The evening breeze swept over them. Under the moonlight, no one looking at the battered young woman before them harbored even a shred of contempt. They had all heard the words of the two Hidden Mist ANBU.
To think she could fight off ten ANBU, slaughtering them until only two remained, and then push those last two to the brink of desperation… And in contrast, apart from looking disheveled, the girl herself was completely unharmed. Such strength already surpassed that of most ninja present.
Is she really just a chunin? Is she truly only thirteen years old? How in the world did Lady Fifth Hokage train such a monster…?
Before arriving, everyone present had harbored a sliver of complacency. After all, on paper, Sakura Haruno was merely a chunin who had just graduated from the Ninja Academy last year. Reaching chunin rank only indicated she had decent talent. Many among them were veterans of the Third Great Ninja War; compared to prodigies of their own generation like Kakashi, Sakura Haruno didn't seem particularly dazzling.
Yet, it was this very young woman who had slain eight Hidden Mist ANBU. Though they weren't from their own village, no one who became ANBU was weak. The initial underestimation had vanished completely, replaced by profound caution.
The Third Hokage pushed past those shielding him and slowly walked towards Sakura Haruno.
"Lord Third Hokage, be careful!" a white-robed ANBU urgently warned.
The Third Hokage waved his hand, signaling them not to obstruct him.
Sakura Haruno watched the elderly man in battle attire emerge from the throng of ninja, a sneer playing on her lips. "Lord Third Hokage!"
The Third Hokage looked at the young woman before him, a trace of sorrow in his eyes. This was the girl he believed would become a pillar of Konoha. He had watched over her ever since she first displayed her talent at the age of three. Her subsequent actions had repeatedly proven he hadn't been mistaken. To nurture her better, he had, in his capacity as Hokage, entrusted her to Tsunade for careful guidance.
And she hadn't disappointed. In just three years, she had mastered Tsunade's secret techniques. Just when things seemed to be progressing so well, why… why would she do such a thing?
Pain, and more pain. That was all he felt. The Third Hokage spoke, his voice heavy, "Come back to the village with me, Sakura. That is your home."
"Home? Heh… hehehe…" Sakura had wondered what the Third Hokage would say. Such hypocrisy! Leading so many people here to encircle and kill her, and now he wanted to appeal to her emotions? Playing the saint after acting the sinner?
The thought sent an uncontrollable surge of fury through Sakura. The fading lightning around her flared violently once more as she charged towards the Third Hokage.
Even when framed, even when hunted, Sakura had never hated Konoha. She knew this wasn't the fault of the Third Hokage, or Master Tsunade, or the village itself – it was the product of the village's darkness. But now, hearing the Third Hokage utter such words, hatred flooded her heart.
She had come to the Hidden Grass Village on Master Tsunade's orders. Yet, just moments ago, she had been ambushed by two Konoha ANBU whose attacks showed no mercy. And then the Third Hokage had appeared with a large contingent of ninja. Sakura didn't believe for a second this was a coincidence. Clearly, she was their target. Heh, it was obvious Master Tsunade had sold her out.
And now, the Third Hokage was still spouting these nauseatingly false sentiments.
Seeing Sakura suddenly launch an attack, the opposing ninja unleashed a volley of kunai. However, Sakura's speed, already pushed to its limit by her Lightning Release Chakra Mode, was too great. The assembled shinobi saw only a flash of blue light before she vanished from their sight, the kunai and shuriken all missing their mark.
The Third Hokage's heart lurched. When did she become so fast? He was old, truly old. Faced with such speed, he couldn't react at all. But in the blink of an eye, a thump echoed from ahead – the sound of someone falling.
Looking closely, he saw Sakura Haruno sprawled on the ground, her right hand still crackling with lightning – Kakashi's signature technique, the Lightning Blade.
"Damn it!" Sakura, having face-planted spectacularly, felt a wave of terror. Is this really where it ends…?
After using the Strength of a Hundred Seal to fully power her Lightning Release Chakra Mode, Sakura's speed had become so overwhelming that even seasoned ANBU couldn't react in time. While their carelessness had played a part, her sheer speed was undeniably more efficient than relying solely on ninjutsu.
