Naruto Immersive Replay, The Curse of the Sharingan

She never imagined that one day, the person she liked would see her as...a rival in love?

The shock of this cognitive upheaval was far more disorienting to her than the heartbreak itself.

Seeing his friend Shikamaru deep in thought, Choji Akimichi quickly grabbed a handful of potato chips and stuffed them into his mouth. Then he patted Shikamaru's shoulder forcefully, pulling him out of his reverie.

"Hey, Shikamaru, stop thinking so much! The more you think about trouble, the more trouble you make. Let's go, we've soaked enough, it's time to go home!"

He half-pushed, half-pulled Shikamaru toward the locker room, trying to temporarily pull his friend away from this murky situation.

Leaving the place of trouble, the cool breeze caresses your damp hair and thin yukata; the icy touch is nothing compared to the turmoil churning within your heart.

You silently followed half a step behind Kakashi Hatake, maintaining a seemingly compliant but actually distant demeanor.

Kakashi remained as lazy as ever, one hand in his pocket and the other casually holding the ever-read "Icha Icha Paradise," as if he had just left a boring party early.

But the eye that was exposed inadvertently and keenly swept over the girl's tense profile and slightly clenched fist behind her.

You walked one after the other along the quiet path leading to the Dark Division's dormitory area, the streetlights stretching and shortening your shadows.

Only the sound of footsteps echoed in the empty streets, making the surrounding silence seem even deeper.

Kakashi finally broke the silence, saying casually, "Wow, these young people these days are really something."

He turned a page of his book, his tone as casual as if he were discussing the weather, "Hot springs... hmm, certainly a good place to 'enhance relationships,' I guess I've interrupted someone's 'good time'?"

You didn't respond, and your gaze didn't even waver, staring straight ahead into the dark passageway. But Kakashi could sense that the surrounding air temperature seemed to have dropped a little.

Seeing that you didn't answer, Kakashi didn't care and continued talking to himself, his tone becoming even more sarcastic.

"But speaking of which, the Uchiha brat... well, Sasuke really is just like his brother, possessing amazing talent in certain areas. That reckless and domineering style, tsk tsk, it's probably easy for some young girls to succumb to his charm, isn't it?"

The implication in his words was too obvious. He not only mentioned Sasuke, but also subtly implicated Itachi, and even carried a hint of mockery.

You don't want to discuss what just happened, especially with Kakashi.

He may seem carefree, but he has an amazing ability to see through things. He can capture and amplify any hint of emotion he might reveal.

Kakashi, finding the response unhelpful and seemingly wanting to force a response, adopted a more direct approach.

"Speaking of which, you're really popular. It's not just Sasuke, but also the Nara clan's kid, the Hyuga clan's genius, and that little guy from the Aburame clan who has a weak presence but is surprisingly persistent... Oh, and of course, we can't forget the ever-energetic Naruto."

He paused, turned his head, and a cryptic light flickered in his crescent-shaped eyes. "So, as the senior, shouldn't I do something in return? After all, proximity gives you an advantage..."

These words were practically blatant flirting, and you abruptly stopped in your tracks. "Kakashi-senpai, if you don't have a real ANBU mission, I think I can go back now."

Seeing that you finally reacted, although it was anger, Kakashi's smile deepened, but the smile didn't reach the depths of his eyes.

He stopped, turned around, and faced you.

The streetlights shone from his side and behind, casting dark shadows on him and making him appear even more imposing than usual.

"As for missions... of course there are." Kakashi said slowly, closing the book in his hand and putting it into the ninja tool pouch at his waist.

“However, dealing with your partner’s unstable emotions before a mission is also part of the captain’s job, isn’t it?” He took a small step forward, closing the distance between you.

This distance exceeds the normal boundaries of social safety and carries a clear sense of intrusion.

You instinctively want to back away.

"You look angry, and also... troubled." Kakashi's gaze fell on your face. "Is it because of what Sasuke did to you?"

His voice lowered slightly, "Or is it because of...something else?"

"That's none of your business," you replied curtly, trying to walk past him and continue on your way.

Kakashi suddenly reached out and wrapped his arms around your waist, pulling you into his embrace.

You froze completely, unlike Sasuke's restraint which carried a sense of destruction and rage.

Kakashi's embrace carried a completely different feel.

His chest wasn't particularly broad, but it gave off a lazy and easygoing sense of reliability.

He didn't have a strong odor, only a faint scent of soapberry and the smell of blood, marks that even the top-tier members of the Dark Division couldn't erase.

