A New Path

The rain fell in an endless cascade, washing over the Hidden Leaf like the sky itself was grieving. Dark clouds stretched across the horizon, suffocating the usual warmth of the village in a cold, unrelenting downpour. The streets, still scarred from the Sand and Sound invasion, carried the scent of damp earth and lingering smoke. The damage was evident—burned homes, shattered windows, broken rooftops—but none of it compared to the invisible weight pressing down on the villagers’ hearts.

The funeral for the Third Hokage was held at the highest point in the village, where the great man himself could overlook his beloved Konoha one last time. The shinobi gathered, their heads bowed under the heavy downpour, their faces solemn. Each of them had lost something in this war—comrades, friends, mentors.

But not far from that somber gathering, another funeral was being held.

A smaller, more personal one.

The makeshift graveyard had been set up on a quiet hill, just outside the remnants of the Haruno home. Sakura knelt before two graves, her fingers trembling as they brushed against the carved stone. Her parents' names were etched into them, the characters harsh and final. Her mother and father were gone, taken by the destruction of the invasion, their home collapsing upon them as fire and war consumed everything they had built.

She had found them too late.

Her mother’s hand—lifeless, bloodied, crushed under debris—was the last part of them she had seen. And now, there was nothing left except memories. Sakura did not sob or wail. She had cried all her tears the night before. Now, her face was blank, her eyes hollow. But the silence was heavy, suffocating in its own way. Sasuke, Naruto, and Harry stood by her side, offering their presence, and their unwavering support.

Kakashi stood a few feet back, solemn as ever, the weight of experience in his eyes. He knew loss intimately, knew the pain of standing before a grave and wondering how the world could move on so easily while your heart lay shattered at your feet.

And then there was Hayato Namikaze.

The older man stood beside Sakura, his cane planted firmly in the soft earth, his robes damp from the rain. He had barely known the Harunos, but that didn’t matter. He was here for Sakura. His gaze, warm despite his usual sharpness, lingered on the grieving girl before he finally stepped closer.

Without a word, he knelt beside her, resting a firm yet gentle hand on her shoulder.

Sakura flinched at the contact but did not pull away.

“This pain…” Hayato said quietly, his voice deep and even, “will never leave you. It will dull over time, but it will always be there, hidden beneath the surface.”

Sakura stared at the graves. Her lips parted slightly as if to say something, but she found no words.

Hayato continued, his tone softer now. “But you are still here, child. And as long as you are, your parents will never truly be gone.”

Sakura clenched her hands into fists, her nails digging into her palms. “They didn’t deserve this.”

“No one does,” Hayato admitted. “But life is cruel, and grief is a burden that never gets lighter.” He exhaled slowly, the weight of his own losses hanging in the air. “The best we can do is carry it well.”

Silence settled between them.

Then, the rain began to ease.

The heavy storm lightened into a drizzle, and then—almost as if the heavens had finally spent all their tears—the dark clouds began to break.

A sliver of sunlight pierced through.

Sakura looked up. The warmth touched her skin, golden against the remnants of rain, the rays illuminating the wet grass like scattered diamonds. It was a bittersweet contrast—mourning in the rain, followed by the warmth of the sun.

She exhaled shakily, closing her eyes.

Maybe… just maybe… this was her parents’ way of telling her they were still watching.

Naruto was the first to speak, his voice quiet, uncharacteristically gentle. “Your mom and dad… they were good people, right?”

Sakura nodded weakly.

Naruto scratched the back of his head, a sad smile tugging at his lips. “Then I bet they’d be real proud of you.”

Sakura let out a shuddering breath.

Sasuke, silent as always, stood close, his hands in his pockets, but he didn’t move away. He simply stayed, letting her know he was there.

Harry, ever observant, reached into his pocket and pulled out a single white flower. He crouched down and placed it on her parents’ grave, offering a small nod. Emerald eyes met jade-green ones, and no words were needed.

They all stood there for a long while.

Until Sakura finally found her voice.

“…Thank you,” she whispered.

It wasn’t much. But for now, it was enough.

Two weeks had passed since the funeral.

The village was still recovering. The scars left behind by the invasion were evident—buildings damaged, homes burned, streets cracked, and the weight of loss hanging thick in the air. But Konoha endured. It always did.

And now, in a dimly lit council room, a meeting was taking place.

Jiraiya sat with his arms crossed, his long white hair cascading down his back as he leaned lazily against his chair. Across from him sat Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, their faces etched with age and experience, yet still carrying the same sharpness from their youth. And, of course, there was Danzo Shimura, sitting stiffly, his lone visible eye watching Jiraiya with a measured coldness.

They were here for one reason.

Konoha needed a new Hokage.

"The village cannot remain leaderless for long," Koharu spoke first, her voice calm yet firm. "We must move quickly before foreign nations sense weakness."

"Agreed," Homura nodded, glancing toward Jiraiya. "We were hoping you might have some insight on a suitable candidate, Jiraiya."

