Naruto Immersive Replay, The Curse of the Sharingan

Your eyelashes fluttered, casting a fan-shaped shadow beneath your eyes. "Enough for us to see every cherry blossom tree in the Land of Fire, enough..."

Your voice choked up slightly, "Enough for you to remember what I looked like alive."

Suddenly, the cawing of crows came from outside the window, mournful as a death knell.

Ban held you tightly in his arms, his strength almost as if he wanted to knead you into his bones. He buried his face in your neck, smelling the faint fragrance mixed with the scent of medicine, trying to etch every detail into his memory.

"Then let's go to hell together," Madara whispered in your ear, his voice filled with madness and determination. "If fate is going to take you away, I will destroy this damned fate."

You closed your eyes in his arms. The fire grew larger and larger, and the heat scorched your skin, but neither of you moved. In this moment of impending destruction, you suddenly felt an immense sense of peace.

You know that Madara won't give up, just like you won't give up reviving your brother.

Two equally stubborn souls are destined to torment and redeem each other on this path filled with blood and fire.

From afar came the panicked cries of the clansmen and the sound of water being used to put out the fire. Madara finally released you, and just before the flames were extinguished, he used the Body Flicker Technique to take you away from the room.

The night wind was biting. You stood at the highest point of the Uchiha clan's territory, with your clansmen in disarray below. A forbidden scroll was hidden in your sleeve, and Madara's eyes burned with a determination more intense than flames.

“I will find a way,” Ban suddenly said, his fingers tracing your burning cheek. “A way to revive your brother without killing you.”

Looking into his determined eyes, you nod gently. Ban won't give up easily, just like you.

This struggle against fate has only just begun, and you, two wounded souls, will walk side by side to the end.

Whether the ending is redemption or destruction.

Uchiha Kakoe knelt on one knee outside the mansion gate, fine beads of sweat glistening on his forehead. Madara Uchiha's oppressive aura could be felt even through the paper door.

"Clan Chief, Clan Chief Senju has come to pay a visit with Second Master Senju."

Madara Uchiha strode ahead, his black clan chief's haori billowing behind him like dark clouds. His fingers gripped your wrist tightly, so hard they almost left a bruise.

"Ban, you're hurting me," you whispered.

Ban paused almost imperceptibly, his grip on his fingers loosened slightly, but he didn't let go completely.

He turned his head to the side and said, "If that white-haired guy dares to look at you even once, I'll gouge out his eyes."

These words were spoken very softly, yet they carried an undeniable killing intent.

With the washi paper door of the council chamber right in front of you, Madara suddenly stopped, turned around and straightened your collar, his fingers seemingly unintentionally brushing against the brand on your collarbone.

This seemingly considerate gesture was actually another declaration: "Remember whose person you are." Ban whispered in your ear at the end, his breath hot.

You didn't answer, but calmly stared at the crimson Sharingan until the turmoil within subsided slightly.

This silent standoff has become the norm between you, one using violence to declare possession, the other using silence to preserve their identity.

The council chamber door was suddenly pushed open, the dull thud startling the two inside. Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju turned their heads simultaneously, their gazes landing squarely on Madara's clasped hands.

"Hashirama, what are you doing here at the Uchiha Clan?" Madara narrowed his eyes, his gaze sweeping over the two men like a knife, lingering for a few more seconds on Tobirama's striking white hair.

Hashirama's expression was as if he were crushed by an invisible burden. When he spoke, his voice was terrifyingly calm, "Itama is dead."

Madara and you turned to look at each other almost simultaneously, both seeing disbelief in each other's eyes. Itama, the little brother who always followed Hashirama around, was dead?

"Why?" Your fingers unconsciously tightened.

Tobirama answered you, his red eyes staring directly at you without any attempt to conceal his words: "Died of an unknown plague."

His voice was calmer than his brother's, but also sharper: "According to my investigation, the water of the Naga River has been poisoned since last month. The Senju and Uchiha clansmen who have died mysteriously this month all died because of this."

Madara's jawline suddenly tightened. He had indeed noticed the unusual deaths within the clan recently: three Jonin and seven Chunin, all of whom died suddenly from persistent high fever and bleeding from all seven orifices.

The Uchiha clan excels in combat, but has very few medical ninjas. They can handle external injuries, but are completely helpless against this kind of strange internal injury.

"So, what is the purpose of your visit?" Madara suddenly wrapped his arm around your waist, looking at Tobirama in an almost provocative manner.

Hashirama stepped forward, his brow furrowed with deep wrinkles, "This poison is highly contagious."

His voice began to tremble, "The Senju have already completely isolated all their clansmen. Once infected, there will be no survivors. We've come to warn them, and we need the Uchiha's help even more! The Senju's medical ninjas are completely powerless in this situation!"

The words "extremely contagious" and "no one survived" made Madara's neck hair stand on end. If what Hashirama said was true, why hadn't the Uchiha clan experienced a large-scale outbreak yet?

