AN: Note that I do not own Naruto, Naruto Shippuden, or any of the characters from either Anime. This work is a fanfiction written out of my love for the series and not in any attempt to make a profit.
Proofread by: Author
So, I'm not certain how many of you fanfiction readers are aware, but there's apparently an attempt to pull people away from and invite them over to a more user-friendly and modern website under the domain.
I don't know about you all, but I am skeptical, yet intrigued by this attempt, and have made an account there, intending to import this story to the site. Don't worry, I will primarily be uploading it here, but the story will also become available on this other site. I hope to reach a wider audience this way and believe you all deserve to be made aware of this. Anyway, here's the next chapter.
Chapter 108: Back to base, a taste of home
The return to Konohagakure wasn't anything grand, although the two Chunin at the gates did hold them up as they made sure Sakura was who she claimed to be since she hadn't checked out with the rest of them when they left.
"She was kidnapped, and the Hokage is awaiting her return, so you better let us through." Tsunade had eventually told them and led Sakura through the gates before they could protest. Sakura felt like she could die from embarrassment.
"You didn't have to tell them I got kidnapped." She complained, but Tsunade didn't care about her wounded pride, leaving her pouting.
"Hey, you escaped, right? That's cool, enough for people to forget you got kidnapped, while not even awake!" Naruto pointed out, trying to cheer Sakura up.
Sighing before smiling in appreciation of Naruto's attempt, Sakura decided she could live with that. "Yeah, sure. So, we report to the Hokage and then go to the Hospital, right?" Sakura asked, only for Tsunade to shake her head.
"Screw that. We're going to the hospital right away. No reason to wait." Tsunade told them with a smirk, before setting course for the Hospital, surprising Sakura, Heikō, Naruto, and Jiraiya, while Shizune just chuckled in understanding. This then prompted Naruto and Sakura to smile at Tsunade's thoughtfulness, while Jiraiya just shook his head, knowing he'd be outnumbered if he tried to protest. A few more hours of waiting to give up his seat wouldn't hurt Hiruzen.
Seeing Tsunade bully her way through the medical staff with her reputation alone was a thing of beauty to behold for Sakura and Heikō, showing them just how much respect and recognition a Kunoichi could get.
Sakura was certain that they had broken a lot of protocols and rules concerning patients by forcing their way to Kakashi's and Sasuke's rooms the way they had, but Tsunade assured her that it would be fine.
Once Tsunade had taken just one look at Kakashi, he had shooed everyone but Shizune out, leaving Sakura, Naruto, and Jiraiya to wait in the hallway.
It wasn't long before they were joined by Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, escorted by Danzo and an ANBU wearing some kind of bird mask Sakura and Heikō couldn't identify.
"So it's true? You managed to find not only Tsunade but our wayward heir of the Haruno clan as well?" Hiruzen asked, looking happy at the obvious answer he had already reached.
"Yes, we were in luck and managed to run into Sakura in Tanzaku-gai where we found Tsunade. She's actually the one who managed to convince Tsunade to return in the end." Jiraiya explained while Sakura did her best to act naturally in front of Danzo, resisting the urge to glare at him or avoid looking at him at all. Although, focusing on the Third Hokage was a natural and easy thing to do anyways.
"That's good to hear. I had hoped you'd report directly to me once you arrived, but I can understand why you came here instead. Seems my student still has the same priorities as a medic as she used to." Hiruzen commented, sounding proud, while Danzo frowned, but didn't say anything.
"We'll make sure to head straight to your office once we're done here, and Sakura will be able to fill you in with what happened after she was kidnapped," Jiraiya assured Hiruzen, who raised an eyebrow as Sakura pouted, and Naruto chuckled a bit at her reaction, earning him an elbow to the ribs.
"Very well. Although I think I'd rather wait here to see Tsunade as soon as possible, we haven't seen each other in a long while after all." Hiruzen countered, taking a seat opposite of them while dismissing the ANBU, as well as a grumbling Danzo.
