Naruto Immersive Replay, The Curse of the Sharingan

Chapter 59 - Imprisoned Love (2)

Your chest heaved violently, and you couldn't help but scoff, "Then why did you save me? When you found me in the snow, why didn't you let me freeze to death?"

Ban's body stiffened visibly for a moment, and you seized this fleeting opening, suddenly raising your knee to strike his abdomen.

Ban grunted, his grip loosening slightly. You immediately flipped over and stood up, a kunai now in your hand, its sharp tip pressed against his throat.

The air in the room seemed to freeze; their breaths mingled, one rapid, the other heavy.

The tip of the kunai had pierced Ban's skin, and a drop of blood slid down his neck and disappeared into his black collar.

“You’ve changed, Nagi,” Madara suddenly said, his voice carrying an indescribable emotion. “The old you would never have attacked me.”

"No, I'm just afraid you'll get the power of the Six Paths first?"

Ban's kaleidoscope spun wildly. He suddenly pressed you down onto the couch, his canines biting your neck as black runes wrapped around his fingers like living things.

"You can't even save your own life." Ban licked away the beads of blood seeping from your collarbone. "What do you have to fight me with?"

The furious kiss landed with a metallic taste, the spotted teeth chipped your lower lip, and the hand gripped the seal on the back of your neck tightly.

Your struggles made the bed creak under the strain, but the howling blizzard outside perfectly masked all the noise.

When the spotted one finally pried open your clenched teeth, you tasted a bitter flavor than you had imagined, a kind of decaying stench belonging to a dying person.

This realization drove him to deepen the kiss even more frantically, as if he wanted to take revenge for the past five years of searching, anger, and inexplicable obsession.

Your fingertips unconsciously scratched Ban's back, leaving bloody finger marks on his tribal clothes.

When the dizziness from lack of oxygen strikes, you vaguely hear Madara whispering a word in your ear... "Anagi".

The moment the tears fell, Ban's movements suddenly stopped. Through your blurred vision, you saw the violence in his kaleidoscope gradually fade away, replaced by a kind of painful confusion.

Just like that stormy night when he carried you, who had a persistent high fever, through the Nanhe Forest, a similar expression appeared on his face.

“You have Hashirama’s cells in your body.” Madara suddenly released you, his fingertip brushing against the unhealed needle mark on the side of your neck. “And…” His thumb pressed below your right eye, “residual traces of the Flying Thunder God Technique.”

The wind and snow outside suddenly intensified, and for a moment you thought Ban was going to strangle you.

Madara's gaze fell on your swollen lips, a complex emotion surging within his crimson Sharingan. He lowered his head again, but this time the kiss was unexpectedly gentle, like a feather brushing against your skin.

"The journal mentions the Uchiha Stone Tablet," Madara whispered, his warm breath brushing against your cheek. "You know what's recorded on it, don't you?"

"All I know is that the content on it has been altered," you say, looking directly into Ban's eyes. "And you are walking into a trap set by someone."

Madara's expression suddenly darkened, and he abruptly stood up. "You know nothing." His voice was filled with suppressed rage. "The entire ninja world is trying to erase the honor of the Uchiha!"

"Come back with me." Madara whispered, his lips brushing against your earlobe, his fingers running through your hair. "Whirlpool Country or Wind Country... it's time to end those childish games."

You must leave.

Ban's gentleness is like an impenetrable net; the more she indulges him, the more suffocating he becomes.

"No, at least let me find the ruins of the Snow Country." You said softly, your voice carrying a deliberate hesitation, as if testing his bottom line.

Madara's crimson Sharingan narrowed slightly, as if he saw through your delaying intentions. "What right do you think you have to make demands of me?" His voice was deep and carried an irresistible sense of pressure.

Your throat tightened, but you stubbornly refused to look away.

Madara stared at you for a few seconds, his fingertips tracing his cheek, and his tone softened, "...but I agree."

You were startled, a hint of surprise flashing in your eyes.

The two went downstairs one after the other. Outside the hotel, the blizzard was still raging, and the cold wind howled as it seeped in through the cracks in the door.

Ban frowned as he looked at your thin clothes.

"Wait for me," he whispered, his warm breath brushing against your earlobe. "Don't even think about leaving, or else..." His unfinished words were full of threat, but unexpectedly, he ended up giving you a kiss.

To outsiders, this was nothing more than a loyal husband giving his wife careful instructions, while the innkeeper stood behind the counter, her eyes gleaming with gossip.

Watching Ban's figure disappear into the snowstorm, you stood there, your heart filled with complex emotions. How could things have come to this?

