Chapter 12: Leaving the Mist, Announcement for the Exams
It was two weeks coming and after that the village had banded together and helped to finish the bridge. Most of the stronger men working to put the bridge together while the women and some of the smaller men focused on feeding everyone and setting up some of the shops that they'd repaired since the ninja had come to their tiny village.
Sakura had treated any remaining smaller ailments she could and recommended asking the Leaf for proper medical support when the time came to ask for some aid in exchange for the treaty. Shikamaru gladly adding that to the demands of the treaty since Sakura had worked hard caring for the people.
Many of the elders had been skeptical when the kids first appeared, but the teams had really done a lot more than their missions would have originally demanded. If this was what the people of the Leaf Village were like, then allying with them was worth it.
After the battle and treaty drafting Sakura retired back to Zabuza's base for a final meet up before they would depart for their own goals while she and hers returned to the Leaf. Sakura had been playing the game of avoidance with Kakashi ever since the battle. He wanted to try and interrogate her so he could take her to T&I for an eval. This final meeting was the perfect excuse fabricated by her awesome sensei to grant her a small measure of peace.
Asuma explained later that Sakura was trained differently from most Leaf nin at their age. Her ability to grasp the danger and deal with it had frightened his fellow sensei. He given a glance at Sakura the night before asking if she needed to talk about it.
Sakura had explained that all shinobi had to make a first kill eventually. In her mind these men were terrorizing these innocent villagers and the only way for it to stop was to force an ending to it. She promised if she started having nightmares or anxiety that she would seek counseling herself.
Shikamaru added his own agreement, "I hate to say it, but she's right. We're all gonna do it eventually at least there was a reason for it that aligned with the mission." He looked at Asuma who glanced at Kakashi, "It's not like those guys were gonna give up. They were intending to take her if they could and at the time it was kill or be killed. No way around it."
Sasuke and Chouji nodded their understanding. Naruto was looking pale as he too had managed to kill several of those people. Ino just looked on in sympathy knowing the boisterous blonde boy on her team hadn't been mentally prepared enough.
Ino's eyes that morning had shifted back to Kakashi with a glare as she also didn't appreciate the position, he'd put her teammates in. Shocking Naruto, into a first kill no less, wasn't the way to properly handle the situation. She noted that she needed to recommend her Dad to talk with Naruto when he got home after this mission.
Sakura had more than reassured Ino that she was alright. She didn't enjoy killing them, but she wouldn't regret it either. There was no point in regretting her actions when there wasn't a way to change them. The woman almost scoffed at herself in response to that sentence, but her amusement was reigned in.
She relaxed against the wall in the hut knowing that either the two were already gone on their way or that they would be back for a final sweep either way she's been left in peace from the Copy-Nin for a little while.
She simply looked around almost fondly as she remembered that Zabuza and Haku had been quite surprised at her initial visit. The Demon Brothers had been sent to put out feelers for Hoshigaki per Zabuza's orders. Which made the ruse easier to accomplish on the bridge as the Gato had believed them dead.
She heard a shuffle of cloth and said, "Getting ready to head out then?"
"Yeah, we'll be gone before noon. Haku grab your supplies we're heading out to meet up with those louts." Zabuza said as Haku did as told. The harsh older man's gaze landed on the woman-child. "Those warnings of yours came in handy. Got a few possible leads on Kisame, any clues?"
Sakura said softly, "Black cloaks and red clouds. If they've recruited him already which it's possible that they have. Be cautious and make sure he's alone if that's the case." She said kindly, "I am to approach a few of them later but, right now it's too dangerous to chance it."
"Things have to line up I'm guessing?" Zabuza added a bit gruff.
Sakura's tired emerald eyes looked up at the man and said, "I'm not free to move yet. Once I'm older or higher ranked I'll have more freedom to see whomever I need to if a mission doesn't send me that way." She stared out the window of the hut and added, "I just have to continuously prove fruitful and I will get more freedom to do all I need to make sure the disaster of my world doesn't come to be for a lot of people."
Zabuza and Haku looked almost surprised and Sakura smirked and asked, "What? I know I can't save everyone…only naïve little kids dream of a perfect world. I'll save as many as I can and accept the losses where I need to."
Her comment was yet another reminder as to why the man and apprentice had agreed to work with her. Zabuza ruffled her hair a bit before waving goodbye as he headed out the door his apprentice following his master with a wave and kind smile filled with gratitude for Sakura.
