The Sakura Legend

Ninja Academy Training Grounds

Upon hearing Sakura say they were celebrating Naruto's birthday, the scene fell silent.

"..."

Kiba was the first to speak up. "Is this why you called us here?" "Woof, woof, woof!"

"Sakura, if you said we were going to celebrate Sasuke's birthday, I'd definitely go. But why should we celebrate Naruto's birthday?" Ino said, also dissatisfied.

"If there's nothing else, I'm leaving. See you, Sakura," Sasuke said, preparing to leave.

"Earth Release: Swamp of the Underworld!" Seeing Sasuke about to leave, Sakura immediately trapped him. She figured that with his personality, a little force was necessary.

"Sasuke, did you forget what you promised me a month ago?" Sakura said with a wicked grin. "You promised me something, and this is it. You can't run away."

"Damn it…" Sasuke remembered being tricked into promising Sakura something a month ago, and his expression turned sour.

"Hehe, remember to prepare a gift for Naruto. If you keep your promise, I'll teach you the second half of the chakra control training method," Sakura said, chuckling. She had set this trap a month ago, waiting for this very day.

Sasuke struggled internally. The training techniques Sakura had taught him that day were indeed useful. He could clearly feel that his ninjutsu execution was smoother than before. Previously, he'd felt some awkwardness in his chakra flow, but now it was gone.

"Fine, I-pro-mise-you," Sasuke finally yielded to the lure of power, gritting his teeth.

"Well, Sakura, since Sasuke is going, there's nothing for us here, right? Can we leave?" Kiba asked Sakura.

Hinata was torn, looking at Sakura and then at the others. She really wanted to go, but she couldn't muster the courage to say so in front of everyone. If everyone went, then Hinata going wouldn't be so embarrassing. But it seemed like everyone's opinions were divided.

Shikamaru remained silent. Although he seemed unmotivated, like Sakura, he had his own judgment. Although most of the village disliked Naruto, Shikamaru didn't feel that Naruto was bad. He didn't dislike him, but he wasn't a friend either. That was all. Maintaining this kind of relationship was enough; he didn't want to go any further.

Although Ino initially didn't want to go, she unexpectedly found that Sakura had managed to rope Sasuke in. Therefore, to be able to be with Sasuke, Ino also agreed to go to Naruto's birthday party.

Choji and Shino remained silent, seemingly lost in thought, probably waiting for everyone else to decide before making their own decision.

"Naruto really wants to be accepted by everyone. He... he's been alone since he was a child. He's never had a birthday party. His constant pranks are just his way of getting everyone's attention. You probably don't know this, but Naruto often stays behind to clean the classroom by himself. He wants to gain everyone's acceptance through his efforts. Naruto would be a really good friend," Sakura resorted to persuasion, playing the emotional card, even though she wasn't good at it.

The group fell silent again.

"I'm going," The first person to raise their hand and say they were going was, surprisingly, Choji. "What does Naruto like to eat, Sakura? I want to prepare a gift for him."

Choji truly was a kind and gentle person. Since experiencing life and death, Sakura had interacted more with her classmates and discovered things she hadn't known before. Although Choji would become furious and angry when people called him fat, he was usually a very gentle person.

"I'll go too, Sakura," Shino then raised his hand and stated his position.

Okay, well… Honestly, Sakura had almost overlooked him just now. He hadn't participated in the conversation since they arrived. It seemed likely that his easily-ignored personality had found a bit of common ground with Naruto, Sakura guessed.

"Um, Sakura, I'll go too. Since Sasuke is going, then I'll go," Ino spoke up.

Seeing Ino's lovesick gaze towards Sasuke, Sakura really didn't understand what was so great about the Uchiha. He was either being an idiot or a brooding teenager. She nodded to Ino, acknowledging her decision.

"Ah, you're all going? Hinata, are you going?" Kiba turned to Hinata, seeing that only he and she were left.

"W-Well... since... since everyone is going, then... then I'll go too," Hinata said, head lowered, her face slightly red.

"Even Hinata is going, huh? Alright, then I'll go too," Kiba said reluctantly. "Woof, woof!"

"Okay, then it's settled. I hope everyone will prepare a gift tomorrow. No matter what the gift is, Naruto will be very happy," Sakura said, relieved that things had worked out smoothly.

Naruto, it seems we won't be able to see each other much in the next few years. I hope these new friends can accompany you through the coming years. Originally, Sakura hadn't planned to invite so many people; Sasuke would have been enough. The future of the world revolved around those two, and if she could get along with them, Sakura's life would be a little easier.

But plans don't always keep up with changes. Jiraiya wanted to take Sakura to find Tsunade to become her apprentice. This was an opportunity. Becoming an apprentice earlier meant more time to study the Yin Seal and the Strength of a Hundred Seal, and more time to accumulate chakra. Therefore, she couldn't miss this chance, no matter what. Missing this opportunity meant waiting another four years. Seizing this chance might significantly change her strength.

So, Sakura had to drag them along to celebrate Naruto's birthday, hoping that Naruto wouldn't be lonely in the next few years because of her departure.

October 10th, Evening

School was out today. Naruto had slept in his room all day. Today was his birthday. Naruto only vaguely remembered that when he was very young, the Third Hokage had told him the meaning of a birthday.

Although Naruto knew the meaning of the word "birthday," he had never experienced what it felt like to celebrate one.

Naruto lay on his bed, staring blankly at the ceiling, imagining what a birthday should feel like. Then, the doorbell rang.

"Coming, coming. Who is it? Who's knocking so late?" Naruto got out of bed listlessly and went to the entrance.

Opening the door, Naruto couldn't believe his eyes when he saw Sakura. He rubbed his eyes. "Sa-Sakura-chan, d-do you n-need s-something so l-late?"

Naruto's voice trembled slightly, a mixture of hope and disbelief in his question.

"I'm here to celebrate your birthday. Today is your birthday, you know. You didn't forget your own birthday, did you?" Sakura smiled sweetly at Naruto. "And it's not just me. There are others too."

As she spoke, Hinata, Shikamaru, and the others came into view from behind her.

"Happy birthday, Naruto!"

"Happy birthday, Naruto!"

"Nar... Naruto, ha... happy birthday."

"Hehe, happy birthday, Naruto. I carefully chose this gift. You better keep it safe."

"Naruto, today is your birthday. This is a rare insect specimen I collected. Happy birthday."

"Happy birthday, Naruto! I heard from Sakura that you love ramen. I brought you lots of limited-edition cup ramen."

"Hmph."

"Everyone…" Naruto looked at the people in front of him and couldn't help but feel emotional again.

"Hey, Naruto. Today is your birthday; you can't cry," Sakura said. She'd noticed that since she'd started interacting with Naruto, he cried more and more easily. Was this still the Naruto she knew?