When Haruno Kizashi hurriedly arrived in the backyard and saw his daughter, he was taken aback by the scene before him.
There were several cushions placed under the tree, but his daughter was... climbing the tree?
However, this tree-climbing was unlike anything Haruno Kizashi had expected.
His daughter wasn't just climbing—she was walking up the tree.
Though Haruno Sakura wobbled slightly, she was indeed making her way upward, as though walking on solid ground.
Seeing this, Haruno Kizashi's anger began to dissipate. Though he still wanted to ask why his daughter seemed so listless again, it was clear she was practicing. So, he held back his urge to question her.
Haruno Sakura focused on controlling the chakra she gathered at the soles of her feet, slowly climbing higher.
As an ordinary civilian ninja, her talent might not be as extraordinary as that of the so-called "cheaters," but it was impressive enough.
Even in Boruto's world, where most of the so-called "cheaters" were significantly weakened, Haruno Sakura continued to thrive.
Without relying on the Hundred Healings Technique, she had already managed to defeat an Uchiha.
Moreover, she had discovered that she was naturally gifted at controlling chakra. Even though it was her first time practicing tree-climbing, she was already excelling.
Balance, control, and steady chakra gathering at her feet—Haruno Sakura was mastering it all.
As she neared her destination, a shadow flickered in her emerald green eyes.
Since Sakura had left, there was nothing left to do but pursue power.
She was determined to move forward, step by step.
Haruno Sakura stood at the top of the tree, surveying her surroundings.
The evening wind rustled through her pink hair.
The sensation was unexpectedly pleasant.
The next day, Haruno Sakura continued her routine in Iruka's class at the Ninja School.
However, as she listened, Haruno Sakura's frown deepened.
This lesson was far too simple...
She could've advanced much faster. But if she stayed in this class, she wouldn't have access to the Yin Seal for years.
She needed to skip a grade.
The pencil in her hand spun between her fingers as she stared out the window.
Skipping grades had its pros and cons.
The pros were clear: it would allow her to quickly master more advanced knowledge.
But the cons were just as obvious.
This class consisted of the future leaders of the major clans.
Hyuga, Yamanaka, Nara, Akimichi, Inuzuka, Aburame...
And most importantly...
Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke!
The reincarnations of Ashura and Indra!
If she could form good relationships with these people, she might save herself ten years of hard work.
It was lucky for someone like Haruno Sakura, a civilian, to even be in this elite class.
"Wow, Sasuke, you're so handsome..."
Haruno Sakura was lost in thought when the class bell rang, snapping her back to reality.
Iruka briefly glanced at her but didn't comment. He had noticed that Sakura was taking detailed notes during class, so he didn't feel the need to say anything.
Top students often received special treatment.
"Hey, Sakura, are you thinking about Sasuke?"
Ino, sitting next to her, leaned in with a mischievous look on her face.
Her eyes held a hint of nervousness.
Sasuke was the most handsome boy in class and admired by all the girls.
Despite his aloof attitude, his looks, strength, and status as the second son of the Uchiha family made him the ideal dream boy.
Compared to Sasuke, Naruto seemed like a different world.
Haruno Sakura looked at Ino with a puzzled expression.
She knew Ino, like the other girls, was infatuated with Sasuke. So, she casually responded,
"No, I was thinking about whether I should skip a grade."
"Huh?"
Ino stared at Haruno Sakura, taken aback.
"What Iruka-sensei taught was too easy. I understood everything the first time. The rest of the time, I was just bored."
"I spent half the class daydreaming. It was so boring..."
Ino felt like crying upon hearing this, though no tears came.
So, this was the difference between a poor student and a top student?
Even though Ino wasn't a poor student, she felt like she was constantly outperformed.
"Skipping grades sounds like a hassle... Wouldn't it be better to just stay here?"
A lazy voice came from behind, clearly overhearing their conversation.
"Shikamaru, you were eavesdropping on girls' secrets?"
Ino spun around to see Shikamaru, only six years old, yawning and rubbing his eyes.
"Hey, hey, I'm sorry. Is that so bad?"
The pineapple-haired boy couldn't care less about Haruno Sakura's thoughts.
He could've stayed peacefully at the Ninja School for six years, but she insisted on skipping grades and making things more difficult for herself.
But...
It was impressive.
Most students who skipped grades ended up becoming powerful ninjas.
Shikamaru glanced at the girl with pink hair, then returned to his game of chess, uninterested in the conversation.
Haruno Sakura, however, had her reasons for wanting to skip a grade.
The Hokage's torture department hung over her like a sword of Damocles.
The Yin Seal pushed her forward, urging her to move faster.
In the original story, it had taken Sakura three years to complete the Hundred Healings Technique.
Since she was only six now, if she took twice as long, she would be twelve when she finished.
That timing would coincide with when she began pursuing the Yin Seal.
Moreover, if she obtained the Yin Seal a day earlier, and completed the Hundred Healings the very next day, no one would believe it.
Haruno Sakura exhaled deeply and made up her mind. She stood up, ready to go straight to Iruka.
She needed to ask him for the first-grade materials and master them as quickly as possible.
Then, she would move on to second-grade materials, and so on, until she had mastered all six grades.
Her goal was clear:
Two years.
Fight!
Haruno Sakura knew it was a foolish idea, but it was the only option available to her as a civilian.
There were too few resources available to her...
Even if she graduated early, she would still need to catch the attention of Konoha's top leaders.
Everything was still uncertain.
With a heavy heart, Haruno Sakura stepped into Iruka's office.
"Eh? Sakura, you've come at the perfect time. I need to ask you something."
Before Sakura could explain her purpose, Iruka spoke first, noticing her entrance.