The Sakura Legend

Late Year 56 of Konoha.

The Uchiha clan massacre had gradually spread throughout Konoha. Everyone, adults and children alike, knew about it. Sasuke had become much more withdrawn since that day. When there were no classes, he no longer constantly challenged Sakura, trying to be number one in the class, likely because there was no longer anyone to say to him, "As expected of my son."

The annual festival was fast approaching. I wonder what delicious things Mom will prepare this year, Sakura thought, daydreaming while resting her head on her desk. These past few months had been very pleasant for Sakura. Without Sasuke's constant interruptions, she could quietly work towards her goals. Because she'd been diligently practicing chakra control for the past five years, even incorporating it into her daily life whenever possible, learning Water Release nature transformation was exceptionally smooth. Now, she'd already started practicing Earth Release nature transformation.

Sakura estimated that if everything went well, she'd be able to master Earth Release chakra nature transformation by the first half of next year. Although she didn't know any Earth Release ninjutsu, it didn't hinder her learning of the Earth Release nature transformation. The Earth Release nature transformation was only meant to enhance the power of her waterjet. As for the waterjet, Sakura had already mastered it. It wasn't a very complex ninjutsu, just an application of chakra control. It didn't require hand seals; she just needed to gather chakra at her fingertip, transform it into Water Release, compress it intensely, and then shoot it out. The range and power of the jet depended on the amount of chakra output.

While practicing the waterjet, Sakura had also developed a derivative ninjutsu. She'd gather and compress a high-density ball of Water Release chakra at her fingertip, then shoot it out. However, its power was inferior to the waterjet, because the launched water bullet didn't have sustained chakra support. Therefore, the farther it traveled, the more its power decreased. It could only be used as an ordinary projectile.

Actually, due to the side effects of her transmigration, Sakura had forgotten a portion of her memories. If Sakura could remember, she would realize that the jutsu she had developed were actually modified versions of the Second Hokage's "Water Release: Severing Wave" and "Water Release: Water Bullet Technique". Thanks to Sakura's exceptional chakra control, she didn't need to use hand seals like the Second Hokage to control the chakra within her body to form the ninjutsu. In this regard, Sakura was indeed a genius.

"School will be out for break in ten days. Thinking about it, I won't be able to master Earth Release nature transformation anytime soon. I've already got the Water Release ninjutsu down, and I learned Monstrous Strength this year too. Hey, I've made quite a bit of progress this year. Since that's the case, I'll just relax and enjoy the break this year. Being so tense all the time will make me age prematurely."

"Speaking of which, this year will be Sasuke's first time celebrating the festival alone, right? And Naruto... he's probably been celebrating the festival alone all this time, hasn't he?" Thinking of this, Sakura turned her head to look at Naruto. Naruto was staring blankly ahead, daydreaming, not paying any attention to what the teacher was saying on the platform.

"Hm? Sakura-chan?" Naruto's peripheral vision caught someone staring at him. He looked directly, and it was Sakura Haruno. He immediately called out to her, puzzled.

Sakura, seeing Naruto looking at her, didn't say anything. She just gave him a sweet smile and turned back to listen attentively to Iruka-sensei explaining the origins of the annual festival.

Naruto looked behind him, confirming that there was a wall behind him. Sakura had indeed smiled at him. He was a little confused, and then he became excited. Sakura smiled at me. What does that mean? Does she like me?

It has to be said, Sakura at this time was quite cute. Her grades were also top of the class, and she had a mature aura. She was indeed quite attractive to kids this age.

At first, Naruto was ostracized by his classmates and had no friends. Sakura also didn't fit in with her classmates and had no friends. At that time, Naruto had thought about actively approaching Sakura because their situations in the class were quite similar, creating a sense of camaraderie in Naruto.

But Sakura ignored Naruto because, at that time, she thought Naruto was just a brat. And then, in the subsequent class tests and practical exercises, Sakura was always first, and even Sasuke Uchiha of the Uchiha clan couldn't beat Sakura. That's when Naruto realized the gap between himself and Sakura, so he rarely tried to interact with her afterward, because his grades were at the bottom of the class.

After the first class test, although Sakura was still an outsider, at least no one would ostracize the top student in the class. But just now, Sakura had actually smiled at him. Naruto couldn't remember the last time someone had smiled at him, or rather, no one had ever smiled at him. In the village, all he saw were those cold, murderous gazes. Except for the Third Hokage, who gave him his monthly allowance and chatted with him a bit, no one was willing to talk to him, no one was willing to be his friend.

Naruto had become somewhat numb to this, so he constantly pulled pranks, trying to attract the attention of those around him, to get noticed. But it only earned him even more disgusted looks.

Naruto, from birth, had never received a smile with kindness from others. Not even once.

Naruto shook his head, dismissing the unrealistic thoughts from his mind. Naruto didn't think it was possible for anyone to smile at him. Sakura was probably just seeing something funny. Then, Naruto continued to rest his head on the desk, thinking about what he would do after school during the break. "The allowance from the Third Hokage-jiji is still more than enough. I can buy a bowl of the limited-edition ramen I've always wanted to eat but couldn't afford during the festival. Hehe, and then I can have a really good feast during the festival. And then... and then... I'll still be alone."

"Alright, that's all for today's lesson. Class dismissed," Iruka-sensei announced on the platform.

Sakura was packing her things, preparing to go home, when she saw Naruto still listlessly resting his head on the desk. She hesitated for a moment, then walked over and tapped Naruto on the shoulder.

"Naruto, why aren't you going home? Iruka-sensei said class is dismissed. Aren't you hungry?"

"Sa... Sa... Sa... Sakura-chan," Naruto stammered a little, looking at Sakura in front of him.

"Why aren't you going home? The school will be closing soon."

"There's only me at home anyway. I thought I'd wait a bit and clean the classroom before I go," Naruto said, his expression a little dim.

It seemed Naruto wanted to experience the atmosphere of being around people for a little longer. He was silently doing the cleaning work, just wanting to be acknowledged. But, Naruto, at this stage, you're simply not going to get that recognition. The adults all resent you. The new generation, influenced by the adults, also shuns you. Even Iruka, at this point, is a bit wary of you, not accepting you as he will later. Perhaps Iruka needs to figure things out for himself before he can accept you.

Seeing Naruto's lonely figure, Sakura tilted her head and thought for a moment.

"Naruto, can I come to your house for dinner during the festival?" Sakura asked with a bright smile.

Naruto raised his head and stared blankly at Sakura's radiant smile. It felt like, the entire world was filled with light, and Sakura was the sun that illuminated everything.