"Sakura, you look like hell." Tsunade exclaimed as she saw Sakura's puffy face.
"I need a mission." Sakura answered.
"There's no available mission, Sakura."
"Please, Hokage-sama, I need a mission. I need a long-term mission; I can't stay here anymore. I'm going to die here. Please."
Sakura's plea was filled with desperation, and Tsunade could see the pain in her eyes. It was clear that Sakura needed a change of scenery and a way to occupy her mind and heal from the emotional wounds she had suffered. Tsunade, though concerned, understood the gravity of the situation and the need to help Sakura.
Tsunade reached for a scroll. "This is supposed to be for Kakashi." Tsuande watched as Sakura flinched at the sound of the jonin's name. "This is an S-rank mission, Sakura."
"I don't care. I am a war heroine, apprentice of the Hokage. I can do it."
Tsunade sighed and handed her the scroll. "That is a solo mission. I expect frequent updates. You have to leave tomorrow."
"I can leave now."
"Sakura - "
"If I don't leave now, I'll just wallow. I need to do something."
Tsunade recognized the determination in Sakura's eyes and understood that she needed this mission as a way to regain her sense of purpose and escape the pain she was going through. With a heavy heart, Tsunade agreed to let Sakura leave for the mission immediately.
"Very well, Sakura. If that's what you need, then you can depart right away. But promise me one thing," Tsunade said, looking at her former apprentice with a mix of concern and affection. "Promise me that you'll take care of yourself and that you'll return safely. We've lost too many already, and I don't want to lose you as well."
Sakura nodded, her determination mixed with gratitude. "I promise, Hokage-sama. I'll be careful, and I'll come back in one piece."
With a final nod from Tsunade, Sakura took the scroll and left the Hokage's office, ready to face the challenges of her new mission and hoping that it would provide the distraction and purpose she so desperately needed.
Tsunade watched as her student, her most promising student, left her office. Shizune entered as soon as she left and stared questioningly at her.
"Tell Kakashi that his mission is cancelled. I gave it to another shinobi."
"You mean Sakura?"
"Don't tell him that."
"Hokage-sama - "
"She asked for it. Just go."
Shizune nodded, understanding the situation. She knew Tsunade well and knew that she often made decisions based on the well-being of her people, even if it meant changing plans and keeping some information from others. Shizune quickly left to find Kakashi and deliver the message.
Tsunade sat at her desk, her expression a mix of concern and hope for Sakura. She hoped that this new mission would help her young apprentice find a path forward and heal the emotional wounds she carried. The village had already lost so much, and Tsunade was determined to do whatever it took to ensure that Sakura wouldn't be another name on the memorial stone.
Tsunade looked up from the papers that she is reading when she felt an angry chakra coming her way. She looked at the man that entered her office.
"I didn't send for you, Kakashi."
"What is this, Hokage-sama? You cancelled my mission because you gave it to another?"
Before Tsunade can respond, another person entered her office.
"Don't you people know how to knock?" She interrupted Ino before she can say anything. "There's a door for a reason."
"Tsunade-sama," Ino's eyes were wide. "gomen ne, but Sakura is missing!"
Tsunade sighed, this is a conversation that she doesn't want. "She's not missing, Ino."
"What do you mean?" Ino asked.
"I sent her out of the village." she eyed Kakashi when she said this. "She will be out for a while."
"Please don't tell me you gave her my mission." Kakashi exclaimed.
Tsunade's gaze remained fixed on Kakashi as he voiced his concern about the mission, his visible eye narrowed with a hint of frustration. She leaned forward, her expression firm and unwavering.
"Yes, Kakashi," Tsunade replied. "I gave Sakura the S-rank mission that was originally meant for you. She requested a long-term mission, and I decided it would be a suitable task to help her cope with the emotional strain she's going through. This is a solo mission, and it's something she needs at this point in her life."
Kakashi's shoulders tensed, and he ran a hand through his silver hair. He understood Tsunade's reasoning but was clearly conflicted about the situation.
"It is an S-rank mission for a reason, Hokage-sama!" Kakashi protested. "Are you trying to get her killed?"
"You're the reason why she needs to get out." Ino shouted, fury in her eyes. "If you can't love her the way she deserves, you shouldn't have approach her in the first place. If anything happens to her, its your fault."
"Call her back, Tsunade-sama, please." Kakashi demanded. But he watched as the Hokage shook her head. "What do you want me to do, Hokage-sama? Do you want me to kneel, to grovel at your feet? I'll do it, just call her back."
"Though your offer is tempting, I can't, Kakashi." Tsunade answered. "She already left."