The moon was bright, and the stars were sparse.
Konohagakure Hot Springs.
Haruno Sakura sat on a jagged rock by the edge of the water, casually using a chopstick to pin up her long hair. After testing the temperature with her foot, she submerged herself completely into the steaming water.
"Ah... that feels so good~"
Next to her, Yamanaka Ino let out a long, blissful sigh.
Noticing Sakura's movements, Ino crawled over with a mischievous grin. Like a total creep, she reached out and cop-a-feel of Sakura's skin.
"Sakura, how do you maintain your skin? It's so fair and smooth... hehehe..."
"Girl, you smell so sweet~"
"Slurp~"
I knew it...
Sakura looked at Ino with a deadpan expression, feeling helpless against her friend's antics.
"But speaking of which," Karin, sitting on Sakura's other side, spoke up with a teasing glint in her eyes. She glanced at Sakura's chest, then looked down at her own. "Sakura, you're already this old, so why is it that..."
Oh yeah!
I won!
Finally, there's one area where Sakura can't beat me!
"What do you know?" Ino snapped, looking at Karin with dissatisfaction. "How can one pacify the world without a flat chest?"
To Ino, this "washboard" was the familiar washboard she knew and loved!
"Huh?"
"Are you trying to pick a fight, Ino-pig?!"
"So what if I am, Octopus!"
"Ino-pig!"
"Octopus!"
Sakura remained submerged in the water, soaking in the rare moment of tranquility. It would have been even better if Karin on her left and Ino on her right could just be quiet for a second.
As for her chest?
She didn't care about "winning." After all, if those things were too big, they'd just get in the way during a fight. Especially for a Taijutsu specialist like Sakura—having a specific part of the body grow large without muscle meant it was nothing more than a glaring weakness.
Sakura analyzed the pros and cons with the utmost seriousness.
"Ah... those two really get along well, don't they?"
Not far away, Tenten watched the daily bickering between Karin and Ino and couldn't help but sigh.
"Ye-yes... they do..."
Beside Tenten, Hyuga Hinata spoke up with a hint of restraint. Even though they were all girls and there were no outsiders, Hinata still looked stiff and uncomfortable, instinctively using her hands to shield her chest.
"Eh?"
"Hinata, you should relax a bit. We're all friends here."
Tenten wrapped an arm around Hinata's shoulder without reservation, her face full of sisterly concern.
"Ah, well..."
Hinata glanced at Tenten. Whether it was from the steam of the hot spring or her own shyness, her face grew several shades redder.
"Yeah, exactly! It's not often we all get to hang out like this. No need to be so tense," Karin added, scooting over with a grin.
"Um, okay then..."
Hinata looked at Tenten, then at Karin, and slowly lowered the hands she had been using to guard her chest.
"Uh..."
Tenten stared at Hinata's "impressive assets," and the smile on her face instantly froze.
Even if there were three of her, she still couldn't compare to that...
Damn it, what on earth did she eat to grow like that?!
Tenten fell into a deep state of self-doubt, slowly sinking her entire body into the water. Not just Tenten—even Ino and Karin were struck by a wave of resentment.
Only Sakura remained indifferent.
Heh. Mere physical charms... don't think you can distract me.
"Sa-Sakura, what happened to them?"
Seeing Tenten, Karin, and Ino all bury their heads underwater, Hinata asked, looking utterly bewildered.
"It's nothing. They'll come up once they run out of air," Sakura replied, waving her hand dismissively.
I don't think that's what I was asking...
Looking at Sakura's breezy, unbothered expression, Hinata gave a sheepish smile.
But...
Hinata's gaze lingered on Sakura.
Sakura is truly beautiful.
At that moment, through the hazy mist of the hot spring, a curvaceous silhouette approached. A pair of translucent, pearly-white feet stepped onto the bluestone floor, walking toward the water step by step.
Sakura caught a glimpse of the newcomer.
