Sakura Haruno quietly listened as Tsunade-sensei recounted the whole story. Although she had already known about it, many years had passed, and perhaps some details had become fuzzy.
After carefully listening to Tsunade-sensei's words, Sakura spoke, "So, all I need to do is eliminate the monster hidden within Yakumo's body?"
"Yes," Tsunade nodded. "And the matter of you being impersonated might be the work of the monster within Yakumo Kurama. It seems the time has come when we must take action."
"Genjutsu, huh." Sakura's face was thoughtful. "Perhaps the existence of that monster isn't entirely a bad thing."
"Hmm? What do you mean by that?" Tsunade's eyes narrowed, not understanding why Sakura would say such a thing.
"If we want Yakumo Kurama to become a ninja, the existence of that monster might be able to compensate for her physical weakness. Perhaps it just needs guidance," Sakura said, choosing her words carefully as she thought.
If I can fool Tsunade-sensei, then I have a good chance of persuading her to let Yakumo Kurama team up with me. If I can't fool her, then it might be difficult to have Yakumo openly team up with me. But for now, I'll try.
Tsunade didn't respond, staring at Sakura for a while before saying, "If I remember correctly, I haven't taught you genjutsu."
"No, Master," Sakura said with a shrug. "But precisely because I haven't studied genjutsu, perhaps I can think outside the box of genjutsu."
Hearing Sakura's words, Tsunade gave an almost imperceptible nod. "Good. It's a good thing to be able to think without constraints. Then, tell me your thoughts."
"Lady Tsunade, I disagree." Kurenai Yuhi, seeing Tsunade somewhat agreeing with Sakura's idea, hurriedly interrupted. "That child's talent is truly too powerful. If there's any mistake, then the entire village, no, the entire ninja world, will be plunged into an abyss of eternal damnation."
"I understand that point," Tsunade nodded, glancing at Kurenai. "But if successful, that child can become a ninja. Her parents died many years ago also because you denied her potential to become a ninja, which in turn drew out that monster."
"Er..." Kurenai was speechless. Although Yakumo's constitution indeed made it impossible for her to become a ninja, this matter was, after all, a trigger that awakened the monster within her.
"Tell me, what do you plan to do?" Tsunade asked, looking at Sakura.
"Since that monster is the dark side of her own heart, it means that monster actually has thoughts. In that case, there are two methods. The first is to negotiate with that monster..." Sakura said, carefully choosing her words after a moment of thought.
"But that doesn't seem like it would allow her to become a ninja, does it?" Tsunade interrupted.
"Mm, indeed." Sakura nodded. "However, since we want to utilize that monster, we must first deal with the monster before discussing utilization."
"Then what's the second method?" Tsunade asked thoughtfully. If her guess was correct, the second method should be to completely suppress the monster, but not eliminate it.
"The second is to send Karin," Sakura said.
"Karin?" Tsunade was slightly taken aback. Was my guess wrong?
"Mm, that's right. It's her," Sakura said affirmatively.
"..."
"..."
The Hokage's office fell into a strange silence. Tsunade looked at Sakura, and Sakura looked back at Tsunade.
"Aren't you going to explain why?" Tsunade finally broke the silence.
"Hmm? Doesn't Master know?" Sakura asked, surprised.
"Should I know something?" Tsunade asked, her fists clenched, her teeth gritted.
"Er..." Sakura, seeing Tsunade's expression, realized she genuinely didn't know. So, she said, "Because Karin has awakened her clan's ability."
"The Uzumaki clan's ability..." Tsunade frowned, her gaze lowered, repeating the words a few times. Then, she looked up at Sakura, her eyes filled with pleasant surprise. "Are you saying Karin has awakened the Adamantine Sealing Chains?"
"Mm." Sakura nodded. "I think with Karin's ability, combined with the sealing jutsu she has learned during this time, sealing a monster of this level shouldn't be a problem."
"Hmm..." Tsunade frowned and didn't reply, instead closing her eyes in thought. After a long while, she looked at Kurenai. "Do you think this method is feasible?"
"I don't think a sealing jutsu alone can solve the problem. If it could, then there wouldn't be a problem now," Kurenai still maintained her opinion.
"That's because you've only been trying to cover up your own incompetence, instead of discovering her talent," Sakura said with a cold sneer, looking sideways at Kurenai.
"You..." Kurenai was unexpectedly choked by the remark and felt a surge of anger. Her temperament was usually quite gentle, and she treated everyone kindly. Yet now, to be subjected to such cold sarcasm by Kakashi's subordinate, a flicker of anger rose in her heart as well.
"Sakura!!" Tsunade's eyes narrowed, and she sternly reprimanded Sakura.
"I'm very sorry, Kurenai-sensei. I actually meant to say that guiding is better than blocking. Instead of blindly trying to stop it, it's better to think about how to utilize it," Sakura immediately apologized.
Respecting teachers and elders was a very important concept here. Because Kurenai had been consistently opposing her, it had made Sakura somewhat frustrated, and she couldn't help but say a few extra words. She actually held no ill will towards Kurenai.
"Alright, let's leave it at that for now. Sakura, go find Karin," Tsunade said to Sakura.
"Yes, Master," Sakura replied and then walked out of the Hokage's office.
Now, only Kurenai was left in the room. Tsunade said apologetically to Kurenai, "I apologize for Sakura's words just now. I've been too lax in her education."
Kurenai shook her head. "Please don't say that, Lady Hokage. I can roughly understand her feelings. Perhaps because she just lost her parents, she found some resonance with Yakumo, which is why she acted that way."
"She might be right. If I hadn't given up on Yakumo back then, but had changed my approach, perhaps things wouldn't be like this now. Sakura... she might really be able to solve Yakumo's problem."
"Mm, no matter what, we can give it a try," Tsunade nodded. "But once the situation gets out of control..."
Tsunade didn't continue, but Kurenai's face turned somewhat pale, her fists clenched tightly.
"I understand..." Kurenai said, her voice trembling slightly.
...
A knock sounded again. Sakura Haruno pushed open the door and came in with Karin.
"Do you understand the situation, Karin?" Tsunade asked.
"Mm, Sakura told me everything on the way," Karin nodded.
"This time, Kurenai Yuhi will be the team leader. If you two cannot resolve it, then Kurenai will handle the aftermath. Is that clear?" Tsunade's voice suddenly rose as she asked.
"Understood," the three replied simultaneously.
"Then, without further ado, depart," Tsunade said.
Subsequently, the three of them left the Hokage's office one after another.
Tsunade watched Sakura's figure disappear last, then leaned back in her swivel chair, lost in thought.
"Sakura, what exactly are you thinking? What exactly do you want to do?"
Regarding Sakura's behavior just now, Tsunade was somewhat concerned. It wasn't that Tsunade suspected Sakura of deceiving her, but in their conversation, Tsunade had found Sakura to be uncharacteristically proactive.
It seemed she was very concerned about this Yakumo.
"I hope I'm just overthinking it," Tsunade comforted herself.
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