"A ninja is the ultimate embodiment of tracking, reconnaissance, espionage, assassination, and ninjutsu."
"But the most important thing for a ninja is to accurately assess their own strength during a mission."
"Now, who can tell me about the ranks of ninjas across the villages? Anyone do their homework?"
In the first class at the Ninja Academy, the chunin teacher Iruka Umino tried to liven up the room with a question. His gaze swept over the classroom: some kids were sleeping, others posing coolly, walking dogs, daydreaming, or munching on snacks.
Everyone was doing their own thing, completely ignoring him.
Sure, Iruka knew plenty of clan kids had been taught this stuff by their parents before enrolling, but come on—give your teacher a little respect, you little punks! Tch!
Just as the veins on Iruka's forehead started throbbing, a small hand shot up.
"Alright, Sakura, go ahead!" Iruka said, his face lighting up with gratitude. This kid's an angel!
As for her wrecking the entrance exam? Must've been an illusion—he, Iruka Umino, had definitely been hit with a genjutsu.
"The ninja ranks are: Genin, Chunin, Special Jonin, Jonin, and Kage," Sakura answered flatly. "The major ninja villages evaluate a ninja's overall abilities to determine their rank. The Kage rank is special—it's the village leader, elected by the Jonin through a vote."
Sakura rattled off the information like it was nothing. She'd discovered she had a knack for academics—flipping through the textbook on a whim, and she could recall everything perfectly.
Answering Iruka's question? Well, she felt bad for the guy. Plus, it was a way to repay him for comforting her first during the entrance exam, even at his own risk.
That's right—Sakura Haruno, future pirate of the seas, always pays her debts, good or bad.
"Perfect, straight out of the book! Take a seat!" Iruka nodded approvingly, gesturing for her to sit.
But the classroom's chaos didn't stop. His brief moment of satisfaction was shattered by the ruckus in the back.
Grabbing three pieces of chalk, Iruka hurled them like kunai, nailing the three loudest troublemakers.
"Naruto! Kiba! Choji!"
"Get out and stand in the hall!" he roared, eyes bloodshot, baring shark-like teeth.
Amid Iruka's occasional furious outbursts, the morning passed quickly. Sakura tapped her messy notes, planning to organize them at home later.
"Sakura!" Ino Yamanaka, sitting beside her, grabbed her lunchbox and hugged Sakura's arm. "You're so different today! When you answered the teacher's question, you were practically sparkling!"
Ino waved her free hand in an exaggerated circle, her delicate face full of suspicion. "Spill it—are you crushing on some guy in class?"
"No way!" Sakura stuck out her tongue, shaking her head vigorously.
Sure, the girls in Konoha matured fast and were obsessed with romance, but Sakura's former male mindset couldn't handle that.
"Really? Good, because confident Sakura is super cute today!" Ino said, looking at Sakura's black short-sleeve shirt, white leg wraps, and ninja gloves. For a moment, a strange feeling stirred in her.
This Sakura… she's kind of cool, almost like a boy.
"Right?" Sakura winked at Ino and headed out.
She planned to eat the lunch her mom packed, then find a quiet spot to experiment with chakra. She'd already studied the basics of chakra control online and was eager to try it out.
"Slow down, Sakura!" Ino called, struggling to keep up as Sakura's strength pulled her along. "Where are you going?"
Despite clinging to Sakura's arm, Ino couldn't slow her down at all.
Carrying Ino out of the classroom, Sakura aimed for a secluded spot to eat. But as they turned toward the warehouse behind the school, a commotion broke out.
"Hey, I heard you're a freak who heals fast, right?"
"We're short on sparring partners since they cut our taijutsu classes."
"You'll practice with us, won't you? You wouldn't say no, would you?"
In the shadows of the trees, a group of older students surrounded a blond boy. They had him cornered, their leader sporting a twisted grin.
"Ugh, those upperclassmen are bullying again," Ino muttered, letting go of Sakura's arm as she noticed the scene. "How do you know? It's our first day!" Sakura asked, setting her lunchbox on a nearby chair.
