Konoha Village, Late November, Year 60
Sasuke and Naruto arrived heavy-hearted at the Hokage Tower. Standing below, they tilted their heads up, gazing towards the Hokage's office window. Sasuke took a steadying breath, then led Naruto inside. As they reached the office door, Sasuke raised his hand to knock, but Naruto, frantic with impatience, barged straight in.
"Granny Tsunade!" Naruto burst through the door, finding not only the Fifth Hokage but also Jiraiya, Kakashi, and Shizune already present. He paused for only a second before blurting out, "Is Sakura-chan back yet?!"
Jiraiya and Kakashi turned sharply towards the sudden intrusion. Tsunade's expression darkened instantly at Naruto's lack of manners. "You knock before entering!" she snapped, then immediately rounded on Jiraiya and Kakashi. "What kind of job have you two done educating Naruto?! Look at his appalling lack of manners!"
It wasn't mere pettiness driving Tsunade's outburst; she worried that Naruto's inherent impulsiveness was a dangerous flaw for a shinobi. Jiraiya and Kakashi, caught in the crossfire, exchanged long-suffering glances. Naruto took after Kushina entirely in temperament, nothing like the composed Minato.
"Okay, okay, forget about that for now!" Naruto repeated impatiently, ignoring the reprimand. "Granny Tsunade, is Sakura-chan back or not?"
"Hm?" Tsunade's eyebrows rose in surprise. "Sakura? Wasn't she assigned to the mission with you two? If you've returned, where is Sakura?"
Naruto froze. Beside him, Sasuke exchanged a stunned glance with him. Sasuke then stepped forward stiffly. "The mission is complete," he reported, his voice tight. "Sakura... she pursued two fleeing enemy ninja. She instructed us to wait for her in Takigakure, but... she hasn't returned."
"What happened?!" Tsunade demanded sharply, her brow furrowing deeply. "What do you mean, enemy ninja? I remember assigning a simple C-rank escort mission! Tell me exactly what occurred!"
"Wait," Jiraiya interjected, his usual jovial demeanor gone, replaced by a grave seriousness. He looked intently at Sasuke. "Are you saying you think something's happened to Sakura?" Jiraiya had taught Sakura occasionally; he held affection for her, recognized her importance as Tsunade's only true successor, and knew how vital she was to the village's future.
Sasuke took another deep breath. "...Yes," he confirmed, his voice low but steady. "Sakura might genuinely be in trouble." He then systematically recounted everything that had happened during the mission – the ambush in Takigakure, Suien's betrayal, the stolen Hero Water, Sakura's pursuit, and finally, her entrusting him with the scroll containing the hidden mission objectives regarding the alliance and Kakuzu.
When Sasuke finished, a heavy silence filled the office. What Sakura had done constituted clear violations of shinobi protocol: potentially divulging classified mission details (the Kakuzu investigation) to Sasuke, acting unilaterally far beyond the mission parameters, and pursuing enemy ninja without authorization. Normally, such actions would warrant severe disciplinary action. But no one in the room was thinking of punishment now. Their sole focus was on finding her.
Tsunade bit down hard on her thumb, drawing blood, and slammed her hand onto the desk. "Summoning Technique!"
Poof! With a cloud of smoke, a small division of Katsuyu materialized on Tsunade's desk.
"Lady Tsunade," the small slug greeted respectfully.
"Katsuyu," Tsunade asked grimly, her voice tight, "after the incident in Takigakure... were you summoned by Sakura again?"
Katsuyu paused thoughtfully. "No, Lady Tsunade."
"Through the contract link," Tsunade pressed, "can you sense Sakura's chakra now?" The summoning contracts of the three great Sannin allowed for such a connection, a way to sense the status of the signatory when activated.
Katsuyu went quiet for a long moment, then reported sorrowfully, "I... I can no longer detect... Haruno Sakura-sama's chakra signature."