You lowered your eyes, pondering how to deal with Ban and how to achieve your goal without provoking him.

"Young lady, your husband is so considerate to you," the proprietress said with a smile, cracking sunflower seeds in her hand.

You snap out of your daze, "He...is not my husband." You deny it instinctively, but your voice trembles slightly from the kiss you just had.

The proprietress gave her a knowing look and waved her hand. "Oh dear, it's normal for young couples to have a tiff! Your husband certainly doesn't want to let you go!"

She winked at you, "The way he looked at you just now, tsk tsk, it was just like how my old man looked at me when I was young. The way your husband looks at you is like a hungry wolf eyeing its prey..."

You remain silent; your relationship with Ban is so complex that even you can't explain it to yourself, so how can you explain it to a stranger?

After a while, the proprietress mysteriously pulled a beautifully bound book from under the counter and stuffed it into your arms.

"Don't be sad, young lady. Show him this tonight, and maybe you won't have any more arguments." She winked at you knowingly. "This is a good thing I brought from the capital."

You curiously examine the untitled book, about to open it, when the hotel door is suddenly pushed open, and a cold wind mixed with snowflakes sweeps in.

Ban strode over, carrying a pile of heavy cotton-padded clothes, his shoulders and hair covered in snow.

You hurriedly hid the book behind your back, your heart pounding like a drum.

"I bought warm clothes."

Ban's voice was more scorching than the firelight. He came to you and unfolded a fox fur coat to wrap around you.

The oversized collar covered half of your face, and the fur brushed against your nose, causing a slight itch. Just as you were about to raise your hand to adjust it, Ban pressed your shoulder down and put on a second mink vest.

"Wait..."

When the third snow wolf fur coat pressed down on you, you finally struggled to peek out from under the fur collar.

You look like a black cat with its fur standing on end right now, wrapped up so that only your small face, no bigger than a palm, is visible. Ban suddenly remembered that he had once wrapped you, who had sneaked out, in his clan robe in the same way.

Madara froze, holding the fourth cloak embroidered with the Uchiha clan crest. The person in front of him was wrapped up so tightly that only his flushed face was visible, with a few tufts of hair sticking up on top of his head, making him look like a mascot doll from the Nanga Shrine's New Year's Festival.

"Uchiha Madara!"

When your fist slams into his chest, Ban laughs and pulls you into his arms.

The hug felt so natural, as if you were truly a loving couple in the landlady's eyes. Your nose bumped against his chin, and the cool sandalwood scent mixed with the smell of snow wafted over you. "Stop fooling around."

This hug made you realize something was wrong; Madara's heart was beating 1.5 times faster than a normal ninja's.

The proprietress coughed dramatically, and Ban finally let go of her hand. He took out an oil paper package from his pocket, and when he opened it, he found a string of glistening candied hawthorns. The bright red hawthorns were covered with ice crystals, which reflected a jewel-like luster under the fire.

"We'll set off tomorrow once the snow stops." Ban released you, regaining his usual coldness, but the warmth in his eyes hadn't completely faded.

Night always falls exceptionally early in the Land of Snow. A biting wind, carrying fine snowflakes, patters against the paper windows of the hot spring inn, making a soft rustling sound.

You lie on your side on the tatami mat, your long black hair scattered on the pillow. She has her eyes closed, but she is not sleepy at all.

The sound of water in the bathroom stopped, and the paper door was gently pulled open. Even without opening your eyes, you could feel that familiar, powerful, and intense chakra. Madara's footsteps were light, but your keen senses could clearly track his every move.

"Still not asleep?" Ban's voice was deep, carrying the languor of someone who had just taken a bath.

You didn't answer, maintaining even breathing, and you could feel Ban lying down beside you, the tatami sinking slightly.

His body temperature was higher than that of ordinary people; even on a cold, snowy night in the land of snow, he was like a small furnace.

Ban's arm wrapped around your waist, pulling you toward him.

Your back pressed against his strong chest, and through the thin bathrobe, you could feel his powerful heartbeat.

"Found it." Ban suddenly whispered in your ear, making you involuntarily tense up.

His palm rests on your lower back, where the book the landlady secretly slipped to you in the evening is hidden.

“The Snow Ninja said the ruins are in the eye of the blizzard,” Madara continued, while his fingers gently traced the location of the book.

The rustling sound of turning pages suddenly stopped, and you could clearly feel Ban's breathing become heavy, and the muscles in the arm that was holding you tensed up instantly.

Just as you're about to turn your head, a warm hand suddenly covers your eyes. "It's a book from the landlady. What's wrong?"

