As evening fell, the lanterns cast a warm glow over Konoha's night market, which pulsed with a lively, bustling energy. People unwound after a day's work, gathering with friends to eat and drink. Ninjas, back from missions, clustered in small groups, sharing stories and laughter. Nearby, Academy students, recently dismissed from classes, chased each other playfully through the crowds.
The Fujiwara Izakaya was as packed as ever. Its renowned grilled chicken skewers were a perennial favorite. Ordering some refreshing sake and savoring a few skewers was, for many, one of life's simple pleasures.
Tonight, however, the izakaya's patrons seemed less focused on the delicacies before them. Their eyes kept darting towards one particular table. It wasn't that the food had suddenly lost its appeal; rather, the customer seated there was simply too striking to ignore.
A beauty, an absolute stunner: skin like fresh snow, lustrous long hair framing her face, and lips soft, full, and naturally red. This image, combined with her remarkably uninhibited way of downing sake and heartily devouring skewers, created a fascinating contrast that continually drew gazes. It lent her an air of wild, untamed charm.
Such a sight was uncommon, even among female shinobi. Societal expectations generally pictured women as gentle figures focused on home and family, maintaining a demure image even when dining out.
"Tsk..." An older patron nearby shook his head, sighing audibly. "So improper. Absolutely corrupting public morals." His furtive, repeated glances, however, thoroughly betrayed his inner thoughts.
"Ahem… Don't recognize her, do you?" Several Konoha ninjas seated together murmured, discussing the woman.
"Yeah, definitely haven't seen her around," Kotetsu agreed, casting a quick glance her way.
"Think she's a ninja?" Shiranui Genma asked, ever observant.
"Probably not," Kamizuki Izumo replied, shaking his head. "But you're right, she looks completely unfamiliar."
"Should we notify ANBU, have them check her out?" Genma suggested responsibly.
Kotetsu and Izumo, having manned Konoha's main gate for years, possessed an almost encyclopedic knowledge of the village's inhabitants. While the village was large, if both of them found someone completely unfamiliar, it warranted closer attention. Their role demanded such vigilance.
"There's no need," Ebisu interjected from their table, pushing his signature sunglasses up his nose with a serious expression. "If she were an enemy operative, she wouldn't be acting so conspicuously. I believe she is merely a civilian passing through."
"Hmm… Makes sense, I suppose, but…" Genma still seemed hesitant.
"Since you remain unconvinced, allow me to investigate further," Ebisu interrupted smoothly, his face a mask of earnest duty. "It has been some time since I undertook a mission. Consider this… fieldwork."
The other three – Genma, Kotetsu, and Izumo – stared at Ebisu, surprised by his sudden initiative. They were all from the same generation, and Ebisu had landed the rather cushy assignment of tutoring the Third Hokage's grandson, sparing him the rigors of regular mission duty – a fact the others occasionally envied. They hadn't expected him to volunteer for something like this.
"Haha, didn't peg you as one to volunteer for extra work, Ebisu! Alright then, she's all yours." They didn't give it much more thought; in their eyes, Ebisu was generally a straitlaced, dependable guy.
Sakura hadn't felt this liberated in what felt like ages. Even transmigration hadn't completely erased some of her old habits and preferences. It was a pity Konoha didn't have the sprawling outdoor street food stalls she fondly remembered, but this lively izakaya atmosphere was a decent substitute.
Sake wasn't nearly as potent as baijiu, but it went down smoothly. Sakura had already polished off seven or eight small bottles. Though mild initially, it packed a delayed punch. She was definitely feeling tipsy now, a sensation she hadn't experienced in a very long time.
Perhaps the accumulated stress from recent events – Junko, Kabuto, Ikarus, Red Island, Danzo – had been weighing on her more than she realized. With no real outlet for release, and fueled by the irritation of being hit on earlier, the alcohol flowed a bit too freely. Yet, the more she drank, the more agitated she felt, her thoughts swirling chaotically around the unresolved issues.
"BOSS!!!" Sakura suddenly slammed her hand on the table, her voice loud and demanding. "Where's my sake?! Bring more!"
"Ah! C-Customer, please wait just a moment! Coming right up!" The waiter, seeing Sakura's clearly intoxicated state, nervously wiped sweat from his forehead.
