Naruto Immersive Replay, The Curse of the Sharingan

"I didn't intend for him to know." You looked up at the moon, a rare hint of longing in your eyes.

Izuna suddenly had a bad feeling. "You'll always be with him, right?"

You paused for a moment, then whispered, "Nothing lasts forever in this world."

After saying that, you turned and left, your figure disappearing into the night.

Izuna stood there, finally understanding your answer—no.

Izuna snapped back to reality and finally pushed open the door with his fingers.

The room was silent, with only moonlight filtering through the window and casting dappled shadows on the floor.

He realized that Uchiha Nagi's departure had been foreshadowed.

The sound of wheels rolling over gravel was particularly clear in the quiet morning. Inside the car, you leaned back on the cushions, your fingertips twirling a crimson herb. The leaves were as alluring as flames, emitting a faint fragrance.

Lu Helin knelt before him, his head bowed, his long black hair obscuring half of his face.

"Do you know what to do?" Your voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable authority.

His fingertips tightened slightly. "...So you just wanted to use the marriage as a pretext to completely control the Water Kingdom."

Lu Helin's voice was very soft, but it couldn't hide the slight tremor.

You glanced up at him, a half-smile playing on your lips. "What, are you disappointed?"

“No!” He looked up abruptly, a hint of panic flashing in his eyes. “I’m so glad… I almost thought you had abandoned me.”

You chuckled softly, placing the Crimson Flame Spirit Grass into the sachet at your waist, the red silk thread wrapping around your fingertips.

"You are someone I personally trained, and you have even greater value." Your voice softened unusually. "At least this marriage alliance... won't abandon you."

Rin's pupils contracted slightly, and an indescribable emotion welled up in his chest—not love, not hate, but a twisted sense of security.

As long as it still has value, it will never truly be abandoned.

You gently lifted the carriage curtain, and in the distance, the towering walls of the Water Kingdom were already faintly visible. Under the sunlight, the blue glazed tiles gleamed with a cold luster, resembling a giant cage.

"We're almost there." You looked away, your voice regaining its usual calm. "Remember your mission!"

"—Awaiting your instructions." Rin replied in a low voice, the vulnerability from before gone, replaced only by cold obedience.

You nodded in satisfaction, your fingertips gently tracing the crimson spirit herb in the sachet.

Nana Akiyama started dressing up early in the morning. Her maids styled her long golden hair, adorned with pearls and sapphires. Her gorgeous dresses were layered, making her look like a delicate porcelain doll.

Lian Jing stood to the side, her eyes closed, yet she seemed to be able to sense every subtle emotional fluctuation in her.

"Princess, it's time," the maid whispered a reminder.

Nana took a deep breath, her fingertips unconsciously rubbing her cuffs. "Let's go, Lian."

As she and Lian stepped into the main hall, their eyes were immediately drawn to the figure on the high platform—

You sit at the head of the Wind Kingdom delegation, your high-collared robe accentuating your aloof demeanor. Beside you, a young man in white is sipping tea with his eyes lowered, his profile as beautiful as jade, gentle and serene.

Seemingly noticing his gaze, the boy looked up, met Nana's eyes, and politely nodded in greeting.

"...So that's Tanuki's adopted son?" Akiyama Nana murmured to herself, feeling a slight sense of relief. At least he wasn't the spoiled brat she had imagined.

This brief period of calm was quickly shattered.

"boom--!"

The palace doors were suddenly pushed open, and Akiyama Musashi stormed in with a group of Water Country officials, their faces terribly grim.

"You little fox! How dare you mock the Water Kingdom!"

The hall fell silent instantly.

Lu Helin paused slightly while drinking tea, then casually put down his teacup.

You slowly raised your eyes, your voice calm and undisturbed, "Why do you say such a thing? I don't know what happened."

"Stop playing dumb!" Akiyama Musashi shouted sternly. "Using the guise of a marriage alliance to seize the betrothal gifts! Is this the sincerity of the Land of Wind?!"

—Is there a problem with the betrothal gifts?

Akiyama Nana's heart skipped a beat, and she subconsciously looked at Shikaga Rin. The boy remained calm, as if the turmoil had nothing to do with him.

