Having confidence in one's abilities, much like having faith in oneself, constituted the cornerstone of success.
Sakura Haruno had an intimate understanding of this, having experienced this truth repeatedly throughout her ninja life. Some individuals were capable of achieving remarkable feats, almost bordering on miraculous. However, Sakura realized that the key to their success lay in the deep faith these individuals placed in themselves. Whether observing Tsunade or other fellow medics undertaking perilous medical procedures, it was evident that their technical expertise alone was not sufficient. It was their unwavering belief in their ability to succeed that guided them to the desired outcome.
Similarly, when she faced the Chūnin exam, Sakura wouldn't have overcome the challenges without a strong faith in her own abilities. The same held true for her battles against formidable enemies. Without that self-confidence, she would never have emerged victorious!
It was this element, among others, that propelled her towards increasing strength, not only physically but also mentally. She understood that discouragement and loss of self-belief could lead to downfall. Thus, she fortified her mind and strengthened her resilience.
By bolstering her self-confidence, the young woman also cultivated an unyielding determination in achieving her goals. It was this persistence that enabled her to save a man from death, a feat others might have given up on or not even attempted. Sakura persisted, even in challenging, exhausting, repulsive situations, relentlessly pursuing her goal until she found satisfaction.
However, the pink-haired kunoichi had discerned a deeper truth. If faith was the key to success, its absence could also be exploited opportunistically. Despite her discomfort with this reality, Sakura was aware that war was not solely about physical confrontations. No, the battle also played out on the psychological plane.
How many nations had succumbed under the weight of despair? How many individuals had capitulated simply because they had lost all faith? The psychological pressure exerted on them had crushed them, leaving them unable to bounce back in any other way. These individuals and nations had no choice but to accept the unacceptable: loss of fortune, home, free will, until they deemed themselves worthless in this world.
However, sometimes, a single person was enough to change the course of things. And Sakura knew this all too well thanks to Naruto Uzumaki. He was a beacon of hope in the darkness, a constant force that never deviated from his goal: bringing Sasuke back to the village and, more broadly, establishing peace among peoples and nations.
How many lives had the blond influenced, guiding the lost onto the path of hope? Undeniably, he had been the driving force of the ninja alliance during the Fourth Great Shinobi War, preventing despair from settling in and transforming individuals into allies.
Thinking of her departed friend, Sakura was convinced that the peace she sought to achieve with Uchiha Madara must rely on these two aspects of faith.
Believing in oneself and instilling hope
Day 55
For the past two days, Hashuba, the Daimyō of Ta No Kuni, had chosen to ally with Madara Uchiha. Although his initial hesitations were palpable, the reception of the second missive shattered his doubts and fears. Blood-sealing was a rare practice among clan leaders, but it symbolized a formal declaration of their commitment to honor their promises.
Madara's legendary reputation, putting his signature on the line, meant he would keep his word without hesitation. Hashuba, a man of honor, decided to do the same. The challenge now lay in proceeding discreetly, given Madara's demands. Hashuba knew that if discovered, he would be accused of betraying neighboring countries with whom he had commercial agreements.
"Tanaka!" exclaimed the Daimyō with a powerful voice, grabbing the attention of his secretary, who immediately straightened up.
"Yes, Daimyō-sama?"
"Send a missive to all council members, inform them of my request for their presence in two days!" ordered the leader to his subordinate, who hurried to the scrolls to prepare the summonses.
"Consider it done, Daimyō-sama," assured Tanaka as he began scribbling the first letter.
"Suzuki!" called Hashuba towards the door.
Barely two seconds passed before a door opened, revealing a man with an imposing stature who entered. In his forties, scars traced the contours of his face, bearing witness to a warrior's life. An eye patch concealed an old injury, and his jet-black hair was tied in a high ponytail. He wore a dark-hued samurai armor.
"Daimyō-sama! Command, and I will execute your orders! replied the man," saluting with a hand placed on his chest. They had fought side by side for many years during the War of the Provinces. One became a Daimyō, while the other was appointed his closest advisor and commander of his armies. Though their force was modest, an army was still an army.
Hashuba and Suzuki mastered the basics of chakra. While not affiliated as shinobi, their skills extended to elementary techniques such as Bunshin No Jutsu and Hengen. However, their true power emanated from their superior mastery of the art of the sword. Not being samurai, they scorned the use of chakra, viewing it as a dishonorable practice.