Sakura couldn't help but follow Danzo with her gaze as he left, before turning towards the Third Hokage with a raised eyebrow, inquiring about progress on the case concerning Danzo's attempt to brainwash her. However, all he offered her was a sigh and a sad shake of his head, making Sakura frown, while Heikō fumed.
"So, before Tsunade comes out to meet me eye-to-eye. What can you tell me? How is she doing?" Hiruzen inquired, looking to Jiraiya for answers, only for Naruto to huff in annoyance, drawing the Third Hokage's attention to himself instead. Noticing, Naruto decided to explain.
"The hag had no interest in coming back until Sakura won a bet that she could learn the Mystical palm technique in a week," Naruto explained, which made Hiruzen's eyebrows go up in surprise.
"Truly, you managed to learn an A-rank technique as hard as the mystical palm technique in a week?" He asked, looking at Sakura in surprise. Sakura just rolled her eyes.
"I had an advantage, besides, Naruto is more impressive. The Shadow clone technique is also A-rank if I recall correctly, and he learned it in a few hours." Sakura pointed out, which made Naruto beam with pride, something that amused Sakura as well, proving Naruto's smile to be infectious.
"That doesn't take away from your own achievement. The fact that you impressed Tsunade is proof of that. I assume she's decided to take you on as another apprentice then? If I recall, you certainly have the chakra control for it." Hiruzen commented, stroking his beard in absence of smoking his pipe, as he wasn't allowed to use it in the hospital. Sakura shook her head in response, shocking Hiruzen, as well as Jiraiya who had been convinced Tsunade was already teaching her.
"She offered, but I declined. I don't want to become a medical-nin to sit back and watch my teammates fight while I sit back, unable to help them. I'll happily learn to heal them, but I'd much rather join them in a battle. It's better if I can help them avoid injuries or death, rather than heal them afterward. I think a third attacker can in some cases make the difference between success and death for a squad." Sakura explained her reasoning, and Hiruzen had to admit she had a point. A team with three attackers might subdue an enemy, where a team of two attackers could end up defeated, with the medic of the team useless or powerless to defend themselves if the firepower of the other two on the team wasn't enough to combat the enemy.
"I can see your point I suppose," Hiruzen told her, accepting it. Although, he was surprised, as team seven had been reminding him of their previous incarnations, like the Sannin and team Minato. Although, perhaps the likeness wasn't all that comforting after all.
"Still, Tsunade did agree to teach me other things without me becoming a medical-nin," Sakura added, smirking. "I may not be an apprentice, but that doesn't stop me from being a student, or her, a teacher," Sakura revealed, chuckling at the stunned looks of Jiraiya and Hiruzen before the Hokage smiled as well.
"That is true. I suppose that without medical training, you'd be learning a lot of other skills at a much more rapid pace than you would have otherwise. I look forward to hearing about your progress." Hiruzen told her, only for their conversation to be cut short as the door to Kakashi's room opened, and Tsunade stepped out.
"I'm done. Now I'll just-" She began, only to cut herself off as she saw Hiruzen sitting almost right in front of her. Frowning, she looked to Jiraiya who shrugged innocently at her, while Hiruzen smiled at the sight of her.
"Ah, Tsunade. It's been a while. I'm glad to see your skills and dedication as a medical-nin haven't lessened any." He told her, only for Tsunade to sigh.
"You can lecture me later. Right now, I have another victim to attend to." Tsunade informed him, before storming off towards Sasuke's room, Sakura and Naruto standing up to check on Kakashi, only for Shizune to exit the room behind Tsunade, blocking their way.
"I suggest letting him rest for now," Shizune suggested, closing the door behind herself before bowing to the Hokage and running off after Tsunade.
Sakura and Naruto were disappointed at not being able to see Kakashi or Sasuke right away after their treatment. Seeing their dismay, Hiruzen decided they might as well do something with the time as they would all end up waiting for Tsunade in his office anyways.
