The echoes of the death of the great Madara Uchiha reverberated across all Elemental Nations. One of the prominent figures in the history of shinobi had fallen, defeated by his friend Hashirama Senju in a legendary showdown at the Valley of the End. While the details of the political intricacies remained veiled in shadow, Madara's loss could not be concealed by the Land of Fire.
This victory established Hashirama Senju as the most formidable shinobi warrior of all time, eclipsing even the legend of the Rikudô Sennin. The Senju clan solidified its control over the village of Konoha No Sato, while the Uchiha found themselves at the mercy of their new leaders. Madara's fierce struggle, which had defined an entire lifetime, now reduced to a distant shadow in the face of Hashirama's might.
Orphaned of their leader, the Uchiha bowed to the will of the Senju. As a compromise, and to prevent any imminent rebellion, Konoha No Sato appointed the Uchiha clan as the guardians of the village police, a decision endorsed by Tobirama Senju. This appointment aimed to ease tensions and ensure that the Uchiha did not feel aggrieved in the newly established order.
Thus, Hashirama forged an unquestioned position of power for the Land of Fire. Many clans rallied to Konoha, creating an alliance so robust that even the combined forces of the other four great nations could not threaten its stability. Recognition of this victory manifested in the initiation of a project to honor the two illustrious shinobi, symbolized by the construction of two monumental statues at the Valley of the End.
However, since his triumph, Hashirama Senju seemed altered.
Certainly, he had sacrificed his childhood friend in that final battle, but an oddity now emanated from him. His strength waned, as if he had contracted a insidious ailment. Was it the battle with Madara that had affected him more than he had imagined? Had he sustained an injury during that confrontation, a sly malady slowly consuming him? Or perhaps it was the weight of sealing the nine-tailed fox within his wife, Mito Uzumaki, that drained him of his energy? Or maybe a combination of these elements?
Whatever the cause, the result was the gradual disappearance of Hashirama Senju, as if the man had been erased from existence. He left no trace, and even his wife claimed ignorance of his whereabouts. But was that the truth? No one knew, and Konoha sought to conceal this mystery.
However, for how long?
Initially, it was just a faint rumor, but every rumor draws its substance from a kernel of truth. If this rumor proved true, it would upset the balance of the Elemental Nations. The loss of Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju would leave Konoha vulnerable, opening a door to potential threats. Thus, the banners of peace were slowly folded, heralding the onset of an imminent war.
The lingering rumor remained to be confirmed: Hashirama Senju, the Shinobi God, had vanished.
Day 29
After twenty-nine days, the two protagonists still hadn't come to blows. Despite their differences, both made an effort to maintain a civilized demeanor, though it proved challenging for each. Sakura carried the knowledge of the future, her memories often resurfacing when she met the gaze of the brown-eyed man, while Madara grappled with the challenge of accepting orders from a woman, all the while attempting to unravel the mystery surrounding her.
On this sunny day in the Land of Rice Fields, Sakura had positioned Madara outside, on a table with direct access to his back. She currently had her hands immersed in a container of warm water mixed with various oils. Once her hands were saturated with the mixture, she placed them on Madara's back, intending to spread the concoction.
"What is the purpose of all this?" wondered Madara, perplexed about the relevance of this process on him.
"Now that most of your nerve endings have been restored, I need to reposition them accurately," explained Sakura while providing a comforting massage on Madara's back. With each pass of her skillful hands, she infused a fine layer of healing chakra. "Pay no mind to my actions; let yourself be carried away. It will facilitate the process for your body."
Madara followed the young woman's advice and closed his eyes, immersing himself in meditation on the surroundings. In nearly a month, he had learned to recognize the wisdom of this person, even if acknowledging that a woman was right frustrated him to the highest degree. However, he couldn't deny that his benefactor had saved his life, and everything she undertook bordered on miraculous.
After about ten minutes of massage, Madara found himself on the verge of sleep, lulled by Sakura's expert hands.
On a nearby table to Sakura rested basalt stones, an inkwell, a brush, and some towels. The young woman gently wiped her hands with one of them before carefully picking up one of the stones, accompanied by a brush. With expert precision, she traced a seal of Fûinjutsu on one side of the stone, sealing it skillfully with a tiny burst of chakra. Once the seal was firmly in place, she dipped the stone three-quarters into the previously used liquid, taking great care not to alter the formula. Then, she delicately placed the stone on the upper part of Madara's back.
The chakra point exerted by Sakura, combined with the emerging sensation at the base of his neck, gently pulled Madara from his trance. He fixed his gaze on the young woman, who was once again engrossed in meticulous writing on another stone.
"What are you doing?" questioned Madara with some uncertainty as an intense warmth spread at his neck.
