Disclaimer: Naruto and its characters belong to Masashi Kishimoto.
To all who have constructively reviewed...thank you! Your encouraging words motivated me to continue. I took a short break to post an unexpected second chapter to "First Kiss," but I'm back now. After seeing "Boruto: The Naruto Movie," I've corrected a few inconsistencies in prior chapters. It hasn't changed the plot, but I added the names of Konohamaru (Sarada and Boruto's Jōnin Sensei) and Mitsuki (their third teammate). I also revised Boruto's shadow clone ability to be on par with what he is capable of.
And now for Chapter 10...
Konohamaru presents a scroll. "For you, from the Seventh," he says to Sasuke and Sakura. "I'll handle my team from here."
Bhanti reads into his meaning and gestures for the genin and Konhamaru to follow him over to the garden so the two can be alone.
"Come. It's time we nourish ourselves," he says. He walks them across the courtyard, past the bodhi trees. When he reaches the threshold, he picks up a basket and begins to wander in.
The grounds are filled to the brim with a wide, colorful assortment of different fruits and vegetables. With a bright smile, he plucks a few ripe favorites from the plants and invites them to do the same. "Find something you like and we'll head over to the outdoor tables and enjoy them once your comrades leave."
Boruto wastes no time. The strawberries in front of him catch his eye and he heads straight over in their direction. Mitsuki and Konohamaru soon follow. The cantaloupes look delicious but Sarada decides to veer left and meander down a different row.
She stops halfway, admiring the produce, and plucks a pair of beautiful, luscious tomatoes from the vine. They remind her of the special ones she bought at the Marketplace for Father's Day. Sun ripened, they are exquisite specimens. With certainty, she knows her father would envy these. Bhanti makes his way over, delighted with her enthusiasm.
"Have you found something good?" he asks.
Sarada nods as she smiles.
"What made you select those?" he inquires.
"We don't usually have this variety in Konoha," she states. "Only on special occasions can we get them at the Marketplace, and to top it off, they're quite expensive."
There's a hint of surprise in Bhanti's eyes, followed by a subtle grin.
"They seem to do quite well here," Sarada notes. "May I share one with my Dad?"
"Of course. Take as many as you'd like."
She bends to pick another, just as ripe and round as the first two, content with her find.
"Are tomatoes your favorite?" he asks as they continue walking.
"They're good," she admits, "but no one likes them more than my father, and I suppose in a way, he's the reason I like them."
He chuckles. "Interesting."
"What's interesting?" she wonders aloud.
"My good friend Crow once said something similar and I often saw him coming over to the garden to collect some from the vines he planted here." To her surprise he indicates it's in the very area she's standing in.
"Sometimes I'd catch him eating one too."
She looks puzzled. "Really? Why would he do something like that?"
Bhanti looks thoughtful before he continues.
"Apparently they reminded him of someone, and somehow, I think eating them helped spark good memories for him. I know he lost his family at a young age so it was important for him to hold onto what little pleasant memories he had, and cherish them."
"Hm," is all she says.
"Funny you should mention you've seen these in Konoha," he adds. "Another fellow monk, Ananda, often takes the first harvest to a temple in your village as an offering for the altar. Crow had humbly asked if he would consider this the first year he planted some seeds and came for the harvest. It's a wonderful way to share, so Ananda readily agreed. Since then, he's continued this practice even though Crow hasn't returned. The remaining ones he travels with often go to Ananda's brother, a market vendor.
The coincidence is not lost on Sarada. "Wow, we live in such a small world!" she exclaims.
"Indeed," Bhanti agrees.
Silent contemplation rests between them until Bhanti speaks again.
"I'm glad we met Sarada. Your team and your family are wonderful people."
"Thanks," she says in earnest.
"It was particularly refreshing to witness a father-daughter bond like yours blossom before us."
Sarada stills. What bond had he noticed? Did it really blossom?
"One of the six paramitas (or perfections) in Buddhism is Dana, or giving, and it's nice to see you practice that with your father by gifting him the tomatoes."
His look softens as he continues. "Your father has always been very willing to give his life to protect us all. It must be hard for him to leave so often. How nice of you to show your appreciation."
Sarada's only ever thought about what life has been like for her. The shed and unshed tears have surmounted in a lot of misery. Yet through it all she's never really thought to consider what things were like for him. Bhanti's given her some food for thought. She places the last tomato in her pouch and decides to head over to see her parents after she reconvenes with her team.
In the meantime, the elder Uchihas waste no time and move to a private, secluded area of the courtyard. They carefully read over the missive and absorb the gravity of situation. Instructions are clear. They need to make sure no White Zetsu live within the bodies of the hundreds of Shin clones housed at the orphanage Kabuto runs. Their investigation is crucial to keeping the Village safe.
Sakura wonders, would Shin or Orochimaru intertwine the White Zetsu within all the clones? And if so, why? Shin and the snake Sannin's intentions were never noble or altruistic, that's for sure. They'll need to work quickly if a threat is emerging. Duty calls and they must do everything they can to protect the Village.
It's now established, Bhanti is a target, and that Intel is right, he easily has the ability to hide and 'disappear' if needed.
To their dismay, it looks like the kidnapping and attempt on Sarada's life verifies that she is one too. How they are related just isn't quite clear.
It's unsettling, but this is the second attempt by Shin Clones to take their daughter. The confrontation at the Gates several months back, being the first. They were able to protect her and her friend (Chōchō) back then, stop Shin, and find a new home for the clones. At the time, they believed the threat was neutralized, but perhaps Shin's plan involved more than amassing a Clone army, or maybe things were greater than Shin himself.