"While we wait, how about we all go for a meal, how does ramen sound?" He suggested, chuckling slightly at Naruto's immediate smile, and Sakura's eye-roll, followed by an amused smile of her own.
Jiraiya didn't join them, opting to stay behind to keep Tsunade and Shizune company, or at least that's what he claimed.
While Sakura normally didn't praise ramen, the smell and taste were welcome after everything she had been through. It wasn't her first proper warm meal since escaping from Orochimaru, but it was a lot better than what had been served while she had traveled with Jiraiya, Naruto, Tsunade, and Shizune. It tasted like home.
"I knew it. You do like ramen!" Naruto proclaimed, ruining the moment slightly as Sakura groaned and rolled her eyes.
"Naruto, I don't hate ramen, but you're obsessed with it. I'm not particularly fond of it, but after the last few weeks, it's a welcome change. It tastes like home." Sakura explained before a sudden thought struck her, making her feel concerned.
Turning to look at the Hokage, she decided to ask about her fears. "My parents, what have they been told, do they know I'm back?" She asked, wondering if it would be rude to demand being allowed to go see her parents before they went to the tower to be debriefed.
"Ah, that is an understandable worry for you to have. Your parents are aware that you were found a while back. Jiraiya sent me a message the day after you found your way to them, there's no need to worry. You'll be free to seek them out after we've spoken about everything that happened." Hiruzen assured her, and Sakura managed to relax.
"Jiraiya did mention he sent a message to the Third to let him know about finding us." Heikō reminded Sakura, who realized she was right.
"Oh, right. That makes sense. Thank you." Sakura replied, glad that her fears had been put to rest. It didn't take them much longer to finish their meal, or at least, that was the case for Hiruzen and Sakura. Naruto still had plans for another bowl or two when Jiraiya made an appearance, informing them that Tsunade was done and that they were ready for that debriefing now.
"Right then let's go and hear what you've been up to the last few weeks," Hiruzen said amused, although Sakura doubted he would be as cheerful at the news that Orochimaru was alive.
Sakura had been correct. The Third Hokage was not happy knowing that Orochimaru had somehow survived, even though they had his corpse sealed in Torture and Interrogation division, ready to be dissected if he hadn't been already, as a great deal of information could be found even in the corpse of a Shinobi.
Due to the sensitive nature of the information Sakura provided them with, and the impact it could have on Konoha's morale as a whole, they were sworn to secrecy, told that it was now an S-rank secret that Orochimaru was still alive.
Sakura then handed over all the documents she had confiscated from Kabuto and Orochimaru as Heikō had ransacked their hideout. She also pointed out the rough location of the hideout so they could try and find it, hopefully catching Orochimaru there as well, although it would be doubtful considering how long ago Sakura had escaped from there. At least they could hopefully confirm Kabuto's death, as well as another one or Orichimaru's more powerful pawns. It made Sakura and Heikō feel a bit of pride, having managed to cripple Orochimaru's forces the way they had, as they had all likely been something incredible in their own right, considering the fact they had all worn cursed seals, much like Orochimaru had intended for Sasuke.
AN: And so, we're finally back in Konoha. I've been considering a lot of things lately, and I believe I might take a break, putting this story on a hiatus to review and edit/rewrite previous chapters. It's not something all that big, but I've realized that despite my intentions, I am really inconsistent with what names I use for what. Techniques seem to default to their English names, while locations and titles default to their Japanese pronunciation. I am considering changing this, so that all names will be the Japanese pronunciation, including technique names, meaning they will be referred to as jutsu, rather than techniques. It's a big decision for me to make, and I don't want to slow down the story's progress, but I don't think I have the free time to both write, and edit the story in that way at the same time. Regardless, I will attempt to do so before I declare a hiatus, but I'm unfortunately a very lazy person by nature.