Jiraiya exhaled through his nose. He had a feeling where this was going.

"Actually," Homura continued, "we were considering Hayato Namikaze."

Jiraiya scoffed immediately, leaning back with an incredulous look. “Yeah, no. That’s not happening.”

Danzo raised a brow. "And why not?"

"Because Hayato would sooner strangle himself with his own robes than take on a job as Hokage," Jiraiya said bluntly, waving a hand. "That man has spent decades avoiding the political scene, and he sure as hell isn’t about to step into it now."

"He is a Namikaze," Koharu pointed out. "His presence alone would—"

"—be a massive pain in the ass," Jiraiya interrupted, shrugging. "He knows it. I know it. You know it."

Homura sighed. "Then do you have a better suggestion?"

Before Jiraiya could answer, Danzo shifted in his seat. "There is another possibility."

Jiraiya immediately knew where this was going.

Danzo steepled his fingers. "I propose myself as Hokage."

Silence.

Jiraiya snorted. Loudly.

Danzo turned his lone eye on him and deadpanned.

"Are you serious?" Jiraiya asked, unimpressed. "Danzo, you’re as old as Hiruzen was. You think we need another Hokage that can’t do a backflip without throwing out his spine?"

Koharu and Homura both sighed. Danzo remained emotionless, but there was a slight twitch in his brow.

"You think this is amusing," Danzo stated flatly.

"A little," Jiraiya admitted.

Homura cleared his throat, redirecting the conversation. "Then who would you suggest, Jiraiya?"

Jiraiya leaned forward, his expression sobering slightly. "There’s only one real choice." He held up a finger.

"Tsunade."

Koharu and Homura exchanged a glance.

Danzo, however, looked displeased. "Tsunade has been absent from Konoha for years."

"And she has no desire for leadership," Koharu added.

"Not to mention," Homura sighed, rubbing his temple, "we have no idea where she is."

Jiraiya smirked. "Well, good news! I do."

Koharu raised an eyebrow. "Are you certain?"

Jiraiya nodded confidently. "Positive. I can find her and convince her to come back."

"And you’re sure she will agree?"

Jiraiya waved a hand. "Piece of cake."

The room fell deathly silent.

Jiraiya blinked as all three elders stared at him, utterly unimpressed.

"...What?"

"You truly believe it will be that easy to convince Tsunade?" Homura asked, deadpan.

Jiraiya shrugged. "Well, I mean… yeah?"

Koharu sighed deeply. "She has spent years running away from the responsibilities of Konoha. What makes you so certain she will agree now?"

Jiraiya’s smirk didn’t waver.

"Because I’m not going alone."

Danzo’s eye narrowed. "What do you mean?"

Jiraiya stretched, rolling his shoulders. "I’m taking Team 7 with me."

Homura frowned. "Team 7?"

"Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, and Harry," Jiraiya clarified. "They’ll be coming along."

Koharu’s expression turned questioning. "Why them?"

Jiraiya scratched his chin, his expression turning vague. "Eh, just a gut feeling."

Internally, however, Jiraiya knew better.

Tsunade wasn’t going to listen to him. He could beg, plead, even try to bribe her, and she’d still send him flying across the nearest tavern.

But those kids…?

They had something different.

Naruto, stubborn as hell, was an Uzumaki to his core. He wouldn’t take no for an answer. Sasuke, carrying the weight of his clan, had a presence and intensity that Tsunade would recognize. Sakura, recently orphaned, might be someone Tsunade could see herself in.

And Harry…

Jiraiya wasn’t entirely sure what it was about that kid, but there was something about him—an energy, a presence—that could change the tide of any situation.

Those brats… had the potential to change not just Tsunade’s mind, but the entire shinobi world.

"...Very well," Koharu finally relented. "If you are confident in this plan, then you are tasked with retrieving Tsunade as soon as possible."

Jiraiya grinned. "You got it."

Danzo, however, remained silent. He did not like this. Not one bit. But for now, he said nothing.

Jiraiya stretched his arms behind his head. "Well then! Guess I better go tell those four they’re about to go on a road trip!"

And with that, he was gone.

As he left the room, Jiraiya couldn’t help but smirk.

This was going to be interesting.

The morning at the Namikaze estate was peaceful.

The sun streamed through the windows, casting warm golden light over the traditional wooden floors. The scent of miso soup, grilled fish, and rice filled the air as breakfast was served, a meal that had become a shared routine in the past two weeks.

Sakura had nowhere else to go.

Her home was gone. Her parents… gone. She had no other relatives, no one to take her in. But the Namikaze house was large, and Hayato had made it clear from the very beginning: she was welcome here.

And so, Sakura had made a new home with Naruto and Harry.

She sat at the low wooden table, her short hair slightly messy from sleep, a warm cup of tea in her hands. Across from her, Naruto was stuffing his face with rice and grilled fish, while Harry ate at a more reasonable pace, though he still looked just as tired as the rest of them.

