"It seems... I guessed right?"
Uchiha Satsuki observed Uchiha Sasuke's subtle yet undeniable stiffness, as well as the unnatural look that instantly appeared on Uzumaki Naruto's face, and stated in a flat tone.
Realizing that the probing had succeeded and his hastily concocted lie that "Naruko is female" had been exposed on the spot, Uchiha Sasuke's breathing faltered almost imperceptibly for a moment.
"How... did you figure it out?"
"There were too many signs..."
Uchiha Satsuki shook her head gently. "If 'Naruko' truly existed and was my future partner in that world... then you wouldn't have made that expression when you heard about the 'arranged marriage' agreement, would you?"
Standing to the side, Uzumaki Boruto felt an inexplicable chill. Even though there was no anger, coldness, or Killing Intent in Uchiha Satsuki's eyes, that somewhat hollow gaze made his skin crawl.
The eyes of the Uchiha Clan could convey the deepest emotions, but the lifeless, dull, and vacant state in Uchiha Satsuki's eyes right now was more unsettling than any of those emotions. What exactly did this signify?
"And..."
Uchiha Satsuki turned her gaze to Uzumaki Boruto. "I can't feel even a hint of a 'Bloodline response' between this child and me."
In this world, there truly exists a certain sense and resonance between families with a Bloodline Limit, especially among direct relatives or those with the same source of Bloodline.
Uzumaki Boruto and Uzumaki Naruto looked strikingly similar, and Uchiha Satsuki could clearly perceive the tight connection between them. However, she could not feel the slightest sense of kinship or shared source between Uzumaki Boruto and Uchiha Sasuke, or even herself.
"Look at his eyes... the emotions are too rich." Uchiha Satsuki looked at Uchiha Sasuke, her tone filled with realization. "You almost... fooled me."
Uchiha Sasuke was speechless for a moment. The lie had been completely exposed; trying to defend it further would only be laughable.
"...I can answer that question later." Uchiha Satsuki did not seem to intend to immediately delve into an answer that might be unbearable for her. She changed the subject and threw out another equally sharp question.
"In your world... what exactly is the relationship between you and your 'Uzumaki Naruto'?"
If Uchiha Sasuke from that world heard this question, how would he answer?
It would probably be— "He is just an... idiot who always makes things difficult."
But at this moment, facing the "self" of this world, that answer might trigger more unnecessary associations and follow-up questions, or even implicate innocent people.
After a moment of silence, Uchiha Sasuke chose the definition that carried the most weight in his heart, the most truthful one, yet one that was always somewhat difficult to put into words.
"...He is my... most important friend."
"...I see." Hearing this, Uchiha Satsuki lowered her eyes slightly. "Since the gender is the same... then there's nothing that can be done about it..."
She seemed to accept this explanation, or perhaps she was using the "another world" excuse to forcibly persuade and soothe a certain emotion in her heart that was on the verge of spiraling out of control.
"I have no more questions." She raised her head, her expression returning to its usual coldness.
"Eh?" Uzumaki Naruto was stunned. He was still on edge, terrified that Uchiha Satsuki would keep harping on the question of "who exactly is Uzumaki Naruto's wife in that world," which would be a lethal question that could blow up a powder keg. He didn't expect that she would… just give up on pursuing it?
What Uzumaki Naruto didn't know was that the moment Uchiha Satsuki reached the conclusion that "the Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke of the other world are best friends," an intense, silent internal struggle and self-soothing process was taking place within her.
If it had been a day earlier, or even just a few hours earlier, before witnessing Uzumaki Naruto unconscious and on the brink of death... given her state at the time, she probably wouldn't have been able to accept this answer so "calmly." Extreme possessiveness might have instantly consumed her reason.
However, the fear of impending loss can sometimes shatter the obsession with "absolute possession." When the shadow of potential permanent departure shrouded her heart, the essence of that extreme possessiveness— "fear of loss" — was laid bare.
Compared to that, the obsession with "exclusive possession" temporarily took a backseat. As long as he could be safe... everything else could seemingly be set aside for now, even if she had to constantly numb herself with the excuse that "that is another world."
What happened to Uchiha Satsuki was a classic case of the compromise effect.
"...Don't you care anymore?" Uchiha Sasuke sensed that something was off with Uchiha Satsuki's state; it wasn't true relief, so he asked tentatively.
"No." Uchiha Satsuki slowly shook her head, her gaze refocusing on Uzumaki Naruto, her voice low and clear.
"I am afraid... that if I continue to ask, or if I know more... I won't be able to control myself and will do something irreversible."
She confessed the dark emotions still churning within her and her own self-warning.
