—— Bloom Again ——

“You either die a hero or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain“

———————————

Jiraiya allows himself to be pulled into a musty inn room. Maybe another time if the circumstances were different, he would help himself in trying out their baths. He lets out a chuckle as soon as his hands were finally freed. "Yuri-chan, I must be really blessed for you to visit me twice this month. Especially in Konoha, don't you think?"

Yuri, (which probably was a code name) a loyal informant of his, nods. "I have important information to offer. There are reports of Wave being captured by Gato."

Jiraiya racks his brain for a face. A few came to mind. "The businessman?"

Yuri nods, "Yes, but that's not why it's important. The week before Wave was captured, Gato was seen rushing out of a bar in Ame. It was the same bar we had info of." Jiraiya frowns. He knows what that means.

"You think it's the Akatsuki?"

Yuri shakes her head. "No. There are no signs of red clouds and black robes." There was a momentary relief that it wasn't Akatsuki.

Jiraiya hums, "A new, different organizations then."

"Yes. Whoever they are, I think they manage to blackmail Gato into capturing Wave."

"Okay, so they have strings to pull Gato. But the question is why? Why Land of the Waves?" Jiraiya paces back and forth. Wave was already quite poor from the start, so why? What was the motive?

"That is what I need Konoha to find out." Yuri's sudden statement halts Jiraiya in his pacing.

He frowns, "Konoha?"

Yuri nods, "Yes, a bridgebuilder will be coming shortly to Konoha requesting for a safe escort back to wave. I need you to ensure the situation is investigated." 

"And why should we be bothered by this? It could just be a business meeting."

Yuri sighs and crosses her arm. "A business meeting that had Gato ran with his tail in between his legs? And running away from the bar we had info of, no less." She deadpans and Jiraiya tries not to ogle at the two perfect looking globes in front of him. They were really the perfect size. 

"Fine, you have a point. I will inform sensei of this." Jiraiya told her distractedly, his eyes were still on the two perfect globes. Fuck it, he's gonna try his luck.

 "Yuri-chan, now that business is over, why don't we have some fun? After all, you did pay for the motel," Jiraiya purs as he turns around and puts on his charming smile. But the only thing left greeting him was smoke. 

Damn it.

::

Perhaps it was dumb of her to think Uchiha Itachi will be able to help her with Sasuke's problem. Because, for one, he is still Uchiha Itachi, the man who killed his own clan at 13 years old, tortured his younger brother into a suicidal-revenge stage and is currently a member of an organisation that is after all jinchurikis. Not to mention he always has one massive beast of chakra following him around also known as his partner, Hoshigaki Kisame. Sakura shuddered to think about facing such a massive powerhouse like Kisame.  Especially since she only has 1/8 of the strength and  1/16  of the chakra of 18-year-old Haruno Sakura, the lone survivor of Konoha's downfall. 

Would Itachi even come to help his brother? Or would he maintain his psychopath clan killer image? Sakura couldn't say.

Sakura clicked her tongue in annoyance, Everything is so fucking complicated, but at least this time we know who's the enemy.

The future - T&I's underground meeting room, Konoha

-118 days before Konoha's downfall-

Sakura's hands slammed down angrily on the table, cracking it as the chakra around her hand glows dangerously. "Who are they? Why can't they just leave us alone?! I'm just so sick and tired of all of this!" 

"Sakura-chan..." Naruto trails off unsurely, surprised at her sudden outburst. He knew they were all tired of it, but he didn't know it would have affected her so much like this. 

"I've had enough of people coming after both of you. The war only ended less than a year ago. What do they want this time?" Sakura turns to her audience, and Naruto would swear her eyes glowed green. They were all currently gathered deep in T&I's underground meeting room discussing the appearance of a new threat. A threat that was after Kurama's jinchuriki, and the lone Uchiha survivor.

"We aren't sure, but there have been sightings of people with enhanced tailed beast chakra in Ame," Sasuke reported. It was getting late and he too was tired. They all were. 

"Ame? What the hell are they doing out there?" Sakura frown. Since Pein's death, Ame had barely been able to function. It only got worst from the war. There were even rumours that Ame was now a ghost town. 

"My informant tells me they're hunting down bandits," Sai tells her and Sakura's frown deepens. So the new threat after Sasuke and Naruto were hunting bandits? That sounds ridiculous.

