Chapter 77: Psychological Issues
Morning light filtered into the ninja academy classroom as Naruto sat in the corner, chin propped on one hand, his gaze focused on a semi-transparent display only he could see—
[Time Until Uchiha Massacre: 12.34]
'...Even in this situation, the dutiful daughter still accepted Danzō's proposal?'
His fingers drummed against the desk as Naruto's mind conjured the image of that black-haired girl with deep tear troughs—Uchiha Itachi, the "God Itachi" who bore the sin of clan massacre in the original work. In this timeline, she'd still allied with Danzō, the man who caused Shisui's death?
'Hokage mentality in full effect, huh?'
But what truly frustrated him wasn't that—it was the fact that despite having hope, those bastards still wanted to stage their coup.
Through Shisui's intelligence, he'd long known the situation within the Uchiha. Clan Head Fugaku tried using "Satsuki's friendship with the Nine-Tails jinchūriki" to buy time, but the hawk faction couldn't wait. They'd even conceived an even more dangerous plan.
'Control the Nine-Tails jinchūriki through Satsuki? So they're targeting me directly now?'
More ridiculous still, these people felt emboldened because the Ember organization's existence meant the great nations didn't dare act rashly, so they could launch civil war without worry.
'These idiots are practically begging for the Uchiha clan to die faster.'
With Naruto's current strength, preventing the massacre would be child's play. But the problem was... some Uchiha truly deserved to die.
Those hawks clamoring about "controlling the Nine-Tails" and "seizing power by force"—keeping them alive would only breed disaster.
So what was Naruto hesitating about? The answer: Satsuki's psychological wellbeing.
This concern rooted deeply in Naruto's thoughts.
The most direct solution was clear—as Menma, massacre the Uchiha hawk faction before the night of extermination.
But the problem was justification.
If he explained nothing...
The world would only see the Ember organization's leader suddenly slaughtering Uchiha clan members. How would Satsuki react? She'd hate the killer of her clan members with every fiber of her being. And if someday she learned Menma was Naruto, that pain of betrayal by her most trusted person would completely destroy her.
What if he revealed the truth?
Publicly declare "the Uchiha plotted rebellion, I fought for peace"?
No way...
Naruto understood what that meant. The entire Uchiha clan would be branded as "traitors." Satsuki would bear the stigma of a "rebel family," enduring cold stares and ostracism from the entire village. Those averted gazes, whispered conversations, deliberate distances...
Just like himself. He absolutely couldn't let Satsuki bear such infamy.
"Morning, Naruto."
A familiar voice interrupted his thoughts. Satsuki stood beside his desk carrying her school bag, morning light gilding her raven hair through the window. She pulled out her chair and sat down smoothly.
"Oh, morning Satsuki." Naruto put away his heavy expression, flashing his usual smile.
Satsuki placed her textbooks on the desk. The atmosphere at home had grown increasingly wrong lately. Itachi's gaze was always gloomy, and yesterday she'd even clashed with clan elders. That once-gentle sister had become frightening in her strangeness.
'Could sister ever return to how she used to be?'
She prayed silently in her heart. Even more unsettling was how the relationship between her sister and father seemed increasingly strained, the entire Uchiha compound shrouded in suffocating low pressure.
Only when entering the classroom and seeing this blonde figure did the weight pressing on her chest finally ease.
"Naruto," Satsuki suddenly spoke, gaze drifting toward the window. "The weather seems to be getting colder lately."
"Mm... probably." Naruto followed her line of sight outside, cool autumn wind stirring the treetops. "It's already December."
Autumn breeze drifted through the window, lifting pages on the desk. Satsuki watched the falling leaves outside, then suddenly seemed to remember something as she looked at Naruto.
"That reminds me, wasn't your scarf stolen and trampled by those annoying brats last time? You still haven't bought a new one, right?"
Naruto's fingers paused slightly.
He remembered last winter's incident clearly—several male classmates had snuck into the classroom during lunch break and stolen Naruto's scarf. They not only trampled it full of mud but deliberately threw it back at him while grinning smugly.
"Do monsters get cold too?"
"Want us to donate one to you?"
The Naruto of that time had simply picked up the dirty scarf calmly, brushing off the dust. Seeing this, those boys grew even more pleased with themselves, even provocatively leaning closer—
"School rules say students can't attack each other outside of sparring~"
"You wouldn't want to get expelled, would you?"
The next second, screams echoed through the hallway.
Naruto had beaten them until they cried for their parents, leaving them bruised and trembling on the ground. Expelled? What a joke. The Nine-Tails jinchūriki, the Fourth Hokage's orphan getting kicked out of ninja academy? Unless he assassinated the Hokage tomorrow, such a thing was impossible.
Afterward, those children's parents had stormed the school demanding explanations. The result was Iruka-sensei scolding both parents and students bloody in front of everyone.
