The afternoon sun was just right. In the Hokage's office, Tsunade lay back in her chair, facing the window. From this vantage point, she could see the entirety of Konoha Village.
"Peace is truly wonderful," Tsunade murmured, holding a small wine cup between her forefinger and thumb, gazing at the prosperous village outside. She then lightly parted her lips and drained the wine in the cup.
"Aah, refreshing..." A flush appeared on Tsunade's face; she had clearly had quite a bit to drink.
Just as Tsunade was about to pour herself another cup, a carrier pigeon suddenly flew in from outside the window and landed on the sill. Tsunade was slightly taken aback. Helplessly, she put down her wine cup, rose, opened the window, and let the pigeon in.
Tsunade took the letter from the pigeon's leg, and after a quick glance, her expression suddenly turned grave. Her brow furrowed for a moment before she stood up, walked to a nearby shelf, and took out a scroll.
And just then, a knock suddenly came from the door of the Hokage's office.
"Enter," Tsunade said, still looking at the scroll in her hand.
Click. The door was pushed open. Shizune walked in, carrying a thick stack of documents. Seeing Tsunade engrossed in something, she was about to ask when her small nose twitched, and her expression changed.
"Lady Tsunade, you're drinking in the office again!" Shizune chided. "It's working hours now. Please don't be so willful. There's still a lot of work to handle this afternoon. Please control yourself a little!"
"I know," Tsunade replied nonchalantly, still focused on the scroll.
"Hmm?" Shizune noticed Tsunade's preoccupation and leaned closer to ask, "What's this?"
"Mioka Villa," Tsunade said seriously. "Get Kurenai Yuhi here immediately!"
"Ah... yes." Seeing Tsunade so serious, Shizune didn't dare to delay. She immediately put down the documents in her hand and left the Hokage's office.
... ...
"So this is your genjutsu!" Sakura Haruno exclaimed, looking at the raging fire before her.
Although Yakumo Kurama had put on a desperate stance, she wasn't reckless. She first used genjutsu to escape Sakura's line of sight, then took the opportunity to run into the house.
Even though Sakura hadn't been fooled by her genjutsu, she hadn't stopped her either. Sakura wanted to see just how far her genjutsu could go.
The roaring flames blocked Sakura's path into the villa, but it was merely a delaying tactic. After casually forming a few hand seals, a continuous stream of water appeared out of thin air, instantly extinguishing the burning fire completely.
Sakura looked at the scorched floor with some surprise. Those flames hadn't been created by Fire Release; they had appeared out of nowhere. To be able to affect reality with mere genjutsu—Yakumo Kurama was indeed formidable.
Sakura stepped over the threshold of the balcony and walked into the house. Just as she entered, a chilling sensation washed over her. Although the sun was shining brightly outside, the interior of the house was incredibly dark.
Pushing open the door to a room, Sakura found herself in a long, narrow corridor. At the end of the corridor was a pair of double doors, slightly ajar.
"Is it there?" Sakura murmured to herself, then confidently walked towards the doors.
Step by step, she slowly approached the doors. However, apart from the initial inferno, nothing else happened. Yakumo Kurama didn't seem to intend to stop Sakura.
"Given up resisting?" Sakura's hand was already on the doorknob, and she could clearly sense Yakumo Kurama inside.
Screech~~~ The doors opened without any resistance. Sakura looked inside and found it filled with easels. Yakumo Kurama was currently sitting in front of one, her back to Sakura.
Her right hand held a paintbrush, and her left hand held a palette. However, the hand holding the paintbrush was trembling slightly.
"Don't come any closer. If you come any closer, you'll die..." Yakumo Kurama said, her voice trembling slightly.
"Hmm?" Sakura said mockingly. "Where did that earlier bravado go? So this is all you amount to. Truly disappointing."
"You... who exactly are you!" Yakumo Kurama whirled around, her eyes, staring at Sakura, filled with boundless fear.
