I updated a new chapter and I'm still going to finish typing the story. Some parts of the story is based on anime/manga. I do not own Naruto.
CHAPTER 7: BRAND NEW DAY
2 years later after Sakura and her parents return back to the village hidden in the leaf, things have changed as time passes; the trees, the grasses, and the flowers that bloomed over the spring fields as well as the people around the community, and of course Sakura. She's grown quite well from a 6-year old to an 8-year old. Everything that was going on in her life was okay, though she kept dreaming about her best friend every night. Every other day, she always watch the sunset going down as she kept remembering her time spent with him when her memories come flooding in her mind. Sakura wondered if he still remember the promise they made and always keep their friendship bracelets on. She was concerned about him, no matter how many times she touches her bracelet whenever her emotions were mixed. There was some good memories and tough ones that always remain their bond strong and nobody will ever break that. Never.
Today was Sakura's orientation where she will be entering the Academy to become a ninja on her own and more importantly, make new friends but sadly, she never did. All the kids still doesn't like her the way she is because of her personality and actions towards others. She stills gets bad attention and the way she was treated by them, which upsets her terribly.
"Oh look, it's the pink-haired freak again," the black-haired boy said, pointing at her as the kids began laughing at her.
Sakura just ignored them and walked away, feeling offended. She focused on the 3rd Hokage speaking and ignore the taunts from others.
"From this day forward, you will all be studying and learning different types of techniques, combat-in-combat, and most of all... finding your own unique talents."
"Unique talent? I wonder..." Sakura thought curiously.
"It means to find your own gift and what lies within you since you were born," her inner self explained.
"Oh, okay," Sakura understood and continued paying attention back to the Hokage.
"All students will received essential knowledge, such as reading, writing, mathematics, science, geography, etc. You will be instructed on the basics of trap-setting as well as how to strengthen your minds and bodies. You will also be learning about chakra and how to use it, hand seals, and the basic levels of; taijutsu, ninjutsu, genjutsu, and clone technique. This is for making yourself stronger by carrying the 'Will of Fire.'"
"Lord Hokage, what is a 'Will of Fire?'" Asked the boy with blue eyes.
"That is an excellent question. I'm glad you'd asked. You see... the 'Will of Fire' states that every true leaf shinobi must love, believe, cherish, and fight for the village's sake. This is what gives Konohagakure shinobi the strength to continue fighting against all odds, building willpower and strength of character. It is also symbolic of the hopes and dreams of the previous generation being passed down to the next. Hopefully, you will learn all this sometime in the future. So, wish the best of luck to you," the Hokage finished speaking as everyone nodded in understanding.
Sakura, on the other hand, was a bit curious about what the Hokage explained the "Will of Fire" to them. She still wanted to know the rest of it, but it will take more time to know everything because she's young to learn all of that stuff.
One hour later, she began to throw and wield shuriken and kunai through the target practice and the others as well. She also learned how to control her chakra perfectly, which made herself feel proud and surprised everyone, including Iruka-sensei. She never thought of her classmates become amazed by her intelligence and a fast learner. It just happened. Several days of training in the Academy, she became friends with Ino Yamanaka after she was frequently bullied by others due to her large forehead, and used her bangs to hide it. Ino helped Sakura by giving her a red ribbon to over come her insecurity.
4 years later, the two became inseparable friends and a 12-year old Sakura started to become more bold and self-confident. As a student, Sakura was an honor student and even the next day, her scholastic intelligence is hardly rivaled by most of her peers. Despite her genuine appreciations for Ino's friendship, Sakura felt that she was living in Ino's shadow and longed to prove herself as Ino's equal when she found out that Ino also had a crush on Sasuke Uchiha. Due to the end of their friendship, they would compete for Sasuke's love, and begin a bitter love rivalry between the two.
Three days later, Sakura met Naruto Uzumaki, who is the same as Gaara due to the facts that he's a nine-tails' jinchuriki that everyone in the leaf village fear. The two spent their time together at the Academy everyday and eventually became friends as Naruto was developing to have a crush on her.
After they all graduated from the Academy, Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke were assigned into Team 7 under the leadership of Kakashi Hatake.
"Well, let's begin with introducing yourselves," he said, leaning against the deck railing.
"What do you want to know?" Sasuke asked.
"How about your likes and dislikes... Your dreams for the future and things like that," Kakashi said, gesturing his hands up lazily.
"Hey hey, why don't you introduce yourself to us first?" Naruto said.
"You look kinda suspicious," said Sakura as she raised her eyebrows.
