In the evening, the setting sun cast its afterglow across Konoha's streets, lengthening the shadows of people returning home. Team 7 was walking back.
Naruto's expression was a bit strange; he would occasionally glance out of the corner of his eye at Satsuki, who was pressing close beside him. Perhaps anticipating that this'special relationship' might have things to say to each other, Kakashi had just found an excuse to pull Sakura, who was curious and wanted to get closer, a few steps ahead, deliberately creating distance.
Recalling the entire afternoon, Satsuki and Konohamaru's so-called'sparring' was nothing short of a one-sided, crushing education. Unlike Naruto's 'playtime' mode, where he only defended and barely fought back, Satsuki had truly taken action.
Of course, she controlled her strength, not actually injuring him.
Thus, the scene in the original work where Sakura beat up Konohamaru was replaced by Satsuki's version in this world line.
Moreover, from the end of their assembly, Satsuki had silently and very naturally grabbed Naruto's wrist and hadn't let go.
Naruto could, of course, tell that Satsuki was jealous, and quite intensely so. But... he thought with a bit of a wry smile, it was just a Transformation Technique! It was fake! Is even that not allowed?
Just then, the previously silent Satsuki suddenly spoke, her voice a little lower than usual.
"Naruto... do you think I'm... strange?"
Naruto turned to look at Satsuki and found her cheeks slightly flushed, her eyes a bit shifty, as if she herself felt her reaction might have been a bit excessive, but she couldn't control her emotions.
In fact, Satsuki herself knew it was a bit strange. But the problem was, Konohamaru's Transformation Technique had created a 'beauty' that was simply too realistic! From Satsuki's perspective, that moment was like seeing a real, curvaceous woman teasing Naruto with her own eyes!
If she had to make a comparison, it felt like Satsuki had accidentally seen an NTR doujinshi (if such a thing existed in the Ninja World) based on herself and Naruto, but with the content being 'Naruto being stolen by another woman'.
Even if she rationally knew it was fake, fictional, that intense feeling of being offended and angry would still burn uncontrollably!
"Naruto..." Satsuki didn't wait for Naruto to answer the previous question but continued to press, her tone becoming more serious, "You just said... he's still just a child?"
Naruto immediately nodded. What to do in this situation? Besides coaxing and agreeing.
Satsuki's next words, carrying a stubborn seriousness and possessiveness, clearly reached Naruto's ears, "A child... isn't allowed either."
Satsuki's dark eyes were exceptionally bright and firm, looking directly at Naruto, "Any form of it... is not allowed."
She slightly tightened her fingers around Naruto's wrist, emphasizing each word.
"You can only be mine."
Facing Satsuki's undisguised, possessive desire, this was the first time Satsuki had so clearly expressed her deepest declaration of exclusive ownership since their special relationship was established.
Naruto clearly felt the almost scorching intensity of Satsuki's words.
Unexpectedly, what welled up in his heart was not pressure or trouble, but rather a strange warmth and... satisfaction?
Even he himself found this reaction a bit strange—faced with this possessiveness that threatened to completely envelop, and even overwhelm, a person, he not only didn't feel suffocated but genuinely enjoyed the feeling of being cared for to the extreme, of being cherished, from the bottom of his heart.
He turned to face Satsuki, his face no longer showing the previous helplessness or teasing, but instead a solemn gentleness.
"I see..." Naruto said softly, his eyes filled with understanding and apology, "I'm sorry, I was too insensitive and didn't consider your feelings."
"Then I promise you, from now on, no matter who it is—whether adult or child, no matter what strange Ninjutsu they use—my attention will only be on you."
He carefully observed Satsuki's reaction, asking softly with a hint of probing and reassurance, "Is that... okay?"
Upon hearing Naruto's almost indulgent promise, Satsuki was first stunned. Then, her dark eyes, which had previously held a hint of grievance and stubbornness, burst forth with astonishing brilliance, like stars being lit.
A strong sense of joy and relief washed over her like a warm current, making her almost unable to control the upward curve of her lips.
She didn't respond with words immediately but expressed her inner turmoil through action—her hand, which had originally just been holding Naruto's wrist, quietly slid down, becoming a firm grip on Naruto's hand, their fingers naturally intertwining and locking together.
At the same time, her body leaned slightly towards Naruto, the blush on her cheeks deepened, but it carried an indescribable happiness and sweetness. She nodded gently.
All the jealousy, insecurity, and stubbornness melted into silent reliance and closeness in that promise.
Ahead, Kakashi, who had deliberately maintained a distance, overheard the overly affectionate conversation between the two behind him thanks to his superior Ninja hearing. Although his face remained expressionless, he couldn't help but sigh inwardly,
These young people today... they're truly something else.
— — — — — —
"Alright, everyone worked hard today, so Team 7 is now dismissed..."
At their usual parting intersection, Kakashi said in his characteristic languid tone, but halfway through, he paused slightly, his tone becoming a bit more serious.
"...Although I wanted to just say that, there's still an important matter I need to inform you about."
Naruto, Satsuki, and Sakura, who had been about to say their goodbyes, immediately focused their gaze on Kakashi. Naruto's heart stirred slightly; a thought flashed through his mind, at this time... could it be?
Kakashi pulled out three neatly folded paper documents from his Ninja tool pouch and handed them to the three.
"Although it's sudden, I have recommended you to participate in this year's Chunin Selection Exams as your Jonin instructor. These are the exam application forms."
He shook the documents in his hand and continued to explain in a steady tone, his gaze sweeping over his three subordinates with a scrutinizing look.
"Having said that, my recommendation is not mandatory. The decision to participate in this exam is entirely in your hands."
His gaze lingered on their faces for a moment, especially glancing at Sakura, who seemed to still be processing the information, and then gave specific instructions.
"Those who wish to participate in the exam should sign their names on this application form. Then, report to classroom 301 of the Ninja Academy punctually by 3 PM five days from now."
"That's all." Kakashi finished, handing the three application forms to each of them, then returned to his lazy demeanor, "Alright, this time you're truly dismissed. Go home and think it over carefully."
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