Originally, the two were very close friends, but because they both fell in love with the same man, their friendship developed a crack.
Sasuke... truly a man with deep sins.
Thinking of this, Shikamaru felt a bit displeased.
Although he wasn't really interested in romance at the moment, watching Sasuke who attracted all the girls' attention in the class, he couldn't help but feel uncomfortable.
He finally somewhat understood why Naruto often provoked Sasuke.
...
"Is the guest in room 3 a friend of yours, Sakura?"
A question from her father, Haruno Kizashi, at the counter.
"Two of them are my friends, Ino-pig is just Ino-pig."
Sakura answered Haruno Kizashi's question.
"Calling your classmate like that isn't very nice, is it? You used to play quite well with Ino, didn't you?"
Haruno Kizashi hesitated for a moment.
"It's because of love. On the battlefield of love, there's no friendship, only battle!"
Sakura said with a resolute face.
"?"
Haruno Kizashi wanted to retort, what would an eight-year-old girl understand about love?
At this time, shouldn't students be focusing their energy on studying?
Need to know, the situation outside isn't good, especially now that Konoha has many internal issues, and the morale compared to before is somewhat low.
The spy organization he's part of is rapidly expanding.
Although the penetration in upper layers isn't significant, at least the lower personnel have grown to over a hundred people.
This isn't a small number.
With these hundreds of eyes constantly watching over Konoha, it can be said that many subtle movements in Konoha can be detected by them.
Coupled with information held by middle-high level members, even if they don't know the decisions of the upper levels, they can quickly compile the information from all levels and reorganize it to deduce Konoha's next moves at a fast speed.
Although not everything can be known, most decisions can be inferred.
"By the way, Sakura, any plans for next year's study schedule?"
Haruno Kizashi asked his daughter about her academic plans.
Sakura looked up at her father's serious face and tilted her head.
Study plan? How could that be possible.
Compared to this, obviously Sasuke's matters deserve a confession plan more.
Studying is so hard, and Sasuke is so handsome, only a fool would seriously make a study plan.
Feeling he had seen through Sakura's thoughts, Haruno Kizashi felt he couldn't let his daughter horse around like this.
Continuing this way, even if she safely graduates from Ninja School, she will become a useless Genin.
He knew his daughter excelled in memory, theoretical courses, and Chakra Control.
However, if she doesn't properly use these talents and chooses to waste them, then no matter how good her talent is, it will only be squandered, leaving her to linger as a Genin for life.
This way, she won't receive recognition from the organization above.
Since his daughter has such great talent, it should be well utilized, unlike him, stuck in mediocrity, just mixing in the organization.
"Do you really like that boy named Uchiha Sasuke?"
"That's none of your business, Dad."
Sakura's face turned red, and she turned away.
"That's unacceptable."
Haruno Kizashi's tone became solemn.
"What?"
"How do you find Sasuke's grades?"
Haruno Kizashi asked.
Speaking of this, Sakura enthusiastically replied: "Sasuke's grades are excellent, every time in practice classes, he's number one in the class, recognized as a prodigy Ninja in the school."
"Then, do you think you can casually stay like this and have the ability to stand beside him in the future?"
Haruno Kizashi revealed a very harsh fact.
"..."
The smile on Sakura's face froze, falling into a brief silence.
This question, she had never considered before.
Previously, she only thought about how handsome Sasuke was, whether walking, frowning, or the way he frowned, it was all incredibly cool.
But as for the ability to stand by his side, Sakura had never thought about it.
However, this is indeed a cruel topic that must be pondered seriously.
"Sasuke's strength will grow stronger, when he becomes Chunin, you'll be Genin, when he becomes Jonin, you'll still be Genin... Even if Sasuke is willing to accept you, can you bear being viewed by those around you as just a vase? And besides, your wide forehead isn't really pretty."
Haruno Kizashi spoke frankly.
"..."
Sakura's momentum instantly waned.
Unable to accept being so incompetent.
"In the end, Sasuke might end up being snatched by Ino."
"Ino-pig?"
"Sakura, valuing opponents will become a driving force for your growth. Ino's talents are very outstanding, and after learning her family's Secret Technique later on, she can become a very important Perception-type Ninja in a team, greatly boosting the squad's survival rate. Even if slightly weaker in strength, as long as her Perception Ability is excellent, Ino will be sought after by various Jonin Squads."
Haruno Kizashi exposed another harsh fact.
He's indeed right, a Ninja's excellence isn't about strength, but about the compatibility within the team.
The Yamanaka Clan's broad Perception Ability, and mental control ability can provide strong support capabilities to a squad in battle. Such excellent talents won't fear finding no way in the village.
Sakura's body started to tremble slightly.
She suddenly realized that Ino-pig, who used to play in the mud with her, is a true lady from a prominent family.