"But, isn't Ame a ghost town now?" Tenten asks and there were a few nods from the others in agreement. It looks like Tenten and some others had heard of the ghost town rumour too.

"No, three months ago there were volunteers who help rebuild the village," Shikamaru interjects, and Sakura frown at the familiar smell of cigar. He had been smoking, again! Sakura sends him a glare, which he ignored. Fine, if he ignores her now, she will just have to pester him again later. Beside Sakura, Ino rolls her eyes at her best friend and teammate's antics. 

Meanwhile, Tenten frown at the new piece of information that Shikamaru just revealed. "Three months ago? Wasn't that-" 

"The first sighting of these people with tailed beast chakra? Yes." Shikamaru interjects again

"Okay, then what do the volunteers have to do with the tailed beast chakra?" Ino asked, her blond brows furrowed with annoyance.

Everyone turns to Shikamaru but he only mumbles out 'Troublesome' and nudges Sasuke. Sasuke twitch.

"Sasuke?" Sakura turns to him and crosses her arm.

"They are the same," Sasuke announced and Ino lets out a gasp. Sakura's mind swirl with only one question. The question that had been on her mind all along from the start.

Why?

"I don't get it," Naruto announced and Sasuke would have slapped the back of the dobe's head if Naruto had stopped there but he continues, "Okay, so they got the tailed beast chakra, and then now they've helped rebuild up a village. The village is in debt to them. So they've got a place to stay, and they've got the power and now they also got the money from bandits. Why are they still after me and Sasuke teme?"

Everyone took a moment to consider his words. 

Sakura nod, "You're right. It doesn't add up. Something's wrong." 

"Do we have any other info on them? Why? Because it might tell us more about them," Shino asks and Shikamaru places one very familiar-looking book on the table.  

"Icha-icha?" Choji reads out loud as his cheeks turn so pink the swirl on his cheeks camouflage. 

Naruto's gaze however became serious. He knew what the presence of that book meant. His hands tremble but he grips tightly onto the table. "Shika?" 

"He left us with another message to decode, didn't he?" Tsunade's soft voice was enough to make everyone understand why Naruto was serious. "That idiot." Tsunade chides but smiles grimly. She could just picture his idiotic white mane and the smile that he thought was charming. It wasn't charming at all, but it was very reassuring to the last Senju. 

Tsunade closes her eyes as she will the tears away. 

Tears that she will not allow to fall until she is alone.

::

Present time- 2 hours after the ambush

It is time like this Sakura would wish to be together with her loved ones. It is time like this Sakura wish instead of being alive, she should have died and remained dead. It is time like this Sakura wished that instead of Sakura who travelled back in time, it was Naruto. Because Uzumaki Naruto was the embodiment of opportunism, perseverance and being strong. Because Uzumaki Naruto would know what to do. And perhaps it was very selfish of Sakura to be throwing her responsibilities to Naruto because life had always been unfair for Naruto yet that had never stopped him from trying.  But it only adds to Sakura's point on why Naruto was the more suitable one. 

"Sakura-san?"

Sakura looks up and it was Tenten. It looks like her self moping had caught the attention of others. Sakura dust away invisible dirt on her skirt and flashes the little weapon mistress a small smile. In front of her, the fire of their temporary camp crackled softly. The boys are all currently asleep and Sakura, Tenten along with Gai were tasked for the first watch.

Tenten took the smile as permission for her to sit beside Sakura. "Are you okay?" 

"I'm doing as good as I can now, Tenten-san," Sakura reassures her and Tenten nods but clearly, the conversation wasn't over yet.

"You and Neji seem pretty close." Tenten states in the most basic tone she could, and perhaps there was a little bit of envy in her words but Sakura is not bothered. 

But it was true. The sudden ambush had somehow push Neji to walk closer to Sakura and her team rather than his own team. Perhaps he considers them as younger, least experienced and weaker thus requiring more protection but Sakura didn't mind his company. His presence provides her comfort while her teammates are bickering with one another like some old married couple in the background. He doesn't talk to her but she was alright with that too. Mainly because she had a lot to think about. 

Sakura nods in agreement but turns to the weapon mistress and raises an eyebrow as if challenging Tenten to say what she wants to actually say.

"I..." Tenten shifts in her seat, "Just want to know how?"