And then there was Sasuke, sitting beside them with a face that screamed, "I was dragged here against my will."

Which… was absolutely the case.

Naruto had personally forced him to join them, insisting, "Tch, bastard, you never eat with us! Just shut up and get over here!"—and, well, here he was.

Sasuke, still half-awake, stared at his food, internally debating whether tolerating Naruto's presence was worth the trouble.

Despite everything, despite the grief hanging in the air, the quiet morning felt normal. Peaceful.

Until.

BAM!

The front door slid open.

Everyone turned their heads just in time to see Jiraiya standing in the doorway, grinning.

"Yo!" Jiraiya greeted, stepping inside as if he owned the place.

Hayato Namikaze was already there. Deadpan.

Jiraiya blinked. "Oh, hey—"

CRACK!

Without hesitation, Hayato smacked Jiraiya over the head with his cane.

Jiraiya yelped, stumbling forward as he clutched the back of his skull. "Ow—! Damn, old man, what was that for?!"

Hayato simply sipped his tea, unimpressed. "Because I could sense your idiocy approaching."

Naruto snorted.

Sasuke smirked.

Harry took another sip of his tea, completely unbothered.

Sakura, still half-awake, muttered, "Serves you right."

Jiraiya grumbled, rubbing the sore spot on his head as he straightened up. But as his gaze finally landed on Team 7, his expression shifted.

He winced.

They looked… rough.

Dark circles under their eyes. Exhaustion clinging to their faces. Even Naruto, who was always a boundless ball of energy, looked far more subdued than usual.

They were still recovering—from the invasion, from the funerals, from everything.

Jiraiya exhaled, scratching the back of his head. "Alright, brats," he started, "as much as I'd love to let you all sit around moping, we’ve got work to do."

Naruto gave him a blank stare. "...Hah?"

Harry blinked. "What kind of work?"

Jiraiya smirked. "Pack your bags, kiddos! We’re going on a road trip!"

A beat of silence.

Then:

"Ughhhh."

Team 7 groaned.

Naruto flopped onto the table. "We just got back! Why do we gotta leave again?!"

Sasuke scowled. "If this is another training exercise, I’m not interested."

Sakura rubbed her temples. "Jiraiya-sensei, I swear, if this is something stupid, I’m throwing you out the window."

Jiraiya laughed, unbothered by their complaints. "Relax, relax! This is an important mission!"

Harry raised an eyebrow. "What kind of mission?"

Jiraiya grinned. "We’re going to find Konoha’s next Hokage."

That made them pause.

Sakura narrowed her eyes. "Wait… you mean the Fifth Hokage?"

"Yep!" Jiraiya said, rocking back on his heels. "And I know exactly who we need—Tsunade Senju!"

Naruto groaned louder. "Ughhh, why do we gotta go all the way to find some old lady?!"

Sasuke gave him a side-eye. "You do realize she’s one of the legendary Sannin, right?"

"Still an old lady, believe it."

Harry hid his snickering behind his teacup.

Jiraiya rolled his eyes. "Listen, brats, Tsunade is our best shot at getting Konoha back on track. You want a strong Hokage? Someone who can protect the village? Then she’s the one."

Sakura, who had been rubbing her forehead in mild irritation, suddenly perked up.

"...Tsunade, huh?"

Naruto blinked. "Wait, you know her?"

Sakura paused.

Once upon a time, Tsunade had been her idol.

Back when she was younger, she had looked up to Tsunade as a legendary kunoichi—strong, powerful, one of the best. But then… she had grown up. Matured. She had let go of childish fantasies.

Still…

Sakura crossed her arms. "I used to admire her when I was younger."

Jiraiya smirked. "Well, good news! You’re gonna meet her in person."

Sakura raised an eyebrow. "...You sound way too confident about this."

Jiraiya shrugged. "That’s because I know for a fact you four will help me convince her."

Naruto looked skeptical. "Why us?"

Jiraiya simply grinned. "Just a gut feeling."

Team 7 exchanged glances.

Hayato, who had been watching this entire exchange in silence, finally sighed, setting down his teacup. "If you’re going to drag them into this, at least make sure they don’t come back in body bags."

Jiraiya scoffed. "Please, old man. You’re acting like I’m gonna let them die."

Hayato simply stared at him.

Jiraiya cleared his throat, looking away. "...Anyway!"

He clapped his hands together. "Go pack your stuff, brats! We leave at noon!"

Team 7 groaned again, but they begrudgingly got up to prepare.

Jiraiya smirked.

This was going to be one hell of a trip.

The Hidden Leaf's gates stood tall, the afternoon sun casting long shadows over the path leading out of the village. A gentle breeze rustled the trees, sending leaves drifting through the air.

Team 7 was ready to leave.

Jiraiya stood ahead of them, hands on his hips, looking pleased with himself as he gazed at the four brats he was about to drag across the country. Hayato had already said his farewells earlier, choosing to stay behind, but Kakashi was there to see them off.