"So it was about the betrothal gifts." You said thoughtfully, then casually tossed the topic to Rin, "By the way, Rin, I remember you personally arranged the betrothal gifts?"

Lu Helin respectfully cupped his hands in greeting. "Reporting to my foster father, I carefully inspected the betrothal gifts today and found no flaws. Furthermore, I have servants who can testify to this." He paused, his tone suddenly becoming subtle, "However..."

"But what?" Akiyama Nana couldn't help but interrupt him, a bad feeling rising in her heart. She knew that none of the people trained by Tanuki were good people!

Rin raised her eyes, her dark eyes unfathomable. "Why were the betrothal gifts flawless on their way here, only to suddenly encounter problems upon reaching the Land of Water? This makes Rin suspicious..."

"What do you want to say?!" Nana took a step forward, but Lian grabbed her wrist.

You chuckled softly and finished Rin's sentence: "Could it be that you deliberately set a trap to make the Land of Wind lose face?"

"Absurd!" Akiyama Musashi laughed angrily. "While my Land of Water may not be as wealthy as the Land of Wind, we are not so greedy as to covet dowry!" He waved his hand sharply, and servants immediately brought over several boxes. "Take a look for yourselves!"

Upon opening the betrothal gifts, what was originally the Crimson Flame Spirit Grass had now turned into worthless dandelions.

There was an uproar in the hall.

Nana stared wide-eyed at Rin Shikagawa in disbelief, “You guys…”

Rin Shikaga remained unfazed. "Rin can swear that there will be no problem with the betrothal gifts when they leave the Land of Wind."

"Enough!" Akiyama Musashi erupted in fury. "We're on our turf now, Tanuki! Aren't you afraid we'll break off all ties?"

Inside the main hall, the air seemed to freeze.

You looked down at the crowd, a cold smile playing on your lips. "Turn your back? Do you dare?"

He openly admitted that he had tampered with the betrothal gifts.

Akiyama Musashi's face turned deathly pale instantly, cold sweat trickling down his forehead. He clenched his fists tightly, but couldn't utter a single word in rebuttal.

The difference in strength between the Land of Water and the Land of Wind is like that between an ant and an elephant.

Moreover, standing before him was Li Nu, a powerful minister who, with his own strength, could strike fear into the hearts of nobles from all nations.

Chapter 46 Kaguya

"It seems... the Land of Water has overlooked something." Shikaga Rin spoke up at the opportune moment, her tone gentle yet carrying an undeniable air of authority. "In that case, why don't we proceed with the engagement ceremony?"

He offered a way out, but everyone knew it wasn't a discussion, it was an order.

The ceremony proceeded mechanically.

The musicians played festive tunes, the maids served exquisite dishes, and the guests forced smiles, as if the conflict had never happened.

But Akiyama Nana's fingers trembled slightly inside her sleeve.

She watches you sit in the high seat, sipping tea with an indifferent expression, as if you have everything under control.

Meanwhile, his own father, the dignified daimyo of the Land of Water, was like a puppet, rigidly going through the motions of the ritual.

Unease, intense unease.

Akiyama Nana glanced outside the palace, where fully armed ninjas from the Land of Wind stood, seemingly as guards, but in reality, they had completely surrounded the palace.

“Princess,” Lian’s voice rang in her ears, so low that only she could hear it, “Do not act rashly.”

Nana bit her lower lip and nodded.

During the banquet, Lu Helin walked up to Akiyama Nana with a wine glass in hand and smiled slightly, "Your Highness, it's a pleasure to meet you."

His smile was gentle and warm, but his dark eyes were unfathomable.

Nana forced herself to take the wine glass, her fingertips accidentally touching his fingers, which were icy cold and devoid of warmth.

"You...are you really here voluntarily for this arranged marriage?" she couldn't help but ask in a low voice.

A flicker of surprise crossed his eyes, followed by a soft chuckle. "Does it matter?"

Lu Helin tilted his head back and drank the wine in his glass. As his Adam's apple bobbed, Nana saw faint black lines on the side of his neck, which looked like some kind of sealing technique.

“Princess,” Rin suddenly interrupted her, her voice almost eerily gentle, “There are some things that are better left unknown to you.”

