"Sakura!"
Inside her home, Sakura paused when she heard someone calling from outside.
That voice… Ino? What was she doing here?
She opened the door with a puzzled look and was immediately greeted by Ino's bright smile.
After inviting her in, Sakura asked, "Ino, what's up?"
"Oh, it's big news. Two pieces of it, actually," Ino said cheerfully. "It was only one at first, but I heard another thing on the way over!"
Sakura's eyes lit up. "What is it?"
"First," Ino said, grinning, "Lady Tsunade might take us on as her students."
"Eh?! Really?" Sakura froze. The Fifth Hokage herself? Taking them as apprentices?
"Of course. Fujimoto Tōma told me personally."
Ino explained everything Tōma had arranged, including his role in pushing the idea forward, hiding nothing.
"I see…" Sakura murmured. "Then we really should thank Tōma properly."
Her expression drifted for just a moment. Ino didn't notice, still smiling brightly.
Sakura, however, felt a familiar knot in her chest.
Ino had already found someone. Someone strong, reliable, and undeniably exceptional.
And her?
She still couldn't see any future at all.
"So, what's the second piece of good news?" Sakura asked.
Ino continued, "On the way here, I heard that Shikamaru from my team and Sasuke from yours both passed the Daimyō's selection. They've officially been promoted to chūnin!"
Sakura blinked. "Sasuke… became a chūnin?"
"Yeah. It's basically confirmed."
Ino had originally wanted to ask how things were going between Sakura and Sasuke, but seeing Sakura's forced smile, she swallowed the question.
"That's… great news," Sakura said softly.
Ino frowned. "Sakura, what's wrong? Did Sasuke do something to you? Say the word and I'll go yell at him. If that doesn't work, I'll drag Tōma into it."
"No, no!" Sakura hurriedly shook her head. "It's not that."
She explained quietly.
Sasuke and Kakashi had been away on missions for a long time. Even Naruto, who used to hover around her nonstop, had disappeared lately.
Everything felt empty. Distant.
Like she was being left behind.
That was why she envied Ino so much. Someone who had already found mutual feelings. Someone strong, dependable, and close.
Ino listened, unsure what to say. Sasuke hadn't done anything wrong. Missions were part of being a shinobi, and Sakura and Sasuke weren't even officially together.
"I'm sorry," Sakura said suddenly. "I shouldn't have dumped all this on you."
"It's fine. We're friends," Ino replied gently. "But… I don't think I can really help with this."
"I know. Thank you for telling me, though. I'll work hard and become Lady Tsunade's student."
Ino nodded. "I still have to tell Hinata, so I'll head out."
After seeing Ino off, Sakura looked at the gifts she had prepared long ago. Gifts she never found the chance to give.
She sighed.
Then her eyes hardened.
If Sasuke and Naruto were moving forward, she couldn't stay still anymore.
If she truly became Tsunade's apprentice… maybe, just maybe, she could stand beside them one day.
She wouldn't stop here.
Leaving Sakura's house, Ino felt uneasy.
She could listen, but romance wasn't something she could fix for someone else. Especially not with her own situation being so different.
She thought about Fujimoto Tōma.
If they hadn't grown close from childhood, she doubted she could ever have closed the distance between them. He was kind, but distant. Polite, but never deeply attached unless you truly mattered.
She was lucky.
No "what ifs."
With that thought, Ino arrived at the Hyūga estate and explained her purpose to the guards.
While waiting, she looked around, quietly impressed. The place was massive, orderly, and suffocatingly strict.
Soon, Hinata appeared, surprise and delight flashing across her face.
"Ino? Why are you here?"
"I've got good news. Something you should prepare for."
Hinata hesitated. "Um… maybe we should talk inside. Father would scold me if I left a guest outside."
Ino paused, then nodded. "Alright."
Inside, she spotted Hyūga Neji training with another man.
"That's my father," Hinata explained softly. "He's training with Neji. Ever since Neji fought Naruto, their relationship has improved."
"Naruto, huh," Ino said, noting Hinata's tone shift.
Hinata's face instantly turned red. "T-this way…"
They settled into a reception room, and once Hinata finished serving tea, Ino shared the news.
"Lady Tsunade might take us on as students."
Hinata's eyes widened. "Really? Thank you so much!"
"No need to thank me. We're classmates. Friends, even."
"F-friends…!" Hinata nodded enthusiastically.
Ino rubbed her temple. This was going to take work.
"Hinata," she said suddenly, smirking, "you like Naruto, don't you?"
Hinata's face turned scarlet. She stammered until she looked like she might faint.
"You're way too deep in," Ino laughed. "You can't keep freezing up every time you see him. He'll just think you're acting strange."
"But… my heart starts racing and I can't speak…" Hinata whispered.
"Exactly why you need more exposure," Ino said firmly. "I'm on your side. I'll help."
"R-really…?"
"Of course. But in exchange, you help me too." Ino grinned. "Your taijutsu is great. Be my sparring partner."
"O-okay…"
Hinata agreed dazedly.
Just then, Hyūga Hiashi passed by and nodded politely to Ino before leaving.
Ino finally exhaled. "Your father is intense."
Hinata smiled nervously.
"Well," Ino said, standing, "that training ground's free now, right? Let's try sparring."
"A-ah… okay."