The worst part is that instead of burying his face in your neck like Sasuke, he lowered his head slightly, his chin almost touching the top of your head.

His warm breath brushed against your hair. "Shh," Kakashi's voice sounded above you, with a hypnotic magnetism, "Don't move."

He could feel the stiffness and slight trembling of the girl in his arms, like a frightened little animal trying to appear calm.

“You see,” Kakashi’s voice seemed to hold an elusive chuckle, “I just want to tell you that not all closeness is as aggressive and possessive as Uchiha Sasuke’s.”

His fingers moved gently on your waist, as if unconsciously caressing you. "Not all feelings need to be expressed in such an intense way."

Kakashi continued, "For example, someone like me... wouldn't that be easier to accept?"

You stopped struggling, not because of submission, but because of a profound sense of powerlessness—how many times has this happened already?

What you seek is power, truth, and your own secrets.

The likes or admiration that surround you are stumbling blocks that prevent you from becoming stronger.

"Kakashi-senpai," you spoke again, your tone less sharp and more bewildered, "this kind of joke isn't funny."

"A joke?" Kakashi chuckled softly, the vibration of his chest clearly transmitted to your back. "Do you think... this is a joke?"

He loosened his embrace slightly, his gaze falling to meet yours.

His eyes no longer held their usual playfulness, but only focused seriousness.

“Nagi,” he called your name softly, “I would never joke like that.”

He brushed aside the damp hair that had been ruffled by the wind from your cheek, his fingertips brushing against your earlobe, the touch so gentle it felt like an illusion.

“Sasuke Uchiha expresses himself with anger and possessiveness,” Kakashi’s gaze locked onto you, not letting you escape, “Shikamaru Nara approaches with probing and tacit understanding, Neji Hyuga attracts you with recognition and resonance… So what about me?”

He leaned down slightly, bringing your faces closer together, so close that you could clearly see your reflection in his eyes.

“I may not be as young and impulsive as them, nor as pure and direct, but I have patience, experience, and... I know better how to protect what I want.”

Kakashi's words were like the most secret whispers, slowly spreading through the silent night sky.

“So, Nagi,” he concluded, “why not consider… a more mature, less troublesome option?”

After he finished speaking, he didn't make any further moves, but simply held you quietly, waiting for your response.

Their embracing figures were elongated by the streetlights, and the ambiguous tension silently rose to its peak.

You can hear your own heartbeat gradually spiraling out of control, and you can also feel the steady, powerful throbbing beneath Kakashi's chest.

Chapter 347 Summer Festival Ball (21)

"Although I know how you feel, I will not choose anyone. What I want has never been these things."

“Is that so?” Kakashi’s voice betrayed no disappointment. “Then please allow me to continue approaching you.”

He seemed to want to touch you, but stopped abruptly in mid-air and finally drooped down helplessly.

“Just consider it…” he said with a self-deprecating humility, “…my wishful thinking.”

You can't understand it, and you have no intention of delving into it; "Whatever makes you happy."

You are grateful for Kakashi's past care and protection, as well as the concern stemming from your senior, but that's all.

"Hmm." He took a half step back, creating an overly ambiguous distance, his movement carrying a restrained pain.

"Get some rest," he said finally, his gaze lingering on your profile for a moment before turning away first.

Instead of returning to the villa, you immerse yourself in the dazzling lights of the summer festival night. Not far away, you feel something gently tugging at your trouser leg.

Looking down, you see Akamaru rubbing against you with its wet nose, its tail wagging happily. Then, you feel a light tap on your shoulder from behind.

"I thought you weren't coming," Kiba Inuzuka's voice, tinged with complaint, came from behind him; he had clearly been waiting for a while.

You didn't turn around, nor did you pay attention to his meaningless opening remarks. You simply crossed your arms and walked straight toward the high platform with a wide view not far away.

The hem of the dark red yukata swayed gently with her steps, gleaming under the lamplight.

"Hey, wait for me!" Seeing your coldness, Kiba Inuzuka quickly called Akamaru to catch up and walk alongside you.

After a brief silence, he seemed unable to contain himself any longer and cautiously asked, "By the way... what do you think of Uchiha Sasuke?"

This problem is giving you a headache, and you're starting to wonder if you're incompatible with the summer festival, wondering why all the bad things and troublesome people have piled up on this day.

"It's alright." You're too lazy to explain further, so you use the safest word to brush it off.

