In the darkness, Sakura Haruno slowly opened her eyes. A soul-stirring light flashed from her pupils, illuminating the entire room, before gradually fading back into darkness.
Staring blankly at the ceiling, Sakura slowly sat up. She looked down to see herself dressed in a Japanese-style nightgown. Surveying the room, apart from some medical equipment, there was nothing else.
She lifted the blanket covering her and searched the room for a moment, finding a strip of cloth. Gathering her long hair, which had been scattered over her shoulders, she tied it back into a ponytail. Then, barefoot, she slid open the room's door and stepped out.
Outside the room, a delicate courtyard greeted her eyes. The exquisite ornamental plants and rock formations, the clear pond, and the cherry blossom tree by its edge all appeared exceptionally serene and imbued with Zen under the moonlight, compelling one to stop and admire the view.
Barefoot, Sakura quietly crossed the courtyard and headed towards the outer gate. Opening it, she saw a few pedestrians scattered here and there on the street. She continued walking, and walking, the streets gradually becoming more bustling. After crossing several streets, she had arrived at the most prosperous part of the village.
Passersby pointed and gestured at the beautiful kunoichi, likely because she had run out wearing only her nightgown, drawing attention. Sakura Haruno sniffed the familiar scent in the air and looked at the red building in the distance. A change finally flickered across her expression.
"I'm back..." she murmured to herself, weaving through the streets. Sakura Haruno didn't know where she wanted to go; she was just walking aimlessly, absorbing the atmosphere of the village.
After several months of enduring wind, frost, snow, and dew, coupled with her physical growth, those who weren't very familiar with her wouldn't recognize her. She walked and stopped, walked and stopped, gazing at the bustling prosperity of the village, a sharp pain piercing her heart.
The village... it's still the village. But...
At this thought, Sakura clenched her fists tightly, biting her lip, trying her best not to reveal that ridiculous weakness.
The laughter and chatter of the pedestrians around her, every sound, grated on her nerves. This is the village I protected. This is the village I defended. This is the destiny I wanted to change...
Heh... Behind every person living in this prosperous haven, how many wronged souls are weeping? Before, Sakura had never pondered such questions. Coming from another world, she had desperately sought a sense of belonging, a spiritual anchor.
Though she had found that anchor back then, a barrier had always remained deep within her heart. Because this vibrant, dazzling world, in her first impression, was merely a manga. She was a passerby, constantly using that anchor to numb herself.
However, when the kunai were pressed against the necks of the two who had given her life and raised her, Sakura suddenly looked back and realized: she had already accepted this world. She was no longer a passerby. She was Sakura Haruno. She was born in this world, raised in this world. Her parents were her parents, people who would give their lives for her...
Sasuke, I understand how you feel now. So, you've been enduring immense pain every day. I was wrong...
She wandered, step by step, through this village that was both familiar and strange. The sharp stones pricking her bare feet went unnoticed. She wanted to once again experience the joy of her parents taking her out to play on the streets when she was little, but all she reaped was an abundance of pain.
"Special offer! Special offer! Taniichi Ise Beef Shop's grand promotion today! Everything 10% off! Everything 10% off! Limited quantities, first come, first served! Welcome to shop..."
"What? 10% off..."
"This shop never has discounts! They haven't had a single discount since they opened! I can't believe they're finally having one..."
"Quick, quick, quick! If we're late, it'll all be gone..."
"Hey, what are you doing? Don't push me..."
In an instant, the pedestrians on the street were drawn by the hawker's cry, all squeezing towards an imposing storefront not far away.
"Taniichi... Taniichi," Sakura Haruno muttered to herself. In an instant, she recalled the surname – the clan that had helped Danzo frame her.
Heh... Perfect... Since Danzo is already dead, then you can all go join him!
Sakura Haruno silently followed the crowd, moving forward. Almost there, almost there. Go keep Danzo company...
Just then, a hand suddenly tapped her shoulder. At the same time, a tense and anxious voice reached Sakura's ears.