"I'm arranging these stones to produce a constant warmth. This will allow your muscles to relax to the maximum," explained Sakura while continuing to meticulously trace a symbol on her stone. She then dipped the stone into the oil before placing it just below the first one, and so on. "Once your muscles are completely relaxed, some of your nerve endings will naturally fall back into place, and then I'll deal with the more stubborn ones."
Madara felt increasingly bewildered. As he deepened his understanding of this woman, she became more and more elusive. He felt like a lost child in the face of his growing comprehension. Several times, he found himself wondering if he had succumbed to the Valley of the End, questioning if everything he was experiencing was a phantasmagorical creation of his mind in a celestial beyond.
"Haruno-san..."
"Yes, Uchiha-san?" responded Sakura, placing a new stone on her patient's back. This one was more imposing than the previous ones, positioned where Hashirama's sword had inflicted the most damage.
"How old are you?"
This question caught Sakura completely off guard. He asked it as if discussing the weather, and she did not expect such a query at all. So far, he had sought information about her origins, her name, her skills, even about medicine, but never something so... ordinary.
"Twenty years old," Sakura replied without hesitation.
At twenty, having such mastery of knowledge was a remarkable youth. Of course, at the time, he himself was a virtuoso, but on a more martial level. What impressed Madara about her was the depth of her intellect, especially remarkable amid the provincial wars that had marked most of his life. A question then arose in Madara's mind: who had been the mentor who shaped the rest of her expertise? He understood that his mother had passed on the art of medicine to her, but who guided her on the path of the shinobi?
"And you, Uchiha-san?" Sakura dared to ask while placing one of the last stones on her patient's back.
"Twenty-nine years old," Madara replied wearily.
It was an age many failed to reach, especially in the demanding profession of shinobi.
"Uchiha-san... what is your conception of peace?" Sakura wondered with curiosity as she placed the very last stone. She wiped her hands before sitting next to Madara. "Two weeks ago, you asked me about my vision of peace. I would now like to hear yours."
Her voice was filled with sincerity, revealing a genuine desire to understand his perspective.
"Peace through force."
Whether due to a burgeoning trust in this woman or a momentary relaxation, Madara, for the first time in his life, felt inclined to share his vision.
"The essence of humanity lies in its intrinsic need for boundaries, limitations. Without a well-defined framework, the individual disperses into the illusion of omnipotence, giving free rein to primal instincts. This results in moral anarchy, self-governed chaos. Thus, from my point of view, the use of force becomes imperative, a tangible demonstration that any deviation will face inevitable consequences."
A strange pause lingered, thirty seconds during which Madara seemed to grope through the recesses of his mind.
"I envision the ideal of a single national entity, led by a central figure supported by a triumvirate and sub-councilors. This would ensure universal supremacy, where each decision would be meticulously examined and orchestrated in the common interest. To me, the establishment of a totalitarian regime is necessary to prevent global self-destruction," continued Madara, revealing the contours of his deepest convictions.
Sakura remained silent, choosing restraint rather than risking a comment that could upset her interlocutor. This was not the time for differences of opinion. She observed in silence, secretly judging her own perspective healthier than one advocating the perpetual subjugation of all peoples to an eternal Genjutsu.
Minutes ticked away without a voice breaking the silence, and tension could be read on Madara's face, marked by the sweat caused by the surrounding mineral emanations.
"Stay calm," murmured Sakura as she gently placed her hands on Madara's lower back.
Under the delicate pressure of her fingers, Sakura's green chakra burst into vibrant glows. Her expert and nimble hands navigated with precision along the vertebrae, restoring connections in a meticulous medical dance. Every lingering point was scrutinized, every joint adjusted with meticulous attention, an almost palpable concentration in the air.
With each passing second, a subtle pulse of chakra traversed the brown-haired man's body, creating a subtle murmur in harmony with the repair of the most stubborn connections. For an hour, Sakura continued her work, a work of art within the patient's body, until fatigue began to creep in.
The constant infusion of chakra, combined with the intense concentration required, caused a bead of sweat to form on Sakura's forehead. Step by step, she removed the stones one by one, taking care to deactivate the seal on each before dipping them into a bucket of water.
"I'm going to turn you over, Uchiha-san," Sakura warned, while passing a towel over the clan leader's back to rid him of the remnants of the effort. Wrapping her left arm with a towel, she proceeded to gently tilt him into the opposite position, placing him carefully in the center of the table. Then, with disconcerting grace, she climbed onto the table herself, kneeling at the level of the patient's legs.
Placing her skilled hands on his thighs, she challenged him with an enigmatic look.
"I want you to try to sit up, Uchiha-san."
The request caught Madara off guard, prompting him to attempt a hurried sitting up. A glimmer of hope insinuated itself as a portion of his body responded to his commands, propelling him halfway before unexpectedly falling back onto the table.
"Describe the sensation."
