It's a B-level jutsu, but an incredibly practical one.
This technique relies on a chakra burst to propel oneself instantly forward. However, since there's a slight lag before activation and after arriving at the destination, many shinobi only use it for travel.
Few are skilled enough to overcome this lag and apply it in combat.
Of course, it's not impossible.
For example, the renowned Yellow Flash, Minato Namikaze, was able to eliminate this lag and use it effectively in battle. But after learning the Flying Thunder God Technique, the Instantaneous Body Technique lost its appeal for him.
Then there's Shisui of the Body Flicker. His mastery of this technique was extraordinary.
His flicker speed is so fast that it creates dozens of afterimages.
Sakura sat by the river, examining the scroll Sarutobi Hiruzen had given her.
Based on the jutsu Sarutobi had given her, it was clear he wanted to turn her into someone who could move forward fearlessly, someone combining both speed and strength.
With her foundation in super strength, learning the Instantaneous Body Technique should be easy. The only challenge was finding a way to incorporate it into combat.
If Sakura couldn't eliminate the lag, this technique would only serve as travel aid, like it did for most shinobi. But if she could overcome it…
Imagine Tsunade with Shisui's speed.
One punch, and that snake would be finished.
Sakura sat by the river, absorbed in the scroll, and before she knew it, night had fallen.
Physical training didn't help much at this stage. Even Sarutobi Hiruzen himself had told her that she was still too young and her meridians couldn't yet handle fast chakra flow.
Taking it slow and allowing herself to mature a bit was key.
"Sakura!"
A familiar voice called out in the distance.
Sakura looked up to see a little girl with beige hair waving at her from the riverbank.
It was only then that Sakura realized it had already gotten dark.
She put away the scroll and walked toward Ino, chuckling as she teased, "Well, look who's here! Miss Yamanaka herself, come to see me?"
Ino brushed off the teasing, hooking her arm around Sakura's as she sighed, "Sakura, Sasuke's been ignoring me lately…"
Sakura gave her friend a quick glance and tilted her head, saying, "Isn't Sasuke always like that?"
"Oh, you don't get it. At least before, he'd just be aloof, but now he's totally different."
"Now Sasuke's like a total ice cube!"
"...Though, that's actually kind of cool!"
Sakura looked at the smitten Ino beside her, a bit speechless. She treaded carefully, saying, "Maybe he just doesn't want people bothering him?"
If she could help it, Sakura wanted Ino to avoid becoming too entangled with Sasuke.
Ino and Sasuke lived in completely different worlds.
While Ino eventually gave up on Sasuke, only "she" persisted, fawning over him relentlessly.
"How could that be?"
"Sasuke's so handsome; it must be everyone else crowding him that makes him distant!"
Ino immediately refuted Sakura with conviction.
Well, looks are everything, after all.
Sakura could only accept this in resignation, though she knew Ino's feelings for Sasuke would ultimately go nowhere.
"Huh?"
"Didn't Sakura used to like Sasuke a lot?"
"So why doesn't she like him anymore?"
Suddenly, Ino seemed to remember something and looked at Sakura seriously.
Ino admired Sakura's beautiful cherry-pink hair, which was tied back in a ponytail. She wore a simple black short-sleeved shirt, white shinobi pants, and plain ninja shoes.
If there was one accessory that represented her girlishness, it was the red ribbon Ino had given her to tie her hair.
And with all her training, Sakura now gave off an… unexpected coolness.
Yes, Ino thought, Sakura was… well, "handsome."
Sakura, catching her friend's intense gaze, let out a sigh and said, "That's because Ino likes him."
"I'd never take something Ino wants. You don't have to worry~~"
Sakura smiled as she patted Ino's head.
"Aw, Sakura's so sweet!"
"If Sakura were a boy, I'd definitely marry her!"
Ino threw herself into Sakura's arms. As a child, Ino had been a bit tomboyish, but now, with Sakura, she became a total softie.
"Hahaha~~"
"If I were a boy, I'd probably feel jealous of how much Ino likes Sasuke."
Sakura laughed as she playfully patted Ino's back.
"Hehehe, if Sakura were a boy, I might have to choose between her and Sasuke."
"But too bad, Sakura's a girl~~"
Ino playfully pinched Sakura's nose, winking under her gentle gaze.
"If I were a boy, I doubt Ino would hug me so easily, right?"
Sakura raised an eyebrow, lightly grabbing Ino's waist with both hands.
"Ah!"
Ino squealed, caught off guard.
And then her waist started to feel ticklish.
She tried to push Sakura away, but the strength difference was too great.
"Hahahaha, Sakura~~~ Stop!!"
"I surrender! Hahahaha!"
"Let me go! Hahaha!"
Ino laughed so hard tears started to form, and as her balance gave way, she and Sakura fell onto the riverbank grass.
Looking down at Sakura, her cheeks flushed—whether from laughing or something else.
"Sakura bullied me!"
Ino put on a mock serious face, yet made no move to get up.
"You started it by pinching my nose."
Sakura chuckled, watching Ino try to look fierce. She seemed more like a little kitten than anything.
"Huh?"
After hearing Sakura's response, Ino paused, then retorted playfully:
"I don't care! Sakura's the bully!"
"Fine, fine, I'm the bully."
Sakura's nonchalant response left Ino feeling like she'd hit a wall.
"Hmph, I'm not talking to you anymore!"
"I'm going home!"
Ino climbed off Sakura, turning her head with an air of pride.
"Well, then, do you want me to pick you up from school tomorrow? I don't have afternoon classes because of a liberal arts lecture."
"I don't want you to!"
"Really?"
"…Fine, I do."