readease Chapter 330 Acceptance and Conflict
Chapter 330 Acceptance and Conflict
Since his own eye power had reached its peak, ordinary genjutsu could not have any effect on him at all. This certainty completely destroyed Sasuke's last psychological defense.
Even though he desperately wanted all of this to be just an absurd dream, reason cruelly reminded him that it was all real.
An adult's composure clashed fiercely with the public humiliation that felt like a public execution. He felt his blood rushing to his head, his cheeks burning, and he almost had to exhaust all his self-control to suppress the urge to flee the scene immediately.
Although his mindset had become much calmer over the years, the pride inherent in the Uchiha clan still prevented him from accepting the fact that he was a girl in another world!
It's okay, Sasuke tried desperately to reassure himself. Strictly speaking, this wasn't his own world. No matter how bizarre the things he saw in this parallel universe, it wouldn't affect the original timeline. After forcing himself to accept reality, this was the only reason he could rely on to maintain his sanity.
But Sasuke wasn't stupid. Now that he was a husband, he naturally sensed that this "other self" seemed to have special feelings for Naruto.
This made him recall a long time ago, when he had just become a ninja. At that time, he didn't know that Naruto taking his first kiss was purely accidental, and he even thought that the loser had done it on purpose... Back then, Sasuke did suspect that Naruto might have some strange feelings for him.
But what's with this "self" in front of me? If someone really had to change their gender, shouldn't it be the one at the bottom of the class?!
"But who exactly are you? Why are you with Naruto?" After introducing himself, Zuo Yue asked the same question again, his eyes still wary.
"...I was just passing by..." Sasuke barely maintained his composure, paused for a moment, then added, almost as if possessed, "Also, let me give you a piece of advice...focus your mind on your training..."
Satsuki listened to this nonsensical advice with a bewildered expression, about to retort, when Naruto quickly interrupted. "Don't worry about it, Satsuki. He's just an outsider. Because of the special circumstances at this time, Jiraiya-sensei assigned him a surveillance mission."
Naruto then said considerately to Sasuke, "Um, you look like you'll need to be by yourself for a while. We'll wait for you up ahead." With that, he took Sasuke's wrist and led her away around the corner.
After Naruto and Sasuke's figures completely disappeared around the street corner, Sasuke slowly raised his hand to his forehead, sighed deeply, and tried to calm the complex emotions surging within him. This sudden truth made him feel dizzy, as if the whole world was playing an absurd joke on him.
What...what kind of absurd development is this? The "me" in this timeline is actually a girl...and she's even attracted to that loser...
Sasuke pondered this to himself, then looked up, turned to the wall beside him, and spoke to a seemingly ordinary tree behind him.
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"Come out, how much did you hear?"
A rustling sound came from the tree, and a moment later, a figure leaped lightly down from the dense canopy—it was Boruto Uzumaki with a strange expression. It turned out that after seeing the girl he cared about talking to the father of this world, he couldn't suppress his curiosity and secretly eavesdropped on the whole conversation.
"...Probably all of them..." Boruto scratched his cheek, admitting somewhat embarrassedly, "Sasuke-san, are you alright?"
Boruto was also filled with strange, indescribable feelings. Now he finally understood why he had been drawn to that black-haired girl. Although the fact was hard to believe, as an outsider, he found it easier to accept than the person involved.
"So, Sasuke in this world is a girl," Boruto tried to break the awkward silence with a lighthearted tone. "But, even though you're different genders, you two are quite alike... in terms of both your demeanor and that..."
"Not at all."
Sasuke suddenly spoke up, abruptly interrupting Boruto's attempt at a "high-EQ" speech. Boruto was taken aback, realizing that the blow seemed more severe than he had imagined.
"So, Mr. Sasuke, what should we do next?" Boruto wisely changed the subject.
"...Still according to the original plan," Sasuke forced himself to calm down, "Stay by Naruto's side and protect him during Urashiki's attack."
"Also, Boruto..."
"...Yes!" Boruto replied nervously when he was suddenly called upon in such a heavy tone.
"Once we get back," Sasuke's gaze turned unusually serious, "you are not to mention anything about this world to anyone, understand?"
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In the afternoon in Konoha Village, Naruto, Sasuke, and Boruto walked side by side down the street. Not far behind them, Sasuke Uchiha, still dressed in his usual heavy-duty attire, followed slowly at a subtle distance.
To ease the awkward atmosphere, Boruto suggested taking a walk around the village. As it was part of a surveillance mission, Satsuki didn't object, but simply walked silently beside Naruto, keeping a close eye on their surroundings.