"The mirror is the soul of a woman...," began the Daimyō in an enigmatic tone.
"As the sword is the soul of a warrior," completed Suzuki, grasping the depth of these words. For others, it was merely a warrior proverb, but for Suzuki and Hashuba, it foretold the imminent return of the turmoil of war.
"Reduce surveillance patrols. The nations now know our position in the world," explained the lord. "Additionally, I need our soldiers for other missions. Divide our army into several detachments and organize numerous expeditions."
"At your command..."
"Spread the message throughout the city : we are seeking hands for our caravans, and the recompense will match the effort required. Organize this for the next two days. Prepare caravans and groups that will venture through all elemental nations."
"For what reason, my friend?" asked Suzuki, daring to pose the question despite his respect for his Lord. As a government advisor, he wanted to understand the reason behind this sudden request.
"For the prosperity and peace of this world," replied the Daimyō, then turning to Tanaka and his guards. "What is said here must never cross these walls!" he added with an unyielding voice.
The Daimyō was only among his trusted men, but he understood that stern reminders were necessary to prevent any betrayal by avoiding showing the slightest weakness.
"Yes!" exclaimed the six individuals present in the room in unison: Suzuki, Tanaka, and the four bodyguards. Each was aware that any attempt at betrayal would be severely punished, with the loss of their heads being the inevitable consequence.
"Times are changing, and we must evolve with them if we want to avoid being erased," declared Hashuba in a voice that seemed to have suddenly accumulated years of wisdom.
Day 57
"Greetings, advisors. I have gathered you today to discuss the fate of Ta No Kuni and the maneuvers I have in mind," began Hashuba, scrutinizing his advisors. Their number was six, a carefully thought-out configuration so that, in case of a tie in opinions, the Daimyō could make the final decision.
Seated on the floor on cushions, Suzuki to his right and the other five facing him, Hashuba established a deliberate balance. Only his secretary, Tanaka, was seated at a separate table, ready to record every word of the conversation.
"As our survival depends on alliances with the great neighboring nations, I have received an offer too significant to be ignored," continued the feudal lord, captivating his audience. He poured himself a cup of steaming tea before continuing. "The offeror is driven by an ambition aligned with our deepest aspirations: the prosperity of our nation."
"Who is this person, Daimyō-sama?" questioned a venerable man, the oldest in the assembly, nearing sixty. An accomplishment in these troubled times.
"For now, I prefer to withhold his name, Rômaji-sama," replied Hashuba with deference. Although the lord of this country, he recognized Rômaji's invaluable advice that had guided him to his current position. Respect was shown not only because of his wise counsel but also because of his advanced age. "Rest assured, he will come in person to meet us at the appropriate time."
"What are his demands?" queried Suzuki, still clad in his warrior's armor.
"He asks us to prepare, to accumulate immense reserves, to expand the capital to accommodate more people," explained Hashuba, referring to the last letter that he had deliberately consumed, thus preserving its content from any prying eyes.
"Has he revealed his motivations?" inquired Rômaji, seeking to unravel the mystery behind this request, unless it schemes war. The old man delicately grasped a cup of hot tea, sparingly pouring a pinch of rare sugar — a luxury reserved for the nobility.
"He hinted that everything would be revealed in the near future," assured Hashuba.
"This might significantly deplete the coffers of our Daimyō," doubted a younger man, Hashuba's son. Far from being a warrior, he excelled in the economic management of the country.
"The man in question possesses colossal wealth and has committed to fully fund these projects," explained Hashuba to his son, raising the cup to his lips while gently blowing on the steam.
"How can we be sure he is not deceiving us?" wisely questioned Rômaji, arousing the doubts of the seasoned old man. Knowing Ta No Kuni's reputation as a neutral nation, he feared that this offer might be a stratagem to weaken the country for a better conquest.
"A blood-sealed pact..."
This laconic response plunged the assembly into respectful silence, as the practice of the blood seal was a solemn promise rarely employed.
"Are we not incurring the wrath of other nations by accepting his offer?" worried Suzuki, discerning the dark side of the proposal. A seasoned fighter, he had survived enough battles to prefer avoiding those to come.
"That is also what I have considered... we are likely to attract the anger of neighboring nations by revealing our intentions... but the person who contacted me holds the power to reshape the world."
"What are your instructions then?" queried Suzuki.
"We must amass enough resources to realize our goal while adopting subtle methods to remain as discreet as possible."
