Naruto Immersive Replay, The Curse of the Sharingan

You jolted awake from a nightmare, your clothes soaked with cold sweat. You sat up, your gaze falling on the note on the table:

"You had a lot of nightmares last night, and Rin was very worried. This morning I went to inquire about nearby pharmacies. Please wait for Rin to return after you wake up."

Donning the cloak, you conceal your grey left eye and the black curse marks on half your face beneath the hood.

When I went downstairs, the inn's lobby was already quite full of people, and the storyteller in the center was telling the legendary tales of the warriors of the Iron Country with great enthusiasm.

You chose the most inconspicuous spot in the corner and sat down, silently observing your surroundings.

The common people drank and laughed, completely unaware of the black-robed man exuding a dangerous aura.

"Excuse me, sir, may I sit here?"

A gentle male voice sounded beside you. You looked up and met a pair of pure Byakugan eyes. Hyuga Hatozaki, the young clan leader of the Hyuga clan, was standing by the table, his black hair neatly tied back, and his face handsome.

"Why is the young clan leader here?" Your voice was hoarse and low.

Hatozaki was slightly taken aback, then recognized the voice. "It's Nagi-sama. It's been a long time."

Two years ago, the marriage plan between the Uchiha and Hyuga was canceled for some reason, and you have not seen each other since.

Although Hyuga Hatozaki had recently heard that Uchiha Madara was frantically searching for someone, he wisely refrained from mentioning it.

"Does Lord Nagi like the customs and traditions of this remote town?" He sat down naturally and beckoned for a pot of sake.

"I just don't dislike it, but I wouldn't say I like it."

Your gaze inadvertently swept across Hinata Hatozaki's forehead, where he was not wearing a headband, clearly revealing a blue crisscross mark and two reverse hook lines.

As the leader of the assassins, you are well aware of the secrets of the various clans: the Hyuga main family controls the branch families through the 'Caged Bird' curse seal, and the life and death of those marked are entirely in the hands of the main family.

But Hyuga Hatozaki is clearly the young clan leader, so why...?

He noticed your gaze and gave a self-deprecating laugh. "If you don't mind, Lady Nagi, please listen to my story."

Hinata Hatozaki was born into the branch family and was instilled with the belief of absolute obedience to the main family from a young age.

When he was five years old, he was slapped in the face by his father in public for looking directly into the eyes of an elder of the clan during training.

When he was seven, his mother was punished by making him kneel in the snow all night because he secretly practiced the clan's secret martial arts.

When he was nine, his best friend, who had separated from his family, was branded as a caged bird for 'disrespect' and hanged himself in the training ground the next day.

When he was ten years old, the wife of the head of the main family, Hyuga Hinata, died in childbirth, leaving behind a sickly daughter. Hinata refused to remarry, but had to consider the issue of succession.

"Just him."

At the clan meeting, Riyang casually pointed his finger and selected the branch family youth who performed the best in the training field.

He was forcibly adopted into the main family and became the "young clan leader".

Hinata Hatozaki knelt on the training ground, his palms blistered from the wooden sword. The main family's instructor watched coldly, "Children of the branch family, being adopted into the main family is an immense blessing. Can't you even endure this little bit of hardship?"

His parents stood under the eaves, heads bowed, not daring to plead for him.

That night, lanterns were lit in the courtyard where the family had separated for the first time ever. His mother held him and wept bitterly, while his father silently touched his forehead, where the mark of a 'caged bird' would soon be branded.

"Why..." Hinata Hatozaki asked, trembling, "I'm already the young clan leader, why do I still have to..."

The clan elder sneered, "Those who split off from the family will always be inferior."

Later, Hagiwara was pinned to the altar, and the word 'bird in a cage' was carved on his forehead.

The moment the curse mark was imprinted, Hatozaki did not cry out. He bit his lip tightly, blood dripping down his chin, but his white eyes shone with a terrifying light.

"Do you know why I chose you?" Hinata Hiyo pinched his chin. "Because you're strong enough and obedient enough."

"In this way, you will always be the most loyal dog of the Hyuga family."

"After becoming the young clan leader, I actually miss the days when the family was divided." Hatozaki took a sip of sake, his voice calm. "At least back then, my pain had a reason."

Beneath the cloak, your fingers unconsciously caress the crimson sachet at your waist.

“Now, whenever I’m in a bad mood,” Hatozaki said, gazing at the bustling market outside the window, “I come to small towns like this, to listen to the everyday noise, and to watch the smoke rising from the chimneys of ordinary homes…”

He touched the curse mark on his forehead with a wry smile, "This is my only freedom."

