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

Now, this chapter was a bit of a delight to write and will give some screentime to a character I regret having kept at a distance for so long. Unfortunately, that's just how it's been. Sadly, there won't be much light shed on the mystery of the changes this character has shown whenever mentioned, but I hope you find this chapter enjoyable nonetheless, despite the lack of exposition on that front.

Chapter 117: A friend to offend


"That… was very informative. Although, you haven't really elaborated on exactly what dangers there are besides death, or exactly what the difference between the natural path to opening one's tenketsu and using the Eight Inner Gates, besides the order and intent." Sakura pointed out, making Gai sigh.

"If I begin explaining the specifics, then you'll probably end up figuring out how to do it yourself. As I said, I don't approve of this idea, as I can tell that you're not ready. I won't elaborate on this any further." Gai told them, before standing back up, ready to leave.

"Wait, can you at least tell me about the Natural way to unlock my tenketsu? I might not be able to unlock more than a few in my life, but it's still beneficial, isn't it? Not to mention far safer than the Eight Inner Gates." Sakura pointed out, making Gai stop and turn back to look at her, before sighing again, shaking his head.

"Sakura, while you are correct, that is still a bad idea. The path of unlocking the three hundred and sixty-one tenketsu method is far too close to the path one takes to opening the Eight Inner Gates. Unless you speak the truth, and Tsunade really gives me a written order concerning this, and I get a vow from you not to stray from the path you chose, then I'll teach you. However, know that if you stray from either of the paths to pursue the other, or get impatient that you stop being cautious, you will only ruin yourself. Once one steps onto their chosen path, one must endure the trials and tribulations that await them. Be careful, Sakura. Your flames of youth burn bright, but if you're not careful, you may not be able to bear their intensity. Shall you lose control, you may very well end up burning those close to you, not just yourself." Gai told them, before walking off.

"Well, shit. That's not all that helpful. I mean, the advice is, but it doesn't help our goals." Heikō remarks, feeling annoyed, even if she could understand Gai's reluctance.

"Well, at least we'll learn something from him once Tsunade sends the order and her permission. Understanding the tenketsu and chakra network could help us immensely in the development of our own technique after all." Sakura argues, and Heikō is forced to agree. Chakra, despite being so prevalent and constantly present in a Shinobi's life, was understood to a surprisingly small degree when it came to a large part of the Shinobi community. Most of Sakura's and Heikō's understanding of chakra actually came from their own observations, rather than from others teaching them. It was frustrating in a sense, to think that there was so little taught about chakra.

With a sigh, Sakura stood up from the bench herself, before deciding to go home. They had a few ideas to try out concerning elemental techniques and their functions in converting chakra. They had hopes that it might give them a clue as to how they'd be able to convert Natural energy into Physical or Mental energy, and vice-versa.

They both realized just how revolutionary it would be if they succeeded, but as much as it would allow someone lacking one energy to make up the difference and give themselves larger chakra reserves, the real flaw of the way the technique seemed to be developing, was the reliance on chakra control. Very few would ever be able to do something like what they had in mind, and it would be less useful for people who couldn't make use of the Natural energy surrounding them like an endless sea of energy, ready to be converted into chakra.

As they walked, Sakura decided to begin working on their chakra control again. With Physical and Mental energies leaking from their back, a sphere of chakra began forming behind them, imperceptible to the naked eye, but still there.

It was… interesting to think about their technique from the perspective of their sensory abilities. Natural energy was repelled from the forming chakra, but the Physical and Mental energies themselves seemed to not disturb the natural energy, making it invisible to their senses. There was a high probability that other sensory abilities, unable to perceive Physical and Mental energy would be able to tell how she managed to create chakra from nowhere, without somehow being connected to it.

While practicing, and walking at the same time, Sakura was surprised to suddenly have a voice call out to her. She hadn't sensed anyone too familiar within her current range, but she did recognize the voice calling out. Turning around to face the person, she was slightly surprised to see Hinata Hyūga come up to her. What stood out to Sakura and Heikō however was the fact that Hinata was using her Kekkei Genkai, her family's Dōjutsu, the Byakugan, apparent by the pronounced veins pushing against the skin, surrounding her eyes.

