Chapter 439: Decision
After leaving the Hokage office, Naruto walked through Konoha's bustling streets, expression seemingly calm. To the enthusiastic greetings from villagers along the way—"Naruto-sama is back!" "Good work today!" "Naruto-kun!"—he only nodded slightly, responding with simple "mm"s or quick smiles before hurrying past.
His thoughts weren't at all on these daily pleasantries, even temporarily setting aside that heavy white Hokage haori from the office and his master's frantic face.
At this moment, only one matter circled through his mind—something that absolutely had to be completed today, something that couldn't be delayed.
His pace unconsciously quickened. He didn't head toward home but instead walked directly through the lively district to Konoha's main gate.
After briefly presenting credentials to the guards on duty, he left the village without hesitation.
His destination was the Capital of the Land of Fire, this country's most prosperous metropolis.
Naruto's objective was clear. Utilizing Flying Thunder God Technique for medium and short-range jumps, he greatly shortened travel time and arrived at a luxurious, quiet district in the capital's center.
His footsteps stopped before a shop with an ostentatious appearance that exuded luxury everywhere.
Heavy solid wood doors, a gold-inlaid sign carved with ancient script, display windows showcasing not ordinary merchandise but jewelry glowing with warm luster, exquisite silks, and uniquely-shaped artworks.
This was an established luxury custom goods shop serving exclusively nobles and top-tier wealthy clients.
Naruto pushed the door open. The bell above it made a crisp sound. Inside, soft lighting filled the space, air permeated with faint sandalwood and aged leather scents.
A well-dressed, elegantly mannered middle-aged shopkeeper approached, recognizing this young powerhouse who'd recently become famous throughout the ninja world. His attitude was respectful yet measured.
Without much small talk, Naruto directly stated his purpose—collecting an item he'd custom-ordered here some time ago. Today was delivery and final payment day.
Nearly 20 million ryo.
This price almost equaled two-thirds of Sarutobi Asuma's head bounty. For most ninja, this was an enormous sum requiring completion of several S-rank missions to even approach.
But Naruto only nodded calmly, without haggling. To him, money was just numbers, and what he wanted had to be the best.
The shopkeeper understood this customer came for "the best" and absolutely wouldn't stint. The item had been crafted using the same specification standards as those for the daimyo.
Not until nightfall had completely descended and lanterns first lit did Naruto receive an extremely exquisitely packaged gift box that felt warm and heavy to the touch.
After carefully inspecting and confirming everything was correct, he carefully secured the gift box.
After paying the final balance, Naruto didn't linger in the prosperous capital, finding a secluded corner.
Swoosh—
Flying Thunder God Technique activated. Konoha Village's familiar night breeze carrying grass and wood fragrance brushed his face. He already stood before his home's entrance.
Naruto straightened his slightly disheveled collar, took a deep breath, then stepped toward that door radiating warm lamplight.
Click.
The key turned, the door opened.
"Welcome home, Naruto."
A voice—all coldness completely withdrawn, brimming with incomparable warmth—immediately sounded.
Uchiha Satsuki stood not far from the entrance, wearing comfortable home clothing, lustrous black hair smoothly draped over her shoulders.
She seemed to have just finished tidying the kitchen, hands still carrying traces of moisture. Seeing Naruto, her black eyes instantly lit up, rippling with a soft halo.
She'd completely integrated into this daily life and thoroughly enjoyed her current role—not as the Uchiha genius, not as a powerful Mangekyo ninja, but simply as Uzumaki Naruto's wife. Though her status remained fiancée, her mindset had already transformed.
Lighting a lamp for him, waiting for him to come home, preparing meals, sharing the day's trivialities or tranquility...
"Mm, I'm home." Naruto changed shoes and entered, naturally accepting the warm towel Satsuki handed over to wipe his hands and face.
The home's atmosphere mixed with her scent brought him peace and attachment rooted deep in his soul.
His gaze was immediately drawn toward the dining room.
The dining table already displayed abundant yet not extravagant cuisine. Vibrant tomatoes were cleverly utilized in multiple dishes—perhaps sweet-and-sour tomato stew, tender and juicy scrambled eggs with tomato, or refreshing tomato salad.
At the table's center, two large steaming bowls of ramen with rich broth color and abundant toppings released appetite-stimulating intense fragrance.
"Did Satsuki cook again today?" Naruto walked to the table, looking at these carefully prepared dishes, his tone carrying both concern and appreciation.
"Mm."
Satsuki nodded lightly, following him to the table and pulling out his chair. "Because Naruto's been working so hard lately. Though... the taste definitely still can't compare to Naruto's cooking."
Her voice held slight chagrin at feeling insufficient despite her efforts, but more so a gentleness wanting to share his burdens.
Naruto sat down, raising his head to look at her seriously. "Don't say that. Satsuki is truly excellent."
This was heartfelt. He picked up chopsticks, first trying a bite of scrambled eggs with tomato. The eggs were silky, the tomato's sweet-and-sour perfectly balanced, heat control expertly managed.
