38: Chapter 38 Cherry Blossoms in the Land of WavesKonoha Village, Hokage's office.
Jiraiya rubbed his throbbing temples, looking at the "transfer letter" written by Tsunade herself in his hand, his lips twitching.
The letter was politely worded, saying that it recognized Sakura Haruno's talent in chakra control and wanted to take her in as a medical assistant for one year, requesting Konoha's support, and so on.
"That crazy woman." Jiraiya murmured to himself, then felt relieved.Sending Sakura to Tsunade's side, away from the current complicated situation in Konoha and Sasuke's increasingly unstable state, was not necessarily a bad thing.
At least, safety is guaranteed, and you can learn real skills.
With a flourish of his pen, he signed the application and affixed the Hokage's seal.
"Approved."
He said to Sakura, who was waiting nervously to the side, "Study hard with Tsunade, don't embarrass her or Konoha.Write back regularly to let her know you're safe."
"Yes, Lord Hokage!" Sakura bowed excitedly, finally feeling relieved.
Back home, after a simple farewell dinner, Sakura returned to her room and gave her luggage a final check.
A ninja tool kit, a change of clothes, a few basic medical books, and the antidote that Ino secretly slipped to her.
Sakura hesitated for a long time, but finally decided to see Sasuke one last time before leaving.
Konoha Village, at the edge of the training ground.
She walked through the familiar woods and heard the sharp whooshing sound of air being cut and the dull thud of kunai being driven deep into wooden stakes in the distance.
Under the setting sun, Sasuke's figure was like a tireless machine.His movements were so fast that they almost left afterimages.His Sharingan spun crimson in his eyes, his gaze empty and stubborn, as if he had only one thought left: to become stronger.
At his feet lay a number of shuriken and kunai, some even stained with blood—clearly he had injured himself during extremely intense training, but he didn't care.
"Sasuke-kun." Sakura called softly, her heart clenching.
Sasuke abruptly stopped, his Sharingan coldly sweeping over.
"What is it?" His voice was hoarse, carrying an icy chill that kept people at arm's length.
Sakura took a half step back, stung by his gaze, and mustered her courage to say, "I.I need to leave Konoha for a while and go to the Land of Waves to learn medical ninjutsu from Lady Tsunade."
She hoped to see even a flicker of emotion in Sasuke's eyes, perhaps even a hint of surprise or a plea for him to stay.
However, Sasuke merely scoffed, "Medical ninjutsu?Can that kind of life-saving trick really help with revenge?"
He turned around and continued to unleash his attacks on the wooden stake, saying, "Do whatever you want.Don't disturb my cultivation."
"Sasuke-kun!You can't go on like this!" Sakura looked at his almost self-destructive training methods, feeling both heartache and anxiety."You'll break down!"
Sasuke suddenly turned around, the tomoe in his Sharingan spinning wildly, and a cold burst of chakra erupted instantly, making Sakura almost unable to breathe!
His eyes turned terrifying as he stared at Sakura: "Don't use your imagination to judge what I should do!It's utterly ridiculous!"
These words pierced Sakura's last hope.
Looking at Sasuke's distorted and unfamiliar face, she knew that all words would be in vain.
He could no longer turn back.
Tears welled up in her eyes, but Sakura forced herself to hold them back.
She took one last deep look at Sasuke, as if trying to etch this familiar yet unfamiliar figure into her heart.
"I.I'm leaving."
Sasuke-kun, please.take care.
After saying that, she turned around, walked quickly away from the training ground, and never looked back.
This departure may be a final farewell.
The Kingdom of Waves, Medical Department of the Apocalypse Chamber of Commerce.
Sakura followed Goryeo across the dock to a newly renovated mansion with the words "Apocalypse Chamber of Commerce Medical Department" written in bold, powerful characters on the gate plaque.
As soon as you step inside, you are greeted by a strong smell of herbs and disinfectant.
Her gaze was first drawn to the dazzling array of medicinal herbs and equipment, but the next second, as if drawn by a magnet, it fixed on the figure by the window with his back to her.
Naruto was leaning slightly forward, seemingly observing something in the petri dish.
He was wearing a light-colored thin shirt, the fabric close to his body.
The golden tips of his hair shimmered softly in the afternoon light, creating a sense of inexplicable tranquility.Sakura watched his retreating figure, her heart pounding faster.
