Naruto: Naruto's Uchiha girlfriend is too arrogant

Chapter 241 Separate Cultivation

Early in the morning, on the back mountain where Kakashi usually used to guide training—actually a small open space some distance away from the main training ground—Naruto was waiting with Sasuke.

The reason why we weren't directly at the practice site is probably due to the excessive enthusiasm, or rather, the serious noise pollution, of those two young master and disciple.

Because Kakashi is usually a little late, Naruto will stay with Satsuki until Kakashi arrives leisurely.

Perhaps because this was the first time she had to be separated from Naruto for an extended period of training, Satsuki was unusually clingy.

After quietly enjoying the breakfast that Naruto had carefully prepared, Naruto estimated the time and figured Kakashi should be arriving soon, so he prepared to get up and leave.

Seeing Naruto about to leave, Satsuki suddenly reached out, gently grabbed Naruto's wrist, gave it a slight shake, raised his eyes, and whispered something.

"Naruto...you're coming to pick me up today too, right?"

This was something the two of them had agreed on long ago, but there was a clear hint of cautious pleading in Zuo Yue's eyes, as if she was afraid he would forget.

Faced with this sudden, heart-touching display of affection, Naruto responded almost without hesitation, using his most certain tone.

"Yes, of course. We agreed on it."

Upon hearing this definite answer, Zuo Yue lowered her head slightly, a small but clearly happy smile curving her lips. She then softly replied.

"...Okay. I'll wait for you then."

Then, as if she had made up her mind, Satsuki took a deep breath, suddenly raised her head, and looked straight into Naruto's eyes with her dark eyes. Her tone became unusually serious as she spoke, word by word.

"Naruto, I will... study very, very hard."

She paused slightly, her voice unconsciously becoming softer, carrying a hint of shy warmth, "...So, I will also miss you very, very much."

Finally, before truly turning to leave, Satsuki very naturally took a half step forward, reached out, and gently and carefully adjusted Naruto's slightly crooked headband, ensuring the symbol of Konoha was properly positioned above his brow.

"The headband is a little crooked," she explained softly.

After doing all this, Zuo Yue raised her head and gave him a faint, gentle smile. Her eyes, which always carried a hint of coldness, seemed to be filled with the first light of dawn.

"Alright. Well then...see you tonight."

After saying that, Zuo Yue finally turned around and ran firmly toward the training ground. Her figure disappeared into the morning mist and shadows of the trees in the forest in no time.

Naruto, left alone, felt his cheeks burning slightly. He subconsciously raised his hand and gently touched the edge of his headband, which Satsuki had just adjusted.

What's wrong with Satsuki today? Why is she being so gentle?

It was precisely because of the stark contrast with her usual obvious "arrogance" that these unintentional and already quite adorable actions were magnified countless times in Naruto's eyes, making them exceptionally touching and gently touching his heartstrings.

On the other side, Satsuki arrived at the training ground, her face still flushed, clearly feeling a little embarrassed about her initiative when she parted ways with Naruto.

She deliberately ignored Matt Kay and Lee Rock, who were passionately encouraging each other and engaging in high-intensity physical training in the center of the field.

Kakashi, who was leaning against a tree trunk reading a book, looked up from "Icha Icha Paradise" and glanced at Satsuki who was walking towards him, greeting him in his characteristic lazy tone.

"Yo, Satsuki, you're here. How was it? How did it go? Did your strategy of using 'following your instincts' to increase your presence make Naruto pay more attention to you?"

"...Besides this, don't you have any other questions about training, Kakashi?"

Although her ears were still slightly red, when she turned to Kakashi, Satsuki's tone quickly returned to its usual cool and aloof manner.

However, Kakashi was not going to let the topic go so easily. He closed the book and spoke with a good-natured teasing tone.

"Well, don't be so shy. As your teacher, I fully support you two developing a closer relationship."

Faced with Kakashi's blunt teasing, Zuo Yue couldn't help but recall Naruto's stunned expression followed by a slight blush. She turned her face away slightly, a hint of uncertainty in her expression, but still whispered her admission.

"It should... at least somewhat... work a little bit..."

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Meanwhile, suppressing the slight agitation in his heart caused by Satsuki's unusual gentleness, Naruto arrived at the grove where he had agreed to meet Jiraiya. However, upon looking around, he couldn't find Jiraiya anywhere.

It was already time to meet, and although Jiraiya was carefree, he usually wouldn't be late without a reason... Naruto probably guessed where his future teacher might have gone.

After a brief search, Naruto indeed found his target behind a dense thicket of bushes. There he was, Jiraiya crouching, leaning slightly forward, emitting suppressed, infatuated chuckles.

"Hehe...it's so beautiful...hehehe...it's like being in heaven..."

Naruto sighed helplessly, following Jiraiya's focused gaze to the stream not far away. Sure enough, a small group of young women were playing in the water, dressed in revealing swimsuits, and Jiraiya's eyes were fixed on them.

Okay, although it's essentially still voyeurism, it's similar to looking at swimsuit-clad women on a public beach, so at least it's not illegal, but it can certainly make others uncomfortable... Naruto decided to wait patiently for a while.

Finally, accompanied by the girls' chatter, "Ah, we're tired from playing, and we're so hungry, let's go back to the hotel for dinner!", they left the stream one by one.

Jiraiya reluctantly stood up, brushing the grass clippings off his knees with lingering satisfaction. As he turned around, he met Naruto's calm, long-awaited gaze.

Realizing that his lewd, drooling expression had likely been witnessed by his future disciple, Jiraiya instantly lost face. He coughed violently twice, trying to cover his embarrassment.

"Ahem... Oh! Naruto, you're here! Just in time!" He quickly straightened his back, adopting a serious master's posture, and abruptly changed the subject, "Well then, without further ado, today I'll teach you a very, very powerful ninja technique!"

He made no mention of what he had been "observing" just now, as if that moment of lapse in composure had never happened.

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(After teaching Summoning Jutsu, the final chapter begins. After the collapse of Konoha, time will jump dramatically.)