Naruto's words immediately left the original members of Team Taka stunned.
Karin's entire face turned crimson before she waved her hands in embarrassment.
"Y-Yeah, don't… don't say that! I'm so embarrassed. Besides, Sasuke was way too cruel to me. Back when we fought Danzō, this guy actually stabbed me too!"
Suigetsu smirked from the side. "Didn't you forgive him later?"
Karin spun and punched him hard in the head, making him yelp.
"You! If you just keep your mouth shut, no one will think you're mute!"
Naruto looked at Karin with a calm, knowing gaze. "Karin, I know you've always admired Sasuke. At first, you were drawn to his looks, but later… you truly fell for him. For Sasuke, you were even willing to throw away your own life."
Karin's eyes widened in surprise. Hearing Naruto understand her feelings so well caught her off guard. After a pause, she fell silent, then spoke thoughtfully. "I didn't expect that Sasuke still doesn't understand something you, an outsider, can see so clearly… my heart."
Suigetsu, still rubbing his head, scoffed. "Sasuke knows, alright! Every time you see him, you turn into a total lovesick fool—sometimes you even try to lick him outright!"
Karin's face flared up. "I do not!" she snapped instinctively.
Suigetsu pointed at her with a grin. "See? You're blushing! That means what I said hit the mark."
Jūgo, who had been quiet until now, added evenly, "Sasuke's never had those kinds of feelings for anyone. At first, his only goal was to avenge his brother, Itachi. Later, when he learned the truth about Itachi, his target became Konoha. Then, Naruto, you told him another truth, and Sasuke chose to believe you and fight alongside you."
"From the beginning until now, Sasuke's never been interested in romance. He's always been chasing one mission after another."
Naruto glanced at Jūgo in mild surprise. He hadn't expected the usually reserved Jūgo to understand Sasuke's emotions better than anyone.
Karin sighed softly. "I understand that too… That's why I can only stay by Sasuke's side quietly.
Anyway, now that the war is over, I still want to be with him, stay by his side.
Maybe then… we'll grow closer, and in time, we'll end up together.
One day, Sasuke will understand how I feel."
Naruto shook his head. "Karin, if you keep thinking like that, you'll never have a chance."
Karin clenched her fist, frowning. "Why not?"
Naruto met her eyes. "You know how much attention Sasuke gets. Back in the Academy, half the girls in his class liked him. Even now, Sakura and Ino still care about him. So… how confident are you, really?"
The moment Sakura's and Ino's names left his mouth, Karin's expression darkened. She gritted her teeth. "Tch! Love rivals, huh? Please! They're just childhood companions. I fought alongside Sasuke, completed missions with him, and risked my life for him. My chances of winning are way better than theirs!"
Naruto gave a faint smile. If that were true, you and Sasuke would've been together in the previous timeline.
But deep down, he remembered—Sarada, Sakura and Sasuke's daughter in his past life, really did look a bit like Sasuke when she grew up. And she was a good kid—kind, respectful, and close with Boruto. If the Ōtsutsuki hadn't interfered, Naruto probably would've set her up with Boruto.
While Naruto drifted into thought, Karin suddenly narrowed her eyes. "Hey, Naruto, why are you bringing this up out of nowhere? Did Sasuke tell you to ask me this?"
Her tone carried a flicker of hope.
Naruto shook his head. "No… I came to ask you myself."
Karin's shoulders sank slightly, but she quickly reasoned with herself—Sasuke would never send someone to ask something like this anyway.
Suigetsu crossed his arms. "If Sasuke didn't put you up to this, then there's gotta be another reason you're asking, right?"
At that, all three of them focused their attention on Naruto.
Naruto smiled faintly. "You all know this—ever since Itachi wiped out the Uchiha clan, there have been very few Uchiha left.
"Sure, I revived Shisui and Itachi, stopped Obito from dying, and even made sure Madara survived.
"But let's be honest—without my intervention, Sasuke might have been the only living Uchiha in this world.
"And Sasuke… he's always wanted to restore the Uchiha clan. But his way of thinking is to revive dead clan members.
"I'm not against that… but I believe it's better to get married early and have children. And not just one—several.
"That's the best way to truly revive a clan.
"After all, it's been a long time since the Uchiha name has been passed on naturally."
Jūgo nodded firmly. "I agree. Resurrection can't replace new life. Children are the true continuation of a clan's existence."
Suigetsu chuckled at Jūgo. "You sound like the head of the Uchiha clan yourself."
Jūgo explained calmly, "I'm just thinking of what's best for Sasuke. And besides, Sasuke's at the right age for marriage now. The war is over. Karin truly cares for him. It's not a bad match."
Naruto found himself silently agreeing—Jūgo really was Sasuke's most loyal comrade.
Suigetsu shrugged. "Well, since Jūgo's on board, I guess I've got no objections. The only question is—what does Sasuke think?"
Karin tilted her head with an exaggerated air of modesty. "Hey! Who says I've agreed to anything? You're not my parents. If I marry Sasuke, it'll be because I decided to. R-Really… yeah, yeah…"
Her voice softened into a flustered mumble, her body swaying slightly.
Suigetsu rolled his eyes. Yeah, right. She's practically drooling at the thought. If Sasuke actually agreed, she'd pounce on him without hesitation.
Naruto fixed his gaze on her. "Karin, I think you should take the initiative and confess to Sasuke.
Also… I'm giving you a heads-up. Many women are interested in him. If Sasuke really commits to reviving the Uchiha clan, there's a chance he might marry more than one woman for the sake of the clan's future.
If that happens… don't let it destroy you."
Karin's eyes went wide. "What?! He marries me and then marries someone else?!"
Suigetsu, ever the troublemaker, added with a smirk, "Didn't you hear Naruto? It's for the clan! The more kids, the better!"
Karin was left speechless, her lips parting slightly. She stood there for a long moment before her eyes hardened with resolve. "Fine. If Sasuke ever does marry another woman… as long as he loves me, I'll accept it."
As she spoke, she hugged herself tightly, as if imagining Sasuke's arms around her. A single tear slid down her cheek.
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