The air thickened. Naruto exploded, his face flushing red. "You damn slug!" he yelled, pointing furiously at Katsuyu's feelers. "What lies are you talking about?! Careful or I'll pound you—"
The small Katsuyu division, possessing the main body's gentle nature, merely lowered its feelers silently, offering no defense against Naruto's grief-stricken rage.
Jiraiya instantly restrained Naruto with his Needle Jizo hair technique, pulling him aside firmly. "We don't know anything for certain yet, Naruto! Get a grip!"
Tsunade's hand, resting on the desk, clenched into a white-knuckled fist. Jiraiya moved to her side, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Tsunade," he said gently, "it doesn't necessarily mean the worst. There are places in the ninja world known to interfere with chakra sensing. Maybe Sakura simply entered an area like that."
Tsunade ignored him, her voice tight with controlled urgency as she addressed Shizune. "Bring the maps. Land of Waterfalls, Land of Grass, Land of Rain."
"Yes, Lady Tsunade," Shizune nodded mutely, her own eyes filled with worry. Over the past three years, she had grown deeply fond of Sakura, her talented, if occasionally scatterbrained, junior teammate. During Sakura's apprenticeship, she had poured all her energy into ninjutsu and medical training, often neglecting basic self-care, which Shizune had interpreted as endearingly ditzy. Shizune herself possessed solid but average aptitude; Tsunade hadn't passed on the advanced techniques like the Yin Seal or Creation Rebirth to her, as it would only impede Shizune's established skills.
Shaking off her worry, Shizune quickly pulled the requested maps from the archives – standard civilian maps, not detailed military ones, showing only approximate village locations – and laid them across Tsunade's desk. Tsunade wasn't interested in precise village intel right now, just likely pursuit routes.
Kakashi's expression remained hidden behind his mask, unreadable as ever, though his posture was tense, betraying underlying worry. Sasuke stepped forward, confirming Takigakure's location on the map from memory. "The ninja Sakura pursued were from Amegakure," he stated. "Based on the direction she took leaving Taki, they were likely headed back towards the Land of Rain." Sasuke's foresight in noting her likely direction was now critically useful, though he desperately wished it wasn't.
"Hmm... Amegakure," Tsunade studied the map intently. "Getting from Taki to Ame necessitates crossing the Land of Grass." She traced potential paths with a finger. "Relations between Ame and Kusa aren't exactly friendly. The Rain ninja likely detoured around major Kusa territories." Her finger moved, eliminating possibilities. "Excluding the most circuitous routes... leaves two most probable paths." Her gaze sharpened. "Amegakure... Hanzo..." She looked up, meeting Jiraiya's eyes. "This likely involves Hanzo, Jiraiya. The Hero Water theft... it was probably orchestrated by him."
The outside world's intelligence reports still indicated Hanzo controlled Amegakure; Konoha was unaware of the recent upheaval involving Pain. Jiraiya nodded grimly. "If Hanzo is involved," he agreed, "we cannot request Amegakure's cooperation in the search." A brief, heavy look passed between them, filled with unspoken memories – not of Hanzo himself, but of their youthful days fighting alongside Orochimaru during the war where Hanzo had named them. Then both their expressions darkened at the thought of their fallen teammate.
Shaking off the memories, Tsunade refocused. "Shizune," she asked sharply, "which Jonin-level shinobi are currently off-rotation, with no active missions?"
Shizune quickly consulted the duty roster; the Hokage needed precise knowledge of Jonin deployment at all times. "Currently available, besides Kakashi-senpai," she reported, "are Hayama Shirakumo, Gekko Hayate, Might Guy, and Asuma Sarutobi."
"Have them report here immediately," Tsunade commanded. Her gaze locked with Jiraiya's again. "Looks like I'll need to ask this of you again, Jiraiya."
Jiraiya nodded gravely. "I'll do everything I can." He knew why Tsunade wanted him involved – preparing for the worst-case scenario. Hanzo's legendary strength was not to be underestimated.
"Hey! Hey! Granny Tsunade!" Naruto yelled, still struggling slightly against Jiraiya's hair technique. "Are you sending out a search party for Sakura-chan?! Let me go too!" He thrust his hand up eagerly.
