After Menma's work temporarily concluded, Naruto's life in Konoha Village returned to its usual rhythm. There was still some time until the next major plot point—the Chunin Exams.
On a perfectly ordinary afternoon, Team 7 had just finished a mixed D-rank mission: harvesting crops and helping walk several large Ninja dogs.
After the mission, all three of them carried the scent of dust and grass.
Kakashi, as usual, held his 'Make-Out Paradise' book. His visible eye lazily swept over the three of them, and he slowly spoke, "Alright, everyone worked hard today. I'm going to the Hokage Building to submit the mission report. That's all for today, you're dismissed."
However, despite his words, the other three did not immediately leave as usual. Sakura seemed particularly displeased. She vigorously patted the dirt and dry grass stuck to her leg, complaining,
"I mean, Kakashi-sensei! We already have *that kind* of record in our Ninja files, so why do we still only get D-rank missions like catching cats, walking dogs, and helping with farm work when we get back! It's so unfair!"
The "that kind of record" she referred to was the final evaluation of their previous Land of Waves mission. Facing a rogue Ninja of Zabuza Momochi's caliber and experiencing true life-or-death combat, the actual difficulty and danger of that mission would have easily warranted an A-rank.
And the intelligence Kakashi brought back—concerning the renewed activities of the [Ash] organization, the confirmation that Zabuza Momochi and the Ice Release Bloodline Ninja Haku had joined the organization, and most astonishingly, the leader [Menma]'s suspected ability to "repair all things" and reverse life and death—its strategic value was immeasurable.
Although Menma did not directly attack Team 7 this time, the contribution of bringing back such crucial intelligence about the Ninja World's most feared organization, combined with the unique nature of the mission itself, ultimately led Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi to personally grant the Land of Waves mission an unprecedented S-rank.
Genin with an S-rank mission completion record? Naruto wasn't sure about other Villages, but in Konoha Village, this was absolutely a unique existence.
Kakashi closed his book and explained with a slightly helpless tone, "What are you thinking, Sakura? That S-rank evaluation for the Land of Waves was because we encountered completely unexpected circumstances; it was an extreme exception. Under normal circumstances, the missions Genin should be undertaking are primarily D-rank, and that's for your safety."
"Then... at least give us some C-rank missions!" Sakura argued, unwilling to give up. A large part of why she wanted C-rank missions was that they usually allowed them to leave the Village.
This meant more time to spend with Satsuki, away from her parents' nagging.
Due to Naruto's intervention changing some fate trajectories, the only strict "orphan" in Team 7, besides Kakashi, was actually Naruto, which Sakura felt gave her more excuses for shared struggles.
Kakashi scratched his silver hair and finally said vaguely, "Hmm... C-rank missions... I'll mention it to Hokage-sama. But before that, you still need to diligently complete the D-rank missions assigned to you."
Since Kakashi said that, Naruto, though a bit helpless, thought that the Chunin Exams weren't too far off and decided to head home first.
"Alright then, since there's nothing else today, I'll head back," Naruto said cheerfully to his teammates, dusting himself off. "Satsuki, Sakura, and Kakashi-sensei, if you want to find me, just come to my place!"
With that, Naruto turned and walked towards his home. He needed to quickly settle the "treasure" in his backpack—that Pokémon egg still needed "walking" to hatch. Every time he went on a mission, Naruto carefully carried it on his back, anticipating the day life would break free from its shell.
Now that the mission was over, he had to quickly put the egg back in its little nest at home.
Watching Naruto's retreating figure, Satsuki subconsciously reached out, her lips slightly parted, as if to say something, but ultimately the words caught in her throat, turning into an almost inaudible sigh, and her arm dropped limply. Sakura, though finding Satsuki's appearance a bit strange, didn't think much of it. She just wanted to hurry home, take a hot shower, and thoroughly wash off the dirt and dog fur from doing farm work.
"Then I'm heading back too, Satsuki, see you tomorrow!" Sakura waved and also turned to leave.
Only Satsuki and Kakashi, who was about to submit the mission report, remained. Kakashi originally planned to go train after submitting the report but noticed Satsuki still standing there, her gaze fixed on the end of the street where Naruto had disappeared.
"What's wrong, Satsuki?" Kakashi stopped and asked with concern, "Aren't you going home? Just standing here spacing out."
"...Hm? Ah... that... I understand..."
Satsuki suddenly snapped back, responding somewhat flustered, but her eyes were still a bit unfocused, clearly indicating she was distracted and troubled.
Seeing her like this, Kakashi couldn't help but recall when he had sternly lectured Satsuki upon their return to the Village about the rule that Ninja must not harbor killing intent towards clients.
Satsuki's explanation at the time was that "Tazuna had pulled Naruto into foreseeable danger." This strong, almost obsessive protectiveness and concern had long exceeded the scope of ordinary teammates or even friends.
Combining Satsuki's overly focused glances at Naruto in daily life, her subconscious closeness, and her current distraught state, Kakashi naturally saw the signs.
And at this moment, Satsuki's heart was a mess, churned by a strange and surging emotion. She herself didn't understand what was happening. Why did her heart feel inexplicably restless every time she saw Naruto? Why did she feel an indescribable sense of loss every time he left?
During the Land of Waves mission, repeatedly witnessing Naruto in danger, that protective urge, which almost burst from her chest, was repeatedly triggered and accumulated, nearing a breaking point.
Simply put, the growing emotion in her heart was constantly failing to find true satisfaction and release... A vague yet strong desire was growing within her—she wanted her relationship with Naruto to go further, to be more than just teammates, more than just friends.
But... why did her courage disappear like a popped balloon every time the words reached her lips? Why did she always back down at the last moment? This dilemma made her incredibly frustrated.
"Satsuki."
A calm voice suddenly sounded in her ear, interrupting Satsuki's chaotic thoughts. She turned her head, somewhat surprised to find that Kakashi hadn't left but had walked up beside her.
"What is it?" Satsuki asked subconsciously.
Kakashi looked at her, his visible eye slightly curved, showing understanding, and he said calmly,
"You like Naruto, don't you?"