He seemed to have eyes in the back of his head.Without turning around, his lazy, teasing voice rang out: "Such unsteady footsteps.Is the level of Konoha's genin this bad now?Or.Broad-forehead, you can't even walk properly after seeing me?"
Sakura froze instantly, her cheeks flushing red with shame and indignation, as well as a kind of panic at being caught off guard.
She forced herself to remain calm: "Naruto!Stop talking nonsense!I'm here to learn from Lady Tsunade!"
Naruto then slowly turned around.
After several months apart, his face had clearly lost its youthful naiveté, his features were more defined and rugged, and a half-smile played at the corners of his mouth.His gaze, almost tangible, slid from her trembling fingertips to her chest, which was heaving with nervousness, and finally settled on her face, which was trying to appear calm.
"Study?" He chuckled softly, slowly approaching her, his steps carrying a subtle but palpable pressure."There's a lot you'll need to learn here.For example."
He reached out with incredible speed, and Sakura didn't have time to react!
But his hand wasn't aimed at her; instead, it brushed past her ear and pinched the dry algae that had somehow gotten stuck to her shoulder from the dock.
His fingertips, slightly cool in temperature, brushed lightly across the skin of her neck.
Sakura shuddered and shrank back, almost hitting her back on the medicine cabinet, and she couldn't breathe.
Naruto waved the withered algae in front of her eyes, then casually tossed it aside."For example, first learn to keep clean.How can you stay next to Granny Tsunade if you're all dirty?"
"You." Sakura's eyes reddened with anger, and she clenched her fists, but dared not actually lash out.
Naruto took advantage of her emotional stateIn a moment of distraction, they suddenly lean in and get close!
The distance between them instantly shrank to their noses almost touching!He could clearly see his reflection in her pupils, as well as the shame she concealed and a twisted.excitement?
He lowered his voice, speaking in a whisper that only the two of them could hear: "For example.learn to control your reactions.Your heartbeat, it's as fast as a drum.Also, don't let your legs shake, and keep your forehead broad."
She was horrified to discover that her legs were indeed trembling slightly and uncontrollably!
"Ahhh!" she cried out in surprise.Almost reflexively, she brought her legs together, instinctively put her hands in front of her body to protect herself, and curled up like a frightened hedgehog.Tears welled up in her eyes instantly.
This reaction goes far beyond ordinary anger or fear; it's more like a conditioned reflex formed after a specific stimulus.
Naruto was satisfied with the effect he wanted.
He straightened up, put some distance between himself and the crowd, and his lazy expression returned to normal, as if nothing had happened.
"It seems there is indeed a lot to learn."
He summarized it simply.
Just then, Tsunade's voice rang out like a savior: "You brat!Are you scaring my new assistant again?Sakura, don't be afraid of him!Come help me with my things!"
Sakura felt like she had been granted a pardon and almost staggered towards Tsunade, not daring to look back at Naruto.
Naruto watched Sakura's hasty retreat.
The reaction was even more interesting than expected.This broken look is really nice.
Meanwhile, in a dark base, the pitcher plant's body slowly rose from the ground, and the white Zetsu part reported in a flippant tone: "Hey, Pain, I've found something interesting~ In the Land of Waves, an organization called 'Apocalypse Merchant Guild' has recently emerged, and it's getting really strong.It's even swallowed up Gato's former territory."
Black Zetsu quickly added, "The key point is that, according to scattered intelligence, it seems that Tsunade and the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki are behind this merchant guild."
Pain's indifferent Rinnegan gazed into the distance: "Tsunade.the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.what are they planning to do, gathering in the Land of Waves?"
"Who knows?" White Zetsu tilted his head."But should we send someone to 'take a look'?After all, he is the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki."
Pain paused for a moment: "The Land of Waves is not a priority target.However, we need to keep an eye on the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki's movements.Have Itachi and Kisame investigate after they finish their current mission, without alerting the enemy."
"Got it~"
The Akatsuki organization also turned its attention to this emerging "Apocalypse Chamber of Commerce".
[Ding!Sakura Haruno has arrived in the Land of Waves, her "medical assistant" is back in place, and she has gained +500 villain points!]
[Ding!Successfully attracted the initial attention of the Akatsuki organization, gaining 300 Villain Points!]
[Ding!Successfully provoked Sakura Haruno, gaining +400 Villain Points!] [Current Villain Points: 18853]
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