The Sakura Legend

Hokage Tower

The ANBU operative leading Sakura up to the top floor gestured towards a set of double doors and then vanished in a swirl of leaves.

Sakura didn't dwell on why the ANBU had been unusually polite; she assumed it was because the Third Hokage valued her. But now wasn't the time for those thoughts.

She rushed to the doors and, without knocking, threw them open. The Third Hokage was sitting at his desk, reviewing documents.

The doors banged open with a resounding thud, and the Third Hokage looked up to see Sakura standing in the doorway, panting.

Sakura strode into the Hokage's office and demanded, "Where is Naruto?"

"Ah, Sakura. You're here. I wanted to ask you about a few things," the Third Hokage said. He assumed that the ANBU had notified her, and Sakura had rushed over as soon as school ended, impatient to hear about Naruto.

"I'm asking you, where – is – Nar-u-to – now?" Sakura repeated, gritting her teeth.

It wasn't surprising that Sakura was so agitated. You could say that she was the one who had gotten Naruto into this mess. If Naruto had really been taken by Root, Sakura knew that once she had the strength, she'd raise hell in Konoha. She'd probably become a missing-nin, and everything she'd worked so hard to achieve would be reduced to nothing. But Sakura wouldn't regret it. She would repay Naruto that life.

The Third Hokage was taken aback by Sakura's intensity, but his estimation of her rose even higher. Protecting her fellow villagers, recognizing that everyone in the village is family, regardless of clan standing or social hierarchy... this is part of the Will of Fire. He looked at Sakura and felt a surge of pride. Her talent, capacity, ability, and courage were all exceptional. All she lacked now was a good teacher and the necessary trials of a shinobi.

If the Third Hokage had known that Sakura was just contemplating wreaking havoc in Konoha, he would have immediately squashed those earlier thoughts. But at this moment, he looked upon her with increasing fondness.

"Naruto is fine. He's with the Sealing Corps, undergoing some... special examinations," the Third Hokage replied after a moment's thought. He decided to reveal a little information to Sakura. After all, she must have seen Naruto's condition that night.

"Sealing Corps? Iruka-sensei said he was in the hospital. You're not lying to me, are you?" Sakura pressed, refusing to be sidetracked. She needed to force the truth about Naruto's whereabouts out of him. Sealing Corps, huh? More like Root's Sealing Corps.

"Naruto is with the Sealing Corps. I told Iruka he was in the hospital," the Third Hokage explained. "Sakura, you must have seen what happened that night. So... Naruto's situation is a little unusual. Therefore, he can't move around freely just yet."

"Hmm? 'Move around freely'?" Sakura parsed the Third's wording, not entirely trusting him. But his expression didn't seem deceitful. No, wait, he's been a politician for decades. He's seen it all. I'm just a small-time player compared to him.

"Well, will Naruto be coming back to school?" Sakura didn't ask when she could see Naruto. Instead, she asked if he would return to the Ninja Academy. This was equivalent to demanding a clear answer from the Third.

Hearing Sakura's question and observing the thoughtful expression on her face, the Third Hokage understood. Sakura is truly perceptive. She must have seen Naruto's state that night, and witnessed the other Konoha ninja suppressing him. The new generation didn't know about the Nine-Tailed Fox sealed within Naruto. After seeing Naruto's condition and then his absence from school, she likely deduced that he had been eliminated or was being controlled.

Sakura reminded the Third Hokage of Itachi Uchiha. Both were exceptionally perceptive at a young age. If Itachi hadn't been born into the Uchiha clan, he would have been groomed to become Hokage. It was a pity. But fortunately, just over a decade later, Konoha had another child with the same talent, and this time, it was during a period of peace. Her future achievements wouldn't be inferior to Itachi's, and she wasn't from a major clan.

"Haha, Sakura, don't worry. Naruto will be going back to school. You don't need to be concerned about that," the Third Hokage said with a chuckle.

"Really? Are you sure you're not lying to me?" Sakura eyed the laughing Hokage suspiciously. Could I have been overthinking it? Did the Third not compromise with Danzo?

"That's right. If you want to see Naruto now, you can. But first, I need to ask you some questions about the night you were attacked," the Third Hokage decided to let Sakura visit Naruto now. Even after seeing Naruto unleash the Nine-Tails' power, Sakura still cared deeply for him. This filled the Third with trust in her. Perhaps he could reveal some of Naruto's situation to her. He believed Sakura would make the right judgment.

Hearing that she could see Naruto, Sakura felt the tension she'd been holding release. "I'm sorry, Lord Hokage. I was rude to you earlier. I sincerely apologize." Sakura apologized after the weight in her heart had lifted. She had come here assuming Naruto had been handed over to Root, so her tone with the Third Hokage had been disrespectful. Now, hearing that Naruto was safe and that the Third Hokage wasn't what she had thought, she apologized for her earlier rudeness.

"It's no problem, Sakura. I know you were worried about Naruto. It's alright," the Third Hokage said, waving his hand dismissively. "Now, I'm going to ask you some questions about what happened that night. I hope you can recall the details as accurately as possible and answer truthfully," the Third Hokage said, his expression turning serious.

Sensing the Hokage's grave tone, Sakura guessed this was about Naruto's rampage. Since Naruto himself didn't know what that thing was, the Hokage probably hadn't questioned him. He was looking to the only person who was conscious at the scene for answers.

"Do you know why those three enemy ninja attacked you?" the Third Hokage asked.

"At the time, they said they were going to take Sasuke away and kill Naruto and me to prevent us from reporting back," Sakura replied.

"And how did you manage to hold out until reinforcements arrived?" the Third Hokage asked, finally getting to the heart of the matter. The identities of the three ninja had been investigated, and they weren't weak. So the Third was a little curious.

"I took advantage of the leader's carelessness and pierced his shoulder. Then I grabbed Naruto and ran, but we couldn't escape. The leader caught up to us, and then he grabbed me. He seemed intent on torturing me, so he didn't kill me right away. Then the other two ninja knocked Naruto unconscious. After that, a huge amount of chakra erupted from Naruto, knocking us all down. Then, Lord Hokage, you and the others arrived. You know the rest." Sakura answered truthfully, holding nothing back.

There was nothing to hide. Since Naruto was fine, the Third Hokage had likely confirmed that Naruto's seal was intact.

"I see…" The Third Hokage thought for a moment, then asked, "Did you see what Naruto looked like afterward? Weren't you afraid?"

The Third decided to reveal a bit of information to Sakura.

"Lord Hokage, are you talking about that chakra construct?" Sakura sensed that the Third was about to tell her something, but she already knew more than he did. She continued, "Actually, there was nothing to be afraid of. I was about to die, and Naruto saved me. After surviving those ninja, there was nothing left to fear."