Sakura sighed and relaxed again for the next few moments until a familiar pug appeared from the brush. She lifted him easily and hugged him carefully scratching behind his ears. "Time to go?"
"Yes, Sakura-hime, it's time to head back to home." Pakkun said kindly.
Sakura laughed, "You knew it was me all along."
Pakkun chuckled, "Pup, summons exist out of time and space. Not a one of us will reveal anything about you. It's not our place to."
Sakura patted him on the head, "Thanks Pakkun…is it weird that Konoha no longer feels like home?"
The pug hummed while considering, "In your case probably not. You've always been tied to the leaf but, with everything you've been sent to fix your world has gone beyond just Naruto and Sasuke." The pug wriggled and faced towards her face to look at her emerald eyes. "You're not who you were and, in this life,, fate is taking you away. Who knows what that will mean for your final destination?"
Sakura smiled a bit sad and walked to the group ignoring Kakashi's surprised look towards her holding Pakkun. Even in her former life only she and Kakashi had ever earned the right to hold Pakkun and carry him. She gently placed him down with a final head pat and promised quietly that she would make the gang some treats when she could.
Pakkun returned to his summoner who asked, "What was that about?"
The pug looked at him and said, "She smells like me, I like her." The dog's grin widened as Sakura snickered remembering her childish reaction the first time, he'd told her that when she'd been a child. Her over the top reaction had been one of the parts that made him fond of her.
Sakura joined her team who all shared smiles. Ino was griping at the competitiveness of her teammates frustrated with the slow pace. Asuma's hand resting on her shoulder as they all took one final look at the village they'd saved. Sakura laughed at the tearful goodbye between Naruto and Inari who bonded like brothers.
Inari moved over to her and held out a pair of scissors Sakura looked confused before taking them. Inari pulled her over near Tazuna who smiled and gestured to the ribbon representing the grand opening of the bridge.
Sakura smiled softly and placed the scissors back into Inari's hands before wrapping her own around his. She looked down and chuckled as realization dawned on the young boy who lifted his hands with Sakura and snipped the ribbon open allowing applause to reach them from both sides. Sakura carefully handed the scissors to Tsunami and hugged Inari.
"Come back and visit soon if you can big sis!" The little future hero bid as he waved goodbye.
Tazuna chuckled, "The Great Blossom Bridge" he waved off the confusion on both Sakura and Ino's faces. "For the two young women who protected what was most precious to me and made all of this possible."
Ino and Sakura shared a happy glance and smiled with their eyes closed to attempt to hide their tears. Together they bowed, "It was a pleasure and an honor to meet every single one of you!" They came to a stand and waved before they charged ahead of their teams too emotional to say anything more. They came to hold hands and opened their teary eyes.
"That's why you work so hard isn't Sakura?" Ino asked softly another piece of her friend's mysterious puzzle falling into place.
"If my work can bring a smile even to a single person's face it's worth it Ino." Sakura looked back to their teams and sensei who looked hesitant to approach. "Look at the cowards, they don't know how to handle a girl's happy tears."
Ino laughed with Sakura as they kept their hands linked and continued walking. Ino called out, "Hey you Slowpokes, Get a Move on Already!"
Both continued laughing together their tears fading in their laughter as they heard the complaints of the guys behind them Naruto's loud "Girls, I don't get it one minute they're crying and the next they're smiling! Talk about mood swings!"
Ino grumbled, "Oh I'll show him a mood swing." She went to turn and Sakura linked their arms.
"Nope, not letting a stray comment from a boy ruin my mood and neither should you. Isn't the mystery of our moods half the fun?" Sakura asked with a wink as they teams exited the site of the villagers.
None were aware that the four who had been listening the day during the battle to Sakura's message to the boy Inari had remained to learn more of what had been done there. One was even fascinated to hear an old comrade seemed to be looking for him.
"Huh, wonder what Zabuza wants to see me for?" He cracked his neck with a dangerous smirk, "Maybe a spar like old times hmm?"
He went off with one of the people whose green eyes studied the village carefully as they left their own way. He had bounties to collect and the shark had a comrade to find.
Behind them remained a man with ringed eyes and a woman with paper flowers. The man looked around in interest before approaching the bridge builder's family after removing his cloak. His partner following and doing the same.
Tazuna looked surprised and a bit guarded, "Can we help you?"
