Important A/N:

I need to be clear: I will not be posting Chapter 30, which is already written, (or additional chapters) unless I see a change in reader engagement. It is incredibly unfair to writers who dedicate so much time and effort to crafting a story to be met with silence. Authors don't ask for much—we just want to know if readers are enjoying the story, what they're enjoying, what moved them, and so on.

I can see how many people visit and read this story, and it is disheartening to rarely receive comments. This is not about asking for praise or anything of the sort. I truly want to know whether the story is engaging, I need feedback because that is how I thrive as a writer. This lack of engagement is deeply concerning and makes it hard to justify continuing to share my work. Authors need to know their hard work is appreciated.I finished Catching Fire, which is another Itachi x Sakura fan fiction - delivering more than 25k words by writing up five chapters and an epilogue in a month and I received not a single review. I posted a Sakura and Itachi short story, and nothing... and I posted chapter 27 and 28 of Not Spring totalling more than 8000 words and I received ... 2 reviews for chapter 27 and 1 review for chapter 28. I am starting to understand why so many amazing fanfiction writers decide to stop sharing their hard written work.

If you have reviewed, thank you.

If you've been enjoying this story, take a moment to leave a comment. Thank you for reading.

- masayume

Chapter 29. Hope for Spring

Jiraiya's small space in Nishinomaki was cramped but cozy, a far cry from the dramatic persona he projected on the streets. The room was dimly lit by a single paper lantern, its warm glow casting long shadows on the wooden walls lined with scrolls, old books, and various trinkets collected over the years. A low table sat in the center, flanked by mismatched cushions, while the faint scent of incense mingled with the aroma of freshly brewed tea.

Naruto and Sasuke sat across from Jiraiya, who poured steaming green tea into three chipped porcelain cups. He slid the cups toward them with an exaggerated flourish, his grin as wide as ever.

"Tea," Jiraiya said, raising his own cup theatrically. "The drink of warriors, poets, and spies alike."

Naruto sniffed the tea suspiciously. "This better not be poisoned, old man."

Jiraiya laughed, loud and booming. "Poison? Please! If I wanted to kill you, I wouldn't waste perfectly good tea. Besides," he leaned in, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, "you're far too entertaining to get rid of."

Sasuke ignored the banter, his dark eyes fixed on Jiraiya, narrowing slightly. His tone was cold, direct. "Why did you help us? And how do you know so much about us?"

Jiraiya didn't answer immediately. Instead, he reached for his cup of tea, taking a deliberate, slow sip as if savoring both the flavor and the tension in the room. When he finally set the cup down, he sighed, the theatrical grin fading into something more subdued. "Straight to the point, huh? I like that. Fine, I'll spill the beans." He leaned back, one arm resting casually on his knee, his other hand gesturing slightly as he spoke. "I recognized you two the moment I saw you. Sasuke Uchiha, son of Fugaku Uchiha, and Naruto Namikaze, son of Minato Namikaze. Your fathers… let's just say, we've crossed paths."

Naruto, who had been eyeing his tea with suspicion, nearly dropped the cup. His blue eyes widened in surprise. "You know my dad?"

"Know him?" Jiraiya's grin returned, softer now, tinged with something that might have been pride—or regret. "I owe him my life. Minato and Fugaku vouched for me when the Adachi Council decided I'd outstayed my welcome. Without them, I might not have made it out of the Land of Fire in one piece."

Naruto leaned forward, his curiosity piqued. "Why would they vouch for you?"

Jiraiya's expression darkened briefly, though his grin didn't falter entirely. "Your dad and Fugaku… they're men of honor, Naruto. They knew the difference between a criminal and someone who bent the rules for the greater good. I was the latter—though the Council didn't see it that way."

"You were banished," Sasuke said bluntly, his voice carrying the weight of judgment.

Jiraiya smirked, brushing off the accusation with a wave of his hand. "Banished sounds so harsh. Let's say I was… encouraged to explore other opportunities. But yes, the Adachi Council decided my methods didn't align with their delicate sensibilities. Your fathers tried to intervene, argued on my behalf, but it wasn't enough to sway the Council's decision. So here I am, a humble entertainer far from the Land of Fire."

