Naruto Immersive Replay, The Curse of the Sharingan

The door to the secret room was violently broken open, sending splinters of wood flying.

Inside, Uchiha Ryohide, Uchiha Rei, and other core members of the hawkish faction were discussing clan affairs when a sudden loud noise put everyone on alert. They gripped their ninja tools and turned their gazes toward the door.

Madara stood there, his long hair disheveled, his Sharingan coldly sweeping over the crowd, the atmosphere so low it was suffocating.

“Leng Xi, stay.” His voice was eerily calm. “The rest of you, get out.”

Liang Ying frowned and subconsciously looked at Leng Xi, who shook her head slightly to indicate that he didn't need to say anything more.

In the end, Liangying could only lead the rest of her clansmen out of the secret chamber quickly, the heavy wooden door closing gently behind them.

Only the two of them remained inside.

Leng Xi stood still, her expression calm, as if she had long anticipated this moment.

Madara slowly turned around, the three tomoe in his Sharingan slowly rotating, staring intently at Leng Xi. "She's gone?"

Leng Xi remained silent for a moment, then finally nodded, "Yes."

Ban's pupils suddenly contracted, and the next second, he took a step forward, grabbed Leng Xi by the collar, and slammed him against the wall. "Why didn't you stop her!"

Lengxi's back slammed against the hard stone wall, and she groaned, but did not struggle.

He looked up, staring directly into Madara's Sharingan eyes, twisted with rage, and gave a bitter smile. "...I couldn't stop him."

Ban's fingers tightened, his knuckles turning white from the force. "You didn't even try!"

Leng Xi's breathing was slightly rapid, but she remained calm. "You know, once she makes a decision, no one can change it."

Ban's breath hitched, and the anger in his eyes suddenly froze.

Yes... no one can change that.

She has always been like this.

Chapter 44 - Transgression

Ban's fingers slowly loosened, leaving a few wrinkles on Leng Xi's collar.

He looked up at the narrow skylight above the secret room. The stars in the night sky were like dust, but they could not illuminate the darkness in his eyes.

Leng Xi straightened her collar, remained silent for a moment, and then said in a low voice, "She left a message."

Ban suddenly turned his head. "What?"

Leng Xi took out a scroll from her bosom and handed it to Ban. "She said that if you ask, she will give this to you."

Ban snatched the scroll and quickly unfurled it; it contained only a few lines of text—

"Don't bother looking for me. The road ahead is blocked, the road back is cut off. Between us, this is the end."

Four words, succinctly severing all possibilities.

Ban's breath hitched for a moment, then he suddenly chuckled.

Laughter squeezed out from deep in his throat, hoarse and maniacal, echoing in the enclosed room, sending chills down one's spine.

"Is this the end?" His Mangekyou Sharingan spun wildly, his voice chillingly cold. "She thought... this would be the end?"

Looking at Ban's almost out-of-control appearance, Leng Xi's eyes flashed with a complicated look. "Ban, she doesn't want you to get involved in her conflicts."

Ban slowly raised his eyes. "Her strife?" He sneered, turned, and walked towards the door. "Her life is mine, and only I can decide her path!"

As soon as he finished speaking, his figure disappeared into the night.

Leng Xi stood there for a long time before letting out a soft sigh, "...As expected, I couldn't stop him."

Uchiha Yoshihide stood atop the high watchtower, gazing into the distance at Madara's departing figure.

Leng Xi appeared beside him at some point and whispered, "He still is..."

Liangying sighed, "It can't be stopped."

Leng Xi was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Liang Ying, do you think... Nagi really wants him to find her?"

Uchiha Ryohei shook his head. "Who knows? No one can ever fathom Elder Nagi's thoughts."

Lengxi looked into the distance, but Ban's figure had already disappeared into the morning mist.

“I just hope…” he murmured, “that they stop torturing each other.”

Madara Uchiha stood on the edge of the cliff, the wind whipping his long hair. "I will find you—"

"Then, I'll break your wings with my own hands."

In the border town of the Land of Fire, the sun shines brightly, and the streets are bustling with people.

