Chapter 332: Childhood Trauma
Even knowing this wasn't his own timeline, Uchiha Sasuke had originally resolved to maintain a low profile, avoiding unnecessary attention.
However, when seeing those two faces buried deep in memory with his own eyes, his rationality ultimately couldn't suppress surging emotions. His body involuntarily made this loss of composure.
Even Boruto, who'd spent time with him day and night, had never seen Sasuke so out of control—those calm eyes now trembled violently, his entire person seemingly nailed in place by invisible force, only able to stare fixedly toward the doorway.
Satsuki, Mikoto, and Fugaku naturally also noticed this abnormally reacting stranger. His burning gaze mixed too many difficult-to-read emotions—shock, nostalgia, pain, and... longing.
This world... my parents... are still alive?
When this understanding thoroughly struck Sasuke, what first surfaced in his mind were those memory fragments polished ever more precious by time—his life's happiest period.
A gentle mother, an unsmiling father, and that brother who hadn't yet begun acting... Especially during those years when both brother and father were busy with missions, Mother Mikoto became little Sasuke's most relied-upon harbor.
Gentle voice, personally cooked meals' fragrance, warmth transmitted through embraces... These subtle warmths composed Sasuke's most beautiful memories of "home."
However, this mother forever gentle and beautiful in his memory—he hadn't even managed saying one farewell. Upon seeing her again, she was already a corpse lying in a pool of blood...
No matter how powerful a person becomes, before parents, deep within their heart forever hides that child longing to be cherished.
At this moment, Sasuke was driven by intense impulse. He wanted to rush forward touching Mother's cheek, confirming this wasn't a fragile dream. Afterward, he wanted to kneel down, apologizing and repenting for failing to protect them back then...
Hearing the commotion outside, Naruto quickly walked from the kitchen, just in time to witness Uchiha Sasuke's rare loss of composure. If Sasuke wanted to say something to Mikoto and Fugaku, Naruto had already prepared to explain for him.
However, in suffocating silence, Sasuke's body trembled slightly. He deeply lowered his head, using all his self-control—unexpectedly saying not a single word. Under everyone's puzzled gazes, he seemed to be fleeing something, violently turning and rushing out the apartment door!
Seeing this, Boruto immediately stood wanting to chase after, but Naruto gently pressed his shoulder.
"Boruto, I'll go talk with him. It's fine." Naruto then turned toward Satsuki-chan. "Satsuki, don't follow. I'll be right back." After simple reassurance, Naruto closely followed and chased out.
"What's wrong with that person?" Satsuki said incomprehensibly. Why would seeing her own parents produce such a big reaction? This person's suspicious points were growing increasingly numerous.
While most people felt confused by this scene, Mikoto still gazed toward the direction Sasuke left, right hand unconsciously touching her chest. What made her feel strange was this was the first time she'd experienced such intense affection toward a stranger—even when first meeting Kushina whom she considered a sister, or Naruto whom she regarded as a godson, she'd never experienced such blood-connection-like palpitations.
That stranger's gaze inexplicably reminded her of little Satsuki's appearance when wronged, forcibly holding back tears.
---
On Konoha Village's cold streets, dusk gradually deepened. Streetlights cast dim yellow light on the road. After running some distance, Uchiha Sasuke finally couldn't maintain support, one hand propping against the wall, gasping heavily.
Sweat slid down his forehead. Though clearly experiencing no battle, his body uncontrollably broke into cold sweat. Emotional power could apparently so profoundly affect a person's physiological state.
"Are you alright?" A familiar voice came from behind. "Why not talk with them? You clearly wanted to say something to them."
Uchiha Sasuke violently turned his head, discovering Naruto had somehow already caught up, standing several steps away, azure eyes full of concern.
"...What's going on?" Sasuke's voice became hoarse from emotional agitation. He recalled the conversation heard just now in the apartment—when the other self spoke of reviving the Uchiha clan, he'd still thought this world's Uchiha had still walked that path of destruction.
"...On the night of the Uchiha massacre," Naruto's voice lowered, "I concealed my identity and saved them from your... other brother's hands."
So that's how it was... Sasuke unconsciously clenched his fists, nails digging deep into his palms. Just moments ago, he'd still felt shame and disappointment toward this world's "self," but at this moment, deep within uncontrollably surged an emotion called "envy"—envy that this world's self could have parents' companionship.
"You have nothing you want to say to them?" Naruto stepped forward closer. "I can explain your origins to them."
"No!" Sasuke almost roared this sentence. Though his heart longed to reunite with his parents, that thought seeking stability, even somewhat rigid, still held the upper hand.
He feared if he said something impulsive, it would trigger unpredictable space-time paradoxes, thereby destroying this world where his parents remained safe.
"Sigh... Really stubborn." Naruto lightly sighed, tone carrying helplessness. "But have you considered that actually, ever since you came to this world, you've already begun changing some things? The butterfly effect is quite powerful."
Naruto continued persuading. "Also, I said my situation is similar to yours. But if I also held your fear of changing things, Mikoto-san and the others wouldn't have survived."
Naruto's words echoed in the night. Sasuke didn't immediately respond but also didn't continue refusing. His trembling body exposed the torment his heart was experiencing—the fierce battle between rationality and emotion nearly tearing him apart.
"Um... could we talk?"
A gentle woman's voice suddenly came from the alley entrance. The two turned in surprise. Uchiha Mikoto had somehow also chased out, standing beneath the streetlight, gently gazing at Sasuke. Her eyes carried some uncertainty as she softly asked:
"May I ask, have we met somewhere before?"
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