"Oh, me...? Well, my name is Kakashi Hatake... and I have no desire to tell you my likes and dislikes," he said in a bored tone and continue, "dreams for the future... hmm... and I have lots of hobbies."
"So.. all he told us... is his name?" Sakura questioned.
"Now, it's your turn. Let's start on the right," Kakashi said tiredly.
"Yosh! My name is Naruto Uzumaki. What I like is an instant cup ramen. What I like even more is when Iruka-sensei pays for my ramen. What I dislike is waiting for 3 minutes for the ramen to cook... and my dream..."he paused for a moment.
"Does he only think about ramen?" Kakashi thought.
Naruto continued. "Is to become a Hokage, so that everyone can stop disrespecting me of this village and acknowledge my existence," he finished speaking with enthusiasm.
"Naruto..." Sakura was surprised at her best friend. She couldn't even blink for a second. She doesn't know whether she should feel amazed or feel touched by his dream for the future, which can indicate the higher chances of possibility for him to become like one.
Kakashi was literally stunned by his words and thought."He's grown in an interesting way." Then he asks. "Hobbies?"
"Pranks. I guess," Naruto answered shortly.
"I see... next," Kakashi slowly ruffled his hair with boredom.
"My name is Sasuke Uchiha. I hate a lot of things and I don't particularly like anything. What I have is not dream... because I will make it into a reality. I'm going to restore my clan... and destroy a certain someone," he said in a dead serious way with murderous intent glare in his eyes.
"He's so cool," Sakura thought, still blushing.
"He better not mean me," Naruto thought, feeling a bit frightened.
"Just as I thought," Kakashi said in mind and sighed. "Okay, and lastly the girl."
"My name is Sakura Haruno. The thing I like is... Well the person I like is... and umm... My dream for the future... uhm...? Oh yeah!" She squealed in delight as she kept looking at Sasuke adoringly and continued. "What I dislike is... Naruto." She joked as she tried not to laugh when he cried in anime tears.
"Girls of this age are more interested in love than ninjutsu," Kakashi thought, knitting his eyebrows with a dull expression.
"Ok! So far the introductions. Tomorrow we'll start our duties as shinobi," Kakashi said.
"Yeah! What kinds of duties!? Duties! Duties!" Naruto asked excitedly.
"First, we are going to do something with just the four of us."
"What is it? What is it?" Naruto wanted to know what they're all going to for tomorrow. He was just excited to do something challenging.
"Survival training," Kakashi answered, still crossing both of his arms.
"Survival training?" Naruto questioned, puzzled for a moment.
"Why is our first duty a training? We've had enough training at the Academy," Sakura pointed out clearly for him to understand that they have the potential to take dangerous missions.
"This isn't a normal training... This time, I'm your opponent," Kakashi said, but the three have no clue yet.
"Then! Then! What is it?" Naruto asked eagerly, staring blankly at him, chuckling mysteriously.
"What's so funny, sensei?" Sakura asked, not liking the way he has something in mind.
"Uhm... well... It's just that... When I tell you this, you guys are totally going to freak out," Kakashi said.
"Freak out? Ha!" Naruto was confident, but he doesn't know what was going to freak them out.
"Of the 27 graduates, only 9 will be chosen to become a genin and the rest will be back to the Academy. This training is a very difficult exam with a failure rate of over 66%," Kakashi explained while smirking beneath his mask.
Naruto went flabbergasted. Sakura became unhappy about it and Sasuke just remained silent.
"Haha! I told you, you'd freak out," Kakashi shrugged.
"What? No way! But we worked so hard... then what was the point of graduating," Naruto whined.
"Oh... That? That was just to select those who have the change to become genin," he explained.
"Uhh... What?!" Naruto and Sakura exclaimed, except Sasuke.
"Anyway, tomorrow you have to show your real skills on the training ground. Bring all the shinobi tools you have... Oh, and skip breakfast or else you'll might throw up," Kakashi reminded them as Naruto's insides were shaking in anticipation.
"I can't fail here. I'll have to show Kakashi-sensei all I've got and make him recognize my strength!" He told himself hopefully.
"The details are on this paper and don't be late tomorrow," Kakashi told them.
"Might throw up?! Is it that tough?!" Sakura asked, but as soon as the papers were passed on to them. She told herself in mind. "If I fail this... I'll be separated from Sasuke. This is a test of love!"
"You still haven't learned..." said another voice in her mind, which wasn't her inner. But someone else.
"Huh?! What do you mean?" She asked, however, there was no answer. "Hm... Who spoke just now?"
"Eh... I can do this. It's easy," Naruto just shrugged off and began to head somewhere while the others went on to separate ways.
