Hokage Office
The pink-haired girl lay on the brand-new sofa, tossing the documents in her hand onto the coffee table beside her.
This was the high-ranking personnel arriving from the Fire Wind Three Kingdoms to watch the Leaf Village's tournament one month later.
"Old man, you called me here in such a hurry, and it's not just to make me look at this stuff, right?"
Sakura turned over, lying face down on the sofa.
Tch... I pressed my hair down...
Sakura glanced at her hair, pondering whether she should cut it. Long hair looked cool, but it was such a hassle to manage.
Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled as he watched his young disciple on the sofa, gently stroking his short beard.
"Looks like nothing gets past you."
"According to the intel from the Anbu, Orochimaru seems to be involved with the Sand Ninja Village," he continued. "And it seems he's also had contact with the Rock Ninja Village."
At this point, Sarutobi's expression grew serious.
This was one of the reasons he had sent his own son, Asuma, to find Tsunade.
If things moved in the worst possible direction, Sakura's current strength could hold off Orochimaru for a short time.
He himself would stall the Wind and Earth Shadows, and Tsunade, though suffering from hemophobia, would be an absolute deterrent if she stood her ground.
Among the Jonin were Might Guy, Kakashi, Kurenai, Asuma, and the powerful Jonin-level warrior Maruboshi Kosuke...
Plus, there were the Hyuga, Ino-Shika-Cho, and the Inuzuka...
If needed, there was also Shimura Danzo .
Of course, Sarutobi was considering the worst-case scenario.
Would things truly develop to that point? It was still uncertain.
"Is that so?"
Sakura frowned slightly. That "Will of Fire" that she had written back then, just to get the Yin Seal, was originally meant for Sarutobi to read. She never expected it to fall into Danzo's hands.
Now, that little butterfly she had once created was finally flapping its wings, stirring up a storm...
"Besides within the village, we need to keep an eye on the borders as well," Sarutobi continued.
"Especially the directions of the Grass Country, the River Country, the Frost Country, and the Rain Country."
Sakura turned over again, staring blankly at the Hokage Office's ceiling.
The Grass Country borders the Fire and Earth Countries, the River Country borders the Fire and Wind Countries, and the Frost Country is the stepping stone for Lightning to attack the Fire Country...
As for the Rain Country, it borders the Fire, Wind, and Earth Countries, with one important reason...
Those in the know would understand...
Back then, the land chosen by Senju Hashirama really was quite the strategic mess. Aside from its rich resources, there were almost no advantages!
Being situated in the Four Wars zone of the Ninja World, with no natural defenses to speak of...
But speaking of natural defenses, aside from places like the Sand Ninja Village with its narrow gorges, most areas didn't offer much protection against ninjas.
If it weren't for the strength of Konoha itself, the Land of Fire might have been divided a long time ago...
The Water Country was better off, though.
Situated among mountains, lush with vegetation, it had decent resources and was far from the mainland, occupying the oceanic treasure trove. Aside from the difficulty of sea travel, it seemed to have only advantages.
But even so, that didn't matter. If Sakura were from the Mist Village, her first task would be to search the world for the remnants of rogue ninja villages.
They had iron warships and aircraft carriers. It was ridiculously advanced...
"Sakura, what do you mean...?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen, having experienced two Ninja World Wars, immediately caught on to what Sakura was implying.
"Better safe than sorry. I hope I'm just overthinking it."
"Old age, and the mind works a little slower..."
Sakura sat up and shook her head. Although Konoha wasn't as strong as it once was, it was still not something one or two ninja villages could topple.
The First Ninja Village was no joke.
The "Will of Fire" Sakura wrote back then seemed to be manifesting right now.
But it didn't mention how to deal with the Akatsuki organization.
That was another variable, and the biggest and most troublesome one.
A ninja's true strength came from within, and a powerful individual could take down Konoha on their own.
And coincidentally, there was someone in Akatsuki who could do just that.
Maybe even two.
The cripple, Nagato, and the paper-based puppet, Konan.
With their powers like the Almighty Push and Paper Jutsu...
And probably even the Chibaku Tensei...
At this point, Sakura suddenly turned to Sarutobi and asked:
"Is there any sensory ninjutsu, something that can move and sense its range while staying centered on the user?"
After all, improving her strength was the key, and Sakura really needed speed right now.
Sarutobi Hiruzen glanced at her in surprise, quickly realizing what Sakura's plans might be based on her current combat style.
After a moment's silence, he began thinking of all the sensory ninjutsu in his mind.
As a jutsu expert, he knew almost all the techniques in Konoha.
"Actually, there is one, but it will take you a few days to learn."
Sarutobi quickly recalled a technique.
"Huh? Why? Doesn't the village have it?"
Sakura was surprised by Sarutobi's words.
"This technique isn't exactly ninjutsu," Sarutobi explained. "It's more of a barrier technique."
"Give it a few days, and visit the village's bathhouse. You might learn it there."
???
Sakura was shocked by Sarutobi's words, immediately thinking of one person.
Jiraiya.
Wait, what kind of sensory ninjutsu could that perverted old man have that would achieve the kind of effect Sakura was describing?
"Alright then."
"By the way, there's one more thing."
Sakura scratched her head. She knew Sarutobi wouldn't joke about such matters, so she trusted him.
"I met someone during the Chuunin Exams. From the Grass Village."
"Old man, can you arrange something?"
Sarutobi waved his hand.
"Such a small matter. Just give the order, no need to mention it to me specifically."
After all, the Grass Village was known for being a flip-flopper in the Ninja World.
They were swayed by whichever side the wind blew.
As long as Sakura confirmed that there were no issues with the person, that was enough.
"Alright, old man, you can get back to work. I'll head out now."
Sakura jumped off the sofa, slapped her backside, and walked out.
The second phase of the Chuunin Exams had just ended, and the old man had called her over without delay. Karui was still waiting outside.
The list for the final match next month had already been announced.
Naruto Uzumaki vs. Neji Hyuga
Kurotsuchi vs. Temari
Shino Aburame vs. Akatsuchi
Sasuke Uchiha vs. Gaara
Sakura Haruno vs. Rock Lee
The winners would then be randomly paired for another round, with one lucky person getting a bye.
But Sakura suspected she wouldn't even get a chance to compete.
When she arrived at the Hokage building's first-floor lobby, she saw the red-haired girl, Karin, quietly sitting on a bench, holding a cup of hot water.
"Karin, I've handled it. It's all good."
Sakura waved to the red-haired girl.
"Mm!"
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