Chapter 17
Chapter 17: Need a Hand
The flower shop buzzed with its usual charm, sunlight spilling through the windows onto neatly arranged rows of vibrant blooms. Ino Yamanaka stood behind the counter, deftly arranging a bouquet of marigolds and roses, her fingers moving with practiced precision. The warm hum of everyday chatter filled the shop, mingling with the rustle of tissue paper and the soft chiming of the doorbell as it opened.
Kakashi Hatake stepped inside, the familiar slump of his shoulders betraying an unusual tension. His lone visible eye scanned the room, landing on Ino with an intensity that immediately captured her attention.
“Hatake-sensei?” Ino set down her tools, brushing a stray lock of blonde hair from her face. “You look... off. What’s going on?”
Across the room, Asuma Sarutobi glanced up from his spot near the window, the ember of his cigarette casting a soft glow against the glass. Shikamaru and Choji, lounging at their usual table, also turned toward the unexpected visitor.
Kakashi hesitated, his voice unusually low when he finally spoke. “I need your help with something. Something important.”
Ino’s brow furrowed. “My help? What is it?”
“It’s about Sakura.”
At the mention of her name, Ino stiffened, her hands freezing mid-motion. “Sakura? What happened? Is she hurt?”
Kakashi shook his head quickly. “Not physically. But something’s wrong.” He paused, searching for the right words. “She’s been... distant. Closed off. I’ve noticed strange behavior—chakra surges, night terrors, even moments where she seems to lose control. I’m worried she’s hiding something, something serious. And I think it’s connected to her past.”
Ino’s expression softened, her concern mounting. “She hasn’t been the same for a while,” she admitted quietly. “She used to talk to me, Hinata or TenTen but lately, it’s like she’s a different person. She’s been pulling away from everyone.”
Kakashi nodded. “That’s why I’m here. I need you to use your clan’s Mind Body Switch Jutsu to look into her mind. It’s the only way to understand what’s really going on.”
A heavy silence fell over the room.
“Ino, that’s dangerous,” Choji said, his tone uncharacteristically serious. “Are you sure it’s the right thing to do? Diving into someone’s mind like that—it’s invasive.”
“Not if it helps her,” Kakashi said firmly, though his voice betrayed his own inner conflict. “Sakura’s carrying something heavy. If we don’t act now, I’m afraid it might destroy her—or worse.”
Ino folded her arms, her lips pressing into a thin line. She’d been trained for years to use her clan’s techniques with care, fully aware of the risks and responsibilities involved. Entering Sakura’s mind without her consent felt like a betrayal, but the worry in Kakashi’s voice and her own unease about Sakura’s behavior weighed heavily on her.
Shikamaru broke the silence with a groan, his eyes narrowing. “What a drag. But if it’s that bad, I guess we don’t have a choice.”
Ino looked at Kakashi, her resolve hardening. “I’ll do it,” she said finally. “But I’ll need time to prepare. Diving into someone’s subconscious isn’t something you rush, especially with Sakura. If we push too hard, it could backfire.”
“Agreed,” Kakashi said. “But we’ll need to move quickly. She’s leaving for a mission to the Land of Waves soon. We should act when she returns—when she’s more vulnerable and less likely to resist.”
Shikamaru frowned. “Ambushing her like that feels harsh. But strategically... it makes sense.”
Choji nodded reluctantly. “If it helps her, I’m in too. She’s our friend.”
Ino looked at her teammates, gratitude flickering in her eyes. “Thanks, guys. This won’t be easy, but I’m glad you’re with me.”
Asuma exhaled a plume of smoke, his gaze thoughtful. “Just be careful,” he said quietly. “The mind is a fragile place. If she’s already struggling, forcing your way in could do more harm than good.”
“I know,” Ino said firmly. “That’s why I’ll be as gentle as possible. I just want to help her.”
Kakashi’s gaze lingered on her, a rare flicker of warmth in his eye. “Thank you, Ino. I knew I could count on you. If you need anything—equipment, support, anything—let me know.”
As they began laying out the details, Ino couldn’t shake a sense of foreboding. The Sakura she knew—the bright, confident girl who had once stood by her side—felt like a distant memory. Whatever they uncovered in her mind, Ino knew it would be heavy.
But one thing was certain: Sakura couldn’t keep suffering alone.