Hokage's Office.
Tsunade listened to Sakura Haruno's report, lost in thought. For some reason, Tsunade felt as if Sakura was hiding something, yet she couldn't quite put her finger on it. Sakura's report was simply too perfect; everything seemed to have unfolded so logically.
"...Basically, that's how it was. Although the sealing wasn't successful, Yakumo Kurama managed to eliminate that monster through her own efforts," Sakura finished her last sentence and stood there quietly.
Kurenai Yuhi, having been under genjutsu the entire time, wasn't clear on what had actually happened. Tsunade leaned back in her swivel chair, arms crossed, eyes closed in contemplation.
After a long while, Tsunade opened her eyes and looked at Sakura. "Since the matter is resolved, then this mission can be concluded. You may all go back first."
"Yes, Lady Hokage," Kurenai Yuhi said, taking her leave. She still wanted to go to the hospital to visit Yakumo Kurama.
But Sakura Haruno didn't leave; she remained standing in the Hokage's office.
"What is it? Do you still have something else?" Tsunade asked, seeing Sakura hadn't left.
"Mm, there is indeed something I'd like to ask of you, Master," Sakura said, playfully sticking out her tongue at Tsunade.
"Oh? Let's hear it." Tsunade's mood suddenly brightened upon seeing Sakura's mischievous look. Perhaps she really had been overthinking things, even doubting her.
"Actually, by now, I should be considered a chunin, right?" Sakura said, carefully choosing her words.
"Hmm, that is indeed correct." Tsunade then added, "Although you are currently a chunin, your strength surpasses that of an average jonin. There's no doubt about that."
"But what do you want to do? Are you trying to get me to promote you to jonin?" Tsunade asked, looking at Sakura with confusion.
"No, no." Sakura shook her head like a rattle drum. Are you kidding? Every jonin is a valuable asset to the village, and valuable assets are used on critical tasks. That would mean even less personal time.
"I want to ask Master to approve the formation of Team Sakura Haruno for missions," Sakura stated her ultimate goal.
"Hmm? Form Team Sakura Haruno?" Tsunade's expression tightened, and she frowned. "But aren't you already in Team Seven? Are you planning to leave Team Seven?"
"Naruto is out training now, and who knows when he'll be back. Sasuke is in ANBU. Right now, I'm the only one left in Team Seven. So, I want to form another team," Sakura explained.
"Hmm..." Tsunade didn't answer immediately. She looked at Sakura and said, "You're right. Team Seven, as it is now, exists in name only. But that doesn't mean Naruto won't come back. What will you do when Naruto returns in the future?"
"Actually, with my current strength, I can handle missions alone. Forming a team is to ensure the survival rate of missions when ninja are weaker. I'm not wrong, am I?" Sakura said, her expression unchanging.
From Tsunade-sensei's words just now, it was clear she didn't want Sakura to form another team. One reason for forming a ninja team was what she had just mentioned; another was for higher mission efficiency, or for temporary teams formed for missions that couldn't be handled by a single person.
"Since you know that, why do you still want to form your own team?" Tsunade asked, her expression unreadable.
"But another purpose of a team is for strong ninja to lead novice ninja to gain experience and help them grow quickly," Sakura added.
"Hmm?" A flicker of surprise crossed Tsunade's face. "You want to teach new recruits?"
"Sort of. Anyway, with Kirigakure's grudge against me, you won't let me take on dangerous missions. And I'm not interested in ordinary missions. It's a way to pass the time, I guess," Sakura said with a helpless shrug.
"You little brat, watch your tone!" A hint of displeasure flashed across Tsunade's face, then she asked with amusement, "Alright then, tell me, who do you want to team up with?"
"Karin Uzumaki." Sakura paused. "And... Yakumo Kurama."
"Karin Uzumaki..." Tsunade pondered for a moment. "I have no objection to Karin. As her senior, you also have a responsibility to guide her. But why Yakumo Kurama as well? She is the young mistress of the Kurama clan's main family. Although they have declined, I'm afraid they won't agree."
"There's no particular reason. I just wanted to add another team member. Originally, I was thinking of applying to team up with Karin, but I happened to encounter this matter, and Yakumo Kurama's talent is excellent, so I just included her as well," Sakura said with an air of indifference, though her heart was a little flustered. She was merely feigning retreat to advance. If she was really blocked, it would be quite painful, considering all the scheming she had done.
Seeing Tsunade seem somewhat hesitant, Sakura continued, "Besides, I'm a medical-nin. I can monitor Yakumo's physical condition at any time. Perhaps Kurenai-sensei just didn't find the right way to tap into Yakumo's potential."
Tsunade was silent for a long time. Finally, with a long sigh, she said, "You're right. Yakumo's potential won't allow her to live as a civilian for her entire life. In that case, I will help persuade the Kurama clan. But there's one condition..."
"What condition?" Sakura's heart instantly relaxed. It seemed she had succeeded.
"Those two must not come to any harm, understand!" Tsunade said to Sakura, word by word.
"Don't worry, Master. As their captain, I will protect them even if it costs me my life," Sakura said to Tsunade with a smile.
... ...
When Sakura Haruno left the Hokage's office, the sky had completely darkened. Walking on the village streets, Sakura rolled her neck; her legs were a bit sore from standing for so long.