"Tell me…of that girl who was here. The one called Sakura." He asked but his firm voice made it seem more like a demand.
"He's asking, I apologize, but I know his voice can be forceful at times." The woman gently cajoled a tender smile at the child.
"Sakura from the Leaf. She's the best ninja ever!" Inari said happy he asked, "Who are you Miss and Mister?"
"We are travelers but we heard whispers about an angel with pink hair and had to ask. You can call me Angel." Angel said kindly to the boy not wanting to spook him.
Her partner's eyes watched her with something akin to sadness. His angel had always wanted a family, but their goals had stolen the chance from her due to the company they kept. Their lives far too mobile and unstable to raise a child in.
"Sakura came as an ambassador from her village. They came to negotiate a treaty while the other Leaf team were assigned as bodyguards to my Father." Tsunami answered a fond smile on her face. "While they were here, they did so much more. Sakura healed our people and cooked a lot of the time. Her comrades Sasuke and Naruto helped in different areas with rebuilding our homes, shops, and boats or playing with the children. Chouji helped with food preparation. Shikamaru-san helped set up the herbalists and the medical clinic with Sakura to make healing the people easier. Asuma and Kakashi hunted and they all helped the bridge builders move things along. She even approached Zabuza-san and his apprentice with an offer to be his ally. She, herself, and not her village. Her Hokage even approved of it." Tsunami looked to them and added, "even without a guarantee for a treaty they made all of our lives better. Most of all Sakura saved my son, my family and it's a gift I can never truly repay."
Both partners bowed to the family, "Thank you for sating our curiosity." Both turned to leave and as they exited the village, "Pein?"
"An angel, whose soul is greater than she realizes…I wonder will she friend or foe when the time comes." Pein commented.
"I don't think a person like tsunami described could ever truly be our enemy…not unless we threatened those she's sworn to protect." Konan said honestly.
"Hmmm, only time will tell Konan." Pein finished as he led his partner to return towards their base back at their home village of Ame.
~A Week Later-Konoha~
Sakura and Ino signed in through the gates and headed to the Hokage tower for their final report submissions. Both young ladies eager to return to their 2nd home at Genma and Hayate's apartment. They hadn't seen their brothers in over a month total and they missed their bonding time with them. Yugao may even be back from her most recent stint in the wilds. A code they used at home for Anbu missions knowing they weren't technically meant to know anything about it.
On the way to the tower they were joined by their team and Ibiki approached knowing he would want to hear the turnout from the mission Sakura didn't comment but nodded in greeting to him. Sakura felt Ino pulling her towards the steps and laughed a bit as she could see the amusement in the old Anbu Interrogators face.
Once they reached the Hokage's office they knocked on the door and were invited inside. "Ah Welcome back home Ino-chan and Sakura-chan." Hiruzen had a pleased smile on his face as he nodded to his Anbu Interrogator who leaned against a wall in the office behind the reporting teams.
"Report Asuma," The Hokage requested officially his face still warm and beginning to glow with pride as he listened to all the additional steps the children took to making the treaty possible. His gaze turned to Kakashi whose report focused on all the encounters with Zabuza, the Demon Brothers, and Haku the unknown apprentice. He explained in great detail the battle at the bridge and the final results including with a sly look the Bridge's new name.
"Tazuna and his people were so grateful they named the bridge, "The Great Blossoms Bridge" to thank Ino and Sakura for all their hard work in protecting his family and helping his village. Girls got teary eyed and everything." Kakashi added with a delighted flourish as he noted the lack of surprise the Hokage held for the girl's battle prowess.
Sakura and Ino smiled while silently their eyes twinkled plotting their revenge against the Copy-nin who shuddered wondering if there was a draft.
Hiruzen nodded, "Then I suppose when I go with the next party to secure the finalized treaty that you both will be attending with me." His eyes showed pride and respect at the details of all that had occurred to bring the faith of the people into life to trust their Village.
Ino and Sakura bowed, "We would be honored to attend Hokage-sama, but we couldn't have done any of it without our teammates.
The man chuckled at how in sync the two were with a thought, 'In your previous life it was Ino who'd helped you grow. Now in this one you've returned the favor a hundred-fold. Be proud Sakura, very proud.'
Hiruzen closed the first part of the meeting, "All students from both teams will be awarded pay of 2 A- rank missions for the services they've done for the village. Sakura please stay behind for your final report on you separate mission." Ino paused and looked to the Hokage who smiled, "She will be right behind you Ino-chan."