But the Lightning Release Chakra Mode was, after all, only a half-finished nin-taijutsu she had developed herself. Though the boost was significant, overuse would damage her nerve cells. Master Tsunade had strictly forbidden her from using this incomplete technique in the past.
And just now, Sakura had suddenly lost control of her body. Moving at high speed, her body had abruptly failed her, sending her tumbling to the ground.
"Move, damn it! Don't fail me now!" Sakura desperately tried to regain control, to stand, but her body remained unresponsive to her brain's commands. Even her chakra was showing faint signs of slipping from her grasp.
The surrounding ninja were bewildered. Suddenly, a silver-haired shinobi darted out from their ranks. He landed directly on Sakura, pinning her, twisting her arms behind her back. A kunai pressed against the pale skin of her neck.
"Kakashi!" the Third Hokage exclaimed.
"Lord Third Hokage, Sakura Haruno has been subdued!" Kakashi looked down at Sakura, whom he now held captive, a complex emotion flickering in his eyes.
The Third Hokage let out a long breath. The reason he had brought so many people was precisely because he knew Sakura Haruno had survived her confrontation with Hanzo. Regardless of how she had achieved victory, no amount of preparation could be considered excessive. Besides, he was old. If Sakura hadn't faltered on her own just now, the speed she had displayed… he feared he truly would have suffered a grievous blow.
Although the Third Hokage was personally leading this encirclement mission, he didn't truly wish to eliminate Sakura in this way. Capturing her alive was the best outcome. If that proved impossible, then he would have no choice but to proceed with the original plan and kill her. Compared to war, the death of one person was a small price. If war broke out, countless more would die.
This was the mindset of a Hokage: the village's interests superseded all else. Even if Sakura Haruno was wronged, if, at the final juncture, no solution could be found, he would have to ruthlessly eradicate any factor that could harm the village's interests, regardless of who that person was. This was the Will of Fire passed down by the First Hokage.
After the battle with Madara at the Valley of the End, the First Hokage had affirmed the Will of Fire. But, at the same time, it had also contributed to the existence of the village's darkness.
"Sakura, come back to the village. Lord Third Hokage and Lady Fifth Hokage will uncover the truth for you…" Kakashi said to his student, his voice low.
Sakura found it difficult to even turn her head, let alone speak. Hearing Kakashi mention Master Tsunade, another wave of nameless fury surged within her. Hmph, returning to the village probably means death. If they truly only intended to capture me, those two ANBU earlier wouldn't have attacked with such killing intent.
The Third Hokage waved his hand. "Sealing team, prepare!"
"Yes, sir!"
Suddenly, the situation took another sharp turn. An ANBU wearing a mask leaped past the Third Hokage, his hands already forming seals. In an instant, blue lightning enveloped his left hand. Without a moment's hesitation, he charged towards Kakashi.
"Sasuke!" "Hawk!"
The Third Hokage and the white-robed ANBU cried out simultaneously. As he shouted, the white-robed ANBU also lunged forward.
But Sasuke had come prepared. He backhanded a shuriken towards the white-robed ANBU pursuing him and, in a flash, reached Kakashi. Kakashi, both hands occupied restraining Sakura, had no choice but to release her and leap backward.
Seeing Kakashi retreat, Sasuke didn't press the attack. Instead, he swept Sakura into his arms and attempted to flee.
However, they were surrounded by Konoha ninja. Even for Sasuke alone, escape would be difficult, let alone while carrying someone.
Sure enough, he hadn't taken more than two steps before he was completely encircled by Konoha shinobi.
"Hmph!" Sasuke snorted, ripping off his mask. He fearlessly faced his former comrades who now surrounded him.
"Sasuke!" Kakashi, having recovered, pulled up his forehead protector to reveal his Sharingan. "Do you have any idea what you're doing?!" he roared.
"I do," Sasuke replied.
"What are you trying to do?!" Kakashi demanded again.
"She's my comrade. I won't let you take her!" Sasuke retorted sharply.
"She's a rogue ninja now!" Kakashi countered.
"No. I don't care what her status is. All I know is, she's my comrade. That's enough!" Sasuke said, unyielding. Internally, however, a thread of anxiety tightened. Where is Neji? If he doesn't show up soon, we really won't be able to escape today.
As for whether his actions would brand him a rogue ninja? To hell with that!