"Scalpel."
"Hemostat."
"Suture needle."
"Gauze."
Inside the operating room, Sakura methodically gave instructions to the assisting physician beside her. Under the bright, shadowless lamp, the patient's wound was carefully stitched closed. Finally, the surgery was complete.
Wiping the sweat from her brow, Sakura handed off the remaining tasks to the assisting doctor. She stepped out of the operating room, removed her mask and cap, and let out a long, deep breath.
This was already the fifth surgery she had performed as the lead surgeon. After allowing Sakura to observe twice, Shizune-senpai had started her off with smaller procedures to build her practical skills. Sakura had the theoretical foundation; she just lacked the hands-on application to tie it all together.
Initially, Sakura had been quite nervous, but after completing a couple of minor surgeries, her nerves had gradually settled.
Walking down the hospital corridors now, quite a few people greeted her. At first, some of the physicians had expressed doubts, primarily due to her age, even though she was the Fifth Hokage's disciple. Out of professional responsibility, they had voiced their concerns. However, after witnessing her skills in practice several times, their skepticism had faded away. Now, upon seeing her, they would simply remark with admiration, "As expected of the Fifth Hokage's disciple."
Sakura made her way to Shizune-senpai's office and promptly collapsed onto the sofa.
"How have the past few days been?" Shizune asked, looking at Sakura sprawled on the couch.
"How else could they be?" Sakura pouted, tilting her head back to stare blankly at the ceiling. "It's more mentally draining than actual combat."
"Heh, that's natural," Shizune chuckled softly. "Surgery demands absolute concentration. Even the slightest slip-up can lead to failure."
Shizune poured a glass of water and handed it to Sakura.
"Thanks," Sakura accepted the cup and downed it in one go. Surgery was exhausting primarily on a mental level; physically, it wasn't too taxing. Yet, the mental strain of each operation felt comparable to her intense battle with Hanzo.
"By the way, Shizune-senpai," Sakura began, "I'm thinking of opening a shop. Where in the village do you think would be a good spot?"
"Hm? A shop?" Shizune asked curiously. "What are you planning to sell?"
"Beef," Sakura replied.
"Beef?" Shizune looked surprised. "If you're just selling beef, there's a whole street on the west side of the village dedicated to butcher shops and meat vendors. That location should work, shouldn't it?"
"No, no, no," Sakura quickly shook her head. "I mean, yes, I'm selling beef, but it's more… high-end."
Sakura knew the street Shizune mentioned. It was where almost all the meat suppliers were concentrated, right next to the street selling fruits and vegetables. It was essentially Konoha's main market district, mostly dealing in more common, affordable goods. She used to buy groceries there herself.
"Higher-grade beef?"
"Right. Ise beef. I spent some time there during my last mission and signed an exclusive supply agreement with their village chief. The first shipment should be arriving fairly soon," Sakura explained.
"Ah, Ise beef!" Shizune nodded in understanding. "I believe a few of the larger general stores in the village carry it sometimes, but there definitely aren't any specialty shops selling only that."
"I negotiated an exclusive deal for Konoha supply," Sakura stated.
"Wow, you really know how to make things happen," Shizune remarked, glancing at Sakura with renewed surprise. "Let me think… If you're opening a high-end beef shop like that, maybe setting up near Yakiniku Q would be a good idea? I recall there was another barbecue restaurant nearby that wasn't doing too well because of Yakiniku Q's popularity. They were looking to transfer the lease."
"You mean the Yakiniku Q that opened late last year?" Sakura paused, then suddenly remembered. "Isn't that the place… where Naruto and I went on that 'date'?"
"Yes, that's the one," Shizune confirmed. "If you're dealing with Ise beef, I think collaborating with them could be beneficial. That restaurant is the most popular spot in the village right now."
Sakura mulled over Shizune-senpai's suggestion. It did seem plausible. She could supply Yakiniku Q, letting them showcase her beef in their dishes – essentially offering free promotion and taste testing for her product. Since she wouldn't be selling cooked food herself, there wouldn't be any direct competition.
Even famous products like Ise beef can benefit from more publicity, she reasoned. Just look at Coca-Cola – it's globally famous, yet they never stop advertising.
"Alright, I'll go check it out after my shift ends," Sakura decided.
"But if you're off selling beef, what about your duties here at the hospital?" Shizune asked resignedly. "I certainly won't approve you skipping your shifts."
"Hehe," Sakura grinned, flashing a hand seal. With a soft poof, an identical Shadow Clone appeared beside her. Both Sakuras spoke in perfect unison, "Didn't practice Shadow Clones all this time for nothing!"
A few dark lines appeared on Shizune's forehead. "Convenient, aren't they?" she muttered dryly.
