18 years later
"Is this the extent of Squad One's abilities? I'm disappointed." A distinctly feminine voice called out.
Three figures slowly picked their battered bodies up from the forest floor.
"You know Captain, if I didn't know any better, I'd think you were a masochist in sadist in disguise." Kotetsu groaned.
"Yeah, he's right." Tenzo added.
"For sure." Yugao chimed in.
Their captain remained silent. Her pink hair obscured her eyes from vision, but they were sure she would be back on the assault in a moment's notice.
Oh, how right they were.
"Enough talk. Let's finish this session. And this time, come at me with intent to kill. Otherwise, you'll lose every time."
Yugao uneasily removed her sword from its sheath.
Kotetsu unveils his bludgeoning Mace.
Tenzo's hands clamped into a seal ready to unleash his Mokouton.
"Begin."
In a moment's notice, Sakura blitzed toward them with unreal speed. Her maroon and black sword glistened under the sun's glow.
She swung after the squad's kunoichi with a strong downward stroke, which was deterred by an upward swing as a means to block. Sakura's superior speed and strength meant the block was only enough to stop her assault for a millisecond before she changed angles.
Bringing the blade to her left arm, she swung low at Yugao's abdomen too fast for the woman to react to. Just as the blow was about to connect, a wooden coil wrapped around her arm.
"Ninpou: Howl Of The Mace!" Kotetsu incanted.
His large, demonic weapon burrowed from underneath the ground, and skidded past Sakura's face. He had pulled his blow, and instead wrapped her up with the chain.
Yugao walked up with a slight smirk and pointed her blade to Sakura's head.
"We win." Tenzo grinned.
If Sakura had have blinked, she would've missed her team's flinch when she poofed away.
"Suiton: Scattered Showers!" The pinkette chanted.
A large surge of water flooded the area, knocking all the members of her team back. Unrelenting in her assault, Sakura pressed on.
"Raiton: Thunder Gate!"
'Damn it!' Tenzo thought to himself. Water was the perfect conductor for lighting jutsu. This one was gonna hurt.
Electrifying lightning sailed through the body of water that Sakura had made, causing her subordinates to cry out in agony as they were hit. Kotetsu was the first to hit the ground, followed by Yugao and then Tenzo.
"Like I said, come at me with intent to kill or you won't win. You are soldiers of the Leaf. Now, get up and attack." Sakura commanded.
Forgoing her sword, Sakura got into a Taijutsu stance. Her legs were widened, and her hands were spaced a few feet apart, allowing for attack or defense on either side.
Slowly but surely, the 3 ANBU rose with shaky feet once more.
"Mokouton: Nativity Of A Sea Of Trees" Tenzo cried.
Yūgao gripped her blade, and rushed in. She would be their first line of defense. Kotetsu ran in shortly after, completely intent on crushing his captain.
Sunset peeked through the advent of trees that had been created. A vast majority of the forest had been decimated by Sakura's elemental techniques, as well as the collateral damage from the battle itself.
Sakura's back had touched the ground for the first time that day. That alone was a great accomplishment. Tenzo's Wooden Mallet had inflicted a painful blow that she buckled under.
Their injuries had been no joke.
Kotetsu's armored plate had collapsed under Sakura's kick. A foot shaped indention had bypassed all the steel and ripped into him. He had a number of cuts and gashes on his body, with two slashes across his back still burning badly.
Yugao's left arm had been under a tremendous amount of pressure. Sakura's strong armed kenjutsu style had pushed the purple haired Anbu to her physical limits. A deep, but not fatal gash had been opened up in her abdomen, and several tendons in her arm were snapped.
Tenzo hadn't suffered any noticeable external injuries, but he was picked apart by Sakura's taijutsu. He had been impressive, but Sakura was simply too evasive for him to land any significant blows. He was sprawled about the earth himself.
Sakura panted heavily, now feeling the effects of training for such a long time. They'd been at it since the crack of dawn, and it was now sunset.
She had a large gash on her knee that would hamper her if not healed properly, as well as a cut underneath her elbow. Sakura took stock of her wounds, and healed them efficiently.
She gave her team a once over, and began healing them. Kotetsu grunted in agony at the glowing green chakra, as it was slightly painful to be subjected to. But the end result was one that he definitely couldn't complain about.
"That was a good session. We have a mission tomorrow, so come early. You're to stay in our barracks tonight." Sakura barked out the orders with the effectiveness of any Kage. The trio chorused a "Hai" and all did as they were instructed.