Kakashi stood in his usual lazily relaxed posture, one hand in his pocket and the other holding a familiar orange book. His single visible eye crinkled in amusement as his students crowded around him.

And then—

"Kakashi-sensei!"

Naruto lunged first, wrapping Kakashi in a bone-crushing hug.

Sasuke followed, albeit reluctantly, but with the same firm grip.

Harry, calm but decisive, pulled Kakashi into a tight embrace as well.

And finally, Sakura—who, despite everything, had leaned on Kakashi’s presence these past weeks—held on the longest, her arms wrapping around him as if grounding herself.

Kakashi took it all in stride.

Unbothered. Unmoving.

Like a solid pillar, they could always return to.

"...I assume this means you’ll miss me," Kakashi mused, voice light with amusement.

"Maybe," Naruto grumbled, face smushed against Kakashi’s vest.

"Don’t get too full of yourself," Sasuke muttered.

Harry chuckled but didn't deny it.

Sakura, still holding on, murmured, "...Stay safe while we’re gone, okay?"

Kakashi patted her head. "You too."

After a few moments, they finally let go.

Kakashi glanced over them, his gaze soft beneath his mask. "Don’t get into too much trouble."

Naruto grinned. "No promises!"

Jiraiya sighed. "Great. I’m already regretting this."

With their farewells said, Team 7 turned toward the road ahead, ready to begin their journey.

But before they took their first steps—

"Ah, right!" Harry suddenly said, reaching into his bag. "Before we go, I wanted to show you guys something."

His teammates turned as he unwrapped a long cloth, revealing—

A katana.

Its sleek blade gleamed in the afternoon light, the hilt wrapped in dark, storm-gray fabric, fitting for someone with his elemental affinities.

Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura all deadpanned.

"...Another sword?" Sasuke muttered.

"You already fight like a samurai," Naruto said. "You’re, like, one step away from going full sword-nerd."

Sakura crossed her arms. "Is this your version of retail therapy?"

Harry sighed. "It’s a replacement. My old one broke, remember?"

"Still," Naruto muttered. "Feels excessive."

"Shut up, Naruto," Harry deadpanned.

Before Naruto could protest further, Harry turned to Sakura.

"Actually," Harry said, reaching into his pack again, "I got something for you too."

Sakura blinked, surprised. "...For me?"

Harry pulled out a dagger, its sleek blade reflecting the light. It wasn’t overly large, but it was well-balanced, and clearly crafted for precision. Alongside it, he handed her a small case containing senbons and thin, reinforced wires.

Sakura took them, staring in mild shock.

"...You got me weapons?"

Harry nodded. "I thought they’d suit your fighting style. The senbons and wires should help with tactics, and the dagger is just… in case you need a quick, close-range option."

Sakura’s fingers curled around the dagger’s hilt, testing the weight. It was light, sharp—perfectly balanced.

"...Thanks, Harry," she murmured, a small, genuine smile forming on her face.

Harry gave a simple nod.

Naruto, meanwhile, was gaping.

"Wait, wait, hold on," Naruto protested. "You got Sakura a dagger and senbons—what about me?!"

Harry slowly turned to him.

Deadpan. Unimpressed.

Naruto blinked.

Harry blinked.

"...No."

Naruto’s jaw dropped. "Why?!"

Harry shrugged. "Because you’d probably lose it in five minutes."

Naruto gasped. "That is slander!"

Sasuke smirked. "Not inaccurate, though."

Naruto turned on him. "Et tu, Sasuke?!"

Sasuke ignored him.

Sakura chuckled, rolling her eyes as she secured her new weapons.

Jiraiya sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Are you guys done? We need to leave before I regret this even more."

Naruto huffed, still grumbling about not getting anything.

But as they stepped through the village gates, walking side by side, their banter continued—lighthearted, familiar.

Despite everything, despite the grief, despite the burdens on their shoulders—

At that moment, they felt like a team.

A team ready to take on whatever came next.

The journey stretched on, the warm sun beating down on the dirt road as Team 7 continued their trek through the Land of Fire. The path was quiet, save for the occasional chirping of birds or the rustling of the wind through the trees.

For once, there was no immediate danger. No pressing urgency.

Just an endless road and time to talk.

Sakura, having grown tired of the silence, reached into her pack and pulled out a thick book.

Naruto groaned when he saw it. "Seriously, Sakura? A book?"

Sasuke barely glanced at her, uninterested. Harry, however, tilted his head.

Sakura flipped it open, scanning the pages.

"It’s not history," she said. "Just a book of random facts. Stuff that might be useful. Or just… interesting."

Jiraiya, walking ahead, chuckled. "A little knowledge never hurt anyone."

Sakura nodded, reading aloud as they walked.

"Did you know that the Land of Wind used to be a lush, green country until the Great Shinobi Clans fought over it and destroyed its ecosystem?"