"Hmm, we should send caravans to all countries to collect supplies in anticipation of a possible siege. Without a shinobi army, they will be less suspicious of our convoys," suggested Rômaji after a thoughtful pause.
"Avoid capitals as much as possible," added Hashuba's son.
"Your son is right, Daimyō-sama. Unless there is an imperative reason, we should avoid capitals... at least initially. It will depend on the subsequent instructions from this man," supported another advisor with a confident voice.
"I will contact contacts in Kaminari No Kuni; I could get advantageous arrangements for provisions," continued Rômaji, stroking his white beard.
"Does anyone among you know an expert in Fūinjutsu?" asked the feudal lord, receiving only negative nods, except for Rômaji, who continued to stroke his beard.
"If it's something simple, I think I have the man we need."
"Perfect, as we'll need to seal all our reserves and keep them secure."
"And what do you plan for the city?" asked Daiki.
"Start construction... Tanaka! Prepare a statement for tomorrow, announcing the beginning of an extensive project and our need for manpower," ordered Hashuba to his secretary.
"Yes, my lord!"
"Now, we must decide where to send our caravans...," declared the Daimyō as Tanaka laid out several maps of the elemental nations before the council.
Day 75
For almost three weeks, Sakura had subjected her patient to rehabilitation exercises, and he could consider himself fortunate to have this devoted woman by his side. He enjoyed the constant attention of an exceptional doctor, one of the most prominent the world had ever known, and undoubtedly the most powerful of their time.
Usually, learning to walk again after a back injury required years of effort before considering regaining an upright position. And even longer to resume walking alone. However, thanks to Sakura's extensive skills and her Iryō Ninjutsu, this trial would be overcome in a few months.
"Why does it take so long to heal?" wondered Madara, lacking any sense of the time required for the human body to recover. His skills and Sharingan had so far shielded him from any significant injuries, making this recovery period a completely unprecedented and especially prolonged experience.
"Consider yourself lucky, Uchiha-san. Without my presence, it would take years before you could walk again," replied Sakura while infusing her chakra into Madara's tired legs to expedite their recovery.
"Am I detecting a hint of arrogance?" Madara questioned, wearing a slight smile. It was the first time he caught the young woman openly boasting about her skills, she who had always cultivated humility and discretion.
"I consider you the most powerful ninja of the elemental nations, and you share that conviction," Sakura replied, still focused on her work. "Do you think that makes you arrogant?"
"I understand your point of view," Madara responded, realizing that asserting one's supremacy wasn't arrogance when it was an undeniable truth.
"A few more bends and extensions," ordered Sakura, and the man complied enthusiastically.
Any means to regain the use of his legs was welcome, and he followed the young woman's directions without reservation. Progress was evident; he could now almost bring his leg up to his chest, an undeniable sign that healing was underway, thanks to Sakura's expertise.
"If you were to evaluate yourself in terms of power, Haruno-san, where would you place yourself?" Madara asked, showing keen interest in her response. He had observed many of her skills but still didn't know how she perceived her own power.
"It's a subjective question," Sakura began, reflecting on her position in the shinobi world. "As you know, even a well-prepared child can defeat the most formidable fighters."
"You understand what I mean, Haruno-san," Madara replied, seeing Sakura avoid the subject while beating around the bush.
"Hmm, being little-known, only five people could claim my life, although it remains relative," Sakura finally answered, drawing on her knowledge of the Sengoku era. If she were in her original time, many ninjas could compete with her, but only because they knew her abilities.
"Who are they?" Madara insisted, curious to know these individuals.
"You, Tobirama Senju, Ashina Uzumaki, Mū, and Gengetsu Hōzuki. Each of these five, engaging in a life-or-death battle with me, would probably have the upper hand," Sakura explained, honestly acknowledging when she was surpassed.
Engaging in a fair fight with these five would be an extremely challenging endeavor for her.
"Sure, they wouldn't come out unscathed either. But I know my limits," she admitted sincerely.
"Why don't you mention Hashirama?" Madara wondered, surprised that his rival and former friend wasn't mentioned.
"He is dead," Sakura added as if it were a simple fact.
"Right, why do you think you would lose to these other four?" Madara questioned, his disgust and anger resurfacing at the mention of Tobirama, the man he desired more than anything to see disappear from the face of the earth, the one who had caused the death of his brother!
