The Sakura Legend

Konoha Village

"So, let me get this straight," Sakura summarized, processing Sasuke's description. "You only saw some kind of ripple or wave being released from this thing, but then you couldn't perceive whatever was actually emitted after that?"

"That's correct," Sasuke confirmed, his crimson Sharingan still active as he nodded.

They had been discussing the Ōkami Shinju wood sample for quite a while. The Sharingan could detect that something was emanating from the wood, but the emission itself either vanished instantly or was simply beyond the Sharingan's ability to perceive or track.

"What exactly is this stuff?" Sasuke finally asked.

"This?" Sakura casually tossed the small wooden pendant she wore around her neck up and caught it. "Got it during my last mission on Red Shoal Island. Cut it from a strange tree that looked like a torii gate."

"Is there anything special about it?" Sasuke asked, eyeing the pendant.

"Special..." Sakura considered how much to reveal. "Let's just say it seems connected to a curse, but it only affects one specific family on Red Shoal Island. It doesn't harm ordinary people. They asked me to research it and see if I can help them break the curse."

"A curse?" Sasuke frowned thoughtfully. "Then maybe what I saw was the curse's power?"

"Hm?" Sakura paused. That was an interesting thought. Why could the Sharingan perceive something when even the Byakugan couldn't detect any energy signature from the wood? Generally, for pure observation, the Byakugan is superior to the Sharingan... So, maybe the ripples Sasuke saw are related to the curse itself? But proving that seemed impossible. Plus, she was still concerned the cut pieces might lose their potency over time, although Shino had reported his larger sample seemed stable so far.

After a moment, Sakura mentally discarded the idea. "Probably not," she concluded aloud. "The curse itself is hereditary, passed down within that family. This wood seems to act more like an antidote to the curse; what you likely saw was the energy it emits." Though, if it's an antidote, why didn't the Soga clan just carry pieces around with them? That part still doesn't make sense...

"I see," Sasuke mused. "Well, that energy doesn't seem like something we can utilize."

"Yeah, let's put this aside for now," Sakura decided, tucking the pendant back under her shirt. Researching this would require proper experiments, maybe even a dedicated lab. Sasuke's Sharingan, while providing a useful data point, could only offer observations. "Let's continue. Show me what you've learned training under Lord Third." She settled back into a fighting stance, ready to resume their spar.

Ultimately, figuring out the Ōkami Shinju wasn't something she could solve in a day or two. Getting a lab set up would be the first step.

"Hmph. Bring it on," Sasuke replied, eagerness flashing in his eyes as he mirrored her stance.

Truth be told, Sakura's current combat prowess wasn't insignificant. She possessed long-range ninjutsu with her Gale Style lasers and clone, formidable close-combat ability with her chakra-enhanced strength, self-healing via medical ninjutsu, and extended endurance thanks to the Yin Seal. Her overall skill set easily placed her at the Jonin level.

However, she wasn't without weaknesses. Her Gale Style lasers weren't fast enough to guarantee hits against exceptionally speedy opponents. The pain feedback from damage sustained by her Gale Style clone remained an unresolved issue. And she lacked wide-area-of-effect offensive ninjutsu; most of her techniques were geared towards single targets. But Sakura wasn't planning on changing her focus now. She was steadily developing her own unique combat system: using the clone for surprise attacks and support while her main body functioned as both a powerhouse attacker and a combat medic. Against one or even two opponents, she felt absolutely confident.

Which meant, essentially, Sasuke was asking for another beatdown. But Sakura didn't mind prolonging the spar; it was excellent practice for coordinating attacks between her main body and her clone.

"Huff... huff..." Sasuke panted, warily watching Sakura and her Gale Style clone approach him again from different angles.

He'd discovered the clone was even faster than Sakura herself. Ordinary shuriken had no effect on its semi-corporeal form. Even Fire Style seemed largely ineffective—well, not entirely true; powerful jutsu clearly depleted the clone's chakra reserve, causing it to shrink noticeably over the course of the fight. But even diminished in size, its offensive capability didn't seem to lessen much, as long as it wasn't completely destroyed.

