Sakura Haruno is Usefull

The Next Day

Early in the morning, Sakura was summoned to the central command tent.

When she hurried in, she found Sasuke, Kiba Inuzuka, and Shino already present. Jiraiya, who usually carried a laid-back demeanor, now wore a solemn expression as he faced them.

"Sakura, you arrived just in time."

Jiraiya handed her a mission scroll.

As Sakura opened the scroll and read its contents, her expression turned serious.

"According to intelligence reports, the logistics base of the Hidden Cloud Village has been located."

"It's situated in the northern region of the Land of Frost."

"This intelligence was smuggled out by a spy embedded within the Hidden Cloud at great personal risk."

Jiraiya's calm words made Sakura frown slightly.

It was too convenient.

Only yesterday had they discussed targeting the enemy's logistics point, and now it had already been found.

Sakura pressed her lips together, wanting to speak but unable to find the right words.

"A mission like this—are you assigning it to just us?" Sakura questioned Jiraiya with a furrowed brow.

Destroying an enemy's logistics base was easily an S-rank mission.

But the people here?

Sasuke was a capable special jōnin, while Kiba and Shino were merely chūnin.

Even if she was strong enough, once they were detected by the Hidden Cloud, chaos would make it impossible for her to protect everyone.

To be blunt, if things turned dire and irreparable, Sakura would prioritize taking Sasuke and retreating.

Anyone could die—but not Sasuke.

"What's with that doubtful look, Sakura?" Kiba, displeased, complained.

Ignoring him, Sakura continued staring at Jiraiya, waiting for an explanation.

Sitting at the head of the table, Jiraiya met her gaze without flinching.

"Last night, there was an unprecedented movement within the Hidden Cloud forces."

"We've also identified their commander—Toudai, once a key advisor to the Third Raikage and revered as one of his closest aides."

"Though not particularly strong in combat, his strategic mind is formidable."

Sakura's face grew graver.

She knew of Toudai—he was the pragmatic figure in the original story who prioritized protecting Naruto's shadow clone even at the cost of others when faced with Madara Uchiha's destructive assault.

He was a man of reason, capable of ruthless decisions.

"The Hidden Cloud forces number around seven thousand, all moving simultaneously."

"I must consider the possibility that they're preparing for an imminent decisive battle."

Sakura frowned, her thoughts heavy.

"I understand."

There was no point in pressing further questions—doing so would only undermine Jiraiya's authority and embarrass him in front of the troops.

Seeing Sakura accept the mission, Jiraiya addressed the four youths before him.

"Sakura will be the captain for this mission."

"Everyone must follow her commands."

"Especially you, Inuzuka."

Jiraiya's sharp gaze fell on Kiba, forcing him to acknowledge the directive respectfully despite his reluctance.

Carrying a heavy heart, Sakura led the three out of the command tent.

As they stood outside, Sasuke, Kiba, and Shino looked to her. Sakura gestured dismissively.

"Prepare your ninja tools and gear. Meet at the camp entrance in ten minutes."

With that, she took the lead and left.

Kiba, watching her retreating pink-haired figure, pouted irritably.

"What's she acting all high and mighty for?"

Sasuke, who had begun walking away, suddenly stopped and turned to Kiba, his tone cold.

"I don't care what you're thinking."

"But if your actions put Sakura in danger—"

"I won't forgive you."

With that, he turned and left.

"Huh?!"

"That guy!" Kiba muttered, annoyed.

Just as he was about to retort, Shino adjusted his sunglasses and spoke calmly.

"Kiba, this is a battlefield, not the village."

"You can't be reckless."

"And why? Because war is cruel."

Kiba pressed his lips together and sighed as his friend walked away.

"Fine, fine. You're all right, okay?"

"I'll behave."

The weather turned gloomy.

At some point, snow had begun to fall. Amidst the endless pine forest, four figures cloaked in white sped through the trees.

Sakura, wrapped in a white cloak to shield herself from the wind and snow, wore protective goggles over her eyes and had pulled the hood over her distinct pink hair to conceal it.

Sasuke, Kiba, and Shino were similarly dressed.

To avoid detection by Hidden Cloud scouts, Sakura had chosen a longer route, skirting the border of the Land of Frost.

Her four years in the ANBU taught her that success came from avoiding mistakes rather than seeking achievements.

One misstep could alert the Hidden Cloud to their exposed logistics base, wasting valuable intelligence and dishonoring the sacrifice of the spy who secured it.

After two days of travel, Sakura's team had reached the Hidden Cloud's sphere of influence.

At this point, any mistake could lead to mission failure.

Extreme caution was imperative.

Glancing back at her companions, Sakura signaled for them to find cover and rest for half an hour.

She herself scouted a vantage point that offered both concealment and a clear view, assuming watch duty.

Along the way, they had encountered several Hidden Cloud shinobi, but Shino's insects, with their wide detection range, had always alerted them in time to avoid engagement.

Sasuke chewed on a piece of hardened rations, his gaze briefly lingering on Sakura before shifting back to his food.

Sakura, staring out at the snow-covered forest, couldn't shake the anxiety that had settled in her heart since their departure.

It was all too coincidental.

She had to prepare for the worst.

The possibility loomed that spies—perhaps even Zetsu—were already embedded in the Leaf camp, and the Akatsuki, ever eager to fan the flames of chaos, had sold their intelligence to the Hidden Cloud.

If true, this war was bound to escalate dramatically.

But this was only speculation—proof was impossible.

Right or wrong would be determined by what lay ahead at their mission's destination.

If Sakura's fears were correct...

Then this war was only just beginning.

The Akatsuki would not squander an opportunity to weaken the Five Great Nations.

Half an hour passed quickly. Sakura led the three in stealthily infiltrating enemy territory.

From this point forward, even the slightest mistake could lead to an ambush.

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