When Sakura pushed aside the dense bushes in front of her, she finally found Naruto, Sasuke, and Karin beside a flowing river. The three Sound ninja—bound tightly like rice dumplings—were also there, completely immobilized.
Rikudō Tosu, the rock-shattering Saku, and one more named Kin.
"Sa… Sakura!"
Naruto's eyes immediately caught sight of that familiar flash of pink. Without thinking, he began running toward her. But halfway there, his words faltered and stopped.
Before him stood the pink-haired girl, drenched in blood from head to toe.
"S-Sakura…"
Naruto's voice trembled.
In his memory, Sakura had never appeared like this before. She was always quiet, dedicated, and serious in her training, never a scene like this—covered in blood, battle-worn, and exhausted.
Even Sasuke, standing silently beside Naruto, clenched his fists tightly and bit his lip, refraining from speaking. His eyes darkened with concern and anger.
Only Karin, with her sharp sensory abilities, could clearly sense that Sakura wasn't actually injured. Although Sakura's chakra reserves had taken a serious hit—much less than usual—she was physically unharmed. Perhaps the mark on her forehead had lost some chakra, but otherwise, she was intact.
Following Naruto's gaze, Sakura glanced down at her blood-stained clothes and smiled faintly to ease their worries.
"This isn't my blood," she said softly. "It's from my senior's summoned toad beast. No need to worry."
Though a lie, it was a well-intentioned one.
"Eh?" Naruto blinked, momentarily confused, then a big smile quickly returned to his face as he leaned closer and asked, "Then… where is your senior? The one you mentioned?"
Sakura shook her head with a troubled expression. "He fought alongside me for a bit, then just left. I wanted to take him to meet the Third Hokage, but he didn't want anything to do with it—just ran off instead."
Her face showed frustration at the idea.
"Even if I bring him crippled to the old man's doorstep, that's still taking him to see the Hokage. No lies there. I'm certain."
Naruto relaxed and scratched the back of his head. "Well, that really scared me for a moment there."
Sasuke, still silent, watched Naruto's simple-minded reaction to Sakura's words with a dark glint in his eyes. That kind of dangerous person wouldn't just let Sakura leave easily. Sasuke gave a deep, contemplative look.
"From such a person's grasp, you came out unharmed… Sakura, just how far have you come?"
Naruto's playful expression faded as he glanced at the three bound Sound ninja beside them, their heads hung low.
"What scrolls are those tied to their wrists?" Sakura asked, eyeing the defeated trio with a hint of disdain.
"Earth scrolls," Sasuke answered, pulling one from his ninja pouch and opening it briefly.
"Let's head to the Central Tower quickly," Sakura suggested, shifting uncomfortably. "I feel all sticky and gross from the blood and grime."
As for the Sound ninja, Naruto's eyes darkened. He hated killing. But if Sakura wished for it, he could accept it.
The three Sound shinobi nervously glanced at Sakura—the clearly dominant figure in this team. Their lives depended entirely on her mercy.
Sakura noticed Naruto's unease.
"Leave them here," she said calmly.
The three Sound ninja visibly relaxed, and even Naruto exhaled with relief.
"Alright, let's move out!" Sakura said firmly.
---
Hokage Tower
Inside the Hokage's office, Sarutobi Hiruzen sat in deep thought, stroking the short stubble on his chin.
"So that's what's going on…" he murmured, eyes narrowing.
Orochimaru's sudden appearance had caught him completely off guard. Despite receiving some prior intelligence about suspicious activity, no one expected the very trouble he had unleashed twelve years ago—out of a moment of mercy—to return and wreak havoc once more.
Now, this renegade had made a comeback and even confronted his last chosen successor. Though Sakura had survived the encounter with minor injuries, the incident left Hiruzen deeply unsettled.
But regrets were useless at this point.
Whatever Orochimaru's intentions with the Chūnin Exams, Hiruzen resolved to eliminate the threat here and now.
His pupil was the final hope for Konoha's future.
If that hope were to die at the hands of this traitor…
The once gentle eyes of the Third Hokage flashed with sharp, fierce determination.
No matter what—since Orochimaru had stirred this hornet's nest—he wouldn't leave Konoha alive.
"Kakashi," Hiruzen said sharply, looking at the young Jonin standing before him. "Follow Sakura's lead. Deploy some shinobi around the exam grounds as a precaution."
"Also, place skilled stealth ninjas near the residences of the participants from other villages."
"When you leave, summon Asuma for me."
Kakashi nodded immediately, feeling the heavy weight of the Hokage's resolve. This was a genuine kill order.
Whoever threatened Konoha's future would be eliminated.
Even if it was his most beloved former disciple.
After Kakashi left, Asuma entered the office shortly after, casually smoking his cigarette.
"Old man, you called for me?" Asuma asked, raising an eyebrow at the new sofa replacing the old, uncomfortable one that Hiruzen had long complained about.
"I need you to help me find someone," Hiruzen said quietly.
"Who?"
"Tsunade."
---
Central Tower
"We finally made it!" Sakura couldn't help but cheer as she looked up at the imposing Central Tower.
The dried blood crusted to her skin, and without a change of clothes, she felt sticky and uncomfortable.
"Sakura…"
Karin glanced nervously at the tower ahead. Because of Sakura, she had effectively abandoned her home village of Kusagakure. Facing this new environment, despite mentally preparing herself, she felt restless and uneasy.
"It's okay, Karin. Trust me," Sakura said with confidence, turning back to the red-haired girl.
"This is going to be fine, absolutely no problem."
Naruto, after spending some time with Karin, had also grown fond of her. Oddly, he felt a familial bond forming—though he didn't really understand what family truly meant.
"Alright, let's go," Sasuke said, already striding toward the tower.
"Sasuke, wait for me!" Naruto called out, chasing after his friend.
"Let's go together," Sakura said, reaching out her hand to Karin.
"Okay!" Karin nodded firmly, gripping Sakura's hand tightly.
To her, this was more than just a hand to hold—it was a beacon of light shining through the darkness of her uncertain life.
---
End of Chapter 62
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