Ino smiled and left the room to wait for her friend downstairs. Her team and Sakura's waiting as well making her smile. "So, who wants to get lunch when Sakura gets out. If we're lucky Hayate and Genma will join us. Maybe even Yugao-chan."
"Sure, we'll join you! Is Sakura with Hokage-sama?" came an inquiry from a very familiar voice. Ino promptly glomped the woman who laughed, "Hello Ino-chan, we've missed you girls very much."
After the barrier seals were activated Sakura relaxed her demeanor a bit further and said, "Hello Hokage-sama, the mission to recruit Zabuza as an ally went exactly as planned. He took the information and his living comrades in exchange for his cooperation with me in the future.
"Well done Sakura-chan, what will our next move be?" Hiruzen asked as she raised a brow. He nodded towards Ibiki, "He will help you with information gathering and keep your secret. No one else but he and your allies need to know."
Sakura turned and demanded, "You will swear an oath of silence that these matters won't be shared with anyone other than Hiruzen, myself, or you without my express say?"
Ibiki chuckled darkly nodded in agreement his eyes glinting in respect for the young girl he is so fond of. She turned to Hiruzen and asked, "I need to consider the next move for a moment. Please fill Ibiki in and I will have a proper answer by then for you Hokage-sama."
As the two men she considered the next events to come. The main challenge is Orochimaru's appearance during the chunin exams, his obsession with obtaining the Sharingan and continuing into the years to follow. Hiruzen would die if the events were left alone and she had to consider the possibility of Tsunade needing to be brought in on the information. She'd already regained her byakugo seal she had hidden under a simple genjutsu she chose to remove it gaining the attention of the men in the room looking upon the seal with amazement.
"Byakugo no In?" Hiruzen whispered almost reverently as he clarified, "You've already regained the seal?" Ibiki moved forward and prodded the seal lightly only to receive shock and a slight look of annoyance from Sakura.
"Yes, it took me three years the first time around. Thanks to my current circumstances I regained my seal the year before I graduated from academy. I had to wait for my network to finish stabilizing the basic chakra walls before I could risk trying any storage methods. Meditating twice a day made the process go along quicker whereas before I was needed to work in the hospital and had my attention split."
"Keep it visible Haruno, we can use this to lure Tsunade back to the village a bit sooner." Ibiki said firmly and she nodded her agreement.
"Orochimaru will invade the leaf with the goal of killing you and obtaining Sasuke's Sharingan during the Chunin exams. We need to plan carefully; you'll call me when you need me?" Sakura asked as she headed towards the door.
"Of course, Sakura please obtain your 2 A rank and one S rank payments from the mission counter. It will be waiting for you." Hiruzen stated and Sakura nodded with a smile as she exited the room and headed to the bottom of the stairs to collect her pay with the group from the mission's office.
Sakura waited until both sensei and teams had collected their pay before getting her own. The admin completing the payouts eyes widened at the rank pays she earned. "Here you go Ha-Haruno-san."
Sakura smiled gently, "Thank you Admin-san, I appreciate your time." Her envelope was only slightly thicker so he teammates and peers didn't realize, but Asuma and Kakashi looked pleased and surprised.
Kakashi led the teams out first and Asuma congratulated her, "2 A and an S your first time out…nicely done Sakura-chan. You've done us proud."
Sakura and Asuma easily caught up with the group as she sent him a thankful smile joining her friends. The Barbeque place was glad to see them back and they were settled where Sakura sat between Yugao and Genma. Ino hogging Hayate's attention on Yugao's other side making Hayate pout and Genma snicker. Yugao looked down at Sakura with a smile, "Welcome home Petal-chan."
Sakura smiled and hugged her favorite kunoichi, "Thanks Yugao-chan, I've missed you all too." She yawned a bit and leaned on Genma saying, "Genma-nii, feed me please I'm too tired to grill anything today?"
Genma smiled down at his little sister, "Steak and Shrimp as usual?"
"Un!" Sakura said happily as she cuddled into his side. She relaxed as she received a side hug from him and a positive reply. "Thank you!"
Sakura's bangs moved out of the way and his eyes locked onto her seal, "Sakura-chan, I thought you were hiding it?"
Sakura blinked weary and said, "Hokage-sama and Ibiki-san said not to. So, I stopped hiding it. It's a big achievement so I'm proud to have it."
