Naruto Immersive Replay, The Curse of the Sharingan

With a composed demeanor, you adjusted the cuffs of your haori, your movements elegant yet carrying an undeniable air of authority. You slightly raised your chin and gave a perfectly impeccable aristocratic bow to the blond figure on the city wall.

Your voice wasn't loud, yet it clearly pierced the silence beneath the city walls, even drowning out the distant roar of the waves. "I am Li Nu."

The moment the words "Li Nu" were uttered, it was as if an invisible chill swept across the entire city.

The city wall erupted in chaos! The soldiers and officials were drained of color from their faces, their expressions a mixture of shock and disbelief.

Princess Akiyama Nana's pretty face drained of color, and her beautiful eyes, which were originally full of rebellion and anger, were now wide open, filled with disbelief and deep fear.

"You...you're that Prime Minister Li Nu?!" Her voice rose, trembling slightly.

The rise of the Land of Wind in recent years can be described as a miracle. From a resource-scarce desert country to a ninja world overlord that rivals the Land of Fire, the mysterious and ruthless prime minister Tanuki behind the scenes has made great contributions.

Within aristocratic circles, this name represents unparalleled political acumen, ruthless decisiveness, and the terror of crushing any who stand in his way.

Rumor has it that he is the most cunning strategist in the shadow of the powerful, and no one wants to be his enemy.

"Indeed, it seems Her Highness the Princess isn't very welcoming of my arrival." You deliberately slowed down your speech.

The heavy city gate slowly opened inwards, accompanied by the creaking of its hinges.

A group of people dressed in the official uniforms of the Land of Water walked out quickly, led by an old man with white hair and a stern face.

He ignored the distraught princess on the city wall, walked straight to your carriage, bowed deeply, and lowered his posture to the lowest possible level.

"Lord Tanuki, I am extremely rude! Her Highness the Princess is young and impetuous and acts rashly. She has offended you. I hope you will forgive her and not take offense."

The old man's forehead almost touched the ground, his tone earnest and barely perceptible with tension, "His Majesty the Great has prepared a grand banquet in the palace, and has been waiting for you and the delegation from the Kingdom of Wind for quite some time."

Your gaze swept lightly over the old man's humble posture, you nodded slightly, and your tone revealed neither joy nor anger, "It's alright, it's inevitable for young people to have some temper."

You deliberately emphasized the words "young people" clearly and meaningfully, your gaze drifting towards the city wall again, seemingly casually.

Even though you look extremely young, perhaps only a few years older than Nana, the words you uttered, which sounded like an elder's assessment, carried a chilling pressure.

On the city wall, Akiyama Nana was so angry at the young man's words that she trembled all over. Her delicate face turned red, and she almost rushed down to argue with him, but she was held back by two older maids beside her. They whispered words of comfort and half-dragged, half-pulled her away from the city wall.

Only the guard named Lian remained standing in place, as firm as a rock, his long black hair fluttering slightly in the wind.

His habitually closed eyes seemed to be precisely "locked" on Uchiha Nagi below the castle, and for the first time, a very subtle, thoughtful expression flashed across his calm face.

Under the respectful guidance of the elder, you led the delegation slowly into the capital of the Water Kingdom.

As the carriage passed through the shadow of the city gate, Leng Xi rode closer to the window, her voice low and heavy, "That ninja named Lian... is definitely not simple. His perception is extraordinary. Even with his eyes closed, he seems to be able to predict my every move."

"Hmm," you responded softly, indicating that you understood, "A special bloodline limit, huh... The Land of Water is indeed full of hidden talents."

You paused, a playful smile returning to your lips, but your eyes held a predatory gleam in them. "However..."

Changing the subject, your tone took on a hint of enigmatic interest, "I'm more interested in that princess; she's much more 'lively' than described in the intelligence."

Leng Xi frowned slightly. "The attitude of everyone in the Water Kingdom is unfriendly."

“I know.” Your gaze turned from the window, becoming as deep as a cold pool, your voice low and firm, “But now that this ‘play’ in the name of peace between the two countries has begun, we must continue to perform, whether the audience applauds or wiels swords.”

The palace of the Water Kingdom is called "Canglan Palace," and its magnificence is well-deserved.

The entire palace is constructed from a rare deep-sea blue crystal. In the afternoon sunlight, it resembles a frozen, giant wave, its surface shimmering with a watery luster, exuding a cold and solemn aura.

