So, when exactly did the "arrogance" part of the Uchiha clan's inherited "tsundere" trait completely disappear?
Naruto looked at Satsuki before him, a wry smile on his face.
Her eyes were slightly red, her fair cheeks puffed out in a pout, and she insisted with a tone of clear displeasure and reliance, "I don't want to leave Naruto's side."
Where was even a hint of the cool Nizhu Zi from the original story?
This was clearly outright pampering!...But, on second thought, this look was a bit like the young Nizhu Zi from childhood.
But the problem was, Naruto himself couldn't use Chidori.
He didn't think he could master an S-rank Ninjutsu like "Chidori," which required extremely high Chakra shape manipulation, in a short amount of time.
What's more, compared to "Chidori," "Rasengan" was clearly more suited to his path.
There was no other way; he had to use a softer approach.
Naruto could only summon the patience of someone coaxing a child and say some encouraging words that even he found a bit cheesy.
"Satsuki, listen to me."
"You know what? Every time I see you fight, I think you're incredibly dazzling.
Kakashi-sensei's 'Chidori' is the key that can make that brilliance even more intense."
"Don't forget, you're not a shadow that needs me to constantly stand behind her.
Your potential is far greater than this; don't let it be buried, okay?"
He gently patted Satsuki's shoulder.
"Go and learn that Ninjutsu.
Then, use your newfound power to surprise me.
I believe you can do it."
And then… surprisingly, this "cheesy" encouragement actually worked?
As Satsuki listened to Naruto's words, her puffed-up expression gradually softened, and a complex light flickered in her dark eyes.
She lowered her head slightly, remained silent for a moment, and finally, as if having made a huge decision, she softly replied, "...I understand.
I'll go learn it."
But she immediately looked up, staring intently at Naruto, and stated her conditions.
"But, we have to make a deal!
Naruto, you have to come and check on my training progress at least once every day! And… every night after training, you must personally pick me up and take me home!"
For an ordinary Ninja, this might be a bit troublesome, requiring constant back and forth travel.
But in front of Naruto, who had completely mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique, this was merely a trivial matter of leaving a few more Flying Thunder God Marks.
Although, Naruto had already left Flying Thunder God Marks in places Satsuki frequented and on her person… "Okay, I'll do whatever you say."
Naruto agreed with a smile, secretly sighing in relief.
Finally… she was appeased.
Afterward, Naruto led Satsuki to Kakashi's doorstep.
Seeing that Satsuki was actually willing to temporarily leave Naruto's side and follow him, Kakashi's visible eye clearly showed a flicker of surprise.
He observed Satsuki, who was following behind but still occasionally glancing in the direction Naruto had left, with interest, and teased her in his characteristic lazy tone.
"...That's truly surprising.
Indeed, the only one who can make you willingly leave Naruto's side is Naruto himself, isn't it?"
Kakashi couldn't help but recall the previous attempted probing that he hadn't fully voiced.
So that's how it is; as long as it's "Naruto's request" that she acknowledges, she'll obey?
This child, although her possessiveness is indeed a bit… well, overly heavy, in some aspects, she also seems… quite obedient?
"...You're so annoying."
Facing Kakashi's teasing smile, Satsuki merely turned her face slightly, replying with a cool, indifferent voice.
Kakashi was already used to his subordinate's cold attitude towards outsiders, but if Naruto were present at this moment, he might be able to discern where that Uchiha clan's inherited "arrogance" was hidden from this awkward response.
After a short journey, Kakashi led Satsuki to the training grounds on the back mountain he frequently used.
However, as soon as she stepped into this area, Satsuki's footsteps involuntarily paused.
What greeted her eyes were two incredibly conspicuous green figures that instantly made her scalp tingle.
"Oh, oh, oh! Kakashi! You rascal! My eternal rival!"
The iconic bowl-cut—Might Guy—charged forward with explosive speed, excitedly giving a thumbs-up, his pristine teeth reflecting a dazzling light in the sun as if going "Ding!"
"Finally! Have you finally been drawn by my unyielding flames of youth?
See, this is the power of youthful bonds! Even a genius shrouded in mist cannot resist the passionate call to sweat alongside an lifelong rival and forge ahead!"
What is this guy talking about?
Looking at this overly energetic and incomprehensible scene before her, Satsuki's mind was left with only this one thought, her delicate face slightly stiff.
And Kakashi, standing beside her, merely raised a hand to scratch his silver hair in exasperation, clearly long accustomed to this.
"Oh, oh, oh! That was so well said! As expected of Teacher Guy!"
The smaller bowl-cut behind them—Rock Lee—immediately cried out in agreement, tears welling up in his eyes, which shone with admiration.
"Lee!"
"Teacher Guy!"
The next moment, under Satsuki's slightly stunned gaze, the master and disciple excitedly rushed towards each other, embracing tightly and bursting into tears.
Although Lee's powerful Taijutsu displayed in the preliminaries had indeed left a deep impression on Satsuki, a harsh question couldn't help but surface in her mind at this moment, 'Did this guy trade his brain for his strength?'
Just then, Might Guy noticed the cold-faced, black-haired girl behind Kakashi.
"Oh! This is… the genius girl from the Uchiha clan, isn't she!
In that case—" Guy excitedly cast his gaze behind Kakashi, peering even harder, seemingly searching for another figure.
"Sorry, Might Guy."
Kakashi poured cold water on him at the opportune moment.
"Naruto… he has his own unique training methods, so he didn't come along this time."
Hearing this, Might Guy's shoulders drooped in disappointment, but the next second he immediately perked up, vigorously patting Lee's back beside him, "Ever since Naruto graduated, the time he spends sweating in youth with me has greatly decreased!
Lee, it seems your wish to challenge Naruto will have to wait a little longer!"
"It's okay! Teacher Guy!"
Lee immediately straightened his back, declaring in a loud voice, "I will defeat Neji in the official exam one month from now!
Then, I will formally challenge Uzumaki Naruto!
This is my vow of youth!"
"...Satsuki, don't mind Might Guy's appearance," Kakashi tried to ease the overly "fiery" atmosphere, explaining in a low voice to the girl beside him, who was radiating an aura of resistance.
"He's actually very strong, especially in Taijutsu; he can definitely give you excellent guidance…"
However, his comfort clearly had no effect.
Looking at the green duo once again embracing tightly and weeping, Satsuki felt only waves of helplessness and regret.
'How in the world does Naruto manage to train with people like this and still remain normal?'
"Oh, right! Uchiha Satsuki!"
Might Guy suddenly stopped crying as if remembering something crucial, his eyes shining as he looked at Satsuki, "Since you are Kakashi's treasured student, then as his eternal rival, I shall present you with a special gift representing youth and passion!"
Before he finished speaking, he swiftly pulled out from behind him, as if by magic, a… vibrant, form-fitting, figure-revealing… green jumpsuit!
"Take it! This is proof of youth!" Might Guy declared loudly.
"Put it on, and let's burn our youth together!" Lee immediately stepped forward in perfect sync, standing shoulder to shoulder with Might Guy, both striking their iconic pose, flashing thumbs up, their faces beaming with unclouded, brilliant smiles.
After a brief moment of dead silence, a cold, unequivocal statement was squeezed through her gritted teeth.
"...Absolutely not."
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