Chapter 495: Shizune
While Sai went to gather everyone, Haruno Sakura pulled Shizune aside for a discussion.
The mission to visit Cloud Ninja was like flying in an airplane; usually nothing happens, but if something does happen, it means total annihilation.
One had to be cautious.
Holding alliances in the ninja world had always been a dangerous job.
Konoha ninja certainly wouldn't forget that when the Second Hokage went to Cloud Ninja Village to sign an armistice agreement, he was ambushed by Cloud Ninja rebels at the alliance ceremony and died during the retreat.
The Fourth Kazekage died during a secret alliance with Orochimaru, his corpse already stinking when discovered by Sand Ninja.
Yahiko died in a meeting trap with Hanzo; since then, Nagato called himself God, and Akatsuki transformed into a terrorist organization using violence to curb violence.
These were all famous deeds of ninja village leaders and big shots in the ninja world, and the nameless nobodies who died in fake alliances that were actually hidden traps were countless.
It could be said that hearing words like alliance and meeting, the first thing ninja wanted to do was suspect if this was another trap.
But... one cannot give up eating for fear of choking.
"Senior sister, regarding the plans and drills you made before to deal with the Raikage turning hostile, have you considered using Sai's secret technique to escape back to the Land of Fire from the air?" Haruno Sakura asked.
"We have."
Shizune smiled and replied: "Since you wanted to pull him into the delegation, we naturally looked at his data and had some ideas."
"Oh? How is it?"
Haruno Sakura looked at her senior sister with interest.
"Not very meaningful." Shizune shook her head, showing regret, "Sai's chakra is not enough to maintain the flying ink beast carrying the entire delegation for so long. From Cloud Ninja Village to the Land of Fire, this distance is too far."
"The flying altitude and speed of the ink beast are also limited... So Sai's technique isn't as useful as imagined. If something happens, he can save one or two people at most."
The girl frowned.
Her lips moved, wanting to say something more, but Shizune smiled and spoke, blocking her words back.
"I know your intention of pulling Sai in... thank you for your kindness."
"It's okay, Sakura, you've done enough." Shizune smiled gently, touched her smooth hair, and continued, "We all understand the risks of this mission to visit Cloud Ninja."
"Every person in this squad is volunteering for this operation." She patted the girl's thin shoulder, her expression becoming serious, "We are all mentally prepared for possible sacrifice."
Haruno Sakura bit her lip, speechless for a moment.
Shizune hadn't finished speaking yet.
"Junior sister." She suddenly pressed Sakura's shoulder very solemnly, "I want to emphasize what Shishou said once more."
"Of course, it's best if this operation can be completed successfully. But if an 'in case' situation happens..." Shizune said solemnly, "We will absolutely not be burdens dragging you down."
"Because you are Konoha's hope."
Konoha could accept the total annihilation of the delegation visiting Cloud Ninja, could accept Sai dying in battle, even the loss of Shizune's death, but could not accept Haruno Sakura falling meaninglessly in a Cloud Ninja trap like this.
Because without those people, Konoha wouldn't be severely damaged; but Haruno Sakura was one of Konoha's most important combat powers. Losing her would be a heavy loss for Konoha.
Shizune said, unzipping her top, revealing a pure white bra in front of the girl.
Her face was calm. She reached out to take off the bra, and two dazzlingly fair soft mounds were exposed to the cold air, shaking a few times.
"I have such resolve."
Shizune said slowly.
The white and tender breasts were exposed to the girl without cover, but it didn't bring any charming color to the atmosphere.
Haruno Sakura looked solemn, staring fixedly at Shizune's chest.
Under the left breast, there was a diamond-shaped black mark the size of a fingernail, emitting an ominous chakra aura.
"Curse seal?"
She hesitated for a moment, looking at the disturbing mark on Shizune's heart, asking in a deep voice.
"That's right." Shizune calmly put her clothes back on, nodding in admission, "This is a curse seal connected to the heart. It has only one effect..."
"To shred my heart when I think it's necessary."
In other words, this was a curse seal purely used for suicide.
Haruno Sakura's expression finally moved.
She looked up, gazing incredulously, meeting Shizune's firm gaze.
Shizune was only 30 years old, with a great life ahead, yet she made such a decision.
Haruno Sakura didn't see regret or pity in her eyes, only seeing that bright gaze shining into her heart.
The girl lowered her head.
"Shizune-nee..." She murmured, "You actually don't need to participate in this operation."
"Someone has to do these things."
Shizune smiled faintly.
"Someone has to make sacrifices for everyone. I am the Hokage's disciple. If even I am unwilling, then who will do these dangerous things?"
Her expression was very calm.
"Besides, you also participated in this operation, Sakura."
"I'm different from you..." Haruno Sakura took a deep breath and said, "At least in this mission, I have the spare capacity to protect myself."
"No," Shizune shook her head, "It's the same. You feel it's not dangerous because you have experienced more dangerous situations... As older generation ninja, our duty should be protecting you younger generation ninja. We can't always let you shelter us from wind and rain!"
Shizune finally laughed: "Also, don't make it sound like we are bound to die... Tsunade-sama also analyzed it. The Raikage isn't the type of character to betray trust. Our risk on this trip isn't big."
"...Alright." Having said this much, Haruno Sakura had nothing more to say.
Because Haruno Sakura was too dazzling, Shizune, the woman always following Tsunade, seemed a bit lacking in presence. Even as a junior sister, Haruno Sakura lacked understanding of her senior sister; the two sisters usually communicated little. Taking this opportunity, the two chatted warmly.
Considered strengthening understanding of each other.
After chatting for a while, Sai came back with the others.
Counting Haruno Sakura and Shizune, the delegation going to Cloud Ninja had a total of sixteen people. Divided into a combat group of eight, composed of two Jonin and six Tokubetsu Jonin; and a support group of eight, composed of two medical ninja and civilian ninja responsible for negotiation and paperwork. Sakura was the temporary captain of the entire team, and Shizune was in a position to assist her.
"Everyone is here, Haruno Sakura-sama." Sai stepped forward and said.
Haruno Sakura stopped talking with Shizune and jumped onto the wooden platform at the front of the training ground.
She wasn't tall. Standing on the wooden platform, she could only look level with some tall ninja; but when she walked up, the ninja below all knelt on one knee in unison, making the girl's petite stature stand out among the crowd like a crane among chickens.
"Um..." Such a respectful reaction made Haruno Sakura a bit embarrassed. She opened her mouth, almost forgetting what to say, "Then, starting tomorrow, we will depart from the village and head to the Land of Lightning."
"I am the captain of this trip, Konoha Jonin Haruno Sakura. Please advise."
❃❃❃
⤑ Show your support with Power Stones!
⤑ Unlock a Bonus Chapter every time we hit 400 Power Stones!
❃❃❃
♕ Get early access to 30+ advanced chapters on Patreon!
🔗 https://www.pat-reon.co-m/c/Hollowborn
(Just remove the hyphen (-) to open the link!)
💬 Enjoying the story? Drop a review!
Your support really helps the series grow—thank you!