you were sure that his gaze was not threatening, you calmly looked away and refocused on adjusting your mask.

Scorpion's gaze did not immediately shift; the fleeting eye contact was etched into his senses.

The drums of the festival sounded again, signaling the imminent start of the deer dance.

Your deer dance is not a gentle supplication, but a ritual full of primal power.

Screams from the girls echoed through the crowd, captivated by the irresistible charm.

Kagura, the shrine maiden, reappears, her bells ringing clearly.

She stands back to back with you, the priestess rings her magic bell and chants ancient blessings; you wave your pure white scepter, your movements vigorous.

As the dance reaches its climax, the shrine maiden turns to face you, clasps her hands together, and whispers prayers to each other.

Immediately following, on a heavy beat of the drum, the Kagura shrine maiden leaps forward, and you swiftly catch her by the waist, gently bringing her to safety.

You tilt your head back, mask facing the sky, and the shrine maiden leans down, with a sacred and shy expression, gently pressing her lips to the center of the blue demon mask's forehead.

"Blessing complete!"

The crowd erupted in enthusiastic cheers.

After the ceremony, it was time for the clergy to interact with the public and distribute auspicious ornaments.

The other priests and priestesses smiled as they walked toward the cheering crowd, especially where the children were gathered.

Without even a moment's hesitation or looking around, the hem of your red yukata brushes against the stone steps, and the shrine bell rings softly with each step.

He ignored the countless hands reaching out to him, yearning for blessings, and seemed not to hear the voices calling out to the priest.

"Nagi!" Sakura looked at the figure walking towards her, her cheeks flushed with excitement, and she waved her hand vigorously.

You stand in front of Sakura and extend your hand, which is wearing a white ritual glove.

Sakura immediately gripped it tightly, feeling the slight coolness of your fingertips through the fabric, yet her heart was filled with warmth.

"Nagi! You look so cool today! Super handsome!" Sakura didn't hold back her praise, her emerald green eyes shining like stars.

You didn't speak, but with your other free hand, you took out a peace charm that had been carefully drawn with cinnabar and gently placed it in Sakura's palm.

Sakura clutched the amulet tightly, but before she could say anything more, Naruto Uzumaki, who had been unable to contain himself any longer, rushed over like a golden whirlwind and excitedly hugged her!

"Nagi-chan! Did you hear that? I just confessed to you! I like you so much!" Naruto hugged you tightly, his voice loud and clear, full of undisguised passion and possessiveness.

Your body stiffened for a moment, but you didn't use force; you simply pushed Naruto away.

Although Naruto was a little disappointed when his embrace failed, he felt incredibly satisfied to have been able to hug you for a moment, and his silly smile returned to his face.

The interaction here wasn't over yet, and Deidara, seeing this, was about to rush over excitedly, but someone was faster than him!

Sasuke Uchiha grabbed your wrist, stopping Deidara from getting closer.

He held a sachet embroidered with the family crest of a round fan, his movements carrying an undeniable force, and tied the sachet to the hollow branch on the other side of the deer antlers on your head, facing Kakashi from afar.

He lowered his head, his gaze fixed intently on the dark eyes behind the holes in your mask.

You turned your head away, avoiding his overly intense and penetrating gaze.

Just then, Deidara's voice rang out from behind you, "Hey! It's my turn! Hmm!"

He nimbly appeared from behind you, hanging almost on your back like a koala, his arms affectionately wrapped around your neck.

Your body swayed from the sudden weight of him; you never expected Deidara to appear here, and to be so... presumptuous.

"Nagi! Look at the sachets I prepared for you! They're all for you! Hmm!" Deidara proudly showed off, stuffing the handful of sachets he had just snatched from Kakuzu into your arms without saying a word.

Feeling the sudden increase in weight in your arms and the warmth pressing against your back, your voice carried a suppressed warning as you whispered, "Deidara... get off me!"

"Okay, okay, um..." Deidara seemed to obediently respond, slowly sliding off your back.

The instant his feet touched the ground, before you could even react, he suddenly reached out and ripped off the blue demon mask from your face!

Deidara quickly leaned forward and gave you a quick kiss, then haphazardly shoved the mask back onto your face.

"You bastard—!!!" Naruto was the first to react, pointing at Deidara and jumping up and down in anger, cursing him as if he wanted to rush up and duel him immediately.

In the midst of the chaos, taking advantage of Deidara being entangled with Naruto, you quickly grabbed the sachet in your arms and dodged backward, even staggering a little as you arrived in front of Kiba Inuzuka, who was the closest to you.

"Hey, are you alright?" Kiba asked anxiously, seeing your disheveled appearance. Akamaru was also moaning worriedly at his feet.

Without saying much, you quickly pulled a lucky charm from your pocket, stuffed it into your hand, and then turned to walk towards the relatively sparser area opposite, trying to escape this suffocating encirclement.

"Hey! Wait!" Ya wasn't about to let go of this rare opportunity for close contact. He instinctively reached out from behind and hugged your waist, trying to keep you there.

The moment his palm touched her slender waist, Ya froze. So thin! Much thinner than he had imagined. Even through the fabric of the yukata, he could clearly feel the delicate texture that could be grasped in one hand.

You turned your head, and the eyes peeking out from under the mask coldly swept over him, a look that made Ya immediately release his grip as if he'd been electrocuted.

Because of this delay, you were once again surrounded by the crowd and moved into the distance.

Ya stood frozen in place, her face flushed, staring in disbelief at her palms. Only one thought echoed wildly in her mind: "Her...her waist...how could it be so thin..."

On the other side, Yamanaka Ino stood in the crowd, feeling both nervous and expectant.

She watches you interact with acquaintances one by one, unsure if you'll still remember to come find her.

Just as she was feeling uneasy, your gaze seemed to pierce through the crowd and land on her.

Ino was overjoyed and was about to call out when she was suddenly shoved hard from behind! She cried out in surprise, lost her balance, and fell straight backward, about to fall to the ground, possibly even causing a stampede.

Chapter 340 Summer Festival Dance (14)

Just before Ino hit the ground, you caught her safely.

To avoid bumping into Ino, you bent over with extreme force, and the Blue Oni mask that was already not very secure due to Deidara's antics finally slipped off completely and fell to the ground with a "thud".

You had no time to pick it up, and knelt down to hold the still-shaken Ino tightly in your arms.

Ino slowly opened her eyes, albeit without any serious injury. What came into view was your profile, so close to hers.

Because of the violent movements just now, a few strands of black hair were on his forehead and cheeks, his jawline was taut, his lips were very pale and pressed into a line, and his dark eyes now carried a sense of reliability.