"I didn't expect you to join the fun."
The newcomer had long, black hair that flowed like a waterfall, now pinned up with a hairpin. Her facial features were as exquisite as a work of art, and her crystalline black eyes seemed as if they could speak. Her skin was as flawless as fine jade.
Even if her figure couldn't match Hinata's in terms of sheer volume, she exuded a sense of "perfection." No single part was overly flashy, yet everything about her felt perfectly balanced.
"What?"
"I'm not allowed?"
The voice was ethereal and pleasant.
The newcomer waved a hand dismissively, seemingly unconcerned about being seen, and sat down directly next to Sakura.
Uchiha Hikari.
The "Uchiha Great-Grandma" Sakura had dug up three years ago.
"Hikari is so pretty..."
Three years had passed, and even though Hikari didn't show her face often, she had become a familiar sight in Konohagakure.
Ino poked her head out of the water, looking at Hikari with a face full of envy.
Upon hearing the compliment, the corners of Hikari's mouth curled into an involuntary arc. Her gaze drifted slightly downward, glancing at Sakura's "flat surface," and the smirk widened.
Heh, this pink-haired girl...
"What are you looking at?" Sakura asked, feeling annoyed.
Seriously, what was wrong with these girls? Why did they all have to sneak looks at her chest? It was bad enough they were looking for free, but did they have to have pity and mockery in their eyes too?
Keep it up, and she was going to start charging a fee!
"What if I am looking?"
Hikari's tone was one part indifference, two parts mockery, three parts pride, four parts playfulness, and five parts provocation.
"Try looking one more time!"
"I'll try if I want to."
With that, Hikari even arched an eyebrow at Sakura.
Damn, this girl is asking for it!
If I were a guy, I'd handle you right here and now!
Sakura felt a wave of resentment. Seeing Sakura rendered speechless, Hikari flashed a victor's smile.
As time ticked by, Sakura and the others changed into yukatas and headed to the lounge area on the second floor of the hot spring house. There, they ran into Naruto and the boys, who had also just finished their bath.
In the lounge, Sakura spotted something familiar.
A rectangular table with a net in the middle...
Wait, could someone tell her... why was there a Ping Pong table in a place like this? Did people here even know how to play?
Sakura looked at the table and remembered Hikari's provocative look from earlier.
Aha! An idea!
A metaphorical finger lit up in her mind. Having just suffered a "loss" in the bath, she naturally had to get her revenge!
If she just challenged Uchiha Hikari to a direct fight, it would feel a bit beneath her. But since it had come to this...
Sakura quietly slipped away from her playing companions and stood before the Ping Pong table. Stroking the familiar yet foreign surface, a "scheming" smile appeared at the corner of her mouth.
Ino noticed Sakura's behavior, and Sakura shot her a look. Having grown up with Sakura, Ino understood her meaning in a split second.
"Eh?"
"Sakura, do you want to play this?"
Ino raised her voice slightly, drawing the attention of many in the room.
Great job, Ino! Sakura gave her a mental thumbs-up.
"I'm a bit interested."
"Why? Is anyone else up for it?"
Her emerald eyes swept toward the others, who were planning to head to the rest area to lie down and watch a movie.
"I can do it—"
Naruto was about to volunteer, but he instinctively froze when he met Sakura's gaze.
Heh, childish pink-hair.
Uchiha Hikari stood with her arms crossed, watching Sakura with interest.
Did she really think I'd fall for such a crude little trick?
How naive! Little girl, you've been corrupted too much by the Senju!
But since you want to play... I'll play with you!
"This is actually quite interesting."
"I'll play with you."
Uchiha Hikari stepped forward without hesitation, taking the challenge head-on.
"Fine."
Sakura readily accepted. You're the one I've been waiting for!
Sakura and Uchiha Hikari locked eyes, their gazes overflowing with burgeoning fighting spirit. It was like lightning striking a wildfire; a great battle was on the verge of erupting!