"It's nothing." Madara's voice was terribly hoarse.

Suddenly, flames shot up, and the smell of paper ash mixed with a strange, burnt aroma filled the air.

Your struggles were suppressed even more forcefully, Ban's knees pressed down on your legs, and the hem of your yukata was rubbed and disheveled.

This position makes you belatedly realize that something hot is pressing against your lower back.

"Don't move!" Madara's tone carried a warning, but the force in his hand was incredibly gentle, as if he was afraid of hurting you.

You frowned, gave up the struggle, and left for five years. How could Ban have become so unreasonable? It was just a book given to you by the landlady. What could be so serious about it?

But the fatigue brought on by the cold swept over you, and you were too lazy to think anymore. You gradually relaxed in Ban's embrace and fell into a deep sleep.

Once he was sure your breathing had become even and deep, Ban released his grip and let out a long breath.

He looked down at you, fast asleep in his arms, his gaze indescribably complex.

That book... that damn landlady actually showed you that kind of stuff! The illustrations he had just glimpsed flashed through Ban's mind involuntarily—explicit images of men and women entwined, and those blood-pumping descriptions.

Worse still... he was imagining doing *that* with you, and a surge of heat instantly swept through his body.

"Anagi...Anagi..."

Ban murmured unconsciously, his teeth gently biting your slender neck, but he restrained himself and let go just before leaving a mark.

His hand gripped your waist, the slender curve perfectly fitting his palm, as if you were born to be possessed by him.

Reason tells him he should let go, but his body, against his will, holds him tighter.

Ban lowered his head and pressed his lips to yours, but only dared to touch them lightly, afraid of waking you.

This torment continued until midnight, when Ban finally couldn't take it anymore, got up, and strode towards the bathroom.

The icy water washed over his burning body. Ban tilted his head back and let the water hit his face directly. He closed his eyes, but the images from the book kept flashing through his mind.

Those poses, those expressions, all became your face; he longed for your dreamy eyes to look at him...

It wasn't until the sky began to lighten that Ban emerged from the bathroom, his body still carrying the scent of cold water.

He gently lifted the blanket, hugged you from behind as you slept soundly, buried his face in the crook of your neck, and inhaled deeply the unique, faint medicinal scent emanating from you.

"My Nagi..." Madara murmured softly, his voice so soft it was almost inaudible. The words sounded like both a vow and a form of self-hypnosis.

When the morning sunlight streamed into the room through the paper window, you opened your eyes. Ban was no longer beside you, but his body heat and faint sandalwood scent still lingered on the tatami mat.

You sat up, rubbed your temples, and your cold seemed to be getting better.

As you straighten your disheveled yukata, you notice Madara's gaze lingering on you for a moment before quickly shifting away.

“I asked the landlady to prepare breakfast. We’ll set off after we eat.” Ban put away the map, stood up and walked towards the door. “The eye of the blizzard is two days’ journey from here. We must get there before the next heavy snowfall.”

You nod, then suddenly remember something, "What exactly was written in that book last night?"

Ban paused for a moment, his back to you, his shoulders noticeably tense.

“Something insignificant.” His voice was unnaturally calm. “The proprietress probably tried to please the customer and put the wrong book in.”

You squint your eyes, your intuition telling you that Ban is lying, but you don't want to investigate for the time being.

Breakfast was served in the room: simple miso soup, grilled fish, and rice.

The proprietress personally brought over the tray, winked at you, and asked, "Young lady, were you satisfied with the book last night?"

The chopsticks in Ban's hand snapped with a 'crack'.

You notice Ban's reaction: "The book was burned, and I didn't even have time to read it."

The proprietress looked surprised, then smiled knowingly, "Oh dear, that gentleman is really in a hurry."

She glanced meaningfully at Ban, "But it's okay, I have plenty more here—"

“No need,” Ban interrupted her coldly, his eyes sharp.

But the proprietress was clearly no ordinary person. She chuckled and left the room, mouthing to you before she left, "I'll give it to you later."

Chapter 60 - Imprisoned Love (3)

Ban's complexion looked even worse.

"What kind of riddle are you playing?" You put down your chopsticks and looked directly into Ban's eyes. "What book is it?"

Ban avoided your gaze, stood up and packed his things. "Let's get ready to go. We don't have time to waste on these boring things."

You know that asking any further won't get you anywhere, so you have no choice but to give up for now.

When you reappeared at the hotel entrance, Ban was already waiting there, his long black hair draped behind his head, revealing his well-defined profile.

Five years have made him more composed and reserved.