Novels2Search

Chapter 15

Sakura stretched lazily as she basked in the warm sunlight filtering through the trees of Training Ground 7. The past few weeks had fallen into a comfortable routine, with Team 7 meeting each morning for training and missions. Kakashi, despite his perpetual tardiness, had proven to be an able teacher, pushing them to improve while maintaining a laid-back demeanor that somehow made even the most grueling exercises bearable.

But the D-rank missions... Sakura's ears twitched in irritation at the mere thought. If she had to chase after that demon cat Tora one more time, she might just let her rabbit instincts take over and show the feline exactly why it should fear her.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Sasuke's voice broke through her musings.

Sakura blinked, realizing she'd been scowling. "Just thinking about our illustrious D-rank career," she said dryly. "I'm starting to think Tora is some kind of immortal being, sent to torment generations of genin."

Sasuke snorted, a rare sound of amusement. "Hn. Maybe we should suggest to Kakashi that capturing Tora should be classified as a B-rank mission."

"Don't tempt me," Sakura laughed. She glanced around, noticing their third teammate was conspicuously absent. "Where's Naruto?"

"Meeting Hinata for lunch," Sasuke replied, his tone neutral but his eyes sharp. "He invited us along, remember?"

Sakura's ears perked up. "Oh, right! I almost forgot. We should head over soon."

As if on cue, she spotted three figures approaching in the distance. Hinata's distinctive indigo hair was flanked by Kiba's wild mane and Shino's high-collared jacket. Naruto bounded ahead of them, waving enthusiastically.

"Hey, guys!" Naruto called out. "Ready for some grub?"

Sakura smiled, mentally counting down from ten in her head. As she reached zero, she felt the now-familiar sensation of tiny teeth latching onto her ankle.

"Hello to you too, Akamaru," she said, looking down at the small white puppy. This time, at least, he immediately detached himself, barking a cheerful greeting before scampering back to Kiba's side.

Sasuke offered a grunt of acknowledgment as Team 8 approached, which for him was practically a warm welcome.

"Hinata, Shino, Kiba," Sakura greeted each of them in turn. "It's good to see you all. How's training with Kurenai-sensei going?"

Hinata smiled shyly. "It's going well, thank you. Kurenai-sensei is very patient and knowledgeable."

"Yeah, she's great!" Kiba chimed in. "Way better than your chronically late sensei, I bet!"

Naruto bristled. "Hey! Kakashi-sensei might be late all the time, but he's still awesome!"

Sakura intervened before the boys could start bickering in earnest. "Why don't we head to the restaurant? I'm starving, and I'm sure everyone else is too."

There was a chorus of agreement, and the group set off towards the village center. Sakura was grateful they weren't heading to Ichiraku this time. As much as she enjoyed the occasional bowl of ramen, variety was the spice of life. Plus, while she might be part rabbit now, she still craved meat more often than not.

The BBQ restaurant was bustling when they arrived, filled with the chatter of civilians and off-duty shinobi alike. They managed to snag a large booth near the back, squeezing in together with a bit of good-natured jostling.

As the smell of grilling meat filled the air, conversation flowed freely. Kiba and Naruto, in particular, seemed determined to outdo each other with increasingly embellished tales of their D-rank missions.

"...and then," Kiba was saying, gesticulating wildly, "this huge dog comes out of nowhere, right? I'm talking massive, like the size of a horse! And it's growling and snapping, but I just stare it down, and boom! It rolls over and lets me give it a bath, no problem!"

Naruto scoffed. "That's nothing! Last week, we had to help out at the Yamanaka flower shop, and there was this giant man-eating plant..."

Sakura, who had been there for that particular mission and knew it had involved nothing more exciting than repotting some slightly overgrown ferns, finally decided to put an end to the tall tales.

"Boys," she interrupted, her tone dry, "I think we can all agree that catching the Fire Daimyo's wife's cat is probably at least a 'B-rank' mission, and that tops everything else we've done so far."