"Do those two have a grudge against each other?"
Naruto, finally catching on despite his usual denseness, leaned toward Sasuke and whispered.
"Yeah, you get used to it," Sasuke replied, having long since grown accustomed to such scenes. "Also, you're too close, idiot."
Sasuke shoved the blonde away.
Currently, Sakura and Uchiha Hikari each held a ping-pong paddle in their hands, with Hinata acting as the referee. The rest of the group stood a short distance away, watching the confrontation between Sakura and Hikari.
"You serve first. Don't say I'm bullying you," Sakura said, paddle in hand, looking completely confident in her victory.
If she lost at ping-pong, she'd be a disgrace to the elite university from her previous life.
"Heh, I hope your skills are as sharp as your tongue."
After getting a basic grasp of the rules, Uchiha Hikari had a general idea of the game. Wasn't it just about making sure the opponent couldn't return the ball?
Hikari tossed the ping-pong ball into the air and struck it toward Sakura.
However...
A violent whistling sound instantly swept past Uchiha Hikari's ear, and her flowing black hair danced wildly in the gust of wind generated by the ball!
The entire room fell silent!
Everyone's eyes landed on the ping-pong ball, which was stuck deep in the wall and still spinning relentlessly!
!!!
Is this narrow-minded pink-haired girl trying to kill me?!
Uchiha Hikari watched as the ball slowly stopped spinning and eventually fell to the floor. The wall even emitted a faint scorched smell due to the intense friction...
"Sorry, I'll take this first point."
Sakura bounced the paddle in her hand, a slight arch to her eyebrows.
"Heh. In that case, I suppose I should show you my true strength as well."
The black-haired girl's eyes shifted, revealing the crimson Three-Tomoe Sharingan as she stared at the pink-haired girl with a cold smirk. Meanwhile, acting as the referee, Hinata hurriedly updated the score to 1-0.
The second round was Sakura's serve.
Sakura let out a soft breath, her gaze becoming sharp. Hikari had let her guard down on the first point, but it wouldn't be that easy from here on out. She tossed the ball high into the air as the Three-Tomoe Sharingan across from her stood ready.
Bang!
A dull explosion of sound erupted from the paddle! Like a bolt of lightning, the ball charged toward Uchiha Hikari with unstoppable momentum!
Bring it on!
With her Sharingan active, Uchiha Hikari clearly captured the trajectory of the ping-pong ball! She gripped her paddle tight, and her chakra flared!
Bang!
Another heavy sound erupted! That lightning-fast, heavy-duty ball was sent flying back!
Sakura reacted instantly. Using Yang Release to strengthen her body day and night didn't just provide raw power; it improved speed, recovery, and every physical attribute without exception! That included her dynamic vision and reflexes!
However, the moment the paddle made contact with the ball Hikari had returned, the ball began to spin wildly against Sakura's paddle. It then shot straight into the air and became lodged in the ceiling!
Everyone watched the scene, their mouths agape. Wait, you can even play like that?
"P-Point to Hikari," Hinata nervously announced the 1-1 tie.
Sakura caught the ball as it fell from the ceiling. Her expression was solemn, but she felt a faint surge of excitement in her heart. Stomping amateurs was boring; she wanted to play against the pros!
"Are you ready?"
Sakura placed the ball in her palm and lowered her stance, her eyes fierce. This put Uchiha Hikari on high alert; the pink-haired girl was getting serious. For a moment, Hikari felt like she wasn't facing a person, but a pouncing tigress!
As Sakura swung her paddle, Uchiha Hikari's expression turned grave.
Here it comes!
The moment Sakura struck the ball, a piercing screech echoed through the room. Simultaneously, a white air vortex expanded around the ping-pong ball!
The ball had actually broken the sound barrier!
Crimson chakra burned around Uchiha Hikari! The paddle in her hand was instantly reinforced with chakra! If she didn't reinforce the wooden paddle, the pink-haired girl's shot would likely punch right through it!
