Red Leaf Village, Land of Grass - Late November, Konoha Year 60
After a night of deep rest, Haruno Sakura felt she had regained a bit of strength, but she still couldn't muster enough chakra to utilize ninjutsu. It seemed her injuries were far more severe than she'd initially realized. The meager chakra she could access wasn't sufficient to perform any significant healing jutsu on herself. She would have to focus on letting her body heal naturally first before attempting anything strenuous.
Waking in the morning, she sat in the courtyard of Junko's home, listening to the chirping of birds filling the air. In the distance, the morning sun cast warm golden rays across the land. A gentle breeze ruffled her pink hair. Sakura rubbed the sleep from her eyes and let out a soft yawn, savoring the quiet warmth of the peaceful morning.
In Konoha, it was nearly impossible to enjoy such tranquility. Although called a 'village,' decades of growth had transformed it into more of a bustling town. Perhaps only on the outskirts of Konoha could such scenery still be found, but Sakura's home was right in the heart of the village.
"After I get back, I'm definitely finding a place like this in the suburbs too," Sakura thought to herself, enjoying the gentle morning sun.
"Sakura-neechan! Lunch is ready!" Junko called out from the doorway.
Hearing Junko's call, Sakura stood up, went back inside, and took her place at the modest dining table.
"Junko," Granny Rika said to the girl during the meal, "if you have time today, help me harvest the medicinal herbs from the garden patch. Then in a few days, we can take them to the nearby market town to sell, along with the ones you gathered before."
"Nope!" Junko replied without glancing up from her food. "Today I'm going to check if Yanluo Bridge is open. If the guards are gone, I'm going to the Land of Rain market to sell!"
Sigh... Granny Rika let out a soft sigh. "Then just be careful, Junko. Don't provoke them. If it's still guarded, just sell the herbs in the market town nearby."
"Okay, okay, I got it, Granny Rika," Junko replied dismissively.
"Why sell in the Land of Rain?" Sakura asked curiously. She had an instinctive aversion to the Land of Rain and couldn't understand why Junko would want to go there just to sell herbs.
"The prices fetched there are much higher than in the Land of Grass," Junko explained matter-of-factly. "Because of the constant rain there, most crops struggle to grow well, so the market price for medicinal herbs is higher. When Yanluo Bridge wasn't blockaded, everyone in the village always sold their herbs there."
Hearing Junko's answer, Sakura tilted her head, thought for a moment, and understood the simple economics. To get a better price, the people here wouldn't think twice about crossing the border to sell in the neighboring land...
"Oh, right, Sakura-neechan!" Junko suddenly paused mid-bite. "This is yours, right?" She pulled something out of the pocket of her simple clothes and held it out to Sakura. "I took this off you while I was treating your wounds, to keep it safe."
Sakura looked at the item in Junko's hand. It stirred a vague sense of familiarity. It was a pendant – a simple cord holding a charm carved from wood. But the wood itself now looked incredibly old and decayed.
Sakura stared, momentarily frozen. The cord was undoubtedly hers, but the charm itself looked... different than she remembered.
"Is this yours? Sakura-neechan?" Junko asked tentatively, seeing Sakura staring intently at the pendant without speaking.
"Ah... yes... yes, it is. Thank you," Sakura stammered quickly, snapping back to the present and taking the pendant. Best keep this safe for now.
Junko quickly finished her remaining food, shoveling in a few more mouthfuls before setting down her bowl and chopsticks. "I'm full! I'll leave the bowls to you, Granny Rika. I'm off!" With that, she dashed out the door.
Granny Rika watched Junko's energetic departure, shaking her head with a fond smile. "Junko wasn't usually this bubbly," she remarked to Sakura. "Your presence seems to have made her quite happy."
Sakura knew perfectly well where Junko was rushing off to – because Sakura had asked her the day before to check if Yanluo Bridge was still guarded. Simply asking for her help elicited such excitement... Sakura felt a pang of something akin to guilt.
After the meal, Sakura firmly insisted on washing the dishes, despite Granny Rika's protests. The older woman eventually relented, unable to dissuade her determined guest. Sakura felt a quiet obligation; if she left, their paths might never cross again, and she hadn't been able to adequately repay Junko for saving her life. At least I can do what little I can while I'm here.
After the dishes were washed and put away, Granny Rika went to begin sorting the harvested herbs. Sakura's body still hadn't fully recovered; a wave of drowsiness washed over her. She excused herself back to the room she'd been given to lie down and rest again.
Meanwhile, in Kusagakure, the Hidden Grass Village
In the shinobi world, only the Five Great Shinobi Countries could bestow the title of Kage upon their leaders. Although the relationship between a hidden village and its country's Daimyo was theoretically one of equals, to underscore the authority and sovereignty inherent in the Kage title, it was formally bestowed by the respective Daimyo. The Daimyo held no sway over the selection of the Kage – that was the village's internal affair – but they provided the official coronation, legitimizing the title on the world stage.