"It's clan stuff. You're better off not knowing," Ino whispered mysteriously, waving off the topic.
But Sakura's Observation Haki picked up Ino's disgust loud and clear. She sighed inwardly—the ninja school's social dynamics are so messy.
Civilians, clans… and then there was the blond boy, caught in the middle.
The older kids started swinging. The blond boy fought back, fearless despite his smaller size, but he was quickly overwhelmed.
Sakura took a step forward, making Ino's heart skip a beat. "Hey, Sakura, what are you doing?"
"Helping him," Sakura replied, untying her headband and handing it to Ino.
"No way! Why would you help him?" Ino grabbed her hand, shaking her head. "They've got numbers, and that blond kid's a village taboo!"
"You care about those rumors, Ino?" Sakura asked, smirking teasingly.
"I don't care about rumors—I care about you!" Ino said, looking at her seriously.
"Don't worry, Ino. I'm pretty strong, you know!" Sakura patted Ino's head, broke free, and strode forward.
Whether it was repaying the Fourth Hokage's kindness or refusing to let an innocent kid get bullied right in front of her, a free-spirited pirate like Sakura did what she wanted.
Watch closely, you bullying brats—even the brutal pirate world has a code of honor!
"Stop it!" Sakura's clear voice rang out, halting the older kids beating the blond boy.
They turned, spotting the pink-haired girl standing in the sunlight, arms crossed.
"Well, look at this—a girl sticking up for the freak?" the leader sneered, sauntering toward her.
His lackeys, annoyed at the interruption, glared at Sakura.
"So, how're you gonna make us stop, big-forehead girl?"
"Big…" Veins popped on Sakura's forehead, but her smile grew sweeter.
She raised her pale hand, curling her thumb and forefinger, and flicked the boy.
In an instant, the raw power of her Giant Royal lineage exploded.
The flick sent the boy crashing to the ground, rolling several times before smacking his head on the dirt.
"You… you hit me?" he stammered, climbing up, bruised and shocked. "Do you know who I am? I'm a Sarutobi!"
"Oh? And?" Sakura blew on her fingers, as if brushing off dirt.
"Get her!" the Sarutobi kid roared, signaling his cronies.
They charged, fists raised, at the seemingly delicate Sakura.
And then… it was over.
"You dare hit me? I'm a Shimura—agh!"
"A mere civilian, daring to touch a Fuma—agh!"
"Don't come closer, I'll tell my—agh!"
After delivering a physical version of the "Heart Decapitation Technique" to a dozen upperclassmen, Sakura and Ino were the only ones left standing unscathed.
"You, Sarutobi!" Sakura squatted in front of the boy she'd spared from being buried in the dirt, pointing at the blond kid. "Go apologize to him. Got it?"
Terrified, the Sarutobi kid scrambled over, frantically apologizing.
"Get lost. If I catch you bullying anyone at school again, you'll be buried once for every kid you pick on. Understand?" Sakura demanded, hands on her hips, voice booming.
The nameless Sarutobi nodded furiously and fled as soon as she gave the okay.
"Sakura, you're amazing!" Ino rushed over, grabbing her hand. "How'd you do that? Ninjutsu? Some kind of bloodline limit?"
Ino chattered excitedly, but a timid voice saved Sakura from answering.
"Um… th-thank you for chasing them off!" the blond boy said, standing up, his voice shy and awkward.
"No big deal. I just couldn't stand those jerks," Sakura replied, brushing back her hair as Ino tied it up for her, turning to leave.
Then, Naruto Uzumaki gathered his courage and shouted, "I'm Naruto Uzumaki! Can I know your name?"
Sakura froze, a flood of old memories hitting her.
In my past life, wasn't this pink-haired, black-hearted heroine hated because of this Konoha prince's relentless pursuit for a decade?
Oh no, he's not into me, is he? I can't handle guys!
No way, this can't happen!
Sakura stared at Naruto's sparkling eyes, silent for a long moment.
With a resigned sigh, she said, "Sakura Haruno."
"Got it! I'll remember that, dattebayo!"