It's better to be a rebel ninja than to be a Hokage

Chapter 24 3 years

Time flies, time flies like an arrow.

It’s July, the Lesser Heat season again.

The temperature starts to rise, indicating that the summer season is starting to get hot.

But the temperature of Lesser Heat has not yet reached the hottest time of summer. Occasionally, there is still a cool breeze blowing across the face, soothing the restless hearts of those under the sun.

In the center of Konoha, in front of the Hokage's office.

Haruno Sakura seized the gap in the clear blue sky where the thick white clouds blocked the sun, and looked up at the rock wall not far behind the Hokage's office.

There are one more head sculptures of successive Hokage on the rock wall than the four head sculptures of Haruno Sakura when she was a child.

Tsunade, the fifth Hokage, princess of the Senju clan, one of the three legendary ninjas of Konoha, and famous in the ninja world for her powerful medical ninjutsu.

Tsunade's head sculpture is carved next to the fourth generation Hokage Minato Namikaze who died young, becoming the new "Kage" guarding Konoha.

It has been nearly three years since Tsunade succeeded to the throne of the fifth Hokage.

Three years ago, Konoha was severely damaged, and even the third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen died in that crisis.

It was under such circumstances that Tsunade was given the task of resisting the undercurrents that were coveting Konoha, and together with Lord Jiraiya, who was also one of the Three Ninjas, she helped Konoha get through that critical moment.

Today, Konoha has regained its former strength, and the people of Konoha are once again bathed in the glory of peace.

During these three years, as a disciple of the fifth Hokage Tsunade, Haruno Sakura also began to inherit her master's mantle and grew rapidly as a ninja.

It's not just her strength. Sakura Haruno, who is now fifteen or sixteen years old, has gradually shed her childish shyness and grown into a graceful young lady.

She wore a red sleeveless coat, light-colored elbow guards, and black leather gloves on her hands.

Under the hem of the equally light-colored buckled miniskirt were black tight sports shorts and a pair of light gray open-toed boots that covered her entire calves.

A black ninja bag is tied to the outside of the right thigh of the tight shorts, and a circle of white bandage is wrapped under the ninja bag to prevent the discomfort caused by the ninja bag rubbing against the thigh during strenuous exercise.

The most obvious difference between Haruno Sakura and three years ago is that her long hair is no longer the same as before, but now she has short pink hair.

Sakura Haruno put on the Konoha forehead guard with a red strap on her head, revealing her fair forehead.

Although this kind of makeup reduces Haruno Sakura's girlish fragility, it also enhances her perseverance and youthful vitality.

"Every time you come to the Hokage's office you always stop and look up at the Hokage Rock - are you so eager to have your face carved on it?"

While Haruno Sakura was staring at the Hokage Rock in a daze, the voice of a girl who was very familiar to Haruno Sakura sounded behind her in a teasing tone.

"I don't have that ability right now, Ino."

In response to the good-natured teasing in her friend's words, Haruno Sakura simply shook her head.

Haruno Sakura turned her head and looked at the girl behind her who was about the same height as her and had long light golden hair and a smile on her face.

Yamanaka Ino had become a graceful figure, with a long straight light golden ponytail extending to her waist, and long bangs on the right side of her face covering half of her face.

This girl, who has been close friends with Haruno Sakura since childhood, has a dressing style that is exactly the opposite of Haruno Sakura's.

She prefers to show others her feminine side through her clothing.

Yamanaka Ino was wearing a dark purple sleeveless crop top, and the elbow guards on both hands were black fishnet armor, which combined protection and beauty.

Under the same purple midi skirt, one can see a bandage tied around her bare right thigh, just like Sakura's. On the bandage is a ninja tool bag that is faintly visible as the purple midi skirt sways.

Yamanaka Ino was wearing black open-toed short shoes, and her knees had black fishnet armor similar to the one on her elbows.

"You will definitely become Hokage in the future. You are not only Tsunade-sama's disciple, but Jiraiya-sama will also teach you the ways of ninja from time to time. The two of the legendary three ninjas are very fond of you."

Despite her friend Haruno Sakura's lack of confidence in herself, Yamanaka Ino sincerely believes from the bottom of her heart that her friend will become the new Hokage of Konoha in the future.

"Although the title of 'First Female Hokage' was taken away by Lady Tsunade, 'Second Female Hokage' is still very famous."

The two girls who were close to each other were chatting, and Yamanaka Ino had already put her arm around Haruno Sakura's shoulders, not hiding her envy of Haruno Sakura's dream: "It's great that Sakura has such a great dream... I just want to inherit my family's flower shop in the future, which shouldn't even be considered a dream."