"Sakura, is that you? What are you doing here? When did you wake up?"
Sakura Haruno's body stiffened, then relaxed. Her intense aura dissipated. She slowly turned around and looked at Master Tsunade behind her, then at Kakashi-sensei, and a ninken. If she remembered correctly, its name was Pakkun. She then smiled. "Lady Fifth Hokage, Kakashi-sensei, and hello, Pakkun."
"Yo," Pakkun said, raising a paw in greeting. "If I recall correctly, this is our first meeting."
"Uh..." Tsunade looked at Sakura Haruno's brilliant smile, the words she wanted to say suddenly catching in her throat. Tsunade had imagined many ways Sakura might behave after waking up, but this – acting as if nothing had happened, even leisurely strolling out for a walk – she had never considered. Her genuinely radiant smile made Tsunade feel as if the person before her wasn't Sakura.
"What's wrong, Master?" Sakura looked at the conflicted expression on Tsunade's face, somewhat puzzled. "Aren't you happy that I'm awake, Master?"
"Ha, haha, happy," Tsunade said dryly, then asked, "When did you wake up? How did you end up here? And without any shoes."
"I woke up and there was no one around. I was hungry, so I came out to see if there was anything to eat. But I don't have any money on me," Sakura said, patting her pockets to show they were empty.
Seeing Sakura behave like this, Tsunade couldn't figure out what was wrong with her. She had mentally prepared for Sakura to resent her, to lash out at her, to flee the village. But this demeanor, as if nothing at all had happened, left her completely bewildered.
"Are you, are you alright? Is there any discomfort anywhere in your body?" Tsunade asked cautiously.
"Nope, I'm perfectly fine. Just really hungry," Sakura said, pointing to the Taniichi Ise Beef Shop ahead. "Master, can you buy me some beef to eat? I haven't eaten properly for months while I was out there."
The slight relief Tsunade had begun to feel vanished, replaced by renewed anxiety. Sakura hadn't forgotten what had happened before. Tsunade had fleetingly wondered if Sakura had amnesia, but hearing her say this, it was clear she remembered what had transpired. Yet, her behavior was too abnormal.
"Alright, I'll take you to a restaurant. They only sell raw meat here," Tsunade said. I'll figure out Sakura's changes slowly later.
"No, I want that. Let's buy some and cook it at home," Sakura said, then turned to Kakashi. "Kakashi-sensei, you come too. I hear your pan-fried fish is delicious."
Kakashi looked at Sakura in surprise, wondering how she knew about that. Nevertheless, he said, "Next time, perhaps. Lady Tsunade, what about the council elders?"
"The meeting is adjourned for today. We'll discuss any matters tomorrow," Tsunade said decisively. Then, after a thought, she added, "You come too. The meeting's ending anyway. Just have Pakkun go back and report the situation."
Under pressure from the council elders and with Sakura still not waking up, Tsunade had been forced to meet with them. But who would have thought that just as the meeting began, Shizune, who was looking after Sakura, reported that Sakura had disappeared. So, Tsunade had immediately summoned Kakashi, and through Kakashi's ninken, they had found Sakura.
"Ah, yes, Lady Tsunade," Kakashi grumbled internally. Not only a meeting late at night, but also being roped into this, and now I have to cook too. However, seeing Sakura awake, Kakashi also felt a sense of relief. This was also a good opportunity to understand the situation.
"Well then, Pakkun, I'll have to trouble you to make a trip," Kakashi said to Pakkun, who was squatting on the ground.
"Yes, but is it appropriate for a mere dog like myself to deliver the message?" Pakkun asked.
"Less chatter, just go," Tsunade said, her eyes narrowing. Pakkun shivered and then poofed away towards the Hokage's office.
Sakura Haruno looked at Master Tsunade and Kakashi-sensei. This scene is so beautiful. I wish it could stay like this forever. But it can't... My mission has only just begun...