When she fainted, her sense of smell was the first to return. A sharp, pungent scent of disinfectant hit her nostrils, and then Haruno Sakura's eyes snapped open. What greeted her was a snow-white ceiling.
The weakness she felt before losing consciousness lingered, but it had eased significantly. The dizziness and vertigo were no longer overwhelming. She could think, she could remember what had happened.
Kita! Her patient!
Rising too quickly made her vision darken for a moment. Sakura clutched her head, waiting for the dizziness to pass, while a concerned voice echoed in her ears.
"Senpai, are you okay? I'll go get Shizune-senpai!"
"No, no need, Kazuko. It's just an allergy."
It wasn't bravado—it truly was an allergic reaction, just more severe than most. A few days of unconsciousness, red rashes, dizziness… a few days of rest would suffice.
"But senpai, you—"
"Don't worry about me. How's the surgery?" Sakura asked, pushing through the lingering vertigo. Her eyes were urgent, a mix of worry and determination.
Kazuko didn't know how to respond.
"Never mind. How long was I out?"
"Three… three days."
"I need to see her." Sakura lifted the thin blanket covering her and tried to get out of bed, only to be stopped by Kazuko.
"Senpai, why… why do you care so much? About… that… thing…"
"She's my patient, Kazuko. A medical ninja is responsible for her patients. You're a medical ninja too—without responsibility, how can you—"
"But she tricked you! Senpai, that thing… that thing that isn't even human—"
Her forward motion halted abruptly. Sakura spun around and grabbed Kazuko's shoulders, eyes blazing.
"What did you say? What do you mean? Explain!"
"Ah! Senpai, you hurt me!"
"Sorry."
She let go immediately, eyes green with anxiety. She stared at Kazuko, seeking explanation—but the young girl's face was pale, lips pressed tight, tears brimming. The expression spoke of silent suffering.
"Enough. Thank you for taking care of me these past days."
Sakura said this, taking long strides forward, ignoring Kazuko's calls behind her, moving quickly toward the exit.
Outside the room, a strange sight froze her heart. Konoha Hospital staff rarely wore full suits. A white coat was already the limit. Yet here was someone fully covered—head to toe in protective gear, even the shoes and hood tightly sealed. Eyes avoided her at all costs, moving past with wary glances.
"Pfft pfft!"
Disinfectant sprayed onto her. Sakura froze, only to see her childhood friend. Fully clad in a protective suit, the only uncovered part was her long, beautiful blond hair. In her hands was a spray bottle—disinfectant, judging by the liquid.
"Finally awake, wide forehead! Come on, disinfect!"
"Ino, what's going on? Is this a flu precaution?"
"Ha! Flu? Sakura, can you not be so clueless?" She gestured around. Everyone was giving a wide berth, avoiding Sakura as if she were dangerous. Ino realized her friend was out of sorts and quickly pulled her aside, saving her from being shunned.
"You really are clueless! Everyone knows you got sick taking care of a non-human patient. I guessed you'd wake up and rush here. No wonder you didn't know. Come on, let's go home and get you cleaned up."
"Wait! What do you mean? How do you know?"
"Senpai, you've been out for three days. The whole village knows, except you. Consider this your lucky day. Hey! Sakura, where are you going?!"
Sakura sprinted to the sixth floor, to a room that should have been occupied. Gasping for breath, she steadied herself and flung the door open.
Empty.
No patients. No… wards…
Her heart sank.
"S-Sakura, huff… why are you running so fast?!"
Ino panted, stopping at the doorway.
"Where are they?!"
"Huh?"
"Where are my patients?! The ones I was supposed to perform the spinal replacement surgery on? Where are they?!"
"Hey, Sakura!!! Are you seriously clueless? Don't you get it? Your patient wasn't human! How could Konoha accept that? Their getting in was just luck! Thank goodness you had the allergy, or the village would have been fooled—hey, Sakura, it's not your fault! You were tricked, even Tsunade-sama was!"
Damn! Damn! Damn!!!
Sakura bolted to the Hokage's office, ignoring etiquette, flinging the door open and shouting.
"Master, I—"
"…If the Daimyo were to find out."
Her voice was cut off by multiple interruptions. The one who couldn't finish scolding her was the elder assistant, Koharu.
"What are you doing, Sakura! That's highly inappropriate!" Tsunade's rebuke hit like a storm. Sakura froze, quickly bowing back.
"Y-Yes, Hokage-sama! I'll leave immediately."
"No need. You've already been implicated this time," said Elder Mizuto, stern. "Step forward, Haruno Sakura."
"Uh… yes."
When the door closed, the room's atmosphere grew tense. Elder Mizuto coughed lightly, signaling Sakura to step closer.
"It was too late when discovered. Now all of Konoha knows that our Fifth Hokage…" His gaze briefly flicked to Tsunade, seated, brows furrowed. "…was deceived by a non-human during treatment. You, Sakura, are the medical lead responsible. Although the data has been recovered, you should have backups. Collect them immediately and destroy related records. Non-humans have never been allowed in Konoha, and this is extremely serious. Tsunade, we will handle the aftermath; Konoha's standing with the Daimyo cannot be compromised."
Tsunade could have slammed her fist on the table, roared her authority like usual:
I am the Fifth Hokage! Stop talking!
But… she simply said,
"I understand. Thank you for your efforts."
"Don't make mistakes again, Tsunade. I understand your feelings, but Konoha comes first," Koharu said.
The elders left. Only master and student remained in the office.
"Master… I…"
"Sakura." The tired call stopped her words. Tsunade looked up, eyes filled with a sorrow Sakura had never seen before.
"You've never disappointed me. You know your limits. I diagnosed your fainting as an allergic reaction… you—"
"Master, I'm sorry." Sakura bowed deeply, green eyes glistening with tears. She had eaten peanuts, causing an allergic reaction right before surgery. Her negligence jeopardized Tsunade's preparations.
"You are not someone who makes mistakes like this. If you truly didn't want this, you wouldn't have been put in such a position. Sakura, I believe you were set up. This is not your fault…"
"No, Master. It's my fault. I treated her identity carelessly. If I had been more cautious, this wouldn't have happened. I should have been careful with my meals, careful with everything…"
"I am deeply sorry, Master. Truly, I apologize."
As a medical ninja, she felt unworthy, having been compromised in her duties.
When she looked up again, the tears were gone. Her green eyes bore red streaks, but her resolve was unshakable.
"Master, the responsibility is mine."
If anyone else were responsible, the consequences would be unforgivable. But before her stood her most valued student, Tsunade. The Hokage sighed heavily and shook her head.
"Enough. Let this matter rest. You're tired—rest properly. Don't worry, it was just some complications."
Sakura bowed once more, sincere and resolute.
Master… I'm sorry… I am a medical ninja…
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