It was only then that Sakura clearly saw the content of the painting Yakumo had been blocking. A young woman with flowing pink hair was strikingly depicted on the canvas.
"Hmm..." Sakura said. "Not bad, the painting is quite good." She paused, then frowned and continued, "It's just that those swords and blades somewhat ruin the overall effect."
Indeed, what was displayed on the canvas was a picture of Sakura being pierced by countless arrows and swords. The background of the entire painting was covered in vivid red, giving it a chilling and gruesome feel at first glance.
"You... you... why are you still alive..." Yakumo Kurama pointed at Sakura, her already pale face turning even whiter.
"Why am I still alive?" Sakura frowned, thought for a moment, and said, "Probably because there's still a mission I must complete waiting for me."
"..." Yakumo Kurama was speechless. For the first time, the very first time, her ability had failed. Was there truly no escape? How unwilling she was. She hadn't even avenged her parents against Konoha, and it was all ending like this?
Yakumo Kurama collapsed powerlessly to the ground, listlessly closing her eyes, awaiting the arrival of death.
"Hey," Sakura said, looking at Yakumo Kurama speechlessly. "I told you, I'm not here to kill you."
"..."
"You want to avenge your parents, right? Against Konoha." Sakura organized her thoughts. "I can help you..."
Hearing Sakura's words, Yakumo Kurama's eyes snapped open. Disbelievingly, she said, "Stop lying to me. You're the Fifth Hokage's disciple. How could you possibly go against Konoha?"
"By the fact that you're still alive!" Sakura shrugged. "If I wanted to kill you, you'd be a corpse by now."
"This..." Yakumo Kurama was suddenly at a loss for words. Indeed, given the strength the other had displayed earlier, if she had wanted to kill her, it wouldn't have taken this long.
"My name is Sakura Haruno." Sakura bent down and extended her hand to Yakumo Kurama. "If you still want revenge, then figure out how to face the Hokage's interrogation. They'll be here soon. I think your genjutsu should be able to provide a reasonable explanation."
Yakumo Kurama looked at Sakura's outstretched hand, her expression fluctuating. Finally, she gritted her teeth, extended her right hand, and took Sakura's.
Sakura pulled Yakumo Kurama up from the ground. "If you want revenge, don't easily trust anyone from Konoha."
"Does that include you?" Yakumo Kurama asked, as if mocking her.
"Of course," Sakura nodded, then continued, "But I can give you what you want. Compared to being the Fifth Hokage's disciple, I'd rather you see me as a companion who also seeks revenge."
"Com...panion...?" Yakumo Kurama murmured, somewhat dazed. When she looked up again, the room was already empty, and a faint commotion could be heard from outside.
There was no time. Yakumo Kurama composed herself and began to explain everything using her own methods.
After leaving Mioka Villa, Sakura Haruno headed straight for the village, rushing towards her home. She believed Yakumo Kurama would explain everything as a genjutsu, and all she needed to do now was stay at home.
"I'm such a liar..." Sakura Haruno thought, shaking her head self-deprecatingly after returning home.
She had originally gone out to find a suitable secret location, but she hadn't expected to stumble upon Yakumo Kurama, whose genjutsu could rival that of the Uchiha clan. This was an unexpected gain.
Although Yakumo Kurama's genjutsu was ineffective against her, that was only because of Seijutsu. Unless it was a genjutsu that used natural energy, ordinary chakra-driven genjutsu wouldn't have much effect.
However, Sakura wasn't entirely sure that all chakra-based genjutsu were ineffective against her. After all, chakra didn't exist in that era. But even a genjutsu as strong as Yakumo's couldn't affect her, so any genjutsu that could work would surely be cast by someone of considerable skill.
Click. The living room door opened, and Karin returned home from outside.
"You're back, Karin." Sakura sat on the living room sofa, looking at Karin's surprised gaze, and gave a brilliant smile, a smile that seemed like the purest innocence.