The four of them were little more than halfway to the Hidden Leaf Village, when they ran into the first roadblock, trouble apparently Danzo had caught wind the Rain Orphans were still alive and had sent many members of root after the trio.
Konan looked horrified that someone they'd never met before wanted them dead as Nagato and Yahiko stood on either side of her "Sakura, what are we going to do to" her forehead was creased in concern.
Sakura took a deep breath "Leave them to me" her eyes narrowed 'That bastard Danzo won't touch them' she vowed inwardly, grasping black poison coated senbon and slinging her weapons at the first group.
Behind her Yahiko shuddered "Shouldn't we help her" he looked Nagato and Konan in the eyes not wanting to leave the pinkette to fight these jerks on her own, it wasn't right of them especially because of how close Sakura had gotten to each of them over the months she'd been there.
"He's right Konan, we can't just keep making Sakura-san deal with all of our problems" Nagato nodded clasping a kunai in his hand, the three of them spread out and started helping their friend, who didn't seem as surprised as they thought she'd be.
Her knuckles brushed the earth shattering the ground "CHA" Sakura grinned feeling alive as she got into her first fight in the past, ducking low under a broad sword and kicking out with her foot, sending the man flying into the side of a mountain.
Glinting furious emerald orbs the only thing her enemies were able to see beneath the hood of her cloak as she punched another in the gut, adding chakra, he went rolling, another hit to the earth shattered the ground beneath them.
And to keep their footing, everyone jumped out of the deadly kunoichi's path "Kami" Konan breathed watching the pinkette fight as if her life depended on it, learning a valuable lesson, despite everything she'd been taught, it hadn't been enough to prepare her until now.
"You know I'm kind of glad she didn't do that on the first day, poor Hanzo-sama probably would have lost his will to live facing her" Yahiko snorted in amusement standing back to back with Nagato, as they warded off those that got to close.
Nagato grimaced "Makes you wonder where she learned all of that, but I'm not going to ask" he flinched slightly, hearing the explosions, it was like the pinkette was waging a mini war, a very dangerous girl that one.
But he couldn't help but stare at her in awe, feeling the beginnings of attraction surging through his veins before Nagato managed to snap himself out of his thoughts and strike out at someone who had closed in on him.
Even Konan was getting in her own hits with her newly learned skills and paper ninjutsu until all the enemies that faced them were dead, and Sakura skipped over to them, looking as if she hadn't just fought off twenty men all by herself.
"Well that could have gone worse" she quipped healing the injuries she'd received with little that "How are you three holding up" Sakura looked each of them over equally just to make sure they really were unharmed as they said they were.
As they started walking again, Yahiko couldn't help but comment "Remind me not to piss you off huh Sakura" he chuckled and she flashed him an innocent smile that he didn't believe for a second "You are a very scary person" Yahiko grimaced sheepishly.
Her eyes twinkled in amusement "Either way Sakura-chan was amazing, is that the other part of being a medical ninja" Konan inquired amber irises glinting with the need for new knowledge and Sakura was all to happy to give it to the bluenette.
"Yes, the most important part of being a medical ninja, is knowing how to dodge and avoid capture because a disabled medic nin is a useless one and the rest of the team will get wiped out" the pinkette stated.
Nagato softened his purple rinnegan eyes "Magnificent fighting by the way Sakura-san" he complimented her and to his and Yahiko's surprise, her cheeks blushed a soft red, Konan was half a step away from squealing in excitement.
When the air before them became warped and out of the rip in space came a familiar person "Sakura-san" his voice was different and he wasn't wearing that White Zetsu Clone "He found out, even though I never spoke of it to him" Obito frowned looking years older.
Sakura sighed "Perfect, well I sort of expected this" she rubbed her temples "Just means we'll have to wait for that thing to show himself" Sakura frowned "And we'll have to come up with a seal that much quicker" she looked around warily.
Before picking up the pace, Yahiko, Nagato and Konan silently did the same, the teen keeping pace with their friend "Want to tell us what's going on" Yahiko called when he thought the duo was going to leave them behind.
She craned her neck to meet his gaze, then slowed her pace slightly "A creature named Zetsu, he's also part of my mission, I have to seal him away, but my initial plan has been thwarted, he now knows that he's been outed and has slunk into hiding" Sakura explained.
