Chapter 2
Chapter 2: The Prank and the "Betrayal" – Part 1
As Sakura arrived at the small home she had remodeled for herself and Naruto, a sense of calm washed over her. It wasn’t much, but it was theirs—a sanctuary away from the judgment of the village and the lingering shadows of the past. The home was cozy, and despite Naruto’s energetic and chaotic nature, it always managed to feel like a place of peace. She walked up to the door, her hand instinctively brushing over the seal she had placed on it. Channeling chakra into her palm, the door clicked open, ensuring that no one could enter without her knowing. The safety measures had become second nature after years of raising the Jinchuriki.
Inside, the familiar scent of their home greeted her, and she felt a sigh of relief escape her lips. The place wasn’t perfect—Naruto's sporadic tendencies often meant shoes were left in odd places and things were misplaced—but it was always clean. Naruto, for all his quirks, had a surprising ability to keep things tidy. She smiled to herself before heading to the bathroom for a quick shower.
After freshening up, she changed into a comfortable outfit—a dark blue kimono with her Jonin vest over it. The vest was a reminder of her responsibilities, the weight of her position as both a protector and a warrior. As she checked the time, an unexpected feeling of dread settled in her stomach. Tomorrow was Naruto’s graduation day—the day he would officially become a Genin. She had rushed home to be there for him, wanting to see him succeed, but a twinge of regret lingered. Though she had hoped to be his teacher, Fugaku Uchiha had denied her request, claiming that someone else would be better suited for the task. She had reluctantly agreed, knowing she would still be there for him in her way.
Exiting the house, fatigue from the mission still lingering, she made her way toward the Hokage Tower to report in. But as she passed through the streets, a familiar, loud voice pierced the air.
"Naruto!"
Of course. It didn’t take much to guess that trouble had found Naruto once again. The yell came from Iruka, Naruto’s long-time teacher. Sakura smirked. Iruka had always been so protective of Naruto, but it was clear he’d fallen into one of the traps that the mischievous blond had set.
She could practically feel the eyes of the villagers on her as she walked through the streets—some filled with fear, others with respect, and a few with disdain. After all, she had taken in the "demon child" and was raising him as her own. It never failed to irritate her, but she had grown used to it. Naruto was no demon, but their stubbornness was a constant reminder of how hard it was to change the minds of the fearful.
As she entered the Hokage Tower, she knocked on the door and was swiftly allowed inside. There, she found Naruto standing with his head bowed sheepishly while Iruka scolded him.
"You think what he did was terrible, right, Miss Haruno?" Iruka asked, frustration clear in his voice.
Sakura couldn't help but smile at the sight of her son. She walked over, placing a hand on his messy blond hair, and ruffled it affectionately. "You could've been sneakier, Naru-kun!" she said with a teasing glint in her eyes. "You are a shinobi, after all. And honestly, you could’ve drawn even more poop on the Fourth Hokage’s face."
Iruka stood frozen, his mouth agape. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. "W-What the f@%#?" he stammered.
Naruto’s face lit up, his trademark grin widening. It wasn’t often that Sakura approved of his pranks, but her words meant everything to him. The seriousness of the Hokage's office suddenly felt lighter, filled with the rare sound of laughter and warmth.
Meanwhile, Fugaku Uchiha, seated in the Hokage’s chair, buried his face in his hands, struggling to contain his laughter. The usually composed and stoic Uchiha patriarch had been completely undone by Sakura's teasing, and the sight of him trying to hold back his mirth was a rare one. The Anbu members in the room stood frozen, some confused, others with bewildered expressions. They had never seen anything like it before.
Sakura’s gaze softened as she turned to Naruto. Leaning down to meet his eye level, she smiled warmly. "Hungry? Want me to cook something?"
Naruto’s eyes lit up, and he bounced on his feet. "Yes! Sakura-oneechan’s cooking is the best! I want Omuri rice and hamburgers!" His voice was full of pure joy, and his excitement was contagious.
Sakura laughed, her ponytail swaying as she nodded. "Sure, I’ll make it extra spicy sweet, just the way you like it!"
"Whuhuuuu!" Naruto jumped, his laughter echoing through the room.
Iruka, still stunned by the absurdity of it all, collapsed to his knees. He had no idea how to process what had just happened. Sakura, the fierce and respected Jonin, had casually supported Naruto's pranks—no, she had encouraged them—and, to make it worse, she had even poked fun at the Hokage’s face. Iruka just couldn't believe it.
Sakura smiled at Naruto’s infectious energy, and for a moment, everything else faded away. Despite the challenges, the gossip, and the constant pressure, she had built a life with him—a life filled with love, laughter, and even the occasional prank.
"Alright, Naruto," she said, standing up straight again. "Why don’t you go outside and wait with Iruka for a bit? I need to handle some business."
Naruto nodded excitedly and ran out, eager to escape Iruka's continued scolding. Sakura turned to Fugaku, her tone shifting to business as she handed him her mission report.
"Fugaku-sama, here’s the summary. I was able to eliminate Gato, and I came across Zabuza and his apprentice, but I still managed to protect Tazuna. We also took control of 80 of Gato’s businesses. Twenty of those are earmarked for rebuilding in Nami," she reported, her voice steady and professional.
Fugaku nodded approvingly. "Good. Well done, Jonin Senju. You are dismissed."
With a swift Shunshin, Sakura disappeared from the room, reappearing outside where Naruto was still talking animatedly with Iruka.
"I can’t believe it," Iruka sighed, exasperated. "Both Hokage-sama and Lady Senju let you off the hook!"
"Well, I’m amazing, after all," Naruto giggled, his blue shirt and pants still stained with remnants of his latest prank. "Gheheh!"
"Alright, let’s go, Naruto," Sakura said, motioning for him to follow her. "I need to stop by the shop for a bit."
As they walked to the store, Sakura ignored the glares and judgment from some villagers. They never seemed to change, but she wasn’t about to let it bother her.
When they arrived home, Naruto asked, "Will you tell me today… why do they hate me?"
Sakura’s smile softened as she reached down to ruffle his hair. "Yes. Let’s eat first."
Later that evening, Naruto lay on his back, slapping his round belly in satisfaction. "Ah, I’m so full! Thank you, Oneechan!" he laughed, clearly enjoying the meal.
Sakura shook her head, finishing the last of the dishes. "You’re welcome, brat," she muttered with a smile, her heart warmed by his happiness. Tomorrow would be an important day for him, but for now, she was content just to be by his side.