Chapter 3 – Torture Training with Tsunade
Sakura yawned and rolled over. She cracked a bleary eye to look at the time, and nearly fell out of bed. She was already 5 minutes late! Oh crap! She thought, I bet Tsunade is going to be really mad at me! Its my first day of training and I don't even have time for breakfast or anything! Sakura flipped out of her covers and quickly flung her clothes on, pausing to grab a candy bar to eat on the way. She ran the whole way to Tsunade's office, and arrived only 14 minutes late. She timidly cracked open the door, but Tsunade wasn't in her office. Confused, she walked in and looked around, before - Wham. The air rushed out of Sakura as something suspiciously like a pillow smashed into her chest. "You're late!" Tsunade barked, "You will help me with these documents for two hours and twenty minutes after training today. Next time you're late, it will be 15 minutes compensation for every one minute you miss, and it most certainly will not be paperwork every time. I am sure the janitors will like a break every now and then from scrubbing the toilets."
Sakura inhaled sharply through her nose, she tried to push down her dread and shame. No need to show that to Tsunade.
"Yes, Tsunade-shishou."
"Sakura, first thing I need to mention is your diet, it needs to change if you are going to pull through my training. Blech, Your breath reeks of Snickers. See Shizune before you leave today for your new diet plan. Next, here are several scrolls I want you to learn for next week. This week we will hack out your physical training regimen, which you will practice every day, and after this week, independently. Now lets head to training ground 3."
Tsunade picked up a backpack and strode out of the office, motioning for Shizune to take her seat. Shizune glanced at Sakura, who looked a bit nervous, and smiled at her. No need to warn her, it won't do her any good, she thought grimly to herself. I hope she doesn't pass out or anything, or Tsunade will kill her. She looked down and sighed. She put the empty sake bottle collection in the trash, and started on last week's workload.
Exhausted, Sakura collapsed to the ground when Tsunade told her it was lunch time. She eyed her critically, "You did bring a lunch, didn't you?"
"No Sensei," Sakura gasped.
"Well, next time be prepared, we aren't stopping until 3:00, and then you have paperwork to do." Sakura cringed, how on earth was she supposed to live through this? Tsunade had made her do an exorbitant amount of exercise, beat the crap out of her with taijutsu practice, and drilled her with complicated theoretical questions about missions, politics, and fight scenarios. She closed her eyes and sighed. This is the path I have chosen, I will no longer be weak and helpless.
Tsunade considered the girl before her. She was certainly talented in intelligence, she had good answers for many of Tsunade's questions. However, even if she could work out a plan to win, (say a fight during a mission,) she didn't have the strength or ability to carry out her plan. This is going to take some work, but she has potential. And motivation, yes, her motivation shows strongly in her eyes, there is no doubt about that.
6 hours later
Sakura grimly contemplated her meal; she had fish, beans, a banana and a large slice of bread. She also had a large milkshake. She was exhausted, completely devoid of chakra, starving, and mentally drained. After lunch, Tsunade had tested her in ninjutsu, and seemingly dissatisfied with her skills - immediately taught her a new move and had her practice over and over, with the practice of many more to come. She also assigned her to practices with Kakashi, twice a week, (when he was available) to learn and practice a wide spectrum of jutsus. During her detention-like punishment for being late, she had to hold herself to the ceiling using her chakra-control in her feet - while filling out all Tsunade's paperwork with a clipboard.
"What's wrong with you?"
Sakura's eyes flickered up. "Hey Ino."
Ino peered at Sakura. She had never seen anyone with so little energy. Even when she had seen Kakashi in the hospital, he at least moved. Sakura looked like a potato with eyes. "You need to eat, Forehead. Want some help?"
Sakura rolled her eyes, and ate a bite. She glanced at Ino, she looked a little depressed. She could guess why. "Still mooning over Sasuske, Ino?" Sakura stifled the little spasm of pain his name triggered, she had start quelching these intense feelings if she was going to concentrate on training.
Ino glared at her. "Of course, unlike you, what I had for Sasuske was true love."
"Come to the bathhouse with me Ino, I don't feel like arguing. I can barely think, let alone move."