Seeing Sakura circle around for a rear attack, Sasuke quickly formed hand seals. With a burst of speed, he vanished using the Body Flicker Technique, escaping the pincer movement.

(Actually, Sakura knew, if the clone loses enough chakra and shrinks, its physical striking force does weaken. It's just that its primary offensive power comes from the properties of Gale Style itself – piercing Raiton and cutting Fūton, and the heat generated – rather than brute strength.)

Seeing Sasuke disappear, Sakura immediately spun and threw a kunai towards her back, predicting his reappearance point based on his usual habits. But the space behind her remained empty.

"Hm? Guessed wrong?" Sakura blinked, surprised.

"Lightning Release: Chidori!"

Sasuke's voice erupted from behind the clone. A crackling mass of blue-white lightning enveloped his hand as he thrust it straight through the clone's form... and kept going. His momentum carried him forward, and unable to stop cleanly after passing through the intangible clone, he stumbled and fell face-first onto the ground, the Chidori dissipating from his hand.

"Trying to take out the clone first, were you, Sasuke?" Sakura chuckled, amused at his clumsy sprawl. "You can't hit my Gale Style clone with physical attacks, remember?"

Executing an agile kip-up, Sasuke sprang back to his feet, his Sharingan blazing. "Fire Style can damage it," he countered, analyzing aloud. "But when I try to touch it physically, its form just destabilizes to avoid contact... If that's the case, then the solution is actually simple."

"Sharp observation," Sakura acknowledged with a smirk. "But will you get another chance to try?"

"Earth Style: Headhunter Jutsu!"

Before Sasuke could react or attempt whatever strategy he'd devised, the ground beneath him liquefied, and he found himself instantly buried up to his neck.

"Hehe, I win," Sakura declared cheerfully, squatting down in front of his trapped head.

"When did you make a clone?! I didn't see you form any seals!" Sasuke demanded indignantly.

"Right when you face-planted after your Chidori," Sakura explained. Making seals unnoticed under the Sharingan's gaze was difficult, but she'd seized the momentary opening while he was down. Her clone had used Earth Style to melt into the ground and waited for the perfect moment to strike.

"Hahaha, not bad at all, Sakura."

A familiar, aged voice drifted over from the edge of the clearing. Sakura looked up to see the Third Hokage approaching, a warm smile on his face. "Lord Third!" she greeted respectfully.

"Excellent work, excellent work. Your skills have improved yet again, Sakura," the Third Hokage praised her, nodding approvingly. He wasn't just referring to new jutsu, Sakura knew, but her ability to integrate her techniques into a cohesive and effective personal fighting style.

"Haha, you praise me too much, Lord Hokage," Sakura replied modestly, though she couldn't help but feel a bit pleased. He must have been watching us for a while, she realized. And I didn't even sense him. Impressive.

The Third Hokage then turned his attention to Sasuke's head sticking out of the ground. "Sasuke," he said kindly, "you also performed well. Learn from this experience, learn from defeat. One day, you will surpass Sakura."

Hey, I'm still right here, you know! Sakura complained silently, imagining herself making a grumpy face. (ー`´ー)

"Yes, Master," Sasuke mumbled, clearly still frustrated by the loss.

"Is there something you need, Lord Third?" Sakura asked.

"Mm, yes, there is. The Fifth Hokage is summoning both of you," the Third Hokage informed them.

"Lady Tsunade sent for us? Why did you come to get us?" Sakura asked, surprised.

"Haha," the Third Hokage laughed heartily. "Well, I wasn't particularly busy. And an old man needs to get his steps in, you know. Good for the health!"

"Uh, right. Okay, we understand," Sakura replied, slightly speechless at the former Hokage's playful, almost mischievous demeanor. He really seems like a carefree old rascal now.

Looking at him, though, Sakura felt a sense of warmth. Perhaps now, finally relieved of the immense burden of leading the village, free from constant thoughts of external threats and internal politics, the Third Hokage could truly rest. His only remaining 'duty' was to guide his final student, Sasuke. After dedicating his entire life to Konoha... this peaceful retirement seemed well-deserved. Yeah, Sakura thought, this suits him.