"I felt a part of my body obey. But halfway through, despite my repeated orders, it was as if that part no longer existed," Madara replied.
"Try again," ordered Sakura confidently, watching attentively as Madara resumed the exercise.
Halfway through, he froze again, this time Sakura intervening by grabbing his shoulder to guide him through the rest of the movement.
"There, you're up... now, tighten your abdominal belt and lie down slowly. I'll be here to catch you if you lose control."
Madara tightened his abdominal belt, feeling a slight sting at his scar. Inclining effortlessly, a strange resistance suddenly arose, and he abruptly lost control. Fortunately, Sakura held him firmly, guiding him back to the table.
"Well... It seems that damage remains in your thoracic vertebrae," Sakura announced as she descended from the table. "But it's encouraging; you've almost regained your upright position on your own."
The brown-haired man remained silent, but a smile appeared on his lips, persisting even as Sakura embraced him once again, guiding him to his bed. Then, she headed inside to settle him comfortably.
"Do you have a literary preference tonight?" Sakura inquired, noting that the book on the human heart was now finished.
"Yes, I would like a work from your own pen," replied Madara without hesitation.
"Me?" Sakura exclaimed.
"Yes, you."
The dark-haired man observed Sakura approach her bookshelf, extracting a book with an emerald green cover.
"Here, she said, handing him the book.
"How to Become a Medical Ninja, Volume 1 by Sakura Haruno," Madara read aloud before delving into his reading.
Do you feel imbued with the essence of a ninja but are also determined to become the guardian of lives intertwining on your path? Then, this work is tailor-made for you. Do you see yourself as lacking in a distinguished lineage, desiring only to watch over your loved ones? You're in the right place. Is your ambition to acquire first aid skills to enlighten your missions? Read eagerly on. However, if you find yourself lacking insight, a passionate admirer uncertain of her aspirations in life, immediately close this book, as this story is not tailored for you.
Being a ninja is already challenging, but being a medical ninja is even more so. You will invariably be the preferred target on the battlefield. The responsibility will be yours to constantly protect yourself while watching over your comrades. For once dead, your usefulness will vanish! You will need to work twice as hard as your peers, both intellectually and physically. If you were hoping for an easy task, staying confined in the reading of books, give up any pretension of becoming a medical ninja immediately!
The world, ruthless and unforgiving, grants no mercy, with a simple distraction able to tip someone's fate between life and death. If the sight of blood, exposed organs, broken bones, or shredded limbs disgusts you, it's time to close this book and contemplate your true calling. Do you find my words too harsh? Good. Because on the battlefield, life itself shows no mercy.
I am Haruno Sakura, the second most eminent Medical Ninja the world has ever known. And if you hold these lines in your hands, perhaps you will become the pivot between the victory and defeat of your nation.
First lesson: Dodge!
The minutes stretched, an elusive sequence where time seemed suspended, refusing Madara. Through the pages of the book he held in his hands, he ventured into the intricacies of an unsuspected facet of the young woman. A facet imbued with unwavering resilience, an unyielding hardness that admitted no concession to failure—a reflection, strangely familiar, of his own being.
"Sorry, Uchiha-san, but it's time for a meal," Sakura interrupted, placing a tray on the bedside table while delicately removing the book from his hands.
"From what I've read, you seem more relentless than your mother," observed Madara as he watched the young woman put the book back on her desk.
"The war forced me into it."
Sakura headed towards a device that seemed like an eccentric sculpture. A square box made of finely carved oak wood, on which rested a metal cylinder forming a blooming flower. On the wooden box, a black disc was carefully positioned—a gramophone.
Taking a black disc out of its packaging, Sakura placed it on the device.
"What are you doing?"
"I'm playing music to relax. What I accomplished this afternoon has exhausted me."
After turning the gramophone's crank and placing the needle on the disc, a delicate melody filled the room, plunging Madara into a state of total bewilderment.
"Ho... How?"
"An inventor gave it to me before he breathed his last... I can't exactly explain how it works," Sakura replied before approaching Madara to offer him something to eat. The music, of measured intensity, subtly permeated the house. "I think it's the only one in the world, just a prototype, according to his last words before his disappearance."
"It's... revolutionary."
As he savored his meal of rice, fish, and vegetables, Madara tried to decipher the melodies emanating from the instrumentarium. The chords of a harp, the notes of a guitar, the mysterious timbre of an unknown string, and... the enchanting voice of a woman?
"How could he encapsulate the sound of instruments and the voice of this woman in this container?"
"No idea, maybe a Fûinjutsu, I never dared to open it, fearing to break this object that means so much to me," Sakura declared as she gently placed the empty fish plate on the tray. "Do you wish to extend your vigil?"
"Yes, I would like to listen more."
