Part II
Haruno Sakura awoke early, just as the sun began to rise. Wiping the sleep from her eyes, she looks out her window to see the sun rising over the buildings below.
"I don't have to get up…no missions today…" She mused.
The idea of sleeping in sounded wonderful to her, a chance to catch up on much needed sleep. Missions had run long over the last few months. Increasing in both length and difficulty, team 7 had received four D rank, seven C rank and two minor B rank missions.
"No missions today…can relax" She thought dreamily. Her thoughts turned to Sasuke.
If anyone could be more tired than her, it would be Sasuke. Even through all of their work, Sasuke fought the hardest and achieved the most. Even Naruto, who seemed much more on the ball than before, hadn't done as much as the Uchiha had.
Maybe this was her chance to let him relax.
"Yeah, I should get up and see him, maybe bring him breakfast" She said cheerfully to herself.
Sakura pulled her head away from her soft pillow with resolve. Let Sasuke relax, she'd take care of him. Dressing quickly, she wished her parents goodbye and headed off into the early morning sun.
Walking down the peaceful, empty streets, Sakura headed towards the grocery to buy breakfast for Sasuke. Her blue sandals crunched against the hard dirt road. She wondered what she could get Sasuke to eat that he'd enjoy; he didn't seem to enjoy a whole lot in terms of food.
I can't get him dumplings or dango, he doesn't like sweet things. Maybe some natto…no, he said he doesn't like that either she thought. It was frustrating trying to find something for someone who disliked so many things. Fruit maybe? She continued.
It seemed odd to her that she couldn't even decide on a food when it seemed like she was the one who knew Sasuke best. The only people who knew him as closely were Kakashi sensei and-
Naruto!
Sakura remembered that Ichiraku ramen was on the way to the grocer, and while she didn't like relying on Naruto for something like information, it couldn't hurt to ask.
And he's always at Ichiraku for breakfast in the morning. Lucky.
Sakura increased her pace.
If she stopped to talk to Naruto, it might slow her down, as he would most likely ask her to go on a date with him.
Sakura approached the Ichiraku ramen stand. She was out of breath from running. She made her way to the enclosed bar, expecting to see (and hear) Naruto eating a second helping of tokontsu ramen.
But to her surprise, he was absent.
The old man who owned the stand moved up to the counter. His white hat with the red "Ichiraku" kanji stood pristinely on his cropped grey hair.
"Ohiyogozaimas! How can I help you miss?" He said, his voice full of vigour and energy.
"Ohiyo. I'm just wondering, shouldn't Naruto be here by now? You know, the blonde kid the stupid face?" She asked, inwardly cringing at her description of Naruto.
"Oh! My best customer! You're right, he should be here by now…" The ramen man said, looking into the distance for his primary source of income.
"Oh, sorry to have bothered you then, ja ne" Sakura said, beginning to leave.
"Wait! Why don't you have a bowl first? Makes a great breakfast, best thing for first thing in the morning for shin obi, ramen is!" The man said, brandishing his ladle.
Sakura groaned. Every moment spent here was time wasted with Sasuke. She had to go!
"I'm sorry sir, maybe another ti-"
"C'mon Sakura, it's good!" a voice said.
Sakura turned to see someone at the end of the counter, huddled over a steamy bowl of noodles. The person's voice sounded familiar.
"Oh ho ho, I see you too know each other. She's right you know…Sakura, was it? Our ramen is the finest in the village!" The man said eagerly.
The person in the corner slurped up the last morsel of noodles and let out a satisfied belch. Sakura took a seat on an empty stool to get a better look.
"Phew, Gozaiusama. That was delicious. I think I'll have another bowl".
Sakura could believe her eyes.
"Ino?!" she gasped.
Ino turned on her stool to face Sakura. Sakura couldn't believe how different she looked. It was quite obvious that she had put on a fair bit of weight, but it was still astonishing. Ino's normally thin face seemed much fuller, her chest more noticeable, her purple, sleeveless shirt, which was normally slack, now seemed tightly pressed against her stomach.
She had practically ballooned up overnight!
"Hm? What's wrong?" Ino asked, her face looking confused.
Slack jawed, Sakura felt at a loss for words.
"Y-you're…you're…" She stuttered.
"I'm what?" Ino asked coyly.
Normally blessed with candour and a sense of attention to detail, Sakura was usually one of the most politically correct Genins around.
Unfortunately, this day isn't normal.
"You're fat!" She blurted out. Sakura was in a state of shock at Ino's appearance.
Ino didn't even look phased at Sakura's reaction. She touched her chin.
"Hmm…" She said, looking down and pressing her palm on her larger belly. "I think you're right".
"But, h-how? Why? Your diet was going so well!" Sakura knew this only too well, as Ino took every opportunity to remind her.
"hmmmm…" Ino said slyly, her expression changing to a devilish grin. "What, are you jealous?"
"W-what?! Why?!" Sakura shouted in disgust. Why would she be jealous of gaining so much weight?
"Hmph, I guess Sasuke will pick me after all" Ino said.
Sakura choked, trying to fight back a snicker.
