Naruto Shadow Emperor - Chapter 41

Deep in the forest, in a clearing where the sunlight was fragmented by the leaves and branches, a boy squatted next to a girl, his hand gripping her throat, his face full of killing intent.

Sakura’s body trembled uncontrollably because her instincts told her that this boy could really kill her in an instant. The intense sense of danger felt like being suspended high in the air, constantly on the verge of falling.

Extreme fear washed over her like a tide, filling all her senses and consciousness with the boy’s presence—his strength, his dominance.

Yukigetsu, though appearing cold, was inwardly amused. He had discovered that killing intent, this invisible force was quite useful. By putting himself in the mindset of a relentless killer, he could make an inexperienced girl like Sakura tremble under his aura. The thrill of intimidation was incredibly satisfying.

Enjoying this, he slowly loosened his grip. Just when Sakura thought she was saved, he tightened his hold again, speaking in a low voice, “Sakura, what if I kill you right here?”

The sudden plunge from relief back into terror was the best way to break someone’s defenses. The most terrifying thing wasn’t being in constant hell but the unpredictable switch between hell and heaven.

Yukigetsu’s eyes narrowed as he subtly eased his grip. He didn’t intend actually to strangle her; he just wanted to indulge in a bit of sadistic fun and scare her.

Sure enough, Sakura’s lips trembled, her face full of fear, “N-no…”

“Why not?”

A hint of malice flashed in Yukigetsu’s eyes, his demeanor exuding a disregard for everything. Having killed many people, it was easy for him to simulate such emotions and expressions.

Sakura’s mind went blank, not knowing what she was thinking. She blurted out something that even surprised Yukigetsu, “Because… I like you!”

He froze, his brows twitching. Was she scared senseless or accidentally voicing her true feelings?

While pondering this, he nonchalantly said, “Oh? You like me?”

“Y-yes…”

He tilted his head, leaning closer to her sweat-covered face, “What do you like about me?”

“I like… how you’re so domineering and cool in battle…” Sakura said, her eyes vacant.

Yukigetsu suddenly released her, his expression softening almost instantly. Those who didn’t know might have thought he had a split personality.

The boy rubbed his chin thoughtfully, nodding to himself, “Domineering, cool… hmm, the girl has good taste. Indeed, she spoke from the heart. Not bad, not bad at all.”

Sakura stared blankly at the seemingly two-faced boy. Her mind, which had been in a daze, was suddenly jolted back to normal. Her expression darkened, and she shouted, “Yukigetsu, you jerk!”

Yukigetsu tilted his head and saw the girl lying on the ground, her skirt hiked up, revealing her slender legs.

Clicking his tongue, he gave her a thumbs-up, “Even though you’re too weak to stand, you still have so much energy to yell. Impressive!”

Pouting, Sakura struggled to sit up, but as soon as she raised herself halfway, Yukigetsu pressed a long finger against her forehead…

Thud!
Sakura lost her balance and fell back down. Seeing Yukigetsu’s amused face, she felt increasingly humiliated. She tried to sit up again…

Thud!
And fell back down again.

Thud, thud, thud…

After several attempts, each one met with Yukigetsu’s finger, she lay on the ground, panting. “What do you want?”

“This is too much fun!” Yukigetsu’s eyes sparkled, raising his finger excitedly, “Let’s do it again!”

But Sakura turned her head away, ignoring him, lying on the ground in defeat.

Yukigetsu frowned, dissatisfied, “Hey, don’t be like that… I’m not done playing yet!”

“Hmph!” Sakura pouted indignantly.

Yukigetsu’s eyes shifted, and he suddenly stroked his chin, saying, “You don’t seem to understand the situation. In your current state, if I wanted to do something to you, you couldn’t resist, could you?”

Sakura rolled her eyes, “I’m not stupid. You won’t do anything to me; you were just messing with my head earlier.”

Yukigetsu widened his eyes, surprised, “Oh, you’re not beyond saving.”

“Help me up!” Sakura extended her right hand, annoyed.

The boy glanced at her outstretched hand and couldn’t help but smile. This girl was interesting…

His warm, slender hand enveloped hers, and Sakura’s face flushed as she used his strength to sit up.

“Don’t move!”

Yukigetsu’s commanding voice suddenly rang out. Sakura froze, looking up to see him gazing thoughtfully at her, his brows furrowing slightly.

Her heart skipped a beat, and she immediately checked herself, wondering what was wrong.

Then she saw Yukigetsu’s hand reaching towards her face.

What is he doing…?

His slender hand gently brushed across her forehead, down her cheek, past her temple, and through her pink hair, finally resting at her slender waist…

Sakura clutched the hem of her dress, her face burning, her heart racing. The boy’s warm touch felt electrifying, sending shivers down her spine, and leaving her feeling pleasantly numb.

“Done…”

His gentle voice echoed in her ears, and she looked up, seeing Yukigetsu inspecting her with a thoughtful expression.

“What were you doing…” Sakura asked, still dazed.

Yukigetsu raised an eyebrow, smiling as he spread his hands, “Just tidying your hair and wiping your sweat… I can’t help it; I really appreciate beautiful things. When I realized how nice you look, especially with that cherry blossom hair, I just had to.”

Sakura felt a surge of joy, then lowered her head, suddenly recalling why she had come. She nervously clenched her fists, “Yukigetsu, I… I have something to say…”

Yukigetsu picked up a leaf, not paying much attention, “Go ahead.”

“I-I wanted to apologize for all the trouble I caused you in the Academy. Looking back, I regret it…”

Hearing this, Yukigetsu turned to see her downcast expression and frowned, “Sakura, you didn’t do anything wrong.”

She looked up in confusion.

“I think, after I called off our engagement, you started to see me in a better light and regretted it. But you need to understand something,” Yukigetsu said seriously, “Calling it off was my decision because I didn’t like you. It wasn’t something you could control.”

Sakura trembled, lowering her head in sadness. So he never liked me…

Seeing her distressed, Yukigetsu raised an eyebrow. He didn’t know when she had started liking him, considering she used to dislike him.

But he couldn’t like girls their age. Even with Hinata, it was just a feeling; his words were to encourage her to become someone he could love in the future.

Having a mature mindset, he couldn’t have romantic feelings for young girls. Maybe in three years… though that still made him a lolicon…

He patted her head gently, “Sakura, you might not understand, but I see you all as children. I can’t truly fall for anyone yet. I have many goals to achieve and many chains to break… Let’s talk about this in a few years.”

After a moment of silence, Sakura looked up, “What about Ino?”

Yukigetsu gave her a curious look. She seemed to have a special relationship with Ino, who used to be her best friend before that ridiculous engagement… So it was really Kakashi’s fault!

“Ino has a special place in my heart…”

The lively girl with the bouncing ponytail had always been by his side, even transferring classes and breaking ties with her best friend…

Sakura turned away, clearly dissatisfied. Then she turned back, staring into Yukigetsu’s eyes, “I’ll compete with Ino for that place in your heart. I won’t lose to her!”

Yukigetsu’s mouth twitched. He remembered Ino simply because she liked him the most and treated him the best. How could that be a contest?
Young love is naive, thinking that being kind to someone would make them reciprocate.

Unbeknownst to them, feelings are unpredictable. If you don’t like someone, no amount of effort will matter…

But if you love someone, even doing nothing, you’ll love them to the end…

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