Satsuki felt her shame pile up to an unprecedented breaking point, almost ready to explode. But at the same time, a faint yet stubborn hope burned in her heart—this last method, this ultimate 'poetry metaphor killer move,' surely it would work, right?
However, Naruto's reaction left her completely unable to judge success or failure.
Because Naruto's expression at this moment was something Satsuki had never seen before. It wasn't happiness, it wasn't shyness, it wasn't even the 'weirdness' from before.
Instead, it was a look of blankness and congelation. His eyes didn't blink, his mouth was slightly agape, as if he had been petrified, completely losing all reaction.
So, what exactly was Naruto thinking in his heart at this moment?
The last shred of Naruto's wishful thinking that 'Satsuki is just in an unusually mood today' was completely shattered by this earth-shattering 'antelope fawn' declaration!
Satsuki's strange behavior could previously be explained by 'childishness,' 'loneliness'... But she was the proud Uchiha Satsuki! How could she suddenly become like this?!
Something was definitely wrong! This was no longer simply'strange'! This was absolutely a big deal!
Naruto quickly reviewed it in his mind again, checked it, and found no signs of Genjutsu! Chakra flow was normal! So, external interference was ruled out... Could it be... could it be... a more terrifying possibility instantly seized Naruto's heart. He didn't dare to think further, nor did he dare to delay or take any risks!
The next second, he suddenly sprang into action, grabbing Satsuki's wrist tightly—she was still waiting for his reaction, her eyes filled with anticipation and shyness!
"Na... Naruto?"
Satsuki was startled by this sudden, even forceful touch. Naruto's palm on her wrist felt burning hot and trembled slightly.
Before she could react, an irresistible force yanked her up from the bench!
"!" Satsuki gasped as her body was pulled forward.
Naruto held her wrist tightly, not saying a word, his face etched with an unprecedented solemnity and anxiety, as he dragged her and ran wildly!
The wind whistled in her ears, and the surrounding scenery rapidly receded. Satsuki looked at Naruto's unusually serious and tense profile ahead, and felt the firm and urgent force on her wrist, as well as this almost 'elopement'-like run... A sweet thought that made her heart stop instantly hit her. This sudden, forceful, yet intimate gesture... He's pulling me... Where is he taking me?
Could it be... could it be... I finally... succeeded?! Kakashi's idea... worked?!
Huge joy and shyness exploded like fireworks in Satsuki's heart, instantly washing away all previous frustration and shame! She even stopped thinking about why Naruto was running, or where he was running to.
She let Naruto hold her wrist tightly, following him as they ran through the familiar streets, a smile finally uncontrollable, a mix of sweetness, shyness, and joy, appearing on her face.
— — — — — —
"I see, from your description, it is indeed a very serious and abnormal situation."
Inside Konoha Hospital, in a quiet consultation room. Naruto was anxiously explaining Satsuki's various 'bizarre' behaviors today to a gentle Yamanaka clan doctor wearing a medical Ninja forehead protector.
The medical Ninja, specializing in mental and brain fields, listened, then nodded gravely, before turning his probing gaze to Uchiha Satsuki, who sat silently and expressionlessly on a nearby chair since entering the room... Why was she here?
Hospital?
Satsuki's thoughts were countless beats behind. Only now did she truly realize the destination Naruto had dragged her to... it was Konoha Hospital?
A cold, absurd sense of shock instantly swept over her. All the sweet fantasies she had conjured from that 'elopement' were shattered at this moment by the smell of hospital disinfectant and the doctor's serious expression.
"Alright, little girl, relax."
The Yamanaka doctor spoke in the gentlest possible tone, trying to soothe the Uchiha girl who looked greatly distressed and had empty eyes. "Don't be nervous, I'm going to ask you a few simple questions, and you just need to tell me the answers in your heart."
Listening to the doctor's coaxing voice, as if speaking to a patient, Satsuki came back to her senses.
Questions? What questions? Why ask me questions? Why should I answer?
"...Excuse me," Satsuki ignored the doctor's words and spoke first, her voice unusually flat, devoid of any emotion, "Where is this?"
The Yamanaka doctor was stunned for a moment, exchanging a'See, the symptoms are indeed very severe' look with Naruto, then explained with even more patience. "This is a hospital, Konoha Hospital. Don't worry, although I haven't encountered many cases like yours, I will definitely try my best to cure your condition, even if it means using our clan's secret Ninjutsu."
"...Condition?" Satsuki repeated the word, "Me?"
She fell silent, lowering her head, her dark bangs obscuring her eyes, making her expression unreadable.
Seeing this, Naruto felt even more distressed and worried. He quickly stepped forward and said in what he thought was the most comforting tone, "Alright Satsuki, be good, listen, it'll be fine soon, just let the doctor take a look..."
"..."
So that's it... So in Naruto's eyes, all her courageous attempts today, all her clumsy overtures, all her uncontrollable intimate gestures due to her unexpectedly high affection level... all became a 'condition'?
A 'mental problem' that needed to be sent to the hospital, perhaps even requiring the Yamanaka clan's secret Ninjutsu to treat?
She was... seen that way by Naruto.
How I wish I could go back in time... How I wish I could escape from here immediately... So embarrassing... Really, so embarrassing!!!
Overwhelming shame, grievance, and disappointment instantly engulfed Satsuki like a tsunami! She felt her cheeks so hot they could fry an egg, and her heart ached intensely from the extreme emotional shock. She wished she could immediately use a space-time Ninjutsu to go back to this morning, or simply find a crack in the ground and disappear forever!
She felt like dying.
Just as the Yamanaka doctor was about to ask another question, and Naruto also wanted to comfort her a few more words—
Satsuki suddenly looked up!
Her originally pitch-black eyes had now turned an ominous crimson, with black tomoe spinning wildly within them! Glistening tears uncontrollably slid down her fair cheeks.
"Naruto... You big idiot!!!"
She screamed at Naruto with all her strength, her voice choked with tears! The next second, before the stunned Naruto and the Yamanaka doctor could react—
"Swish!"
Satsuki's Body Flicker Jutsu was activated to its maximum! Her figure instantly blurred in place, and with a slight pop of air, she completely vanished from the consultation room!