Sakura, on the other hand, tried to fill the void with work that she got from one of the small villages near the Hidden Mist Village.
She had chosen a life of anonymity, working as a healer in a remote village where her skills were desperately needed. The people of the village welcomed her, grateful for the medical expertise she brought. Sakura threw herself into her work, using her healing abilities to make a difference in the lives of those who sought her help.
The days turned into months, and then years. Sakura's presence in the village became integral to its well-being, and the initial pain of leaving Konoha gradually faded into the background. She built connections with the villagers, earning their trust and respect.
Yet, despite the outward appearance of contentment, Sakura carried the weight of her past with her. The pain of leaving Kakashi, the village, and the life she had known lingered beneath the surface. The decision to walk away from everything she held dear was a sacrifice she had made for the greater good, but it came at a personal cost.
Her life in the remote village was a quiet existence, far removed from the political intrigues and power dynamics of the larger shinobi world. Sakura found solace in her work, in the simplicity of healing and helping those in need. The scars of her past, however, remained etched in her heart.
As the years passed, Sakura occasionally received news from the outside world. Glimpses of Konoha's activities reached her, a reminder of the life she had left behind. News of Kakashi's continued leadership and the stability of the village brought a mix of conflicting emotions—pride, nostalgia, and a twinge of longing.
One day, as Sakura tended to a patient in her small clinic, an unexpected visitor arrived.
"Chojuro." She let out.
"Sakura." The next Mizukage smiled at her.
"Do you feel ill? Why are you here?" she asked.
Chojuro's expression grew serious as he looked at Sakura. "I didn't come here for medical treatment. I came because I heard about what happened in Konoha."
Sakura paused, her hands still over her patient. "What happened?"
Chojuro took a deep breath before responding. "Kakashi stepped down as Hokage. The village is going through some changes, and there are rumors that the Council of Elders played a significant role in his decision." He informed her. "I've been to Konoha multiple times, and everytime I see him, he reeks of alcohol. Maybe it's time for you to go back."
"I never thought he would step down this soon," Sakura murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. She focused on her visitor, trying to maintain composure despite the flood of emotions. "Why did he step down? What happened?"
Chojuro sighed, his gaze sympathetic. "The details are unclear, but it seems there were conflicts with the Council of Elders. Kakashi was facing pressure, and it took a toll on him. He's not the same as he used to be."
Sakura's grip on her medical tools tightened. The concern for Kakashi mingled with a sense of guilt. She couldn't shake the feeling that somehow her departure had contributed to the challenges he faced.
"What can I do?" she asked, looking up at Chojuro.
"You still care about him, don't you?" Chojuro observed. "You should go back. He looked for you tirelessly. And you can't hide her from him forever." He pointed to the sleeping silver-haired girl in the corner. "You've hid her long enough. Let her meet her father."
Sakura's eyes widened in surprise at Chojuro's revelation. She followed his gaze to the sleeping child, her heart skipping a beat as look at the silver hair of her daughter that mirrored Kakashi's.
"How did you...?" she began, her voice barely a whisper.
Chojuro sighed. "Word travels, Sakura. People talk. I heard about a skilled healer with pink hair with a silver-haired child living in a remote community in our village. It wasn't hard to connect the dots."
The weight of the truth settled on Sakura's shoulders. The child, hidden away from the world, was a living reminder of the life she left behind. A wave of conflicting emotions swelled within her— joy at the existence of her precious little girl who saved her from the crippling pain and guilt for keeping her hidden from her father.
"You should go back to Konoha. Kakashi deserves to know about his daughter, and you both deserve a chance at a life together," Chojuro advised, his gaze filled with understanding.
Sakura hesitated, her mind racing with the implications of Chojuro's words. The thought of facing Kakashi after all these years, revealing the existence of their daughter, felt like an insurmountable challenge. The fear of rejection and judgment gripped her heart.
"Chojuro, I... I don't know if I can," she admitted, her voice filled with uncertainty.
Chojuro placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Sakura, people change, and time has a way of healing wounds. Kakashi has been through a lot, and he might need you now more than ever. Don't let the past dictate your future."
Sakura took a deep breath, grappling with the weight of the decision before her. The longing to see Kakashi again, to mend the broken pieces of their past, warred with the fear of the unknown.
"Think about it, Sakura. Your daughter deserves to know her father, and Kakashi deserves to know he has a family waiting for him," Chojuro urged before taking his leave.
As Sakura watched him go, her thoughts were in turmoil. The image of Kakashi, burdened by the challenges of leadership and coping with her sudden departure, haunted her. The longing to hold him, to share the truth, and to build a life together for their daughter tugged at her heart.