Then he lifted the ramen bowl, first sipping the broth—rich and full-bodied, bone fragrance abundant, seasoning balanced. Next trying the noodles—springy and smooth, cooked perfectly.
The taste was genuinely quite good. Though not as amazingly stunning as his own cooking, it was absolutely first-rate quality.
If Satsuki opened a ramen shop with this skill, she'd absolutely qualify to compete with Ichiraku Ramen for customers.
This of course wasn't coincidental. Uchiha Satsuki possessed the Sharingan. When Naruto cooked, she'd activated her Sharingan more than once, precisely copying every minute movement... She'd imprinted everything like advanced ninjutsu into her ocular technique's memory, then practiced repeatedly until near-perfection.
This effort also proved Satsuki absolutely wasn't the type of "kitchen disaster" character set up to create comedy who couldn't cook well no matter what.
Conversely, her learning ability was extremely strong. As long as she was willing and had sufficient motivation, she could achieve the best.
This made her recall a dark history from long ago that now made her toes curl with embarrassment—back then, to attract Naruto's attention, she'd gathered courage to make him a bento.
The result, due to nervousness and zero concept of seasoning, that bento had been so salty it was completely inedible.
Every time thinking of this, Satsuki's cheeks still burned, her heart screaming to turn back time and stop her past self.
So whenever she had gatherings with Naruto and Kakashi, if Kakashi joked about this incident, Satsuki would fix him with the coldest stare until he awkwardly changed topics, while she mentally marked another point against Kakashi.
"How did today's mission go?" Satsuki sat across from him, also lifting her ramen bowl, asking softly, interrupting Naruto's focus on the delicious ramen and her own reminiscence of dark history.
"Mm, went to the Capital, picked up something I'd ordered previously."
Naruto responded vaguely without elaborating, only subconsciously touching his ninja pouch. "Just took some time on the road."
"The Capital... that's very far. You worked hard."
Satsuki didn't pursue what specifically it was, only considerately expressing concern while using chopsticks to naturally transfer the largest piece of roast pork from her bowl to Naruto's. "Eat more."
"You eat too." Seeing the extra roast pork in his bowl, Naruto's heart warmed. He also picked up a piece of stewed-tender tomato beef and placed it in Satsuki's bowl.
"Mm." Satsuki lowered her head, taking small bites of that beef, cheeks slightly flushed.
"By the way," Naruto suddenly remembered something. "I saw a new shop selling tomato desserts on the street today—heard the taste is good. Tomorrow if there's time, shall we try it? And also... see if there are any newly released movies?" He recalled Satsuki occasionally watched literary or historical films.
Satsuki's eyes brightened slightly but then showed some concern. "Haven't you been very busy lately? The Hokage..." She'd heard about Naruto being summoned to the Hokage office today.
"No matter how busy, rest is needed." Naruto smiled, tone relaxed. "Besides, time together with Satsuki is most important. Master's side... I'll handle it."
Satsuki looked at him, the gentle light in her eyes intensifying, nodding lightly. "Alright. I'll listen to you."
Gradually, bowls and plates emptied, leaving only residual soup and scattered garnishes. Dinner's warm afterglow hadn't yet dispersed—the air still retained tomato dishes' slightly sour fragrance and ramen broth's mellow warmth.
Uchiha Satsuki was rolling up her sleeves, efficiently clearing the dining table. She first stacked empty bowls, fingertips deftly avoiding grease stains, then took a damp soft cloth to wipe the table surface.
Soft lighting fell on her lowered brows and focused profile. Several strands of lustrous black hair playfully slid beside her cheeks, then were casually tucked behind her ear.
Uzumaki Naruto sat in his original position, not immediately rising to help.
His gaze followed Satsuki's graceful figure. Deep in his eyes, the relaxation and tenderness from dinner gradually settled, replaced by something more solemn carrying barely perceptible nervousness.
His right hand rested on an extremely exquisitely packaged gift box beside him.
Naruto knew what was inside—pure white and flawless, unstained by dust. A shiromuku.
At that top-tier shop in the Capital, acquired at enormous cost—by the finest craftsmen selecting the highest quality materials, meticulously sewn stitch by stitch—the ceremonial garment symbolizing a woman's life's most important, most sacred moment.
Naruto slowly inhaled, trying to temporarily suppress all churning emotions in his chest—love, determination, anticipation, and that instinctive nervousness facing life's major moments—transforming them into steady strength.
He watched Satsuki completely wipe the table clean, straighten up, and prepare to carry bowls and plates toward the kitchen.
"Satsuki."
Naruto spoke, voice slightly lower than usual. He paused, gaze tightly locked on her figure turning at the sound.
"Can you come here a moment?"
He patted the empty spot beside him on the sofa, indicating she should sit. Then he slightly adjusted his posture to appear more formal, though they were in their most relaxed home environment.
"I... have something to tell you."
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