You paused for a moment, then asked, "Why didn't you resist?"

"Resist?" He smiled bitterly. "When the cursed seal is activated, the brain boils. The main family made me their heir only because my talent can protect the main family's bloodline, such as my frail younger sister, 'Hyuga Amane'."

You suddenly reach out and lightly touch his curse mark with your fingertips. The black curse mark spreads from your sleeve and briefly touches the blue curse mark.

Hatozaki groaned, blood seeping from his forehead, but the next second, he was shocked to find that the binding force of the cursed seal... had weakened.

"This, this is..."

You withdrew your hand, and the black cursed mark disappeared back into your skin. "It can only be suppressed temporarily, not broken."

Before you got up to leave, you left a message: "If one day you want to be completely free, you can come find me."

On the second floor of the inn, when Shika Rin returned, he happened to see Hinata Hatozaki standing in the corridor, his forehead covered in blood, but he smiled with relief.

"Rin-kun," Hatozaki called out to him, "Please tell Nagi-sama—"

"The 'Sage of Six Paths' notes, treasured by the Hyuga clan, will be delivered to the border of the Land of Iron in three days."

Lu Helin's pupils contracted sharply. "How did you know we were looking for this?"

Hatozaki pointed to his white eye. "I can see... that 'seal' inside her is devouring her." He said softly, "Consider it a thank you gift."

The Vortex Clan's convoy was ready to depart, their red and white clan emblem fluttering in the morning breeze.

Tobirama Senju stood at the head of the farewell procession, his white hair fluttering slightly in the wind, his red eyes gazing calmly into the distance.

Why isn't my older brother here yet?

He glanced discreetly at Mito Uzumaki beside him. The girl was dressed in a fiery red robe with flowing sleeves, her bright red hair shining like flames in the sunlight, while her emerald eyes kept glancing towards the clan's territory, clearly waiting for someone as well.

“Princess Mito,” Tobirama broke the silence, “this marriage is settled. The Senju and Uzumaki clans have officially become allies. We hope that both clans will work together to prepare for the wedding three years from now.”

Mito blinked, her smile knowing. "White-haired girl, you know perfectly well who I'm waiting for~"

Tobirama's lips twitched slightly as he suppressed the urge to correct the way he addressed him. "Big brother is being held up by the elders."

“I guessed it.” Mito shrugged, then suddenly lowered her voice, “By the way, the day after tomorrow is Madara Uchiha’s coming-of-age ceremony. I heard that Tajima Uchiha is going to pass on his position to him on that day.”

Tobirama's pupils suddenly contracted. Was Madara Uchiha about to succeed as clan leader ahead of schedule?

Given his hostility towards the Senju, the war is likely to escalate once he seizes power!

Seeing Tobirama's furrowed brows, Mito poked his shoulder with a mischievous grin. "Be careful, given Madara Uchiha's hostility towards you..." she deliberately dragged out her words, "I don't want you to be dead at his hands when you marry into the Senju."

Tobirama remained silent with a cold expression, but he knew in his heart that Mito was right.

Since the battle of Canglan City, Madara has made almost no attempt to conceal his murderous intent towards him.

Tobirama! Mito!

Hurried footsteps came from afar, and Hashirama Senju came running, beads of sweat still on his forehead, clearly having left the elders behind to rush over.

"Sorry! The elders called me to handle internal affairs!" He stopped in front of the two of them, panting, his eyes sparkling. "I...I'm not late, am I?"

The smile in Mito's eyes instantly became more genuine. "Just right~"

Tobirama silently took a half step back, leaving space for the two of them. Hashirama stood awkwardly in front of Mito, his dark eyes filled with apology and... a hint of something indescribable.

"Thank you so much for taking care of me these past few days," Mito said, looking up at her tall fiancé with a bright smile. "Although parting is sad, we'll see each other again soon!"

Hashirama stared at her blankly, momentarily forgetting to respond.

Sunlight filtered through the leaves and fell on Mito's face, gilding the curve of her eyelashes with a golden edge.

Tobirama couldn't bear to watch any longer, so he coughed lightly and nudged his brother.

The usually forthright young clan leader of the Thousand Hands clan was now somewhat stammering, "Um... be careful on the road, and remember to send a message when you arrive..."

Mito chuckled, "Hashirama, you look even more like a child than Itama."

