"Wow, this fish is huge!"
"Thanks to Sakura! I wouldn't have been able to catch it without you!"
In a clearing in the forest, Naruto drooled as he watched a fish, bigger than himself, roasting over the fire, its eyes rolling as it cooked.
"Uh, haha, really..." Sakura sat nearby, resting her chin on her hand, looking at the big fish with a speechless expression.
She'd spent the entire afternoon fishing but hadn't caught a single fish. However, Naruto caught a giant one right after casting his line. If Sakura hadn't knocked the fish out with one punch, it would've dragged Naruto into the lake.
Afterward, fish kept biting Naruto's hook, even though Sakura's hook was right next to his, baited with the same worms. Why am I the unlucky one?
Later, because the fish was too big for them to finish, Naruto released the rest of the catch back into the lake.
As night fell, the dancing flames cast a warm glow.
"Hey, Sakura, looks like it's ready!" Naruto, now more familiar with cooking, could tell when the fish was perfectly cooked. He eagerly cut a piece, put it on a clean stick, and handed it to Sakura.
"Thanks." Sakura accepted it without hesitation.
The fish was simple, seasoned lightly with salt, yet it had a nice aroma.
"The taste is pretty good. You've improved a lot with cooking."
"Hehe, of course! I've been studying the cookbook you gave me, Sakura!" Naruto, full of pride, stood up with his hands on his hips, his face beaming.
"Yeah, Naruto's the best," Sakura replied, munching on her fish casually.
"Right, right! And one day, I'll beat that annoying Sasuke too!" Naruto exclaimed, pumped up by her praise.
"Naruto, if you don't eat now, the fish will burn~~"
News of Sakura being chosen as Sarutobi Hiruzen's last disciple spread quickly. Haruno Sakura's name soon caught the attention of the Konoha ninjas.
Haruno Sakura, eight years old. Entered the Academy at six, graduated at eight. On graduation day, chosen as the final disciple by the Third Hokage.
The same Hokage who once trained the legendary Sannin had taken on a new apprentice after decades! For a civilian ninja to gain such favor sparked widespread interest.
"HAHAHAHAHA!!!! I always knew my Sakura was the best!" Haruno Kizashi exclaimed over lunch with Sakura and her mother, Haruno Mebuki.
Mebuki, knocking her husband lightly on the head, interrupted his laughter. "Sakura, work hard and make the Hokage proud."
"Yeah, Mebuki's right! Sakura's amazing!" Haruno Kizashi beamed, proudly shaking his head.
"I'm done." Sakura placed her bowl down. "Dad, please keep a low profile at work."
Waving to her parents, Sakura prepared to leave. Watching her go, Mebuki murmured, "Sakura didn't seem all that happy."
"Isn't that just you being an idiot? Honestly, I don't know why I fell for you back then." She knocked Haruno Kizashi lightly as they watched their daughter leave.
Hokage's Office
"Hiruzen, why didn't you discuss this with us?"
"Yes, Hiruzen, you're old enough. You don't need more disciples."
"If you think she's talented, let Kakashi teach her."
"Yes, Koharu is right."
Before Sakura opened the door, she heard the bickering of two elderly men.
"Sakura, come in," Hiruzen's voice rang out, and the room grew quiet.
"Master." Sakura glanced briefly at the other two and then greeted Hiruzen, ignoring them.
"Good child," Hiruzen said warmly, patting her head. "Come, let's go outside and test your progress."
After they left, Koharu sighed, "Hiruzen's still accepting students at his age. He probably has big hopes for her."
"Yes," Homura replied, shaking his head as he left, "He and Danzo are different, after all."
Konoha's Third Training Ground
"Sakura, are you feeling pressured?"
"Not really. People can talk, but I can't exactly sew their mouths shut, can I?"
Though she said this lightly, her expression gave Hiruzen the feeling she might actually consider it.
"Uh, haha, just a joke," Hiruzen replied quickly.
Since accepting Sakura as a disciple, Hiruzen made time in his busy schedule to train her. "Sakura, show me your mastery of super strength."
Sakura scanned her surroundings, then looked at Hiruzen with a bit of hesitation.
"All out?"
"Yes, all out," Hiruzen confirmed.
With a resolute look, Sakura clenched her fists. Her intense gaze startled Hiruzen.
Could it be…
Serious punch, 100% super strength! Her target? The master she'd just sworn allegiance to yesterday!