Chapter 34: Let Me Take You to See a Meteor Shower [Part 3]
"We didn't go anywhere special, just chatted about a little personal secret!" Sakura's eyes twinkled mischievously as she put on a mysterious expression, as if she and Matatabi had shared some untellable secret.
"You, you two..." Yugito Nii's chest heaved rapidly with anger. Although she had once disliked the Two-Tails when she first became a Jinchūriki, after all these years, it had become a deeply important friend to her. Yet just now, Matatabi had secretly talked to Sakura behind her back, which made Yugito feel extremely unsettled. Her gaze toward Sakura was filled with hostility.
"Alright, Yugito, don't listen to her nonsense. There are just some things you can't know yet—they'd only put you in danger!" Matatabi lied smoothly. Since their hearts were connected, Matatabi could naturally sense Yugito's current mood, and found Sakura's mischievousness a bit exasperating.
"I—I'll definitely work hard to get stronger!" Yugito bit her lip, shooting Sakura a resentful glare. Still a young girl, she was only a Jonin-level ninja so far, and that was even counting the strength she gained from the Two-Tails.
"Okay, if anything comes up later, we'll get in touch. But for now, we're still enemies!" Sakura waved her hand dismissively. The fact that she, Matatabi, and Yugito could talk calmly here didn't mean the conflict between Konoha and the Cloud Village was over.
"Hmph. Don't think I'll let you go just because Matatabi likes you. In this war, you Konoha folks better learn to admit defeat—I won't show mercy!" Yugito crossed her arms, huffing arrogantly.
"Such a tsundere. Of course, a Jinchūriki connected to Matatabi would have inherited the cat-like tsundere personality!" Sakura muttered under her breath. Despite Yugito's fierce words, Sakura didn't sense any real killing intent or malice—just jealousy.
Sakura understood Yugito's feelings. The bond between a Tailed Beast and its Jinchūriki was always special, especially for those who had reached true understanding. From initial hatred and resentment to mutual respect, they forged deep ties—each was uniquely important to the other. But Sakura's secret conversation with Matatabi had made Yugito feel like something precious was being taken away. After all her years of effort connecting with Matatabi, Sakura had just pulled him away with a few words. Yugito's jealousy was so strong it could be used as a cooking ingredient.
"What did you say? Who's the tsundere now?" Yugito's temper flared instantly. Unlike her future self, she was still too young to stay calm; Sakura's words stirred her emotions.
"Nothing, you misheard!" Sakura waved it off, then added meaningfully, "About this war, I suggest you all retreat peacefully—otherwise, a total defeat wouldn't be pretty."
"Hah! Total defeat? You think you can wipe us out?" Yugito sneered fiercely. "This war's victory will definitely be ours!"
"Is that so? We'll just wait and see!"
Sakura gave her a final reminder: "There's a meteor shower tonight. Don't forget to make a wish when you see it!"
"Huh? Meteor shower?" Yugito was confused. Why were they suddenly talking about a meteor shower?!
The conversation in their spiritual space only lasted an instant. Outside, Nara Shikaku and others saw Sakura's hand briefly touch the Two-Tails' chakra, then separate, unaware that not only had they communicated, but the Two-Tails had left some of its chakra within Sakura.
"Are you hurt?" Shisui looked at Sakura worriedly. The Tailed Beasts' chakra was terribly corrosive; normal ninjas would be burned upon contact, not to mention a child.
"Don't worry, I'm fine!" Sakura smiled, then told Nara Shikaku, "Uncle Shikaku, let's head back first. We'll deliver their 'gift' tonight."
"Alright." Shikaku didn't understand what Sakura and the Two-Tails were up to but nodded and led everyone back to camp.
Meanwhile, Yugito had also sent everyone back to camp. Today's chaos had left her physically and mentally exhausted, especially her spirit. First, she had been mentally unsettled by Sakura's intrusion, then hit hard by the fact Matatabi had someone else outside. Now, all she wanted was to sit down and calm her mind.
A group from the Cloud Village and the Konoha team both returned to their camps with weak legs. Though the Konoha team felt nauseous, their hearts were light—after all, it was the other side who had been embarrassed. But the Cloud Village was far less pleased; they grumbled under their breath, forced to obey Yugito's orders despite their frustration, feeling utterly trapped.
That night, both camps were brightly lit by blazing campfires, which cut through the darkness like beacons.
The moon was bright and the stars few, with only the moon continuing to cast its steady glow across the sky.
Sakura, Nara Shikaku, Akimichi Choza, Yamanaka Inoichi, Hatake Kakashi, and Uchiha Shisui walked to the border line that divided the two camps. Might Guy, meanwhile, stayed back, training vigorously in the camp, determined to reclaim the youthful energy he had missed in recent days, so he did not join the group.
"This is the spot. Any further and we'd cross the boundary," Shikaku said, stopping. If they stepped over the line, it would be considered an act of war.
"A clear night with few stars—perfect for watching a meteor shower!" Sakura breathed in deeply. Purple and red energies intertwined around her right hand, and as she slowly raised it, Kakashi and the others tensed, sensing a strong wave of danger.
"Found it…"
After a few seconds, a sharp gleam flashed in Sakura's eyes. She clenched her right hand into a fist and fiercely swung it downward.
Shikaku and the others looked up at the sky, eager to see the effect. They didn't have to wait long—the sky lit up with several brilliant streaks of falling light.
"So many meteors falling at once... If they hit, hundreds of miles around will be devastated. Everyone, get ready and find ways to survive!"
Shikaku's face turned grave. One small meteor wasn't a big deal, but a meteor shower like this would definitely impact Konoha as well.
"Don't worry, Uncle Shikaku. I've prepared for this. The meteors will shrink a lot from atmospheric friction, and I've limited their destructive power on impact. You don't need to worry about damage spreading to Konoha."
Sakura waved off his concerns and then called out toward the Cloud Village camp.
"Yugito-nee, come out and make a wish on the meteor shower! Maybe you'll find your perfect match sooner!"
"You bastard! Who needs to find a perfect match?!" Yugito's angry shout echoed back from the Cloud Village camp. There was no way she'd make a wish on the meteors for a boyfriend.