Naruto Immersive Replay, The Curse of the Sharingan

"First, leave obediently and pretend nothing happened."

"Second, die here."

The minister's resolve wavered, sweat soaking through his luxurious collar. He thought that the fox spirit currently held no real power, which emboldened him further.

"My lord, this is a betrothal gift for a marriage alliance. Your actions make me suspicious..."

"Ha." You chuckled. "What? Do I need a reason to do things?"

His tone was gentle, yet it seemed to suddenly lower the temperature in the entire tea room.

"My lord..." The minister swallowed hard. "The envoy from the Land of Water will arrive in the capital in three days. If they discover that the betrothal gifts are missing..."

You casually twirled the spirit herb, its crimson light reflecting on your fair face. "So you're very lucky." You looked up, a hint of scarlet flashing in your dark eyes. "You met me."

Mito suddenly pressed down on the chessboard, the chains rattling. "Enough, stop scaring him." She turned to the minister. "What's your name?"

"My name is Fujiwara Shinsuke, currently serving as Junior Assistant Minister of Rites."

“The Fujiwara family…” you said thoughtfully, “I remember that your family has served the daimyo for generations, but has never been able to enter the core of power.”

Fujiwara Shinsuke's face paled. The raccoon dog was indeed as famous as he had been; he even knew the noble family lineage like the back of his hand.

"Now's your chance." You placed the herb in the center of the chessboard. "Go back and tell the daimyo I'll handle it. As for the rest of the explanation..."

You lightly tap your temple with your fingertip. "I'll have someone send you a detailed report."

Shinsuke's eyes widened; they wanted him... to be their informant.

Mito sighed and put the chain back into her sleeve. "You'd better agree to her request."

The smile on your face sent chills down Shin-chan's spine.

"The position of daimyo's advisor has been vacant for a long time. If the Fujiwara family could contribute to the country..." You deliberately left the question unsaid.

Shinsuke's breathing quickened. Daimyo's advisor—that was a crucial position that could influence national policy! A position his family had strived for for three generations without ever reaching!

“I…I understand.” Shinsuke bowed deeply. “The Fujiwara family will never forget Lord Tanuki’s kindness.”

You nodded in satisfaction and waved for him to leave.

Only after Shinsuke's figure disappeared at the end of the corridor did Mito slam his fist on the table and stand up abruptly.

She lowered her voice, "Intercepting betrothal gifts is already a major taboo, and now you're trying to manipulate noble appointments? If the Water Kingdom finds out—"

"Just what I wanted." Your smile vanished, a cold glint flashing in your eyes. "Do you really think the Wind Kingdom would willingly agree to a marriage alliance with the Water Kingdom?"

You turn to look at the distant Water Kingdom, "The news of the stolen betrothal gifts will spread throughout the capital, and the marriage will naturally be impossible to continue."

"That Fujiwara Shinsuke..."

“Just a pawn.” You sneered. “If he were smart, he would understand that the position of a daimyo’s advisor is not so easy to hold.”

Mito Uzumaki stared at you for a long time. "What is your real purpose?"

Your voice was clear and firm: "Let the Uchiha be more than just ninjas. For a century, nobles have controlled the lifeline of the nation, and yet we, who possess the power to destroy a nation, are forced to kneel at their feet?"

"What do you want to do next?" Mito's voice trembled slightly, not from fear, but from barely suppressed excitement.

She knew Nagi too well; this outlier in the Uchiha clan never played by the rules.

You leaned against the window, a slight smile playing on your lips, your fingertips twirling a delicate jade pendant—a token you'd smuggled from a minister of the Land of Wind.

"Princess, shall we make a deal?" Your voice was as light as a feather. "How about the name 'Land of Whirlpools'? The foremost female daimyo in the ninja world."

Mito's pupils suddenly contracted. She had fantasized about power—the thoughts that arose when she read books on governance late at night, the resentment that arose when she watched her father and the elders discuss matters.

But no one had ever dared to lay this possibility so openly in front of her.

The candlelight crackled, and Mito could hear her own heart pounding like a drum.

"What do I need to do?" she heard herself ask, her voice sounding unfamiliar.

You beckoned Mito to come closer.

As Mito Uzumaki stood up, her knees trembled slightly. You leaned close to her ear and whispered something short and soft, yet it struck Mito's mind like a thunderclap.

Mito took a step back abruptly. "Are you crazy?!" Her voice was very low, but she couldn't hide the shock in it.

You simply smiled, your dark eyes flashing with a light Mito had never seen before—not the crimson of the Sharingan, but a purer, almost fanatical determination.

"It's this ninja world that's insane. We are born with the power to change our destiny, yet we are imprisoned in our chambers and by marriage." You take a step forward, your fingertips lightly touching the whirlpool clan crest on Mito's clothes.

“You know better than I do that the Uzumaki clan’s sealing techniques are enough to overthrow a small country, and your Adamantine Sealing Technique can even bind a tailed beast.”

