NIP Chapter 184 The Agreement
Chapter 184 The Agreement
Satsuki was stunned. Although she had already prepared for the worst and was determined to force him to agree even if she was rejected, Naruto's answer—no, it was more like a request—was completely unexpected and left her mind a little overwhelmed.
The future? Preservation?
These words, when put together, formed a wonderful response she had never imagined—neither accepting nor rejecting, full of promise yet requiring waiting.
"Um... Naruto... could you... could you be a little more specific?"
Satsuki's voice was filled with uncertainty and cautious probing. She needed to understand the meaning behind Naruto's words more clearly, for fear that she might misunderstand and be disappointed.
Looking at her expectant yet fearful expression, Naruto nodded vigorously and explained as clearly as possible.
"I want to reserve Satsuki's future. I want to become... the most special and important existence for Satsuki. A unique existence."
"A special existence... refers to..." Satsuki's heart began to race uncontrollably again; she needed to hear the most precise definition.
Naruto's cheeks flushed slightly, a little embarrassed, but his eyes didn't waver at all as he spoke frankly: "It's... the kind of feeling that Satsuki is thinking. It's the kind of feeling that... I want to spend my whole life with Satsuki in the future."
To spend a lifetime together!
These four words struck Zuo Yue's heart heavily, making her gasp for breath. This was undoubtedly the answer she most wanted to get from Naruto, the ultimate form of all her dreams!
However, along with this ecstasy came a touch of anxiety and dissatisfaction stemming from the "waiting."
Why wait? Why wait for the future? I want this kind of relationship right now! I want confirmation right now! This urgent feeling almost bursts out.
But in the end, she swallowed the question firmly. Because no matter what, Naruto's answer wasn't the worst; on the contrary, it was a beautiful promise.
So, Zuo Yue's brain began to work at lightning speed, deciphering and deeply analyzing the meaning behind Naruto's words.
First, facing the heavy emotions he had always feared would put pressure on him or even annoy him, Naruto didn't run away. Instead, he clearly stated that having these emotions made him incredibly happy. This directly dispelled Sasuke's biggest anxiety.
Secondly, Naruto said that Sasuke's feelings were "too important," so they couldn't make a promise "casually." This doesn't sound like a perfunctory excuse, but rather like a sign of his seriousness.
He regards "liking" something as a precious treasure that needs to be treated with utmost seriousness, rather than a casual, light-hearted word that can be uttered at will.
Most importantly... he's actively planning for "forever". He's not thinking about "starting a relationship now", but about "a future together".
Naruto is building a blueprint for a lifetime together, not just enjoying the thrill of youth. This...this perfectly aligns with Sasuke's core dream of "being together forever"!
Seeing Satsuki lower his head again, Naruto quickly said, somewhat urgently, "Satsuki, please, this is my only request in my life. Just wait a few more years!"
For a mature Naruto, major life decisions such as falling in love and promising to spend a lifetime together should, in any case, be made only after both parties are mentally mature, independent, and able to truly take responsibility for their own and each other's future.
This is almost an ingrained common sense about "responsibility" and "accountability".
However, the ninja world he was in at this moment was a world with completely different common sense, even a world that could be described as deformed.
In this world distorted by war, hatred, and the law of might makes right, so-called "childhood" and "normal growth trajectory" are often luxuries.
Its cruelty, in its most extreme and darkest periods, even forced 5-year-old children to pick up kunai and go to the battlefield, struggling to survive in blood and fire, and prematurely experiencing the cruelty of the world between life and death.
Therefore, in this world, ninjas of Zuo Yue's age have a psychological age and understanding of "important matters" that far exceed the scope of their peers in peacetime.
For her, it is not incomprehensible to identify with someone, desire to establish a strong connection with them, and take action or even pursue it obsessively.
This fundamental difference in perception means that Naruto's "preservation" and "waiting," which stemmed from responsibility and cherishment, might be perceived by Satsuki and most people in this world as an incomprehensible delay and uncertainty, or even misunderstood as a euphemism for shirking responsibility.
however……
"...Pfft."
Seeing Naruto's pleading, even somewhat humble, expression before him, Satsuki couldn't help but chuckle. The lighthearted laughter instantly broke the previously overly formal atmosphere.
"Idiot..." She lowered her head slightly, letting her bangs cover her cheeks, which were flushing again. Her voice was filled with helpless indulgence and complaint, "You always... say things that are impossible to refuse..."
She knew perfectly well that she could never refuse any of Naruto's requests... except for that one thing: to stay away from him.
"Satsuki, you agreed!" Naruto was overjoyed to see her smile and tone, and a huge weight was lifted from his heart.
"Um...but—!" Satsuki suddenly raised her head, her voice rising abruptly, startling Naruto who had just relaxed.
Satsuki had a faint smile on her face, a smile unlike any she had ever given before.
The smile was beautiful, like a blooming udumbara flower under the moon, yet it subtly carried a chilling aura of danger. This was the first time Naruto had seen Sasuke smile like that—beautiful yet menacing.
"Naruto, you also have to promise me one thing," Satsuki continued, her tone leaving no room for argument. "This is the 'price' you have to pay for asking me for 'preservation' and 'time'."
Her smile grew more beautiful, and more dangerous.
"From today onward, I will remember the passage of time, day by day, minute by minute... patiently (or perhaps not so patiently) waiting for that day in the future to arrive..."
But she couldn't truly calm herself down, Zuo Yue silently uttered these unspoken words in her heart.
She knew that her feelings for Naruto would not stop growing because of "preservation," but would instead grow stronger and more intense with each passing day of anticipation and closer proximity. To be honest, even now, she constantly wanted to make Naruto completely "her own."
Therefore... when that promised day arrives in the future, she herself cannot predict how much the obsession and love she has accumulated in her heart will swell. And she has no intention of suppressing them in any way.
"So," Zuo Yue stepped forward, tilting her head slightly to look at Naruto, her dark eyes flashing with an almost obsessive light, "when that day truly comes... I won't wait a single day longer."
"So... when that moment comes, no matter what I do to you, no matter what I ask of you, Naruto, you must accept it all without the slightest disobedience or hesitation."
"Now," she tilted her head slightly, her dangerous yet beautiful smile still on her face, but she presented a choice that was almost an ultimatum, "tell me your answer. Accept this 'price,' or..."
"...I'll show you right now what the consequences of 'unable to save' will be."