Naruto frowned. "Wait, seriously?"

Harry hummed. "I suppose that explains why it’s all desert now."

Sakura flipped the page.

"Oh! Here’s another one: the daimyo of the Land of Fire once tried to outlaw shinobi, but the Hidden Leaf negotiated a deal that made them indispensable for national security."

Sasuke raised a brow. "That was probably Tobirama’s doing."

Sakura nodded. "Most likely. He was good at handling politics."

She turned another page.

"And did you know—" she paused, blinking.

Then, grinning, she turned to Naruto.

"Actually, Naruto, I just found something interesting about you."

Naruto blinked. "Huh? Me?"

Sakura smirked, tapping the page. "You’re technically related to Tsunade."

Silence.

Naruto stared at her. "What."

Sasuke finally looked interested. Harry raised a brow.

Jiraiya, still walking ahead, didn’t comment—but there was a knowing smirk on his face.

Sakura grinned. "Yep. Through clan relations, you’re actually kind of related to Tsunade."

Naruto looked baffled. "How?"

Sakura cleared her throat and began her explanation.

"The Senju Clan and the Uzumaki Clan were deeply connected even before Konoha was founded," she started. "They were distant relatives—branches of the same ancestral bloodline."

Harry listened intently. "Because of their longevity, right?"

Sakura nodded. "Exactly. The Uzumaki Clan had an incredibly strong life force, and the Senju had a similar trait—though it wasn’t as extreme. Both clans had immense chakra reserves, and they worked closely together for centuries. The Senju specialized in battle tactics and leadership, while the Uzumaki specialized in sealing techniques."

Naruto still looked confused. "Okay, but what does that have to do with me and Tsunade?"

Sakura smirked.

"Well, Tsunade is the granddaughter of Hashirama Senju—the First Hokage," she said. "And Hashirama’s wife was Mito Uzumaki, the first Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails."

Naruto’s eyes widened. "Wait—what?!"

Sakura nodded. "That means Tsunade’s grandmother was an Uzumaki—just like your mom. Your mom, Kushina Uzumaki, was born in Uzushio, and she was part of the same clan as Mito. That means that while you and Tsunade aren’t directly related, your bloodlines still come from the same ancestry."

Naruto looked stunned.

"So… does that mean Tsunade’s, like… my great-aunt or something?"

Sakura laughed. "Not exactly, but you are distant relatives."

Naruto grinned. "That’s so weird!"

Sasuke, arms crossed, smirked. "Somehow, this explains a lot about you."

Naruto frowned. "Hey, what’s that supposed to mean?"

Harry chuckled. "Well, think about it. Tsunade’s famous for being reckless and hardheaded. Sound familiar?"

Naruto puffed up. "Oi! I’m nothing like some old lady!"

Jiraiya, who had been listening quietly, finally laughed.

"Kid, you don’t even know her yet. But trust me—you two are more alike than you think."

Naruto huffed, crossing his arms. "Yeah, yeah. Whatever."

But despite his grumbling, Naruto couldn’t stop thinking about it.

He wasn’t just an orphan with no roots.

He had family out there. Even if it was distant.

And somehow, that thought felt kind of nice.

The night was quiet, save for the occasional crackle of the campfire and the chirping of crickets in the distance. The sky stretched vast and dark above them, pinpricked with stars, and a cool wind drifted through the trees.

Sakura sat just outside her tent, knees drawn to her chest, staring at the flickering flames. Sleep had eluded her again.

She had tried. Really, she had.

But every time she closed her eyes, she thought of them.

Her parents.

Gone. Just like that.

It had only been a few weeks. Seventeen days, to be exact. Not even a month. She had been keeping count. She wasn’t sure why. Maybe because part of her kept waiting for the pain to stop. For the weight in her chest to lift.

It hadn’t.

It had gotten easier—somewhat. Having Naruto, Sasuke, and Harry around helped. Living in the Namikaze estate with Naruto and Harry had helped. Having Kakashi and Hayato watching over her had helped.

But in the quiet of the night, when she was left alone with her thoughts—grief crept in.

She sighed, burying her face in her arms.

“Can’t sleep, huh?”

Sakura flinched at the voice, turning her head to see Jiraiya approaching from the edge of the camp.

She hadn’t noticed him get up.

Sakura wiped at her eyes, straightening up. “Yeah. You too?”

Jiraiya hummed, settling down onto a nearby log with a quiet grunt. “Old habits,” he said. “Traveling alone for years makes it hard to rest easy.”

Sakura tilted her head, watching as Jiraiya pulled out a canteen, taking a slow sip before glancing at her. “What about you, kid?” he asked, his voice gentler than usual. “Something on your mind?”

Sakura hesitated.

She considered brushing it off. Saying she was fine. That it was nothing. But…

Her throat felt tight.

“…It’s been seventeen days,” she whispered.

Jiraiya didn’t ask what she meant. He just nodded.

