Rumors spread.
Some villagers whispered admiration.
Others whispered fear.
"She's too influential."
"She'll control him."
"She's not just a medic anymore."
Sakura heard it all.
And she didn't flinch.
At the council chamber, she stood before the elders without Naruto present.
"I will not be quiet to make you comfortable," she said evenly.
"I will not step aside to make him look stronger."
"And I will not apologize for loving the man who protects this village."
Silence followed.
Then Tsunade laughed.
"Well," she said, "looks like Konoha's already got its First Lady."
Naruto found Sakura afterward and hugged her tightly.
"You didn't have to do that alone," he said.
She smiled. "I wasn't alone. I had you—even when you weren't there."