The Heaven-Covering Formation
Jiraiya once used this technique when he faced the Animal Path of Pain and its summoned army.
It was particularly useful during his transition into Sage Mode, helping him fight effectively in unfamiliar terrain with Fukasaku and Shima by his side.
This technique allows one to accurately perceive the complex layout of the surrounding environment and maintain awareness even in the heat of battle.
Rather than calling it a ninjutsu, it's more apt to describe it as a small-scale sensory barrier that radiates from the user's body.
Sakura leaned against a tree branch, flipping through the scroll that Jiraiya had written overnight.
As expected of a novelist—he had written so much in just one night.
Not only that, he had also kindly added notes, cautions, and his personal insights into the technique.
The afternoon sun bathed Sakura's pink hair in a soft glow. Since her candid talk with Naruto the day before, she felt she had already made things clear.
As for what Naruto thought...
Hmm...
Sakura knew she couldn't change that stubborn guy. She figured that after the Chūnin Exams, she would regain her Special Jōnin rank and would officially leave Team Seven.
By then, her mission to protect Naruto would be considered complete.
With her detachment from the ANBU soon to follow, she would finally be free to form her own squad.
She had already thought about potential team members. Karin would be one of them. Though Sakura didn't need Karin's regenerative ability anymore, her Kagura Mind's Eye was incredibly useful.
As for the other two—still tentative.
The team name? How about "Team Sakura"~
"Sakura!"
A crisp voice called out from below. Sakura looked down to see a girl with pale blond hair standing with her arms crossed.
"Ino."
Sakura flipped down from the tree with a graceful leap, landing softly on the ground.
Ino looked around, her eyes searching for something—or someone.
"Hmph, where's that red octopus?"
Her tone carried a hint of irritation as she arched her brow.
"Oh, Karin? She has to report to the village offices every day for now."
"At this hour, I'd say she's still there."
Sakura scratched her head, a bit helpless in the face of her friend's probing.
She understood Ino's thoughts all too well.
It was that subtle, instinctive jealousy girls have—wanting to compete, to stake a claim, even if it didn't make sense.
Especially when they're close friends.
Compared to Naruto, Ino was much easier to handle.
Sakura knew Ino only saw her as a dear friend. For that, Sakura felt relieved—at least the world's orientation wasn't too complicated.
Ino pursed her lips, her voice slightly odd as she said:
"I heard that red octopus has been staying at your house lately?"
"Yes, that's right. But once Karin's residence permit is processed, the village will assign her a place."
"She's only temporarily living with me for now."
Sakura chuckled at Ino's forced nonchalance—clearly bothered but trying not to show it.
"There's no need to worry so much about Karin."
"She's… well, someone with a complicated story."
"But she's a good companion, really easy to get along with."
Sakura gently patted Ino's head.
Ino frowned at the gesture. Sakura was great in many ways, but why did she always pat her head like she was a child?
It was affectionate, sure—but also a little awkward.
"Hmph, who said I was worried about that red octopus?"
Ino turned her head away from Sakura's smiling face but sneaked a glance back, pretending not to care.
"Oh, right. What about that teammate of yours, hmm?"
Sakura immediately understood Ino's hidden meaning—it was written all over her face.
"You mean Sasuke? He's been training under Kakashi these days."
"After all, his next match in the Chūnin Exams is against a Sand Village ninja—a very strong one."
Hearing this, Ino instantly grew flustered.
"Who said I meant Sasuke?!"
"Hmm? If not Sasuke, then… could it be Naruto?"
"…Fine, it's Sasuke."
---
"Ahhh!"
"It's been so long since I've been back!"
"It's so nostalgic!"
A woman with short black hair, dressed in black and holding a pink piglet in her arms, looked at the familiar yet distant gates of Konoha with a warm smile.
"Lady Tsunade!"
"You're feeling nostalgic too, aren't you?"
The black-haired woman turned to the woman beside Asuma and spoke with a laugh.
With twin golden ponytails, a violet diamond-shaped mark on her forehead, a green haori draped over her shoulders, and a bold "Gamble" kanji on the back—her beauty hadn't faded a bit, even at fifty.
She was none other than Tsunade, the legendary Sannin of Konoha.
Tsunade looked up at the Konoha symbol above the gate, her expression calm, though a hint of complexity flickered in her eyes.
"Tch. Who's nostalgic about Konoha?"
She tossed the words carelessly and strode toward the village entrance.
If not for the Hokage personally sending Asuma to find her, she wouldn't have bothered to return.
She would only stay until the Chūnin Exams ended—after that, she'd go back to doing whatever she pleased.
The black-haired woman laughed quietly at Tsunade's words.
After following Tsunade for so many years, how could she not understand her personality?
Always saying one thing and doing another. Her body betrayed the truth.
"Well, that completes my mission," Asuma said with a sense of relief as he watched Tsunade's back.
Tsunade meant far more to Konoha than even Jiraiya.
Not that her power was greater—though it arguably was—but her background, reputation, and symbolic value far surpassed Jiraiya's.
As the granddaughter of the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, she practically embodied Konoha's legitimacy.
Moreover, her unmatched medical ninjutsu had saved countless lives during the war. Konoha's entire medical system was built on her foundation.
It's no exaggeration to say every Konoha ninja had directly or indirectly benefited from Tsunade's contributions.
Add to that her strength, charisma, and fierce spirit—during the Second Great Ninja War, she was the most radiant rose on the battlefield, admired by both men and women alike.
She was beloved across all ranks and genders.
"We really owe this to you, Asuma," the black-haired woman said gratefully to her comrade.
After all these years outside the village, she had longed to come home.
"Shizune, hurry up!"
Tsunade's annoyed voice echoed from a distance.
"Oh! Coming!"
The black-haired woman—Shizune—hurried her steps to catch up with her mentor.
At the village gates, the guards—Izumo Kamizuki and Kotetsu Hagane—stood in stunned silence as they watched her approach.
Even Tsunade-sama had returned at this crucial time...
Coincidentally, today was the birthday of Hashirama Senju. They had rarely paid attention to such dates in the past, since Hashirama always seemed like the kind of person who wouldn't care about birthdays—someone who relied on sheer force to solve everything.
---
(End of Chapter)