On the streets of Konoha.
The girl with light blonde hair stared with curious eyes at the simply dressed Sakura beside her.
Sakura's clothes were still the black Ninja Attire commonly worn by Ninja, and she wore black Ninja Sandals on her feet. Yet, despite being head-to-toe in black, Sakura currently seemed devoid of all color.
"What's wrong, Sakura?"
As soon as Ino spoke-
The flash of pink in her vision immediately swayed in front of her. Sakura grabbed Ino's shoulders with both hands, her small face filled with regret.
"I was practicing Ninjutsu at home this morning and made a huge mess."
"Got a taste of spanking, and Mom punished me with no meatballs for a week~"
Hearing Sakura's words, Ino looked at the dejected girl before her and couldn't help but feel amused inwardly.
'So even Sakura has this side to her...'
'She's definitely still the Sakura I know...'
'Though she has gotten a lot cooler lately, still not as cool as Sasuke though...'
"Alright, aren't we going to visit Sasuke today?"
"After we get back, I'll secretly treat you to a meal. Just don't let your mom find out!"
Ino wrapped an arm around Sakura's waist, gently soothing the cat-like girl.
"Ino, are you an angel?!"
Sakura buried her face in Ino's chest, but caught a scent of carnations.
Turning her head, she saw it was the flower basket Ino was carrying in her right hand to give to Sasuke.
'Tch, what right does that guy have to attract my Ino!'
The two headed straight for Konoha Hospital. In the hospital corridors today, many hidden glances swept over them.
'Anbu... No, it's the Root!'
Sakura's Observation Haki picked up the familiar, cold stares. Sakura instinctively moved to shield Ino behind her.
"What's wrong, Sakura?"
"Nothing. Just, no matter what you hear, don't get angry!"
Sakura whispered a reminder to Ino and, holding her hand, quickly walked through the corridor.
Around them, the noisy sounds naturally couldn't escape the notice of Ino, who had the talent of a Sensor Ninja, nor Sakura with her Observation Haki.
"Hey, did you hear? A lot of traitors appeared within the Uchiha Clan."
"So scary, a patricide! They really are a cursed clan!"
"A clan like that should be driven out of the village. I don't know why Hokage-sama is still keeping them around!"
'Familiar methods, usual routines.'
'Once again, sending Ninjas to mix among the civilians, stirring up their malice.'
'The last time they used the invisible knife of public opinion, they destroyed Konoha's White Fang, Hatake Sakumo.'
'This time, who did they want to destroy? Dear Hokage Advisor-sama!'
"…"
Ino behind Sakura also had a grim expression. By now, as the daughter of the Yamanaka Clan's head, she understood exactly what was happening.
In the end, they could only hurry to Sasuke's hospital room, forcefully pulling the door open and then shutting it.
Inside the room, the wind billowed the pure white curtains, casting shadows onto a boy filled with stillness.
Although the fate of the Uchiha Clan Massacre had been avoided, his father died in battle, his brother committed patricide, and led a large number of Jonin in defection...
These heavy crimes would only make the inherently fickle villagers of Konoha direct their malice onto this orphaned boy and his mother. After all, he shared the same blood as the criminals.
"Sasuke-kun?"
Ino softened her voice, placing the flower basket on the bedside table.
Before coming, Ino had heard from Iruka that Sasuke had been hit by a very complex technique and needed hospitalization, which is why the two were representing their class to visit him.
Hearing Ino's voice, a pair of empty eyes slowly turned towards them.
He ignored Ino who was standing by and just stared at Sakura.
Within his scarlet pupils, two tomoes spun, appearing both sinister and dangerous.
"Haruno Sakura."
"Fight me!"
A cold, almost completely flat tone flowed from Sasuke's mouth. But in Sakura's Observation Haki, his emotions had accumulated to their limit, like a volcano ready to erupt.
"Eh? Sasuke-kun, you should be resting properly!"
"And Sakura, help me talk some sense into him!"