Naruto frowned, leaning back as his mind processed the revelation. "What did you do to make them banish you?"

Jiraiya chuckled, a low, rueful sound, and shot Naruto a wink. "Let's just say the Council didn't appreciate my… creative approach to gathering information. Spies like me aren't exactly known for playing by the rules. I might've stepped on a few too many toes, uncovered secrets they'd rather have buried."

Sasuke's gaze didn't waver. "So, you're a spy."

"Among other things," Jiraiya said, leaning forward with a conspiratorial air. "But I'm not just any spy. I'm the kind that bad men love to hate and fear. They think a man who sings, dances, and plays the fool can't possibly know their darkest secrets. It's amazing what people will confess when they think you're nothing more than a harmless entertainer."

Naruto raised an eyebrow. "So you're like a spy clown?"

Jiraiya threw back his head and laughed, a deep, genuine sound that filled the room. "A spy clown! I like that! Maybe I'll put it in my next act. But seriously," his tone shifted, taking on a weightier edge, "I didn't just survive this long by being funny, kid. I've got ears everywhere, and people like your fathers knew the value of someone who could go where others couldn't."

Naruto tilted his head, his frown deepening. "So why are you helping us now?"

Jiraiya's gaze softened as he looked between them. "Because your fathers helped me when no one else would. Because they believed in me, even when it cost them politically. I owe them a debt I can never fully repay. And because…" He paused, his grin fading entirely as his voice dropped. "Because Shimura Danzō is dangerous, and if you're here chasing him, you're already in over your heads."

Naruto and Sasuke exchanged a glance, the weight of Jiraiya's words settling over them. Whatever they had expected, this wasn't it.

"But enough about me," Jiraiya said, clapping his hands together, the grin snapping back into place. "We've got bigger fish to fry, don't we? Let's talk about why you're here."

The shift in tone left no room for argument. Both Sasuke and Naruto straightened, ready to listen. Whatever doubts they had about this eccentric entertainer-turned-spy, they couldn't ignore the fact that he knew more than they did—and for now, that made him invaluable.

Sasuke folded his arms across his chest, his dark eyes narrowing. "You seem to already know why we're here."

"Of course, I do." Jiraiya's grin widened, his expression shifting into one of casual confidence. "Shimura Danzō. That old snake slithered his way out of the Land of Fire and into Kusamachi, the magnificent capital city of the Land of Grass. He's been busy setting up shop, marrying his son Daichi off to the daimyo's daughter, Shiori, to secure his power. And let's not forget his side hustle—opium trade, endangered animals, black market dealings. The man's got his fingers in every dirty pie."

Naruto's hands clenched into tight fists, his blue eyes blazing with anger. "He's selling animals and drugs? What kind of sicko is this guy?"

"The kind who doesn't care who or what he destroys to get what he wants," Jiraiya said grimly, his tone dropping. The playful glint in his eyes disappeared, replaced by steely resolve. "Shimura's ultimate goal? Merging the Land of Fire and the Land of Grass under one banner—his. He's been playing this game for years, positioning himself as some sort of savior, but it's all a cover for his greed and ambition."

Sasuke's jaw tightened, and his gaze sharpened. "And the Uchiha compound? What does he want with us?"

Jiraiya's expression darkened, the room seeming to grow heavier with his words. "That's where it gets interesting. The unification of the Uchiha and other clans in the new compound forced him to change his plans. Shimura thrives on division, on chaos. A strong, united Uchiha, Namikaze…Yamanaka…and even the Senju ceasefire…that is a threat he can't ignore. So, he's taken steps to… neutralize you, and he knows who can get the job done and he's not afraid of paying top price."

Sasuke's voice dropped to a cold, dangerous tone. "Orochimaru."