Mito's hand unconsciously touched her red hair, which was not only a symbol of the power of the Uzumaki clan, but also a "shackle" on her status as a princess.

"Why me?" she finally asked the most crucial question. "You could have easily supported a puppet daimyo."

“I need your sealing techniques.” You turned around, your expression regaining its composure. “Especially the ones targeting the tailed beasts. In exchange, I will clear all obstacles for you on your path to becoming a Daimyo.”

Mito took a deep breath. She remembered the rejected political reform proposals in her father's study, the cold tone of the elders when they talked about marrying her off to the Senju clan, and the days and nights she spent practicing sealing techniques only to be used as a bargaining chip in a marriage alliance.

“Deal.” Mito held out her hand, her red hair flying behind her. “But there’s one condition: civilians must not be affected by the ninja war.”

You raised an eyebrow, seemingly surprised by the condition, but quickly grasped Mito's hand, "As expected of the Uzumaki Princess, she's still thinking about the common people even now. I agree."

"Remember, Mito, from this moment on, every decision you make will affect the fate of thousands upon thousands of people."

Mito looked directly into your eyes, where a fire of ambition she had never seen before burned. "I know, this is exactly what I want."

You smiled at each other, your understanding as deep as that of longtime friends.

Mito suddenly realized that he might have underestimated the danger posed by this ally.

"Be careful." That was all Mito could say in the end.

You've already leaped onto the windowsill, the moonlight gilding you with a silvery edge. "Oh, and remember to prepare a dress suitable for your name."

Before she finished speaking, her figure had already disappeared into the night. Mito looked in the direction where you disappeared and suddenly remembered a story her grandmother had told her when she was a child: those who make deals with foxes will either become kings or become puppets.

"This time, I want to be myself."

She turned and walked towards the courtyard, her steps firm and powerful. In the distance, another explosion shook the night sky, and the flames dyed half the sky red.

The storm of change is beginning to sweep across the entire ninja world from this moment on.

Hashirama lay on the boulder with his hands behind his head. Sunlight streamed through the leaves onto his face. He squinted, gazing at the azure sky, where a few white clouds drifted lazily by.

Madara Uchiha sat upright beside him, his long black hair fluttering in the wind, and the distant mountains reflected in his blood-red Sharingan eyes.

"If only things could stay like this forever," Hashirama remarked, his voice unusually relaxed. He stretched, the rough ninja uniform rubbing against the surface of the boulder with a soft rustling sound.

Ban turned his head to look at this man who was both his close friend and his rival, the corners of his mouth slightly turned up, but he quickly pursed his lips.

“Things will change one day.” His voice was deep and firm, as if he had already foreseen something.

Hashirama sat up, brushing the dust off his clothes. "Why do you say that? The nobles among the five great nations have stopped fighting. Isn't this the peace we've always wanted?"

Madara's fingers unconsciously stroked the kunai at his waist, the cold touch of the metal keeping him awake.

"A temporary ceasefire is not peace, Hashirama." He turned his head, his kaleidoscope eyes slowly spinning. "The seeds of hatred have long been sown, waiting only for the right moment to sprout."

A gentle breeze blew by, carrying the scent of the distant forest.

Hashirama remained silent for a moment, then took out a small wooden spinning top from his ninja tool pouch. It was a new ninjutsu tool he had been researching recently.

"Madara, do you remember what we said by the Naka River?"

A complex emotion flashed in Madara's eyes. "Of course I remember."

His voice was almost inaudible, “We said... we want to change this ninja world.”

"That's right!" Hashirama suddenly raised his voice, excitedly waving the spinning top in his hand. "Now is the time to realize that dream! I already have a plan. We can establish a village, gather all the ninjas together and manage them, so they won't have to kill each other for the sake of the various daimyo!"

Madara stared into Hashirama's bright eyes, which were filled with hope and innocence.

"You think this will eliminate hatred, Hashirama?" He sneered. "Human desires and fears are far more complex than you think."

Hashirama's smile froze on his face. The spinning top slipped from his hand, spun a few times on the boulder, and then stopped.

"Then what do you suggest we do? Are we just going to let our people kill each other?"

Madara stood up and walked to the edge of the boulder, looking down at the valley below. "Power, Hashirama. Only absolute power can bring true peace."

“I saw a way to eliminate war forever on the family's stone tablet.”

Hashirama stood up alertly; he had never seen Madara with such a look in his eyes—fanatical and obsessive. "What method?"

“Infinite Tsukuyomi.” Madara slowly uttered the word, as if it possessed magic. “A technique that can immerse everyone in a beautiful dream, without pain, without war, only eternal peace.”

Hashirama felt a chill creep up his spine. "That's not true peace at all! Madara, that's an illusion that robs people of their free will!"

Madara whirled around. "True peace?" He laughed mockingly. "Look around, Hashirama! Every so-called 'peace' is just preparation for the next war! Humans are inherently creatures that fight each other!"