It was late at night, and the engagement ceremony finally came to an end.

You rise from your seat, your dark robe gleaming coldly in the candlelight. As you pass by Akiyama Nana, you pause slightly.

"your Highness."

Akiyama Nana froze.

"The moon is beautiful tonight." You look up at the moon outside the window, your voice as soft as a whisper, "...Let's cherish the memories."

After saying that, you left, the crimson sachet at your waist emitting a faint fragrance.

Nana stood there, stunned, when suddenly she realized something: something was bound to happen tonight.

But she was powerless to do anything about it.

The moment you stepped out of the palace, the gentleness on your face vanished, and your eyes gleamed with gold in the night.

With a slight twitch of your fingertips, you make a subtle gesture that passes through your sleeve.

"Swish! Swish! Swish!"

Dozens of dark figures suddenly appeared from the eaves, tree shadows, and the shadows of the corridors! They were dressed in the attire of assassins from the Land of Wind, their eyes behind their masks were devoid of emotion, and the kunai and short swords in their hands gleamed coldly in the moonlight.

The coup d'état has begun.

Inside the hall, Shikaga Rin was smiling and conversing with nobles from the Land of Water when suddenly—"Clang—!"

The sharp sound of a long sword being drawn shattered the false peace! His eyes instantly turned icy cold, the blade flashing like lightning, and the nearest noble official didn't even have time to scream before his head rolled to the ground!

"ah--!"

Screams erupted as guests fled in panic, only to be blocked by ninjas from the Land of Wind who had been lying in wait. Blood splattered, staining the magnificent carpet red.

Akiyama Nana stood frozen in place, watching helplessly as Shikaga Rin, who had been all smiles just moments before, now reaped lives like a demon.

"Princess! Let's go!"

Lian's pure white eyes snapped open, and she grabbed Akiyama Nana's wrist, activating the Body Flicker Technique! The two barely dodged an incoming wind blade, and the ground where they had been standing was cleaved into a deep pit.

"Why..." Akiyama Nana's voice trembled, "Why did this have to happen..."

Her answer was the sound of fighting growing ever closer outside the palace.

In the underground passage of Canglan Palace, the damp stone walls are covered with moss, and the sound of dripping water echoes in the deep passage.

Your steps were neither hurried nor slow, and the sound of your boots splashing through the puddles was clearly audible.

Bai Lian emerged from the shadows, her gray hair and one eye revealing triangular teeth that gleamed coldly in the dim torchlight. "Lord Tanuki, this is the former site of the Uzumaki clan."

You stop in front of the massive stone gate, your palm pressed against its cold, rough surface. The sealing techniques on the gate are long since faded, but you can still feel the immense chakra contained within, like a heartbeat, emanating from behind it.

"Are you sure this is the place?" Your voice was calm.

Bai Lian grinned, "It's absolutely true. After the Whirlpool Clan left, the Land of Water secretly moved their entire shrine underground to the Canglan Palace."

His single eye gleamed with greed. "It's said that it contains forbidden scrolls from the era of the Sage of Six Paths, and..."

“The source of water.” You replied, your fingertip tracing the vortex clan emblem in the center of the stone gate. “Akiyama Musashi is guarding a treasure trove but doesn’t know how to use it. What a waste.”

You suddenly exerted your strength, and the sealing runes on the stone gate began to crumble!

"boom--!"

Dust and smoke rose, and the stone gate opened wide.

The moment you step into the Vortex Ruins, the world before you suddenly distorts.

The ancient totems on the stone wall seemed to come alive, transforming into countless black incantations that wrapped around your limbs like chains.

A massive mental shock directly invaded his consciousness—

"Finally, I've been waiting for you... Prajna."

A deep voice echoed in your mind, your pupils suddenly contracted, and the depths of your eyes turned into golden vertical pupils.

In the forbidden pavilion of the Ninja Sect a thousand years ago, Hannya stood alone in the dimly lit stone chamber, his fingertips tracing the ancient totems on the wall.

Those obscure words automatically deciphered in her eyes, transforming into flowing information that flooded into her mind:

Kaguya Ōtsutsuki, from an extraterrestrial race, descended to Earth as a fruit of the Divine Tree.