"What kind of person am I…?"
"Could someone like me ever achieve greatness?"
Uchiha Obito raised his hand, blocking the flickering light. Through the gaps between his fingers, the wavering candle flame danced, now bright, now dim.
"Who do you think you are?" Black Zetsu's voice rang out.
"You are the inheritor of Uchiha Madara's will!"
"You are the spokesperson of the Shinobi World's Asura!"
"You are the second person after Uchiha Madara to wield both the Sharingan and Wood Release!"
"Obito."
Black Zetsu gazed at the man before him, his deep, unreadable eyes betraying no trace of emotion.
"You are far more exceptional than you realize."
"So… what should I do?"
Uchiha Obito wasn't swayed by Black Zetsu's motivational words. Instead, he posed a practical question.
"What do you think you lack most right now?" Black Zetsu countered.
"Power. Absolute power," Obito replied without hesitation.
His identity had been exposed, his Kamui cracked. With only his half-baked Wood Release and Yin-Yang Release, he was far from achieving his goals.
Hearing this, a smile curled at the corner of Black Zetsu's mouth.
He opened the door, and a small figure appeared before Uchiha Obito.
White hair, white clothes, red eyes.
"Introduce yourself, our new ally," Black Zetsu said as he shut the door behind the newcomer.
The candle flame flickered in the room. Outside, rain poured in the dark night, lightning coiled through the clouds, and fierce winds howled through the steel jungle.
Everything seemed unchanged from the past, yet everything felt profoundly different.
The Next Day
Konohagakure
Sakura Haruno glanced up at the all-too-familiar gates of Konoha and stepped inside without hesitation.
"Hm?"
"Is that…?"
The ever-diligent Kotetsu Hagane and Izumo Kamizuki rubbed their eyes at the sight of that familiar flash of pink.
"Yo, long time no see," Sakura called out to them with a casual wave before striding off without looking back.
"That's… Sakura?" Kotetsu muttered.
"Yeah, no mistake," Izumo confirmed. "Our battlefield hero."
Thanks to Hiruzen Sarutobi's efforts, Sakura's name had spread throughout Konoha.
Her terrifying achievements were the talk of the village.
In the history of the ninja villages, no one had ever taken down three Kage in a single war.
And this was done by a mere thirteen-year-old girl.
It sounded like a fairy tale, yet it had undeniably happened.
Sakura's return sent Konoha into a frenzy. Since the death of the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, no one in the village had risen to his legendary status. But Sakura's outrageous accomplishments led many to hail her as a ninja capable of surpassing even Hashirama.
The enthusiasm of Konoha's villagers exceeded Sakura's expectations, crowding her path until it was impassable.
"Sakura!"
"Lady Sakura, try some of my family's freshly made mochi!"
"Sakura!"
"Lady Sakura, can you sign this for me?"
"Sakura!"
"Lady Sakura, I heard you're still single?"
Ino Yamanaka had heard of Sakura's return and rushed to the scene, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't push through the throng. She could only shout Sakura's name from the outskirts, hoping to catch her attention.
The crowd was so dense that Sakura didn't notice Ino's presence. Sure, she had the Tenketsu Barrier Technique, but who walks around with sensory ninjutsu active all day? Did people think she was like the Hyuga, idly using their Byakugan to play cards?
Eventually, the crowd caused such a traffic jam that the patrol team had to step in and disperse the mob, allowing Sakura to finally breathe a sigh of relief.
"Sakura!"
Before she could react, a purple-clad figure barreled into her arms.
"Ah, this familiar flat—" Ino started, then paused. "Wait, did they get… a tiny bit bigger? Are you finally developing?"
Ino reached out curiously, only for Sakura to firmly grab her hand.
"Enough already," Sakura said, stopping Ino's mischievous intent.
They were in the middle of the street, for crying out loud!
As for her chest, Sakura was blunt: they were just two lumps of flesh. They didn't affect her punching speed when she was flattening opponents.
Still, she couldn't help but care just a little. Even if Sakura Haruno wasn't exactly well-endowed, she was still a girl. Now that she was Sakura, it was a hurdle she couldn't ignore.
Compared to Hinata or Tsunade's exaggerated proportions, though, Sakura's were within the normal range—maybe even a bit flat. That was a small comfort, at least.
"Ugh, Sakura, you're such a stingy jerk," Ino pouted, sulking at being denied.
"So, what's Ino been up to lately?" Sakura asked, wisely shifting the topic.
"Me? Compared to you, I'm just living a normal life," Ino replied, her tone carrying a playful jab.
Sakura ignored the subtext.
"I've been helping out at Mom's flower shop," Ino continued. "But the annoying part? I'm still so young, and she's already trying to set me up on blind dates. It's like she's terrified I'll never get married or something."
Ino gestured dramatically, emphasizing how young she still was and how absurd it was that her mother was so eager to marry her off.
It was outrageous!
Sakura glanced at Ino, wondering if Mrs. Yamanaka was worried her daughter might be "swayed" by Sakura's influence.
Marry her off, quick!
As for Ino's canonical husband, Sai? Sakura hadn't even caught a glimpse of him.
Hmm… what about Sasuke? she mused. No, that won't do. Naruto, maybe? Eh, probably not…
Sakura rubbed her chin, her thoughts drifting to Hinata.
Whatever. Just don't come clinging to me, Saint Seiya style.
I, Sakura Haruno, have cut off all attachments, a lone wolf, the Zhao Gao of the shinobi world.
"By the way, you just got back to the village. Where are you headed?" Ino asked, looping her arm through Sakura's with enthusiasm. "If you're free, come hang out at the flower shop!"
"Sorry, Ino. Maybe next time," Sakura said, glancing regretfully at her friend as her eyes settled on the Hokage Tower in the distance.
"What the heck…" Ino puffed out her cheeks in mock frustration.
Before Ino could protest further, Sakura vanished in a flash, slipping away from her side.
"That girl, seriously…" Ino muttered, glaring at the empty space beside her, clenching her teeth. Next time, you're in for it!
Sakura left Ino behind and headed straight for the Hokage Tower. She was fed up with all the staring. Instead of entering through the main hall, she scaled the building and slipped in through a window, landing directly in the Hokage's office.
Sure enough, the old man was there, like a fixed NPC spawning at his desk every day.
"Uh, Sakura?" Hiruzen Sarutobi, mid-puff on his pipe, looked up in surprise at the pink-haired girl climbing through his window.
Sakura tilted her head, eyeing Hiruzen buried in paperwork. Is Konoha's bureaucracy really this bad? Why's the old man doing all the work? Are the others just slacking off, leaving everything to the boss?
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