During the mission to Wave, Sakura realises that she has to become a better ninja for her teammates' sake and be someone they can depend on. She vows to take her training seriously, and receives help from the most unlikely of sources; Genma Shiranui. The two form an unlikely bond and stick together through thick and thin, while Sakura improves and meets other people along the way.

Sakura has a powerful kekkei genkai of her own, and the three members of Team Seven are on much more equal footing from the start. They'll need that strength, and that closeness - Konoha's position is precarious, and its enemies are intelligent and powerful. AU.