The Sakura Legend

Hokage's Office

When Sakura heard that Jiraiya wanted to take her to find Tsunade, she was slightly stunned. Moreover, the Third Hokage actually intended for her to become Tsunade's disciple. Although she would eventually become Tsunade's disciple, that was her own initiative, and it was different from being recommended. Also, the timing was much earlier.

Sakura was delighted, but at the same time, she pondered the reasons behind this development. When she was three years old, her chakra cultivation caught the Third Hokage's attention. Then, he discovered her exceptional chakra control, making her suitable for learning medical ninjutsu. This led to continuous attention from the Third Hokage. Then, there was the incident at the Uchiha compound where they encountered enemy ninja, Naruto's Nine-Tails rampage, and his subsequent suppression by the Third. Not long after Naruto was discharged from the hospital, the Third gave her a ninjutsu scroll to study.

Jiraiya's return to the village was likely due to Naruto. From the conversation between Jiraiya and the Third Hokage, it was the Third who had asked Jiraiya to bring Tsunade back, and then have her become Tsunade's apprentice. After piecing everything together, Sakura had a rough guess. It was likely her talent and Naruto's rampage that triggered these subsequent events. But what Sakura couldn't understand was what had caught the Third Hokage's attention when she was three years old. She had barely left the house in those years, let alone displayed her ninjutsu skills in public.

Sakura, of course, didn't know that her father, Kizashi Haruno, had secretly taken her to see a doctor that year. This had caught the Third Hokage's attention, leading to a chain reaction. If Kizashi hadn't taken Sakura to the doctor, it wouldn't have drawn the Third Hokage's attention. Even if Naruto had rampaged later, it wouldn't have led to Sakura becoming Tsunade's apprentice. A small change can cause a huge ripple effect; it's not just an empty saying.

"Sakura Haruno, are you willing to become Tsunade's disciple?" the Third Hokage asked, taking a puff from his pipe. "Tsunade is one of the Legendary Sannin, on par with Jiraiya. She is also one of my disciples. Tsunade is highly skilled in medical ninjutsu and medical arts, and she is very famous in the ninja world. Due to some events years ago, she is currently not in the village. Through my observations over the years, I've found you very suitable for learning medical ninjutsu, so I've decided to have you become her disciple."

"Lord Hokage, I heard Jiraiya-sama say that if I become her apprentice, I'll have to leave the village?" Sakura asked.

"Yes. Tsunade is currently not in the village, and her whereabouts are unknown. Only Jiraiya can find her. So, you'll have to leave the village with Jiraiya to find Tsunade. You don't need to worry about your progress at the academy. When it's time for graduation, you'll take the test, and if you pass, you'll become a genin." The Third Hokage, seeing the concern on Sakura's face, added, "Tsunade may be a medical ninja, but her personal strength is no less than that of a Kage. So, you don't need to worry about not graduating."

"Lord Hokage, thank you for explaining. I'd like to ask if we have to leave immediately?" Sakura naturally had some things to take care of, so she was worried that leaving immediately would interfere.

"The sooner you leave, the better," the Third Hokage replied.

"Lord Hokage, then could we postpone our departure for a few days? I'd like to leave on October 11th," Sakura said to the Third Hokage.

"Hmm? Do you have something special to take care of?" the Third Hokage asked curiously.

"Yes, there's something. Next month, October 10th, is Naruto's birthday. I'd like to celebrate his birthday with him before we leave," Sakura said. Since befriending Naruto, Sakura had never celebrated his birthday. Naruto probably hadn't celebrated his birthday since he was a child. Every year, his birthday was also the anniversary of his parents' deaths, a day filled with both new life and death. Sakura wanted to create a warm memory for Naruto on this day, so that when he looked back on his birthday in the future, it wouldn't be filled with only sadness. Although Naruto didn't know yet, he would eventually find out. She wanted him to feel some warmth when he remembered this day in the future.

"....." The Third Hokage was silent for a moment before saying, "Alright. Then you can leave after Naruto's birthday. Jiraiya."

Jiraiya also nodded silently. This day was the anniversary of his beloved disciple, Minato Namikaze's, death. Being reminded of it brought a touch of sadness.

Jiraiya would be staying in Konoha for a month. Sakura knew Jiraiya wouldn't just stay put; he'd probably go peeping at the women's bathhouse again. So, on the second day, during class break, Sakura gathered the girls in her class and told them that a peeping tom had come to Konoha. This peeping tom had some connections with the Hokage, so it was difficult to drive him out. She asked them to tell their pretty older sisters, younger sisters, aunts, and mothers not to go to the Konoha bathhouse for the next month. They could go back after a month.

Just imagining Jiraiya's frustrated expression when he found the bathhouse full of old ladies made her feel much better.

October 9th. Sakura called Sasuke, Shikamaru, Ino, Choji, Hinata, Shino, and Kiba to the school's training grounds.

"Sakura, why did you call us here? Akamaru is hungry, and I need to go home and feed him," Kiba asked, somewhat impatiently. "Woof…!"

"Sakura, is there something you couldn't say in class that you had to come here?" Ino asked, her gaze fixed on Sasuke.

"Anyway, whatever it is, hurry up and say it. If I get home late, my mom will get angry again. Ah…" Shikamaru said, yawning.

"Hmph," Sasuke grunted, saying nothing. Sasuke thought Sakura had called him here to spar, but he hadn't expected so many people to be present, so he was a little puzzled.

"Haha, don't be in such a hurry. I want to ask you all for a favor, and I hope you'll agree," Sakura said, smiling apologetically at everyone.

"What favor? You had to come here to say it? Is there something even you can't handle, Sakura?" Kiba asked.

"Tomorrow is October 10th. Does anyone know what day that is?" Sakura asked, testing the waters.

"....I.....I know....." Hinata said weakly.

Huh?… Unexpectedly, Hinata also knows Naruto's birthday, but it wouldn't be strange if she didn't.

"Then what day is tomorrow, Hinata?" Sakura asked.

"Tom.....tomorrow....is......is.......is Sunday, a day off from the Ninja Academy," Hinata remembered that tomorrow was Naruto's birthday, and seeing how close Sakura and Naruto had become in recent months, and that Naruto wasn't among the people called here, she had some guesses about what Sakura was planning. So when Sakura asked, she involuntarily wanted to answer, but when it came to the crucial point, she didn't have the courage to say it.

"Hahaha… Hahaha…" Everyone burst into laughter. Hinata's face turned even redder.

"Haha… Hinata, who doesn't know tomorrow is Sunday?" Kiba laughed at Hinata.

"Sakura, just tell us. What day is tomorrow? Everyone's hungry," Choji said.

"Alright, I'll tell you. Tomorrow is Naruto's birthday. I'd like everyone to celebrate his birthday with him," Sakura said, then stopped, wanting to hear everyone's reaction.