"I think this is also a dream. Ino has loved flowers since she was a child. Isn't it great that she wants to inherit the flower shop?"

"Hmm...you're so sweet. I like Sakura, too!"

As she spoke, Ino reached out her other hand and rubbed Sakura's face.

It was also at this time that Sakura noticed the lunch box wrapped in a tablecloth in Ino's hand.

"convenient?"

"This? This is Shikamaru's lunch. Originally, Choji was supposed to deliver it, but Choji was called away by his father on the way, so I helped deliver it."

After hearing Ino's explanation, Sakura just nodded as usual.

The ninja clans that the three members of Team 10 belong to have a very good cooperative relationship. The clan leaders of all generations have inherited the combined title of "Ino, Shika and Chou". "Ino, Shika and Chou" is Konoha's most solid friend and comrade-in-arms, recognized even by the Hokage.

The three members of Class 10 will also take over the title of "Pig, Deer and Butterfly" from their fathers in the future.

It is not strange to deliver lunch to Shikamaru. As for why Shikamaru needs Choji or Ino to help deliver lunch——

——Shikamaru, who was promoted to Chunin in his second Chunin Exam two years ago, has a fixed task every year appointed by the Fifth Hokage to be in charge of all matters related to the Chunin Exam.

The day of the Chunin Exams is approaching, and Shikamaru is so busy that he has no time to go home for dinner.

Usually for lunch, whoever is free, Choji or Ino, will help deliver the food to Shikamaru.

By the way, Sakura, Ino and Choji are now Chunin.

Because Shikamaru became a Chunin a year earlier than the other two members of Team 10, Sakura took Shikamaru's place in the Chunin Exam with Team 10 and was successfully promoted.

“It’s July again.”

After Ino's reminder, Sakura's thoughts couldn't help but drift away.

Everything changed starting with the Chunin Exam in July...

Sakura's mood became visibly depressed.

"Let's go, let's go see Shikamaru together. That guy has been complaining behind Tsunade's back recently that Lady Tsunade always dumps troubles on him. As Lady Tsunade's disciple, you should naturally protect the image of your master!"

The perceptive Ino also noticed Sakura's emotions.

Before Sakura fell into excessive sorrow, Ino hurriedly grabbed Sakura's hand, interrupting her thoughts on the past.

Force Sakura to come out of her sadness.

How could Sakura not see what Ino was thinking? She smiled at Ino obediently, but she also understood that she should not let her emotions affect her best friend.

"Come to think of it, this time the Chunin Exam will be held at Konoha's home ground, right?"

Sakura also took the initiative to talk to Ino about this month's Chunin Exam.

Last year, Sakura, Ino, and Choji participated in the joint Chunin Exam, which was hosted by the Sand Village in the Land of Wind.

As per convention, Konoha will once again host the Joint Chunin Exam this year.

"That's right, that's why Shikamaru found it troublesome. This time, he is not only responsible for the new written test rules, but also has to think about how to distinguish the actual combat exercises from the previous two exams, in order to prevent candidates who have participated in the Chunin Exam multiple times from taking advantage of the loopholes in the exam to cheat."

Just by listening to Ino's general explanation, Sakura felt that the matters concerning the Chunin Exam were cumbersome.

Given Shikamaru's personality, it's only natural that he would complain about being bothered.

"Speaking of which, let me tell you a secret."

Ino suddenly came close to Sakura, looked around, and seemed a little mysterious.

"secret?"

Sakura was frightened by Ino's display.

"Mr. Asuma came to my flower shop to buy roses some time ago."

"Eh?!"

Sakura immediately became interested in the secret that Ino told her. Her tone was filled with excitement. "So the rumor is true? Asuma-sensei and Kurenai-sensei..."

"Yeah, I tried to test Asuma-sensei. Although Asuma-sensei didn't say it explicitly, his blushing face couldn't hide anything at all!"

"Oh~"

Adolescent girls are like this, their emotions are as changeable as the weather, and just some extremely small things can give them endless topics to talk about.

Such a youthful atmosphere...

...It was like hell for Nara Shikamaru.

"I thought it was Choji who brought me food."

Shikamaru had been busy for most of the day at the Chunin Selection Examination Committee and felt that the only thing to be thankful for today was that he could have lunch on time during the break.

He took the lunch box from Ino and looked at Ino and Sakura who were excitedly whispering about something.

Shikamaru wisely chose to stay away from the two guys to avoid accidentally hearing something he didn't want to hear.

Nara Shikamaru still had that black pineapple hair style, but as a Chunin, he was aware of his responsibilities even though he complained constantly.

