For the first time since the Uchiha clan's downfall years ago, the old Uchiha compound welcomed multiple guests.
Aside from Team 7's four members, Naruto had also invited Hinata, who had just returned from a mission.
That made five people in total.
They sat around a fire pit, over which hung a massive grill loaded with ribs, pork belly, beef—and even half a pig. The crackling flames brought the meat to a golden crisp, emitting mouthwatering sizzles.
Droplets of hot oil slid down the plump lines of meat, releasing an intoxicating aroma. With each brush of the thick, secret sauce, a sprinkle of chili powder, and a fresh lettuce wrap, one bite filled the mouth with rich flavor, making it impossible not to savor every chew.
"Delicious!"
Even Sasuke, usually a light eater, couldn't help but praise it, swallowing down a freshly grilled piece of pork belly.
Love and good food—both are not to be betrayed.
For Naruto, a long-time meat lover, this barbecue was heavenly.
He and Hinata tore through the food with astonishing speed.
Before long, the pile of bones in front of them had grown into a small mountain.
Karin ate more slowly, her gaze shifting between Naruto and Hinata, seeming distracted.
As for Sakura—there was no comparison.
Even though she was technically the official Team 7 member rather than Hinata, she was the most reserved one present, too lost in thought to truly enjoy the food.
"Do you like Sasuke?"
"Would you do anything for him?"
Naruto's words echoed over and over in Sakura's mind.
What did he mean by that? she wondered.
Truthfully, Sakura wasn't without talent. After all, she's the one who eventually declared, "I've finally caught up to them," in the series' finale. While arguably exaggerated, as part of the "New Legendary Three," her strength was undeniably up to standard.
By the end of the original timeline, her abilities had nearly reached Tsunade's level.
Tsunade had two disciples: Shizune and Haruno Sakura. Their performances couldn't be more different.
Shizune was introduced only to be completely overwhelmed by Kabuto. Then, during Pain's invasion, she was utterly helpless again—no standout moments.
Sakura, however, had her shining moment in the battle against Sasori, and had fully inherited both Tsunade's Strength of a Hundred Seal and monstrous strength. Overall, she was solid.
She had value.
As the saying goes: "If someone can use you, you still have worth. The sad ones are those who don't even have that."
Still, Naruto just couldn't bring himself to like her—not her personality, or her overall presence.
Thankfully, it wasn't too late.
After dinner, Naruto called Sakura aside for a private conversation.
"Have you ever thought about coming out?" he asked suddenly.
"I mean, truly appearing—standing before the world."
"What do you mean?" Sakura asked, confused.
Naruto didn't answer directly. He continued, slowly and deliberately, his tone now eerily rhythmic:
"It must be exhausting, always being repressed… No one knows you exist, and there's no one you can talk to. You must feel terribly lonely."
"H-Huh?"
Sakura took a few cautious steps back, eyes flickering uneasily.
This version of Naruto unnerved her.
Has he gone crazy?
And yet, deep inside her mind, a voice stirred—
—a monochrome version of Sakura, unsure but speaking clearly:
"You… can hear me?"
Naruto nodded.
"I can see you. I've seen everything you've ever said."
Others couldn't see her, but Naruto could.
He could clearly perceive the being hidden deep inside Sakura's subconscious—
Inner Sakura.
Yes—Haruno Sakura had a split personality.
Inner Sakura: "!!!!"
"You jerk! Stop peeking into a girl's heart so casually! Watch it or I'll knock your teeth out!"
The black-and-white Inner Sakura raised her tiny fist threateningly.
Naruto laughed.
"Haha! As I suspected—compared to the surface 'you,' I like this one better."
"You're a little wild, sure, but at least you're not some manipulative fake."
If Sakura weren't that Sakura anymore—
Would Naruto accept her into Team 7?
The answer: Yes.
If it was Inner Sakura.
Compared to her outer self, Inner Sakura was stronger, bolder, and far more genuine. At the very least, she wasn't the type to play manipulative games.
This was someone who could resist even the Nara clan's Mind Transfer Jutsu with sheer force of will.
"It's lonely, isn't it?"
"Not even your original self knows you exist."
That line finally broke Sakura.
She turned and fled, running out in confusion.
From her perspective, Naruto was just muttering nonsensical things to himself—and it terrified her.
But she didn't make it far before bumping into someone.
"Sasuke!"
Instantly energized, she pointed back in alarm.
"Sasuke-kun! Naruto's gone crazy! He was saying the strangest things to me—come quick—"
"Too noisy."
With a swift and clean karate chop, Sasuke knocked her out cold.
She collapsed without a sound.
Sasuke and Naruto were clearly working together.
"Naruto, this woman's a real headache."
"Are you sure someone this weak should really be part of our team?"
The surface Sakura had fainted,
but Inner Sakura remained conscious.
Sasuke's words were the final straw that shattered Inner Sakura's rationality.
It was Inner Sakura who truly loved Sasuke—
She had, from the very beginning.
It was love at first sight.
Outer Sakura and Ino were the same—they liked him purely for his looks.
It was Inner Sakura's influence that made her outer self cling to Sasuke so deeply.
And now, Inner Sakura finally understood what Naruto's question had really meant.
"Do you like Sasuke?"
"Would you do anything for him?"
So that's what he meant… He was asking me.
Naruto spoke again, softly, voice laced with strange and irresistible power.
"Do you want to join us?"
Ninjutsu: Super Secret Technique — Kotoamatsukami: Activation
At some point, Hinata and Karin had appeared beside him.
Faced with the four of them, Inner Sakura could no longer suppress the desire within her heart.
"I do."
Naruto smiled.
His half-closed eyes opened ever so slightly.
"Excellent."
"Sasuke, carry her over. We just need to perform a little surgery."
"Tch. Why me again?"
Sasuke clicked his tongue, his usual annoyance returning.
His exact words: "So troublesome. Why is it always me?"
Sealing personalities might sound bizarre elsewhere—
—but in the world of Naruto, even souls could be sealed, so this was hardly unusual.
A reinforced version of the Evil Sealing Method, plus a Reverse Seal, would do the trick.
Naruto knew them both.
One by one, sealing runes began to fill the floor.
As Naruto formed the hand seals slowly, the runes began to stir like living creatures, crawling across the ground toward Sakura's forehead.
Soon, they gathered at the center of her prominent forehead and formed a faint "Heart" (心) symbol.
"Seal!"
---
The morning sunlight poured gently over the old Uchiha compound, awakening a certain girl from her sleep.
"I… I really made it out?"
Inner Sakura—or rather, just Sakura now—
Slowly opened her eyes, eyes full of wonder as she stared at her hands.
She inhaled deeply, greedily drawing in the fresh morning air.
This… this is the outside world. This feels amazing!
She slowly pushed open the door—
And there stood Naruto, smiling slyly.
"You're awake? Congratulations. The surgery was a success. You're now a cute little boy."
Sakura: "???"
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