As if understanding Madara's doubts, Tobirama explained in a cold voice, "This poison also has a flaw. It is afraid of high temperatures, and your Uchiha's daily ninjutsu training is fire release. By a twist of fate, the risk of infection was cut off."

Fire Release... The pride of the Uchiha clan unexpectedly became their lifeline; fate can be so ironic sometimes.

"What do you need the Uchiha to do?" Madara cut straight to the heart of the matter.

Hashirama's clenched fist cracked as if his bones were dislocating. "We need you to send ninjas to use Fire Release techniques to isolate the spread of infection near the Naka River and the Senju clan's territory!"

He looked up and stared directly into Madara's eyes, where he saw a pleading look that Madara hadn't seen in years. "If this isn't resolved soon, it'll definitely cause a huge problem!"

A deathly silence fell over the council chamber. Ban could feel you trembling slightly in his arms. What were you thinking about? Were you thinking of your fallen kin, or the potential for widespread disaster?

“Okay,” Ban heard himself say, his voice unusually calm. “But I need to go through the clan council to arrange it.”

Hashirama and Tobirama rose almost simultaneously, bowing deeply to Madara and you, saying, "Thank you so much, Madara!"

Madara did not respond to the long-lost nickname. He just stared coldly at the Senju brothers, especially the white-haired one. Even when he bowed, Tobirama's gaze remained fixed on him, like a venomous snake flicking its tongue.

“No need.” Madara pulled Nagi closer, almost to his side. “The Uchiha aren’t here to help the Senju, but to protect themselves.”

Hashirama straightened up, his eyes filled with a mixture of weariness and gratitude. "No matter what, the Senju will never forget this kindness." He hesitated for a moment, "Regarding Itama... the funeral is in three days. If you..."

“We will send someone to deliver wreaths,” Ban interrupted him, his tone leaving no room for argument.

His Sharingan glowed an ominous red in the shadows, fixed intently on Tobirama. "The Senju second-in-command seems quite interested in my wife?"

The blunt question was like a knife cleaving through the false peace; Hashirama's voice abruptly stopped, and the room fell into dead silence.

Tobirama finally looked Madara straight in the eye, "I'm just curious what kind of woman can tolerate your temper."

His gaze shifted to you, and his pupils contracted slightly when he saw the bruise on the side of your neck. "It seems the answer is a caged bird chained in chains."

"Tobirama!" Hashirama shouted sharply to stop him.

But it was too late. Madara's chakra erupted, and the paper doors of the council chamber trembled violently under the pressure.

His Mangekyou Sharingan activated instantly, complex patterns spinning wildly. "You're asking for death—"

You suddenly grabbed Ban's wrist, and this simple action miraculously stopped the enraged clan leader's attack.

You looked at Tobirama, "I am now the wife of the Uchiha clan head, please remember that."

These words were more effective than any threat of force. Tobirama's face turned pale instantly, as if he had been stabbed in the chest. He opened his mouth, but in the end said nothing, only nodding stiffly.

Hashirama keenly sensed that something was amiss and immediately stood up to take his leave. "I will send a messenger with details! I'll take my leave for today!" he said, grabbing his younger brother and pulling him outside.

Ban coldly watched the two figures as they walked away, and only after confirming that they had truly left the tribe's territory did he turn to you and ask, "You're protecting me?"

You picked up the now-cold tea and took a sip. "I'm protecting the Uchiha's reputation."

He set down his teacup, the porcelain clinking against the wooden table. "You almost laid a hand on a guest in your own council chamber. What kind of talk is that?"

Madara suddenly laughed, a laugh that was both dangerous and alluring. He pulled you into his arms, his nose brushing against your earlobe. "You look really good in the Uchiha clan crest, especially with my bite mark on it."

You didn't struggle, you just calmly gazed at him, "Ban, what are you afraid of?"

This question was like an arrow, hitting precisely the softest spot in Ban's heart.

His smile froze, transforming into a complex expression—anger, fear, possessiveness, and unfathomable love all intertwined on his handsome face.

Ban immediately turned your shoulder and said, "You are not allowed to participate in this operation."

“I am a member of the Uchiha clan, and more importantly, your wife. If the clan needs me—”

"I said, no." Madara's voice dropped to freezing point, and the pattern in his Sharingan spun wildly. "If you dare to take a single step near the Naka River, I will lock you in the dungeon until the plague ends."

Ban knows how cruel his threat is, but he'd rather you hate him than risk losing you in the slightest.

You gently stroked Madara's taut cheek with your fingers. "The dignified Uchiha clan leader is actually afraid of this?"

Ban grabbed your wrist, strong enough to leave a bruise. "Of course I'm scared!"

His voice was hoarse and broken, "Do you think I can stay rational after losing you? Nagi, I will destroy this world."

The sunlight suddenly intensified, making your skin almost transparent. Looking at the distorted expression on his face, you suddenly stood on tiptoe and placed a light kiss on his tightly pursed lips.

"I understand. Go and prepare for the clan meeting."