Ino spoke up to stop them, reaching out to tug on Sakura's sleeve beside her. Her green eyes constantly sent silent signals Sakura's way.
After all, on one side was her crush, and on the other was her best friend. Hurting either would make Ino heartbroken.
"Alright!"
Sakura turned sideways, raised a finger to point towards the rooftop, and strode out of the room first.
Sasuke also threw off the covers, jumped off the bed, and followed.
"Sakura? Sasuke? Ugh, these two really..."
A frantic Ino scratched her head and followed them up.
The three arrived on the hospital's rooftop. Metal clotheslines held up the pure white sheets used in the wards.
Sasuke and Sakura stood facing each other.
"Not going to attack? Once I make a move, you won't have a chance."
The pink-haired girl stood casually with her arms crossed. From a Ninja's perspective, every move she made seemed full of openings.
"Damn it, stop looking down on me!"
Sasuke's face was nearly twisted. A sharp fist swung out, aiming straight for Sakura's delicate face.
'Why! Why!'
That strict but loving father, the usually cold but caring clansmen...
His scarlet pupils seemed to reflect that night on the riverbank, the man covered in blood with his cold gaze...
'Hate me, foolish little brother!'
'You are too weak right now, not even worth killing!'
"Damn it!"
All his madness was compressed into this roar. At this moment, Sasuke was like a beast craving to devour everything.
He completely abandoned defense, pursuing only frenzied) offense, just to get a clear answer from that man's junior in the Anbu!
Thump!
Sasuke's eyes widened in disbelief. The other party had caught his fist with a seemingly effortless palm, not even swaying.
"Impossible! How can the gap be this big!"
Sasuke in mid-air twisted his waist forcefully, one hand supporting himself on the ground, his leg whipping around in a backward kick!
"Wrong. This won't work against Uchiha Itachi!"
Sakura spread her fingers and caught the kicking leg!
Holding Sasuke with her right hand, she swung him in a large circle before slamming him heavily onto the hospital's concrete rooftop.
"Ugh! Cough! Don't... say that name!"
The recoil bounced Sasuke off the ground, making him cough up foam.
Wire flung from a ninja tool pouch tightly bound Sasuke. Sakura sighed lightly and let go.
"Is that all? Haruno Sakura, are you pitying me?"
"Or is my weakness not even enough to force out the Kekkei Genkai you're proud of?!"
Uchiha Sasuke roared madly. What he saw was the other's eyes that seemed to hold the same disappointment as that guy's.
This, this alone, was something Sasuke absolutely could not accept!
"So, you Uchiha..."
Sakura sat down cross-legged beside Sasuke.
Her emerald-green eyes calmly watched the boy struggling futilely before her.
"Who are you putting on this mad dog act for? Is there no one left in the village you care about?"
The clear voice entered Sasuke's ears, making his struggles freeze instantly.
'Yes, I still had Mom.'
'Now, I'm the only pillar of my household. If I acted recklessly, then Mom...'
"Have you figured it out?"
Sakura moved a finger, undoing the wire. Sasuke simply collapsed.
At this moment, he couldn't say a word, just clenching his fists against the ground.
Regardless of age, regardless of physical condition-
This is what men are like. When responsibility comes, they must mature quickly and shelter their families from the storm.
The dark clouds in the sky grew thicker. As lightning flashed across, rain began to fall sporadically.
Sakura patted Uchiha Sasuke's shoulder and stood up.
"If you understand, then focus on recovering properly."
"On the Ninja Way, Uchiha Itachi has surpassed you by far. If you want to defeat him, make good use of the village's connections, resources, and techniques. That's the only thing you can use to oppose him right now."
Having said her piece, Sakura didn't look back at Sasuke. She stepped through the rain towards the stairwell.
Pushing the door open, she saw Ino's worried face.
"Sakura..."
"It's fine. Go notify the nurses to take him back to his room."
Sakura patted Ino's arm reassuringly.
"And! I want fried meatballs from South Street!"
"Sakura!!!"