"Kankuro!" Temari was the first to rush into the room, followed closely by Sakura. The rest of the group quickly followed.
Kakashi, Jiraiya, and the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki Naruto—plus Menma himself.
For a moment, Baki felt both awe and pressure. So this is the strength of Konoha's new generation…
But his thoughts were cut short as Granny Chiyo suddenly lunged forward, fists raised, aiming to strike down Kakashi.
Menma moved before anyone else. With two quick parries and a kick, he blocked every attack with a single hand.
"Step aside, boy!" Granny Chiyo growled, furious. "I must avenge White Fang!"
"Granny Chiyo, take a closer look," Menma said calmly. "That's not White Fang—it's Kakashi. He's my teacher… well, sort of."
Kakashi blinked. 'Didn't teach you anything'? Excuse me?
He could almost feel the irony stabbing his pride.
After a moment, Chiyo squinted at Kakashi and realized her mistake.
"Oh. My bad. Just… old age, I suppose."
Kakashi sweat-dropped. "...Sure. I believe you."
Menma smirked. "Mr. Kakashi, should I give you a new look? Maybe shave your head completely?"
Kakashi froze, picturing himself bald. Meanwhile, Naruto, Sasuke, and Jiraiya burst out laughing.
Kakashi sighed. "I hate this team sometimes."
While they joked, Sakura had already begun examining Kankuro's condition. Over the past year, she had trained relentlessly under Tsunade—her progress was remarkable. Her natural talent for medical ninjutsu allowed her to learn nearly all of Tsunade's techniques.
"Master Jiraiya, Mr. Kakashi, Brother Menma," Sakura said, focused. "Please step outside. I need space to work."
They obeyed immediately, waiting at the door alongside Granny Chiyo and Ebizo, who knew they couldn't help.
After her inspection, Sakura concluded that Kankuro had been poisoned with a rare metallic toxin that attacked muscles and destroyed cells.
Her calm yet precise analysis stunned the local doctors.
"You figured all that out just from your initial tests?" one of them asked, amazed.
Sakura didn't respond. She was already issuing rapid instructions. "Bring me the report. And I need the full list of herbs in this village—immediately."
The attending doctor handed her the venom analysis sheet. "This is everything we have, but we still can't identify all the components."
Reading quickly, Sakura's brow furrowed. The poison targets the heart muscle. He's close to cardiac failure.
"If we start making the antidote now, it still might not be fast enough," she said.
Temari's face went pale. "What? Isn't there any other way?"
"Leave it to me," Sakura said firmly. Her confidence steadied everyone in the room.
She gathered her tools, coating her left hand with medical chakra. Her hand glowed and sharpened like a scalpel as she made an incision over Kankuro's heart, injecting chakra directly into his system.
"Hold him still!" she ordered.
Kankuro cried out in pain, but the assistants restrained him while Sakura worked, using chakra to draw the toxin from the cells, binding it to the medicine in her hand, then extracting it little by little.
Sweat dripped down her face, but she never faltered.
After several exhausting rounds, the poison was mostly removed. Kankuro's breathing steadied—his life was no longer in danger.
"The antidote will handle the rest," Sakura said quietly, exhaling in relief.
Temari clasped her hands together, tears in her eyes. "Thank you, Sakura!"
"You're welcome." Sakura smiled faintly, wiping her forehead.
Outside, Naruto and Sasuke had been watching through the doorway, amazed.
"She's incredible!" Naruto said, grinning. "Right, Sasuke?"
Sasuke, caught staring, quickly looked away. "Tch."
When Sakura noticed, she felt an unexpected flicker of disappointment—but hid it behind professionalism.
"Next, we prepare the antidote for the residual toxin," she said.
"Yes, ma'am!" the attending doctor replied respectfully. Her skill had earned his full admiration.
"Get me the list of herbs available locally," Sakura continued.
"I'll bring it right away."
"Also—replace the bandages."
"Yes, understood."
Sakura coordinated everyone smoothly, taking charge of the room like a true medic leader.
Outside, Naruto elbowed Sasuke and whispered, "Hey, you'd better move fast. You know what they say—the early bird catches the worm. Sakura might end up with Lee if you don't do something."
Sasuke frowned. "Him? Not a chance." Then blinked. Wait—why did I even say that?
Naruto grinned knowingly while Sasuke turned away, flustered.
Moments later, Granny Chiyo entered and studied Sakura. "I didn't expect to meet a girl like you. If not for you, that boy's life would've been lost."
"You flatter me," Sakura said modestly. "I'm just glad I could help."
Suddenly—smack!
Menma's hand landed firmly on her back.
"Ow!" Sakura winced.
"Be proud of yourself," Menma said with a smile. "You're not the team's burden anymore—you're its strength."
Sakura smiled despite the sting. "Yes, Brother Menma."
Menma had seen how hard she'd worked over the past year—training endlessly to stop being a liability and become a true comrade.
And today, that hard work had finally paid off. Sakura Haruno had been reborn.
(End of Chapter)
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