Hashirama Senju scratched his head, looking somewhat embarrassed at Mito Uzumaki beside him, "Um... Princess Mito, where do we go next?"

Mito glanced at him, her red hair gleaming in the sunlight. "Lord Butsuma told us to 'cultivate feelings,' not to wander the streets aimlessly."

Hashirama chuckled twice, then his eyes suddenly lit up. "That's it! I know a good place!"

Mito Uzumaki looked at him suspiciously, "...What good place?"

Hashirama lowered his voice mysteriously, "Gambling den!"

Mito: "..."

Hashirama Senju sat at the gambling table with great interest, his eyes shining as he stared at the dice cup in the dealer's hand, while Mito Uzumaki stood to the side, her red hair still striking in the dim light.

She looked around; the gambling den was filled with smoke, drunkards were shouting and placing bets, and the air was thick with the smell of alcohol and sweat.

How could she agree to come to a place like this with this big, clumsy guy?

Mito sighed, watching Hashirama push out his chips once again, only to lose everything, almost even betting his personal ninja tools.

"One more round! I'm sure I can turn the tables this time!" Hashirama slammed his fist on the table and stood up, his face full of excitement.

Mito: "..."

Mito Uzumaki, her red hair falling loose, her blue eyes slightly narrowed, watched as Hashirama lost all his chips once again, and sighed helplessly.

While Hashirama was completely absorbed in the gambling game, she quietly formed hand seals, a faint chakra glow emanating from her fingertips—[Reverse Summoning: Message Transmission Technique]

An invisible message flew along the chakra pathways to the Senju clan's territory.

"...I hope that white-haired guy comes soon," Mito muttered to herself.

Another half hour passed.

Hashirama was completely stunned by his losses, having even bet his outer robe. He was now scratching his head, staring at his last chip, "One more round! I'm sure I can turn this around!"

Mito sighed, "..."

Just when Hashirama was about to lose even his underwear—

"Brother! Aren't you ashamed enough?!" Tobirama Senju's voice pierced the gambling den's clamor like ice.

Hashirama turned around abruptly and saw his younger brother standing at the door with a gloomy face, his white hair gleaming coldly in the sunlight.

"Tobirama!" Hashirama cried with joy, rushing over to grab his shoulders. "Great! Quick, lend me some money!"

Veins bulged on Tobirama's forehead as he punched Hashirama on the head without hesitation: "Shut up! Come back with me!"

"Ouch! Ouch! Ouch—!" Hashirama clutched his head and crouched down, looking at Mito with a pitiful expression. "Princess Mito, did you call Tobirama?"

Mito gracefully covered her mouth and chuckled, "I just think that gambling dens are more lively when there are more people."

Tobirama gave Mito a cold glance, not exposing her lie. He grabbed Hashirama and said, "Come on, back to the clan compound! If Father finds out you've come to gamble again, he'll break your legs!"

Hashirama was dragged out of the gambling den by Tobirama, dejected. Mito followed behind, a slight smile playing on her lips. Finally, someone could control him.

On the way back, the three walked along the forest path. Although Hashirama had been beaten, his mood quickly returned to normal, and he even hummed a little tune.

Tobirama glanced at him, then shook his head helplessly. "Big brother, can't you act like a young clan leader?"

Hashirama grinned and put his arm around Tobirama's shoulder. "Tobirama, the most important thing in life is to be happy!"

Mito walked beside them, listening to the two brothers' conversation, silently calculating in her mind that if the arranged marriage partner was Hashirama, then their future days would likely be chaotic...

Just then, Hashirama suddenly stopped, and the smile on his face vanished.

Tobirama instantly became alert, his red eyes beneath his white hair sharply scanning the depths of the forest. "This chakra..."

Mito Uzumaki sensed a powerful chakra approaching, but she couldn't be sure who it was.

"Hey! Madara! What a coincidence!" Hashirama suddenly raised his hand and waved enthusiastically to the front.

