"Big Sister Sakura, save me!"
This cry for help made the sharp-eyed, black-haired girl turn her attention in the direction Konohamaru was looking.
A pink-haired girl appeared at the corner not far away.
Her single ponytail was the color of cherry blossoms, her clear green eyes sparkled, and the Konoha forehead protector hung around her neck. Dressed in a sleek combination of black and white, her whole demeanor exuded confidence and sharpness.
Yelling just because you're pretty… so what?
"Heh, you tomboy, you're doomed now!"
"Big Sister Sakura is super strong! She'll beat you into a pulp!"
Konohamaru, dangling from Kurotsuchi's grip, flashed a provocative grin.
"Hah?"
"You little brat, don't get cocky!"
"You don't think having backup means you can rest easy, do you?"
Kurotsuchi flicked Konohamaru's forehead in irritation.
"Hey, you over there. Who are you to this little brat?"
Kurotsuchi tossed Konohamaru over to Moegi and Udon, her expression full of provocation as she stared at Sakura.
Sakura looked speechlessly at Konohamaru, who scrambled away and quickly hid behind his two companions.
"He's the grandson of my master," Sakura said, shoving the still-defiant Konohamaru back.
She knew this kid too well.
At his age, he was a typical spoiled heir—a poster child for the arrogant and reckless behavior associated with being a member of an influential family.
Always going around saying, 'My grandfather is the Hokage,' or 'Do you know who I am?'
"Oh? So you're the current Hokage's disciple?"
Kurotsuchi's gaze on Sakura took on a challenging edge. She clearly remembered Konohamaru bragging, "My grandfather is the Hokage."
Sakura didn't deny it. Instead, she looked calmly at Kurotsuchi and said, "So what? What do you plan to do?"
Family matters should stay within the family. But if an outsider wanted to teach her junior a lesson, that was a different story.
Sakura understood this well, and since Konohamaru was the Hokage's grandson, it was her duty to protect him.
At this point, the trio led by Konohamaru stared at Sakura with eyes full of admiration.
Big Sister Sakura is so cool!
"You!"
Kurotsuchi was about to retort when a broad hand rested on her shoulder.
"Misunderstanding—it's all a misunderstanding."
"This kid just accidentally bumped into me and fell, that's all," Akatsuchi said quickly, stepping in to de-escalate the situation before his princess got into trouble with someone clearly not to be trifled with.
"Konohamaru, is that true?"
"No lying."
Sakura's steady gaze landed on Konohamaru as she spoke, her tone indifferent.
Konohamaru, ready to complain and provoke further, suddenly froze under Sakura's intimidating glare. Moegi and Udon had to hold him back.
"Y-Yeah, it's true, Big Sister Sakura," Konohamaru reluctantly admitted, pouting.
"Apologize."
"S-Sorry..."
"There, you see? Konohamaru has apologized," Sakura said evenly, looking at Kurotsuchi.
Argh! This girl is so infuriating!
Kurotsuchi glared at Sakura, her teeth grinding in frustration. But under Akatsuchi's worried gaze, coupled with the fact that they were in Konoha and the Land of Earth needed cooperation with the Land of Fire...
"Fine."
"Your name?"
"Haruno Sakura."
Fine, Haruno Sakura. Just you wait! If I don't get back at you during the Chunin Exams, I'm not Kurotsuchi the Great!
As the three from Iwagakure left, Sakura's calm expression revealed a trace of helplessness.
Her gaze shifted back to Konohamaru.
"You idiot. Can you behave yourself for just a couple of days?"
She extended a finger, and as Konohamaru stared in horror, it landed on his forehead.
Haruno Special Technique: Flick Strike!
Pow!
The pink-haired tomboy is even more violent than the black-haired one!
Clutching his forehead, Konohamaru bit back tears as he nodded furiously.
"And you two, keep an eye on him. Don't let him run wild."
"Understood, Big Sister Sakura!"
Moegi and Udon immediately stood straight and saluted.
"Good. Take him home," Sakura said, ruffling their hair with a soft smile.
As the three kids ran off faster than the Inuzuka clan's dogs, Sakura's smile faded.
She had other things to take care of.
Nightfall.
The wind howled, carrying a sharp chill through the dark night.
In the inn where Konoha accommodated visitors from other villages, a red-haired girl curled up alone in her bed.
She shrank into the corner, her body tightly coiled, a subconscious protective posture born from years of insecurity.
Her time in Konoha had been one of the rare moments she could sleep in peace.
Her "companions" were just in the next room, and life in Konoha was tranquil. No chakra-draining battles, no injuries—it was a rare reprieve.
It was only during such moments that she could enjoy a couple of quiet days.
Suddenly, a faint sound jolted her awake. Groggy and uneasy, the girl's ruby-like eyes opened in the dark.
Her vision was blurry—was it because she wasn't wearing her glasses?
A shadow loomed near her bed.
Instinctively, the girl's pale arm, marked with bite scars, reached for the red glasses on her nightstand.
After putting them on, she froze in shock.
A figure had appeared in her room without her noticing.
As the wind pushed the clouds away, moonlight spilled through the window, revealing the intruder.
It was a beautiful, unfamiliar girl with cherry blossom-colored hair.
The red-haired girl stared, entranced by the dreamlike sight of the pink-haired intruder illuminated by moonlight.
The girl with pink hair took slow steps toward her, her emerald eyes shining brightly, and called out softly:
"You're Karin, right?"
"Yes..." Karin replied hesitantly.
"Who are you?"
The pink-haired girl's gaze fell on Karin's scarred arm. Karin instinctively withdrew it, as if shocked.
For the first time, facing someone her own age, Karin felt an overwhelming sense of inferiority.