The candlelight cast flickering shadows inside the Uchiha clan's room, cutting each person's face into fragments of light and shadow.

Madara Uchiha sat in the main seat, his long black hair cascading down like a waterfall, his Sharingan glowing with an ominous red light in the dim light.

He lightly tapped the armrest with his fingertips, each crisp sound like a blow to the tense nerves of the people.

"Hashirama Senju came to see me today." Madara's voice wasn't loud, but it instantly silenced the entire hall. "It's about the fact that members of both clans have been dying mysteriously over the past month."

The air seemed to freeze for a moment as the Uchiha exchanged glances. They had all heard of those bizarre deaths: robust ninjas suddenly developing high fevers overnight, bleeding from all seven orifices, and dying without even medical ninjas being able to diagnose the cause.

"The Naka River has been poisoned with an unknown toxin." Madara's fingertip paused on the clan crest carving on the armrest. "Currently, even the medical ninjas are helpless against it, and more importantly..."

He leaned forward slightly, the candlelight casting sharp shadows on his sharply defined face. "This poison is highly contagious; none of the infected ninjas have survived."

A gasp came from the corner as a young ninja dropped his kunai to the ground, the metallic clang particularly jarring in the silence.

Madara's gaze swept over every face, whether terrified or gloomy. "This poison is afraid of high temperatures. The Senju clan's territory has been completely infected, but because we are skilled in fire-style techniques, we escaped this calamity."

A cold smile curled at the corner of his lips. "Isn't it ironic? Our most proficient killing technique has now become our lifeline."

An eerie silence filled the ancestral hall, like the calm before a storm.

Madara stood up, his black robe drooping. "The Senju have asked us for help. They need the Uchiha to send ninjas to the Naka River and the Senju clan's territory to isolate the spread of the virus."

Chapter 68 - Half-Body

These words were like detonating an explosive tag, and the tribespeople immediately erupted into chaos—

"Help the Thousand Hands? Do they even deserve it?"

"Who knows if it's a trap..."

"But if it's true..."

Ban strolled to the center of the hall, the candlelight casting a long shadow that almost enveloped the clansmen in the front row.

"This incident made me realize that even though we have stopped fighting with the Thousand Hands, there are still third parties who will not allow this situation to continue and have started to use such underhanded methods to deal with us."

Madara's voice grew lower and lower, until it almost became a dangerous whisper: "But that's another matter... The most urgent task is to help the Senju isolate the transmission route, otherwise the Uchiha will be affected sooner or later."

He turned around abruptly and said, "This mission prohibits the elderly, women, and children from joining. The rest are on a voluntary basis, as there is always a risk of contracting the plague."

Madara's gaze swept over several young faces, and his voice softened slightly, a rare occurrence. "I don't want to see any more tragedies happen to the Uchiha."

The last sentence was like a sigh, weighing heavily on everyone's heart.

"Chief, I'm joining."

The first to break the silence was Uchiha Yoshihide. This usually composed elder had an unusual glint in his eyes, and his fingers unconsciously rubbed the hilt of the sword at his waist.

Leng Xi, sitting next to Liang Ying, glanced at him and silently raised her hand, "Join."

As if a floodgate had been opened, more and more young clansmen raised their hands, their voices rising and falling, echoing in the dimly lit clan hall.

Uchiha Hikaru suddenly stood up, ignoring the anxious look in Kawarashi's eyes beside him, "I'm joining too!"

His voice was so loud that it almost drowned out everyone else. Chuan Lan suddenly grabbed his sleeve, but he gently brushed it away.

The usually gentle female ninja suddenly stood up, her movement so forceful that it overturned the candlestick behind her.

"Chieftain, I want to go too!"

In an instant, all sound vanished. Huo He stared wide-eyed at his fiancée in disbelief. "What's wrong with you? The clan leader said women are forbidden from participating!"

Ban slowly sat back in the main seat, resting his chin on one hand, his expression unreadable. The candlelight flickered in his eyes like two inextinguishable flames.

“Give me a reason.” His voice was eerily calm.

Chuan Lan then belatedly realized what she had done.

She forced herself to swallow, but her voice was unusually firm: "I am a medical ninja, and it is my duty to protect my people in dangerous places."

The one who made the laughing sound was Uchiha Setsuna, who was standing next to Madara. This elite Jonin, known for his sharp tongue, had his arms crossed and a mocking smile on his lips.

"When have we Uchiha ever needed a woman to protect us? Besides, if you're worried about the Fire Core, just say so. Why make up such a hypocritical excuse? It's disgusting!"

"Setsuna, watch your mouth!" Fire Core roared, pointing at him, his Sharingan already activated unconsciously.

Unmoved, she laughed even more maliciously. "Politeness? If you wanted to end this farce, you shouldn't have gotten involved. Your fiancée wouldn't be here causing trouble!"

"You...!" The fire core's chakra had already begun to surge, but Madara suddenly interrupted it.

Ban's voice wasn't loud, but it was like a bucket of ice water that extinguished all the restlessness.