"Excuse me, would you mind if I sat here?"
A smooth, magnetic male voice cut through the izakaya's din. Sakura blinked, trying to focus her blurry, alcohol-hazed eyes. A man dressed in black casual wear, sporting dark sunglasses, had seated himself directly opposite her.
"Who're you?" Sakura slurred, shaking her head slightly, trying to place his face but drawing a blank. "Who said you could sit here?"
Ebisu adjusted his sunglasses with his middle finger, striking what he presumably thought was a cool pose. "Beautiful lady, I truly believe you shouldn't have any more to drink."
Seeing Sakura up close – her alluring yet wild demeanor – Ebisu's heart began to pound erratically. I think… I think I'm in love! It felt like love at first sight. Maintaining a calm facade, however, he continued smoothly, "You're already quite intoxicated. Tell me where you live, and I will safely escort you home."
"You… You… Who the hell're you?" Sakura repeated, her words thick. "Who gave you permission t'sit here?"
"Allow me to introduce myself," Ebisu said, his voice smooth and confident. "I am the esteemed Konoha Jonin, Ebisu. The Third Hokage's most trusted subordinate." He tilted his chin up slightly, puffing out his chest, clearly anticipating a reaction of awe and admiration.
Hearing 'Konoha Jonin Ebisu', Sakura squinted, trying to get a clearer look. Vague recognition flickered. She thought she remembered someone like him, but the impression was faint – just another background character, really.
"Customer! Here is the sake and chicken skewers you ordered!" The waiter arrived with a fresh tray.
"Huh?" Sakura tilted her head, confused. "I didn't order… no chicken skewers." Pretty sure she'd only asked for more sake.
Seeing her adorable head tilt, Ebisu felt a sudden warmth rush to his face, followed immediately by two streams of blood trickling from his nose. He hastily wiped them away. "Ah, I ordered those for you. You've had quite enough to drink, you see."
Sakura pointed an unsteady finger at Ebisu, her annoyance growing. "Can you make him leave?" she asked the waiter pointedly. "I don't know this guy. Is this how your establishment operates? Letting strangers harass customers?" His incessant chatter was grating on her already frayed nerves. Being a man herself (in her past life), she knew exactly what his intentions were. But he was a Konoha ninja; she couldn't just attack him without cause, nor did she want to reveal her true identity – that would surely lead to a lecture from both her mother and Tsunade-sensei tomorrow.
"Excuse me, sir," the waiter said apologetically to Ebisu, "but you seem to be disturbing the other customer."
"Could you perhaps fetch me a glass of water?" Ebisu asked, completely unfazed. "This young lady is clearly intoxicated. As a loyal ninja of Konoha, it is my sworn duty to offer assistance."
"Well…" The waiter looked conflicted. The woman was obviously drunk and alone. What Ebisu said made a certain amount of sense… "Alright." He decided fetching water was the safest course, avoiding further involvement.
As the waiter left, Ebisu deftly slid the newly delivered sake bottles towards himself. "You've had far too much already. You shouldn't drink these. Here, eat something instead."
Sakura's teeth ground together audibly. Can't this idiot take a hint? Isn't it obvious he's not welcome?! Finally, fueled by alcohol and accumulated frustration, she snapped.
BANG!
Sakura slammed her fist down onto the table with tremendous force. The solid wooden tabletop instantly shattered, splintering into dozens of pieces. Bottles of sake and plates of skewers went flying, crashing onto the floor.
"Do you want to die?!" Sakura roared, her knuckles cracking ominously. She leaped up onto the booth seat, looming over the stunned Ebisu. Her impressive physique, combined with the chilling fury in her voice, created an aura of terrifying intensity.
Ebisu stared dumbly at the wreckage of the table, still seated opposite, unable to process what had just happened. Kotetsu, Izumo, and Genma, however, reacted instantaneously. In three blurring motions, they surrounded Sakura, kunai drawn.
"Just as suspected! She's trouble!" Genma growled, a senbon held tightly between his teeth, kunai gripped firmly in his hand.
"Looks like we seriously need to tighten up village screening procedures!" Izumo added grimly.