"Why would anyone in their right mind, especially Sasuke-kun, pick you know that you look…like this?"
"Oh, that's right, you don't know" Ino sneered.
She's toying with me…she's gone nuts!
"I don't have time for this, I've got to go get breakfast for Sasuke-kun" Sakura turned on her heel, ready to leave.
"I met him last night," Ino chanted, "just the two of us. He told me his secret!"
Sakura froze.
A secret?
Ino was lying, she had to be. Why would Sasuke-kun keep something from me?
"He told me; he told me why he never showed any interest in you,"
"Here you go! Enjoy" The ramen man said as he laid another steamy bowl of ramen in front of Ino, which she began to dig into.
"Or me, or any of the other girls," She said, her mouth full. "turns out, Sasuke likes girls who are heavier than most".
Sakura's eyes widened. She turned to face Ino.
"He likes chubby girls" Ino giggled.
Sakura couldn't believe it. It couldn't be true!
But then why is Ino like this? She wouldn't do all this if there wasn't a real reason a voice in the back of her mind chimed.
"Since, he told me, I've been eating" Ino said in a low voice as she drained her bowl, "I've decided that I'll do anything to win over Sasuke, even if it means overeating and being…plump.
"And now, I'm closer to getting him that you are. Do you think he'll look at your, scrawny body with the same eyes as me? Hardly!"
Ino finished by sticking out her tongue.
Sakura couldn't take it. She turned and ran away.
Images flashed through her head as she got farther away. Images of Sasuke favouring Ino over her. It had always been a fear of hers that Ino would win over Sasuke. Ever since they had become rivals.
Once she had been placed on team 7 with him though, the fears subsided. She was constantly with him, able to learn more about him, find out his interests, his turn ons…
But now, Ino had discovered something Sakura hadn't even imagined before.
Did Sasuke really like his girls…chubby?
If he did, it meant Sakura's advantage over her meant nothing anymore. Now Ino stood a better chance of attracting Sasuke!
Sakura realized she'd past the grocery store. She had run all the way to the Hokage monument…all the way across town.
Sakura knew she loved Sasuke, more than anything else.
And if that means changing the way I look, so be it!
If that means gaining weight, so be it!
I'll stuff myself 'til I burst to win Sasuke-kun over!
Sakura felt full of determination.
She knew that it would take more than just binging on ramen like Ino to really win. Sakura was one the brightest Genin rookies and she knew it. She knew she'd need some kind of help.
And she knew just where to get it.
Tsunade idly stacked shogi pieces on top of each other in the confines of her office. Her long, blonde hair, tied back in a ponytail, her green robes pressed and elegant, Tsunade appeared every bit as elegant and official as the title of Hokage that she possessed.
Acting like a proper Hokage was a different matter.
She had come to discover that being the Godaime wasn't as exciting as it had been when she took the title. Paperwork and glad-handing were her main priorities now, which left a lot of room for waiting and boredom. She stacked another shogi tile onto an ever-growing tower.
The shogi set had been Sarutobi-sensei's before he died. It was given to her as a gift in his passing. Tsunade remembered the old days when Sarutobi had taught them how to play the game. A test of strategy and advanced thinking, shogi was supposed to be a training technique to sharpen their minds.
Of course, Tsunade had been horrible at it. She could never concentrate enough to beat her teammate Orochimaru, who was infinitely better at the game.
Now, the board lay discarded and the remaining pieces were used as a relief of boredom, stacking them to make a tower during another slow part of an even slower day.
Suddenly there was a knock at the door, which caused Tsunade to knock over the small stack of tiles. They clattered onto the floor in a mess.
"Who is it?" Tsunade grumbled.
"Kotetsu, Hokage-sama" a voice replied.
Kotetsu was one of Tsunade's assistants. He was also one of the chosen Chuunin examination proctors.
He's also a pain who likes to add to my misery by giving me reports for filing Tsunade thought.
"I'm busy at the moment!" Tsunade replied, staring at the shogi tiles strewn across the floor.
"But Hokage-sama, you have a visitor"
Tsunade didn't remember having any visitors on her agenda for today, not that she checked the daily agenda with any regularity.
She sighed.
"Alright, come in".
Kotetsu entered. He wore a grey uniform and a long bandage around his nose and face.
"Hokage-sama, there's a Genin who wishes to speak with you. She said it has very important" Kotetsu announced.
"I'm quite busy right now as you…can…see" Tsunade began, but seeing Kotetsu look at the floor, she decided not to press her luck. Kotetsu was meticulous for keeping her busy with important or trivial matters, as well as making sure she wasn't slacking off.
Tsunade sighed again.
"Who is it?"
Kotetsu moved to the side to reveal a young woman with pink hair, wearing a red dress. The girl approached Tsunade's desk hesitantly.
"Kotetsu, you may leave us now" Tsunade motioned for him to leave.
"Of course", Kotetsu bowed and made his exit.
Tsunade took a deep breath and smiled.
"Alright, now, tell me your name"
"Oh, My name is Sakura. Haruno Sakura maim" She responded nervously.