At the main gate of the palace, the daimyo of the Land of Water, Akiyama Musashi, personally led his senior retainers to wait.

He was dressed in a magnificent dark blue robe embroidered with wave patterns. He had a dignified face and a tall stature. Upon seeing your carriage, he immediately put on a warm smile and quickly stepped forward to greet you.

"Welcome, Lord Tanuki, you've come all this way! You must be tired from your journey!"

His laughter was hearty, as if the conflict below the city had never happened. "My daughter, Nana, has been spoiled since childhood and is willful and willful. She has offended me greatly today, and I am truly sorry to have made you laugh! I will certainly discipline her strictly!"

You also wore a perfectly timed smile. "Your Majesty is too kind. Princess is young, innocent, and acts on impulse. She has the heart of a child. How can you say that I'm 'offending' her? This genuine nature is... quite endearing."

The words sounded like praise, and the tone was gentle, but deep within those beautiful eyes lay a frozen calm, devoid of any smile.

To those who know the "raccoon dog's" true identity, this assessment of its innocent and adorable nature sounds more like a condescending scrutiny and a veiled warning.

Akiyama Musashi's smile faltered slightly, a fleeting shadow crossing his eyes before being quickly masked by an even warmer grin. "Haha, my lord, you are so magnanimous! Please come in! The feast is ready; we must drink and chat with you today!"

The atmosphere inside the banquet hall was solemn and oppressive.

The enormous hall was also made of blue crystal, with pearls emitting a soft blue light embedded in the dome, making it feel like being in the deep sea.

Long tables were set up on both sides, with the delegation from the Land of Wind and the important officials and nobles from the Land of Water seated separately.

The air was filled with the aroma of delicious food, but even more intensely intertwined with an invisible sense of probing and wariness.

As the guest of honor, you are seated at the head of the table to the right of Akiyama Musashi, opposite Princess Akiyama Nana, who was forced to attend.

At this moment, Akiyama Nana had changed into a more formal and gorgeous light blue palace dress, but her face was bloodless, her lips were tightly pursed, her eyes were lowered, and she was staring intently at the plate in front of her, as if she wanted to stare it through.

Her hands, resting on her knees, were white at the knuckles from gripping so tightly. Her body was as stiff as a stone sculpture, and the resistance and fear that ran deep in her bones almost materialized.

In the shadows just a step behind her, the guard Lian stood silently like the most loyal shadow.

Halfway through the banquet, amidst the clinking of glasses, a minister from the Land of Water, sporting a goatee, casually broke the surface harmony by raising his wine cup: "Lord Tanuki, your fame has spread far and wide. Under your guidance, the Land of Wind has truly flourished in recent years, but..."

He abruptly changed the subject, his tone carrying a hint of inquiry and barely perceptible provocation, "The expansion of the Land of Wind's territory is truly remarkable. I wonder where your country's next ambition lies? Could it be... that you intend to emulate the Uchiha Showa era and unify the ninja world?"

These words, laced with veiled sarcasm, directly targeted the Wind Kingdom's expansionist ambitions, instantly causing the temperature in the banquet hall to drop several degrees.

All eyes are on you.

You calmly put down your jade chopsticks, raised your eyes, and met the gaze of the minister who had raised the issue with composure, a faint smile even playing on your lips.

In that instant, a cold and heavy pressure, like an invisible tide, silently spread out from you!

The bright lights in the hall seemed to dim for a moment, and the candlelight flickered.

The air seemed to freeze, and the sounds of people talking in hushed tones and toasting each other came to an abrupt halt.

Several officials from the Land of Water who were close to you even felt a tightness in their chests, as if their hearts were being squeezed by an invisible hand.

That wasn't murderous intent, but a purer, more instinctive awe of the absolute ruler and the one who controls life and death, originating from the depths of the soul.

Even Lian, who had been sensing with his eyes closed, frowned slightly. He 'saw' the sudden condensation and release of chakra, like an abyss suddenly appearing.

Your voice rang out, still not loud, yet clearly reaching everyone's ears, carrying a sense of composure as if you were in complete control.

"Your Excellency is too kind. What the Land of Wind seeks is nothing more than national peace and prosperity, and harmonious neighborly relations. As for territory... it's merely the elimination of some 'bandits' who entrenched themselves on trade routes, plundering travelers and causing chaos in the region. Opening up thoroughfares for merchants and allowing the people to live and work in peace is the duty of a great nation. As for unifying the ninja world..."