Behind Sakura, a masked ANBU appeared.
"Hokage-Sama has summoned you to the Elder's Quarters."
Sakura nodded without question, and leapt onto the treetops.
BREAK
Sakura bowed deeply, awaiting the words from the old geezers.
"Well, if it isn't my last student herself." Hiruzen chuckled. Sakura's cold exterior was cracked by the old man, as a smile lit up her face for only a second before it was dismissed.
"I've been summoned?" She questioned curtly.
Koharu and Homura looked at the child with disdain laced in their eyes. They had never liked the insolent brat. The sooner Hiruzen realized just how much a monster that girl really was, the better.
"Yes. There's a mission I'd like you to undertake. It is long term." Hiruzen relayed, with a barely noticeable, but heeded all the same, uncertainty in his voice.
Sakura grunted. This was a way of telling him to continue. Whatever he was about to say couldn't be any good news.
"As you know, Konoha's Academy class graduates tomorrow. There will be many new Genin, and there's one squad that's lacking the perfect Sensei. I think you could fill that role well, Sakura-Chan."
Hiruzen waited for an outburst, or some display of anger but it didn't come. Yet.
"And if I refuse?"
"I'm afraid that's not possible. This team has potential that can only be brought out to its fullest by you. You're the strongest shinobi in this village, and as such you must help nurture the next generation." Hiruzen supplied sagely.
Sakura scoffed. The old bastard was always using that wise stuff on her. She wouldn't fall for it this time.
"I hadn't planned on raising any brats, but since you're forcing my hand I guess I give up. Don't expect me to be happy about this because I absolutely hate it already. Who are the damned children?" She bit back.
"Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Hinata Hyuga. They will be Team 7."
The last part of that sentence caused Sakura's eyes to widen a bit.
Team 7 was a legendary squad amongst Konoha.
The very first Team 7 was led by Tobirama Senju, with Hiruzen himself on the team. As well as Koharu and Homura.
The next Team 7 was the legendary Sannin. Sakura honestly had nothing but resentment for that entire group.
The next Team 7 was Minato's group. Tragedy had cut that group short before it's wings could truly spread.
The next and most recent team 7, was Sakura's own. Herself, Itachi and Shinichi. They had the potential to usurp all the previous incarnations of Team 7, and had done so in Hiruzen's estimation.
"I suppose I could teach them some things. Don't expect me to get close to the little shits. I'm doing my job, that is all." Sakura turned on her heel and left out of the room.
BREAK
Sakura had made it back to her barracks, for what was most likely the last time. Being a Jonin Sensei meant she would have to give up the fast paced ANBU lifestyle she was so used to, and be reduced to training preteens with raging hormones.
Yugao greeted Sakura when she walked inside, but the gesture wasn't returned.
"Hey guys, listen up. I'm gonna make this quick."
Tenzo and Kotetsu's interests were piqued and they listened intently to their captain.
"As of now, I'm stepping down as Squad One's captain. I've been assigned another duty. It was a pleasure working with you all." Sakura said honestly.
Her three subordinates immediately looked downtrodden at the news. Tenzo spoke up first.
"But Captain, who's going to take your place? No one can effectively lead this team but you!"
Sakura removed her glove, and began a series of hand seals. Immediately recognizing this ritual, Kotetsu's eyes raised.
"You're wrong, Tenzo. You're the team's new leader. You'll grow into your powers, as well as the position. I have faith in you. This is the greatest gift I can impart to you."
Sakura's hands glowed a deep blue, and she placed them on her left arm. Slowly, the tribal tattoo of Squad One was removed from her arm and placed on Tenzo's.
He gasped, unsure if he was ready for such a responsibility. Sakura placed a reassuring hand on his arm.
She gave Kotetsu a nod. "Finish that jutsu I showed you. I believe you can become even better at it than me. You know it's secrets."
Kotetsu held in a sniffle, and fought back tears.
Yugao couldn't resist hugging her Senpai, which was returned. Sakura whispered into her ear.
"My kenjutsu scrolls are in my locker. You can learn all my techniques and surpass me. They are to be passed down to no one."
The purple haired kunoichi nodded.
Sakura stepped back, and enveloped them all into a rare group hug. This might be the last time all four of them were ever together like this. It had been a great two years.
Sakura finally ended the hug, and vanished in a body flicker.