Chapter 19: Besties
Body Flicker Technique.
A B-rank technique, yet an incredibly practical one.
It utilizes a burst of chakra to allow the user to accelerate instantly.
However, due to the brief but unavoidable startup delay before activation and the slight cooldown after arrival, most ninja only use it for travel.
Very few can overcome both the startup and cooldown delays to use it in actual combat.
But that doesn't mean it's impossible.
For example, the renowned Yellow Flash, Namikaze Minato, mastered the use of the Body Flicker in battle. But after obtaining the Flying Thunder God Technique, the Body Flicker lost its relevance for him.
Then there was Shisui of the Body Flicker, who became famous for mastering this seemingly simple technique. His use of it was so refined that he could leave dozens of afterimages behind with a single movement.
Sakura sat by the riverside, flipping through the scroll Sarutobi Hiruzen had gifted her.
Judging by the techniques he chose for her, it was clear the Third Hokage intended to mold her into a ninja who embodied speed and power—a fearless warrior who could charge headfirst into any battle.
Given her strong foundation in chakra-enhanced strength, learning the Body Flicker Technique was relatively straightforward. The real challenge lay in incorporating it into combat.
If she couldn't overcome the start-up and end lag, the technique would be no more useful to her than it was for any ordinary ninja—good for travel, but not much else.
But if she could overcome those weaknesses...
Well, imagine Tsunade with Shisui's speed.
A single punch could turn that slippery snake Orochimaru into a dead one.
Sakura continued studying the scroll as the sun dipped below the horizon, bathing the world in a golden-orange hue.
These days, physical training didn't do much for her anymore. Even Hiruzen had said her body was still too young—her chakra pathways couldn't yet handle high-speed circulation.
She'd have to be patient, to grow a little more.
—
"Sakura!"
A familiar voice called out from a distance.
Sakura looked up and saw a petite girl with pale blonde hair waving excitedly from the riverbank.
Only then did Sakura realize how late it had gotten.
She rolled up her scroll and stood up, walking toward Ino with a soft smile. "Well, well, what brings the Young Lady of the Yamanaka Clan to me today?"
Ino ignored Sakura's teasing and casually linked arms with her, letting out a sigh.
"Sakura, have you noticed? Sasuke's been ignoring everyone lately!"
Sakura glanced at her friend's troubled expression and tilted her head. "Isn't that just how Sasuke always is?"
"Ugh, you don't get it!" Ino huffed. "Before, sure, he was quiet and standoffish, but now he's completely different!"
"He's like a block of ice now!"
"…But somehow that makes him even cooler!"
Sakura couldn't help but roll her eyes at Ino's fangirling. She chose her words carefully.
"Have you ever considered… maybe he really just doesn't want to be bothered by clingy people?"
If she could, Sakura would prefer Ino not get too tangled up with Sasuke.
The two of them were simply from different worlds.
Though in the end, Ino did give up on Sasuke. Unlike "her"—who had basically thrown herself at him like a free sample.
"No way!" Ino instantly countered. "Sasuke's so handsome! He's probably just tired of being mobbed by other girls, so he shuts everyone out!"
Alright. In the face of beauty, all logic dies.
Sakura sighed internally. Unfortunately, Ino's feelings for Sasuke were doomed to go nowhere.
"Wait a second…"
Ino suddenly stopped and narrowed her eyes at Sakura, finally remembering something.
"Didn't you used to like Sasuke too?"
"How come you're not into him anymore?"
She released Sakura's arm and gave her a suspicious once-over.
Sakura stood there, serene and composed. Her soft, cherry-blossom pink hair was tied in a simple ponytail. She wore nothing flashy—just a black short-sleeved shirt and plain white ninja pants, and standard-issue shinobi sandals.
The only accessory even remotely "girly" on her was the red headband Ino had once given her, which Sakura now used to tie up her hair.
Due to her constant training, Sakura radiated a kind of energy that Ino couldn't quite put into words…
In a strange way, it was—
Cool.
Yes, cool was the only word that came to mind.
How bizarre—describing a girl as cool?
But that was Sakura now.
Dashing. Spirited. Sharp-eyed and graceful.
Sakura met Ino's curious gaze with calm emerald eyes and spoke softly:
"That's because you like him."
"I don't fight over the things Ino loves."
"So relax, okay~?"
She smiled and gently ruffled Ino's hair.
"Uwahhh! Sakura, you're the best!"
"If you were a boy, I'd totally marry you!"
Ino dove into Sakura's arms, squealing. Once a bit of a tomboy herself, Ino had become a complete softie around Sakura these days.
"Hey hey hey~"
"If I was a boy, I'd be jealous seeing you this obsessed with Sasuke."
Sakura chuckled, patting Ino's back with a teasing grin.
"Hehehe, well if you were a boy, I might have to reconsider—Sasuke or Sakura? Now that's a dilemma."
"But too bad you're a girl~"
Ino gave her a cheeky wink, and before Sakura could react, she pinched her nose playfully.
Sakura raised a brow in mock offense. "So if I was a boy, does that mean you wouldn't be hugging me so freely?"
Before Ino could respond, Sakura launched a tickle attack, aiming straight for her waist.
"Ahh!"
Ino let out a surprised yelp, overwhelmed by the sudden tickling.
She tried to push Sakura away, but their difference in strength was almost comical.
"Hahahaha! Sakura~~ you meanie!"
"I give up! Hahahaha!"
"Please stop!! Hahahahaha!"
Tears streamed down Ino's face from laughing too hard. She lost her balance and toppled over, dragging Sakura down with her.
The two of them landed in the soft grass near the riverside, tangled in giggles.
Ino found herself lying atop Sakura, her face flushed pink. It was hard to say if the color came from laughing too hard or something else.
"Sakura's bullying me!"
Ino put on an exaggerated pout, glaring at her bestie—but made no effort to get up.
"You were the one who pinched my nose first, weren't you?" Sakura replied with an amused smirk.
Honestly, no matter how fierce Ino tried to act, she looked more like a fluffy kitten.
"Eh?"
Ino blinked, momentarily stunned by Sakura's response. Then she crossed her arms and huffed dramatically.
"I don't care! You still bullied me!"
"Yes, yes, I'm the bad guy," Sakura replied indulgently.
Her easygoing attitude made Ino feel like her punches were landing on a pillow—completely ineffective.
"Hmph! I'm ignoring you!"
"I'm going home!"
Ino pushed herself off Sakura and turned her back with a huff, feigning indignation.
Sakura sat up and called out behind her, "Then should I come pick you up after school tomorrow? It's humanities in the afternoon again, so I'm skipping class."
"…No!"
"Really?"
"…Fine. Yes."
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