Kushina tended to Sakura's wounds. Once she finished, she wiped her forehead and sighed in relief.
Kushina: Finally done… Alright, I need to hurry. I don't have time to waste.
She quickly left the room.
Sakura slowly opened her eyes and flexed her fingers.
Sakura: I feel my strength returning… Looks like Kushina really is as amazing as Naruto said. I felt like I was dying, but now… I think I'm fine.
She stretched her arms and stared at the ceiling, lost in thought.
Sakura (thinking): 'These past two days… have been the strangest of my life. What is this sudden change in him?
The last thing I expected was for Naruto to go from a mischievous troublemaker to a responsible man people can rely on… I can't deny it—his new personality draws me in, making me want to know more about him.
In fact… everything about him draws me in… even his scent… It's intoxicating… It surpasses the scent of flowers… I could smell it the entire way here… This is so strange… Am I really thinking about him like this?
I had over ten years to think about Naruto, and I never did… but now, in just two days, my mind won't stop replaying the image of him… Despite all the clashes we've had… I'm truly happy you're back. Life will return to this village again. Those six years feel like just a single day… But still…'
She suddenly recalled their conversation from that morning.
[Flashback]
Sakura: So that's it, huh? To you, I'm just a person without feelings?!!
Naruto: That's not what I meant at all…
Sakura glared at him for a moment before saying coldly,
Sakura: You know what? I hate you… I hate you more than I've ever hated anyone in my life… I hate you…
She hesitated, then quietly added,
Sakura: I… ha…te… you…
Naruto simply smiled calmly.
Naruto: I know.
She turned away sharply, walking to the other end of the room, while Naruto silently walked toward the door.
[End of Flashback]
Sakura (thinking): 'I somehow managed to control my emotions when I heard him say that… But I hurt his feelings so much… And yet, he wasn't even a little angry. He just smiled at me—his usual gentle smile.
And I, as always, kept hurting him without considering my words… But what about his response? His expression… his voice… It was as if he truly believed I hated him… as if this wasn't the first time he'd heard it from me…'
She frowned, deep in thought.
Sakura: Wait… No way… Could he still remember that day? The day Kakashi-sensei asked me what I liked and what I disliked? I was too embarrassed to say what I liked because Sasuke-kun was there… But when I was asked what I hated, I answered instantly, without thinking… "Naruto."
She closed her eyes for a moment.
Sakura: Naruto, your heart is as deep as the ocean… Do you really think I hate you? Despite how harshly I said it, as if I truly meant it… you still saved me and carried me all the way here.
The moment I opened my eyes, you rushed to check on me… completely forgetting everything that had happened between us. I need to change the way he sees me… but how?
She sat up with determination.
Sakura: Alright… I'll go find Kushina and thank her for everything she did for me.
Meanwhile, in Kushina's room…
Kushina was lighting a candle, kneeling slightly toward the floor. Her voice was soft as she murmured,
Kushina: Finally… all that's missing now is you… my love.
Sakura, standing behind the door, overheard her.
Sakura: Kushina…?
Kushina jumped in surprise, quickly turning around and spreading her arms to block Sakura's view of what was behind her.
Kushina (nervously): S-Sakura… y-you're awake?
Sakura: Yes… But why are you wearing that red dress? You look stunning in it… Are you going out?
Kushina (flustered): N-no… but… um… I… (She kept glancing behind her anxiously.)
Sakura peeked past her feet and noticed the lit candles, the dimmed lights, and the fireplace warming the room. She instantly realized that Kushina was preparing for a romantic evening with Naruto. Smirking playfully, she said,
Sakura: Well then… I'll go back to sleep.
Kushina (relieved): That would be best…
Sakura gave her a mischievous look before heading back to her room.
A knock on the door suddenly broke the silence.
Kushina turned toward it, ensuring everything was perfectly arranged before opening it. The moment she did, she was greeted by a bouquet of flowers held by someone hiding their face behind them, leaning casually against the doorframe.
Naruto: Happy anniversary, my princess.
Kushina tilted her head slightly to see past the flowers, her eyes widening in shock.
Kushina: You… remembered?
Naruto lowered the bouquet and grinned.
Naruto: Of course I remembered… How could I ever forget the day the most beautiful woman in the world became mine?
Tears welled up in Kushina's eyes, and she leaped into his arms, wrapping herself around his neck.
Kushina: Naruto… thank you…
Watching from behind the wall, Sakura whispered to herself,
Sakura: It's not just his actions that have changed… his feelings have, too.
Naruto wrapped his arms around Kushina, lifting her slightly off the ground before stepping inside the house and closing the door with his foot. He gently set her back down, then pulled his head back slightly from her shoulder and said:
"Why are you thanking me, my princess? … I should be the one thanking you for giving me indescribable happiness this past year."
She smiled and replied, "I'm thanking you for accepting me, protecting me, making me happy, letting me stay by your side, and… for loving me."
He gazed at her for a moment, then said, "You know… you look absolutely stunning in this dress… I truly adore this color on you."
Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment, and Naruto pulled her into his embrace, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. Then, he lifted his eyes to the glow of the candles Kushina had lit and joked,
"It looks like you managed to set everything up in such a short time… How did you do it so fast?"
She teased back, "Aren't I the fiancée of the fastest man in the world? That explains how I managed to get everything done so quickly!"
They both laughed while gazing at each other, their laughter gradually fading as their eyes locked in a deep, meaningful stare.
Suddenly, Kushina moved away, disappearing for a moment before returning, hiding something behind her back. She hesitated shyly and said,
"I'm sorry… but as you know… I don't have money to buy you a gift… so instead…"
She revealed what she had been hiding—a red cloak with black flames at the bottom—and continued, "I made this for you as a replacement for your old one… even though I know you already have a similar one… I just hope you like it."
Naruto reached out, taking it from her hands, his face lighting up with joy. "I love it, my princess! It looks just like the one my father used to wear…"
Blushing, she said, "Turn it around…"
He looked at her in surprise, then turned it over. As he read the inscription on the back, he said aloud, "The Sixth Hokage…"
Kushina shyly admitted, "I know it's just a simple gift… but…"
Before she could finish, he placed his hand gently over her lips and said, "But this is the best gift anyone has ever given me in my entire life… Thank you, my princess."
Overwhelmed with happiness, she wrapped her arms around him, saying, "I'm so glad you like it!"
Naruto chuckled, "Of course, I love it… It's enough that you made it just for me."
Meanwhile, Sakura, watching from afar, muttered to herself in disbelief, "So… his gift to her was just flowers?!!"