Compassionate Naruto decided to work on re-integrating the Shin clones into society by bringing them to the orphanage and educating them. The Seventh Hokage stood by his belief that there was good in everyone and that redemption was possible, but Sasuke wonders was that a mistake? Are they now a danger to Bhanti and Sarada?
There's no doubt he'd like Sarada to remain unaware of the true nature of this Mission and what it could potentially mean. He'll work doubly hard to shield her from the ugly world of unethical, unthinkable things that go on in the shinobi underworld. The kill was enough to alter her innocence and that's already been plenty.
With newfound determination, Sasuke and Sakura run through several strategies to accomplish what they hope, bearing in mind it's important not to overlook anything.
Once plans are solidified and they're preparing to go, a bittersweet feeling suddenly washes over Sasuke. He will be leaving his little girl just after her first kill. The madness of his chaotic shinobi life surrounds him again, and, as usual, there is no peace. It hurts. Sarada holds a special place in his heart, but he wonders will their relationship crumble every time he goes? Ill feelings with his own brother led him down a dark and sinister path. Will her anguish cause her to resent him? And if so, what will that do? Silently he keeps hope alive that Sarada and he will eventually have a bond she is proud of. For now, nothing more can be done, but he will keep working at being the father she deserves.
Sakura catches a flash of regret lingering in his gaze.
"Sasuke," she says as she squeezes his hand. "We'll be back," she assures.
He watches Sarada approach after speaking with Bhanti and takes a brief second to ensure his emotional mask is in place before the confrontation. Sakura wishes him luck then leaves to fill in Konohamaru with the latest details. There, he stands alone, bracing himself for an ill-fated, difficult good-bye. His stoic face gives away nothing but the inward dread he feels is suffocating.
He's spared from initiating the conversation since Sarada speaks first.
"Thank you for protecting the Village and me, Papa" she says with sincerity. Time stops for the moment. His face is neutral but he is speechless. He waits, but the emotional confrontation he has prepared for never comes. Sarada? he dares to hope. Is she beginning to understand?
"My sentiments exactly," Bhanti says as he walks over and joins them. "I will never forget the help you provided and will always be indebted to you. I hope our paths meet again," he adds as an invitation back. "You are an important Shinobi friend."
Sasuke only nods. Words continue to fail him. Things are unfolding much differently than he had anticipated, and for once, in a good way.
Hope sparks and a stray thought comes and goes. Before him stands his young Uchiha heir with Bhanti. These two have opened his eyes to new things not yet felt or experienced in his lifetime, even during his search abroad for redemption. Feelings stir, and for a fleeting second, happiness rests comfortably between them.
"Papa, before you go, I want to give you something," she says.
Shyly she pulls two, perfect, bright red tomatoes from her pouch and presents them to him. "Here."
He watches as she holds out the pair: perfectly shaped, deliciously ripe, and sun-kissed. She gingerly places them in his hand as he accepts her thoughtful gift.
"It's from Bhanti's garden, from a tomato patch originally started by his friend Crow," she adds. "Bhanti said I could share them with you."
Crow? he wonders with surprise, as Bhanti stands back and smiles.
He's still at a bit of a loss at what to say, so he says the only thing that comes to mind, "thank you."
She smiles, ready now to let him go. "Don't worry about me," she says. "You've got to go and we have new Missions to complete now."
She leans forward to give him a hug and he returns it. Crouching down, he lightly pokes her forehead and makes one final request: "Stay safe."
As they see Boruto cautiously approaching, they slowly stand apart. The time has come for him to go.
The young Uzumaki knows this is their private good-bye, and these things are never easy, so he focuses his effort in trying to assure Sasuke that Sarada is in good hands.
"I promise to do my best to protect her Uchiha-san," he says, hoping he finds some comfort in his words. Boruto's been awed by the stories about Sasuke's raw power and incredible abilities. Meeting him only fuels the fire of his hero worship. He knows what an awesome protector Sasuke is and sets his mind to get stronger and be better able to shield Sarada from danger in future encounters with all of his being. Boruto may not be the best of the best, but he won't let her down again if he can help it.
"Hn," Sasuke replies, but Boruto's newfound determination helps him to see a little of his protective spirit in the young blond.
Sakura in the meantime makes her way over and pulls Sarada aside. "He may not always say it, but he loves you, you know." Those words would have been empty a year ago, but she warms at the sentiments now.
It was hard to understand why her father was always gone, but this mission has allowed her to discover what it means to be a Leaf Shinobi and protect the Village. She's also caught a glimpse of a wonderful part of her father she hadn't realized existed.
"Yes, I know Mama."
"I love you Sarada," Sakura says tenderly. "Best of luck on your Mission."
"Thanks. I love you too."
As they depart, Sasuke glances back one more time at his daughter as she waves farewell to them. He will help Naruto in his quest to protect the Village from threats but won't take too long. It's important for him to live life with his family and perhaps discover more from Bhanti too.
Author's note:
Thanksgiving is coming up in a few days, and I thought I'd share a (long awaited) breakthrough chapter on Sarada's understanding of her father and his role as a Shinobi of the Leaf. I'd love to know what you've thought of this chapter, your favorite one, or even your non-favorite one and why it did or did not work. This story has allowed me to experiment with lots of different things and it's always nice to get feedback on successes and/or pitfalls to make things better. Your reviews have been the precious reason I've continued to write, so a BIG thank you to all those who've encouraged me. You're the best! To those who live in the US: I hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving! May the holiday bring your family together in person, and if not, at least in spirit.