Tears streamed down her face uncontrollably, and Satsuki could even taste the salty, cold saltiness on her lips. At first, she didn't understand why this sudden breakdown was so intense, until she clearly realized...
At that time... Naruto took the initiative to go to meet him.
He could have dodged, he could have defended, he could have used the Flying Thunder God Technique... but he chose the most dangerous way, using his own body to take the blow. For her, for those cursed eyes.
This realization sent a chill down Satsuki's spine. The deepest shadow in her heart, the root of the nightmares that repeatedly tore at her nights, was actually partly... entered into by the person she loved most.
If she had to hurt Naruto to gain power, she would rather her eyes never have opened, and she would rather live forever in powerless darkness.
Heartache and anger were intertwined like two tangled threads—she was truly angry at Naruto, angry that he so disregarded his own life, angry that he placed her power above his own safety.
... If Itachi's sword had been just an inch off, if that "what if" had come true...
Satsuki dared not think any further. She suddenly couldn't understand what meaning those eyes, which had seen so much bloodshed, would have if she lost Naruto, or even what reason there was for her life to continue.
However, when anger welled up in her mouth, when she really wanted to scold him "you reckless idiot," the words got stuck in her throat and turned into even more torrents of tears.
I couldn't really be angry with him. The instinct to protect him and make sure he was safe and sound far outweighed any impulse to blame him.
Even though that angry question seemed almost like a childish tantrum to Naruto...
Then she said she forgave him.
But the deepest fear in her heart resurfaced, laid bare before her. That lingering fear, that trembling of "almost losing him forever," broke down her defenses, leaving her utterly defeated in his presence.
Her tears had a devastating impact on Naruto.
"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! Don't cry..." Naruto's voice was completely panicked. He was at a loss and could only repeat his apologies in vain. "I know I'm a huge idiot... I only thought about making you stronger, but I chose the most foolish and hurtful way... Please, Satsuki, I'll do anything! I'll make it up to you in any way! Just... just don't kick me out of your life, okay..."
The blue eyes were filled with an almost pleading light, revealing the vulnerability of someone who had always been fearless, when they were afraid of losing their only anchor.
"... Then why don't you take the initiative!"
Satsuki sobbed, shouting the words with all her might, while gripping his clothes even tighter, "And... you're not allowed to leave my life... wherever you go, I'll follow... you can't get rid of me..."
This statement is less of a condition and more of a clumsy vow.
Upon hearing this, Naruto instantly pulled Satsuki was curled up on the sofa, into his arms, overwhelmed by a mixture of elation and heartache.
He had just sworn today to make her happy and never let her suffer any injustice, and now he'd seen Satsuki crying like this... A strong sense of self-loathing gripped Naruto's throat. Even though his initial intention was to be honest with her and clear away the fog between them...
"Back then... my sister, Itachi..." Satsuki's voice trailed off, buried in Naruto's hair, her breath heavy and labored, "She... almost killed you... so, I... I had to kill her, to end all of this."
Naruto's body stiffened slightly.
The reason for killing Itachi... wasn't because she was the murderer who slaughtered the entire clan, but simply because... she hurt herself? This realization made Naruto's mind even more confused.
"I will explain everything to you." Naruto made up his mind. "After I've told you everything, you can do with me however you want... about what I've hidden, and... everything about Itachi."
Satsuki lifted her tear-filled face, tiny drops of water still clinging to her eyelashes. Explain Itachi? That woman, that cold-blooded executioner—besides being a serial killer, what else needs explaining?
"This is a secret between the two of us." Naruto gazed at her. "Of course... if, after knowing everything, you decide to reveal my other identity... I won't stop you. This is the price I have to pay."
However, Satsuki just looked at him, then shook her head, tears silently streaming down her face. "I won't tell anyone else..." She paused, trying to sort out her turbulent thoughts and lingering grievances, before finally speaking in a hoarse voice.
"But you... you... never mind... anyway, afterwards, you have to pay me back with your life!"
She wanted to propose more "punishments," but after much thought, the one thing she truly desired and could not compromise on was still this: she wanted him.
Naruto's unwavering devotion burned a deep ache in his heart.
He pulled her closer. "Okay. I'll make it up to you. With interest... I'll make it up to you for the rest of my life."
"Honey, the tea is ready."
In the courtyard of the Uchiha Clan Head's residence, a gentle night breeze blew. Mikoto and Fugaku Uchiha sat side by side on the edge of the outer corridor, the paper door behind them half-open, letting in warm yellow light from the interior.
Occasionally, the bamboo tube used for adding water in the courtyard would make a clear "tap" sound, and the water would flow gently.
"Here, have some tea." Mikoto gently pushed the warm teacup towards him. "I know you're a little reluctant to see Satsuki mature so early... But you've chosen to respect her decision, and Satsuki will definitely be happy to have such a good father."
"Um."
Fugaku took the teacup, gave a soft reply, and kept his gaze fixed on the sandy surface illuminated by the moonlight in the courtyard, his face expressionless.
But Mikoto simply smiled gently. She knew it all too well—this was the typical way the Uchiha interacted.
A sharp tongue but a soft heart? No, Fugaku is just not good at saying soft words. After being married for over twenty years, Mikoto is perhaps the person who understands him best in the world.
If Fugaku truly did not approve of Naruto, even if the boy was the Hokage's son and possessed unparalleled strength in the Ninja World, Fugaku would absolutely refuse without hesitation, and would certainly not allow Satsuki to move in with him.
She suddenly remembered a word Naruto had casually mentioned before... What was it again? "Tsundere." Yes, that's the word. It was used to describe Satsuki.
Mikoto felt that Satsuki wasn't quite right for the role, but surprisingly, she found it very suitable for her own husband.
Mikoto held the teacup, feeling the warmth from her palms, and a simple sense of happiness welled up inside her. Although this thought might not be in line with the "dignity" expected of a former Clan Head's wife, she had indeed felt her life gradually becoming lighter since Fugaku had relinquished the burden of being the Uchiha Clan Head.
The husband is no longer constantly burdened by pressure from within and outside the clan, and no longer needs to be on edge to suppress those restless voices of rebellion...
Now, her best friend Kushina has been resurrected, and her youngest daughter has found her own home. However, beneath Mikoto's peaceful and gentle exterior, there is always a hidden wound that has never healed, and she has never spoken of it to anyone.
Her eldest daughter... Itachi Uchiha. Where is that child now? Is she doing well? Is she... still alive?
"I'm sorry to bother you so late. Do you have time to talk about something now?"
A voice suddenly came from behind.
That voice--
Fugaku Uchiha's hand, which was holding the teacup, suddenly stopped. He hadn't heard that voice for almost ten years, but he could never forget it.
The person who suddenly intervened on the Night of the Clan Massacre, the person he was unwilling to admit, but who truly saved his and Mikoto's lives and continued the future of the Uchiha.
[ember].
Fugaku suddenly stood up, turned around quickly, tensed all his muscles, and prepared to form Hand Seals.
Sure enough, there it was: that signature long black robe, and that... Fox Mask?
The mask disappeared, revealing the true face beneath. Black hair, deep blue eyes—every single feature of that face, except for the hair color, was so familiar that Fugaku Uchiha blurted out in disbelief.
"... Naruto?!"
Maid Outfit Images (Fun Pictures)