Smaller hidden villages, consequently, did not possess the Kage title. Even if their leaders declared themselves 'Kage,' the major powers would not recognize it. While the Great Villages might not directly attack such minor villages for this presumption, the Great Nations would impose economic sanctions through the Daimyo of those smaller nations. Since a significant portion of any hidden village's funding originated from its Daimyo, this threat held considerable weight. Consequently, over time, an unwritten rule emerged: the leaders of smaller hidden villages referred to themselves simply as 'Leader' or 'Chief.' To claim the title of Kage without the backing of a Great Nation was seen as a direct challenge to their authority.
In Kusagakure, within a large, sparsely furnished room, a ninja wearing a Kusagakure headband sat in the seat of honor. His face bore a fearsome scar, originating near his left cheekbone, traversing the bridge of his nose, and ending near his right jawline. Combined with his cold, sinister aura, his appearance would surely terrify any child. Before him stood two subordinate Kusa ninja, also wearing Kusa headbands.
"Junichi-sama," one of the subordinates, Shin, reported respectfully, "confirmation received. They are indeed Konoha shinobi."
"Have their identities been confirmed, Shin?" Junichi asked, his scarred face impassive.
"Only two identities confirmed, sir," Shin replied promptly. "The Copy Ninja, Hatake Kakashi, and the proctor from the recent joint Chunin Exams, Gekko Hayate." He paused. "There are three others, uh, or possibly four... we couldn't confirm their identities, but assume they are all Jonin-level."
"Six Jonin?" Junichi's scarred face twitched slightly. He turned to the other subordinate. "Sho, your intelligence report?"
"Yes, Junichi-sama," the ninja named Sho responded after a moment. "Besides what Shin reported, Konoha appears to have also deployed a significant number of ANBU operatives. Our patrols haven't made direct contact. They seem determined to avoid conflict with us."
"Is that so..." Junichi stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Then what are their activities?"
"Yes, Junichi-sama," Sho continued. "They don't seem to be making efforts to conceal their movements, just... seemingly moving without clear purpose within Grass Country's borders..."
"Junichi-sama," Shin suddenly interrupted Sho, "I analyzed their movement patterns! I found... their activity is concentrated along the primary routes leading from the Land of Waterfalls towards the Land of Rain!"
Sho shot Shin an angry glare, clearly furious at being interrupted – he had been about to report precisely that intelligence himself. (In the Land of Grass, particularly within Kusagakure, corruption was rife, from the highest leadership down. To acquire powerful or forbidden ninjutsu often required bribing the leader or currying his favor. Shin's blatant move disgusted Sho.) The presence of the Konoha operatives had first been detected by Shin and Sho during a routine patrol, and the leader had assigned them both to gather further intelligence.
However, the Kusagakure leader, Junichi, paid no attention to the petty rivalry simmering between his subordinates. He was focused instead on pondering Konoha's true objective. Dispatching six Jonin, supported by a substantial ANBU contingent… That's a force composition sufficient for a small-scale military campaign. What exactly are they after?
"Knock knock knock"
Just as Junichi was lost in thought, a knock sounded at the door. "Enter," Junichi called out, his voice gruff.
Click. The door opened, and a communications officer from the Kusa Communications Division entered.
"Leader-sama, a message from Konoha has arrived," the liaison ninja reported respectfully.
"Report!" Junichi commanded sharply.
"Konoha informs us that one of their ninja has gone missing within the Land of Grass," the liaison reported. "They state the situation is deemed urgent, have dispatched operatives ahead to conduct a search, and request our cooperation in the matter. End report."
Bang! Junichi slammed a heavy fist on the table, roaring furiously, "Konoha is too arrogant! Do they think the Land of Grass is their own backyard, a place they can just enter and leave as they please?!"
Seeing their leader fuming, the three subordinates remained standing silently. Though angered by Konoha's presumption, they knew better than to provoke the Leaf. Such actions, conducted within the borders of a Great Nation, would be tantamount to provocation, a single misstep away from igniting a devastating war.
Junichi's rage subsided slightly, though he was still breathing heavily. "Was that all?" he demanded.
"They also provided a photograph," the liaison ninja replied, stepping forward and handing the photograph to Junichi. "Of the missing individual."
Junichi took the offered photo. It showed a young girl with distinctive pink hair. He studied it for a moment, then set it down dismissively. "Go negotiate the fee with Konoha," he ordered curtly. "Don't yield a single Ryo."
"Yes, sir," the liaison acknowledged and left promptly.