Sakura returned to her bookshelf and chose a book: "The History of Konoha and its First Kage." She had immersed herself in the intricacies of Konoha's functioning during the Sengoku era for two days. Time passed, and Madara eventually fell asleep to the soothing rhythm of the music.
Sakura was about to follow him into sleep but was intrigued by a sentence in her book.
A month after the epic battle between Uchiha Madara and Hashirama Senju, the first Hokage had disappeared. He was suspected of being dead, but no one had found his body at the time or since...
"Did Black Zetsu eliminate him in the old timeline? I need to clarify this mystery," Sakura murmured before retiring for the night.
Day 30
"Hitomi-san," Sakura announced cheerfully. After two months, bonds had formed between Hitomi and Sakura.
"Sakura-san! How are you?" Hitomi turned around, visibly delighted to see the radiant young woman.
"I'm fine, thank you," Sakura replied, smiling faintly. She had learned to appreciate the inhabitants of this village. "And you? Is your husband and son not causing you too much trouble?"
A light laughter escaped Hitomi at the doctor's question.
"Ahhh, it's not that bad. You'll understand when you have a child and a husband of your own."
"Nah, it's not for me."
She wouldn't say it, but it was one of her dearest dreams. She had long aspired to have a husband and children to cherish. However, the man she had envisioned to fulfill this dream simply no longer existed.
"We'll see, Sakura-san, we'll see. I doubt that a woman as lovely as you would fail to attract a man," teased Hitomi with a wink, causing a slight blush in the interested party. "So, did you come to the village for a particular reason?"
"Yes, Hitomi-san, I need to ask you for a favor."
This was a recent development, as despite Hitomi's repeated visits to Sakura, no foreign presence had been detected until now.
"I need you to take care of the meals for this person and feed him," Sakura explained, placing her hands on Hitomi's shoulders. "However, there are some strict rules to follow: breaking any of them could jeopardize your life."
A sudden apprehension seized Hitomi, sensing the gravity of Sakura's request far beyond what she had anticipated.
"I'm listening."
"This person somehow shares my nature. He has the power to use what you call magical powers. Currently bedridden and paralyzed, I am overseeing his recovery. He is extremely precious to me, but also capable of taking life... don't worry, measures have been taken to protect you from any harm on his part."
"If he means so much to you, Sakura, I will do it."
A warm smile spread across Sakura's face in response to this assurance, although the gravity of the situation soon re-imprinted itself on her features.
"A formal rule: Never look him in the eyes! Never! This individual has the power to manipulate minds, inflict harm, or even cause the death of anyone imprudent enough to meet his gaze," Sakura ordered with palpable severity.
Apprehension tinted Hitomi's gaze, aware through Sakura of the existence of magical powers. Moreover, Sakura, usually serene and benevolent, wore an unusual gravity, reinforcing Hitomi's understanding of the seriousness of the situation. These two months of learning had taught her that one could be great despite one's youth.
"Your only task will be to prepare his meals. In my kitchen, you'll find everything you need. I've already made his lunch; you just need to prepare today's dinner and tomorrow's lunch," Sakura explained. "Another point, Hitomi-san, he is a man of exceptional beauty."
At the description of her patient, Hitomi flashed a teasing smile at Sakura.
"Is that why you're taking care of him?" Hitomi asked knowingly.
"No, Hitomi. As charming as he may be, that's not the primary motivation for my assistance. Well, to sum it up, he's indeed very charming, so don't succumb to his requests. He's an individual skilled in the art of murder and mind manipulation to achieve his goals."
"Understood."
"I know I always told you to avoid calling me "-sama" because we are all equals. But not with this man! You will address him as Uchiha-sama!"
It was painful for Sakura to make such a request to someone she held in high esteem, but she had no choice: she had to go to Konoha to get crucial answers.
"I'll take care of it, Sakura-san."
"When you meet him, deliver this letter to him immediately. If he dares to harm you in any way during my absence, he will have to deal with me," Sakura declared, handing a small scroll sealed with Fûinjutsu. A simple influx of chakra would unlock it.
"One last thing," Sakura added, adjusting her bag. "He's a proud man, so make sure not to make him feel diminished. Again, thank you."
Approaching Hitomi, Sakura enveloped her in a hug. It was the first time she had hugged someone since her return to the past. Hitomi was surprised, but she responded to the hug with pleasure before Sakura whispered a few words in her ear.
"I'll be very careful, Sakura-san. Take care of yourself and come back soon."
"I won't fail. Goodbye," Sakura said before breaking the embrace and disappearing in a flash, leaving Hitomi gaping at her abilities. Once she recovered from her surprise, she turned to her husband to explain Sakura's request.