Jiraiya nodded, his mouth set in a grim line. "That's right. The White Serpent himself. Do not underestimate him. Orochimaru's no ordinary mercenary. He's a sadistic genius who thrives on chaos and suffering. He's the kind of man who would burn down a village just to see what grows in the ashes. If Shimura hired him, it means he's desperate—and that makes him even more dangerous."

Naruto slammed his fists onto the low wooden table, making the cups rattle. "This Shimura guy's a total scumbag! We have to stop him!"

"Easy, Naruto," Jiraiya said, holding up a hand. "I get your frustration, but charging in without a plan will only get you killed—or worse."

Naruto scowled, his shoulders heaving with barely restrained fury. "How do you know all this, anyway? You've got all these details like you've been watching him for years."

"Perhaps I might have my own agenda against Shimura, but in the end, you'd be surprised what people will confess when they think you're nothing more than a harmless entertainer. They underestimate you, let their guard down, and that's when the real information comes out."

Sasuke raised an eyebrow. "So, you've been gathering intel on Shimura from his own people?"

"Not just his people," Jiraiya said with a shrug. "People he's bribed, people he's blackmailed, people who hate him but are too scared to act. There's always someone willing to talk if you know how to listen—and if you know what questions to ask."

Naruto leaned back, still trying to process the idea of Jiraiya as a spy. "So, all this time, you've been… what? Playing dumb while secretly gathering secrets?"

"Exactly," Jiraiya said with a wink. "Never underestimate the power of a good act, Naruto. It's the oldest trick in the book—and the most effective."

Sasuke's expression remained skeptical, but there was a flicker of understanding in his eyes. "So, what's your plan? If Shimura's as dangerous as you say, we'll need more than just your intel to stop him."

Jiraiya's grin widened. "Oh, don't worry, boys. I've got a plan. But first, you'll need to know exactly what you're walking into—and trust me, it's a long, ugly road to Kusamachi."

"What about Kusamachi?" Sasuke asked, his tone sharp with curiosity and skepticism.

Jiraiya leaned back, his face shadowed by the dim lantern light. "Shimura's activities in Kusamachi aren't exactly a well-kept secret—if you know where to look. The daimyo's palace? It's practically a fortress, walled with stone and crawling with guards. But even fortresses have cracks, and Kusamachi's biggest crack is the old silk district."

"Why the silk district?" Naruto asked, tilting his head, his curiosity piqued.

"That's where you'll find Imai-sama," Jiraiya explained, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial tone. "She's no ordinary merchant. She runs the opium trade in Kusamachi and supplies courtesans to the daimyo's household. If anyone has dirt on Shimura, it's her."

Sasuke raised an eyebrow, his skepticism evident. "And you trust her?"

"Trust?" Jiraiya scoffed, shaking his head. "Trust is a luxury we don't have. But I do know this—she hates Shimura as much as anyone in Kusamachi. If you're careful, and if you play your cards right, she might just help you."

Naruto frowned, crossing his arms. "Sounds like a lot of 'ifs.' So, what's the plan?"

Jiraiya stood, brushing off his kimono in a theatrical motion that seemed out of place given the gravity of the situation. "First, I'll lead you out of Nishinomaki. There's an old network of tunnels beneath the city. It'll get us past the guards unnoticed. The tunnels will spit you out near the entrance to the woods, not far from where you stashed your horses."

Sasuke's eyes narrowed as he processed the information. "And then?"

"Then, you take the forest road," Jiraiya continued, pointing dramatically toward an unseen horizon. "Follow it past the waterfalls. They'll mark the halfway point to Kusamachi. Once you reach the city, head straight for the old silk district. Find Imai-sama and convince her to help you. She'll point you in the right direction—if she doesn't stab you first."

Naruto grimaced. "Comforting."

Jiraiya smirked, clearly unbothered by their doubts. "As for me? I have my own performance to prepare for. But don't worry—I'll be keeping an eye on you two."

"And what kind of 'performance' is that?" Sasuke asked, his voice tinged with suspicion.

Jiraiya grinned, wagging a finger. "Now, now, Sasuke. A good kabuki actor never reveals all his tricks. Just trust that I'll make sure the stage is set for your grand entrance into Kusamachi."