Sasuke looked equally determined, ready to volunteer. Kakashi sighed wearily. "Sasuke, Naruto, you'll stay here. You'd only get in the way. Your potential opponent is Hanzo of the Salamander, the man known throughout the shinobi world as the 'Demigod'."
Naruto blinked in confusion. "Eh? Salamander...? What kinda fish is that?"
"Naruto," Jiraiya said, giving him a stern look, "don't make trouble. You and Sasuke will remain in the village. This mission is too dangerous for Genin; none will participate. Hanzo earned his reputation during the Second Great Shinobi War. Tsunade, Orochimaru, and I... we suffered defeat at his hands. He was the one who granted us the title of Sannin. He is... incredibly strong."
Hearing this, Naruto fell silent, the fight draining out of him. He stared disbelievingly between Jiraiya and Tsunade. Sheer terror for Sakura washed over him, coupled with bitter frustration at his own powerlessness. He turned and slammed his fist against the office wall. "Damn it... damn it... Always... always like this!" Bile rose in his throat. I swore I'd protect Sakura-chan... but whenever she really needs me... I can't do anything!
Sasuke's pupils contracted sharply at Jiraiya's words. Orochimaru... the one who branded me with the curse mark... lost to this Hanzo? A flicker of doubt crossed his mind regarding Orochimaru's true power. Perhaps I overestimated him. How can someone like that grant me the ultimate power I seek? Sakura's words echoed in his mind. Sakura was right. True strength... earned through steady, dedicated training... is the only real strength.
Just then, a sharp knock sounded at the door. "Come in," Tsunade called out wearily.
The door opened to reveal Karin, her striking red hair and eyes immediately drawing attention. She bowed respectfully. "Um... Lady Hokage," she began hesitantly, "I... I came to ask if Sakura-chan had returned? I saw Naruto and Sasuke on the street earlier, but Sakura wasn't with them. The Mission Desk people said they hadn't seen her check in... so I came here to ask you..."
"Sakura is on a separate assignment and has not yet returned," Tsunade replied, her voice carefully neutral, masking her turmoil. "When she returns, I will ask her to find you. Please return to your duties for now, Karin." (Tsunade mentally reviewed Karin's status: also effectively her student now, under Shizune's tutelage, interning at the hospital while also studying fuinjutsu with the Seal Corps. Learning both simultaneously naturally slowed her progress. Karin displayed a remarkable aptitude for medical theory and diagnosis, unlike Sakura, whose strength lay in the practical application of medical ninjutsu.) Tsunade, already stressed and worried, quickly dismissed Karin to prevent spreading unnecessary alarm.
Karin hesitated, then bowed again and left. Her keen sensory abilities told her Tsunade was concealing something significant, but her innate timidity prevented her from pressing further. Still, she filed the observation away, a seed of worry planted in her heart.
A short while later, Hayama Shirakumo, Gekko Hayate, Guy, and Asuma had assembled in the Hokage's office. Tsunade wasted no time, spreading the maps across her desk. "This," she announced gravely, her voice resonating with authority, "is an S-rank mission. Your objective: Locate Chunin Haruno Sakura. And bring her back." She paused, her next words heavy. "Even if it's only her body!"
The assembled Jonin snapped to attention, their expressions instantly serious at the S-rank designation. "What happened, Hokage-sama?" Hayama asked quietly.
Tsunade explained the situation grimly: Chunin Haruno Sakura encountered hostile Amegakure ninja during her escort mission, pursued them after they fled, and may have subsequently encountered Hanzo of the Salamander. Their objective was to find her and retrieve her.
She quickly divided the search areas, indicating the likely pursuit routes she'd calculated on the maps. "Shirakumo and Asuma, search this route. Hayate, take a squad of ANBU personnel and cover this one. Kakashi and Guy, you take this route."