"Hinata?" Sakura asked, surprised. She didn't know Hinata all that well, as they hadn't been part of the same friend group back in the academy, not to mention their difference in status. While Sakura knew Hinata enough to know that wasn't something Hinata would think about when making friends, her family would have disagreed. Perhaps the biggest barrier between them however had been how they saw Naruto. It was obvious that Hinata had a thing for Naruto, but Sakura had treated him quite poorly for a long time. It was natural that Hinata wouldn't have been all that keen to interact with her as a result. "What can I do for you, and what's up with using your eyes?" Sakura asked, wishing to sate the curiosity shared by Heikō.

"Hello, Sakura. Apologies, if my eyes unnerve you, but I'm currently training, trying to get used to using my eyes for longer periods of time, hoping to reduce the strain on my chakra reserves. I actually wanted to ask you about something else, but instead, I have to know, are you aware of the building chakra following you?" Hinata asked, her eyes darting towards where Sakura was molding chakra at that moment.

"Oh, right. The Byakugan can see chakra, right? Well, yes, I know about it. It's my chakra." Sakura explained, before moving the point of origin around with her control to prove it. "I discovered a method for molding chakra outside of my body. It's a great exercise for practicing chakra control, and it has some great potential for developing new techniques, as soon as I manage to improve it enough." Sakura informed Hinata with a smile, who looked slightly awed at the explanation. "Now, what was it you originally wanted to ask.

"Oh, right. I was wondering if you had seen Naruto anywhere? I wanted to ask him something, but I can't find him." Hinata explained, and Sakura nodded in understanding.

"Ah, well that's easy. You can usually find him training, at home or at Ichiraku Ramen. You know where he lives and trains?" Sakura asked, intending to offer to show the way, as she doubted Hinata didn't know about Naruto's favorite place to eat. It was located along the side of one of the busier streets after all.

"Um, I know where he lives, but not where he trains," Hinata answered, smiling slightly at Sakura.

"Well then, allow me to show you the way then." Sakura offered with a smile of her own. It made her feel a bit better to see that she could still hold a conversation together with Hinata and that Hinata had managed to get out of her shy personality. She seemed far more confident now. Both of them seemed to have come a long way since the academy.

Sakura wanted to take advantage of the opportunity and hopefully befriend the Heiress, so she decided they might as well talk as she escorted Hinata towards the improvised training ground Jiraiya had trained Naruto and the Haruno siblings at. "So, how's your team doing, Hinata?" Sakura tried to break the ice.

"Oh, my team is alright. What about yours? I heard your sensei and teammate, Kakashi and Sasuke ended up in the hospital for a long while you and Naruto were out of the village." Hinata responded, making Sakura wonder just how many knew of her "solo-mission". Perhaps Ino, the gossiper that she was was responsible for it. They'd have to check in with her later, perhaps see if she was in the shop on their way home.

"Oh, they're fine now. Naruto and I are as well, we met up halfway through his mission of bringing Tsunade back to the village, after I had finished mine, so I stayed with them and helped them convince Tsunade to come back with us." Sakura explained, the secrecy of Naruto's mission no longer necessary once Tsunade was back in the village.

"I see, I'm glad to hear that. You did well in the Chūnin exam and later in the invasion. You'll definitely get promoted." Hinata told her, making Sakura smile.

"Thank you, Hinata. If you had gotten a chance in the exam to prove yourself, I'm certain you would have had a chance to be promoted as well. You've improved a lot since the Academy, especially after the exam." Sakura pointed out, which made Hinata hang her head slightly.

"I wish I could have bettered myself earlier. My victory in the preliminaries, as well as Naruto's support, helped me overcome some of my shyness and let me improve my training. I want to thank him properly, now that I have the chance." Hinata explained, and Sakura nodded in understanding, before smirking slightly as she considered what Hinata meant.

