Sakura Haruno is Usefull

"Sakura!"

From afar, Kakashi spotted the pink-haired girl drenched in blood, and his heart skipped a beat.

Could it be? After losing his father, comrades, and teacher, was it his student's turn this time...

"Kakashi!"

Sakura waved at the silver-haired man and the green-clad, bowl-haired figure in the distance.

Seeing her alive and well, Kakashi let out a sigh of relief.

"What happened?"

"Didn't you say you'd use the signal flare?"

"Where is it?"

Reaching Sakura's side, Kakashi didn't even bother to check her injuries before scolding her.

"Uh, well..."

Sakura scratched her cheek, her eyes wandering awkwardly.

"Does it matter now?"

Meanwhile, Might Guy walked to the edge of the battlefield where Sakura had fought Orochimaru. His expression turned grave as he looked at the mangled remains of countless serpents.

Despite his eccentric personality, Guy possessed all the qualities of an elite ninja. Otherwise, he wouldn't have become a jonin.

"Kakashi, it's Orochimaru."

Guy bent down, picking up a severed snake head with no hesitation, and spoke solemnly.

"I've already sent King Enma to inform the Hokage. He should know by now," Sakura said, tearing a strip of cloth from her sleeve to tie back her sticky, blood-soaked hair.

"You were too reckless. Facing Orochimaru alone?"

Kakashi's usual lazy demeanor was replaced with uncharacteristic seriousness.

"Yeah, yeah, I get it."

Sakura waved her hand dismissively. She was already annoyed; she had taken a sword through her chest and still failed to capture Orochimaru.

"Report the situation to the exam proctors and let the Chunin Exams continue. Increase security if necessary. The old man won't want this disrupted."

Sakura understood Sarutobi Hiruzen's character all too well.

If this were an internal Konoha-only exam, it might be a different story. But this was a joint event with three nations. For the sake of both honor and reputation, the Hokage couldn't allow the exams to be postponed.

Canceling such an important event because of a single rogue ninja? That would be an embarrassment to Konoha, the most powerful village in the shinobi world—even if that rogue ninja was Orochimaru.

"Alright, you two can leave now. Orochimaru probably isn't in great shape either."

After all, she had landed a full-power punch on him in her Hundred Healings Mode. Not to mention, Orochimaru was nearing the end of his host body's lifespan. That vessel was already falling apart.

Orochimaru's arrogance had been his downfall—he hadn't maintained his distance from her in battle. If he had, Sakura wouldn't have had much of a chance.

Still, this fight had highlighted her shortcomings.

Hiruzen had taught her the Body Flicker Technique years ago, and she had practiced diligently. But there was still a moment of stiffness after its use.

In a fight against a seasoned warrior like Orochimaru, she hadn't dared risk using the technique.

What she needed now was a sensory ninjutsu—something to detect her surroundings and give her an edge before the stiffness of the Body Flicker set in. Ideally, it would adjust dynamically as she moved.

At this moment, Sakura envied Karin's Mind's Eye of the Kagura.

Of course, she didn't need such a vast range. A sensory radius of a hundred meters—or even just ten—would suffice.

"Alright, I'll handle it. Sakura, take care of yourself," Kakashi said, still visibly concerned.

"Yeah, yeah, go on," Sakura replied, waving him off. Watching Kakashi and Guy leave, she walked back toward the battlefield where she'd fought Orochimaru, as if searching for something.

"Ah, found it."

Spotting a forehead protector glinting under a tree, Sakura approached.

Just as she bent down to retrieve it—

Bang!

A shuriken spun out from her hand, intercepting a rock spike descending from above. The two projectiles collided midair, dispersing in a cloud of dust.

Sakura picked up the forehead protector, tied its damaged strap back together, and glanced toward the source of the attack.

A black-haired figure hovered in the sky, clad in red shinobi attire with an Iwagakure forehead protector tied around her head.

"Well, well, Sakura Haruno. How pitiful you look," the figure taunted.

Sakura tucked the forehead protector into her pocket, looking up at Kurotsuchi.

She's already mastered the Lightweight Boulder Jutsu at her age?

"Yeah, ran into a tough one," Sakura replied.

"Why? Thinking of taking me on now? I'm running low on chakra, you know."

She flashed a provoking smile, daring Kurotsuchi to come down.

"Hmph. Should I take that as a challenge?"

Kurotsuchi's eyes gleamed.

She was the granddaughter of the Third Tsuchikage, a prodigy who had mastered one of his signature techniques. Her pride wouldn't allow her to back down.

"Consider yourself lucky I'm feeling generous today, Sakura Haruno. Next time, you won't get off so easily," Kurotsuchi said, arms crossed as she flew away.

Sakura scratched her head, watching her retreat.

That girl's personality was oddly similar to Naruto's in some ways.

But Sakura had no interest in another fight.

Not now, anyway.

If she accidentally killed Kurotsuchi with a stray punch, Ohnoki might die of a heart attack.

And as for Gaara? If he lost control and unleashed Shukaku, that would be another headache entirely.

"Sakura, Naruto and the others are to the northwest," came the voice of the slug resting on her shoulder.

"They've captured three individuals wearing Sound Village forehead protectors, just like Orochimaru."

Sakura nodded without saying much.

Naruto and Sasuke each had powerful moves—Rasengan and Chidori, respectively. If they couldn't handle three minions, they'd truly be hopeless.

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