Uchiha Sasuke felt a chill in his heart and immediately understood the gravity of the situation. He nodded decisively. "I understand. Since you are by Uzumaki Naruto's side, there shouldn't be any problems."
Without further hesitation, Uchiha Sasuke took the turtle-shaped time-space device, "Karasuki," from his robes, preparing to activate it.
Watching Uchiha Sasuke's movements, Uzumaki Naruto also snapped out of his complex emotions. He realized that Uchiha Sasuke and the others were about to return to a future where the crisis might not have been fully resolved, and this time, it was thanks to Uchiha Sasuke's assistance that they had successfully overcome Urashiki's crisis.
As they were about to part ways, he wanted to do something for Uchiha Sasuke.
"Uchiha Sasuke," Uzumaki Naruto stepped forward, "this time, thanks for your help with Urashiki. Before you leave, let me do something for you. Don't resist, it's alright."
Uchiha Sasuke was a bit puzzled, but he didn't refuse Uzumaki Naruto's approach.
Uzumaki Naruto raised his hand and gently placed it on Uchiha Sasuke's empty sleeve and the shoulder of his missing arm. The next moment, a warm, immense, and life-force-filled energy slowly flowed into Uchiha Sasuke's missing arm area.
Uchiha Sasuke felt a comfortable, warm current spreading along his stump.
"Hmm? That's strange..." Uzumaki Naruto frowned slightly, seeming dissatisfied with the result. "No change? Is it because we are in different worlds, so I can't directly 'restore' it?"
He pondered for a moment and decided to try another way. "Then... let's try another one."
As soon as he finished speaking, Uchiha Sasuke felt the nature of the energy injected into his body change abruptly!
The previous warmth and comfort vanished instantly, replaced by a sharp, excruciating pain deep in his flesh as if it were being forcibly torn, reorganized, and woven together!
If anyone else had done this, Uchiha Sasuke would probably have reflexively blocked or dodged, but the person doing it was Uzumaki Naruto.
Uchiha Sasuke endured the tearing pain, his body stiff but without retreating or resisting in the slightest.
The pain lasted for over ten seconds, then receded rapidly like a receding tide.
Immediately after, a feeling—strange yet incredibly familiar, as if a long-lost part had finally returned to its place—clearly emanated from his arm.
"Uchiha Sasuke... Mr. Uchiha Sasuke!! Your arm!!" Uzumaki Boruto's shout, filled with shock and joy, brought Uchiha Sasuke back to his senses.
Uchiha Sasuke looked down abruptly at his originally empty shoulder.
There, a brand-new arm, with healthy skin, smooth muscle definition, and full of power, was connected to his body, completely intact!
"...Is this... also your power?" Uchiha Sasuke looked at his newly grown, fully functional arm, his tone devoid of joy, instead carrying a helpless, low note.
"You actually... didn't need to go out of your way to do this for me."
Uchiha Sasuke looked at Uzumaki Naruto, stating the facts in a calm voice. Although his strength had indeed been compromised after losing that arm years ago, and he had taken a long time to adapt... so many years had passed, and Uchiha Sasuke had long since grown accustomed to being one-armed.
He wasn't ungrateful, nor was he the kind of lunatic who would obsessively cut off his arm again just to maintain some sort of "atonement" or "symbol."
The return of this arm would undoubtedly make his future battles and life much more convenient.
Uzumaki Naruto looked at Uchiha Sasuke's helpless expression— "although I'm grateful, it's indeed a bit troublesome"— and found it somewhat amusing.
"You saved the world, too. In my opinion, I can't find any reason why you must 'atone' using your 'incompleteness.' Perhaps you have your own considerations and persistence in your heart; that is your business."
"But I wanted to thank you for your help this time and wanted to do something for my friend so he could be more at ease... this is my heartfelt wish. These are two different things and do not conflict with each other."
Uchiha Sasuke listened in silence and ultimately didn't say anything more to decline. He understood Uzumaki Naruto's meaning—the sins and punishments of the past, the path and choices of the future, were Uchiha Sasuke's own tasks to face.
And this gift, purely out of friendship and gratitude, was a present given by Uzumaki Naruto. Even though he was the one who had taken this arm in the first place...
"Then... goodbye." Uzumaki Naruto looked at Uchiha Sasuke, his tone lightening. He had originally wanted to say something, like "I hope this isn't our last farewell," but the words reached his lips and he swallowed them back.
In the end, the farewell words turned into two words.
"Take care."
Uchiha Sasuke met Uzumaki Naruto's gaze and nodded slightly, responding with equally concise words.
"Yeah... goodbye."
The night wind blew through the forest. Uchiha Sasuke activated the "Karasuki" in his hand, and light began to envelop him and Uzumaki Boruto. Their figures gradually became hazy and transparent within the light.
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