"That's why were going to the Leaf Village other than helping their hospital, so you can talk to some fuinjutsu masters" Nagato breathed rinnegan eyes wide in shock, she nodded carefully "You have to make a seal that will hold him forever" he continued.
Earning him a very small smile "Exactly Nagato-san, originally Obito here was just another pawn in Black Zetsu's game, hence the meeting we had on that second day, which reminds me, you shouldn't let those in Leaf see you yet Obito" her emerald eyes turned to the Uchiha.
Who sulked and crossed his arms over his chest "Why on earth not, it's not like I've done anything to them yet" Obito frowned not liking that he wasn't allowed to tell Bakakashi he was quite alive and well.
Konan had her suspicions "Never reveal all the pieces on the chess board right Sakura-chan, you don't want this Black Zetsu person to know what your planning" she inquired, the pinkette flashed her a smile before nodding.
"Sorry Obito it's not safe especially with Danzo skulking around stealing sharingan from the Uchiha, precisely Konan-chan, I'm playing a very deadly game here, one that could end with my life being taken if I don't make the right calls" Sakura stated.
Obito felt a shiver crawl down his spine and decided to just let the girl handle what came their way "What should I do for now then Sakura" he looked at the short female, for being nearly the same age as each other, she was tiny.
"Go back to Rain, keep an eye on things there, if Danzo finds out they've left, the other members in the organization might not be safe" came the command "Even if they can defend themselves, the shinobi Danzo will send won't be normal" she said knowing what the Rain Orphans were thinking.
Yahiko, Nagato and Konan shared a concerned look with each other, each wondering exactly what it was they'd gotten themselves involved in "Will we be safe in the Leaf Village" the question came from the orange haired brown eyed adult male.
Her spine became rigid "Jiraiya-sama wouldn't let anything happen to you three, for that matter neither would I, besides I plan on outing that bastard Danzo, won't be easy, but I'll do it for the good of the Leaf Village" she explained.
"Sakura-chan what happens if they don't let us in the village, we are Rain Shinobi after all and not exactly respected in the world" Konan prodded after a moment, when Sakura flashed her a smile, she knew the girl had an idea.
A moment later they were told "If they want help with their hospital, they'll have no choice but to let us through, if they question Yahiko-san or Nagato-san's presence, we'll tell them their our escorts" Sakura giggled eyeing the two males.
Who shrugged in response "Makes sense considering you two are the ones who will straighten out the Leaf Village Hospital" Nagato mused aloud as they continued walking until they finally reached Fire Country.
There was a fire burning in her heart to see her former home, no matter what you could take a leaf shinobi out of the leaf village and have them live somewhere else, but the leaf village would always be considered their home.
In just less than a day, the four of them were before the massive red gates of the Leaf Village "Not to shabby huh" Sakura smiled fondly as they approached the guards, when they were just three feet from walking under the arch they were stopped.
"Halt state your business you Rain Shinobi" the last two words came out in such a derogatory way that it set Sakura's nerves on edge, despite loving the Leaf Village, she'd made the Rain Village her home and to hear it insulted really pissed her off.
So bringing a little of the fire she held out, her green eyes narrowed "We are here on command of the Third Hokage, who has requested our help in setting Leaf's Hospital on the proper path to train medics and heal shinobi and civilians" Sakura kept her gaze locked with the guards.
Clearly her glare made him uncomfortable "What are those three to you then" he coughed out after a moment, feeling her killing intent choking him, suffocating him alive, it was horrendous and he'd never felt such a monstrous chakra before, besides Tsunade anyway.
"Konan-chan is my first in command, Nagato-san, Yahiko-san are our escorts, now if you'd kindly lead us to your Hokage-sama that would be just great" she obviously was in no mood to play around that day.
Yahiko, Konan and Nagato blinked when they were immediately let into the village and once they'd signed in they were led down the streets of the Leaf Village "I can't believe we're actually in another village" Konan gasped looking around in awe.
It was definitely different than the Rain Village for sure "No kidding Konan" Yahiko sidled up to the bluenette he had a crush on, keeping close to the only two people he'd known nearly his entire life give or take a few years.
