After finalizing his follow-up plan with Zabuza, Itsuki also learned the basics of one-handed seals from Haku.
That didn't take long.
With some time free, he decided to check in on Team 7.
Just like in the original story, Kakashi had assigned Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura the exercise of climbing trees to practice chakra control while recovering from their injuries.
Naruto and Sasuke were still competing furiously, but Sakura had already mastered the training on her first attempt.
With little else to do, she slipped away quietly.
Itsuki, curious, followed her at a distance.
After all, she was part of the harem chat group. He couldn't just ignore her completely.
In the early days, Sakura was definitely self-righteous, but she was maturing after setbacks.
The more mature version of Sakura was actually much sexy.
Recently, she had been humbled by repeated blows. She was quieter, more thoughtful.
In the chat group, it was usually Ino who teased her, but even that was more like a friend's rough way of pushing her forward.
Sakura stopped at a secluded clearing, glanced around, then called out softly:
"Itsuki… Itsuki, are you there?"
Itsuki raised an eyebrow. She was actually calling for him?
Direct, bold—unexpected.
"Itsuki! I know you're in the Land of Waves. I need to tell you something. Please, come out!"
She sounded anxious, worried.
Itsuki stroked his chin, amused. What was she planning?
Still, it felt a little cheap to just walk out right away.
With someone like Sakura, you had to be careful not to give the wrong impression.
He still remembered what had happened with Naruto chasing after her.
"Itsuki, please… I know you're here. I really do have something important to say!"
Her voice grew louder, edged with desperation.
But Itsuki didn't move. He waited.
Sakura kept shouting for nearly two hours.
Her throat was dry, but still there was no answer. Shoulders slumping, she finally whispered to herself:
"Even if you won't answer, I'll keep coming back here every day until you show up."
Itsuki raised his eyebrows. So this wasn't her first time.
Three days had passed since Kakashi's fight with Zabuza—she must have been coming here again and again.
"…In that case, let's see what you're really after."
Swish!
Itsuki flickered forward with Body Flicker, appearing on a treetop before her.
Sakura jumped, startled.
"You're looking for me?" Itsuki removed his mask, revealing his face.
Sakura's eyes widened in delight. She nearly burst into cartwheels from sheer relief.
"I knew it! You really came to the Land of Waves!" she cried, running closer.
When Itsuki didn't come down, she darted straight up the trunk with her newly learned tree-walking skill, standing before him proudly.
"…How long has she been holding this in?" Itsuki thought, watching her grin like she might explode.
"Hey, Itsuki, I have something to tell you." Sakura tried to suppress her excitement, though her smile was unstoppable.
"How did you know I was in the Land of Waves? And why risk shouting for me like that? What if I wasn't here?" Itsuki asked, testing her.
Sakura grinned.
"I heard from Ino and Hinata that you joined Anbu. When they left the village, you secretly protected them on their mission, right?"
"So I figured—there are only three genin teams in our year. If you guarded them, you'd probably guard us too. It was just a gamble, but… I was right!"
She flashed a peace sign, looking very pleased with herself.
Itsuki chuckled but didn't press further.
"Alright then. What did you want to say? If this is about your team's mission, I can't interfere. I'm only here to prevent major dangers and gain experience."
"No, no, not that!" Sakura shook her head quickly, her cheeks pink.
"Before that… can I ask you something first?"
Itsuki tilted his head. "What's the question?"
Sakura hesitated, face flushing even more.
"Do you… have a girl you like? Is it Hinata? Ino? Or… maybe Tenten?"
Itsuki nearly tripped over himself. His face darkened.
"…Why are you asking that?"
"C'mon, just tell me!" Sakura leaned in, eyes shining with curiosity. "Which one do you like? I promise I won't tell anyone!"
Itsuki sighed. "That's my business. I don't have to answer, right? If that's all you wanted, I'll be going now."
Which one? Only children make choices.
"Wait—don't go!"
Sakura grabbed his arm, panicking. Seeing his patience thinning, she rushed out:
"I want to make a deal with you!"
Itsuki blinked. "…A deal?"
Was she planning to sell out Hinata and Ino for buffs? Bold. Naïve, but bold.
Sakura's voice softened, almost pitiful.
"You've followed us all the way here, so you must know—I'm the most useless member of Team 7."
"I used to be proud of being number one in theory. But in real battles, it's worthless. I could only sit and watch while everyone else fought. I don't want to stay that way."
Itsuki narrowed his eyes. "And what does that have to do with asking about who I like?"
"I heard from Hinata," Sakura admitted. "You taught her some powerful techniques. You're strong, Itsuki. If you'd also train me… teach me how to actually get stronger…"
Her gaze firmed.
"…Then, in return, no matter which girl you like—Hinata, Ino, whoever—I'll help you win her over with everything I have!"
At that, Itsuki finally understood.
This was her way of bargaining.
She wouldn't give up Sasuke for anything.
But she also couldn't sit by and watch the other girls grow closer to Itsuki and keep stacking their buffs.
So she had come up with this: become Itsuki's ally. His wingman.
If she helped him, he'd be grateful—and her standing in the group chat would rise.
As for the request to be trained… that part was almost an excuse. Even she didn't expect much.
...
Author's Note:
The full completed version of Konoha Harem Chat Group: I Can Fabricate the Future (Completed) is now on Patreon!
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