Chapter 173: Complete Failure
Satsuki felt her embarrassment had accumulated to an unprecedented breaking point, almost ready to explode. Yet at the same time, a weak but stubborn hope burned in her heart—this final method, this ultimate "poetic metaphor finishing move," should work, right?
However, Naruto's reaction left her completely unable to judge success or failure.
Because Naruto's current expression was one Satsuki had never seen before. It wasn't happiness, it wasn't shyness, it wasn't even the previous "strange."
It was a kind of stupor and paralysis. Eyes unblinking, mouth slightly open, as if turned to stone, completely losing all reaction.
So what exactly was going through Naruto's mind at this moment?
Naruto's last thread of hope that "Satsuki is just having an off day" was completely shattered by this shocking "antelope cub" declaration!
Satsuki's bizarre behavior could previously be explained as "childishness" or "loneliness"... but she was that proud Uchiha Satsuki! How could she suddenly become like this?!
Something was definitely wrong! This was no longer simply "strange"! Something major had definitely happened!
Naruto quickly ran through his mental checklist again—no signs of genjutsu! Chakra flow normal! So ruling out external interference... could it be... could it be...
An even more terrifying possibility instantly gripped Naruto's heart. He didn't dare think further, much less delay or take any risks!
The next second, he suddenly sprang into action, tightly grabbing the wrist of Satsuki, who was still waiting for his reaction with expectant and shy eyes!
"Na-Naruto?"
Satsuki was startled by this sudden, somewhat forceful contact, feeling the burning warmth and slight trembling from Naruto's palm on her wrist.
Before she could react, an irresistible force pulled her up from the bench!
"!" Satsuki cried out as her body was already being pulled forward.
Naruto gripped her wrist tightly, not saying a word, his face showing unprecedented gravity and urgency as he began running with her in tow!
Wind howled in her ears, the surrounding scenery rapidly retreating backward. Satsuki looked at Naruto's unusually serious and tense profile ahead, feeling that firm yet urgent grip on her wrist, and this almost "elopement-like" running...
A heart-stopping, sweet thought instantly struck 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 advice... worked?!
Enormous joy and shyness exploded like fireworks in Satsuki's heart, instantly washing away all previous feelings of defeat and shame! She didn't even think about why Naruto was running or where they were going.
She simply let Naruto tightly grip her wrist, following him as they ran through familiar streets, her face finally showing an uncontrollable smile mixing sweetness, shyness, and joy.
"I see. From your description, this does sound like 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-natured Yamanaka clan medical ninja wearing a medical forehead protector.
The medical ninja specializing in mental and brain issues listened, then nodded gravely before turning his investigating gaze toward Uchiha Satsuki, who sat in a nearby chair and had remained silent and expressionless since entering.
...Why am I here?
Hospital?
Satsuki's thinking was countless beats behind. Only now did she truly realize that the destination of Naruto's frantic run with her... was actually Konoha Hospital?
A cold, absurd sense of shock instantly swept over her. All the sweet fantasies she'd developed from that "elopement" were shattered by the smell of hospital disinfectant and the doctor's serious expression.
"Alright, young lady, relax." The Yamanaka doctor spoke in as gentle a tone as possible, trying to comfort this Uchiha girl who seemed to have suffered a huge blow and had hollow eyes. "Don't be nervous. I'll ask you a few simple questions, and you just need to tell me what's in your heart."
Hearing the doctor's coaxing voice as if treating a patient, Satsuki snapped back to reality.
Questions? What questions? Why ask me questions? Why should I answer?
"...Excuse me," Satsuki ignored the doctor's words and spoke first instead, her voice unusually flat, betraying no emotion. "Where is this?"
The Yamanaka doctor was stunned, exchanging a "see, the symptoms are quite serious" look with Naruto, then explained even more patiently. "This is a hospital, Konoha Hospital. Don't worry, though I haven't encountered your condition often, I will definitely work hard to cure your illness, even if I have to use clan secret techniques."
"...Illness?" Satsuki repeated the word. "Me?"
She fell silent, lowering her head so her black bangs covered her eyes, making it impossible to see her expression.
Seeing this, Naruto felt even more distressed and worried. He quickly stepped forward, using what he thought was his most comforting tone: "It's okay, Satsuki. Be good, listen. It'll be fine soon. Just let the doctor take a look..."
"..."
So that's how it was...
So in Naruto's eyes, all her courageous attempts today, all her clumsy advances, all her uncontrollable intimate behaviors due to her beyond-calculation affection level... had all become "illness"? Become something that needed to be sent to the hospital, possibly even requiring Yamanaka clan secret techniques to treat as "mental problems"?
She had been... viewed that way by Naruto.
She wanted to go back in time... wanted to escape from here immediately... so embarrassing... truly so embarrassing!!!
Overwhelming shame, grievance, and dejection instantly engulfed Satsuki like a tsunami! She felt her cheeks burning hot enough to fry an egg, her heart aching violently from the extreme emotional impact. She wished she could immediately use space-time ninjutsu to return to this morning, or simply find a crack in the ground to disappear into forever!
She wanted to die.
Just as the Yamanaka doctor was about to speak again and Naruto wanted to comfort her further—
Satsuki suddenly raised her head!
Those originally pitch-black eyes had now turned an ominous crimson, with black tomoe spinning wildly within! Crystal tears uncontrollably slid down her pale cheeks.
"Naruto... you big idiot!!!"
Using all her strength, with a crying voice, she shouted at Naruto! The next second, before the shocked Naruto and Yamanaka doctor could react—
"Whoosh!"
Satsuki's Body Flicker Technique activated to its maximum! Her figure instantly blurred in place, accompanied by a slight air explosion, completely disappearing from the consultation room!
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