togophonebook Chapter 177 Revealed
Chapter 177 Revealed
"No, no! That's too cruel! You absolutely, absolutely can't say that!"
Naruto excitedly raised his arms to form a huge "X" in front of his chest, rejecting Sakura's suggestion without hesitation.
To say something so offensive and hurtful to Satsuki like "disgusting" or "annoying guy"? If he actually did that, he would never forgive himself!
Sakura pursed her lips in annoyance at Naruto's intense reaction. Honestly… Naruto's kind nature towards everyone—if it weren't for those terrible rumors that had kept him in check, how much trouble would he have gotten himself into…? It seems she hadn't been harsh enough; she needed to describe the consequences more severely.
Of course, Sakura didn't know that, besides those rumors, the Uchiha girl next to Naruto's cold and piercing gaze and the oppressive aura she exuded whenever she looked at other girls trying to get close to Naruto had already silently scared away many potential admirers.
"Cruel?" Sakura deliberately raised her voice, putting on a "you're making a big fuss over nothing" expression. "This is already a rather tactful and polite way of putting it, okay? If someone dared to do the kind of... cheesy and weird thing you're describing to me..."
To make the effect more shocking, she began to exaggerate to the extreme, even resorting to self-deprecation, speaking in an extremely disdainful and disgusted tone.
"I would probably just tell him something like this: 'Why should I accept what you're doing to me? Who do you think you are? You annoying, ungrateful idiot! Every time you get close to me, it makes me feel disgusted and nauseous! Please stay away from me!' — Yeah, something like that!"
"Wh...what?! You...how could you say something like that?!"
Naruto was stunned by Sakura's shocking and cruel statement, which was completely different from the "Sakura" he knew. His mind couldn't process it at all. "This...this is too hurtful!"
Sakura... So that's what she's like?! Naruto's worldview was slightly shaken.
Of course, Sakura would never admit it—she was just talking nonsense here. Although she is usually a little violent, she would never say such harsh and hurtful things.
Her only goal at this moment was to make Naruto realize the "seriousness" of the problem, so that he could quickly and decisively get rid of that "pestering rival" she imagined as far away as possible.
Looking at Naruto's utterly shocked expression, she felt secretly pleased, thinking that she should be able to convince him now.
Strange...why do I feel a bit cold?
Although Sakura felt a little proud and happy that she had "defended" the territory for Satsuki and done a great thing, an inexplicable chill had been creeping over her since earlier, causing her to shiver involuntarily.
She looked up at the sky in confusion; the afterglow of the setting sun was still warm, and there was no wind.
Unbeknownst to her, not far behind her, that "ordinary" tree—actually Uchiha Satsuki who had used the Transformation Technique—was staring at her back with a completely uninteresting gaze.
I originally thought...we were friends...
Satsuki felt as if her heart had been plunged into an ice cave. She listened as Sakura earnestly and viciously "instructed" Naruto on how to "reject" her, each word like a poisoned ice needle piercing her heart.
Sakura Haruno... How dare you... let Naruto say those things to me...? "Disgusting"? "Annoying"? "Ignorant idiot"? And you even said it made you "nauseous"?
You know absolutely nothing... You have no idea how much courage I mustered... You have no idea what struggles and shame I went through... You have no idea what Naruto means to me!
Do you really think you can just take everything from me so easily? Do you want Naruto to hate me completely and stay away from me?
Just because of your ridiculous and self-righteous "help"?
Unforgivable... Absolutely unforgivable!
If Naruto really listened to you... if he said even a single word like that to me... I... I will never let you get away with this... Sakura Haruno!
You...meddlesome, lying...traitor!
Naruto has "raised" Sasuke in a way that is not quite right. Compared to the bitter and resentful Sasuke in the original work, she is more like an anime heroine with the mentality of "whoever confesses first loses".
He listened to Sakura's cruel advice, and although he couldn't understand why Sakura would give such a hurtful answer, his top priority at the moment was to get Sakura away.
Sakura absolutely must not find out that the person she calls "disgusting," "annoying," and "ungrateful" is actually Satsuki.
Otherwise, their relationship might break down immediately, and Class 7 would have no peace!
"Sakura," Naruto tried to keep his voice calm. "It's getting late, you should go home first. I... I have some things I need to take care of alone."
"Huh? Why?" Sakura frowned in confusion. "Is there something you can't take me with you? Aren't we teammates?"
"...Actually," Naruto had no choice but to admit partly, "that wasn't my friend's problem...it was my own. Um...I'm sorry for lying to you, Sakura. But I would never use your method, that would be really too much. If I said something like that to that girl, I would never forgive myself for the rest of my life."
"...Tsk."
Sakura clicked her tongue in displeasure. Naruto hadn't used her "final blow" plan, which left her feeling somewhat frustrated. Moreover, based on her understanding of Naruto, this gentle personality of his would most likely only use a vague and ambiguous "tactful rejection," which wouldn't make that "bold and clingy" girl give up at all!
She can't just leave obediently like that; she has to keep an eye on things until the very end!
"I figured that out a long time ago!" Sakura said irritably.
"Huh? I... I noticed?"
"Why are you making that weird face? If you're going to lie, at least think about your so-called 'male friends.' Is it possible that any girl would do something like that 'cheesy and weird' to them?! Even a fool would know that's impossible!"
"That's a bit much..." Naruto instinctively felt indignant on behalf of his friends, even though he knew in his heart that what Sakura said seemed to make some sense.
"That's not the problem at all!"
Sakura tried to steer the conversation back on track, "Listen, Naruto! That half-hearted, tactful rejection won't make that girl give up! It'll only make her think she still has a chance and she'll pester you even more! If you want to completely cut ties with her and stop bothering you, you have to do as I say and shatter her illusions with the most direct and cruel words!"
Hiding behind, Satsuki gritted her teeth. Drawing a line? Broad forehead... I'll draw a line with you the moment I get out of here!
However, Naruto's next words stunned both girls.
"...I...I didn't mean to cut ties with that girl," Naruto said naturally. He just hoped she could return to normal and stop doing those "strange things" that bothered him. He never intended to sever ties completely or hurt her.
"Wh-what?!" Sakura was completely shocked by these words, and her voice suddenly rose several octaves!
This...this means...Naruto...has he been won over by that mysterious girl who used strange methods?! He doesn't even want to distance himself from her?!
Although she didn't know why, the lingering cold feeling seemed to have suddenly lessened a bit, but Sakura had no time to pay attention to it at the moment.
She absolutely cannot let Naruto be seduced by "wildflowers"! It seems... she has to make some things clear first! For Satsuki's sake! And to prevent Naruto from "going astray"!
"Naruto!" Sakura took a deep breath, her expression turning extremely serious. She stared intently into Naruto's eyes. "Listen! Compared to that strange girl who appeared out of nowhere, there's someone more important... who's been waiting for your response!"
Seeing Naruto's blank, completely bewildered expression, Sakura shouted in exasperation, her voice echoing across the empty training ground.
"If you're going to reciprocate someone's feelings! Isn't there someone who's always, always been by your side?! Compared to that inexplicable girl, are you really going to let Satsuki down?!"
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(There will be two more updates today, which will be posted together.)
(Once again, thank you to the boss of Kono Diorda for the gift king! Oh my god, the author is so flattered. Is it really okay? If it was given to the author when the author's financial situation allowed, the author would be extremely grateful.)