Just as Uchiha Itachi and his group were were about to leave Konoha, they spotted several figures waiting anxiously at the village gate.
There was Haruno Kizashi, with his iconic star-shaped hairstyle, and his daughter, Haruno Sakura, her pink hair unmistakable.
Kurama Yakumo stood beside her father, Kurama Murakumo.
Sai's adoptive brother, Shin, was there with him.
Tenten had arrived as well, along with Yamanaka Ino and her father, Yamanaka Inoichi.
"Wow, what a coincidence, Sasuke!" Sakura waved cheerfully.
"You're here for me, aren't you? Come to see us off?" Naruto said quickly, jumping ahead with an eager grin.
"Of course not."
Sakura shoved him aside without hesitation and nervously approached the aloof Uchiha Sasuke.
"Sasuke-kun… I heard you're headed to the Land of Fire. I was supposed to go too, but my dad had something come up last minute, so… can I go with you guys instead?"
As she spoke, Sakura shot a cautious glance at Uchiha Itachi.
The intent was clear as day.
Even a fool could see that these people weren't here by chance—they were trying to get involved.
Itachi smiled lightly and asked, "You're all heading to the Land of Fire as well?"
"Mhm."
Yakumo glanced at her father. After he nodded, she quickly added, "Our clan has a few business interests there. I need to help out for a bit. If it's alright… may I travel with you, Clan Head Itachi?"
"Clan Head Itachi," said Inoichi earnestly, "Ino's insisted on going, but I have duties I can't abandon. Would you be willing to let her accompany your group?"
"We just want to find some high-quality paper for painting," Shin chimed in carefully. "If possible… could we tag along?"
Anyone with half a brain could see what this was.
Officially, Itachi's group was escorting prisoners.
But in truth?
It was basically a sightseeing trip.
The "Ino–Shika–Chō" trio of Nara, Akimichi, and Yamanaka had already guessed the real message: the Uchiha were subtly testing the village's allegiances.
The moment they saw second-generation heirs like Naruto and Hinata joining the mission, they immediately sent out their daughters.
Shikamaru and Chōji were boys—no advantage there.
But Ino? She was a girl. That meant she still had a shot.
Itachi was already out of reach—but Sasuke? Sasuke was still an option.
And safety wasn't a concern.
The Hyūga had dispatched three Jōnin.
And who knew how many others were hiding in the shadows?
Besides, Itachi could summon Edo Tensei at will.
If they were attacked, he could just raise a squad of reanimated Hokage and Uchiha legends.
What enemy would dare fight after seeing that?
Kazuma: "…"
Konoha was mocking them.
They were being escorted like prisoners on a luxury field trip.
Was this… some kind of sick joke?
An insult to the dignity of the Land of Fire?
Unbelievable.
"…Alright," Itachi said with a nod.
"Thank you, Clan Head Itachi," Inoichi, Murakumo, and Kizashi said gratefully.
"No need to thank me," Itachi replied with a gentle smile.
After the others had left, Inoichi let out a sigh of relief.
If the "Ino–Shika–Chō" clans gave up part of their territory and influence in the village, this could all be smoothed over.
Inoichi silently thanked the heavens that he had a daughter.
If he'd had a son instead, the trio might've been politically doomed within the week.
The group continued down the road, laughter and chatter filling the air.
Everyone seemed cheerful—except Naruto.
All the girls were crowding around Sasuke.
Only Hinata remained by Naruto's side.
Sasuke, trying to escape the noisy entourage of giggling girls, ran over to Itachi, who was calmly chatting with Izumi.
"Brother," Sasuke pouted, "you promised you'd help me train today."
"You silly brat."
Itachi gave him a disappointed look.
"Didn't I teach you the Iron Body Training of the Thirteen Guardians last night?"
"That technique builds toughness through punishment: swords leave only white marks, spears a single dot. You wear the thickest armor, take the fiercest beatings—and the more you're hit, the stronger you become."
"Train the flesh, the bones, the breath within.
I brought Naruto, Sakura, and the others along specifically to help you grow."
"And yet, all you've done on this trip is flirt and laugh with the girls.
Not once have you sparred with Naruto, Neji, Sai—anyone."
"Have you forgotten what I told you?
You must remain pure until the Iron Body technique is complete."
"If your chastity breaks, the technique crumbles."
"And you still haven't figured out my intentions?"
Itachi sighed. "Utterly disappointing."
"Ah—!" Sasuke froze.
So that's what it was about?
The girls were a test?
And Naruto, Neji, and Sai… were sparring partners, meant to help him train?
He hadn't realized at all…
Face flushed with shame, Sasuke took a deep breath and stepped forward.
"Sakura!" he called out. "I want you to help me train!"
"…Huh?" Sakura blinked in confusion.
"Come on! If we're friends—no, true comrades—then hit me with everything you've got!" Sasuke shouted.
With his skin tough and nerves tempered, Sakura's brute strength—and let's face it, her attraction to him—made her the perfect sparring partner for his body-hardened training.
"Hmph! Sasuke, picking on Sakura? What kind of man are you?"
Naruto immediately jumped in.
"Heh, I'm not the same Sasuke I was yesterday," he said smugly.
"You know what? Come at me—all of you!"
He pointed at Neji, Hinata, Sai, and the others.
Neji: "…"
Did Sasuke get hit in the head?
Just yesterday, Neji had thrashed him in a duel.
Now he wanted a rematch?
Neji glanced at Itachi—who gave a subtle nod.
He understood.
This was all part of the training.
And so, the entire group charged at Sasuke in unison.
"Why are you giving Haruno Sakura such special attention?" Izumi asked curiously.
"Pink hair. Monster strength. Isn't it obvious?" Itachi said with a knowing smile.
Just then, they watched as Sakura landed a punch that sent Sasuke flying, spinning through the air.
Izumi's jaw dropped.
And then… Sasuke got up as if nothing had happened.
Stunned, Izumi murmured, "Is that… the Iron Body Training you taught him? That's insane…"
Her gaze drifted back to Sakura—pink-haired, red-faced, her fists clenched.
That strength… that coloring…
Izumi suddenly remembered something:
The Uzumaki Clan was known for two things—red hair and immense vitality.
Sakura had both.
Could it be…?
"You're saying she's from the Uzumaki Clan?" Izumi asked.
"Not just that," Itachi replied. "She likely carries blood from both the Senju and Uzumaki Clans."
"Think about it: she learned Tsunade's monstrous strength, the Strength of a Hundred Seal, and even the Slug Summoning."
"Add in her pink hair? It's practically screaming her heritage."
"She shouldn't be called Haruno Sakura," he smirked. "She should be called Senju Sakura."
"You investigated her?" Izumi asked.
"I did," Itachi confirmed. "Sakura's father, Haruno Kizashi, is descended from a union between the Haruno and Uzumaki Clans—hence the pink hair. Her mother, Haruno Mebuki, is a distant branch of the Senju Clan."
"So she carries the blood of both lineages."
"No wonder you let a so-called civilian join the mission," Izumi said with realization. "She's not just some ordinary kunoichi."