Mito was taken aback. Following his gaze, he saw a black-haired man emerge from the shadows of the forest. His crimson Sharingan gleamed coldly in the darkness, his face was stern, and he exuded a suffocating sense of oppression.

Madara glanced at them indifferently, his gaze lingering on Mito for a moment before he looked away, seemingly having no interest in them whatsoever.

Hashirama instantly wilted, his entire body visibly darkening, and even a bunch of small mushrooms popped up on the ground around him.

“…I was ignored.” He squatted on the ground and drew circles.

Mito: "..."

Is this the legendary Uchiha Madara? He's even more indifferent than I imagined.

This was the first time she had met any Uchiha clan members other than Uchiha Nagi and Rei, but what they had in common was that they were all top-tier powerhouses.

Madara had no time to pay attention to them; he was using his undercover agents to find Nagi, and time was of the essence. He didn't want to waste time on meaningless small talk.

However, Hashirama's low spirits came and went quickly. He soon cheered up and walked towards Madara with his head held high, shouting, "Madara!"

"Big brother!" Tobirama frowned, completely unable to understand why Hashirama would try to curry favor with him.

Madara did not resist his approach, but his eyes remained cold, and he was still thinking about where Nagi might have gone.

"Madara, where's Elder Nagi? I didn't see her with you today," Hashirama asked curiously, casually putting his arm around Madara's shoulder.

These words were like a needle, piercing Ban's nerves.

"This is none of your business." His voice was so cold it could freeze.

"Ah! Don't be so fierce!" Hashirama persisted, circling Madara. "It's rare to see you, how about we go get a drink?"

Tobirama and Mito finally caught up. Mito astutely caught the key phrase, "You know Uchiha Nagi?"

Her tone was tinged with joy, instantly drawing three sharp gazes.

“I never expected that crazy woman to have so many friends!” Mito Uzumaki continued, completely oblivious to Madara’s suddenly gloomy expression.

Hashirama's eyes widened. "Princess Mito knows Elder Nagi too!" He hadn't expected that the seemingly cold and aloof Uchiha Nagi would have such a wide network of connections.

Tobirama narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing Mito sharply. Had Uchiha Nagi had dealings with the Uzumaki clan? Why was this not mentioned at all in the intelligence reports?

Madara's pupils contracted slightly. Nagi had never mentioned friends from other ninja clans... Just how much did this Uzumaki princess know?

Madara's Sharingan slowly rotated, his voice low and terrifying: "...You've seen her?"

Before Mito could answer, the next second—"Bang!"

Ban appeared in an instant, grabbed her by the neck, and slammed her against the tree trunk. "Where is she?!"

"Madara!" Hashirama exclaimed in shock, immediately forming hand seals, "Wood Release: Thorn Killing Technique!"

The vines broke through the soil, wrapped around Ban's arm, and forced him to let go of Mito.

Taking advantage of the situation, Tobirama pulled Mito behind him and said coldly, "Uchiha Madara, what's wrong with you?"

Mito coughed, clutching her throat, cursing inwardly, "The Uchiha clan are all lunatics!"

Madara's Sharingan stared intently at her. "Tell me."

"I wanted to ask you the same thing!" Mito said through gritted teeth, "She lost contact with everyone after she left!"

Ban's eyes grew even more dangerous. "Lying."

“I didn’t!” Mito shouted angrily. “The last time she contacted me, she only said she had something she had to do!”

What must be done?

Seeing this, Hashirama quickly stepped between him and Mito. "Madara, calm down! What happened?"

Tobirama gleaned crucial information from the chaos: Uchiha Nagi is missing? No wonder she's been biting people like a mad dog.

Ban remained silent for a moment, then finally let out a cold laugh, turned and left, his figure disappearing into the shadows of the woods.

Hashirama Senju wanted to chase after him, but Tobirama stopped him, saying, "Never mind him, let's go back first."

Mito rubbed her reddened neck, looking in the direction Madara had disappeared, thinking to herself: Uchiha Nagi, what kind of monster did you provoke...?

Watching Madara's departing figure, Hashirama scratched his head, looking puzzled. "What happened...?"