Then she pointed to a location near the Grass/Rain border. "Jiraiya, you will establish a standby position here. If the three teams fail to locate Sakura within the Land of Grass, you will lead the search effort into the Land of Rain itself. You are also responsible for providing immediate backup to the teams operating within Grass Country as needed."
Jiraiya recognized the coordinates Tsunade indicated – near Yanluo Bridge, the only viable crossing point. The Land of Rain, though small, still commanded significant respect due to Hanzo's lingering reputation. Konoha operated relatively freely in Grass Country but exercised far greater caution when dealing with the Land of Rain. Its strategic position was crucial; driving Amegakure into an alliance with Iwagakure would be strategically unacceptable for Konoha. Hanzo, though perhaps diminished by age, was still perceived as powerful enough that his allegiance could significantly impact the regional balance of power. His past efforts had earned Amegakure this level of cautious consideration from the Great Nations.
"Are your assignments clear?" Tsunade asked sharply, her voice cold as ice.
The Jonin nodded grimly. "Before you depart," Tsunade added, "report to the Konoha Hospital's Medical Division. Requisition supplies of salamander poison antidote. Take standard field antidote kits as well. Assemble for deployment in thirty minutes."
The Jonin quickly departed. Kakashi held Naruto and Sasuke back briefly; he needed to speak with them, make sure Naruto understood the gravity of the situation and the absolute need for silence. He had fewer concerns about Sasuke's discretion.
Once the office was empty except for Tsunade and Jiraiya, Jiraiya spoke gently to Tsunade, who had slumped back in her chair, looking suddenly older, shoulders heavy with grief and command. "Tsunade... that apprentice of yours is sharp. She knows how to assess risks, when to retreat. She'll likely be alright." He added thoughtfully, "Five Jonin plus ANBU, and myself... you're really pulling out all the stops for this one apprentice. Mobilizing enough force for a small-scale military operation."
Tsunade shook her head, a deep sadness in her eyes. "You don't understand her, Jiraiya," she said softly. "Her fierce drive, her rapid progress... it isn't fueled solely by natural talent." She paused. "At least, her innate talent isn't nearly what you assume it is."
Jiraiya was taken aback. He'd considered Sakura's potential to be extraordinary, perhaps even on par with Minato's legendary genius.
Seeing his confusion, Tsunade explained softly, "Her only real innate talent is her exceptional chakra control – something she honed through years of obsessive, relentless practice since childhood. She isn't naturally quick-witted or book-smart; she absorbs complex medical theory slowly. Other areas... analytical skills, strategic thinking... overall, she's far from the natural genius you see."
Jiraiya was rendered speechless. By Tsunade's definition of talent – excelling at medical theory – does that make me an idiot too?
"But," Tsunade added, her voice softening further, a flicker of warmth entering her eyes despite the grief, "when she decides on a course of action, she possesses an incredible, unyielding stubbornness. She'll throw herself against any obstacle and never, ever back down." She murmured then, almost too low to hear, "She reminds me so much of Nawaki in that."
Jiraiya leaned closer. "What was that?"
"Nothing," Tsunade dismissed the memory, her expression hardening once more with the weight of command. "Prepare yourself for departure, Jiraiya. You must find her!"
Jiraiya nodded gravely. "I understand..."
Some Liminal, Ethereal Space
Awareness slowly returned. Sakura gradually became aware of… a world. Sky, earth, mountains, rivers, trees, flowers, animals. She sensed it all vividly, yet felt a profound sense of… absence. Something vital was missing.
Confused, she explored this place of breathtaking beauty. Flocks of birds wheeled overhead, rivers ran crystal clear and untainted, the air was crisp and clean. Seemingly perfect.
As she moved, the world rushed past her in a blur. Yet after what felt like a long time, she still found herself within the same endless forest – mountains, rivers, trees, flowers.
What is missing? Despite the magnificent scenery, she felt hollow inside. Returning somehow to where she started, she found herself beside a clear, flowing stream. Gazing down into the reflective surface, she sensed… and suddenly understood.
This world... is missing me.
Where am I?
Where am I supposed to go?
Where... did I come from?