"How I became close with Neji?" Tenten nods hesitantly

"Hm, I think it's because I understand his situation." and may have offered a way that may or may not start a revolution in the future but you don't need to know that.

"You mean his arrogant attitude? Psh,  I don't know how you could stand it! He's so judgemental. Everything I did was never enough in his eyes. But that's not the worst part. The worst part is he's not willing to teach or guide me to help me improve.  All because of fate." Tenten spats out bitterly as she sulks. 

The truth is, Tenten is okay with and would even encourage people to give her constructive criticism. Mainly because another person's perspective is always very helpful in helping her spot something that she missed. But with Neji, it wasn't constructive. It was criticism that was meant to cut and hurt. Criticism that was given not to improve his teammates, but to hold her down. To remind her of her upbringing as a civilian. 

"Hm, there are no excuses for the way he treats others. But, Tenten-san, I believe that Neji is actually very alike to you, Lee and me. We are civies right?" Sakura paused, and Tenten nods, "We don't have any great clan or Kekkei Genkai that can back us up. But that only drives us to work harder." 

"But with Neji it's different. He has a clan and the Byakugan!" Tenten pointed out and Sakura nods

"Yes, with Neji it's different. He has a clan but trusts me, this situation is very familiar in his own clan and many other clans. Many clans ostracize the branch family very harshly. They could never be more. They are used as a means to end for the main family. "

Tenten considered Sakura's words silently. "Just like us civies then. As cannon fodder." She states and Sakura nods.

Sakura continues, "So in the end, it's no different. Like us, he feels trapped, caged and ostracize. He is constantly being reminded that in that clan, he is less and could never be more. Years of this treatment brings us The Bitter Neji we all know today." Sakura's eyes soften. Neji had always had it rough from the start too.

"That sounds awful but he is still an ass," Tenten mumbles softly and Sakura chuckles. All this time, Tenten had thought he was a very privileged arrogant boy who could never understand the struggle of having to grow up in an ostracised environment. It seems she was wrong. At least partially wrong. She wasn't wrong at all about him being an ass.

"It is, but I have hope that he will grow out of it," Sakura says confidently

Tenten tilts her head, "Is that really possible?" She asks

"Of course! He's no longer alone now. He has you guys right?" Sakura turns to Tenten and there was understanding in Tenten's eyes. Sakura wasn't suggesting, she was requesting. Requesting them to take care of Neji.

 "Yes!"

Yes, Tenten now understood how Haruno Sakura could become close to Hyuga Neji.

And unbeknown to the both of them, the Green Beast of Konoha's lips were tugged upwards, happy that his lone wolf student at least had people who care for him.

::

The next day, everyone was still tensed from the two fights they've had in the past week as they all travel back to Konoha. It was unusual that a C-rank of passing a scroll would end up with an ambush, much less two ambushes. It was very suspicious. Kakashi and Gai were seen occasionally signalling one another- perhaps they were discussing the situation they have brought themselves in. 

"Sensei, do you think they will really take Sasuke away from us?" It was surprisingly Naruto who had brought the topic up. Sasuke whipped his head to Kakashi's but otherwise, his face stayed still, showing no emotion on how he truly felt about the topic.

Kakashi frowns but turns to Naruto, "You don't need to worry about this Naruto, your sensei will handle this." Kakashi ruffles the blond's hair affectionately and smiles but Sakura could see the smile didn't reach his eye. He was probably equally as worried that Danzo may have Sasuke in his clutch. Sakura tugs on Kakashi's vest.

"He can't take Sasuke," Sakura announces and Sasuke turns to her next. She makes eye contact with him. "You're one of us now. Don't think you can easily get rid of us. Not for Danzo, and not for your revenge. We'll chase you down to the ends of the earth if we have to."

Kakashi watches his students from the sideline. There was a flash of red in Sasuke's eyes as the boy silently contemplates her words but the moment he blinks again, it was gone. Interesting...

"The youth in them is really powerful, my rival! So glad to see you have passed down your teachings with them." Gai announced abruptly and the mood is ruined.

Everyone watched as Sakura flush pink but beams proudly at Gai. "Thank you Gai-sensei! I'm sure your team will be youthful too!" At this, she sends a not so discreet wink at the exasperated Tenten and Neji.