In the end, not only did those kids bow and apologize to Naruto, they also paid compensation for the scarf.
However, Naruto never bought a replacement scarf.
First, because winter was nearly over.
Second... he'd discovered he didn't actually need one.
Years of taijutsu training with Might Guy had made his physical condition far exceed normal people. Even jumping into an icy river in the depths of winter wouldn't make him sneeze. That scarf had just been childhood habit.
But Naruto didn't mention not needing a scarf, because Satsuki suddenly asking about it... knowing this girl's nature, she'd probably prepared one to give him.
"Since winter was almost over back then, I never got around to buying a new one," Naruto scratched his head. "Seems like it's time to get one now."
Satsuki's eyes lit up instantly, but the next second she turned away, forcibly suppressing her rising smile. "You really are a procrastinator... Fine, I'll do you a favor regarding the scarf."
She pretended nonchalance while pulling a package from her small bag. The wrapping paper was deep blue, corners folded precisely—clearly carefully prepared.
"When I bought a new scarf a few days ago... I accidentally bought an extra one. Rather than let it go to waste, I'll give it to you."
The package opened to reveal a brand-new deep red scarf, soft wool material gleaming warmly in the morning light.
Naruto accepted the scarf, unable to suppress his smile. "I see... thanks a lot then. But hey, isn't this scarf a bit too big?"
He lifted one end of the scarf, finding it long enough to use as a small blanket when unfolded.
Satsuki immediately bristled like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. "I told you it was accidentally bought extra! Of course the size might be off!" She huffily crossed her arms, cheeks puffing slightly. "If you don't want it, give it back!"
"I want it, I want it!" Naruto quickly pulled the scarf toward himself, afraid she'd actually take it back. He shook out the scarf to see just how long it was.
Just then, a folded piece of paper fluttered out from the scarf's inner layer.
The autumn breeze happened to drift through the classroom, and the light paper spun in the air like a falling leaf, floating between them.
Before Naruto could react, he saw Satsuki's face change dramatically. Panic flashed across her features as she instinctively reached for the dancing paper—
The paper floated lightly in the air, Satsuki's fingertips just missing it. Just as she was about to jump up to catch it, she suddenly froze.
'No! If I jump to grab it, wouldn't that tell everyone this paper is suspicious?!'
She suppressed the urge, pretending calm as she reached out naturally, planning to catch the paper casually and say dismissively, "Didn't expect there to be trash in the scarf—how embarrassing for the Uchiha."
However, fate seemed determined to oppose her. The paper rode the breeze and landed squarely on the face of a yawning Yamanaka Ino.
"Hm?" The blonde little girl drowsily removed the paper from her face, rubbing her eyes. "What's this..."
Her voice cut off abruptly.
[Custom Product: Couple's Scarf]
[Customer: Uchiha Satsuki]
Ino froze.
Her gaze slowly moved from the paper to meet Satsuki's pitch-black eyes—somehow, Satsuki had appeared before her, shadow completely engulfing her small frame.
Satsuki leaned down slightly, lips nearly touching Ino's ear. Ino felt her back instantly soaked with cold sweat, fingers trembling involuntarily.
"Listen carefully... throw that paper away immediately."
Ino felt the paper in her hand weigh a thousand pounds.
"And..." Satsuki's breath brushed her ear. "If you dare tell anyone about what's written on this paper, I'll..."
Ino nodded frantically, tears gathering in her eyes but not daring to let them fall.
Satsuki straightened up, returning to her seat expressionlessly while deliberately avoiding looking at Naruto. She never imagined the custom order would include the receipt... that was so close to exposure!
"If you don't like it!" Satsuki's ear tips reddened to near bleeding. "Just, just give it back!"
Her voice carried obvious petulance. Seeing her like this, Naruto couldn't help but laugh.
'Little tsundere...'
He gently touched the scarf, the soft texture reminding him of something from long ago.
"Satsuki," he suddenly spoke, voice gentler than usual. "I remember a long time ago, you walked me home once, right?"
Satsuki's body visibly stiffened.
"...Yeah." Her voice suddenly grew small. "So what?"
'Don't make me remember that day...'
She'd nearly revealed her true feelings to Naruto that day, almost completely destroying her intimidating presence.
Though in Naruto's eyes, Satsuki probably never had any "dignity" to begin with.
Naruto watched her slightly reddening profile, his smile deepening. He tugged at the scarf, saying seriously, "I want to thank you. Thank you for the scarf—I really do like it."
Satsuki's shoulders trembled slightly.
"How about this," Naruto continued, blue eyes sparkling in the sunlight. "Tonight, let me walk you home?"
Satsuki froze, slowly turning her head. Her dark eyes widened slightly, flashing with disbelieving light. But quickly, she resumed that haughty expression, sniffing softly.
"Hmph... since you insist so much..."
Her fingers secretly gripped the scarf's excess length, voice growing smaller. "I suppose I could give you this opportunity..."