When noon arrived, Hitomi headed to the young woman's house to meet this Uchiha-sama. After a challenging fifteen-minute walk through a steep path, Hitomi finally arrived in front of her friend's house. She entered through the kitchen door, a habit on every visit. Setting her sandals aside, she headed to the table in the center of the kitchen. The ingredients were neatly arranged, accompanied by a sheet containing instructions. Hitomi couldn't read, but Sakura had illustrated the explanations with drawings. She spotted a sun accompanying a bowl of rice, soup, and fish. Below, a moon was depicted with the same elements, but this time with an arrow indicating the ingredients on the table.
She took the still steaming food tray. Hitomi was sure Sakura had left for hours, so how could the dishes still be warm? She walked to the living room, scanning the surroundings for someone.
"Who are you?!" demanded a harsh and cold voice.
Hitomi startled slightly but held her ground with the tray. Upon hearing this voice, she quickly lowered her eyes.
"Hello Uchiha-sama, allow me to introduce myself, I'm Hitomi. Sakura-san asked me to take care of you today because she had to leave," Hitomi quickly explained, feeling her heart beating fast.
In a way, Madara felt reassured to know that nothing had happened to the young woman. Since he woke up, he hadn't seen her; she hadn't performed her meditation session or her medical routine, and he had feared something might have happened to her.
"She also asked me to give you a letter, Uchiha-sama," Hitomi continued, but she received no response from the patient. "May I approach, Uchiha-sama?"
"Approach."
Hitomi delicately raised her eyes to locate the man, and her first impression was one of remarkable beauty. No man had captivated her gaze in such an enchanting way before. The terms used by Sakura seemed inadequate to describe the charisma emanating from this individual. Never had she beheld such a lack of fat, but rather a sculpted musculature. A rosy tint settled on her cheeks, a testament to her intimate thoughts.
Carefully placing the food-laden tray on the bedside table, she handed the letter to the dark-haired man while keeping her head inclined. With a valid hand, Madara took the parchment, which he unlocked with a small amount of chakra.
Uchiha-san,
Duty calls me to Hi No Kuni, and I cannot escape it. The person in front of you is a friend; she will look after you in my absence. Please be courteous, knowing that she is doing her best to assist us.
I should be back no later than two days. If, during my absence, you cause her harm, or if I find any traces of Genjutsu on her, expect consequences!
Haruno Sakura
With one hand, Madara crumpled the parchment before tossing it carelessly onto the bedside table. His gaze finally fell on the newcomer. The question arose: how should he behave in her presence? Should he adopt the same attitude as with all the women he had encountered, or should he be more amiable, thus exploring a potential source of information about Sakura Haruno?
"Hello," Madara articulated after a brief moment.
"Uchiha-sama, are you hungry?" Hitomi asked, punctuating her question with a slight head nod as a greeting.
"Yes."
Gracefully sitting on the stool near the bed, Hitomi grabbed the soup bowl before delicately presenting the spoon to Madara's lips. Her eyes carefully avoided his, the young woman remembering Sakura's warnings: He can kill with a single look.
"Look me in the eyes," Madara asked in a gentle tone, but he only received a more pronounced nod of the head from the young woman.
"I beg your pardon, Uchiha-sama, but Sakura-san gave me strict instructions."
"Which ones?"
"Never to look you in the eyes, never to show disrespect, and to take care of you," Hitomi enumerated, this time taking the rice bowl. Madara couldn't help but note Sakura's thoughtful and insightful attention.
"What do you think of Haruno-san?" Madara asked reassuringly and pleasantly. He perceived in her a potential source of information about his doctor, and he intended to take advantage of it.
"She's an exceptional person, with a big heart," Hitomi promptly replied.
"Has she been living here for a long time?" Madara continued before savoring his portion of rice slowly. He was evidently making an effort for a second woman to consent to offering him food in this manner.
"Two months. She came to us completely broken, seeking refuge to rebuild her life..."
"Did she mention her future intentions?"
"She had matters to attend to in the Land of Fire, but she didn't tell me more. And you, Uchiha-sama... what do you think of Sakura-san?" Hitomi dared to ask.
He didn't answer immediately, lost in thought. Madara was surprised himself that he didn't abruptly reject this frail woman who dared to ask him questions. Could it be that the fact that he had been around Haruno-san for a month explained his growing tolerance?
"She's an... interesting person," Madara conceded.
"You seem to mean a lot to her."
"What do you mean by that?" Madara asked suddenly very curious. He didn't expect his presence to be so crucial to her.
" At first, when Sakura-san came to the village, she embodied a extinguished soul, devoid of the taste for life. It took a long time for this gloominess to give way, and smiles from her remained a rarity. However, in the last month, a transformation occurred in her attitude. A glimmer of joy seeped into her, as if hope, long overshadowed, had found its place again. She seems to hold you in deep respect, or at least that's what I perceived."
