Sakura's cheeks flushed scarlet.
Happiness had arrived too suddenly. The boy she had loved since childhood—Uchiha Sasuke—had come to her not for small talk, not for casual greetings, but to speak about something as serious and intimate as their future.
Her legs wobbled beneath her, and she quickly sat down on the stone bench nearby, her hands folded tightly in her lap as her heartbeat pounded against her chest.
Sasuke, who had never been one to easily read emotions, tilted his head in confusion. He walked toward her with calm steps, his black eyes studying her carefully.
"Sakura, what's wrong with you?" he asked bluntly.
Startled, Sakura jerked back, realizing just how close he had come. His face was only inches away, his presence overwhelming her senses.
"S-Sasuke-kun! I… I…" Her voice cracked, words tripping over each other as she panicked.
Sasuke frowned slightly. "What are you trying to say?"
Her ears burned red. She gripped her knees and forced herself to speak. "Sasuke-kun, you're too close to me!"
For a moment, Sasuke simply blinked. Then, without complaint, he stepped back and straightened. To him, closeness between a man and woman didn't mean much—not yet. His heart had not caught up to hers, not in the way she hoped.
Still, his voice remained calm and firm. "Sakura, I came here today to talk about our future."
He sat down beside her, his tone composed, though his words carried undeniable weight.
Sakura's hands trembled. She lowered her gaze, whispering in a voice as faint as a mosquito's hum. "…Yes."
Sasuke sighed softly, studying her flustered expression. He decided there was no point in dancing around it.
"You already understand what Naruto showed us through his jutsu. In that future, you and I are married. We even have a daughter—Sarada. You should know this."
Sakura's heart skipped. She glanced up at him shyly, then gave the smallest nod. "…Yes."
Seeing her acknowledge it, Sasuke continued, his voice even but his gaze piercing. "Some things are destined. They cannot be changed. Not everyone has the power to alter the future as Naruto did. And yet, looking at him now—he seems happy. Happier than he's ever been."
For a moment, a rare softness flickered across Sasuke's face. "His smile can't be faked. It's genuine. And I've been considering some of his words… carefully."
Then, locking eyes with Sakura, Sasuke asked the question that made her world stop.
"Sakura… I came here today to ask you this. Are you willing to marry me, as it was meant to be?"
The world around her went silent.
Sakura's entire body trembled, her breath caught in her throat. It was too sudden, too direct. Sasuke hadn't confessed love—not in the way she had always fantasized—but he had asked her for something even greater: marriage.
Her heart raced wildly. She had always known, deep down, that she would one day become Sasuke's wife. Naruto had shown her glimpses of that future. But hearing it now, from Sasuke's own lips, felt like lightning striking her chest.
When she didn't answer immediately, Sasuke frowned. His tone carried a slight edge of impatience. "Sakura. What's your answer? Or… do you not want to?"
"No!" Sakura cried suddenly, spinning toward him. She shook her head rapidly, her eyes brimming with emotion. "I do! I do, Sasuke-kun—I do!"
Her voice cracked, overflowing with joy and desperation. She realized her composure was slipping, but she couldn't stop herself. The next instant, she threw her arms around him, pressing her cheek against his chest.
Her words came in a rush, soft but fervent. "Sasuke-kun… I've loved you since I was a child. Always. Even when I saw the future through Naruto's technique… even knowing we'd be married one day… hearing you say it here, now, with your own voice—I'm so happy. So, so happy."
She held him tightly, tears pricking her eyes.
Sasuke inhaled deeply, his expression unreadable for a long moment. Then, slowly, he returned her embrace.
Inside, his thoughts were clear. He had accepted Sakura. He might not yet burn with love as she did, but marriage was not only about passion. Love could come later. In fact, in his past life, their marriage had grown from shared struggles and bonds, not from a dramatic confession.
Sasuke had lived a life of wandering, carrying burdens that tore him away from the village. But this life was different. He had no intention of drifting again. He had a plan.
The rift between the Uchiha and Konoha would never fully vanish. Even with Itachi's truth revealed, even with the clan resurrected through Naruto's power, the scars ran deep. Fear lingered in the hearts of villagers. The Uchiha name carried shadows.
Sasuke clenched his fist. If that's the case, then I'll build something new.
Once the greater threats beyond the stars were dealt with, he intended to take the revived Uchiha clan and found a new settlement—a true Uchiha village. A place free from suspicion and fear. A home of pride and power.
To do that, he needed Sakura by his side.
And he needed to ensure the Uchiha bloodline continued.
He pulled back slightly, meeting her gaze. "Sakura. There's something important I need to discuss with you."
Her emerald eyes softened, brimming with love. "Sasuke-kun… tell me."
He hesitated for a moment, then spoke.
"You know Naruto revived members of the Uchiha clan. But you also know—they are not truly alive. They were brought back with Edo Tensei, for the sake of future battles. They are not the living clan I once had."
His voice grew firmer. "So I've been thinking. Since we're going to be married anyway… we should also move forward. Just like Naruto did. He will have children with Hinata soon. And if he can step ahead, so can we."
Sakura blinked, heat rising in her cheeks. She understood immediately what he meant. Her breath caught. "…Sasuke-kun, are you saying…?"
Sasuke's lips curved faintly. He brushed a hand across her cheek, his touch surprisingly gentle. "Yes. Let's not wait. Let's have children early too. That way, our kids will grow up alongside Naruto's. They'll play together, train together. And more importantly… our child will carry the pure bloodline of the Uchiha. A new future for my clan."
Her heart pounded so hard she thought it might burst.
He continued, his voice calm but resolute. "So I want to ask for your opinion. This is our life together. Will you accept it?"
Sakura stared at him, breathless. Then, without hesitation, she nodded firmly. "Yes. Sasuke-kun, I'm willing! You're right—Naruto has already stepped forward. We can too. And… I want your clan to see. When we have our child, we'll show them. Show your mother, Mikoto-sama, and your father Fugaku-sama. They'll know the Uchiha bloodline continues strong."
For the first time in a long while, Sasuke felt truly moved. He hadn't expected her to accept so easily, so wholeheartedly.
This was Sakura. The same girl who never abandoned him, not even when he pushed her away with harsh words, not even when he fell into the darkness of revenge. She had loved him through it all, without faltering.
Even when he once trapped her in Genjutsu, even when he had nearly destroyed everything, she had forgiven him. Still loved him. Still waited.
Sasuke's chest tightened.
He drew her into his arms once more, his hand stroking her back. She buried her face against him, smiling through tears.
For a fleeting moment, Sasuke thought of Naruto again. The knuckleheaded ninja who once vied for Sakura's heart, who bore the humiliation of rejection and still fought for her happiness. Sasuke almost chuckled.
So this time, I've won. Before Naruto. Before anyone else.
And for the first time that day, Uchiha Sasuke allowed himself a small, satisfied smile.
Dear Readers
For 60 Advance Chapters Join My Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/NF25
-------
Please Support My Patreon 🥺