But fortunately, she had succeeded. Tossing the appointment letter for Team Sakura Haruno in her hand, Sakura headed towards Ichiraku Ramen. It was time to go see her team members.
"Old man, one seafood ramen, to go!" Sakura ducked into Ichiraku Ramen and called out to Teuchi, who was behind the counter.
"Yo, it's Sakura! Long time no see," Teuchi said, turning around and greeting Sakura when he saw her.
"Yeah, it has been a while," Sakura said nostalgically.
"Hey, isn't this Sakura? You're here for ramen too?"
At that moment, a voice came from the side. Sakura turned to look and saw Shikamaru, Ino, Choji, and their jonin leader, Asuma.
"Hi, what a coincidence," Sakura said, smiling and greeting them. She then found a seat and said to Teuchi, "Old man, another seafood ramen, for here."
"Alright!" Teuchi replied cheerfully.
"Hehe, Asuma-sensei, since we've run into each other, I'll have to trouble you for my ramen," Sakura said to Asuma with a chuckle.
"Er, cough." Asuma, who was eating, choked for a moment. He patted his chest and took a sip of water. "You can't possibly be unable to afford a single meal, can you?"
"Well, I just got back to the village, so I don't have any income yet. And Kakashi-sensei is always nowhere to be found. Team Seven is about to disband," Sakura said, her voice a little dejected here.
"Alright, I get it. Your portion is on me," Asuma said, feeling a little embarrassed for having seemingly touched a sore spot for Sakura.
"Eh? I remember you just got back from a mission, Sakura, didn't you?" Ino asked, seeming to recall something.
"Ah, that, haha, I haven't received the payment yet," Sakura said. Ino's words suddenly reminded her that she hadn't settled the payment for the mission to Red Shoal Island yet. It seemed she would have to find Yamato to sort it out when she had time.
"Speaking of which, Sakura, have you seen Sasuke recently?" Ino asked again, then said with some disappointment, "I haven't seen Sasuke for a long time."
Sasuke... he's probably followed Orochimaru to seek power by now. My own increase in strength has dealt him another blow. He finally couldn't resist Orochimaru's temptation. Some things really can't go according to one's own wishes.
Although she knew the cause and effect of Sasuke's defection in advance, she still couldn't change the outcome. Even if the Third Hokage had taken Sasuke as his disciple, Sasuke still couldn't bear the slow pace of conventional strength improvement.
However, Sasuke might not have left entirely for power. Perhaps the Impure World Reincarnation was also an incentive. Unable to obtain it from her, he turned to Orochimaru. If her parents hadn't died, she would have tried to stop him no matter what. But now...
Sakura shook her head indifferently and said to Ino, "Sasuke, huh? Perhaps... he's defected. The next time we meet, we might be crossing blades."
The streets outside were still bustling with noise, but inside Ichiraku Ramen, it was terrifyingly quiet. Even Teuchi and Ayame's movements slowed down.
"De... de... de... defected..." Ino's face turned pale, her eyes staring blankly at Sakura as she muttered to herself.
Choji and Shikamaru also stopped eating their noodles. Asuma looked sideways at Sakura, an indescribably strange expression in his eyes.
"Old man Teuchi, is my seafood ramen ready yet? I'm starving," Sakura said, seeing Teuchi's noodle-making movements slow down, and hurriedly urged him.
Clang
"You, how... how can you still have the heart to eat noodles here!!!" Ino suddenly stood up, glaring angrily at the indifferent-looking Sakura. The bowl in front of her had been knocked to the floor.
What angered Ino was Sakura's indifferent attitude, speaking of Sasuke's defection as casually as if it were a trivial everyday matter.
"Hmm?" Sakura looked at Ino in confusion and asked, "Then what do you think I should do?"
"You... you bastard!!!" Ino lunged forward and grabbed Sakura's collar, her eyes looking as if they were about to spew fire.
"Ino, calm down!" Shikamaru advised from behind.
"I... I... how can I calm down?" Ino's voice gradually choked with sobs as she said to Sakura, "You, what on earth are you thinking? You, why have you become like this..."
"Everyone has their own choices. Sasuke chose to defect. I choose to remain silent. It's that simple." Sakura pried Ino's fingers off one by one, straightened her collar, and sat back down.
"Old man, please pack my ramen to go as well," Sakura said, her interest waning.
She had initially been interested in eating with acquaintances, but now, Sakura had no interest in staying to eat.
A moment later, Teuchi brought out two takeaway boxes and said to Sakura, "Thank you for your patronage. Your ramen."
"Mm, thanks, Old Man Teuchi." Sakura took the two portions of ramen and then said to Asuma-sensei, "Asuma-sensei, thank you for the ramen. I'll be leaving then. Shikamaru, Choji, let's eat together next time. I still have a patient to see."
Sakura, carrying the ramen, was just about to leave when she suddenly stopped. She glanced at Ino, who was still crying, and sighed. "This is reality, Ino. Everyone has their own choices. All you can do is become stronger. Only then will you have enough strength to change others' choices."
After Sakura finished speaking, she left. The previously cheerful atmosphere in Ichiraku Ramen was no more.