Kusagakure was a minor hidden village; it lacked the standing or power to openly challenge Konoha. But as ostensible allies, charging a "cooperation fee" wasn't entirely unreasonable. Kusa was, on paper, Konoha's ally – in truth, small nations trapped between the giants were nominal allies with all surrounding Great Nations, frequently used as battlegrounds and having little choice but to align themselves with whichever power held the upper hand to ensure their precarious survival. These so-called alliances were more like protection pacts dictated by pragmatism, and Kusagakure was a prime example of this opportunistic survival strategy.
Junichi stood up. "So be it," he declared dismissively. Sho and Shin shared a look of disappointment; neither had managed to gain favor this time.
Turning to leave, Junichi picked the photo back up from the table, intending to hand it to his two subordinates for the search effort. But then, he froze abruptly. His outstretched hand hovering in mid-air retracted sharply. He stared intently at the photo again. Gradually, his impassive expression shifted, replaced by one of astounded recognition, quickly morphing into delighted surprise.
His eyes locked onto the vivid purple diamond marking in the center of the girl's forehead. His heart began to pound faster. It can't be mistaken! This is the seal for that technique! He had been fortunate enough to witness Tsunade herself use this very technique once before. Though he didn't know its name, its effects were unforgettable. No wonder! That explains everything! This girl is Tsunade's disciple! That's why they deployed so many Jonin to find her!
Opportunity and risk often walked hand-in-hand. Kusagakure was known for studying and appropriating other villages' ninjutsu. Never having produced any truly exceptional shinobi talent of its own, the village built its arsenal by plundering or stealing techniques from others. It was a thoroughly opportunistic, rogue village that invested nothing in ninjutsu research and development; they only stole.
Now, one of Tsunade's legendary forbidden techniques was potentially within his grasp. It plunged Junichi into a sharp internal conflict. Even before Tsunade became Hokage, Kusagakure knew better than to antagonize her. Yet now, unexpectedly, her prized disciple had somehow ended up stranded, vulnerable and alone, right here in the Land of Grass. What should I do...?
Very quickly, Junichi reached his decision. He was, after all, the leader of a pragmatic, rogue village. The gambler's instinct took over. He turned to Sho and Shin, barely concealing his own surging excitement. "Find this girl immediately," he ordered, his voice tight with newfound purpose. "Bring her here, to Kusagakure."
"Huh?" Shin asked, confused. "Not turn her over to Konoha?"
"Secure her here first," Junichi commanded. "You must reach her before Konoha does. If you retrieve her before Konoha finds her," he added, leaning in conspiratorially, "I will personally teach you an A-rank ninjutsu."
Sho and Shin were overjoyed internally. The chance for advancement they thought lost had reappeared, more promising than ever! An A-rank technique! That was an incentive enough to make them risk everything in the search.
"Then what if we locate her simultaneously with the Konoha operatives?" Shin suddenly considered this possibility and asked.
Junichi's face darkened ominously. "Then eliminate the Konoha shinobi," he ordered coldly. "For this operation, you can requisition twenty operatives from our ANBU division."
Sho and Shin exchanged wide-eyed glances. Command of twenty ANBU operatives...? This girl was far more valuable, and dangerous, than they had initially imagined…
Red Leaf Village, Junko's home
Sakura stirred drowsily at the sound of Junko's voice filtering into her exhausted slumber.
"Sakura-neechan! Sakura-neechan!" Junko was kneeling beside her, gently shaking her shoulder, calling her name softly.
"Mmm..." Sakura sat up slowly, still groggy, squinting against the midday light filtering into the room. "What is it?"
"It's noon already! Granny Rika asked me to call you for lunch," Junko reported, then leaned in closer, whispering excitedly, "There are still ninja guarding Yanluo Bridge! But," she added with a conspiratorial grin, "they don't seem to be stopping anyone from crossing anymore!"
Sakura shook her head slightly, forcing herself fully awake. Hearing Junko's report, she didn't dwell on it. Whoever the guards were, whatever faction they represented, it didn't matter much now. Once she was healed enough, she could finally leave. Asking Junko to check the bridge had simply been to gauge the situation beyond the village.
Suppressing a yawn, Sakura made her way to the table in the main room. She watched Junko chattering excitedly to Granny Rika about her morning excursion to the bridge. A wave of melancholy washed over Sakura unexpectedly. What kind of world would this be without shinobi, without their endless conflicts? she wondered sadly. Surely there would be fewer orphans like Junko, left parentless by war and violence.
Mechanically eating the simple rice porridge, listening to Junko's exuberant chatter punctuated by Granny Rika's gentle, occasional scolding, Sakura felt a sharp pang of homesickness. She wondered if her parents were safe and well back in Konoha, how Karin was faring, and thought of her friends, her teammates...