Sakura hopped off the sofa. "Well then, I'm heading out now. I'll just leave my clone here to handle my work." Since the clone was already made, there was no point waiting until the end of her shift.
Shizune shook her head helplessly. "Just make sure Lady Tsunade doesn't find out."
"Don't worry, Shizune-senpai!" Sakura called back, already stepping out of the office door.
Outside the hospital, Sakura stretched languidly, inhaling the fresh, earthy scent of spring. She instantly felt lighter, more relaxed. The heavy smell of disinfectant inside the hospital and the generally oppressive atmosphere weighed on her. Stepping outside felt like coming back to life.
She noticed again how constantly the village was changing. Some streets looked completely different from how she remembered them just three years ago. Even though she'd been back for eleven months, she hadn't really taken the time to wander around and explore properly. Lost in thought, she was drawn by an alluring floral fragrance. Looking ahead, she saw it came from a flower shop.
Peeking through the entrance, Sakura spotted Ino inside. Her memories of Ino were somewhat hazy. They hadn't been close friends, just classmates from the same year. The last time they'd really interacted was at that group dinner some time ago.
Might as well say hello, Sakura thought. We were classmates, and who knows, we might end up on a mission together someday. "Hey, Ino!"
"S-Sakura?" Ino turned around, surprised to see Sakura greeting her.
"What are you doing here? Buying flowers?" Sakura asked curiously. "Doesn't your family own a flower shop?"
"Ha... haha," Ino replied, several dark lines appearing on her forehead. "This is my family's flower shop."
"Eh? This is your family's shop?" Sakura rubbed her eyes and took a couple of steps back. It looked different from the Yamanaka flower shop she remembered.
"Because of what happened in the village last time," Ino explained, realizing Sakura's confusion, "our shop was damaged. We renovated it afterward."
"Oh, right. That makes sense," Sakura said, feeling a bit awkward.
"It's understandable you wouldn't know, though," Ino added, her expression turning slightly melancholic, though she offered a faint smile. "After all, you're already a Chunin, always going out on missions. Unlike us, mostly stuck doing missions near the village." She sighed softly. "It's frustrating, really, when you think about it. You're the only one from our year who got promoted to Chunin. Even Sasuke ended up on your team."
"If you like him, go after him!" Sakura stated bluntly.
"Ah~~" Ino's face instantly flushed scarlet. She looked up at Sakura, incredulous. "Wha- What? D-Don't you like him?"
Ino had always kept a close, albeit secret, watch on Sasuke. From her perspective, Sakura seemed to have Sasuke completely tamed, and they were often seen together, seemingly on dates. Ino had naturally assumed Sakura liked him too. Before the Chunin Exams, she'd even planned on competing with Sakura for his affection. But witnessing Sakura's incredible performance during the exams had increasingly made Ino feel that Sasuke and Sakura were truly a better match. Despite her own lingering feelings, Ino knew she couldn't compare to Sakura in any aspect – Sakura's formidable strength, her status as the Fifth Hokage's disciple, her outstanding medical ninjutsu, her kind personality, being the first of their peers promoted to Chunin... Comparing herself left Ino feeling deeply inadequate.
"Who told you I like Sasuke?" Sakura asked, genuinely surprised.
"But... that day, I definitely saw you and Sasuke on a date! At that sushi place," Ino insisted.
"Date? Sushi place?" Sakura's mind slowly recalled that day at the sushi restaurant... the day she'd completely tricked Sasuke. She hadn't realized Ino had seen them there too, besides Kabuto.
Seeing the crestfallen look in Ino's eyes, Sakura cleared her throat awkwardly. "Ahem. We were just discussing something that day. It wasn't a date. You can relax; I don't like Sasuke. Wouldn't like him even if you beat me to death. So, you should feel free to pursue him with confidence."
Hearing Sakura's denial, Ino felt a wave of relief, but it was quickly followed by a strange sense of resentment, as if she were being offered charity. Annoyed and flustered, she just stared blankly at Sakura, unable to speak.
"If you ever want to give Sasuke a love letter or something, I can pass it along for you," Sakura continued, seeing Ino's silence and needing to get going herself. "Though, I wouldn't recommend it. Knowing Sasuke, he probably won't even read it. You need to try and understand him with your heart, you know?" She shrugged. "Anyway, I have things to do. See you later, bye!"
Ino watched Sakura's retreating figure, fuming silently. Just because I'm weaker than you, do you think I need your pity? Need you to lecture me on how to pursue him? Hmph!
She clenched the flower she was holding tightly in her hand, her knuckles turning white. A fierce determination ignited within her. One day, she vowed silently, I'll win Sasuke over, fair and square!