Internally, Madara felt a deep surprise, giving way to a gentle warmth. Sakura Haruno, always professional, impassive, strong, powerful, and elusive, had erected impenetrable barriers. It seemed that very few people had earned her respect throughout her life. In a way, the idea of potentially being one of those rare individuals pleased Madara.
"What has she told you about me?"
"She only mentioned you this morning, Uchiha-sama," Hitomi replied, arranging the last plate on the tray, then she placed her hands on her legs. "She mentioned that you possess magical powers, much like her, and that you are someone extremely formidable... but simultaneously, someone very precious to her."
"Is there anything else?" Madara asked softly, bringing the glass of water to his lips.
"No," Hitomi quickly replied.
"Don't lie to me, woman!" Madara reprimanded in a severe voice.
The tone of his voice instilled sudden apprehension in Hitomi.
"I apologize, Uchiha-sama," she quickly stammered, bowing her head slightly. "She also mentioned that you were exceptionally beautiful."
He was undeniably charming, and this certainty was familiar to him. However, hearing this compliment from a third person was always a source of satisfaction. Especially when one knew that this recognition came from someone usually very reserved.
"Bring me a water pitcher, as well as the green-covered book on the desk over there. Then, you'll be free to leave," Madara indicated, pointing to Sakura's desk.
"As you command, Uchiha-sama. Have a pleasant day, and see you tonight," Hitomi added, bowing before getting to work.
Thus, with her heart overflowing with emotions, she left Sakura's home.
Hi No Kuni
Sakura maneuvered through the crowd, moving with the grace of an ordinary civilian toward the entrance of Konoha No Sato. Draped in a brown robe and equipped with a wicker basket, she concealed her features under a long gray scarf skillfully tied around her brown hair. An advanced Hengen altered the shade of her hair and concealed her forehead seal. Crossing the Land of Fire by leaping through the trees with remarkable agility, she continued the rest of the journey alongside a caravan, masking her true nature.
The village of Konoha, at this time, did not yet boast the grandeur she knew. The walls, though modest compared to those of her time, seemed to imbue the air with enhanced security. With years of experience, she assessed the presence of at least ten people. Constant flows entered and exited, and a queue, in either direction, testified to the strictness of the controls.
Time stretched until her turn finally arrived.
"The reason for your visit to Konoha No Sato?" questioned a Shinobi sitting behind a table, a long scroll of parchment within reach. He meticulously recorded arrivals and their reasons.
"I come to buy medicinal herbs. My father is sick, but he's too weak to travel himself," Sakura replied in a soft voice.
"Where are you coming from?" the Shinobi continued, proudly displaying the Uchiha clan insignia on his linen attire.
"Shukuba, Shinobi-sama," Sakura indicated, pointing to a village about ten kilometers north of Konoha No Sato.
"Your name?" insisted the Uchiha, scribbling on his parchment. "My colleague will conduct a search."
Barely had the words left his lips when another individual approached her, probing her body for a concealed weapon. Unfortunately, the man's hands wandered a bit too much, and Sakura, trapped, found herself unable to act without arousing suspicion. She tensed slightly, revealing a blush on her face. After all, she was supposed to be just a simple woman from the Sengoku era.
"Sakura, Shinobi-sama."
"Nothing to report, Izumi-san," declared the soldier who had searched her in a brutal and inappropriate manner. A burning desire consumed Sakura; she would have loved to deliver a chakra-charged punch straight to the face of that individual.
"Duration of your stay?" Izumi Uchiha resumed.
"Just for the day, at most. If I linger too long, I'll leave tomorrow morning."
"First time in Konoha?"
"Yes, it's truly beautiful, Shinobi-sama. May I ask who is depicted on the mountain?" Sakura politely inquired, sporting a broad smile. The Uchiha turned his head slightly toward the mountain to observe the face.
"Ah! That's our Hokage: Hashirama Senju."
A slight disgust tinged his voice, as if he were not entirely satisfied. It demonstrated that even with the alliance of the clans, feelings of resentment persisted.
"He must be someone exceptional to be portrayed like this on the stone," Sakura commented with an impressed and innocent tone, playing the role of the naive young girl easily dazzled by anything.
"Was... he disappeared."
"Izumi!" reprimanded another Shinobi who seemed to belong to the Senju clan. However, the damage was done, and Sakura had received the dreaded confirmation: Hashirama Senju had disappeared.
"Ha! Forgive me, Shinobi-sama, for this question. I did not mean to cause you any trouble," Sakura deeply bowed.
"No problem. Have a good stay in Konoha, young lady... Next!"
"Thank you, Shinobi-sama. Have a pleasant day, and sorry again."
A smile played on the young woman's lips as she looked at her former village.
"Wow, it's beautiful... it's so much more imposing than Shukuba."
Sakura sensed that she was being followed, probably due to the information leak by Izumi. Thus, she continued to play the role of the innocent young woman going about her business.
