Since this mission required leaving the village for a period of time, Sakura could only inform her parents about it. Although she managed to convince them with her persuasive skills, they still got up at dawn to pack loads of supplies for her.
If Shisui Uchiha hadn't arrived just in time and sealed everything into a storage scroll, Sakura probably would've had to drag along an enormous backpack.
"Sakura, be careful while you're away. Eat on time, don't catch a chill, protect yourself well—and above all, come back safely!"
Mom Mebuki Haruno held back tears as she repeatedly reminded her daughter. Knowing she couldn't talk Sakura out of going, she could only offer more heartfelt warnings.
"Mom, don't worry. I'll definitely come back safely. Big Brother Shisui is a famous ninja throughout the entire shinobi world with incredible power. There's absolutely no need to worry about safety!"
Sakura nodded firmly. Even if it was just for her parents and friends, she would return home safe and sound.
"Come back soon, and don't let your mom worry too much," said Kizashi Haruno, normally cheerful but now uncharacteristically quiet. Finally, all he could manage was that one quiet plea before falling into silence, his furrowed brows betraying his anxiety.
"Yeah, I know!" Sakura said, turning to Naruto, "Hey, Naruto, behave yourself while I'm gone—promise me you won't cause any trouble!"
"Yeah, yeah, I will!" Naruto wiped the corner of his eye and said, "I'll be joining the Ninja Academy soon anyway—I'm going to train hard and become a powerful ninja! Then, when danger comes, I can protect you instead!"
"Great!" Sakura smiled, then turned to Mr. Ichiraku: "Mr. Ichiraku, Ayame Onee-san, please take care of Naruto during my absence. If anything happens, go straight to the Uchiha Household and ask Fugaku-san for help!"
That last sentence Sakura whispered directly into Mr. Ichiraku's ear, speaking so softly only Shisui could hear—no one else.
"I will!" Mr. Ichiraku replied. "I've been developing some new dishes lately. When you come back, I'll make you an entire feast."
"I look forward to tasting it!" Sakura checked the time, waved goodbye to Ino and the others, and said, "It's getting late. I should set off now. While I'm away, all of you better behave yourselves! Wait for me, and I'll give you a surprise when I return!"
"Well, surprises don't really matter. As long as you come back safe, that's what counts. I don't want our beautiful blossom to fall before it even gets to bloom," Ino said jokingly, trying to lighten the mood.
"I won't fall early. Besides, even if I did fall, it wouldn't mean the end. Fallen blossoms become nourishment for new green leaves. And when spring returns and fresh shoots emerge—that will be the ultimate climax of youth, blazing its brightest red!"
Suddenly recalling the speech Guy gave to Madara Uchiha during the Fourth Great Ninja War when he opened the [Eight Gates], Sakura unintentionally blurted it out without thinking.
"Well said! That's exactly what youth is all about!"
Right after Sakura finished speaking, a green frog suddenly jumped out. The thick eyebrows, glowing teeth, and that gourd-shaped haircut resembling a water sprite instantly sent a jolt through Sakura's heart.
Chapter 28: Konoha's Proud Blue Beast?! [Part 2]
Might Guy proudly called himself Konoha's proud blue beast, but those who truly knew him saw him as something utterly outlandish—like some rare breed of human.
Although Might Guy wasn't skilled in ninjutsu, he was absolutely one of Konoha's top taijutsu masters, especially wielding the forbidden technique [Eight Gates]. This skill was incredibly powerful—when seven gates were open, Guy already had Kage-level strength. When he opened the eighth gate, burning his life force, he even reached the same level as the Sage of Six Paths, though only for a very short time at the cost of his own life.
Despite Guy's rather bizarre personality, his character was iron-willed and resolute. He and Kisame Hoshigaki were revered as the only two true men among all shinobi in the ninja world. During his childhood, due to his terrible ninjutsu skills, he was often mocked as a foolish failure. However, instead of giving up because of others' ridicule, Guy worked hard at training his taijutsu. Eventually, after learning the forbidden technique [Eight Gates], passed down by his father Might Duy, he finally earned his place among the greats.
Although Guy was immensely strong, most people in Konoha didn't realize this until after the Fourth Great Ninja War. Kakashi, having witnessed the power of [Eight Gates] firsthand, then began cultivating a group of "green boys."
Guy considered Kakashi his lifelong rival. After Kakashi joined the Anbu, Guy also submitted an application to the Third Hokage expressing his desire to join Anbu. However, the Third Hokage rejected his request—not because Guy lacked capability, but because his personality simply didn't suit the requirements of Anbu operations.
The moment she saw that frog-like outfit, Sakura wished she could unsee what was right in front of her. That outfit defied all known fashion logic.
"Young lady! Who'd have thought there could be someone like you in Konoha who understands youth so well! I, Might Guy, hereby acknowledge you as my close friend! For the sake of our blooming youth, let us walk around Konoha on our hands twenty times!"
Guy revealed his signature smile, his teeth flashing mysteriously under sunlight, causing Naruto, Sasuke, and others to shiver involuntarily.
"No thanks, I'm still just a kid. Excessive high-intensity exercise might affect my physical development!"
Sakura refused without hesitation. Making her go around Konoha on her hands with Guy? Forget whether she could endure it or not—there was no way she wanted to be stared at like some kind of freak show.
"Oh, such a shame!" Regret filled Guy's face, but the next second, he showed a mysterious smile again. "Young lady, I've got some pretty wild gear here. It—"
"I don't need it!" Without waiting for Guy to finish, Sakura declined with cold sweat pouring down her head. She already knew exactly what "magic clothes" Guy meant—the green frog suit. She'd rather fight Madara Uchiha right now than wear that thing.
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