You chuckled softly, a laugh that sent a chill down the spine of the minister who had asked the question. "Such a great undertaking is beyond human capability. We ordinary people should focus on the present and work together for peaceful development; that is the right path. What do you say?"

Chapter 38: Subversion

You casually defined the Wind Kingdom's military expansion as "suppressing bandits," and cleverly removed the label of "unifying the ninja world," turning the tables on them and implying that their question was malicious.

At the same time, the pervasive, invisible pressure was the most powerful proof; without resorting to force, the sheer force was enough to silence the doubters.

The minister with the goatee broke out in a cold sweat, his hand holding the wine cup trembling slightly. He was momentarily speechless, and could only manage a dry laugh as he echoed, "Lord Tanuki, your insight is brilliant...brilliant..."

Akiyama Musashi, his eyes deep and thoughtful, chuckled and raised his glass to smooth things over, "Well said! Let's work together for peaceful development! Come, everyone, let's drink to this!"

Under Akiyama Musashi's deliberate guidance, the atmosphere of the banquet seemed to have returned to its superficial liveliness.

Beneath the surface of clinking glasses and the sounds of music, tension and suspicion, like vines, quietly sprouted in everyone's hearts.

Looking at the man opposite her, who was chatting and laughing with ease but who filled her with immense fear, Akiyama Nana felt her resistance and helplessness reach their peak.

She abruptly swept the wine glass in front of her to the ground!

"Crack!" The sound of the jade cup shattering was particularly jarring during the break in the music.

"Enough! I'm not feeling well, I'll take my leave now!" Akiyama Nana suddenly stood up, disregarding etiquette, and turned to leave her seat, with Ren immediately following closely behind.

Akiyama Musashi's face darkened. "Nana! Don't be rude!"

You raised your hand to indicate that it was alright, and still wore that inscrutable smile on your face. "Your Highness must be tired. It would be good for you to rest early."

Your gaze swept over Nana's angry and pale face, and behind her, Lian, who stood like a guardian angel, before finally landing on Akiyama Musashi. "It's late, and I'm also a little tired. How about we end the banquet here? We still need to discuss the details of the engagement tomorrow."

Akiyama Musashi dismounted and immediately announced the end of the banquet.

Surrounded by maids, you and Lengxi head towards the luxurious bedchamber arranged by the Water Kingdom.

The palace corridors were deep and quiet, with only the sound of your footsteps echoing.

“Just now…” Leng Xi said in a low voice. The pressure you released in an instant just now even made him feel frightened.

"Just a test." Your voice sounded particularly cold in the empty corridor. "The Water Kingdom wants to test my strength. Let's teach them a lesson to avoid trouble later."

You paused, then added, "That Lian... has been 'watching' me the whole time; his perception is very special."

“Yes, his way of perceiving things doesn’t seem to involve just chakra.” Leng Xi was also puzzled.

Just then, the attendant from the Land of Water, who was leading the way, pushed open the heavy wooden door of the sleeping quarters, which was carved with water ripple patterns—

A barely perceptible whooshing sound came from the shadows within the hall! Its target was aimed directly at your throat!

"Watch out!" Leng Xi shouted sharply, instantly drawing her sword.

Without even turning around, a crimson light suddenly flashed in your eyes, as if you had already foreseen the trajectory of the attack. Your body turned to the side at an incredibly small angle, and two fingers precisely pinched the silent poison needle.

The whole process happened in the blink of an eye, so fast that Leng Xi's blade was barely half-drawn from its sheath, and the shadows in the hall seemed to freeze.

"It seems there are people who are even less welcoming to me than Her Highness the Princess." Your voice, cold as an icy spring, echoed in the silent palace as you slowly turned around and sharply locked onto the location of the attack.

He was a lean man with a sharp and capable air about him. His gray hair was disheveled and draped over his shoulders, almost blending into the shadows.

His thick, unruly beard grew wildly, covering almost half of his face, leaving only his high nose and a pair of... strange eyes visible.

"My name is Bai Lian," the gray-haired man said, his voice hoarse and low, like sandpaper scraping against the skin. "I truly didn't expect..."

His pure white left eye 'looked' at the poison needle between your fingers, then slowly moved to his signature scarlet eyes, "...The true identity of the powerful prime minister 'Tanu' is actually a Uchiha ninja."

His tone carried a hint of undisguised surprise, but more so a sense of understanding after confirmation.

Although his carefully prepared sneak attack was easily thwarted by the opponent, which made him feel a little uneasy, he forced himself to maintain a calm and composed demeanor.