"Excuse me, madam, can you tell me the way to the market?" Sakura asked an old lady watering flowers on her balcony.
"Good day, my child. Follow the main road towards the mountain, then let the commotion guide you."
"Thank you very much, madam."
The village was much smaller than in her memories, its walls shaded by a profusion of majestic trees. While strangers not affiliated with the clans were friendly and civilized, seeking help from a member of one of these clans was a risky endeavor, synonymous with hostile glares.
In the bustling market, Sakura grabbed rare spices and a variety of medicinal herbs, justifying her acquisitions to the village guardians. The day passed quickly, forcing her to seek refuge in an inn, as a nocturnal departure would have raised suspicions among ordinary citizens.
After inscribing a Fûinjutsu on her door and window, alerting to any intrusion attempt, Sakura was engulfed in thoughts about her home. How was Hitomi-san coping with Madara? Would his patience be enough for her?
Day 31
It was almost three in the afternoon when Sakura entered her home. With a confident gesture, she placed her burden on the table in the main room, her gaze scanning every corner as if she were aware of the slightest disturbance in the atmosphere.
Seating herself carefully on one of the cushions, she placed a book within reach, while her fingers deftly unpacked the medicinal herbs, forming a synchronized ballet in the air. The room was filled with the soft murmur of preparing a remedy, a symphony of skill and concentration.
Madara, a silent observer, contemplated asking a question about this unusual attitude. But before he could articulate a single word, Sakura stared at him with an intensity that sent chills down his spine. She made the universal gesture of silence.
Refraining from asking questions, Madara remained silent, attentive to every move Sakura made. Dressed traditionally, she seemed like a stranger in her own environment. Madara's brows furrowed slightly when he noticed that her forehead seal had disappeared, and her once pink hair was now a deep brown.
Seconds passed like slow raindrops, becoming minutes, until a silhouette appeared behind Sakura, brandishing a dagger with murderous intent.
His arm rose, and the dagger cruelly sank into Sakura's heart. A splash of blood accompanied the deadly trajectory through her ribcage.
Madara, faced with this gruesome scene, prepared to unleash his Dôjutsu, ready to avenge this assault by eliminating the intruder. However, the stabbed Sakura suddenly dissipated in a swirl of smoke.
"Kage Bunshin," whispered Madara, his astonishment tinged with a hint of admiration.
How did this woman know about the existence of this Ninjutsu, zealously guarded as one of the most precious secrets of the Senju clan? A familiar chakra tremor alerted him, and Sakura reappeared behind the intruder. Was it due to surprise, or did she possess a speed surpassing that of the Shinobi in front of her? Regardless, she had time to disarm her assailant, pin him to the ground, before mastering his arms. Her knees skillfully immobilized the legs of the aggressor, a meticulous injection of chakra neutralizing his nerves. The scene revealed an impressive mastery of ninja arts, confirming that Sakura was much more than a simple healer.
"Why did you attempt to assassinate me, Leaf Shinobi?" Sakura ordered with a voice as cold as steel, a chill that Madara had never known from her before. The Konoha Shinobi, in a futile attempt to free himself, struggled in vain.
"No need to struggle; you're far too weak to match up against me."
Sakura knew the art of hitting where it hurt, and in this case, she aimed for this man's pride. Mastered in less than a second by a woman, he found himself helpless, his arms held with disconcerting ease. As she faced the Shinobi, her eyes recognized the gate guard: Izumi Uchiha.
"Answer my question, Izumi Uchiha of the Leaf. Why did you follow me and attempt to kill me?" demanded Sakura, unsheathing a sealed kunai attached to her wrist. "As a medic, know that I'm aware of particularly painful points that would make anyone talk! Either you answer my questions, or I'll find the answers myself."
Suddenly, the Shinobi played his trump card and activated his Dôjutsu. Two Sharingan with three tomoe replaced his dark eyes. Sakura deliberately met her gaze with the deep pupils, defying any hesitation.
"Haruno-san!" cried Madara, panicked to see his clan's Dôjutsu activate. In his eyes, as she plunged her gaze into the Sharingan, her fate seemed sealed. For in the world of shinobi, an immutable rule was engraved: if you wanted to survive, never make eye contact with an Uchiha.
"Release me, you bitch!" ordered the prisoner, launching his most powerful Genjutsu. A perverse smile stretched across his face as he activated his Dôjutsu. Seconds passed, but nothing happened. Sakura remained still, her gaze unwavering, except to become even colder. She brought her face closer to his, almost pressing her forehead against his, delving deeper into his eyes.
"Is this all you can offer? Is this the pinnacle of the prestigious Uchiha clan's Sharingan? Pathetic!" mocked Sakura, catching the two Uchihas in the room off guard. It was the first time in their existence that they saw someone resist so vigorously the Genjutsu of a fully mature Sharingan. "Oh... you seem surprised."