Unlike Ino and Sakura who were wearing casual clothes.

Shikamaru put on Konoha's Chunin ninja vest very seriously, and the forehead protector representing his identity as a Konoha ninja was also sewed by Shikamaru on the side arm of the black tight long sleeves under the vest.

Shikamaru's confusion about Ino bringing him food went unanswered.

Although they said they came to visit Shikamaru, the two girls had obviously forgotten about the person in question.

Sure enough, women of different ages have their own troubles.

What a hassle...

As he thought this, Shikamaru thought of his troublesome mother at home and the even more troublesome Fifth Hokage.

"Oh, isn't this Yamanaka and Haruno?"

As Shikamaru was preparing to eat quietly alone, a young man dressed in black, wearing a black hat with ear covers and purple lacquer patterns around his eyes and mouth walked out of the committee office.

This young boy is not a ninja from Konoha. The Sand Ninja forehead protector on his hat shows his identity as a Sand Ninja.

"It's you, Kankuro, who will be in charge of connecting with the Chunin Exams on the Sand Village side this time."

Sakura also nodded slightly as a greeting to Kankuro.

"Yeah, then I won't bother you anymore. I'm also just about to take a break."

Kankuro just happened to say hello to everyone and had no intention of stopping to chat. He was probably planning to find a quiet place to eat and rest alone.

Regarding the child of the Fourth Kazekage who once participated in Konoha's destruction plan, although Konoha and Sunagakure finally formed an alliance again, Kankuro and the Konoha ninjas consciously abided by the necessary taboos.

After the Konoha destruction plan, whenever Konoha and Sunagakure had a joint mission - such as the joint Chunin Exam, Kankuro was assigned by Sunagakure to be the person in charge.

This is actually a gesture of goodwill from Sunagakure to Konoha, indicating that something like the Konoha destruction plan will never happen again in Sunagakure.

Kankuro, the child of the Fourth Kazekage and the younger brother of the Fifth Kazekage, is, to some extent, a "hostage" that the Sand Village voluntarily handed over to Konoha.

This is all the information Sakura got from her master.

Although peace has been restored in Konoha, the plan to destroy Konoha three years ago is still affecting Konoha and Sunagakure in various ways.

"Sakura, this is not something you should be thinking about right now."

Shikamaru was paying attention to Sakura's reaction when Kankuro appeared. His way of comforting Sakura was different from Ino's, more rational, and he didn't care too much whether Sakura could listen to him: "Thinking too much will only make you breathless."

"If you really become Hokage in the future, you will only become a Hokage who controls the real power like the Fifth Hokage - the situation of Konoha and Sunagakure is different, and you are also different from the Fifth Kazekage Temari who is now controlled by the Sunagakure Advisory Group."

"The talent gap in Sand Village is the most serious among the five great nations. The reason why the Fifth Kazekage was able to become Kazekage is simply because she is the only one in Sand Village who can make the Jinchūriki obey her—"

"Hey! Shikamaru!"

Ino hurriedly interrupted Shikamaru's increasingly profound words.

Shikamaru also realized that he had not stopped talking too much.

Ino and Shikamaru both subconsciously looked at Sakura.

"I see. Thank you, Shikamaru."

Sakura just smiled softly and accepted Shikamaru's persuasion.

Sakura's answer seemed to resolve the "crisis" quietly.

But the three of them fell silent at the same time.

--until--

——"What a coincidence, Sakura is here too."

The voice of Hatake Kakashi came to the ears of the three people.

"Kakashi-sensei?"

Sakura called out Kakashi's name first, and looking at the silver-haired man who suddenly appeared in front of her, Sakura was also a little confused.

"Chouji, why are you with Kakashi-sensei?"

Just as confused as Sakura was Choji Akimichi who saw him coming with Kakashi.

Shikamaru is plumper than when he was a child. He now has long brown hair that looks like spikes, and wears a red armor with the word "food" written on the chest guard.

"There is a mission."

Kakashi replied.

"Haruno Sakura, Yamanaka Ino, and Akimichi Chouji, the three of you will be immediately assigned to Kakashi's team and begin your mission."

……

"Task?"

Inside the dark stone room.

The red-eyed boy looked at the red-haired girl kneeling in front of him.

"Yes, Lord Orochimaru said he has a mission for you, Lord Sasuke."

As the only female among the Four Sound Ninjas, Tayuya answered the boy's questions with a very respectful attitude.

"Ah."

Uchiha Sasuke snorted and retracted the Kusanagi sword in his hand.

He didn't reply and just walked past Tayuya.