You twitched your fingertips slightly, the poisoned needles deftly flipping between your fingers. "Lord White Lotus, you seem... to know a little too much," you said calmly, yet your tone was filled with intense killing intent.

The air inside the bedchamber seemed to instantly drop to freezing point. Leng Xi's hand was already firmly on the hilt of her sword, her chakra poised to be unleashed.

Faced with your undisguised killing intent, Bai Lian not only did not back down, but took a small step forward. He respectfully performed a ninja salute, lowering his posture, but his tone was filled with fervor and determination.

"Your Excellency is renowned for your wisdom and insight into the world, capable of turning the world upside down with a flick of your wrist. My earlier attempt to test you was truly offensive, and I beg your forgiveness."

"Having witnessed your true appearance and strength today, my resolve is strengthened. I am willing to lead my followers to pledge my allegiance to you!"

"Surrender?" You raised an eyebrow, your scarlet Sharingan scrutinizing Bai Lian as if trying to dissect him thoroughly.

You let out a very soft, sarcastic laugh. "Ha...it seems that beneath the seemingly calm surface of your Water Kingdom's lake lies a more turbulent and turbulent current than I imagined. The glamorous exterior can't ultimately conceal the decay within, can it?"

A strange ripple seemed to flicker in Bai Lian's pure white left eye. He raised his head, the muscles on his face, hidden by his beard, twitched slightly, and his voice was lowered, yet each word was clear, carrying an almost cruel calmness.

"Glamorous? It's all show and no substance! A royal family that has to sacrifice its princess and beg for mercy from its former enemies just to survive..."

His pure white left eye turned to the window, as if piercing through the layers of palace walls to see the very core of this country: "...it has long lost its backbone and its very value! Such a royal family, along with the corrupt order it maintains, has no reason to continue existing!"

The palace was deathly silent. Bai Lian's words were like a thunderclap, a naked declaration of rebellion against the highest ruling class of the Water Kingdom.

He's not just surrendering to you, he's seeking a powerful external force to help him achieve his goal of overthrowing the regime!

"Overthrowing the royal family... an interesting idea." Your voice was low, carrying a sense of composure as if you were in control of the situation. "Your Highness, I enjoy dealing with intelligent people, and I admire even more the ambition to break the old ways and pursue change."

You paused, your tone suddenly sharpening, "But empty words of surrender are worthless. I need to see your sincerity, and... the value you can bring. After all, traitors are often capable of betraying their new masters, aren't they?"

Although the Sharingan has disappeared, the oppressive feeling of seeing into people's hearts has not diminished in the slightest.

Bai Lian felt an invisible pressure enveloping his entire body, as if his every thought could be seen through by the other party. The muscles on his face twitched, and his triangular teeth gleamed slightly in the shadows.

“Value?” Byakuren let out a low, guttural laugh, like a wild beast grinding its teeth. “What does Your Excellency want? The defense map of the Land of Water? The secret of the Daimyo Akiyama Musashi? Or is it about the weakness of that guard, Ren, with the ‘Pure White Eye’?”

Every chip he throws out is enough to create a huge wave in the Water Kingdom. It seems that this White Lotus knows more about the inside story than you thought.

"Tell me," you said, your voice devoid of emotion. You walked to a chair covered with dark blue silk in the bedroom and sat down gracefully.

Bai Lian licked his sharp teeth, his eyes gleaming with excitement. He knew that the other party had already accepted his pledge of allegiance, taking the first step.

"Ren... is not a native of the Land of Water. He was an orphan brought back by the daimyo Akiyama Musashi from the sea area near the 'Whirlpool Ruins' about fifteen years ago. He already had these 'pure white eyes' when he was brought back."

"The Vortex Ruins?" You tapped your fingertips lightly on the armrest of your seat, lost in thought.

The Uzumaki clan is renowned for its powerful sealing techniques, and its ruins have always been forbidden areas.

“Yes, that cursed sea.” A hint of apprehension flashed in Byakuren’s right black eye. “No one knows what he went through there. Akiyama Musashi secretly raised him, cherished him like a treasure, and even named him ‘Ren,’ which means the purest essence of water.”

"From a young age, he displayed a terrifying sensory talent. His pure white eyes could 'see' things that ordinary people could not understand: the flow of chakra, the fluctuation of emotions, and even... fragments of the future!"

"The future?" Your gaze suddenly sharpened.