Satsuki froze. Although she had already prepared for the worst in her heart, steeling herself with the resolve that "even if he refuses, I'll force him to agree in the end," Naruto's answer—no, it was more like a request—completely exceeded her expectations, leaving her brain temporarily unable to process it.
Future? Preserve??
These words, combined, formed a unique response she had never imagined: neither acceptance nor rejection, full of promise yet requiring waiting.
"Um... Naruto... can... can you explain it more specifically?"
Satsuki's voice carried uncertainty and cautious probing. She needed to understand the meaning behind Naruto's words more clearly, afraid of misunderstanding and getting her hopes up for nothing.
Naruto looked at her, seeing her anticipation yet fear of being hurt. He nodded vigorously, explaining in the clearest language possible.
"I want to reserve Satsuki's future. I want to become... the most special, most important existence for Satsuki. A unique existence."
"A special existence... means..." Satsuki's heart began to race uncontrollably again. She needed to hear the most precise definition.
Naruto's cheeks also flushed slightly, a little embarrassed, but his gaze didn't waver. He said it directly: "It's... the kind Satsuki is thinking of. It's the future... the kind where I want to spend my whole life with Satsuki."
Spend her whole life!
These four words struck Satsuki's heart heavily, making her breath catch instantly. This was undoubtedly the answer she most wanted from Naruto, the ultimate form of all her dreams!
However, along with this ecstasy came a hint of anxiety and dissatisfaction born from the "waiting."
Why wait? Why the future? I want this relationship now! I want to confirm it now! This urgent feeling almost burst out of her.
But in the end, the questioning words were forcefully suppressed in her throat. Because no matter what, Naruto's answer was not the worst; on the contrary, it was a beautiful promise.
So, Satsuki's mind began to race, interpreting and deeply "mapping out" the intent behind Naruto's words.
First, facing the heavy feelings she had always feared would pressure him, or even annoy him, Naruto not only didn't shy away but clearly stated that having these feelings made him super happy. This directly dispelled Satsuki's biggest insecurity.
Second, Naruto said Satsuki's feelings were "too important," so he couldn't make a commitment "lightly." This didn't sound like a perfunctory excuse; rather, it seemed more like a sign of respect.
He regarded the act of "liking" as a precious treasure to be treated with solemnity, not as fleeting words that could be casually spoken.
Most crucially... he was actively planning "forever." He wasn't thinking about "starting a relationship now," but about "a shared future."
Naruto was building a blueprint for a life together, not just enjoying the thrill of youth. This... this perfectly aligned with Satsuki's innermost dream of "being together forever"!
Seeing Satsuki lower her head again, Naruto quickly and somewhat eagerly said, "Satsuki, please, this is the only request of my life, just a few more years!"
For the mature-souled Naruto, major life decisions like romance and promises of a lifetime together should, by all means, at least wait until both parties are mentally mature, independent, and truly capable of taking responsibility for their own and each other's futures before making solemn confirmations and commitments.
This was almost an ingrained common sense about "responsibility" and "accountability."
However, the Ninja World he was currently in was a world with completely different, even twisted, common sense.
In this world, distorted by war, hatred, and the law of the strong, so-called "childhood" and "normal growth trajectories" were often luxuries.
In its most extreme and darkest periods, its cruelty even forced 5-year-old children to pick up kunai and step onto the battlefield, struggling to survive amidst blood and fire, tasting the world's harshness prematurely between life and death.
Therefore, in this world, a Ninja of Satsuki's age, her psychological age and understanding of "major matters" had long surpassed the scope of her peers in peacetime.
For her, identifying with someone, desiring to establish a strong connection with them, and acting on it with even obsessive pursuit, was not incomprehensible.
This fundamental difference in perception meant that Naruto's proposal to "preserve" and "wait," born out of responsibility and cherish, might appear to Satsuki and most people in this world as an inexplicable delay and uncertainty, or even be misunderstood as a polite evasion.
However... "...Pfft."
Faced with Naruto showing such a pleading, even somewhat humble, expression in front of her, Satsuki couldn't help but let out a light laugh. The cheerful sound instantly broke the previously overly solemn atmosphere.
"Idiot..." She lowered her head slightly, letting her bangs cover her once again flushed cheeks, her voice filled with helpless indulgence and complaint, "You always... say things that people simply can't refuse..."
She knew all too well in her heart—she could never refuse any of Naruto's requests... except for that one, to keep her away from him.
"Satsuki, you agreed!" Naruto was overjoyed to see her smile and hear her tone, and a huge weight lifted from his heart.
"Mm... but—!" Satsuki suddenly lifted her head, her voice abruptly rising, startling the recently relaxed Naruto.
Satsuki's face bore a faint smile, different from any other smile he had seen on her before.
The smile was beautiful, like an udumbara flower blooming under the moon, but it subtly hinted at a heart-pounding danger. This was the first time Naruto had seen Satsuki wear such a smile, beautiful and aggressive.
"Naruto, you must also promise me one thing," Satsuki continued, her tone carrying an undeniable authority, "This is the 'price' you must pay for asking me to 'preserve' and 'wait for time.'"
The smile on her face grew more beautiful, and more dangerous.
"From today on, I will remember the passage of time, day by day, minute by minute... patiently (or perhaps not so patiently) waiting for that future day to arrive..."
But my heart can't truly calm down, Satsuki silently spoke these unspoken words in her mind.
She knew that her feelings for Naruto would never stop growing because of "preservation"; instead, they would flourish with each day of anticipation and closeness, becoming heavier and more intense. To be honest, even now, she constantly wanted to make Naruto completely "her own."
Therefore... by the time that promised day in the future arrived, she couldn't even estimate how much the obsession and love accumulated in her heart would swell. And she had no intention of suppressing any of it.
"So," Satsuki took a step forward, looking up slightly at Naruto, her dark eyes gleaming with an almost obsessive light, "when that day truly comes... I won't wait a single extra day."
"So... at that moment, no matter what I do to you, no matter what I demand of you, Naruto, you must accept it all, without a hint of defiance or hesitation."
"Now," she tilted her head slightly, her dangerous yet beautiful smile still present, but she threw out an almost ultimatum-like choice, "tell me your answer. Accept this 'price,' or..."
"...I'll show you right now what the consequences of 'not being able to preserve' will look like."
-------------------------------
I've already uploaded 70 chapters of this story on Patreon!
If you enjoy it, come check out the latest chapters in advance.
[patreon.com/TripleCrown07]
Thank you so much for your support!!!
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"