pjbooks Chapter 183 Only 1
Chapter 183 Only 1
Naruto took a deep breath and finally gave up on his futile attempt to "cool down." He resignedly realized that he would probably never be able to truly "calm down" in front of Satsuki.
He unconsciously tightened his grip on Zuo Yue's arm, and his steps became more determined. He already knew what he was going to say.
Since that's the case... then let's follow our hearts.
He could feel Satsuki's breathing become even and long behind him, as if he were drowsy from exhaustion and relief. This complete trust completely overwhelmed Naruto.
He slightly adjusted his carrying position so she could lie more comfortably, and then walked with steady and firm steps toward the place he had already chosen, a place suitable for their conversation.
As for what to say later... perhaps, there's no need for too much complicated thinking or rehearsal. Just telling her your truest thoughts honestly will be enough.
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The desolate entrance to the Uchiha clan compound.
Naruto carefully and gently put Satsuki down from his back. As his feet touched the ground again, the comforting warmth and aura on his back suddenly disappeared, and a visible look of disappointment immediately appeared on Satsuki's face.
But then... the crucial moment arrived! Satsuki clenched her slightly trembling fist, summoning the greatest courage she could muster in her life—she refused to continue this ambiguous relationship that left her feeling anxious and uncertain!
She's determined to say everything on her mind today! She's determined to have that kind of...unique, clear relationship with Naruto!
Of course, the deepest fear that had always prevented her from being honest struck again—what if Naruto refused?
The thought only flashed through his mind for a moment before Zuo Yue suppressed it with even stronger determination!
Rejection? He wouldn't be given that option… If Naruto dared to refuse… he would become stronger at all costs! Strong enough to overwhelm him! Even if it meant force, kidnapping, or any other means… he would make sure Naruto was in that kind of relationship with him! So that Naruto could only see him!
Just as she was about to pour out the emotions that had been building up for so long, emotions that were almost burning her chest—
"Sasuki..."
Naruto spoke first, his voice filled with obvious apology and belated regret.
"I'm sorry... I knew that using sparring as a method was a terrible one, wasn't it? Forcing you to use your hands and all that..."
Satsuki was taken aback by Naruto's apology, and instinctively responded, her voice still slightly hoarse, "Um... I... I don't like to lay a hand on Naruto..."
This was her honest opinion; every time an attack landed on Naruto, her heart would feel the pain before her body did.
Naruto looked at her lowered head and continued sincerely, "I'm sorry. But... I was really a little frightened. Seeing you become someone I wasn't—cooking like that, exaggerating so much, even praising me with poetry..."
"Actually... I don't dislike it. I'm just worried. I was wondering if I did something to make you uneasy? Or... have you encountered some huge trouble that you can't even tell me about?"
Upon hearing Naruto's words, Satsuki suddenly raised his head, his cheeks still flushed red, but he still shook his head vigorously in denial.
"No! Naruto didn't do anything that bothered me or made me uneasy! Not at all!"
She took a deep breath, exhaling all her hesitation, her voice trembling slightly with excitement.
"There's only one reason why I've become strange... unlike myself!"
Satsuki's voice unconsciously rose higher and higher, carrying a resolute determination. Naruto noticed it too—perhaps, he and Satsuki... wanted to say the same thing at this moment! His heart began to race involuntarily, and his blue eyes stared at her intently.
"Because...I...I...like..."
The last word stuck in Zuo Yue's throat, making her so tense she almost suffocated, all her strength concentrated on the syllable about to burst out—
At that crucial moment, Naruto suddenly reached out and gently covered Satsuki's tightly clenched, slightly trembling hand with his palm, interrupting her powerful confession.
"Yes, I understand. Thank you, Satsuki. Thank you... for telling me something so important."
He tightened his grip slightly, enveloping her fist in his palm.
"I'm really happy," he said, a genuine and moved smile spreading across his face. "Really. You could say... this is one of the happiest moments of my life."
Satsuki's most important words were interrupted midway, and she stood there blankly, her mind blank due to extreme tension and the sudden interruption. She could only subconsciously listen to Naruto's warm words, her heart still pounding wildly in her chest.
Naruto looked at her somewhat bewildered and helpless expression, and his eyes became even more determined.
"Therefore," he continued, with a solemn sense of commitment, "I'll say these important words myself. I will tell Satsuki my truest thoughts."
"...These are the most important things for us, right? Precisely because they are so important, I don't want to make a hasty, childish promise with them. They deserve to be treated more seriously."
Satsuki's heart skipped a beat, wondering what Naruto wanted to say.
"So..." Naruto leaned forward slightly, asking cautiously in a pleading tone, "Could I... temporarily 'preserve' Satsuki's precious sentiments?"
"……save?"
Satsuki murmured, repeating herself, her eyes filled with confusion. It wasn't a direct agreement, nor a cruel rejection; this ambiguous answer left her completely bewildered, a sense of unease rising within her.
"Yes," Naruto nodded vigorously, "I want to wait until we've both truly grown up, become capable, excellent, and trustworthy Jonin—until then, we'll solemnly, in a way that will absolutely not be disturbed by anyone, face to face..."
His voice was full of anticipation and promise for the future.
"Let's make 'like' a special and unwavering term that belongs only to the two of us, instead of something we say in a flustered and impulsive way right now."
"So," Naruto's tone became more formal, "before that day comes—"
"Please allow me, in my capacity as 'Naruto Uzumaki,' to ask you for a favor."
He looked intently into Zuo Yue's dark eyes, which still held a hint of confusion and unease, and spoke clearly, word by word.
"On the road to that future we both long for—" "Please let me be your only one!"
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(We're not in that kind of relationship right now... Oh well, but once I finish writing about the Chunin Exams, time will jump around a lot.)
(I was so shocked by what I wrote about friendship in Konoha that I'm only posting it now...)
(Okay, the author is writing a bit slowly, and really can't publish a poorly made manuscript. This is chapter 15.)
(Thanks to kono, the boss, for the gift! And thank you to the eternal Goblin High Priest for the amazing verification!)
(The author's gratitude is beyond words. The author will definitely work hard to write the book and will not let the boss down! The gift from the Dior boss really made the author feel... The boss should leave a comment in the comment section asking the author to do something, otherwise the author will feel really bad.)