The next moment, a faint "snap" sound was heard.
Naruto extended his finger and lightly flicked Satsuki's forehead. The force was controlled perfectly, not enough to truly hurt her, but enough to bring her back from her panic.
"Ugh…"
Satsuki instinctively let go of Naruto's sleeve, which she had been clutching tightly, and covered her flicked forehead. However, her large, tear-filled eyes, brimming with unease, still gazed unblinkingly at Naruto.
Looking at the girl before him, who had lost all her thorns and was left with only a soft core, Naruto's heart softened. He spoke in a slightly teasing tone.
"Satsuki… it seems that while the Uchiha's genius is excellent in ninja talent, in some aspects… she's truly a complete idiot."
He was, of course, referring to her fear of gain and loss, her panic at losing connection.
However, this remark, which would normally have instantly provoked an angry retort from Satsuki, now fell on deaf ears.
Satsuki did not immediately bristle as expected, nor did she blush and loudly retort, "Who are you calling an idiot!" She just continued to look at him with those wet, vulnerable, and dependent, pitiful eyes.
"Even if I'm an idiot… don't leave me…"
Naruto, "…"
The once distinct "tsun" (proud) aspect of her "tsundere" nature was completely washed away by the sudden drastic changes and fear of the night. All that remained was unmasked "dere" (affectionate) and deep-seated unease.
"Satsuki, do you know?" Naruto's voice softened.
"The tide… it never needs to choose whether to follow the moon—it simply, naturally, follows the rhythm of the ocean itself from deep within."
He leaned slightly forward, meeting her anxious gaze. "And I, not only made a choice back then. I will always, always follow this 'rhythm' within me."
"So, don't be afraid. Embrace this regained happiness with peace of mind. I will always be here watching you, I won't leave even a single step."
The tide… the moon…
This metaphor made Satsuki pause. Her big eyes stared unblinkingly at Naruto, while Fugaku, watching silently from the side, felt as if he vaguely saw the shadow of an old friend.
"Is… is that really true?" Satsuki's voice still held a tremor. She needed the most definite confirmation, the most tangible proof.
Naruto did not answer with words again. He simply took Satsuki's still somewhat cold little hand and pressed it firmly against his chest.
"Mm!" Naruto nodded heavily, a brilliant smile blossoming on his face. "You feel it, right? It's warm, isn't it? My heart is beating fast too, right? This is all real! Not because I just went through a battle, but because… I'm making the most important promise with you, so I'm both nervous… and super happy!"
The real, hot, and rapid heartbeat beneath her palm was more powerful than any flowery words.
Then, Naruto gently lowered Satsuki's hand from his chest, and extended his other hand, playfully pinching Satsuki's soft cheek with his fingertips… Hmm, it felt quite nice.
"You feel it, right? It hurts a little, doesn't it?" he asked with a smile. "So you see, this isn't a dream! I'm really standing right here, and I'm not going anywhere!"
Seeing the frozen panic on Satsuki's face finally begin to thaw and crack, Naruto decided to press his advantage. He changed his tone, a hint of feigned sadness entering his voice.
"Actually… right now, I might be… even more scared than you, Satsuki."
"…Eh?" This completely unexpected turn left Satsuki stunned. "Why…?"
Naruto lowered his head slightly. "I'm scared… scared that once Satsuki has her parents back with her, she won't need me anymore. So…"
He looked up again, gazing at her with a hint of pleading in his eyes, "Please don't leave me either, okay? Let's just… accompany each other like this, and neither of us will leave the other, alright?"
This tactic of "retreating to advance" instantly struck the softest spot in Satsuki's heart.
"No! How could I!" she almost immediately retorted excitedly, her small hand once again grasping Naruto's sleeve. "How could I abandon Naruto? I absolutely won't! I absolutely won't leave you!"
Hearing this urgent and firm response, a triumphant, but more genuinely joyful, smile immediately bloomed on Naruto's face. He immediately seized on her words.
"Mm! I heard you! I solemnly accept those words! This is our promise! Since your uncle and aunt are back, if Satsuki still says she needs me…"
"So… it's really… really great that you can need me! Please continue to need me like this, always, always!"
Finally, the last barrier in her heart was completely breached, and the cracks rapidly widened. The always proud and awkward "tsundere" completely vanished, replaced by a "little crybaby" who could only nod and weep.
Satsuki nodded vigorously, letting her tears gush out like a broken dam, but at the same time, she felt it was embarrassing to cry so hard and instinctively wanted to lower her head to hide her disheveled appearance.
Seeing this, Naruto reached out again and stroked the top of her head. "Mm, it's okay, cry. Sometimes tears aren't a sign of weakness at all."
He gently comforted her, "They're just running out because your heart is too happy and can't hold it all in, right?"
"…Mm." Satsuki buried her face deeply into Naruto's shoulder, responding with a muffled sound. Warm tears quickly soaked the clothes on his shoulder.
Naruto felt the dampness on his shoulder and the slight trembling in his arms, and continued to speak in a steady and firm voice. "Mm, your future doesn't have to be forced into choices. There will be you, there will be me, there will also be your uncle, aunt, and perhaps other friends…"
"But my world, from the very beginning, has had you, has you now, and will always, always have you in the future. This, no matter what, will absolutely never change."
These last words made Satsuki's crying grow louder once more, no longer silent sobs, but a loud wail mixed with immense relief, gratitude, and happiness.
Accompanying her cries were her intermittent, almost inaudible, repeated "Thank you… really, thank you…"
Naruto said no more comforting words, only nodded gently and continuously, one hand still rhythmically patting her back, fully accepting all her emotions. Finally, he softly suggested.
"Mm, after breakfast, let's go to the Ninja Academy together."
Behind them, Fugaku watched his little daughter lean on the blond boy so completely, crying like a tearful mess…
As a father, seeing his carefully nurtured daughter develop such deep reliance and affection for another boy…
He raised his hand with a complex expression, seemingly wanting to say something, perhaps out of paternal instinct, or perhaps feeling something was amiss.
But another hand gently stopped him. Mikoto simply shook her head slightly at her husband. There was no worry or dissatisfaction on her face, only… a gentle, understanding smile, her gaze softly fixed on the two embracing children.