With that, he turned toward the door, sliding it open to reveal the entrance to the tunnels below. A cool draft wafted up, carrying the faint scent of damp earth and mildew. "Shall we?"

As they descended into the dimly lit tunnels, the air grew colder and heavier, carrying the unmistakable stench of damp stone, rotting vegetation, and something far less pleasant. The oppressive weight of the mission settled over them like the shadows clinging to the walls. Water dripped steadily from the ceiling, forming irregular pools that gleamed faintly in the torchlight. The sound echoed eerily, mingling with the scurrying of unseen rats and the occasional groan of the old structure as if the tunnels themselves were alive and watching.

Naruto wrinkled his nose, gagging audibly as they passed through a particularly foul-smelling section. The muddy ground squelched underfoot, and he had to fight the urge to retch when his sandal landed in something he didn't dare identify. "Ugh, this is disgusting!"

Jiraiya chuckled, his voice bouncing off the walls. "It is basically a sewer, Naruto. What were you expecting?"

Naruto glared at Jiraiya, his expression a mix of irritation and nausea. "No, but maybe a sewer that's not trying to kill my nose! Thank god spring's nearly here. Maybe the fresh air will finally clear this stench out of my lungs."

Sasuke, walking ahead of Naruto – ignoring the banter— his focus fixed on the faint light of Jiraiya's torch. The walls around they were slick with condensation, their surfaces streaked with grime and moss. Strange markings carved into the stone—symbols and words in a language long forgotten—seemed to leer at them from the corners of their vision.

Naruto stumbled slightly, muttering under his breath as his hand brushed against the clammy wall for balance. "Great. Not only does it stink, but it's slimy too. Why does everything down here have to be so… gross?"

"Would you rather take your chances with the guards up top?" Jiraiya called back, not bothering to hide his amusement.

Naruto groaned but didn't answer. Instead, he kept moving, occasionally muttering about the indignities of sewer travel. The torchlight flickered, casting long, wavering shadows that danced like restless spirits along the walls. Every so often, the tunnel would widen into a small chamber where ancient wooden planks formed precarious walkways over deep, murky pools.

At one point, Naruto froze, staring into one of the pools with wide eyes. "Did something just move in there?"

Jiraiya paused, glancing over his shoulder with a mischievous grin. "Probably just a sewer snake. Or a big rat. Either way, keep walking—they don't like loud noises."

Naruto immediately stomped his feet as he walked, grumbling under his breath about silly actors and their lack of sympathy. Sasuke, however, didn't even flinch. His eyes remained sharp, scanning the tunnels for anything out of place.

Two weeks to Kusamachi, Naruto reminded himself, kicking a loose stone into the water. A city teeming with danger and deceit, where enemies like Shimura Danzō and Orochimaru waited. The thought sent a chill down his spine, though he wasn't sure if it was the mission's weight or the cold, damp air seeping into his bones.

Jiraiya glanced back, his grin irreverent as ever, despite the heavy atmosphere. "One last thing—don't die. It'd be a real shame to waste all this effort."

Naruto rolled his eyes, his voice tinged with exasperation. "Yeah, thanks for the pep talk, old man."

"Anytime," Jiraiya replied with a wink, his laugh echoing through the dark as they pressed deeper into the labyrinth of the tunnels, the unknown stretching ahead of them like an unspoken promise of peril.

Aoi's heart pounded in her chest as she strode through the Uchiha compound, the mid-morning sun casting long shadows over the stone paths. The lingering patches of snow were melting under the sun's growing intensity, water trickling into the cracks of the stones and leaving dark trails. Each of Aoi's steps echoed in her ears, blending with the frantic rhythm of her thoughts. Mariko and Usagi were nowhere to be found, and the gnawing unease in her gut had blossomed into full-fledged dread.

Her sharp eyes swept across the compound, searching for answers—or perhaps reassurance—among the familiar sights. Finally, her gaze settled on Masako near the courtyard of the main house, her figure stooped slightly as she carried a basket brimming with herbs.