"Yosh, Tenten, Neji, I'm sure we can be like Sakura-san's team!" Lee excitedly pipes in and Kakashi sighs.

At least Sakura's reassurance on the matter only drives him more to ensure no one can take Sasuke away from them. They are Team 7 and they will remain like that until they all turn grey and old. He could only hope Sasuke shares the same sentiment. He pats Naruto and Sakura's head and ruffles Sasuke's hair for a few seconds before being shoved away by the said grumpy boy.

Well, they're making progress.

One step at a time, Hatake. He reminds himself.

::

The green lushes forest and unmistakable huge green gate greet them as they finally return to Konoha. The three days journey back had been thankfully uneventful. There was no hidden ambushes or other old farts wanting to take another member of their team. Slowly but surely, the tension between everyone had reduced due to the lack of events but the moment they step foot in Konoha again, everyone knows that this is where the true politics began.

"Hokage-sama," Both jounins greeted the Third Hokage of Konoha- Sarutobi Hiruzen.

"At ease Team 7 and Team 13, welcome back to Konoha." He welcomes them and predictably Naruto was the first one to speak

"Thank you Jiji, it was really fun but there were a few bad guys, but no worries I handled them bravely!" He announced only to be shoved by Sasuke

"Didn't you freeze up?" Sasuke snickered and Naruto flushes pink in embarrassment as he wails in denial. Sakura hid a giggle with a fond smile and her eyes meet Kakashi's. He looks at them, then back at her expectantly.

Sakura sigh, Fine.

"Alright boys, settle down. I'm sure Hokage-sama here is very busy and don't need to hear your lover's quarrel." Her command had her two boys scowling but finally silenced as they refused to look at one another.

Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes sparkle with amusement but then nods at Gai to allow him to report the mission. Sakura assesses Hiruzen's reaction but was surprised to find that the old man had not shown any sign of concern, unlike Iruka-sensei who has paled from the moment Gai mention the first ambush.

"I see. What of the scroll then?" 

Sakura curses the old man. Did this man care about the scroll more than their lives? More than Naruto, the Kyuubi container, his pseudo grandson?

"The scroll was successfully handed over, Hokage-sama," Gai answers him and Hiruzen hums.

"Good job Team 13 and Team 7. Team 13 you are dismissed." 

Gai blinks before schooling his reaction and bowing at his Hokage. Before Team 13 leaves, Gai meets Kakashi's gaze and nod. The other man nods back in acknowledgement. They must have some sort of agreement.

"Iruka, you too." 

The chunin too bows respectfully before leaving the room leaving Team 7 alone with Hiruzen.

"Team 7, it seems you have more to add." Hiruzen states and Kakashi nod taking his cue to start talking.

"Councilman Danzo had approached us while in Suna, accusing me of not being worthy enough to teach Uchiha Sasuke and had offered an apprenticeship to Uchiha Sasuke." Kakashi relays back the situation.

"And what do you think of this apprenticeship, Kakashi?"

"I am against it. Councilman Danzo is not suitable to—"

Hiruzen was quick to interrupt Kakashi. "I see. But wouldn't his teaching be as equally useful to Sasuke-kun?"

"Maybe, but Hokage-sama, surely you wouldn't—"

"Then what is all the fuss on it? Do you not want him to improve himself?" Hiruzen interjects and Sakura clenches her knuckles tightly. That was a low blow. She knows that because Sasuke had never whipped his head up that fast to glance at Kakashi. He probably thinks Kakashi was against his revenge so much that he would stop Sasuke from improving when in fact the problem runs deeper than that. That idiot.

"Of course I'd want him to get stronger, Hokage-sama but he is my student," Kakashi argues but it all falls to deaf ears because Hiruzen was done with the conversation.

"Then it is settled. Danzo will be having him during the weekends and you'll be having him on weekdays."

"Hokage-sama," Kakashi begs weakly but Hiruzen only shook his head in disagreement.

"Enough, Kakashi. Do not question my authority."

That reminder had Kakashi schooling his face into something neutral and bowing formally. The three genins behind him were taken aback but nonetheless was silent as they bowed as well.

Sakura's expression was blank too as she bowed. She only had one thought in her mind.

Fuck Hiruzen.

