socalfunplaces Chapter 166 Archives
Chapter 166 Archives
With his work with Menma temporarily concluded, Naruto's life in Konoha returned to its usual rhythm. There was still some time before the next major plot point—the Chunin Exams.
On an ordinary afternoon, Class 7 had just finished a mixed D-rank mission that involved harvesting crops and incidentally walking a few large ninja dogs.
After the mission was completed, all three of them smelled of dust and grass.
Kakashi, as always, held the copy of "Icha Icha Paradise." He lazily glanced at the three of them with his one exposed eye and slowly said, "Alright, everyone, you've all worked hard today. I'm going to the Hokage Building to submit my mission report. That's all for today, dismissed."
However, despite this, the other three did not leave immediately as usual. Sakura was particularly dissatisfied, vigorously slapping the mud and hay bits off her legs and complaining.
"Hey Kakashi-sensei! Our ninja files already have those kinds of records, so why are we still only getting D-rank missions like catching cats and dogs and helping with farm work after we come back?! It's so unfair!"
The "record" she referred to was the final rating of the last mission to the Land of Waves. Having faced a rogue ninja of Zabuza Momochi's caliber and experienced a true life-or-death struggle, the actual difficulty and danger of that mission deserved an A-rank rating.
The information Kakashi brought back—regarding the renewed operations of the [Jin] organization, the confirmation that Zabuza Momochi and the Ice Release Kekkei ninja Haku had joined the organization, and most astonishingly, the fact that their leader [Menma] possessed the seemingly supernatural ability to "repair everything" and reverse life and death—was of immeasurable strategic value.
Although Menma did not attack Team 7 this time, he brought back such important information about the most feared organization in the ninja world. His contribution and the special nature of the mission itself ultimately led the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, to personally set the final rating of the Land of Waves mission as S-rank.
A genin with a record of completing an S-rank mission? Naruto doesn't know how things are in other villages, but in Konoha, this is definitely in a class of its own.
Kakashi closed the book in his hand and explained in a slightly helpless tone, "What are you thinking about, Sakura? That S-rank rating in the Land of Waves was due to an unexpected situation that was completely beyond our expectations; it was an extreme exception. Under normal circumstances, genin should primarily be assigned D-rank missions. This is for your safety."
"Then...then at least give us some C-rank missions!" Sakura pleaded unwillingly. A large part of the reason she wanted to do C-rank missions was that they could usually be carried out outside the village.
This means I can spend more time with Satsuki and get away from my parents' nagging.
Because Naruto's intervention changed the course of fate somewhat, now, in Team 7, the only truly "orphan" members besides Kakashi are Naruto. This gives Sakura a reason to feel a sense of shared suffering.
Kakashi scratched his silver hair and finally mumbled, "Um... a C-rank mission... I'll report it to the Hokage. But until then, you guys still have to obediently complete the assigned D-rank missions."
Since Kakashi had said that, Naruto was somewhat helpless, but with the Chunin Exams just around the corner, he decided to go home first.
"Alright then, since I'm free today, I'll head back now." Naruto dusted himself off and cheerfully addressed his companions, "Satsuki, Sakura, and Kakashi-sensei, if you want to come see me, just come to my house!"
After saying that, Naruto turned and walked towards his home. He needed to quickly settle the "treasure" in his backpack—the Pokémon egg needed to "walk" to hatch. Every time he went on a mission, Naruto would carefully carry it on his back, looking forward to the day when life would hatch.
Now that his mission is over, he needs to hurry and put the eggs back in their nest at home.
Watching Naruto's departing figure, Satsuki subconsciously reached out, his lips slightly parted as if he wanted to say something, but ultimately the words stuck in his throat, turning into a barely audible sigh, and his arm fell limply to his side. Sakura, seeing this, thought Satsuki's behavior was a little strange, but didn't think much of it. All she wanted now was to hurry home, take a hot bath, and thoroughly wash off the mud and dog hair that had stuck to her body from farm work.
"I'll head back now, Satsuki, see you tomorrow!" Sakura waved and turned to leave.
Only Satsuki and Kakashi, who was about to submit his mission report, remained where they were. Kakashi had originally planned to go for training after submitting the report, but he noticed that Satsuki was still standing there, staring blankly at the end of the street where Naruto had disappeared.
"What's wrong, Satsuki?" Kakashi stopped and asked with concern, "Aren't you going home? Why are you standing here in a daze?"
"...Hmm? Ah... um... I understand..."
Zuo Yue snapped out of her daze and answered somewhat flusteredly, but her eyes were still unfocused, clearly showing that she was absent-minded and preoccupied.
Seeing her like this, Kakashi couldn't help but recall when he first returned to the village and solemnly lectured Satsuki about the rule that ninjas must not harbor murderous intentions towards those who have made their requests.
At the time, Satsuki explained that "Tazuna pulled Naruto into a foreseen danger." This intense, almost obsessive, protective instinct and concern far exceeded the scope of ordinary teammates or even friends.
Based on Satsuki's usual overly focused gaze towards Naruto, his subconscious approach, and his current distraught state, Kakashi naturally noticed something amiss.
At this moment, Satsuki's heart was in turmoil, overwhelmed by a strange and surging emotion. She herself couldn't understand what was wrong with her. Why did she feel inexplicably restless every time she saw Naruto? Why did she feel an indescribable sense of loss every time she saw him leave?
During the mission in the Land of Waves, he repeatedly witnessed Naruto in danger, and his protective instincts, which were almost bursting out of his chest, were repeatedly aroused and accumulated, and were almost at a critical point.
Simply put, the ever-growing emotions in her heart could never be truly satisfied or expressed... A vague yet intense longing grew in her heart—she wanted to take her relationship with Naruto a step further, beyond just being teammates or friends.
But... why does courage always vanish like a punctured balloon when the words are about to come out? Why do I always back down at the last minute? This dilemma makes her incredibly frustrated.
"Sasuki."
A calm call suddenly rang in her ears, interrupting Satsuki's chaotic thoughts. She turned around and was somewhat surprised to find that Kakashi had not left, but had walked to her side.
"What's wrong?" Zuo Yue asked instinctively.
Kakashi looked at her, his one exposed eye curving slightly, conveying a knowing understanding, and said calmly.
"You like Naruto, right?"