"Excuse me, miss," Kotetsu said, his voice stern and unwavering. "Please come with us peacefully."
Ebisu finally jolted back to reality, scrambling to position himself between the three Jonin and Sakura. "Wait! It's all a misunderstanding! She's just… she's just had too much to drink!"
"Hmph! How could any ordinary civilian shatter a solid wood table like that?" Izumo retorted sharply. "She is clearly a ninja!"
By now, the izakaya was completely empty. The moment Sakura had smashed the table, all the other patrons had scrambled out in a panic. They now crowded the street outside, peering curiously back into the shop.
Hearing Izumo's logic, Ebisu realized with dawning horror that his attempted flirtation might have inadvertently uncovered a genuine enemy spy. He spun around, drawing his own kunai, now facing Sakura alongside the others.
Sakura blinked, looking at the four ninjas now poised to attack her. The shock of the confrontation sobered her up slightly. How the hell did things escalate to this point? Even inside the village, she couldn't catch a break. Damn it, I should have just transformed into Shizune-senpai… or even Tsunade-sensei!
Still, she squarely blamed Ebisu. If he hadn't decided to hit on her, none of this would be happening. Of course, she admitted to herself, she had drunk too much and acted impulsively. But honestly, it was infuriating! What had she done to deserve all this trouble lately? The more she thought about it, the angrier she became, her irritation now directed squarely at the four ninjas in front of her.
"Water Style: Starch Syrup Binding Rope!"
Izumo spat out a thick, viscous, rubber-like substance that shot towards Sakura. She blinked, attempting to dodge, but the alcohol had undeniably slowed her reflexes.
Splat! The sticky rope hit her squarely, instantly wrapping around her body, binding her arms tightly to her sides.
Izumo clapped his hands together in satisfaction. "Alright then. You can tell us the rest down at the T&I Department. I strongly advise you to cooperate fully and tell us exactly who sent you!"
"Who sent me?!" Sakura's eyes blazed with fury. She struggled against the bonds, finding the substance incredibly elastic, like thick rubber bands. The alcohol might have slowed her reaction time, but she felt a surge of raw strength coursing through her.
Without consciously channeling chakra, Sakura strained against the binding rope with every ounce of her physical might, her fair face flushing crimson with the effort.
"Don't waste your energy," Izumo began confidently. "No one has ever managed to break free from this techniq—" His final word caught in his throat as he stared, utterly dumbfounded, at the scene unfolding before him.
CRACK!
With a sound like tearing sinew, the thick, rubbery ropes binding Sakura snapped violently apart.
Sakura nonchalantly rubbed her shoulders, a dangerous, almost predatory glint entering her eyes. Her beautiful face held a chilling smirk. "You were saying? Why'd you stop?"
The relentless cascade of unfortunate events finally pushed Sakura's temper past the breaking point. The little angel on her shoulder was desperately pleading for calm and reason, but the little devil had already grabbed the angel and was giving it a savage, merciless beatdown.
In an instant, potent chakra flooded her entire being, manifesting as a dense, palpable blue aura that shimmered visibly on the surface of her skin. Her long pink hair began to float and sway as if caught in a powerful, unseen wind. Loose debris and broken tableware around her were violently blown away by the sheer pressure of her energy. Then, she vanished from where she stood.
Before any of the Jonin could react, she reappeared directly in front of Ebisu. This guy, she thought furiously. It's all because of this idiot that my perfectly good evening turned into this mess! She lashed out with a devastatingly fast punch, striking the completely unprepared Ebisu square in the chest and sending him hurtling backward through the air like a rag doll.
"Th-This… This aura… It's incredible!" Genma stammered, staring at the figure now completely enveloped in roiling blue chakra, cold sweat trickling down his temples. "Her… Her chakra… it's actually physically manifesting!"
"Gulp!" Kotetsu swallowed hard, his eyes wide with terror. "To make chakra visible externally like that… Her level of chakra control… it has to be Jonin level, at the very least! And not only that… but…"
"But it's covering her entire body!" Izumo finished, a grimace twisting his face. He wanted to manage a wry smile at the absurdity of the situation, but found he couldn't.
Genma roared at the other two, "Quick! Go report to Lady Hokage, now! I'll hold her off!"