Hashirama clenched his fists, feeling the chakra within him turbulent due to his emotional state. "No, you're wrong. People can understand each other; trust and cooperation are the path to peace!"

“A naive idealist.” Ban shook his head. “I thought you would understand, but it seems… we have ultimately gone our separate ways.”

Hashirama suddenly remembered something, and his expression softened. "Madara, do you remember what we said after our first encounter? You said, 'We'll be enemies next time we meet,' but we still became friends. This proves that change is possible!"

Chapter 37: Shadow

Ban's expression wavered for a moment, but he quickly regained his indifference. "Back then, I didn't understand the cruelty of this world."

He turned to leave, saying, "Hashirama, when you see everything destroyed by war, you will understand my choice."

"Wait!" Hashirama stepped forward to grab Madara, but Madara had already vanished in an instant, leaving behind only a falling black feather, the feather of Madara's summoning beast, Yatagarasu.

Hashirama stood alone on the boulder. The sunlight was still warm, but he felt a chilling cold.

He bent down and picked up the wooden top from the ground; it was already cracked. "Why...why did things turn out like this..." he muttered to himself.

In the distant woods, Madara stood on a treetop, watching Hashirama's lonely figure.

His Mangekyou Sharingan reflected the image of his dearest friend, and a single tear of blood silently slid down his cheek. "Forgive me, Hashirama... but this is the path I must take."

Madara turned and leaped into the deeper forest. His figure quickly disappeared into the shadows of the trees. On the boulder, Hashirama gripped the spinning top tightly. A wooden splinter pierced his palm, and blood dripped down his wrist, but he seemed to feel no pain.

"I will find a peaceful path that everyone can understand, even if it means being your enemy, Madara." Hashirama raised his head, his determination more resolute than ever before.

A light rain began to fall from the sky, as if weeping for the impending separation of these two close friends.

The rain washed away the bloodstains on the boulder, blurring Hashirama's vision.

But he knew that from this moment on, the paths they each chose would determine the future of the entire ninja world.

When the betrothal carriage from the Land of Wind arrived at the city of the Land of Water, a petite figure suddenly appeared on the city wall.

Standing on the high wall, Akiyama Nana's long golden hair shimmered in the sunlight. She wore a light blue kimono with a dark sash around her waist, symbolizing the royal family of the Land of Water. Upon seeing the caravan from the Land of Wind, she stomped her foot in dissatisfaction.

"Ren, teach them a lesson!" Akiyama Nana commanded, her eyes gleaming with rebellious light.

A man called Lian appeared silently beside her. He had long black hair, wore a decoration unique to the Land of Water on his head, and habitually kept his eyes closed.

Upon hearing the princess's command, he simply replied, "Yes," and then vanished from the spot.

Uchiha Reiki sensed the approaching ninja almost instantly, and he quickly formed hand seals: "Fire Release: Great Fire Annihilation!"

Blazing flames erupted from his mouth. Lian clearly hadn't anticipated that the Land of Wind would hire Uchiha ninjas this time. He swiftly changed hand seals, unleashing the technique, "Water Release: Rushing Torrent."

The forces of fire and water collided in the air, eventually turning into billowing steam.

Leng Xi narrowed his eyes, not understanding why the Water Country ninja who came to greet him had suddenly made a move, but he quickly guessed that it was at the behest of the princess standing on the city wall.

Without saying a word, Leng Xi drew her long sword and engaged Lian in close combat.

Amidst the flashing swords, the two were increasingly surprised by each other's strength. Leng Xi quickly confirmed Lian's identity through his unique attack methods: Lian, a genius ninja who had been adopted by the royal family of the Land of Water since childhood and the personal bodyguard of Princess Qiushan.

On the city wall, Akiyama Nana, seeing someone fight Ren to a draw for the first time, panicked. "Ren, come back!"

Upon receiving the order, Lian immediately stopped and leaped back to the princess's side. Leng Xi did not pursue, but calmly sheathed her sword, her gaze fixed on the girl on the city wall.

"They are Uchiha ninjas," Lian reported to the princess in a low voice with his eyes closed.

"Uchiha?" Akiyama Nana gritted her teeth. "The Land of Wind is truly shameless! They actually hired Uchiha ninjas for this marriage alliance!"

Just then, the curtain of the carriage was gently pulled open by a fair hand, and you calmly stepped down from the carriage, your gaze lingering on Lian for a second longer.

There are only a handful of ninjas in the entire ninja world who can fight Lengxi to a draw.

"The princess's way of treating guests is truly unique." Your voice was low, and you glanced at Leng Xi intentionally or unintentionally, as if mocking him for not being able to defeat even a guard from the Water Kingdom.

Leng Xi stood to the side expressionlessly, as if nothing had happened.

"Who are you?" Akiyama Nana asked condescendingly. She had never heard of the Wind Kingdom sending any important figures this time, but judging from the man's aura, his status was definitely not low.