After parting ways with them, Naruto immediately expanded his perception as he walked down the road.
He found her. Without hesitation, Naruto threw a kunai into the air, curving it toward the target.
Hiraishin—
He vanished.
"Again? What is he even doing?" she muttered. Sweat began to form on her face, a cold sensation crept over her. When she came to her senses, a kunai was already at her neck.
"So... why are you following me?" Naruto asked coldly.
Gulp...
Sakura swallowed hard. Her neck felt cold, and she felt like she could die at any moment. Yet, she chose to trust her instincts and instead grabbed Naruto's hand.
"Heh, you're not going to do it, are you?" Her gaze was sharp, accompanied by a cold, emotionless smile.
"Yeah, you're right... I can't..."
Naruto put the kunai away.
"So... why do you keep following me, Sakura?"
He grabbed her collar, forcing her to look him in the eyes.
"Why? Am I not allowed? You should be happy I'm tailing you... Haven't you always liked me?" Sakura asked flatly.
"Yeah, I liked you." Naruto kissed her. It wasn't deep—just a brief meeting of their lips.
Sakura flinched. She pushed Naruto away, causing him to fall back.
"What the hell are you doing, bastard?!" she shouted.
Her eyes were wide, fury clear on her face. But in contrast, Naruto grinned widely.
"Now that's the Sakura I know..."
His words echoed slightly as Sakura stared at him with clear disdain.
"So what is it? Why did you do that?" Naruto stepped closer, speaking right in front of her face.
Sakura shook her head. "You don't need to know... Anyway, your lips are disgusting." She spat and wiped her lips.
"Oh yeah? I thought they were sweet, you know?" Naruto shrugged with a grin.
"So? Tell me the truth. Why do you keep following me?" Naruto repeated his question with a different tone. He stared intently at Sakura's face, trying to read her. But it was useless—the only expressions she showed were anger and hate.
Naruto was genuinely confused. He had realized it long ago but chose to ignore it. But over time at the academy, Sakura grew colder. It was like she had lost her will to live, and that made Naruto angry.
Eventually, he decided to confront her personally.
"You want to know?" Sakura asked.
Naruto nodded. "Yes."
She smiled. A bitter smile.
"You know, I really hate you, Naruto..."
Naruto nodded again. "Yeah, I know. You never liked me."
"You're right! You're disgusting! Always showing up and ruining my peaceful life. But damn it... that time, you did it again and messed everything up..."
Sakura clutched her chest. Her body trembled.
"You know, what you said to Sasuke made me think... Why? What is love? What is it made of? How does it work?"
"The more I thought about it, the more I got lost. I got lost in a sea of fantasies. I began to chase ambitions to match you both. To reclaim my pride..."
She paused. Took a rough breath.
"And you know what, Naruto? I didn't just watch you. I watched Sasuke too. But then I realized... what's the point of all this? Why am I doing this? How long will it go on? What does it all mean?!" Her voice rose at the end.
"I'm confused, Naruto..." Her eyes looked tired, her face gloomy. Darkness had consumed her heart.
Sakura... she had made a wrong decision.
She was trapped in her own choice and couldn't get out.
Naruto decided to hug her. His embrace was tight, almost suffocating... but she didn't mind.
"It's pointless, Naruto... I've already given up on life... I feel like everything is meaningless..." Her voice was soft, like a dying flame.
"Sakura, you're so selfish..." Naruto's words were harsh.
"What do you mean?" Sakura pushed him away and looked at him in displeasure.
"You haven't even started but already gave up. Isn't that selfish?" Naruto repeated.
"Think about it. While others keep trying, you're the one who quits before even beginning. You're a loser... No, you're even worse than a loser..."
Naruto gently stroked her cheek.
"You know? I hate people like that..."
"Heh, so you hate me? I knew it... I'm not worthy of love anyway..." she spat.
She turned to leave, but Naruto stopped her.
"Yeah, I hate people like that. But... I like you."
Sakura's eyes widened. Her eyelids trembled, lips quivered.
"What do you mean?" Sakura didn't understand. Hate and like... two opposite things.
"I know it sounds ridiculous to you. Two opposing feelings shouldn't exist together. But Sakura... we don't need a reason. What we need is desire..."
Naruto pulled her into another hug, then kissed her.
It was not a harmonious kiss, not romantic... just an act, without words.
The reason was simple—to reignite Sakura's will to live. To light her fire, even if it meant making her hate him.
The kiss ended... without sound, without emotion. Just an act hanging in silence.
"So, do you understand—"
Naruto's words were cut off. Sakura spat on his face.
"That was disgusting... But thank you. I finally remember what my goal truly is."
Sakura pointed at Naruto.
"You! Naruto, I'll prove to you all... that I can do it! I will become the strongest kunoichi in the ninja world!" Her voice was firm, like an oath sworn.
Naruto chuckled.
"I don't believe it... but I'll be waiting," he said lightly.
"But if it takes too long... I might leave you behind."
Sakura nodded. "Yeah, just wait... It won't take long."
Without waiting, Sakura turned and walked away.
"I'm leaving," she said simply.
She kept walking, slowly fading into the distance.
Naruto suddenly remembered something and called out to her.
"Oi, witch! Come to the western forest tomorrow morning! There, you might find the right mentor!" he shouted.
Sakura nodded and gave him a thumbs-up. She felt too nauseated to look at his face. Even if it wasn't romantic... just feeling that from Naruto was awful.
As for Naruto... he was grateful.
With all this, Sakura would be even more tied to him.
His tactic was simple—make them hate, then turn that hate into concern... and eventually love.
Because Naruto knew... even without him, Sakura would rise on her own. Because if she didn't, she would never be called one of the strongest.
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You may hate sakura, but I quite like it.You know? He's a hard worker even though his attitude is a bit troublesome but his hard work can't be ignored
But relax, my favorite girl is still Tsunade- no I mean Temari.
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