There was a moment of silence before Shino spoke up. "I concur with Sakura's assessment. Why? Because Tora has proven to be a formidable adversary for multiple generations of genin teams."

Even Kiba and Naruto couldn't argue with that logic. Hinata giggled softly, covering her mouth with her hand.

"Man," Naruto groaned, flopping back dramatically in his seat, "when are we going to get a real mission? I'm tired of chasing cats and pulling weeds!"

"I heard some of the older genin teams talking about C-rank missions they've been on," Kiba said, leaning forward eagerly. "Escorting merchants, guarding caravans... that kind of thing."

Sakura's ears perked up with interest. "Really? I wonder when we'll be considered ready for something like that."

"It typically takes a few months of consistent D-rank missions before a team is assigned their first C-rank," Shino offered. "Why? Because it allows time for the team to develop their skills and teamwork under relatively safe conditions."

Sasuke, who had been quietly grilling meat for himself, spoke up. "Kakashi mentioned something about a potential C-rank coming up soon. Said we should be prepared for the possibility."

This news was met with excitement from the rest of Team 7 and a mix of envy and congratulations from Team 8.

"That's awesome!" Naruto exclaimed. "I bet it'll be something super cool, like protecting a princess or fighting off bandits!"

Sakura rolled her eyes fondly. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves, Naruto. It's probably going to be something simple, like escorting a merchant to the next town over."

"Still," Hinata said softly, "it must be exciting to know you might be leaving the village soon. I hope we get a C-rank mission soon too."

"I'm sure you will," Sakura reassured her. "Your team is just as capable as ours."

As they continued to eat and chat, the conversation drifted to other topics. Sakura found herself observing her friends, marveling at how far they'd all come since their academy days.

Naruto, while still boisterous and prone to exaggeration, had matured significantly. His training with Team 7 had honed his skills, and the support of his friends seemed to have given him a newfound confidence that went beyond his usual bravado.

Sasuke, too, had changed. He was still quiet and focused on his goals, but he engaged with the group more than he ever had before. Sakura caught him smirking at Naruto's antics and even contributing to the conversation now and then.

Hinata had come out of her shell remarkably. While still shy, she no longer stuttered when speaking to Naruto and seemed more comfortable asserting herself. Sakura suspected that Kurenai's mentorship and the support of her teammates had a lot to do with that.

Kiba was as brash as ever, but there was a sense of reliability about him now. He clearly took his role as a shinobi seriously, even if he expressed it through boasts and challenges.

And Shino, while still the most reserved of the group, seemed more at ease. He offered his logical insights more freely, and Sakura noticed that the others had learned to listen when he spoke, recognizing the value of his observations.

As for herself... Sakura glanced down at her gloved hands, thinking of the pink fur hidden beneath. The changes to her body were the most obvious transformation, but they weren't the only ones. She felt more confident, more focused. Her training with the rabbits had given her unique skills, and working with Team 7 had pushed her to grow in ways she never expected.

"Earth to Sakura!" Naruto's voice broke through her reflections. "You in there?"

Sakura blinked, realizing she'd zoned out. "Sorry, what were you saying?"

"I was asking what kind of C-rank mission you think we'll get," Naruto repeated. "Come on, you must have some ideas!"

Sakura considered for a moment. "Well, like I said before, it's probably going to be something fairly straightforward. Maybe escorting a merchant or delivering an important document to a nearby town."

"Boring!" Naruto declared. "I bet it'll be way more exciting than that. Maybe we'll have to guard a famous actor, or investigate mysterious disappearances in a haunted forest!"

Kiba snorted. "Yeah, right. They're not going to send fresh genin on anything that dangerous for their first C-rank."

"You never know," Naruto insisted. "We could totally handle it if they did!"

Sasuke raised an eyebrow. "Overconfidence gets shinobi killed, dobe."

"Who're you calling overconfident, teme?" Naruto shot back. "I'm just saying we're awesome, that's all!"

Before the argument could escalate, Hinata gently intervened. "I'm sure whatever mission you get, you'll all do your best. That's what matters, right?"