"Ah, Sakura, from Kakashi's team 7. I've heard a lot about you. You graduated top of your class at ninja academy if I'm not mistaken"
"No, I mean yes! Yes, I did graduate top of my class, no, you weren't mistaken" Sakura stumbled.
"Calm down, there's no need to be nervous Sakura. I hope Kotetsu didn't frighten you into thinking this would be terribly formal. You can take it easy" Tsunade said.
With that, Sakura posture became more relaxed. She sat down in a chair facing Tsunade's desk.
"Now, tell me why you've come. What is so important?" Tsunade asked with a polite smile.
"Well, You see Hokage-sama-"
"Tsunade"
"What?"
"Call me Tsunade, there's no need for formalities right now"
"Alright, you see Tsunade, I've come to you…because I have a request"
Tsunade's eyes widened slightly. It was rare of even Jounins to request something of her. Something about seemed impolite to many.
"What is it that you need badly enough that you had to come to me?"
Sakura fidgeted in her chair. "You see, I need to learn a certain jutsu".
It figures Tsunade thought.
"Sakura, if it's a technique that none of your Jounin sensei's would or could teach you, then there's probably a good reason for their decision" Tsunade said.
Sakura face didn't change. "It's not a forbidden jutsu, nor would it be something my teachers would be against…It's just…you're the only person in the village who knows it"
This piqued Tsunade's interest.
"A jutsu that only I know? What makes you say that?"
"Well, I don't know if you're the only ninja who knows it, I just know that you use it"
Tsunade felt confused. It was obvious Sakura was uncomfortable, but why?
"Why don't you tell me what the technique is, then I can tell you about it" Tsunade said.
"Well, you see, I don't know the name of it…I only know you use it" Sakura mumbled.
Tsunade felt irritation. "Describe it then, tell me how I use it, I don't understand what you're trying to get at Sakura".
Sakura paused. She took a deep breath, and began:
"Alright, there's a boy that I…really like. That I love. And I want to be able to get his attention. Not only that, but I'm not alone. I'm competing with another girl for him.
"I've just recently discovered what he looks for in a girl. Y'know, something that…turns his crank…and, well, it turns out he likes girls who are chubby. My rival, that is, the girl I'm competing against found out first. She's spent all night stuffing herself, making herself look fat. She's far ahead of me, and now I'm worried she may get to him first!" Sakura had worked herself up; tears were forming in her eyes.
She continued: "But I know that there's a faster and better way to go about…doing this. I know that you know a technique that can help me".
Tsunade bit her lip. If she was expecting an answer, that certainly wasn't it. She tried to think straight and put things in order.
Trying to get a boy to like her…liking chubby girls…and she wants MY help?!
Tsunade cleared her throat.
"I-I'm not sure why you think I could help you, or why you'd believe I know a technique that could do…that" Tsunade said apprehensively.
Sakura gave a weak smile.
"Tsunade-sama, I know you know that technique"
Tsunade felt her mouth run dry. What's she getting at?! She wondered.
"I don't mean to be rude Tsunade-sama, but it's your breasts".
"W-what…do you mean?" Tsunade asked in a shocked whisper. She slowly rised from her chair, her eyes piercing every inch of Haruno Sakura.
Sakura, however, was not shaken. In fact, her smile grew!
"Tsunade-sama, Naruto told me that you use some kind of jutsu to change your appearance. He said that you were able to adjust your physical appearance so that you can look like you do now. After all, if Jiraiya-sama is over 50 than so must you.
"More importantly, if you have the body of a twenty year old, than everything else must be in…proportion as well, and guessing by your height, weight, and body mass, well…memories of your size couldn't be…well, possible. So there must be a technique that can do that. One that you could teach me!".
With that said, Sakura finished.
Tsunade slumped back down in her chair. A bead of sweat began to form on her brow. As her eyes changed with her expression, the bead slid down the side of her face. A look of concentration took shape on the Hokage's features.
"So…" She began, "you want me to teach you that jutsu…hmmm?"
Sakura became quite serious.
"Yes. I beg you!" Sakura stood, her arms outstretched in a praying position.
She really seems serious about this, not some half-baked idea…Tsunade thought. She bit her bottom lip and closed her eyes.
"It's not something I can really teach you, far too complicated for the genie level. It's more of an administrative technique, something that is applied" Tsunade murmured, her eyes remaining closed.
"Then I'll find someone to apply it! I'm not going to give up" Sakura said with determination.
Tsunade smiled.
"Who's the boy?"
"Eh?"
"The boy. The one you're willing to do all this for. What's his name?"
Sakura hesitated, "…Sasuke…Uchiha Sasuke" she replied at last.
Ah, that explains it Tsunade thought.
She opened her eyes.
"It's not a simple technique. It'll take at least two, maybe three hours to complete. There's also risk. While the chance of success is high, there's always the chance it may fail…which would be very unpleasant".
"Does this mean?" Sakura asked hopefully.
Tsunade's eyes glowed with matched determination.
"I'll do it on one condition"
"Anything, Tsunade-sama"
"If the technique is a success, you must promise to keep what you know about my…assets, a complete secret. Understand?"
"Of course!" Sakura replied.
"Then," Tsunade said. "let's get started".
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