Old men like Danzo and Hiruzen were better off just retiring and dying instead of playing with politics. And yet here they all are. It made sense though. Why Danzo or Orochimaru was never brought down earlier. Why ROOT had been operating underground for so long. It all pointed to one man. Sarutobi Hiruzen. 

Naruto's Jiji or not, Sakura doesn't care. He is no longer useful in her plan.

Team 7 was quickly dismissed from the Hokage's tower and Kakashi had practically disappeared immediately with a small memo to meet him at the usual training ground two days from now. Sakura knows from experience he's probably meeting his friends (cue Tenzo and Gai) to get some word of advice on their delicate situation. 

"Sakura-chan... I don't understand? Why would Jiji allow Sasuke-teme to be taken away from us?" Naruto's frown and puppy eyes make Sakura's previously blank expression soften.

"I don't know Naruto. Maybe he knows what he is doing." She reassures him, but Sakura herself hopes that the old man better knows what he is doing. Because this was essentially handing over Sasuke with a bow tied around him to Danzo. 

Sakura turns to her other teammate, the only one that had been silent the whole time. "What do you think about this, Sasuke?"

He looks at her scowling before finally relents, "No one asks how I felt. Everyone assumed that they could choose for me as if I had no right to talk and pick for myself. I hate it."

Sakura blinks. That was not what she had thought he would say. But it was understandable. Even the Uchiha Sasuke from the future had hated Konoha for being so meddling on matters that should only concern himself. It was probably another reason why he had left Konoha many, many years ago. 

"Exactly! But surely, you would want to stay with us, teme? Right?" Naruto who bounces eagerly from Sasuke's sudden confession relaxes the tension on Sakura's shoulder. You could always trust Naruto to say the right thing at critical moments like this. It was a part of his charm.

Sasuke scoffs, "Tsk, as if I wanna see your face, dobe." 

"Hey! I bet even with this Denzo fella teaching you I could still kick your ass!" Naruto argues back and Sakura giggles fondly at her two boys. Always bickering regardless of the timeline.

"You say that but you can't even beat me now," Sasuke provokes him and Sakura takes it as her cue to interrupt them

"I'm sure," She starts, "That all of us here would improve with time. We will show the world who Team 7 truly are! No one can break us up." I'll make sure of it  Sakura adds on silently

"Sakura-chan, no offence because that is great and all, but have you been hanging out with Gai-sensei? You're starting to sound like him, it's scary." 

There was a moment of silence before the sound of a smack echoed.

"Thanks, Sasuke."

"Hn."

::

"Hokage-sama, I think my team is ready for a C-rank." 

"Wonderful, because we have one mission for you.  Team 10, you are to escort a bridge-builder to the land of Wave. More information you need to know regarding your mission will be in the scroll."

"Understood, Hokage-sama."

"Well, then Iruka why don't you open the door and introduce to them their client?"

"Tsk, these bunch of twerps will be my escort?"

::

Meanwhile, in a dusty old apartment, one boy regains his consciousness.

"W-where am I?" He manages to mumble out as he takes in his new surroundings. It was dark, smelled sterile, but with a hint of must and mould. He struggles to pulls himself up but the moment he did, the world spins and suddenly his eyes feel heavy again.

Everything goes dark. Again.

- To be continued -

Yall didn't think I'd forget about him right? Let's see how many of yall actually remember who he is...

 And yes, Team 10 is gonna be going to Wave instead! I wonder how this could change the plot hohoho.

So, by the end of this chapter what are your thoughts?

Vote below by commenting on the sentence that best describes your thoughts or alternatively, comment a new one!

1. Tenten X Sakura's new friendship ftw🙌🏼! We love to see girls supporting girls🙆🙆~

2. WTF😡 😒DANZO & HIRUZEN IMMA MURDER YOUR ASS, CHOP YOU UP TO PIECES BEFORE FEEDING IT TO A BUNCH OF SNAKES AND THEN BURNING IT UP😳 🔪

3.Poor Sasuke, never getting a choice to say anything >:(

4. Petition for Jiraiya to get some😳

5. Petition for Jiraiya to NOT get some and instead focus on getting the important info! 😒

6. We need to see Gai X Sakura Team Motivation Speaker Collaboration right now! 💃🏻🕺🏻

7. OMG SHINO MY BABY YOU ARE ACTUALLY INCLUDED IN THIS BOOK?? FINALLY? 👁️👄👁️