Nagato peered around curiously feeling at ease in the village, why couldn't he have been born here, he shook his head and kept up with his friends "Do you think this plan will actually work" for once there was doubts and no one blamed him.
"Don't worry Nagato-san, it will, I'll make it" Sakura vowed to the red head as they reached the Hokage Tower and began climbing the steps, after an almost 30 minute waiting period, they were led down the hall and given permission to enter the Hokage's office.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was sat behind the desk and she had a hard time not bounding over to the wizened man and give him a hug and tell him how wonderful it was to see him alive again, before she managed to reign in her excitement and settle on a much more serious expression.
He looked surprised to see them so soon after he'd sent out the request for help, nor had he thought they'd be so young "Are you the ones that manage the Hospital in Rain" Hiruzen took a puff off his pipe before releasing the smoke.
Taking her cue, Sakura strode forward and bowed at the waist after lowering her head, to reveal mid back length pink locks "We are, I am Sakura, I'm the Head Medic in Charge, Konan is my Assistant Head Medic" she gestured to the bluenette.
"We are also of the Akatsuki Organization, I am Yahiko the Leader, with Konan my first and Nagato my second in commands in our expanding group" Yahiko joined the pinkette on her other side, while the red head stood on Konan's right.
Bowing low taking Sakura's example "We are here to help Hokage-sama" Nagato straightened after a moment letting the man who was called the God of Shinobi look the four of them over scrutinizing them for any lie.
After a moment he nodded, Konan chose that moment to speak "However we didn't just come here for free, we'll require a small price, after all we have to help our own as well" she kept her head held high and looked the hokage straight in the eyes.
Causing him to chuckle "Very interesting bunch you four are, name your price, then we'll get you settled somewhere comfortable, set you an escort around the village, the rest you can handle correct" Hiruzen lowered his pipe setting it on the table.
Sakura took charge once more "No more than 50,000 ryo, the price we'll ask from each village as we go around to help and thank you Hokage-sama" she bowed again wishing she could tell him, but it wasn't wise to do so yet.
Once she'd stated the price, they were led from the Hokage Tower to an inn, where they'd stay free of charge since they were guests and after getting settled in, their escort showed up, Sakura's eyes widened at the sight of him.
Minato Namikaze "I've been told you two are the ones who's come to set our hospital right and get it back on track with the rest of the world" he spoke in dulcet tones, ocean blue eyes bright and full of life, and sunshine blonde hair gleaming in the light.
"That's correct, I am Sakura, this is Konan my assistant, those two are Yahiko and Nagato-san" she introduced herself waiting for the blonde that was so like her idiot teammate to do the same, they only had to wait a few seconds before he nodded his head at them.
"You can call me Minato Namikaze, shall I escort you to the hospital first so that you can assess the situation or to a restaurant so that you may lunch since it's about that time" Minato nodded his head politely.
His words were considered for a moment "Restaurant first and if we might ask a favor of you could you find Jiraiya of the Legendary Sannin, he was once our sensei" the orange haired male spoke not really believing he might get to see his sensei from his childhood again.
Blonde brows rose and Minato looked the four Rain Shinobi over "Jiraiya huh, hmm that's possible, he's currently visiting my wife who is pregnant at this moment in time" the future Fourth Hokage commented.
What he didn't expect was for the younger kunoichi's emerald orbs to light up in excitement, followed by a glint of sadness before she locked her feelings away, no one but him caught that and it made him wonder.
"That would be great Namikaze-san, while Konan and Sakura are busy with the hospital we could speak with Jiraiya-sensei" the red haired male joined the conversation as they were led from the inn and down the streets to a restaurant.
In the end they decided on the Tea Shop "I wonder how bad the hospital is going to be though Sakura-chan" the bluenette frowned partway through lunch and starting in on her three sticks of dango looking worried.
"Mm can't be any worse than having to completely start up a hospital, with a little training and a proper regimen to deal with patients and whatnot I can imagine we'll have Leaf's General Hospital up and running as it should be in about two-three months" the pinkette explained.