Genma nodded in understanding and kissed her forehead right on the seal, "It is something to be proud of little sister. Let me know if anyone tries to cause you grief over it okay. I'll take care of it."
Sakura had already fallen asleep worn out from the journey home. Genma laid her head on his lap as he cooked the food. Ino laughing with everyone as they argued over the best foods. Asuma from across the table smiling at the image Sakura and Genma made unknowingly really appearing as siblings to anyone who saw the way the man doted on her.
Hayate grinned at his lover over his favorite blonde's head. Yugao tilted her head towards his other charge and he peeked to see her napping on Genma's lap as he cooked for them both like she would when she was tuckered out from training when she was little. He smiled went back to cooking food for himself making sure that Ino didn't burn hers.
None of the group noticed the grass nin watching staring at the pinkette's forehead with surprise and reluctant curiosity. 'Such a young child with that seal? She's not a Senju…who is this child.' The nin noted to tell his people to keep an eye on her while they were here before dismissing the thought and studying the young Uchiha. 'Soon Sasuke-kun, soon you and your sharingan will be mine.'
Sakura was left sleeping peacefully and, in her dreams, she shivered as a familiar presence swept over her. 'He's already here…guess I shouldn't be so surprised. He'd finally learned his lesson in my time but, he hasn't figured it out yet here. I wonder if he's learned anything of use yet.' Her dreams became more peaceful once his presence disappeared from the vicinity of her and her team.
It wasn't long after that she was lightly shaken awake and her green eyes blinked up at Genma. He grinned and sat her up handing her a bowl of food and nudging her to eat. Sakura not yet completely awake ate mechanically ignoring the snickers of her comrades. She felt Yugao smoothing out her hair and gave the older kunoichi a smile.
"Your nap seems like its trying to pull you back under Sakura-chan. Have you heard the news?" Yugao asked a bit mischievous and Sakura woke completely in surprise.
"News what news?" She looked at her sensei who was a bit sheepish.
"Well Sakura-chan, you've been nominated for the exams alongside the other rookie genin." Asuma said excited.
Sakura's gaze narrowed, "I'm not competing…I've been genin for 6 months. Most stay genin a year before taking the exams in order to fine tune their abilities and teamwork. Its too soon." She turned back to her food mumbling, "Stupid exams, too troublesome" making her other teammates laugh.
Shikamaru gave a dry look, "Stop stealing my words, women are troublesome." Sakura's laughing emeralds gleamed back at him.
"But, it's true! It's too troublesome to take an exam that we as a team aren't ready for yet." Sakura said honestly.
Chouji took a moment to think, "You did so well on the mission though. Surely, you're ready?"
Sakura sighed, "I may be ready, but can you honestly tell me that you feel prepared?" She placed her serious gaze on Chouji and flickered to Shikamaru who looked pensive. "Even if one person is ready if the team isn't the exam will be a bust for us all. What will it hurt for us to wait 6 months and be patient for the next exam its bound to come around sooner or later and we have the time to be sure we're ready. We also would need to resupply. Aren't the exams done in 3 portions to test readiness for mission success?"
Asuma cajoled, "What if I told you the other rookie teams were counting on you three Sakura?"
Sakura didn't look impressed as she blandly said, "Then we should have been working harder and been given more notice for this exam. I refuse to put my team in jeopardy by flying blind Asuma-sensei. If they are counting on us how long have, they known about this and why are we just finding out?"
Shikamaru's eyes sharpened suddenly and looked at his sensei, "She's got a point Sensei. How long has this plan been in the works and why are you just telling us now?"
Ino looked excited, "Come on Sakura we just found out, but just imagine if we pass, we go to Chunin rank which means better missions and better pay."
Sakura scoffed, "Or a pre-me gets promoted and sent like a pig to the slaughterhouse."
Ino winced, "Come on Sakura it's not that bad we did awesome on this last mission."
Hayate intervened, "Ino, you do realize Sakura is looking out for you right?"
Ino looked up, "Well, what's your opinion Hayate-nii?"
Hayate sighed and explained, "The Chunin Exams are tests done to test your capabilities for the future. What you have forgotten is multiple villages send their hopefuls to participate. Sakura's worried because you guys haven't been genin long and most of your competition is going to come from foreigners in places you've never seen before."
Sakura added, "We don't know enough about the possible competition and besides our beads and Sasuke. Do any of the genin know elemental transformation yet?"
