The Sakura Legend

Hokage's Office

Iruka gave the Third Hokage a detailed and accurate account of the morning's events.

"Hooo~~~~~" The Third Hokage inhaled deeply from his pipe, then exhaled a plume of smoke.

"I understand, Iruka. You've done well. I'll need you to continue counseling Sasuke. And Sakura as well. Report any further developments immediately," the Third Hokage said to Iruka, his expression serious.

"Yes, Lord Third," Iruka replied, standing rigidly at attention.

"That will be all. You're dismissed, Iruka," the Third Hokage said.

"Yes, sir."

After Iruka left the Hokage's office, the Third Hokage fell into deep thought. He cared deeply about the village's next generation. He was also aware of Naruto's situation in the village, but there was truly little he could do, beyond personally giving Naruto his monthly allowance and chatting with him. There was nothing more he could do.

The villagers saw Naruto as the Nine-Tailed Fox. Despite the gag order, rumors spread, and the adults' attitudes inevitably influenced the children. But the Third truly couldn't reveal that Naruto was the son of the village's hero. This involved the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze.

Before becoming Hokage, Minato Namikaze had achieved legendary feats on the battlefield. He had single-handedly turned the tide of the Third Great Ninja War. But in doing so, he'd made countless enemies. Hatred doesn't simply vanish when a war ends.

Furthermore, the Fourth Hokage had sealed the Nine-Tails inside his newborn child to protect the village, further increasing the danger Naruto faced. If Naruto's true identity were revealed to the village, he would certainly receive their love and care, but it would also inform the village's enemies that this child was the son of Minato Namikaze, and a Jinchuriki.

Jinchuriki were powerful military assets to any village, and their identities were generally kept secret from enemy factions. Only when they were deployed would it become clear who the Jinchuriki was. If Naruto's identity were revealed, the other villages, filled with hatred, would definitely not let the opportunity pass. From the village's perspective, sacrificing an ordinary ninja's life to eliminate a Jinchuriki and the child of their enemy would be a worthwhile trade.

Naruto hadn't yet grown strong enough to protect himself, so secrecy was necessary for now.

It would undoubtedly harm Naruto's development, but it was unavoidable in order to protect him. Minato, I hope you won't blame me. Since you believed this child could control the Nine-Tails' power, the most I can do is prevent the darkness of the village from taking Naruto. (Referring to "Root").

The Third Hokage thought for a moment, then made a decision. He made a hand sign towards a nearby corner, and an Anbu operative appeared in the office.

"Remove your mask," the Third Hokage ordered.

"Yes, sir."

The Anbu removed his mask, revealing a young man with a face mask covering the lower half of his face and his left eye hidden behind a tilted forehead protector.

"Kakashi, how many years have you been in the Anbu?" the Third Hokage asked.

"Eight years, Lord Third."

"Eight years... From this day forward, you are no longer an Anbu member. Starting this year, you will become a Jonin instructor for Genin. You may go and speak with the Ninja Academy principal now," the Third Hokage told Kakashi.

"Yes, Lord Third," Kakashi replied. Then, he added, "Lord Third, since I am no longer an Anbu member, may I ask why?"

"The Fourth Hokage assigned you to the Anbu to extinguish the darkness in your heart. But it seems Anbu life hasn't done that. I hope that by becoming a Jonin instructor for Genin, you can rediscover that feeling you once had," the Third Hokage finally gave Kakashi the reason.

"Alright, that's all. You may leave," the Third Hokage said, waving his hand to dismiss Kakashi before he could speak further.

"Yes, Lord Third," Kakashi said, disappearing with a Body Flicker Technique.

The Third Hokage's true intention was to have Kakashi become Naruto's Jonin instructor after he graduated, and Sasuke's as well. Currently, Kakashi was the only one in Konoha who possessed the Sharingan, and only he could teach Sasuke.

Having Kakashi leave the Anbu now to become a Jonin instructor was to allow him to get used to the role, so he could better guide Naruto and Sasuke. And Sakura Haruno... He hadn't been wrong about that little girl. She was truly an inheritor of the Will of Fire. If she continued to develop smoothly, she might become Hokage someday.

While Naruto was ostracized by the entire village, Sakura hadn't been influenced by those around her. She had made her own judgment and accepted Naruto. After Sasuke's clan was massacred, she'd tried to help him, using her actions during the anniversary celebrations to ease his pain. But she didn't understand Sasuke's true situation and was attacked by him. Yet, she had swiftly and decisively defeated Sasuke, demonstrating sound judgment. This incident had only happened because she was still too young.

The Third Hokage had been keeping an eye on Sakura. The seemingly random surveillance she felt was from the Anbu he'd sent. Through these years of observation, he'd become even more certain that Sakura was a genius. Without Tsunade's guidance, she had independently mastered the basics of the chakra enhanced strength, then completed the water-natured chakra transformation, developing a Water Release technique similar to the Second Hokage's Water Severing Wave: the water blade.

"She understands her own situation and adjusts her techniques accordingly. Truly remarkable," the Third Hokage thought. "The chakra enhanced strength requires a large amount of chakra, which isn't suitable for Sakura, who has less chakra. But from observation, the water blade technique she developed requires little chakra and is incredibly powerful. Perhaps only someone with her level of precise chakra control could accomplish such a feat."

The Third Hokage didn't want to disturb Sakura now. He would find Tsunade first; this child was definitely suited to inherit Tsunade's legacy.

Sakura Haruno had no idea that the person watching her was an Anbu sent by the Third Hokage. Right now, she was wrestling with a headache.

She had originally thought inviting Sasuke would be a simple matter. She was sure he would agree. But reality had slapped her hard in the face. Not only had Sasuke refused her invitation, but he'd also tried to kill her.

Sakura spent the entire afternoon pondering why Sasuke had wanted to kill her. She replayed the details over and over, and finally, it seemed she understood.

It was probably because she'd mentioned him being alone in his family, reminding Sasuke of the night of the massacre. That was certainly not a pleasant memory. Sasuke probably thought she was there to mock him.

She truly did have a different worldview from the people of this world. Sakura couldn't understand the sense of honor that came with being part of such a clan, nor could she comprehend the feeling of having that clan wiped out.

Outsiders truly couldn't understand Sasuke's feelings. It seemed she couldn't share his pain. Although she understood the feeling on an intellectual level, she wasn't in the situation. Naruto only gained Sasuke's acceptance in the very end. It seemed Sasuke didn't acknowledge Naruto's strength, but rather Naruto's empathy for his pain. And Naruto had always wanted Sasuke to acknowledge his strength.

Sakura slumped over her desk, staring blankly at Sasuke's sullen face.