The older woman glanced up; her expression neutral until she saw the tension in Aoi's face. She straightened immediately, concern etching lines across her brow. "Aoi-sama?" Masako asked, her voice cautious yet tinged with worry.

"Masako," Aoi began, forcing herself to keep her tone steady despite the rising panic within her. She took a step closer, her eyes searching Masako's for any hint of information. "When was the last time you saw Mariko and Usagi?"

Masako hesitated, setting the basket down at her feet as she mulled over the question. Her frown deepened, and her gaze turned inward as she recalled. "The last time I saw Mariko was yesterday morning, just briefly. I asked Usagi to take the laundry to the river, and Mariko goes with her— I saw Mariko atop the cart as they were leaving."

"And Usagi?" Aoi pressed, her voice growing tighter.

Masako's gaze dropped for a moment before meeting Aoi's once more. "I saw her briefly last night, just before dinner. She was near the servant quarters, but she didn't stop to talk. She looked… distracted, maybe tired. I assumed everything was fine."

The weight in Aoi's chest grew heavier. "They're both missing—they're nowhere to be found in the compound."

Masako's face paled as her hands gripped the edge of her apron tightly. "That's not like either of them, especially Usagi. She's always so reliable. Aoi-sama… do you think something's happened?"

Aoi exhaled, forcing herself to stay composed despite the chill running down her spine. "I don't know yet," she admitted, her tone colder than she intended. "But I intend to find out."

Without waiting for a reply, she turned on her heel, her mind already racing through what needed to be done. The laundry by the river… That's where she would start.

The path to the river was eerily quiet, shrouded in the heavy dampness of early spring. Snow lingered in patches along the edges of the trail, shrinking into the earth as the sun's faint warmth worked to reclaim the landscape. Here and there, delicate buds had begun to appear on the bare branches overhead, a timid promise of the life to come. The skeletal trees formed a jagged canopy against the overcast sky, their stark forms swaying slightly in the breeze.

A faint rustle carried through the air, mingled with the scents of moss, wet earth, and the unmistakable freshness of melting snow. The forest seemed to hold its breath as Aoi, accompanied by two Uchiha guards—Keisuke and Yasunari—moved forward, their footsteps crunching softly on the damp dirt path. Somewhere in the distance, a lone crow cawed, its cry echoing through the stillness like a harbinger of something grim.

Aoi's unease deepened with every step, the oppressive quiet pressing against her like a physical weight. The gentle murmur of the river grew louder, a steady rhythm that should have been soothing but now felt ominous. Her breath caught as the riverbank came into view.

She froze.

The first thing she noticed was the red—dark and vivid against the tender green grass sprouting by the water's edge. It stood out like a brutal scar on the serene landscape of white and barely any green.

Then her gaze fell upon the bodies.

Mariko and Usagi lay crumpled a few feet apart, their still forms horribly unnatural. Aoi's breath hitched as a surge of icy dread rushed through her veins. The guards moved past her, Keisuke and Yasunari both drawing their swords with practiced ease, scanning the area with sharp, alert eyes.

She stumbled forward, her legs leaden, and dropped to her knees beside Mariko. Her hands trembled as she reached out, brushing the young woman's pale cheek. Mariko's eyes stared blankly at the sky, frozen in a mask of terror. Aoi's throat tightened as she gently closed them, her fingers lingering for a moment.

"I'm so sorry, Mariko," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the rush of the river.

Her gaze shifted to Usagi, who lay only a few feet away. Blood had seeped into the ground beneath her, a dark, viscous pool that soaked her torn kimono. Her lifeless hands clutched a piece of fabric as if she'd tried to shield herself.

"Search the area," Aoi commanded, her voice cold and resolute. "Look for tracks, footprints, anything out of place. We don't leave until we find something."

The dimly lit room was thick with the scent of herbs and antiseptic. The faint sound of fire crackling in the hearth was the only other noise that filled the air. Sakura moved with methodical precision, her hands steady as she worked over Itachi's still form. His face, pale and drawn, remained unconscious, the gentle rise and fall of his chest the only indication that he was still clinging to life. His body, once so strong, was now battered by the effects of the poison coursing through his veins.

