"Big Sister Sakura, save me!"
That one cry made the sharp-eyed, black-haired girl turn her gaze in the direction Konohamaru was looking.
A pink-haired girl had just appeared around the corner.
She had a single sakura-pink ponytail, clear emerald-green eyes, a Konoha forehead protector hanging around her neck, and wore a crisp white-and-black outfit that looked both stylish and practical. The whole person exuded a capable and confident aura.
"Tch. So what if she's pretty…"
"Hehe, you're so dead, tomboy!"
"Big Sister Sakura is super strong! She'll definitely beat you into a pig's head!"
Konohamaru, who was still being held up by the collar by Kurotsuchi, grinned provocatively.
"Hah?"
"You little brat, don't get so smug!"
"You think having backup means you're safe now?"
Kurotsuchi flicked Konohamaru on the forehead in annoyance.
"Hey! You over there! What are you to this brat?"
Kurotsuchi tossed Konohamaru back toward Moegi and Udon, then looked at Sakura with a challenging glint in her eyes.
Sakura watched silently as Konohamaru quickly ran behind her, dragging his two companions along as human shields.
"He's my master's grandson," Sakura said blandly, as she held Konohamaru down, preventing him from provoking Kurotsuchi any further.
She knew Konohamaru all too well.
At this age, he was the typical elite child — the kind you'd call a third-generation official's brat. Arrogant and reckless, just like those stereotypical rich kids people always complained about.
Always throwing out lines like "My grandfather is the Hokage" or "Do you even know who I am…"
"Oh? So that makes you the disciple of the current Hokage?"
Kurotsuchi looked at Sakura with even more challenge in her eyes.
She hadn't forgotten Konohamaru's earlier outburst — "My grandpa is the Hokage!"
Sakura didn't deny it. She simply looked Kurotsuchi straight in the eye and replied, "So what?"
"What do you want to do about it?"
Family matters are handled internally. But if an outsider tries to discipline a family member, that's another story altogether.
Sakura was clear on this. Even more so when that "family member" was the grandson of the old man — the Third Hokage. She had to protect him.
At that moment, the three little ones behind Sakura looked up at her with shining eyes full of admiration.
Big Sister Sakura is so cool!
"You—!"
Just as Kurotsuchi was about to blow up, a broad hand came down gently on her shoulder.
"It's a misunderstanding, just a misunderstanding," said Akatsuchi as he hurriedly stepped in to mediate.
"This child just accidentally bumped into me and fell. That's all."
He could see the situation escalating, and his instincts told him Sakura was not someone to mess with. Better to de-escalate than start a conflict.
"Konohamaru, is that true?"
"Don't lie," Sakura said, casting a calm yet sharp gaze at Konohamaru.
Konohamaru was about to jump up and urge Sakura to give that tomboy a beating, but Moegi and Udon quickly restrained him.
"It's true, Big Sister Sakura…"
Under Sakura's chilling stare, Konohamaru suddenly felt a cold sweat trickle down his back.
"Y-yeah… it's true."
"Apologize."
"S-sorry…"
Konohamaru muttered insincerely, his face twisted in reluctance.
"You heard him. Konohamaru apologized."
Sakura's tone remained indifferent as she turned back to Kurotsuchi.
Ughhh this girl's attitude is so infuriating!
Kurotsuchi clenched her teeth in frustration. But then she caught Akatsuchi's worried look, remembered they were currently in Konoha territory, and considered the bigger picture — the Earth Country needed to work with the Fire Country now.
"Fine."
"What's your name?"
She glared at Sakura.
"Haruno Sakura."
Alright, Haruno Sakura, you better watch out! If I don't crush you during the Chūnin Exams, I'm not Kurotsuchi the Great!
---
After the three of them had left, Sakura's calm face softened slightly, revealing a trace of helplessness.
She sighed and turned to Konohamaru.
"You idiot, can't you just behave for a few days?"
She raised a single finger toward his forehead.
Konohamaru's eyes widened in panic.
Haruno Secret Technique: Flick Flash!
Whack!
OWWW!
The pink-haired tomboy is even more violent than the black-haired one!
Konohamaru clutched his forehead, tears welling in his eyes as he nodded furiously, struggling not to cry.
"And you two!"
She turned to Moegi and Udon.
"Keep an eye on him these next few days. Don't let him run wild. Understood?"
"Yes, ma'am!"
"Big Sister Sakura, roger!"
The two kids instantly stood up straight and saluted.
"Good. Now take this little rascal home."
Sakura smiled slightly, ruffling the two kids' hair.
Watching the three of them dash away faster than the Inuzuka clan's ninja dogs, Sakura let her smile fade.
She still had things to take care of.
---
Night
The wind howled through the dark sky, moonlight piercing through shifting clouds.
At the Konoha inn designated for foreign guests, a red-haired girl curled up alone on a bed in one of the single rooms provided for outsiders.
She huddled in a corner of the bed, body tightly curled in a defensive posture. Clearly, she was someone who had lived a long time lacking any sense of security — even her sleeping posture revealed an instinctual need to protect herself.
These days in Konoha were among the rare times she could actually sleep in peace.
Her so-called "companions" from her village were just next door, and life in Konoha was peaceful. No need to burn chakra, no danger of injury. Without any demand for her abilities, she was, for once, allowed to rest.
But—
A faint noise stirred her.
Trained by constant danger, she subconsciously opened her sleepy, ruby-red eyes.
She couldn't see clearly… Had she forgotten her glasses?
There was a vague figure at the edge of her bed.
Without thinking, the girl reached for her red-framed glasses on the nightstand, her pale arm covered in faint bite marks.
Once she put them on, she gasped in shock.
Somehow, a person had entered her room.
Outside, the clouds shifted, and the moonlight streamed through the window, revealing the intruder's appearance.
It was a beautiful girl with sakura-pink hair.
She stood quietly in the room, bathed in moonlight, her silhouette surreal and dreamlike.
The red-haired girl stared in astonishment at this mysterious newcomer, her features illuminated by the silvery glow.
The stranger's vibrant green eyes sparkled under the moon, contrasting with her soft pink hair — the entire image looked as if it had come from a dream.
Step by step, the pink-haired girl walked toward her.
And the red-haired girl just sat there, dazed, unable to look away.
"You're Karin, right?"
The girl asked with absolute certainty.
"Uh… yes…"
"Who are you?"
Karin looked at her, dazed and confused.
Then she noticed the stranger's gaze shift to her arm — to the teeth marks left behind by others who'd used her healing ability. She instinctively yanked her sleeve down in shame.
A sudden, strange emotion washed over her — something she had never felt before when facing people her age.
Inferiority.
This pink-haired girl, standing so confidently in front of her, made her feel painfully small.
(End of Chapter)