Early in the morning, Naruto waited with Satsuki on the small clearing some distance away from the main training grounds, in the back mountain area Kakashi usually used for training.
The reason they were not waiting directly at the training site was probably thanks to that overly enthusiastic—or rather, severely noise-polluting—youthful master-and-disciple duo.
Since Kakashi was, as usual, going to be late, Naruto kept Satsuki company until Kakashi finally strolled over.
Perhaps because this was the first time she would be training separately from Naruto for such a long period, Satsuki seemed especially clingy.
After quietly finishing the breakfast Naruto had carefully prepared, Naruto judged that Kakashi should be arriving soon and got ready to leave.
Seeing Naruto about to go, Satsuki suddenly reached out and gently caught his wrist, giving it the slightest tug. She looked up at him and spoke softly.
"Naruto... you'll come pick me up today too, right?"
This was clearly something they had agreed on long ago, yet there was a distinctly cautious plea in Satsuki's eyes, as though she was afraid he might forget.
Faced with this sudden, heart-piercing display of affection, Naruto answered almost without hesitation, in his most certain tone.
"Yeah, of course. We promised."
Hearing that definite answer, Satsuki lowered her head slightly, the corners of her lips curving into a tiny but unmistakably happy smile. Then she replied softly.
"...Mm. Then I'll wait for you."
Then, as though she had made up her mind about something, Satsuki took a deep breath and suddenly raised her head. Her dark eyes looked straight into Naruto's, and her tone became exceptionally serious as she said each word carefully.
"Naruto, I'll... study very, very seriously."
She paused slightly, and her voice unconsciously softened, carrying a shy warmth. "...So I'll also... miss you very, very