Boruto curiously looked around at Konoha, a place that felt both familiar and unfamiliar, while Naruto, walking ahead, occasionally pointed out the buildings and shops along the way.
Satsuki's attention was focused on two things: first, why the mysterious Uchiha Sasuke behind him always kept such a long distance; and second, Boruto seemed confused by Satsuki's wary attitude towards the villagers.
As they crossed a large hot spring shop on the sidewalk, the owner behind the counter immediately recognized Naruto. He came running out with a big smile and warmly greeted them.
"Oh my! Isn't this young master Naruto! I really didn't expect you to grace our humble shop with your presence. It's such an honor!" The shop owner rubbed his hands together, his face full of flattery.
Naruto sighed helplessly, "Um... I wasn't planning on soaking in the hot springs, I was just passing by."
"That's not important!" the owner quickly interjected. "Did you know that [Mokurou no Yu] is about to celebrate its 50th anniversary? It's a long-established hot spring resort that's been around since the time of the First Hokage. On that day, we'll be inviting all our loyal customers to enjoy free hot spring baths and gourmet cuisine. If you can, you absolutely must come! Please accept this!"
The shop owner respectfully handed over a beautifully crafted card.
"This is a special card tailored just for you. From now on, all services, including hot springs, are free! This card is unique in Konoha and was issued exclusively to you..."
Boruto stared in disbelief at the shopkeeper who had suddenly appeared and was offering such a generous gift with extraordinary enthusiasm. He couldn't help but think to himself: "Dads in this world are so popular!" Boruto had noticed this unusual treatment ever since the female villager who invited Naruto to her home for dinner.
Although reason tells him that this Naruto is not his biological father, Boruto can't help but call him that in his heart when he sees that face that looks exactly like his father's when he was a child.
However, what happened next shocked Boruto even more. He saw Satsuki—the female version of his "master," who was about his age—take the card with a look of disgust. Under the astonished gaze of the shopkeeper…
With a "snap," the card was neatly broken in two.
"Get out of my way." Zuo Yue's voice was as cold as ice. "Don't try to comfort yourself with this hypocritical charity. When you turned people away back then, why weren't you this attentive? What are you pretending to be kind for now?"
"Wait, aren't you going a bit too far?" Boruto blurted out. The boss, who was originally preparing to slink away, looked at the boy who spoke up for him with anticipation.
But the next second, Boruto was surprised to find that Satsuki, who had previously kept her distance from him, was now looking at him with undisguised hostility.
"Shut up! What right do you have to point fingers at someone who knows nothing about the past?"
"Why are you still here? Do I have to tell you all those things before you'll give up?"
Satsuki's cold words completely shattered the hot spring shop owner's last glimmer of hope. He lowered his head awkwardly and hurriedly turned to leave.
Boruto stood there, completely unable to understand why Satsuki would treat someone who had taken the initiative to be friendly with such a sharp attitude.
"If you knew... that the villagers who were once saved by someone turned around and did those terrible things to their savior's only son, would you still think there's something wrong with my attitude?"
Boruto opened his mouth, but found himself at a loss for words. He looked at Naruto and saw that the other was about to speak to dissuade him, but at that moment, Sasuke Uchiha, who had been silently following along, quickly stepped forward and grabbed Boruto's arm.
"I apologize; we are new to Konoha and unaware of its history. I will remind my companions to be mindful of their words and actions, so please don't take it to heart."
Upon hearing this, Sasuke merely glanced coldly at Sasuke and said nothing more. She turned and grabbed Naruto's sleeve, her tone slightly stiff. "Let's go."
Watching the two walk away, Boruto finally couldn't help but ask in a low voice, "Sasuke-san, what exactly is going on here...?"
"...I think I roughly understand what happened." Sasuke's gaze followed the backs of the two people in front of him, his voice low, "Boruto, I'll explain it to you slowly in a bit."
Meanwhile, Zuo Yue, who was walking ahead, gradually calmed down. She tilted her head slightly, her voice much softer than before. "I'm sorry, I couldn't help myself again..."
"It's alright. Actually, I'm very happy that Satsuki always defends me like this. But don't worry, I'll refuse all those people's kindness."
"Hmm..." Satsuki nodded gently, then seemed to remember something, a faint blush rising on her cheeks. "By the way, Naruto, since we're not training this afternoon... should we head back early?"
"Huh? What happened?"
Satsuki's ears turned even redder, and her voice softened considerably. "...Actually, nothing special. It's just that Aunt Kushina invited my parents over today... saying they wanted to discuss some... things we had agreed on before..."