"Not bad?!" Kiba Inuzuka exclaimed incredulously, raising his voice several decibels and drawing the attention of passersby.

He seemed to have heard some absurd comment and couldn't help but lean closer, trying to make you look at him properly.

"You're not as shallow as other girls, only looking at his face, are you? Sasuke's personality is so awful, how can he compare to me, who's handsome and considerate?"

He tried to emphasize his presence in this way, even with a touch of the competitive spirit typical of teenagers.

This undisguised narcissism even seemed unbearable to Akamaru at his feet, who let out a low "woof" and tugged at his trouser leg with its paw, as if reminding its master to tone it down.

You glanced at the expression on his face that screamed "Quickly refute me, quickly acknowledge me," and surprisingly refrained from pouring cold water on it, barely managing to salvage the boy's shaky self-esteem.

Upon reaching the high platform, the night breeze gently caressed my face, slightly dispelling the sweltering heat of the summer night.

Kiba immediately spotted Naruto Uzumaki standing out in the bustling street below, looking around as if searching for something.

"Oh no!" Ya's heart tightened, and he reflexively reached out and forcibly turned you around so that you were facing away from the street, using his body to block your view.

"What are you doing?" You were startled by his sudden action and were about to break free when you heard Kiba's low, urgent voice, "Don't move! It's Naruto!"

Before you could even react, your teeth half-pushed you into this slightly awkward position.

On the street below, Naruto's gaze swept aimlessly across the platform, passing right by you without noticing your presence.

Kiba Inuzuka only breathed a long sigh of relief after confirming that Naruto's figure had completely disappeared into the depths of the crowd. His tense body relaxed, and he somewhat embarrassedly released the arm that had been holding you.

"Phew...they're finally gone." He muttered, a smug look of satisfaction at his successful plan on his face.

He didn't want his first date to be ruined by that loud, clueless loser.

Finally free, you didn't hold his slightly rude behavior against you. You simply turned around silently and faced the night sky again.

The view from the high platform was expansive, but unfortunately the festival lights were too dazzling, turning the night sky into a warm, dim yellow, completely obscuring the stars that should have been twinkling.

It's a pity, you sighed silently in your heart.

An overly bright and bustling atmosphere makes you yearn for the pure darkness of the night.

After a brief silence, Kiba Inuzuka seemed to have found a new topic to discuss.

He scratched his head, his eyes darting around, his tone deliberately casual, "Uchiha Nagi, what do you usually like to do?"

As soon as he finished speaking, he seemed to realize that the question was too obvious, and quickly added, trying to cover it up, "You, you shouldn't overthink it! This is just something I should ask as the class's life committee member, out of concern for my classmates!"

This explanation was so clumsy. "Usually," you deliberately dragged out your words, looking at the sudden tension on Ya's face, you slowly said, "I just enjoy listening to people inquire about me with insincere words."

With his thoughts completely exposed, Kiba Inuzuka's face turned bright red, like a boiled shrimp.

He immediately jumped up and retorted, "W-what?! Who, who's being hypocritical! If you don't want to say it, then don't!"

He turned his head away, pretending to be angry as he looked elsewhere, but even his neck was flushed pink. His embarrassed appearance was completely different from his usual flamboyant image.

Just then, a long whistle sounded from afar.

You look up at the brightly lit night sky and speak softly, breaking the lingering awkwardness in your teeth, "Quiet, let's watch the fireworks."

As soon as the words fell——

Golden light rained down, illuminating your pale, indifferent face, and also the profile of Kiba Inuzuka, which was filled with amazement and a secret glance at you.

Fireworks burst forth in the night sky, burning intensely for a fleeting moment before turning into tiny specks of light and vanishing into the boundless darkness.

The deafening explosions, layer upon layer, drowned out all the noise of the world.

Amidst the clamor, Kiba Inuzuka opened his mouth, but his voice was swallowed by the enormous roar, and even he himself could not hear it clearly.

"Uchiha Nagi." He tried calling your name.

You were completely absorbed in the scenery, not turning your head, not even sparing him a glance.

A hint of disappointment flashed in his eyes, but perhaps the deafening sound gave him a kind of illusory courage, or perhaps he never expected to get a response.

He took a deep breath and, in a voice barely audible to himself, whispered into the noisy air, "...I like you."

These words were fleeting, instantly swallowed up by the next firework, as if they had never existed.

But your fingertips, hanging under the wide sleeves of your yukata, curled up slightly.

You heard it, but chose to pretend you didn't.