How long has it been since I put in a disclaimer. I don't own Naruto and never will.
"The Land of Valleys wasn't a strong nation. They were actually rather small, hidden in the valleys that peppered the Land of Rivers. Content to keep to themselves, they contacted one of the Five Great Shinobi Nations rarely.
"Given their small size, they had very few ninja. Those they did have were devoted to protecting their country. And so this scheme was born."
Sakura looked out at the class of hopeful academy students. Now that her story had finally gained some momentum and action, they were hanging onto her every word.
One student was waving his hand wildly in an attempt to get her attention. His mouth opened as soon as she looked at him.
She held up a wrinkled hand, already knowing what question he was going to ask.
"Don't be in such a hurry."
Sakura gazed forlornly at the destruction that had befallen the Land of Valleys. Not haven been there previously, she could only imagine how beautiful the land around her looked before the war. Wild flowers probably covered the hills. She could even picture children shrieking and laughing as they rolled down the mounds of earth.
Such a small nation hadn't stood a chance. The Land of Valleys had always been struggling for survival, located between Suna and Konoha as it was. Until Naruto had changed Gaara's ways after the invasion, the Land of Valleys was a common battle ground whenever patrols chanced upon each other.
Madara had no qualms razing the country to expand Amegakure as he prepared to capture all nine Bijuu.
Seeing the devastation, the pinkette understood the Land of Valley's desire for a mission contract. It would take all the money in their coffers to restore their homeland. They would need help to do so, from carpenters, to protection, to tilling the land and somehow procuring crops to grow.
Konoha may have been shafted in the deal, but it was clear to Sakura that the Land of Valleys was in desperate need of assistance to recover from the war. And a war they were not even part of at that. By establishing and exclusive contract with her village, they could hire ninja that would hurry along the process of rebuilding at a low cost that wouldn't leave their nation bankrupt.
But she felt it was no excuse for their methods. Konoha was always open to making alliances, and Sakura was positive that Tsunade-shishou could have worked out an acceptable treaty that would provide the Land of Valleys the aid they needed without their state secrets being on the line.
It wasn't long afterwards that Sakura finally arrived at the only village in the Land of Valleys, Tanigakure.
She was taken directly to their leader, who was only referred to as Leader-sama. The form of address automatically caused the hairs on the back of her neck to stand on end. It couldn't be Pein obviously, but the title did not bode well for her.
Sakura tried to conceal her unease as she was ushered into the man's office. Something felt wrong about this situation, and if she had learned anything from Naruto, it was to trust her instincts.
Hers were currently screaming at her to Shunshin away, to turn around and run straight back to Konoha.
But that decision was unacceptable. Tanigakure had in their possession potentially threatening secrets, and it was her duty to see them returned. So, Sakura steeled herself, and crossed over the threshold into his office.
She bowed at the waist respectfully, careful to keep her back straight. It wasn't much, but it as a sign that she wouldn't let this man walk all over her and dictate the terms of their agreement. "My name is Sakura Haruno, Leader-sama. I am here on behalf of the Godaime Hokage Tsunade-sama to broker for the return of our nation's documents."
The man's eyes, an usual blue color, so clear they were practically water, glanced distastefully at her. He took in her appearance, frowning.
"I had expected your Hokage would send her other apprentice, but it is no matter."
Sakura bit her tongue to keep from snapping at the presumptuous man. She was just as qualified as Shizune. In the shinobi world, age was no indication of skill. Konoha had several shinobi that became famous at a young age due to their extraordinary abilities.
"Take her away," he ordered."
She stared at him baffled. Take her away? What did he mean by that? For her to stay at a hotel until he called for her?
The rosette wasn't given the opportunity to ask. She was completely blindsided when the guards on either side of the doorway (why hadn't she question why the man had guards protecting the inside of his door?), leapt into action. One restrained her hands. She heard the faint click as chakra cuffs specifically designed to keep prisoners from accessing their chakra locked in place around her wrists. The other man slammed a sweet scented cloth over her mouth and nose.
In moments, Sakura was unconscious.
The children immediately cried out with screams of unfairness and how could Tanigakure result to such a dirty trick.
"That is the way of the ninja. To strike unseen with underhanded methods." Sakura could see the displeasure on a handful of faces. "The strongest ninja could fall to the weakest, so long as the former is caught off guard. Forget the fancy jutsus and unique kekkei genkai. The true power of shinobi lies in the element of surprise."
"But Uzumaki-san, what did they do to you? Why capture you in the first place?"
Sakura exhaled lightly. "Tanigakure was in desperate need of money. Given the recent harmonious alliance between the Five Great Shinobi Nations, they couldn't really turn me in for a bounty. Although Kumo might have paid it anyway." She scowled at the thought. A was a difficult bastard to get along with, agreeing whole-heartedly with Kumogakure's policy of forcefully attaining whatever jutsu they deemed fit. He just might have paid Tanigakure for her medical abilities, especially since he was still angry that Sasuke had supposedly killed his brother.
"Tanigakure had plans to ransom me. As the Hokage's apprentice, the council would have had two options. Pay the ransom, or send another shinobi to kill me."