Sakura swallowed. “I thought… I thought it would hurt less by now. But it doesn’t.” She hugged her knees tighter. “I still wake up expecting to see them. I still think about telling them things before I remember they’re not… there anymore.”

Jiraiya was quiet for a long moment.

Then, with a slow exhale, he spoke.

“It never really stops hurting, you know.”

Sakura turned to him, surprised.

Jiraiya gazed into the fire, his face unreadable. “Losing people. You learn to live with it, sure. Time helps. But that ache never fully goes away.” He took another sip from his canteen. “And honestly? Maybe that’s a good thing.”

Sakura blinked. “A… good thing?”

Jiraiya gave her a small, sad smile.

“It means they mattered.”

Sakura felt something tighten in her chest.

Jiraiya looked back at the fire, his expression distant. “I lost people too,” he admitted. “Friends. Loved ones. My teacher. My teammates. Some of my students.” His hand tightened slightly around the canteen. “It never got easier. But I’d rather carry the weight of missing them than forget them entirely.”

Sakura’s fingers curled into her sleeves.

“…I don’t want to forget them,” she admitted. “I’m afraid that if I stop hurting, it’ll mean I don’t care anymore.”

Jiraiya huffed. “That’s not how it works, kid.”

She glanced at him, and he gave her a knowing look.

“You’re allowed to heal,” he said. “You’re allowed to laugh. To smile. To move on.” He leaned back slightly. “But that doesn’t mean you’ll ever forget them. The people we love… they stick with us. Whether we realize it or not.”

Sakura looked down, hands gripping her knees.

“…How do you know?” she asked softly.

Jiraiya chuckled. “Because I had a student once—one who reminded me a lot of you, actually.”

Sakura raised a brow. “Really?”

Jiraiya nodded. “Smart. Stubborn. Had a terrible habit of overthinking things.” He smirked slightly. “He lost people too. He thought he’d never recover. That he’d never be the same. But you know what happened?”

Sakura shook her head.

“He found people who reminded him that he wasn’t alone,” Jiraiya said. “That there was still more to live for.” His smirk softened. “Just like you have Naruto, Sasuke, and Harry.”

Sakura bit her lip.

She thought of Naruto’s loud, unwavering support. Sasuke’s silent but steady presence. Harry’s quiet understanding.

She exhaled. “…Yeah.”

Jiraiya grinned. “See? You’re already doing better than you think.”

Sakura gave a small, tired smile.

“…Thanks, Jiraiya.”

Jiraiya waved her off, standing up with a groan. “Alright, alright. Enough of this sappy talk—I’m not built for this kind of emotional stuff.”

Sakura laughed quietly. “Oh, please. You were doing just fine.”

Jiraiya scoffed. “Whatever you say, brat.”

Sakura’s smile lingered as she watched him stretch before heading back to his tent.

Before he left, though, he paused.

“…Try to get some sleep, Sakura,” he said, his tone softer than before. “Tomorrow’s another long day.”

Sakura nodded.

“Yeah. I will.”

And this time, when she finally crawled back into her tent and closed her eyes—

The pain was still there.

But somehow, it felt just a little lighter.

The morning was clear, the sky streaked with soft oranges and pinks, the cool air crisp against their skin. Birds chirped in the trees, and the damp earth crunched lightly underfoot as Team 7 trekked through the forested road, following Jiraiya.

It should’ve been an ordinary morning. They expected to just walk. Maybe argue about breakfast, listen to Naruto complain about his sore legs, or suffer through one of Jiraiya’s ridiculous stories.

Instead, Jiraiya had decided to turn their morning journey into a training session.

And it was sucked.

“Alright, brats, listen up,” Jiraiya said, walking effortlessly ahead of them with his hands clasped behind his back. “Today, we’re working on refining your ability to sense energy.”

Naruto furrowed his brows. “Sense energy?”

Jiraiya nodded. “Yep. Chakra’s not the only thing floating around in the world, you know. You’ve got chakra, natural energy, and other life forces all around you at any given time.” He gestured vaguely to the air. “Most people never bother sensing past their own chakra or others’. But learning to feel the flow of energy beyond that is crucial.”

Harry frowned. “Like how animals can sense storms before they arrive?”

Jiraiya grinned. “Exactly, kid.”

Sakura tilted her head. “And this is… useful how?”

“Oh, I don’t know,” Jiraiya said sarcastically. “Maybe because it can help you detect enemies from miles away, feel disturbances in the balance of chakra, or even, oh—I don’t know—train for something greater?”

Sasuke narrowed his eyes. “You mean senjutsu.”

Jiraiya’s grin widened. “Look at that—the Uchiha gets it.”

Naruto blinked. “Wait, wait, wait—you’re teaching us sage stuff?”

Jiraiya waved a hand. “Relax, I’m not making you toads just yet.” He smirked. “This is step one. If you can’t even feel natural energy, then you’d just turn into a statue if you tried full-on Sage Mode.”

