noveldepot Chapter 292 Letting Go of Hatred
Chapter 292 Letting Go of Hatred
Since making that promise for the future that day, Satsuki seemed to have completely shed all pretense, no longer concealing her possessiveness that was about to materialize. However, even Naruto, upon hearing the words "Take my life with it first," clearly realized in his heart that this statement was somewhat too extreme.
And unfortunately, the person sitting opposite her was not an ordinary girl making angry remarks or joking, but the Uchiha clan, whose power comes from strong emotions and whose love and hate tend to be extreme.
However, Naruto was unaware that the real situation was probably even worse than he could imagine at that moment, and its extreme nature far exceeded any existing living examples in the ninja world.
So, how should I respond to Sōzuki's declaration, which is mixed with deep love and destructive tendencies?
Should we, like ordinary people, immediately put on a stern face and tell her "you can't do that," "you can't have such dangerous thoughts"? Should we use those high-sounding principles to deny her heavy emotions that she has poured her whole life into?
……
Naruto felt a chill run down his spine, realizing that his own thinking seemed... a little off. He actually... felt that betraying this feeling would be a mistake?
This thought made him doubt himself. Strictly speaking, what Satsuki said was not just "a little" extreme; it was almost—no, it was a completely genuine yandere statement!
But why... why, besides worry and heaviness, did I also feel... moved?!
Please don't forget that it was Uchiha Satsuki who accompanied Naruto Uzumaki through his entire lonely childhood. On the surface, it seems that Satsuki was relying on Naruto, but wasn't Naruto also relying on Satsuki?
At least during those dark and unfulfilling years of his childhood, Naruto felt almost no sense of belonging to the cold, desolate village of Konoha. He never looked forward to tomorrow, for every day was filled with whispers of isolation and malice. Loneliness is enough to destroy even the most resilient soul…
If Satsuki hadn't entered his world, the "Naruto Uzumaki" walking in the sunlight today would probably have been swallowed up by emptiness and darkness long ago, and completely replaced by the "Menma" who walks in the shadows.
"...There are absolutely no side effects!" Naruto said with absolute certainty. "Right now, the person sealed inside me has an incredibly good relationship with me!"
"That thing sealed inside Naruto's body?" Satsuki pondered to himself. Indeed, Naruto was now surrounded by warm, dazzling golden chakra, completely different from the ominous, violent red chakra of his memories.
But she couldn't help but ask, "Really?"
"Really! It couldn't be more true!" Naruto nodded vigorously, even raising his hand as if to swear. "If... if this puts your mind at ease, we can go to the hospital for a full checkup every now and then! I promise, the test results will show absolutely no abnormalities in chakra flow whatsoever!"
"...Okay, that's good." Hearing his solemn promise, Satsuki's tense nerves finally relaxed a little, and she nodded gently.
"..."
A brief silence hung between them, the atmosphere strangely tense. Naruto couldn't help but regret his past intentional or unintentional concealment, and a doubt arose in his heart: accepting the explanation so easily didn't seem like the proud Sasuke he knew.
Isn't the most distinctive characteristic of the Uchiha clan their inherent arrogance?
Just then, Satsuki looked up and said, "...Teach me."
"...Huh?" Naruto didn't react for a moment.
"Teach me to become stronger, teach me to become... worthy of you. I will not give up, no matter how much effort or time it takes, I will stand tall and proud beside you with my own strength!"
"...Of course!" Naruto immediately agreed, but then something occurred to him, "But, the reason for becoming stronger..." He worried that she was still bound by the shadow of revenge or something.
"It's not anymore," Satsuki interrupted him crisply.
She understood Naruto's unspoken words. In the past, her dream was to become stronger, to become a ninja that would make the Uchiha clan proud. But since that night; after they exchanged their true feelings and vows, the source of her motivation had completely changed its trajectory.
"Naruto," she gazed into his eyes and asked another question that had been bothering her, "Why...why did you hide your strength from me before?"
Of course I'm afraid of damaging your self-confidence!
These words lingered in Naruto's mind, but he knew he had to phrase them more tactfully. "Well... because," he carefully chose his words, trying to make his reason sound more considerate, "I've heard... if the difference in talent and strength between teammates is too great, the other side might feel pressured, and I... I don't want to cause you any unnecessary trouble or misunderstanding."
"...I see," Zuo Yue replied softly. She had indeed heard that if a peer's talent was too strong, some people might have their confidence undermined, or even develop self-doubt. But... how could he have imagined her to be such a fragile person?
A slight smile appeared on her lips, a smile that carried a hint of helplessness, but even more so, an unwavering determination.
"You underestimate me, Naruto." Her voice was soft. "Your strength has never made me back down. I may feel jealous, I may feel resentful, but the one thing I will never do... is give up the right to stand by your side."
She raised her hand and gently grasped his wrist.
"Anyway..." she concluded, her eyes reflecting the light that belonged only to him, "all my dreams are related to you."
------
Naruto walked along the gradually returning streets of Konoha, his steps unsteady, his head spinning. His conversation with Satsuki was still echoing in his mind, each word feeling like it was burning hot, making him uneasy.
Erzhuzi...when did he start saying things like that?!
He felt his cheeks burning and his heart pounding wildly. It's true that life experiences can change a person's personality…that's a saying. But, Zuo Yue…has she really truly let go of her hatred for the Uchiha clan completely? This swift and complete transformation left him feeling somewhat dazed.
...By the way, speaking of which, at this point in the original story, Erzhuzi was almost able to let go of his hatred, if it weren't for his older brother suddenly appearing...
Naruto's thoughts wandered aimlessly. He could barely contain the unfamiliar and surging waves of emotion surging in his chest. Under the pretext of dealing with the aftermath, he almost "escaped" from the atmosphere that had made his heart race.
Of course, Naruto hadn't forgotten his new "little burden." He slung a light backpack over his shoulder, with an opening that allowed his fluffy blue head to peek out. Little Hibiki was quietly inside, surveying the slightly chaotic yet still vibrant streets after the battle.
"Hey, Naruto, you're here! During the attack just now... you're really something else."
Suddenly, a familiar voice came from behind him, interrupting his thoughts. Naruto turned around and saw Kiba Inuzuka grinning as he strode towards him, with Akamaru barking twice above his head in greeting.
However, Kiba's gaze was instantly drawn to the striking blue head in Naruto's backpack.