The Sakura Legend

Outside Konoha, Somewhere in the Land of Fire

Jiraiya continued, speaking to Sakura, "You have this talent, but Naruto doesn't. Most ninjas just gradually wait for their chakra pathways to mature. Of course, there are also talented people like you. If Naruto forcefully trains in advanced ninjutsu now, it will leave hidden injuries in his body. Moreover, a ninja doesn't only rely on ninjutsu; combat experience and theory are equally important. So, only after Naruto has a solid foundation in a few years will training be twice as effective with half the effort. Whether I guide him now or not, anyone can teach him the basics."

Sakura could only agree with what Jiraiya said. She deeply understood the importance of a solid foundation. The reason she could master chakra nature transformations and ninjutsu one after another was because of her constant honing of chakra control since she was three years old. Including this year, it had been a full six years. Six years of foundational work had led to her current ability to develop and learn jutsu faster than ordinary people. But Naruto...

"I understand, Jiraiya-sama." The situation was now clear. Because she learned ninjutsu quickly, and Naruto's aptitude wasn't bad, Sakura had somewhat taken it for granted that if Naruto received Jiraiya's guidance early on, his strength would increase even more. But she had overlooked what she had that Naruto didn't: a foundation. Indeed, Jiraiya had never not considered guiding Naruto; it just wasn't the right time yet. I was a little too hasty.

Actually, Jiraiya had considered more than Sakura had thought. Besides Naruto's own chakra, there was also the Nine-Tails' chakra. The Third Hokage wanted him to guide Naruto in controlling the Nine-Tails' power, but if Naruto were to learn it now, there might be no problems in the short term, and his strength might increase rapidly, but it would affect his future growth potential. Therefore, Jiraiya firmly opposed letting Naruto come into contact with the Nine-Tails' power now.

And so, Jiraiya and Sakura had been wandering around the Land of Fire for over a month, but there was still no sign of Tsunade.

"Jiraiya-sama, how much longer will it take to find Tsunade-sama?" Sakura asked, feeling listless.

"Haha, don't be impatient. Her whereabouts aren't so easy to find. The Third Hokage sent ANBU to search for her for months without any luck," Jiraiya said with an awkward laugh.

"Hey, are you even looking seriously? Every time we reach a town, you just ditch me and run off to play," Sakura said, pouting. "Don't think I don't know where you're going. Hmph, you only think about your own pleasures. Tell me, which of the three ninja prohibitions haven't you broken?"

"Hey, you have no right to talk. When have you not had a great time? I can never find you. You yourself are one of the three prohibitions," Jiraiya retorted fiercely.

Sakura was startled, and her gaze towards Jiraiya became wary. Was Jiraiya going to make a move on her?

"Don't look at me like that! It's too early to say you're one of the three prohibitions. You're flat-chested and flat-butted; you're just a little girl. Although you're quite cute, who would be interested in you?" Jiraiya roared, seeing Sakura's wary gaze.

"I'll grow up, you know! I don't have them now, but I will in the future," Sakura retorted immediately.

"Well, wait a few more years then." Jiraiya's expression became serious. "Alright, according to the intelligence we've gathered, Tsunade is very likely in this town."

Before them was a town full of ancient buildings, quite picturesque, similar in style to the Japanese towns Sakura had seen in her previous life. It was now evening, and the street stalls and various snacks made Sakura's foodie heart leap with excitement.

Sakura extended a hand towards Jiraiya, looking at him silently.

"What? Do you want me to hold your hand? You weren't like this before. You always ran off without a trace," Jiraiya asked, somewhat surprised.

"Give me money," Sakura said expressionlessly. "I'm out of money."

Before they left, Kizashi Haruno had given Sakura two months' worth of living expenses. Although Jiraiya was with her, and she didn't have to spend much, Sakura couldn't resist the snacks. After only a month and a half, even without paying for lodging, she had already spent all her money.

"........" Jiraiya looked at Sakura's outstretched hand, his mouth twitching slightly. "Don't you have money? I've been paying for lodging all this time."

"I spent it all on food," Sakura continued, still expressionless. "The Third Hokage told you to take good care of me before we left. If you don't give me money, I'm going back."

"......." Jiraiya took out his wallet, feeling depressed, and gave Sakura two hundred ryo.

"Not enough," Sakura said without even looking.

"Hey, kid, don't push it. This money is enough for you to eat for one night," Jiraiya said, displeased.

"If you don't give me more, I'll tell Tsunade-shishou that you bullied me," Sakura continued to threaten.

"Hey, you haven't even become Tsunade's disciple yet, and you're already threatening me?"

"If you don't give me more, I'll tell everyone in Konoha that you peep at women's bathhouses," Sakura tilted her head, thought for a moment, and changed her reason.

"......." Jiraiya had no choice but to take out another 1000 ryo and hand it to Sakura. He put the 200 ryo he had taken out back.

"What about that 200 ryo?" Sakura still wouldn't let any opportunity slip by.

"Kid, you're the most ruthless person I've ever met," Jiraiya had to give in, gritting his teeth and handing Sakura the full 1200 ryo.

"I'm not ruthless at all; I'm very fair," Sakura took the twelve hundred ryo Jiraiya handed her, channeled chakra, and whoosh, disappeared in a flash. Her voice echoed in the air, "Bye-bye. I'll come find you tonight. Don't let me see anything I shouldn't."

Jiraiya watched as Sakura disappeared, stunned and speechless for a moment.

After being with this kid for over a month, Jiraiya felt she wasn't like a nine-year-old girl at all. She knew more about worldly affairs than he did. Several times, he'd seen the kid staring at women's chests, lost in thought. What's there to look at? You'll have them yourself someday.

But this girl really had ideas. Jiraiya recalled the combination ninjutsu Sakura had demonstrated to him that day, the Water Cutter: a combination of Earth Release and Water Release. With superb chakra control, she shot out a high-pressure stream of water mixed with sand created by Earth Release. It was very similar to the Second Hokage's Water Release: Water Severing Wave, but its power was greatly increased by the addition of Earth Release. And she could use it without hand seals, like the Rasengan. But the Rasengan was a non-elemental ninjutsu. Sakura's chakra control was so precise that she could use a combination ninjutsu without hand seals, much like Tsunade's style. Indeed, she's the genius the old man spoke of. I wonder how she compares to Minato Namikaze.

Thinking of Minato Namikaze, Jiraiya's expression darkened slightly, and he shook his head. "Let's go find Tsunade. I wonder if she's here."