"Going to ask him out on a date?" Sakura asked, which immediately had Hinata looking up at her in alarm, blushing heavily.

"H-how did you know?!" She demanded to know, sounding embarrassed, while also a little alarmed, before seemingly realizing what it meant. "A-am I that obvious?" She asked, now sounding sad, concerned, and worried.

"Well, not to Naruto you're not. I swear, he has a brain in there somewhere, but he's as thick as they get sometimes." Sakura assured Hinata, who looked relieved, although she was still blushing.

"O-oh, that's good. That's good." Hinata said as she calmed down, regaining her composure as she did so.

"Well, is that your plan?" Sakura inquired, only certain that Hinata had been flustered, but never actually confirmed their suspicion. Hinata's blush renewed itself again, before she nodded, shyly. It seemed as if her shyness wasn't entirely gone, which wasn't too hard to believe, as it was a big part of what Sakura knew of Hinata's personality. The girl had always been kind, shy, and gentle. It was actually a bit of a relief to see that the Hinata they knew was still there, only different. It made them feel a bit more confident in being able to make friends with her. It was a relief, as it would be bad if Hinata had decided she disliked them after how they had treated Naruto.

"Yes, that was what I had planned. I hope he says yes." Hinata mumbled quietly, and Sakura couldn't help but giggle slightly before giving Hiantata a one-armed hug, surprising the girl, despite her Byakugan.

"I'm sure he will. Naruto is nice, so he'll at least give you a chance after you completely blind-side him." Sakura assured Hinata, who blushed again, before grimacing.

"Are you making fun of Naruto?" She suddenly demanded, making Sakura stop and blink in surprise.

"No. What made you think that?" Sakura wondered, confused, while Heikō felt a bit hurt and angry at the accusation, even if they had to admit, it wouldn't have been out of character for them back in the academy.

"Because you used to always make fun of him," Hinata stated, glaring a bit at Sakura, who realized that Hinata was challenging her to refute her claims.

Sighing, Sakura shook her head. "Yeah, I was a bit of a mean bitch back then. I hope you can forgive me for who I used to be." Sakura asked Hinata sincerely, surprising Hinata, who after a moment smiled and nodded.

"I'm glad to see you've changed, or I would have beat your ass," Hinata told her bluntly, once again surprising Sakura, who didn't know how to react until Heikō suddenly took over and burst out laughing. While Hinata took offense at the action, Heikō tried to stop herself from laughing and explain that she was amused not because she thought Hinata couldn't follow up on the statement, but because of how ridiculous it sounded for the previously shy and kind Hinata to give such a blunt promise.


AN: I feel it is getting a bit repetitive with Sakura bumping into a ton of characters she knows, but I can't help but think that this is how things might end up going in a typical day of Sakura and Heikō Haruno. You simply bump into people you know, or they track you down, or you track them down. It's how it goes. Either way, this chapter concludes Sakura's and Heikō's talk with Gai after being given an additional warning. Once they step foot on a chosen path, there's no going back. Unfortunately, there's not going to be any explanation as to how one unlocks the Eight Inner Gates, or how to open any other tenketsu in the correct order.

There's also something else I would like to point out. There is a severe distinction between a tenketsu being opened physically using chakra, like a Hyūga would be able to force one open for someone, in comparison to doing so spiritually, which is how it is supposed to be done physically in the first place.

In addition to this, there is also a distinct difference in the ability to channel chakra outside of the body from one's tenketsu. Closing a tenketsu blocks one from using chakra, both internally and externally using that particular tenketsu. The tenketsu in the hands and feet are the easiest to control chakra with and are generally the ones used by most. The Hyūga clan can use all of their tenketsu to an equal degree, which is what allows them to use the Eight Trigrams Palms Revolving Heaven technique. This does not mean that all of their tenketsu points are open, as it would imply that the Hyūga clan is in a constant, perfected state with the Eight Inner gates open in canon.