Sweat beaded on Sakura's forehead, but she forced herself to remain calm, pushing the growing exhaustion aside. Every breath she took felt heavier now, the weight of her pregnancy pulling at her as if the very air around her had thickened. It was a delicate balance, tending to Itachi while bearing the child within her.

"Alright, just a little longer…" she muttered to herself, her voice low and strained as she slowly administered another antidote, the antidote for the toxin that had seeped deep into Itachi's bloodstream.

Sachi, her student and sister-in-law, stood by with a concerned look, watching every move of her mentor. She was small for her age, but her eyes were sharp, and she had already proven herself to be an exceptional medical student, especially in moments like this. Her hands moved quickly, mixing the antidotes and preparing the next round of treatments. She knew how to assist, despite her youth, and helped keep the pressure off Sakura.

"Are you sure you're alright?" Sachi asked, glancing at the older woman with a hint of worry. "You've been working on him for hours. Shouldn't you take a break?"

Sakura paused for a moment, wiping her brow with the back of her hand as she prepared the next vial of antidote. She looked at Sachi, her expression tired but focused. "With poisons, the procedure is delicate. Ingested toxins, for example, require a different process than venomous bites or stings." She looked back at Itachi, her fingers deftly adjusting the dosage. "Ingestion demands neutralization and absorption inhibitors, and that must be done carefully, or it could spread faster. Envenomation is different—it's a race against time, an emergency removal. But with him, the toxins are slowly burning through his system, so every antidote must be timed precisely to counter the effects without overloading his system. Otherwise, we risk causing more harm." Her voice was calm, but the exhaustion lingered beneath her words.

Sachi watched her mentor with concern, noting the weariness in her eyes, even as Sakura continued her methodical work. "It must be draining, though. You haven't rested."

Sakura smiled faintly, though there was no humor in it. She could feel the fatigue settling deeper into her bones, but she didn't let it show. "I'm fine, Sachi. Itachi needs me right now. I can't afford to stop." She gave the girl a reassuring look, though the weariness in her eyes lingered. "We're almost there."

Sachi's gaze softened with concern, but she didn't argue. The truth was, she knew better than to try to convince Sakura to rest when she was like this. She had seen her mentor face even more trying moments, and Sakura's unwavering focus on her patients was both a strength and a burden. "Just let me know if you need anything," she said, her tone gentle but firm.

Sakura nodded and continued her work. She administered another vial of antidote, her hands steady despite the exhaustion clawing at her. She watched as the poison slowly began to lose its grip on Itachi's body. His temperature began to stabilize, though his pulse remained weak. It was only a matter of time, she hoped. Each moment felt like an eternity.

"You're doing well, Itachi," she murmured under her breath, her voice barely a whisper. "Stay with me."

Her thoughts briefly drifted to her own child. The baby had been active earlier, reminding her that despite the grimness of the situation, there was still life within her. The feeling of movement from within her made her smile, even through the exhaustion. The child had become a constant source of energy and hope. Every gentle kick was a reminder of the future waiting for her, and for a brief moment, the weight of the world felt lighter.

But then, the door creaked open, and Aoi stepped inside. Her eyes were tired, her face drawn, but her posture was resolute. There was no time for pleasantries. Aoi's gaze flickered over Itachi's weakened form before she focused entirely on Sakura.

"Sakura," Aoi said, her voice steady but laced with the tension she could not hide.

Sakura's heart skipped a beat, her hands pausing over Itachi's body. She turned her full attention to Aoi, her expression turning serious, a chill creeping into her bones. "Yeah?" she asked, her voice tight with dread, her mind already conjuring dark thoughts.

Aoi's eyes remained cold and determined, an unreadable mask masking whatever turmoil lingered beneath. "Usagi and Mariko. They're dead. I found them by the waterfall—throats cut and left to rot—they didn't even bother to hide their bodies."