Ocean blue eyes narrowed in response "Why are you Rain Shinobi so willing to help other village's straighten out their hospitals" Minato prodded lightly trying not to sound to suspicious, but he couldn't help but think the lot of them had ulterior motives in doing so.
Emerald irises shot his way "Because of Sakura here, she taught us that deep down no matter what happens we are all shinobi and it's our duty to make sure we survive" Yahiko piped in currently sat on the other side of his crush and threw an arm around her shoulders with a wide grin.
Surprised at the in depth answer "And just how old are you Sakura-san and are you also part of the Akatsuki Organization" the blue eyed male inquired carefully, he was worried that things were going to go south on them.
"I am eighteen Minato-san and kind of Konan and I are the official medics of the organization, but I haven't been out on any missions with them to help smaller villages with problems like they do as I manage the hospital in Rain" Sakura answered politely.
Complete with small smile on her lips "Yeah though it's probably best she doesn't come out with us, we've seen Sakura-san fight and one can liken it to watching someone wage a war on the battlefield during a fight for her" Nagato chuckled lightly in a teasing tone.
Prompting the teenager to blush and lower her gaze "Oh just ask each other out already would you and kiss kami" Konan rolled her eyes having picked up on the attraction between her two friends almost immediately after it had started up.
This time both Nagato and Sakura turned red and avoided each others gazes in embarrassment, while the blonde before them laughed in amusement "Shall we head to the hospital now and afterwards I'll take you two, to see Jiraiya-sensei" Minato stood.
Noticing that they were all done eating and after paying for their meal they headed from the restaurant and down the streets of the Leaf Village once more to Leaf's General Hospital, Sakura and Konan stared at the building in horror.
"Yeah it's pretty bad and I imagine other village hospital's are in the same condition" the blonde off to the side of them commented seeing the expressions on the two Rain Kunoichi's faces, it was horrible, but no one would manage it anymore not since Tsunade had quit.
Sakura inhaled then exhaled a deep breath "Good luck Sakura, Konan we'll come by to check on you later, maybe bring Jiraiya-sensei" the brown eyed male waved trying to boost their confidence, above all Sakura was way younger than them.
And she'd straightened out Hanzo and the Masked Man all by herself, dealt with civilian injuries, built a hospital from scratch and many more things, Nagato bit the inside of his cheek "Don't be afraid to ask for help" the red head squeezed their hands before following after the blonde.
Leaving the two kunoichi alone "Ready when you are Sakura-chan, we made a promise to better the Rain Village and our country after all and to complete your secret mission" the bluenette inhaled like her friend had.
Jade orbs softened "Then let us go Konan-chan and do our best to uphold our vows okay" the pinkette smiled wide and together the two kunoichi headed in to the hospital, it was utter chaos and within the first hour managed to gather all the medics working there.
And gave them a stern talking to about how to properly manage the hospital assigned a head medic and an assistant then sent them off to complete paperwork "Now does anyone have any questions" Konan asked.
When there was a lull in the scolding her friend was giving, it always amazed her how serious the girl took her job as a medic shinobi "Yeah how is all this going to help us if your here for a short time" one medic towards the very back scowled.
"That's where your wrong, we'll be here for about three months or so, maybe longer depending on how long it takes to straighten you guys out and teach you how to be proper medics" Sakura rattled off, reading through documents at a rapid pace.
In response to this one of the medics towards the front rolled her eyes "What does it matter to you stinkin Rain Shinobi whether or not we're doing our job in a village not your own" she scoffed irritated that a female half her age was coming in and barking orders at her.
Sakura turned sharply lowering the documents in her hand while Konan took a step back "I care because as a medic it shouldn't matter who a person your healing is, Cloud, Sand, Rain, Grass, Leaf, Stone we're all shinobi and all deserve to live" the eighteen year old snapped.
Many medics looked surprised at the statement just as the doors were burst open "Konan-chan we brought Jiraiya-sensei" Yahiko's familiar voice filled the two Kunoichi's ears and both females turned to spy the white haired male.
"Pretty sure I didn't train you any girl, your the one who came here to help straighten up the hospital right" Jiraiya was stood behind the orange haired male eyeing the younger kunoichi with wariness in his onyx eyes.
