On the training ground, sunlight filtered through the dense leaves, casting dappled spots of light on the ground. Naruto and Satsuki, as usual, came to the familiar forest on the outskirts of the Uchiha Clan Compound to train.
But... the atmosphere was completely different.
Naruto was 100% sure this was the most awkward they had ever been since he met Satsuki! The air seemed to solidify, and every breath carried an indescribable sense of discomfort.
After that embarrassing 'Little Sun' nickname was awkwardly brushed aside, Naruto thought things would return to normal today.
However, after arriving at the training ground, Satsuki's behavior became even more... bizarre? Naruto couldn't understand what was wrong with Satsuki.
He started practicing Ninjutsu as usual. Forming hand signs, refining Chakra, releasing—
Just then, Satsuki's clear voice immediately rang out beside him, "As expected of Naruto! Your proficiency in Ninjutsu and control over Chakra are both so excellent! You're truly amazing!"
Naruto paused at her words, seeing Satsuki standing perfectly straight, her hands nervously clasped in front of her, her face bearing an extremely serious... one might even say 'reverent' expression of praise.
"Ah... oh, thanks." While Naruto found such straightforward praise from Satsuki a bit unusual, he thought that ever since the system prompted that Satsuki's affection level had maxed out, her attitude towards him had indeed softened a lot, so an occasional compliment wasn't impossible. He accepted it with a smile.
However, this was just the beginning.
Next, Naruto began his taijutsu warm-up, running around the training ground.
He had barely run a few steps when Satsuki's 'passionate' commentary and praise followed. "Naruto's running posture is so cool! Every step is full of power and rhythm! So amazing!"
Naruto stumbled, almost losing his balance. He managed to steady himself; he was just running... what was so cool about it?
When Naruto finished his tree-climbing Chakra control practice and sat on a branch to rest, he couldn't help but let out a big yawn.
"Naruto is truly amazing! Even his yawning looks so vibrant! Full of life's tension!"
Naruto choked on his own saliva. Due to surprise and coughing, his body lurched violently, and he almost fell from where he was sitting.
And his disheveled appearance once again earned him Satsuki's heartfelt exclamation. "Such astonishing balance! He almost fell, yet he managed to stabilize his body instantly! As expected of Naruto!"
Naruto, "..."
He finally couldn't take it anymore!
What was wrong with Satsuki?! How did she become so strange after a short absence? This constant, 360-degree, exaggerated praise made him incredibly uncomfortable.
Naruto lunged forward, grabbing Satsuki's wrist.
"!?" Satsuki was startled by his sudden movement, her cheeks instantly flushing. "Nar... Naruto?"
Naruto didn't answer. Instead, with a furrowed brow, he channeled his Chakra, carefully sending a gentle wisp of Chakra into Satsuki's meridians, meticulously sensing the condition within her body—Chakra flow was stable, and while her mental energy was unusually active, there were no signs of interference or control by external forces.
She wasn't under a genjutsu?!
Naruto withdrew his hand, even more puzzled. He looked at Satsuki, whose face was flushed, her eyes flickering, yet she was trying hard to appear as if she were 'normally praising him.' Finally, he asked the question that had been bothering him for a long time.
"Satsuki! Are... are you okay? What's wrong with you? Why have you been so strange since a moment ago?"
A terrifying thought suddenly entered Naruto's mind, changing his expression. Could it be... Satsuki had encountered someone strange? Or was she affected by something bad?!
By now, perhaps Naruto's impulsive remark of'strange' had sobered Satsuki like a bucket of cold water, or perhaps it had deeply struck her. Satsuki finally stopped her suffocating, exaggerated praise, which had been like a storm, and fell silent.
She began to train without a word, throwing shuriken faster and more fiercely, and her Fire Release Ninjutsu was more intense than usual, as if she wanted to vent all her confusion, grievances, and frustration through training.
Why? Why did it fail again?!
Satsuki was screaming internally. Kakashi's voice still clearly echoed in her mind.
"According to 'Icha Icha Tactics' Chapter 2, Section 3, most boys are completely defenseless against sincere praise from girls! This greatly satisfies their vanity and need to be needed! What you need to do is express your true feelings in the most direct, unreserved way!"
"Remember the key point: whenever Naruto does something you think is cool, amazing, or excellent, don't keep it to yourself like before! Immediately and loudly praise him! Overwhelm him with your praise beam!"
That's right! This was another one of Kakashi's ideas—the direct praise beam offensive! But clearly, Satsuki seemed to have... overdone it, turning it into cringe-inducing 'mindless flattery.'
Strange? Why? Where did it go wrong?! Satsuki was utterly bewildered. In her own eyes, almost every one of Naruto's actions was full of charm, making her heart race. Her previous praises were even 'essences' she had painstakingly controlled and filtered! Was this still not'sincere' enough?
That crappy book... and that unreliable teacher... were they even useful?!
Satsuki's heart was about to burst with anger. A strong sense of powerlessness and shame intertwined, making her wish she could immediately find a place to hide.
Just then, Naruto's somewhat hesitant and cautious voice came from beside her.
"Um... Satsuki," Naruto scratched his bright golden hair, a hint of apology and embarrassment on his face, "How about we take a break? Let's calm down."
As he spoke, he handed her a water bottle with the cap already unscrewed.
Satsuki paused, silently taking the water bottle without looking at Naruto. They walked to the simple wooden bench by the edge of the training ground without a word and sat down.
The atmosphere once again became awkward and heavy, with only the sound of the wind through the trees and distant bird calls audible.
Naruto sat beside her, secretly glancing at Satsuki's tense profile and tightly pursed lips, feeling increasingly guilty. He clasped his hands together and was the first to break the silence.
"I'm sorry, Satsuki."
At his words, Satsuki moved slightly but still didn't turn her head.
Naruto continued, his tone filled with sincere apology. "Just now... I said too much. Suddenly saying you were strange and all... it must have made you very unhappy."
He scratched his cheek, trying to organize his words: "I just... I was just a little startled because you were acting differently than usual... so I spoke without thinking. I'm truly very sorry!"
He turned sideways, looking earnestly at Satsuki's downcast profile. "I hope... I hope you can forgive me. I actually... I actually don't dislike you praising me..."
It was just that kind of praise was a bit too much to handle—Naruto wisely swallowed that thought.
"So, please don't be angry, okay?"