Sakura interrupted her activities, sitting directly on the floor while pondering the question at hand. Although she had a wealth of information about these four individuals through her readings, expressing it clearly was a different challenge.
"Tobirama, like Hashirama and yourself, is a master of the ninja art. A seasoned veteran, it would be difficult to surpass him unless taken by surprise. While not an army exterminator, he remains an exceptional fighter. As for Ashina... one word: Fūinjutsu. My knowledge in this field tells me he could face entire armies solo. As for Mū, he is notorious for his ability to become invisible, and I have no sensory ability. And Gengetsu Hōzuki... you know perfectly well why I can't match him. That man has a reputation for being invincible. However, if they make the mistake of underestimating me, their end would be instant," the young woman asserted confidently.
"I'm surprised I've never heard of you."
"I am a woman, and the world is ruthless towards the female sex... so I lived three-quarters of my life under a Hengen. Well, now, spread your legs, perform a squat without forcing."
Madara obeyed, feeling pain in his knees as he bent, straightening up as much as possible.
"Perfect, now, hold onto me," Sakura ordered, positioning herself just to his right. "Would you like a little walk in the garden?"
Sakura wore a radiant smile because this simple phrase implied much more. It meant, among other things, that Madara was finally ready to stand up.
"Hai, with great pleasure," exclaimed Madara, barely believing what he heard, while a slight smile appeared on his lips. It was the first time Sakura had seen such an expression on his face, reinforcing her confidence in this man.
"Lean on me and take your time," Sakura advised, standing by the brunette to support him. Madara leaned on the young woman and moved slowly through the main room, one step after another.
He progressed with measured steps, an invaluable experience for Madara. If he had been alone, tears of happiness would probably have flowed, but as a man, he suppressed those emotions. He repressed that feeling and focused on his legs.
Facing the French doors, a three-step staircase stretched in front of him. Moving on a flat surface was a much easier task, and simply bending his leg made him sway. Fortunately, Sakura was there to offer her support, saving him from an imminent fall before bringing him back to a stable position.
"Easy," Sakura whispered kindly.
Madara carefully adjusted his second leg next to the first.
He had just crossed the first step with difficulty, benefiting from the necessary assistance, but he had succeeded. No judgment or criticism hovered over him, and he could take all the time he needed to accomplish this feat. So, with renewed determination, Madara lifted his right leg to start the second step. Thanks to Sakura's precise assistance, he finally managed to descend the last two steps.
The feeling of satisfaction and pride that overwhelmed him this time was immense. He couldn't contain the smile on his face or prevent a few tears from shimmering in his eyes. No tears fell, but Sakura sensed this emotion. She saw the great Uchiha Madara revealing his humanity: the once cold and ruthless individual indeed possessed a heart capable of feeling emotions.
After a short walk, the two protagonists reached the cliff's edge, where a wooden bench invited them to sit. Sakura helped her patient find a comfortable position before joining him to contemplate the view.
"It's splendid," Madara murmured, observing the valley stretching out before him, fading into the horizon. The numerous mountains of the Land of Rice Fields suggested that this place was difficult to access.
"Yes."
Long minutes passed in a soothing silence. Each lost in their thoughts, staring at the horizon and immersing themselves in the serenity of the moment. However, Madara observed the young woman by his side. She was anything but ordinary, with hair of a unique shade in the world. Her clothing style, far from the norm, consisted of singular outfits that made her strangely captivating in his eyes.
Her hair had grown longer since their first meeting, gently falling in strands just below her chin, delicately framing her face. Today, she wore white pants paired with a striped top in various shades – green, red, beige, black – a harmony that perfectly matched her features.
Madara had gone through many feminine liaisons in his life, knowing carnal desire and physical attraction. Yet, what he had been feeling for some time eluded any precise definition, stirring a certain apprehension in him. The unknown had always carried an aura of fear, and many preferred to close their eyes rather than venture into it.
"Why do you harbor this contempt for women, Uchiha-san?" suddenly asked the pink-haired woman. She slowly shifted her gaze in the direction of the brunette, a glint of curiosity lighting up her face. She wanted to understand what drove a man like him to disdain the female gender.
"Because they are perceived as useless and weak," Madara began, staring into the void below. Two months ago, he would have concluded his sentence this way, but that was before his encounter with Sakura. He added, "At least, for most of them."
