Sometimes, Sakura felt that certain things were overhyped. The Bikochu, for example. They had been in the Town of a Hundred Flowers for over a week, yet they had made no progress. The insect just kept flying in circles within the town.
The town wasn't particularly large, nor was it small. It was just an ordinary little town, albeit one with a stronger-than-usual fragrance. But it had kept the Bikochu circling for more than a week without finding a single clue.
Shino had tried taking the Bikochu out of the town to see if Sasuke's scent was elsewhere, but no matter where he took it, the insect was always drawn back here.
"What on earth is the problem? Didn't you say the Bikochu can track scents from a long time ago?" Kiba asked Shino, a hint of dissatisfaction in his voice.
At that moment, Sakura had led them to a hill not far from the Town of a Hundred Flowers, only to watch the Bikochu once again fly back towards the town.
"Can the Bikochu make mistakes?" Sakura sighed, also directing her question to Shino.
"If this isn't intentional, then there's only one possibility," Shino said in a low voice. "Sasuke is in this town."
"Still here?" Sakura was taken aback. "But we've searched this place thoroughly. He's not here."
Shino fell silent, then slowly said, "There is another possibility."
"What is it?" Sakura asked.
"Sasuke's scent was altered here," Shino slowly stated his hypothesis.
"Hey, Shino, while the Bikochu's sense of smell is better than Akamaru's, I'm the expert when it comes to scent research. A person's scent can't just suddenly change," Kiba retorted.
"No, it is possible," Sakura said suddenly, remembering something.
"What?" Kiba was stunned by Sakura's agreement.
"Have you guys heard of the Curse Mark?" Sakura asked.
"Curse Mark? What's that?" Kiba asked.
"The Curse Mark is a binding technique Orochimaru placed on Sasuke. Besides being a binding jutsu, it can also significantly boost a ninja's power," Sakura explained.
"Why would Orochimaru give Sasuke something like that?" Kiba asked, confused.
"The specific reasons are complicated, so I won't go into detail. What I'm trying to say now is that once the Curse Mark evolves to its final stage, the person's entire appearance and chakra undergo a massive change. I suspect their scent probably changes because of it too," Sakura explained.
"How can that be?" Kiba was dumbfounded. It was the first time he had ever heard of such a thing.
"Is that so? Then that means the trail ends here," Shino's voice was tinged with disappointment.
"I'm afraid so," Sakura nodded. "The only thing we know now is that Sasuke was here once."
"What do we do next, Sakura?" Hinata asked, equally disappointed.
What to do next? Sakura pondered for a moment. "You all should return to the village now. Report the situation here to the Fifth Hokage."
"What about you? Where are you going?" Shino asked.
"I'll continue looking for Sasuke," Sakura said, while silently thinking to herself that she would also make a trip to the Village Hidden in the Waterfall to check on the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki.
Seeing the three of them fall silent, Sakura added, "Now that we don't have the Bikochu's help, my only option is to try my luck in the Land of Rice Paddies. It would be inconvenient to bring you along. Besides, we've been out for too long. We need you to report the intel to the Fifth Hokage."
In this goddamn era, some places were already using electronic devices, yet communication still basically relied on shouting. It was a real pain in the ass, Sakura thought, if she still had any.
"We understand. We'll set off now," Shino nodded. He then turned to Kiba and Hinata. "We can only rely on Sakura now. Let's head back first."
"Got it," Kiba agreed, a sense of defeat in his voice. He said to Hinata beside him, "Let's go, Hinata."
"Okay," Hinata replied.
And so, on the hill next to the Town of a Hundred Flowers, the three members of Team 8 began their journey back. After they left, Sakura waited for a while to make sure they were really gone. Then, without a second glance at the town, she headed straight for the Village Hidden in the Waterfall.
To hell with Sasuke. And Team 8 couldn't blame her. If even the Bikochu couldn't find him, how could she? This was a perfect opportunity to get something practical done.
Although she was heading to the Waterfall Village, she was still in the Land of Hot Water. To get there, she would have to pass through the Land of Rice Paddies and the Land of Iron. In any case, she needed to hurry.
She wondered how Yakumo's training was going. If she was ready for actual combat, then after this reconnaissance mission, she could apply for a mission related to the Waterfall Village.
"One thousand fifty-one."
"One thousand fifty."
"One thousand fifty-two."
"One thousand fifty-three."
"One thousand fifty-three."
"One thousand fifty-one."
"One thousand fifty-four."
Yakumo looked provocatively at Sai in front of her. She was finally unaffected by him, able to perfectly maintain her own rhythm without being influenced.
"You did it, Yakumo!" Karin said happily, looking at Yakumo. After Kurenai had finished her genjutsu instruction, Karin had been hanging out with Yakumo every day and they had gradually become familiar with each other. She had also gotten to know Sai, a ninja who always wore a fake smile.
Yakumo ignored Karin's shout and continued counting. After counting for a while longer and confirming that no matter how Sai interfered, it wouldn't affect her, she finally stopped.
"I really did it," Yakumo said, smiling at Karin.
"According to Sakura, you've only completed the first stage," Sai added with a smile, raining on her parade.
The little bit of joy Yakumo had just felt instantly vanished. Karin stood up and scolded Sai, "Can't you just shut your mouth?!"
Karin had discovered that not only did Sai love to fake a smile, but he also had a particularly sharp tongue. Spending two days with him was enough to drive anyone crazy. She really didn't know where Sakura had found such a weirdo for a teammate.
"That's what Sakura said. It has nothing to do with me. I'm just strictly following Sakura's orders," Sai said, looking strangely at the angry Karin, not knowing how he had offended her. He still maintained his smile as he looked at her.
"Then let's continue," Yakumo said, her face devoid of expression. Sai's cutting remark had completely erased the joy of her recent success.
"Do you want to rest for a bit?" Karin asked with concern.
"No need. The sooner I finish the training, the sooner I can go on missions when Sakura gets back." Yakumo knew that among the current members, she was the only one who couldn't fight. If she didn't complete her training as soon as possible, she wouldn't be able to go on missions.
"Alright... then," Karin had to agree. She then added, "Then let me help you with the second part of the training."
"Um, before Sakura left, she said that I was to help her with her training," Sai interjected.
"Thanks, but we don't need you. You can go do whatever it is you do," Karin said coldly.
"Sorry, but this isn't a matter of needing or not needing," Sai explained with a smile. "An order is an order. My mission is to help Yakumo train. If you try to interfere..."
Although Sai still had a smile on his face, Karin's sensory abilities couldn't miss the killing intent hidden within him.
But Karin wasn't easily intimidated. She had been through all sorts of life-threatening situations. What's more, the current Hokage was her master, which gave her even more confidence.
"So? What are you going to do about it?" Karin raised an eyebrow, staring at Sai.
The atmosphere suddenly became tense.
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