The Leaf Shinobi's smile had disappeared, replaced by a look of fear as he realized that this woman resisted his Sharingan.
"I repeat my question one last time. Why did you try to kill me?!" Sakura ordered, using her strength to begin crushing his wrists.
"Konoha tasked me with watching you. As soon as I saw your stealthy movements three kilometers from our walls, I realized you might have stolen crucial information from our village," admitted the soldier, his wrists ready to break under the pressure.
"Unfortunately for you, you're far too dangerous for me to let you escape. Goodbye!" she said, ready to plunge her kunai into her opponent's heart. However, her gesture was interrupted by an authoritative voice that resonated in the darkness.
"Sakura, no!"
It was Madara's voice. It was the first time he used her name, and it puzzled Sakura, even though the pronunciation was natural.
"Why? You know as well as I do that if he returns to Konoha, others will come. And that is not an option," retorted Sakura, still fixing her victim.
Madara, impassive, added in a calm but firm tone:
"I agree, but he remains a member of my clan."
"Madara-sama! You... you're alive?!" exclaimed the ninja, suddenly aware of the presence of his clan leader.
"Take him away," ordered Madara.
"If you try anything, Izumi, I'll kill you!" Sakura warned in a cold voice, raising her proud figure, the kunai dangerously pointed at the throat of her prisoner. They both approached, converging towards Madara in the silent darkness.
"Madara-sama," pleaded the Shinobi, a mix of relief and terror distorting his face in the shadows. The sight of his clan leader, very much alive, had aroused sincere gratitude in him, but the looming threat in the air turned this joy into deadly anxiety.
"Lean towards me and look away, Haruno-san," requested Madara before Sakura complied. She turned her eyes towards the outside, anticipating the events to come. An increase in chakra permeated the air, and Madara activated his Sharingan, which transformed into the Mangekyô Sharingan.
"Tsukuyomi!" pronounced the clan leader, triggering one of his most powerful techniques. Due to his still weakened state, a thin trail of blood flowed from his left eye. "Return to Konoha and declare that the person you followed is an entirely ordinary civilian. She has returned home, and there is nothing to fear from her. Forget this place as well as our existence, both of us... now go!" ordered Madara, plunging the man into the formidable Genjutsu of the Mangekyô Sharingan.
Sakura released her grip on the man, removing her kunai from his throat before dissipating the Henge disguising her appearance. Her pink hair appeared, as did her forehead seal.
"At your command, Madara-sama," declared the man in a voice devoid of emotion, bowing before vanishing in a flash. Silence fell, leaving Sakura immersed in her external contemplation.
"Deactivate your Dôjutsu, Uchiha-san."
Although she could have defied Madara by staring at him with her Mangekyô Sharingan, she preferred to keep this ability silent, guarding it jealously for the opportune moment.
"It's fine, Haruno-san."
Without delay, she placed her hand on Madara's eye, a greenish glow emanating from her fingers to ease the pain and repair the damage.
"You should have let me kill him rather than use this technique," Sakura remarked, still on alert. Adrenaline continued to pulse through her veins, requiring a few minutes to regain her composure.
"Where is your speech about extending a helping hand to others, Haruno-san?"
"Not towards those who stab me in the heart with a dagger," retorted Sakura before heading to the kitchen, grabbing a glove and a bowl of water. Madara had just witnessed a demonstration of this woman's formidable danger, who had easily subdued a prominent member of the Uchiha clan. To make it worse, it wasn't just any Uchiha but one of his former lieutenants.
"Please accept my apologies for the actions of a member of my clan against you."
Sakura paused her motion of cleaning her patient's cheek, slightly astonished by what she had just heard. Then, slowly, a sincere smile formed on her lips. It was the first time she had offered a genuine smile to Madara, or at least the first one directed at him.
"Why are you smiling?"
"I never imagined seeing the great Madara Uchiha apologize to a woman one day."
"Hn" grunted Madara, slightly offended by this remark.
"Ah, don't sulk, Uchiha-san," reassured Sakura, the smile still present. She resumed her action and finished wiping the blood from the cheek.
"You should smile more often, Haruno-san; it suits you well," complimented Madara, gazing into the young woman's eyes.
What had motivated the great Madara to utter such words remained a mystery. Was it the spectacle of her display of strength against one of the most prominent members of his own clan, renowned as one of the best? Or was it due to the exchanges with Hitomi, making him perceive Sakura in a new light?
For the second time that day, Sakura found herself stunned. Madara had just subtly given her a compliment about her beauty. The young woman lowered her eyes to her task, slightly embarrassed, a rosy hue delicately coloring her cheeks.
"I appreciate that, Uchiha-san."