Sakura Haruno is Usefull

Honestly, Ino wasn't the type of ninja skilled in direct combat.

The Yamanaka Clan thrived in coordination with the Akimichi and Nara Clans, producing a synergy where the whole was greater than the sum of its parts.

Each clan had its unique specialties:

The Akimichi Clan specialized in powerful offensive techniques.

The Nara Clan excelled in control and strategy.

The Yamanaka Clan provided sensory and intelligence-gathering abilities.

Sakura, clutching a kunai from her pouch, faced Ino with unwavering focus.

This sight froze Naruto in place. Memories of Sakura's duel with that so-called "senior" flashed in his mind.

Although he hadn't witnessed the end, he distinctly remembered seeing Sakura punch Orochimaru away with just one blow.

Moreover, the ground beneath her during one of her strikes had utterly crumbled.

In Naruto's eyes, Sakura's strength was unparalleled.

Watching her determined expression now, Naruto hesitated before mumbling,

"Is Sakura planning to kill Ino?"

Beside him, Sasuke glanced at Naruto and shook his head.

"No, it's because she respects Ino."

"Respect? So Sakura won't hold back?"

Naruto tilted his head, his confusion evident.

"What are you even saying, Sasuke?

Sakura could probably send Ino straight to the ICU with one punch…"

As a matter of fact, Sakura was exactly what Sasuke described—someone who viewed restraint against a serious opponent as disrespectful.

But Sakura also knew how to control her strength. She wouldn't use her monstrous power recklessly.

On the other side, Ino gritted her teeth, staring at Sakura's intense stance.

How dare she take this so seriously!

She was absolutely the worst!

Fueled by frustration, Ino swiftly retrieved a shuriken and a kunai from her pouch.

With a single toss, the shuriken flew toward Sakura, while Ino charged forward with the kunai in hand.

"The strategy is textbook: use the shuriken to create an opening and pressure the opponent with close-range attacks," Kakashi observed from above.

"A sound approach for most situations. However…"

"However, what?" Naruto asked, his curiosity piqued as he glanced at Kakashi.

"Sakura's a taijutsu-focused ninja," Kakashi replied calmly.

"From the moment Ino chose this strategy, the outcome was already decided."

Kakashi watched as Ino charged toward the pink-haired kunoichi, a trace of resignation in his voice.

The Yamanaka Clan specialized in sensory and reconnaissance, not head-on confrontation.

Moreover, there was one crucial factor:

Ino lacked sufficient intel.

Sakura, on the other hand, was fully aware of Ino's capabilities. Kakashi, recalling Sakura's history, knew that after graduating, she had been assigned directly to the ANBU by Hiruzen Sarutobi. Over four years, she had risen from a genin to a special jonin, only reemerging publicly during Ino's team formation.

Ino simply had no chance to gather information on her.

Kakashi shot a glance at Hiruzen, who stood nonchalantly at the center of the second floor, puffing his pipe.

He had no doubt that this match was carefully orchestrated.

The seed candidates from the Fire, Earth, and Wind villages had all avoided clashing with key opponents—except Kankuro, the unlucky exception. Even Sakura was paired against her best friend, clearly arranged to spare Ino from an embarrassing defeat.

Clang!

Sakura effortlessly deflected the incoming shuriken, swiftly countering Ino's thrust with her kunai.

Her other hand darted like lightning, striking Ino's nape in a precise, controlled chop.

As a skilled medical ninja, Sakura had mastered the art of regulating her strength, ensuring Ino only lost consciousness without sustaining lasting harm.

The blonde girl's eyes rolled back as she collapsed into Sakura's arms.

Faintly, Sakura thought she heard Ino mumble something before losing consciousness:

"Sakura… you… jerk…"

Sakura blinked, puzzled, staring at her now-unconscious friend.

"Did I imagine that?"

"The winner is Haruno Sakura!"

As Hayate Gekko announced the result, Shikamaru rubbed his forehead in exasperation.

As expected, Ino didn't stand a chance against Sakura.

With that, the new generation of the Ino-Shika-Cho trio had been entirely eliminated from the exams.

Now, only three participants remained untested: Neji Hyuga, Hinata Hyuga, and Rock Lee.

Carrying the unconscious Ino on her back, Sakura returned to the second floor, gently placing her down.

The names for the final match lit up on the screen.

Hinata Hyuga vs. Neji Hyuga.

With this, Rock Lee advanced directly to the finals by default, given a month to prepare.

Sakura understood Hiruzen Sarutobi's intentions.

Both Rock Lee and Neji Hyuga were exemplary candidates from this batch of genin.

The finals, which would take place a month later, would draw an audience of not just dignitaries from the Fire, Earth, and Wind countries but also the Kazekage and Tsuchikage themselves.

Allowing Hinata, with her current strength, to advance…

It would have been a disgrace to Konoha, completely undermining Hiruzen's intent when nominating Sakura for the exams.

Though it was harsh on Hinata, this was the reality of the ninja world.

The match between Hinata and Neji also symbolized the conflict between the Hyuga Clan's main and branch families.

Sakura preferred not to interfere in such internal matters.

Hinata was kind-hearted and fortunate, while Neji bore pain and misfortune.

Sakura couldn't decide how to handle this situation—it wasn't her place.

And then there was Naruto's inexplicable support for Hinata, which left Sakura at a loss.

As the two Hyuga cousins stepped onto the battlefield, activating their Byakugan and assuming their Gentle Fist stances, the atmosphere grew tense.

Neji's strikes were ruthless and unrelenting, while Hinata struggled like a delicate flower battered by a storm.

Sakura watched calmly.

To be honest, Hinata wasn't suited to inherit the Hyuga Clan's legacy.

Power could be honed over time, but her timid personality was the real issue.

If Sakura were in Neji Hyuga's position, she would have been equally frustrated and disappointed with Hinata.

In the end, when Neji prepared to deliver a final, merciless blow, Kakashi intervened.

Not just Kakashi—Kurenai Yuhi, Might Guy, and Hayate Gekko also stepped in.

It was then that Sakura noticed someone missing.

Asuma Sarutobi, leader of the Ino-Shika-Cho team, wasn't there.

"Why? Why?!" Neji's voice trembled with anger.

"Is this the privilege of the main family? Is this the injustice of the Hyuga Clan?!"

His eyes burned with hatred and despair as he glared at the bloodied, barely conscious Hinata.

But before anyone could respond, an orange blur leapt from Sakura's side.

Naruto had entered the battlefield.

------

more chapters on

pat reon.com/yuuwand