Sachi, who had been silently observing, froze. Her body stiffened, and her eyes widened with disbelief. Her voice was barely a whisper, the shock evident in every syllable. "Both of them?" She leaned against the workbench for support, as if the news itself had drained the strength from her. The room seemed to hold its breath in a moment of profound silence.

Aoi nodded, her lips pressed into a thin line. "Yes. Both of them." Her tone was unwavering, but there was a heaviness in her eyes that suggested more than just the grim facts. She took a step closer to Sakura, her face darkening with barely concealed rage.

Sakura felt the floor beneath her shift, though her hands remained steady over Itachi's body. The mention of murder had a way of tightening everything in her chest. Her breath hitched as her mind struggled to process the information. The sudden weight of this new threat, this new danger, was something she hadn't anticipated. She glanced quickly at Sachi, whose face had gone pale, drained of color as if the news had stolen the very breath from her lungs. She could almost feel the shock radiating off her, and Sakura's heart ached for the girl.

Turning back to Aoi, her voice remained steady, though her mind raced with a thousand questions. "Murdered? Who?" Her voice cracked with the faintest tremor, but she fought to keep it under control.

Aoi's expression hardened, her gaze like stone. She shook her head, her lips tightening into a thin, unforgiving line. "I don't know yet. But I'm going to investigate further. It's too dangerous to leave it unexplored. I'm not going to let it go unpunished." Her voice was low, filled with an unmistakable resolve.

Sakura's mind whirled, thoughts colliding in a disorienting storm. The deadly poison in Itachi's body, the murders of two loyal servants—her mind felt like it was being pulled in two directions. It was so much to process at once, but she couldn't afford to lose focus, not with Itachi still teetering between life and death. Her hands slowly returned to their task, methodically administering another round of antidote to stabilize him. The room was thick with tension, yet her heart seemed to thrum against her chest in anxious anticipation of what might come next.

Before Sakura could respond, the door to the room opened again. Masako entered swiftly, her movements purposeful and precise, as if the urgency of her presence carried the weight of something far more significant than what she'd previously known. Her eyes were wide, brow furrowed, betraying a deep concern that matched the grim atmosphere of the room. Without delay, she approached Sakura.

"Excuse me, Aoi-sama, but there's an urgent matter for Sakura-sama. An Uchiha elder is here, demanding an audience with you, Uchiha-sama," Masako announced, her voice steady but tinged with an unmistakable sense of unease.

Sakura's stomach dropped at the mention of the Uchiha elder. Despite being the matriarch of the Uchiha clan herself, she had never had the opportunity to meet any of the three elders. Madatachi, in particular, wasn't fond of her, especially given that his own granddaughter had once tried to kill her and died herself as a result of that decision. As for Saizō and Hirosuke, she didn't know them at all, but she was aware that Itachi had no love lost for them. She wondered which elder had come to see her.

Her thoughts raced, but she quickly forced herself to calm down, focusing on what mattered. "Let him into the main hall. I'll meet him there," Sakura replied, her voice controlled, though beneath the surface, a storm was beginning to churn. She turned back to Itachi, her hands moving with practiced precision as she continued her work. But the unease in her stomach wouldn't dissipate. Each passing second seemed to weigh more heavily, as if the room was growing tighter around her, suffocating her with the uncertainty of what lay ahead.

Masako bowed and exited the room.

"I'll go with you. We don't know what the elders are planning," Aoi offered, her voice firm but carrying a note of concern.

"Thanks, Aoi. I'll take you up on that," Sakura nodded gratefully, her mind already shifting to the task ahead. She glanced at Sachi. "Keep an eye on Itachi, okay? If I'm not back in five minutes, proceed with the next dose. Administer it the same way I did before, understood?"

Sachi's expression was a mix of worry and determination, but she nodded. "Okay, I will do as instructed."

Sakura gave her one last look, offering a faint but reassuring smile, then followed Aoi toward the main hall.

A/N: See author's note at the top of the chapter. As explained, no further chapters will be posted unless reader engagement changes.

Regards,

- masayume