"Naruto, have you finished everything?"
As soon as he stepped out of the Hokage Building, Naruto was somewhat surprised to find Satsuki waiting quietly at the entrance. It seemed that after he had left, she had asked around about where he was and waited here... Naruto had long since grown used to her obvious clinginess.
"Yeah, more or less. Sorry, I didn't tell you where I was going when I came out."
"It's fine." Satsuki shook her head lightly. "I only asked someone passing by... Naruto, did something happen?"
She had noticed that although Naruto still wore his usual smile, his face looked somewhat pale, and a gloomy shadow hung over his brow. Kushina's predicament weighed on his heart like a massive stone, making it difficult for him to decide. The intense turmoil within him had inevitably shown on his face.
Realizing that she had seen through his state, Naruto hurriedly explained. "It's nothing serious. I just learned some news... I need to make a decision, and it's a little difficult..."
"Awoo..."
Just then, a soft whimper came from the backpack behind Naruto. Little Zacian's fluffy head poked out from the opening. She seemed to sense Naruto's low spirits as well, gently rubbing her cold, damp nose against the back of his neck and his hair.
Satsuki watched this scene and frowned slightly. But when she remembered that this little one had hatched under her and Naruto's shared "care," she ultimately swallowed the words on the tip of her tongue and said nothing.
"Alright." Her tone softened. "But if there's anything I can help with, you have to tell me, okay?"
This comfort, filled with trust and support, eased Naruto's heavy mood somewhat. He nodded and said sincerely, "Yeah, thank you, Satsuki... and thank you too." He turned his head