Chapter 138: Suppressed Possessiveness
...So delicious.
Kakashi stared blankly at the spotless empty plates before him. Though he had indeed held considerable expectations for Naruto's cooking—that confidence wasn't unfounded—the incredibly rich and layered delicious flavors that exploded the moment it touched his tongue still far exceeded his expectations.
It was an almost domineering taste experience, where every bite precisely hit the most pleasurable points on his taste buds, making it completely impossible to put down his chopsticks. He could only instinctively keep eating until the plates were completely empty.
He couldn't even remember how he had finished eating. When he came to his senses, he found the plates before him had long been cleared of everything.
Naruto and Satsuki were tacitly cleaning up the bowls and chopsticks on the table. While wiping the table, Naruto couldn't help but steal glances at Kakashi with a strange expression.
So how exactly did Kakashi manage to eat while wearing that mask? Wouldn't it get messy everywhere? Didn't he find it troublesome?
However, Naruto wasn't particularly curious about Kakashi's true appearance, since through the character "Hatake Kakashi's True Appearance" in the Naruto mobile game, he already knew what kind of handsome face lay beneath that mask.
"I'm full, thank you for the meal." The now-aware Kakashi finally put down his chopsticks, his tone carrying a trace of barely perceptible aftertaste and amazement as he solemnly thanked Naruto. "This really was... incredibly impressive cooking. Quite memorable."
"Good, that's great." Naruto snapped back to attention, smiling in response. "Thanks for the praise, as long as sensei enjoyed it."
Kakashi stood up, adjusting his vest. "I still have matters to attend to, so I'll go first." He looked at his three new subordinates, his tone returning to its usual laziness yet carrying clear instructions. "Remember to gather at the usual place tomorrow morning to prepare for Team 7's first mission."
His gaze lingered on the three for a moment before finally saying:
"Team 7 is dismissed for today."
After speaking, he waved his hand, used the Body Flicker Technique, and his figure disappeared from his seat.
He was going to a place, a place he always went to. He wanted to personally bring the news that he had finally become a teacher to that cold memorial stone, to tell that comrade named Uchiha Obito who would forever remain a youth.
"Hey, Naruto, what are your plans for this afternoon?"
After cleaning up the dishes, Satsuki asked quite naturally. For her, Naruto's upcoming answer was almost equivalent to her entire afternoon schedule.
"Since we've officially become ninja, to deal with various dangers we might encounter in the future, let's train this afternoon. We need to hurry and improve our strength." Naruto answered while drying his hands.
"Mm, then I'll go prepare drinking water and towels for this afternoon." Satsuki nodded, skillfully beginning to prepare the supplies needed for training. This kind of coordinated understanding between the two, requiring no words, had continued for many years.
Sakura watched this atmosphere of perfect harmony that others could barely penetrate, feeling somewhat envious. But she understood that if she wanted to truly integrate into this group and not forever be a "burden" who needed protection, she had to gather courage and take the first step.
"Um... can I come with you two?"
When both their gazes turned to her simultaneously, Sakura gathered all her courage and said: "Through today's exercise, I completely understand... Though Kakashi-sensei ultimately recognized our team spirit, the gap between my strength and yours is really too great. I really don't want to drag you down in future missions... So please! Let me train with you too!"
Her eyes were filled with determination.
Looking at Sakura's serious expression, Naruto's face showed a gentle and encouraging smile. "Of course you can! Welcome, Sakura. But I should warn you, my training is quite strict. Don't complain when the time comes."
"Yes! I'll definitely work hard to keep up and absolutely won't complain!" Seeing Naruto readily agree, Sakura immediately made her promise happily, her heart filled with motivation.
However, Satsuki, silently watching this scene from behind, felt somewhat conflicted. From what she could see so far... it seemed fairly certain that Sakura didn't harbor those kinds of romantic feelings toward Naruto.
Honestly, Satsuki didn't want it to be this way. She knew better than anyone how intense and terrifying her possessiveness toward Naruto was deep inside. Precisely because of this, she had been desperately suppressing that desire to completely envelop Naruto these past few years, forcing herself to accept that besides her, Naruto should also have normal, ordinary social interactions with others.
But even so, she still unconsciously became extremely clingy, following Naruto's gaze and footsteps wherever he went. Previously, she had been very afraid—afraid that Naruto would become annoyed and tired of her excessive dependence and following, ultimately distancing himself from her.
It wasn't until this clingy state had continued for a very long time, with Naruto's attitude toward her remaining consistent and even occasionally initiating head pats, that her anxious heart finally slowly settled.
...But contact and interaction between teammates was unavoidable. Moreover, three-person squads were the rule, and this was something she couldn't change...
Looking at the enthusiastic Sakura before her, after intense internal deliberation, she finally made a difficult decision.
...Forget it, let it be. From now on, I'll forcibly treat Sakura as a male.
This should barely allow me to control my emotions...
But if she ever dares show even the slightest feeling toward Naruto that exceeds teammate boundaries...
Satsuki's eyes darkened imperceptibly for an instant, her fingertips unconsciously tightening.
Sakura, completely unaware that she had just wandered around the edge of some kind of danger, was still immersed in the joy of being able to train with the admired Satsuki and reliable Naruto, filled with pure anticipation for the future.