She nodded "I'm pretty new, and I've only known these three for about six months, we made fast friends" the pinkette smiled trying not to break down crying, kami this was going to really eat at her seeing people who were dead in her original time line.
Behind the duo was Nagato and Minato, the blonde once again caught sight of the sadness in those viridian orbs of the teenage girl, this time Nagato did as well, he had this sinking suspicious being there in her original village would be hard on her.
Granted they still didn't know much about the young girl who'd saved their lives, just that she had a mission "Yeah if it weren't for Sakura, I probably wouldn't be alive, just threw herself between Nagato and I, took a kunai to the back for me" Yahiko announced.
Jiraiya stared in horror at his once student "It's true Jiraiya-sensei, she stopped Hanzo as well and the Rain Village has never been so well off, we have a lot to thank Sakura-san for" Nagato nodded lightly purple ringed orbs focused on said girl.
"Then I thank you as well for making sure this goof stayed alive and for bringing him along with you and for befriending them" the Toad Sage bowed his head in thanks, though he was wary, if she'd saved his once upon a time students, she couldn't be all that bad.
Her eyes softened "Of course Jiraiya-sama and I'll continue to protect them so long as I live" Sakura announced quietly in a determined tone of voice, Yahiko tilted his head to the side as a sinking feeling formed in his gut.
"We need to get back to work, it was nice seeing you Jiraiya-sensei, but Sakura-chan and I have a lot of work to do" Konan clapped her hands sending the four males that had come to visit them scrambling from the hospital so that she and Sakura could continue their job.
Four hours later they trekked from the hospital and down the streets to a restaurant senses honed in on those of their companions "Kami we really thought you two were going to stay in there all night" the orange haired male grumped catching sight of his two friends.
"Nothing good would come of pushing them past their limits at this moment, teaching them the proper way takes time and patience Yahiko" Sakura stated wisely in response ordering some rice and curry with green tea and three sticks of dango.
It was then that the three Rain Orphans noticed something different about the girl "Hey what happened to that dia…." Konan piped in about to mention the purple diamond that use to be on her friends forehead but mysteriously gone.
Sakura looked around warily "I can't let anyone know I have it since right now the only person who should have it is Tsunade Senju" she leaned forward and lowered her voice so that only the three Rain Shinobi could hear her as she spoke.
Leading one of them to form suspicious as to where the teenager had come from purple ringed orbs narrowed "We understand Sakura and we won't tell anyone about it" the red head nodded seriously understanding that if they didn't something bad would happen.
She sat back with a relieved sigh and the four of them ate dinner before heading to the hotel to get some rest for the next day, it was around three that her door creaked open, Sakura sat upright in bed holding out a kunai ready to defend herself.
Until she noticed who the culprit was "Nagato-san what's the matter is it the Leaf Village are you having trouble sleeping" Sakura lowered her weapon and forced herself to wake up a little more in order to talk like he wanted.
The red head came forward and hesitantly sat on the edge of her hotel bed "Your from the future aren't you" came the accusation and Sakura hastily set up a sound proofing tag in order to not be eavesdropped on.
"I thought so explains why everyone person we met today you looked sad as if you were seeing a ghost, everyone you know is dead in your time line and you were sent here alone" Nagato continued not letting up, even if he was the only one she told the truth to, that was fine.
Sakura sighed "Yes Nagato-san and technically my mission was to prevent Yahiko from dying and giving the future I came from a newer brighter future, my SS ranked mission" the pinkette smiled bitterly looking horribly lost and out of her depth for the first time he'd known her.
But it was the tears that jerked at his heart strings "I promise Sakura-san to support you no matter where your mission leads you or what you have to do on your mission" the red head vowed purple ringed orbs piercing straight into those emerald orbs of hers.
That widened in response "Thank you Nagato-san and I swear to give everyone in all the villages the future they deserve to live peacefully without war or hatred, true peace achieved the proper way by establishing bonds of trust and friendships" Sakura nodded seriously.
Earning a chuckle "Sounds like a plan Sakura, sorry for bothering you, goodnight now" Nagato stood and in the next moment was gone from her hotel room, shutting the door quietly behind him, ten minutes later Sakura lay back down and fell back to sleep for the rest of the night.