Chapter 45: Gathering of Fate [Part 2]
"What's wrong? Feeling upset?"
Sakura pulled Sasuke aside, ready to start her operation brainwash.
"You… you actually helped someone steal my brother!"
Young Sasuke suddenly felt a deep sense of betrayal—like a revolutionary comrade had turned on him.
"Hey now, that's not exactly fair!"
Sakura said, her tone laced with hidden meaning.
"Think about it—your brother is handsome, has a great personality, and he's insanely strong.
Don't you think he's super popular?"
"Hmph! Of course my brother's amazing—lots of people are bound to like him.
But he's mine! I won't let anyone steal him away!"
Sasuke was clearly proud of his brother, but when it came to Itachi's rightful place,
he wasn't budging an inch.
"Okay, okay, your brother is yours."
Sakura secretly rolled her eyes.
Hopeless brocon.
"But have you thought about this?
Since your brother's so perfect, there are bound to be tons of people trying to snatch him away.
With that many rivals, what's your plan?"
"No one's allowed to take him! I-I'll make sure to keep an eye on him.
I won't let some vixen steal my brother!"
Sasuke's voice was full of resolve, but deep down he was already panicking.
There really were so many people who might want to take Itachi from him...
"If you really want to stop people from trying to take your brother,
you have to tackle the problem at its root.
And that means—making it clear to everyone that your brother's already taken."
Sakura could practically see the trap snapping shut.
In her mind, she flashed herself a silent victory sign.
"How do I do that?"
Sasuke's passive debuff was now in full effect—any time something involved his brother,
his IQ dropped by 99%.
"It's simple," Sakura continued smoothly.
"You just have to help your brother get a girlfriend—a sister-in-law for you!"
And before Sasuke could object, she pressed on.
"Think about it. You're his little brother.
If someone wants to chase after your brother, they'll go through you too.
They'll bug you, sweet-talk you, and in the end, you'll barely get any time with your brother.
But—if he already has a girlfriend, a clear 'taken' sign,
all those annoying people will back off.
And you get to spend more time with him. Everyone wins!"
"Really?"
Sasuke hesitated.
That would mean sharing his brother with someone else… but if it meant more time together...
"Of course!"
Sakura nodded emphatically.
"Didn't you say your brother always bails on you for missions?
If you get along well with your new sister-in-law, and she likes you too,
she can start whispering in his ear at night.
You know—'pillow talk.'
She could convince him to take fewer missions and spend more time with you!"
"You're sure that'll work?"
Sasuke was swaying.
If it meant more time with his brother… maybe finding him a girlfriend wasn't so bad.
"Absolutely!"
Sakura said confidently.
"I'm a girl—I know how much influence pillow talk can have on a guy.
That trick never fails!"
Although she'd never been in a relationship in her past life, Sakura had at least seen plenty of others fall in love. She understood perfectly well just how powerful a little pillow talk could be. More importantly, at this critical moment, she couldn't show even a hint of hesitation—she had to make Sasuke believe this plan would work.
"Then I'll do my best to help my brother find a sister-in-law!"
Sasuke clenched his tiny fists. If it meant getting more time with his brother, he was all in.
"No need to look far—there's already a perfect candidate right here."
Sakura sneakily pointed toward Uchiha Izumi.
"Think about it—Izumi and your brother knew each other back in the Ninja Academy.
They're practically childhood friends.
She's gentle, kind, and she treats you really well.
If she becomes your sister-in-law, she won't try to take your brother away from you.
And if you help bring them together, she'll be so grateful to you!
When you ask her to work her pillow talk magic, she'll definitely give it her all.
It's a win-win-win!"
"Alright… So what should I do?"
Gritting his teeth, Sasuke's eyes filled with determination.
For my brother's sake, I won't let anyone else even think of making a move on him.
"It's easy. Just talk your brother up whenever you're around Izumi.
Say nice things about her to him, too.
Help create more chances for them to spend time together.
Oh—and be sure to mention to Uncle Fugaku and Aunt Mikoto how much Izumi likes your brother.
That's all it takes!"
Sakura breathed a quiet sigh of relief. Mission matchmaker: accomplished.
She really was doing the Lord's work here—helping with love lives at such a young age.
The weight of the world was heavy on her tiny shoulders.
"Alright."
Sasuke considered it and nodded. It didn't seem like much trouble for him,
so he accepted the task.
Just as Sakura and Sasuke returned, they saw Neji approaching with two kids about their age.
"What were you two scheming under that tree just now?"
Neji crossed his arms, suspicious.
He'd seen Sakura and Sasuke whispering like conspirators and could tell
they were definitely up to something shady.
"Scheming? Excuse me—I was helping people find true love, thank you very much!"
Sakura shot back.
Then her gaze turned to the two familiar-looking children behind Neji.
"Wait… who are they?"
"Classmates of mine. Rock Lee and Tenten."
Neji's answer made Sakura slap her forehead.
Of course—those were Neji's original teammates from the anime.
That girl with the twin buns? Definitely Tenten.
After Neji died in the original story, she never married,
ran a weapon shop that barely made ends meet, and mourned him for life.
And that round-eyed boy with thick eyebrows and a bowl haircut?
Rock Lee, often suspected by fans of being Might Guy's secret love child.
"Hey! What's with that look you're giving me?"
Neji's eyebrow twitched furiously.
Sakura had just looked at him like he was a tragic character in a drama—
with eyes full of sorrow and sympathy.
It was exactly the kind of expression you gave someone destined to die young.
"N-no, it's nothing!"
Sakura waved it off awkwardly, nearly blurting out,
'Neji, you died such a horrible death!'
"Hi! I'm Tenten. I'm one of Neji's friends!"
Tenten greeted her cheerfully, though her face turned slightly red when she mentioned Neji.
"Not bad, Neji,"
Sakura teased, wiggling her brows.
"Already locking down your future wife, huh?"
Since Hiashi was still alive in this timeline and the caged bird seal was gone,
Neji's personality had shifted quite a bit—he'd learned how to make friends, at least.
"You're full of nonsense!"
Neji huffed and looked away, clearly flustered.
"Hi! I'm Rock Lee! Uh… um… are you Sakura? I… I like you…"
Lee stammered, blushing hard as he finally spat out a confession.
"Please no."
Sakura's face turned green.
"I have zero interest in Uncle Guy's aesthetic."
Seriously, what's going on with kids these days?
Five years old and already confessing?!