Hashirama's ears turned bright red, and he scratched his head. "I...I just..."

Tobirama sighed, thinking to himself, "My brother's dating experience is terrible. Luckily, his marriage partner is Mito, otherwise he probably would never be able to find a wife in his life."

"I look forward to you becoming the savior of the ninja world, my fiancé!"

Mito suddenly stepped forward and gave Hashirama a firm hug. As she released him, she quickly kissed him on the cheek, then turned and jumped onto the carriage, her red hair streaking through the air like flames.

Hashirama stood frozen in place, his cheeks flushing red at a visible speed, his fingers unconsciously touching the spot where he had been kissed.

Tobirama couldn't stand it any longer, so he patted Hashirama on the shoulder. Hashirama stood there grinning foolishly until the Uzumaki clan's caravan disappeared from sight.

"Big brother, let's go."

Hashirama seemed to awaken from a dream, but he still gazed in the direction where the carriage had disappeared, murmuring, "Tobirama, she was so good."

Tobirama, unusually, didn't complain, but simply sighed and said, "Hmm."

"She kissed me, Tobirama!"

"...I saw it."

"She said she expected me to be her savior!"

She also said—

"Brother," Tobirama interrupted, unable to contain himself any longer, "have you forgotten that Madara Uchiha's coming-of-age ceremony is the day after tomorrow?"

Hashirama's smile froze instantly. He remained silent for a long time before suddenly saying, "Actually... I understand Madara a little now."

“If Mito were to suddenly disappear one day,” Hashirama gazed into the distance, his voice low, “I would probably go mad.”

Tobirama paused, but instead of answering, he reached into his sleeve and gripped the golden talisman tightly.

Mito Uzumaki said that the probability of Nagi Uchiha appearing was highest if the talisman was used on that day.

The elders' arguments rose and fell, and the air was thick with resentment and discontent.

"The marriage alliance between the Senju and Uzumaki clans is clearly a conspiracy against our Uchiha clan!" The First Elder slammed his fist on the table, his aged face contorted with rage. "We must take countermeasures immediately!"

"In my humble opinion, it would be better to renew the marriage alliance with the Hyuga clan." The Third Elder stroked his beard, glancing meaningfully at Uchiha Madara in the main seat. "The young clan head will officially assume the position tomorrow; if he could marry a daughter of the Hyuga main family..."

Ban coldly swept his gaze over the crowd, his fingertips tapping lightly on the armrest, producing a dull sound.

Uchiha Tajima sat at the head of the table, his gaze deep. He knew his eldest son all too well. Since Uchiha Nagi left, Madara's patience had long since run out.

“Madara,” Tajima suddenly spoke, posing the question to Madara, “what are your thoughts on the alliance between the Senju and Uzumaki?”

The hall fell silent instantly. Ban slowly stood up, his black clan robe draped over his shoulders, casting shadows over half of his face.

“The Uchiha clan doesn’t need marriage alliances,” he said in a low, cold voice, “nor do they need any so-called allies.”

The Mangekyou Sharingan suddenly activated, "If the elders have a different opinion—"

A terrifying aura swept through the entire council hall, turning the faces of several elderly elders pale and causing them to break out in a cold sweat.

"—You can bring it up boldly."

A naked threat.

But no one dared to refute it.

Because Madara was right, the Uchiha clan possesses the Sharingan, the most powerful bloodline limit in the ninja world, and has stood at the pinnacle of the ninja world for thousands of years.

Their power fostered a deep-seated arrogance, making them utterly disdainful of using marriage alliances to gain benefits.

After a long silence, the First Elder finally lowered his head tremblingly, "...What the Young Clan Chief says is absolutely right."

Ban snorted coldly, and the kaleidoscope slowly closed.

“In that case,” Tajima stood up and looked around at everyone, “everyone, go back and prepare for tomorrow’s ceremony.”

He left the council chamber first, followed closely by Ban.

Chapter 49 Birthday

In the corridor, Tajima suddenly stopped. "Still looking for her?"

Ban didn't answer, but his clenched fist betrayed his true feelings.

“After tomorrow, you will be the head of the Uchiha clan.” Tajima turned around and looked directly into his son’s eyes. “I have only one request: don’t let personal feelings ruin the future of the Uchiha clan.”

After a long silence, he gave a cold laugh. "Father is overthinking it."

"I know better than anyone what the 'future of the Uchiha' is."

Madara Uchiha's figure blended into the night, the red light of his Sharingan flashing briefly in the darkness.