Uchiha Style: Triple Windmill Blades!
Ping-Pong Version!
Hikari directly utilized the shuriken techniques the Uchiha were so proud of for this shot.
Go back!
The ball, which had arrived with the force of a thunderbolt, was heavily struck back by Uchiha Hikari! Its trajectory became erratic and unpredictable; an ordinary person would find it impossible to counter.
But...
"Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Not only did Sakura strike the ball accurately, but she also threw in a Shadow Clone technique for good measure! One ball transformed into countless others, blanketing the air as they flew toward Uchiha Hikari!
Holy crap!
This damn pink-haired girl!
You're the one who decided to fight dirty first!
Hikari was incensed. She swung her paddle, and a massive, crimson skeletal arm manifested behind her! Not only that, but the skeletal hand was actually gripping a giant ping-pong paddle!
Susano'o: Ping-Pong Version!
Sakura looked on, momentarily stunned to see that Hikari's eyes were still in their Three-Tomoe state. But she quickly realized what was happening.
The Mangekyo was merely the key to unlocking the power of Susano'o. Once unlocked, one could still use it even if their eyes were removed—much like Uchiha Madara during the Fourth Shinobi World War after being resurrected by the Rinne Rebirth Jutsu. Even without eyes, he could use Susano'o. Given Uchiha Hikari's prowess, she could easily manifest Susano'o without activating the Mangekyo.
Under the massive paddle, every single ball was sent back. A series of rapid thud-thud-thud sounds echoed as the Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu was dispelled, leaving only one ball to charge out from the white smoke.
A smirk played on the corner of Sakura's mouth. She hadn't expected her first time facing a Susano'o to be under these circumstances. But even if she summoned Susano'o, so what?
As the returned ping-pong ball whirled toward her... Sakura swung.
"Yang Release: Monster Strength!"
Before anyone could react, the ball Sakura struck back shattered the instant it touched the table, exploding into countless fragments!
"Uh..."
Seeing this, Sakura was momentarily dazed. Uchiha Hikari was also stunned.
How was this supposed to be scored?
"Ah, maybe we should just call it a day? It was just for fun anyway," Shikamaru interjected, quickly stepping forward for fear that Sakura and Hikari might actually start a real fight. If these two got too worked up, they'd probably tear the whole shop apart.
"Oh."
"Consider yourself lucky," Sakura muttered, feeling a bit speechless. If the ball broke, she could just get another one. But given the intensity between her and Hikari, they'd probably need a steel ball to keep the game going.
"Hmph, I wonder who's the lucky one?" Hikari tossed her paddle aside and crossed her arms irritably.
"Yeah, yeah, I get it—"
Sakura didn't take Hikari's words to heart, simply spreading her hands in a mock gesture of surrender to indicate she was "right."
This annoying pink-haired girl!
Hikari gritted her teeth as she watched Sakura's "fine, fine, you win" expression. Can I just use Susano'o to crush her?!
Looking at the frustrated Hikari, the corner of Sakura's mouth quirked up. To be honest, she didn't actually dislike the girl. In fact, she found teasing her quite amusing—especially this look of wanting to punch her but having no good excuse, gritting her teeth and brooding.
This Uchiha "Great-Grandma" was actually kind of cute.
Sasuke watched the scene and massaged his temples. Sakura was wonderful in every way, but she had a bit of a mischievous streak, especially when it came to Hikari.
Dinner at the hot spring hotel had finished, and as it neared midnight, everyone prepared to head home. Sakura put on her clothes and was about to say goodbye to Naruto and the others.
"Sakura, it's so late. It's dangerous for a girl to be alone. Do you want me to walk you home?"
Looking at the big blonde approaching her, Sakura felt a bit bewildered.
Me?
Alone?
Dangerous?
"Are you saying I'm the one in danger, or everyone else?"
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