Naruto said, "Do shadow clones count?"
Sakura sighed, "Naruto, your not always going to be able to spam the enemy. Those thugs were civilian…it was easy because they had no training in dealing with ninja. Our competition will be older and more experienced foreign ninja with jutsu and skill that we've never seen before." She paused and said honestly, "People who go into these exams unprepared die Naruto, it isn't a game."
"What a drag? Should we do some intel gathering and then decide?" Shikamaru asked.
Sakura huffed and said annoyed, "Do what you want? I'm more concerned about the 5 of you and the others than I am about myself." She sighed knowing that regardless she was going to get tied into this somehow.
This generation of ninja for all their intelligence were like dogs with their bones. Once they set their eyes on the prize there was nothing to deter them from going for it. She pouted as the others left except for Genma, Yugao, and both sensei.
"This is really bothering you isn't it Sakura-chan?" Yugao asked kindly.
"If there was a strict rule against killing another competitor, I'd feel more secure, but during at least one part of the exam anyone's free game. I just don't want anyone to die because they aren't ready yet." Sakura answered, "Since the sensei saw fit to put us in this mess I just have to deal with the fallout. I hope for their sakes that none of the rookies die in the exams. Most of them being clan heirs it would cause some serious fall out."
Sakura stood and left money for her portion leaving the restaurant and the awestruck sensei. Genma watched his little sister walk away despondent as if the weight of the world was on her shoulders. He understood where she was coming from, really, he did, now though he was worried about the change he'd just witnessed in her and asked.
"Kakashi, what happened on that mission?" Genma's eyes never left the door where she exited from.
"Sakura and Naruto as well as Shikamaru all took their first kills during the mission. We're keeping an eye on them and soon enough they'll get passed it." Kakashi said firm. He knew the children were excited, but once again Sakura showed she was a true leader. Her concern for her comrades outweighed her fear for her own life and knew that if it came between them and her, she'd save them every time no matter the cost.
At the deep level of concern hiding her fear which he barely caught a sudden feeling of lead dropping into the bottom of his stomach began to haunt him and make him second guess his decision to push for the exams so soon.
~Back at the Hokage Tower~
Sakura entered the office where Ibiki was still meeting with Hiruzen her face set in displeasure. "You allowed it, really Sarutobi?!"
Hiruzen sighed as Ibiki muttered, "Busted…" Both men turned to face the woman who would be 27 in the coming Spring stared him down.
"Now Sakura-chan, I know this isn't how you'd like it." Hiruzen tried to soothe the nerve frayed woman.
"What about Orochimaru is here to target Sasuke do you not understand?" Sakura said firmly, "We had a base plan when I came clean to you a few years ago that none of the rookies were to participate in the Chunin Exams without a year of time as genin. Why did you deviate?!" Sakura's entire persona gripped by fear.
Hiruzen became concerned, "Sakura, it happened this was before and you all survived yes?"
Sakura glared, "Survived yes, Lee was crippled by Gaara, Sasuke was bitten and given a curse seal by Orochimaru and later left the leaf obsessed with false power and revenge." She hissed in anger, "I did not come from my peaceful rest among the dead to change things only for you to sabotage everything with a mistake like this!"
'Calm yourself Sakura-chan…I know this is avoiding the plan, but maybe it's for the best. You've done this before, and you know what is coming.' Hashirama tried to soothe.
Sakura cried out, "I'm not on Sasuke's team, I can't protect them from Orochimaru if I'm not with them. What about the survival round did you think of that!?" Her pain and torment from her past and all she suffered as a result flashing before her eyes. Hashirama sending waves of reassurance to her trying to protect her from the immense emotion she was feeling.
Ibiki did a quick chop and knocked her unconscious his concern outweighed by his fear of her being correct. "Hokage-sama, could we have miscalculated?" He turned his severe gaze between the girl and his leader sure of his place. "If we make a mistake and it sets the worst in motion…she might leave use."
Hiruzen sighed, "That is the point Ibiki…when I face Orochimaru I will die and when Tsunade takes my place she will never trust a child powerful enough to achieve that seal without her guidance. Her independence," he turned to the window. "Her freedom will lead to the results she came to bring to fruition. If she is tied to any one village…she will never achieve her goals or make the allies she needs to succeed. We gave her room to plan and grow, but we cannot ground her forever.