Naruto sweat-dropped. “Right. Would not be fun.”

Jiraiya ignored him and pointed at the trees. “Now, I want you all to close your eyes and try to extend your awareness beyond your own chakra. Focus on the world around you.”

Sakura frowned but did as she was told, closing her eyes. She took a slow, steady breath. She felt her own chakra first—the familiar warmth of her energy flowing inside her. Then, she reached further.

She could sense her teammates. Naruto’s chakra was wild and fluctuating, Sasuke’s was sharp and controlled, Harry’s felt stable but layered, and Jiraiya’s was like an ocean—deep, vast, and full of something beyond ordinary chakra.

But beyond that… there was something else.

A presence.

It was faint. A soft hum in the air, different from anything she’d ever sensed before. It wasn’t chakra. It wasn’t a person. It was just… there.

She opened her eyes in surprise.

“…What was that?” she muttered.

Jiraiya smirked. “That, Pinky, is natural energy.”

Sasuke exhaled through his nose. “Hn. I sensed it too.”

Naruto scrunched up his face. “I think I felt something… but it’s really hard to tell what’s what.”

Harry hummed. “It’s like trying to listen to a whisper in a crowd.”

Jiraiya snapped his fingers. “Bingo! And that’s why you need to refine your senses. Otherwise, you’ll never be able to harness it.”

Naruto pouted. “Man, the Academy never taught us anything cool like this.”

Sakura nodded, crossing her arms. “Honestly, I’ve been thinking the same thing. They drilled the basics into us, sure, but we were barely taught anything beyond that.”

Sasuke huffed. “Because they don’t expect genin to last long enough to need advanced techniques.”

Naruto scowled. “That’s dumb. If we learned this stuff earlier, maybe we wouldn’t have been struggling so much in real missions!”

Harry nodded thoughtfully. “The Academy curriculum is very limited. They focused a lot on theory, history, and the absolute basics—probably to make sure everyone had a solid foundation. But… they never really prepared us for the reality of being a shinobi.”

Jiraiya sighed. “It’s because Konoha’s system is designed to filter shinobi, not raise strong ones.”

Team 7 paused.

Sakura frowned. “What do you mean?”

Jiraiya gave them a serious look. “The Academy isn’t designed to make you strong—it’s designed to separate the weak from the talented. The strong ones get snatched up by clans, special programs, or talented mentors. The rest? Well, they get sent out as basic genin, doing low-risk missions until they either rise through the ranks or get themselves killed.”

Silence.

Sasuke’s gaze darkened. “That’s inefficient.”

Jiraiya shrugged. “It’s how the system works. Harsh, yeah, but war shaped the village that way. They didn’t have the time or resources to make everyone strong. They only needed a handful of elites.”

Naruto clenched his fists. “That’s still stupid.”

Harry nodded. “No wonder so many genin are underprepared for real fights.”

Sakura crossed her arms. “It’s frustrating, but… I guess that’s why we have sensei outside of the Academy.”

Jiraiya smirked. “Bingo. And now, you’ve got me, so count yourselves lucky.”

Naruto rolled his eyes. “Yeah, yeah, lucky us.”

Jiraiya chuckled. “Alright, enough talk. Back to training! Keep walking and sensing your surroundings—no tripping over roots, no running into trees, and no whining.”

Naruto groaned. “This is the weirdest training ever.”

Sasuke sighed. “Shut up and focus, dobe.”

Harry exhaled, shaking his head. “At least it’s not another tree-walking exercise.”

Sakura nodded. “Yeah. Progress.”

And so, Team 7 continued their journey, walking and training at the same time, unaware of just how much they were already growing.

The sun hung high in the sky, beating down on Team 7 as they trudged along the endless dirt road. Their footsteps kicked up dust, the occasional breeze offering a brief moment of relief before the heat settled back in. The only sounds were the rustling trees, the chirping insects, and Naruto’s exaggerated groaning.

"Are we ever gonna reach a village?" Naruto whined, dragging his feet as if he were on the verge of collapsing. "We’ve been walking for two days straight! We’re just in the middle of nowhere!"

Sasuke, walking slightly ahead, sighed through his nose. "You’re being dramatic, dobe."

"I’m not being dramatic, teme! My legs are dying!" Naruto threw his hands in the air. "We haven’t even seen a single building, not even some tiny farm! It’s like Jiraiya’s leading us through the most boring parts of the country on purpose!"

Jiraiya, still walking at a casual pace, snorted. "You act like you’re on some luxury trip, kid. This is training and travel. You should be grateful for the experience."

"Experience?" Naruto shot him a deadpan look. "All I’m experiencing is walking. My feet hurt, my back hurts, and my stomach’s empty!"

Harry huffed a laugh, shaking his head. "You ate half of our food supply this morning, Naruto. There’s no way you’re starving."

"I’m a growing boy!" Naruto grumbled, crossing his arms. "I need more food!"