"Do you consider me weak or useless?" Sakura asked directly, not averting her gaze. She sought to provoke deep reflection, to encourage positive change. In a way, what Sakura was doing amounted to psychological manipulation. She wanted to demonstrate that established beliefs were not necessarily right, but rather derived from the individual themselves, not external influence.
"No... I must admit you are the only woman I respect," Madara confessed, providing immense satisfaction to Sakura. Gaining the respect of this man was a rare feat, and for a woman, it was akin to the end of the world.
"Why?" Sakura insisted.
"You know very well," Madara retorted, unwilling to detail his thoughts on the subject.
"I would still like to hear it from your mouth, Uchiha-san," the young kunoichi insisted, finally gaining satisfaction.
"Because you are strong and independent," the clan leader conceded.
He could only acknowledge these qualities in her, and it deeply troubled him to see how far the concept of the "weaker sex" deviated from his upbringing. His father's teachings had always hammered that women were worthless, mere instruments meant to serve men!
"And why do you think I am as you describe?" Sakura questioned, seeking to delve further.
"Predisposition, life's vicissitudes, education," Madara pondered, considering the elements that might have shaped Sakura's exceptional competence.
"And if other women were given the same opportunities I was given? Do you seriously think these women would remain worthless and weak?" Sakura asked, seeking to communicate her perspective to the brunette, asserting that women are just as capable as men, given the chance to prove it.
Madara remained skeptical in the face of Sakura's words. In his eyes, she embodied an unparalleled singularity compared to any other woman. Even with advanced training, Madara strongly doubted that equivalence was possible.
"I doubt another woman could match you," he said.
"The strength and power of a man arise from training, Uchiha-san. A woman is considered useless only because men have decided to impose it on her! If you offered women the same learning opportunities, the same training and education as men, you would find that their alleged worthlessness and weakness are far from reality," Sakura explained gravely.
She spoke from experience, having observed many exceptional women throughout her life, some even surpassing men in certain areas.
"Indeed, men and women can excel or fail in various fields. However, an individual's strength should hardly depend on the presence of a pair of testicles between their legs. It is through convictions and faith in one's own abilities that a person truly gains strength," argued Sakura with conviction.
Madara maintained silence in the face of this argument, defying everything he had assimilated over twenty years of teaching. Erasing these convictions with a snap of the fingers was not an easy task. It was already exceptional that he contented himself with listening without reacting, or even just paying attention to this young woman.
"Of course, a woman can never compete with a man in terms of brute strength, but she possesses agility, lightness, flexibility, and can adopt combat methods that elude a man," Sakura continued in the silence of the brunette, apparently immersed in his thoughts.
"I will never try an arm-wrestle with you, Haruno-san," the brunette affirmed regarding brute strength. He knew that engaging in a physical confrontation with Sakura would inevitably lead to defeat.
"Wise decision," Sakura smiled before continuing. "All this to emphasize that once our society is established, I hope you will consider my words. Women are not objects, and certainly not useless beings. Yes, we are physically more fragile, yes, we are more sensitive, but we remain human beings just as capable as any man. Similarly, not all men are destined to be outstanding fighters."
"I will think about it," conceded Madara.
If this speech had been delivered by anyone other than Sakura, he would have simply ignored it. However, ignoring a woman like Sakura was not conceivable, especially after all she had done for him.
"I am grateful to you," declared Sakura, standing up and extending her hand towards Madara. "It's time to go back, Uchiha-san."
The man took the outstretched hand and stood up cautiously. He strangely felt the desire to keep Sakura's delicate hand in his, without truly understanding why. Reluctantly, he released it to lean more on her arm as they began to walk. They took all the time needed for Madara to cover the distance, especially the steps of the stairs. Once back home, comfortably settled to rest his legs, the man called out to the young woman who was about to prepare the meal.
"Haruno-san?"
The young woman turned to observe the man who called her, his deep voice giving the impression that he was going to announce something official.
"Your actions on my behalf deserve limitless recognition. You saved me from the clutches of death, took care of me, and restored the use of my legs. For all this, and for everything you will still do, I extend my sincere thanks... Sakura-san."
Sakura remained speechless; she would never have anticipated such thanks coming from this man. Moreover, the fact that he didn't call her Haruno-san but indeed Sakura-san attested to her importance in his eyes. A whirlwind of emotions swept through her, leaving her momentarily mute.
"Please, Madara-san," she replied in a voice almost trembling with emotion before leaving the room to join the kitchen.