Sakura sighed, rubbing her temples. "You’re not gonna die if we don’t reach a village in the next few hours, Naruto. We’ve still got supplies, and Jiraiya did say there’s a town up ahead."

"Did he, though?" Harry asked, raising a brow. "Or is he just saying that to keep us moving?"

All eyes turned to Jiraiya.

The old sage grinned innocently. "Now, now, what kind of guy do you take me for?"

Sasuke gave him a flat stare. "A liar."

Jiraiya clutched his chest in mock offense. "Sasuke, my boy, that hurts."

"So there isn’t a village nearby," Harry concluded.

Jiraiya coughed. "Well… I never said how close the town was. I just said we’d reach one eventually."

Naruto let out an aggravated yell. "I KNEW IT!"

Sakura groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Unbelievable."

"Hey, don’t get all fussy!" Jiraiya waved a hand. "There’s a town—we’ll be there by tonight. Probably."

Sasuke narrowed his eyes. "Probably?"

Jiraiya shrugged.

Harry sighed. "That means we’re walking all day again."

Sakura closed her book with a thud and slumped forward. "At this rate, I’m gonna memorize every single pointless fact in this thing."

Naruto grumbled, kicking a rock. "We better at least get some decent food when we get there."

"Oh, don’t worry about that," Jiraiya said with a grin. "I know a great place with some of the best—"

"—Women," Sasuke, Sakura, Naruto, and Harry all finished in unison.

Jiraiya blinked. "Wow. That’s kind of hurtful."

"No, it’s called predictability," Sakura deadpanned.

Jiraiya chuckled. "Alright, alright, but seriously, this place actually has good food. I promise."

Naruto squinted at him. "I don’t believe you."

"Too bad, because you don’t have a choice!" Jiraiya grinned and turned back toward the road. "Now get moving, brats. The faster we walk, the sooner we eat."

Naruto groaned dramatically. "I hate this trip."

And with that, Team 7 continued on, the road stretching before them with no end in sight.

By the time the golden hues of the setting sun bathed the village in warm light, Team 7 had finally arrived. The town wasn’t particularly large—more of a bustling trading hub than a major settlement—but compared to the endless open roads they had trekked for days, it was practically paradise. The streets were lined with shops, vendors calling out deals, and the scent of sizzling food drifted through the air, making Naruto practically drool on the spot.

"Finally!" Naruto threw his arms in the air. "We’re here! A real place, with real beds!*"

Harry stretched his arms, rolling his shoulders as he scanned the area. "It’s not the biggest village, but at least we’re back in civilization."

Sakura, book in hand, nodded. "It should be easy to find information here. If Tsunade was really here a few nights ago, then someone must’ve seen her."

Sasuke glanced around, hands in his pockets. "Let’s get this over with."

Jiraiya chuckled at their renewed energy and led the way, asking around for Tsunade’s whereabouts. It wasn’t long before a few innkeepers and merchants confirmed her presence. She’d been in the village just two nights ago, gambling in one of the local dens.

Naruto groaned. "Two nights ago?! She’s probably long gone!"

Jiraiya waved him off. "Relax, kid. We’re making progress. We’ll catch up to her soon enough."

Sakura sighed, closing her book. "Well, at least we’re getting somewhere."

With that, Jiraiya took them to a small but cozy inn in the heart of the village. It was nothing fancy, but the rooms were clean, and the beds—actual beds—looked far more comfortable than the hard ground.

"You brats will share this room," Jiraiya informed them, tossing a key onto the bed. "We’re staying here for a day. Gives us time to train, rest, and—"

He suddenly grinned, reaching into a bag. "—EAT!"

Before them, he revealed a feast.

Stacks of freshly grilled yakitori, steaming bowls of ramen, rice balls stuffed with salmon, crispy tempura, succulent teriyaki skewers, and even sweet mochi for dessert. The smell alone had Naruto’s stomach growling like a feral animal.

"Jiraiya!" Naruto practically tackled the food. "You’re the best!"

Harry’s eyes widened slightly. "Okay, I’ll admit—that looks amazing."

Sakura clapped her hands together, grateful. "Wow, I wasn’t expecting this, but thanks, Jiraiya-sama!"

Sasuke, though more reserved, gave a small nod of approval as he picked up his chopsticks. "Not bad."

Jiraiya grinned. "Well, you brats have been working hard, so I figured you earned it. Enjoy!"

And enjoy they did.

Naruto was stuffing his face, practically inhaling his ramen at record speed. Harry took his time, savoring the flavors, while Sakura, despite her usual proper eating habits, was too hungry to care and devoured her meal with gusto. Even Sasuke, though quiet, seemed to eat more than usual.

Jiraiya, watching them, chuckled to himself.

"Yeah," he thought. "They’ll be just fine."

For the first time in a while, Team 7 felt at ease. No battles. No war. No tragedy.

Just good food and good company.