Her soft words seemed to diffuse the tension, and both boys settled down, though not without a few more grumbles.

Sakura smiled gratefully at Hinata. "You're right, of course. Whatever the mission is, we'll face it as a team."

As their meal wound down, the conversation turned to training techniques and comparing notes on what they'd learned so far from their respective senseis.

"Kurenai-sensei has been working with me on genjutsu," Hinata shared. "She says my chakra control makes me well-suited for it."

Sakura's ears perked up with interest. "Really? That's fascinating. I've always been curious about genjutsu, but Kakashi-sensei hasn't covered much beyond the basics with us yet."

"Perhaps we could arrange a joint training session sometime," Shino suggested. "Why? Because sharing knowledge and techniques between teams could be mutually beneficial."

"That's a great idea!" Naruto exclaimed. "We could show you guys some of the awesome combo moves we've been working on!"

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As the group finished their meal and prepared to leave, Naruto turned to Hinata with a grin. "Hey, Hinata! Want me to walk you home?"

Hinata's cheeks flushed pink, but she managed a small nod. "I-I'd like that, Naruto-kun."

Kiba, not one to miss an opportunity to tease, started to interject. "Hey now, shouldn't her team be the ones to—"

Before he could finish, Shino placed a hand on Kiba's shoulder. "Kiba, we have other matters to attend to. Why? Because our training schedule requires us to meet Kurenai-sensei soon."

Kiba blinked, then caught on to Shino's intent. "Oh, right. Yeah, we should get going."

As Naruto and Hinata set off towards the Hyuuga compound, Sakura couldn't help but smile at the pair. She caught Sasuke's eye and tilted her head slightly, silently asking if he was ready to go. He gave a short nod in response.

They bid farewell to Kiba and Shino, then started making their way towards the Uchiha compound. The walk was mostly quiet, both lost in their own thoughts about what they were about to discuss.

Once they reached the compound, Sasuke led them to the hidden entrance they had used before. As they descended into the secure area, Sasuke activated the privacy seal, ensuring their conversation would remain unheard.

Sakura took a deep breath, steeling herself for the discussion ahead. "I've been doing more digging, like you asked," she began. "There's... a lot to unpack."

Sasuke leaned against the wall, his arms crossed. "Tell me everything you've found."

"Well, first off, there's a general undercurrent of discontent with the Third Hokage," Sakura explained. "It's not overt – most people still respect him greatly. But there are whispers, especially among the older shinobi and civilians."

"What kind of whispers?" Sasuke pressed.

Sakura's ears twitched nervously. "Some feel that his decisions have weakened the village since the Kyuubi attack. There's a sentiment that he should have immediately sought out a new successor instead of retaking the position himself."

Sasuke's eyes narrowed. "That aligns with what we've suspected. What about the clans?"

"That's where it gets interesting," Sakura continued. "The elite non-clan ninja and those from minor clans seem incredibly loyal to the Third. Jiraiya-sama especially – he won't hear a word against him. But the major clans? They're much more wary."

"Explain," Sasuke demanded, his voice tense.

Sakura nodded. "It's subtle, but there's a definite divide. The clans are more... guarded in their interactions with the Hokage's office. They're careful to maintain a respectful facade, but there's an underlying tension. It's like they're always on edge, waiting for the other shoe to drop."

Sasuke absorbed this information, his face unreadable. "And what about... that night?"

Sakura hesitated, her ears drooping slightly. "I couldn't find any direct evidence linking the Hokage to the massacre. But the circumstances are... suspicious. The timing, the lack of witnesses, the way it was handled afterward – it all points to high-level involvement. At the very least, someone had to have known and allowed it to happen."

A heavy silence fell between them. Sakura watched Sasuke carefully, trying to gauge his reaction. His fists were clenched at his sides, but his face remained eerily calm.

Finally, Sakura couldn't take the tension anymore. "Sasuke-kun... what do you intend to do with this information?"

Sasuke met her gaze, his dark eyes intense. "I'm not stupid, Sakura. If the Hokage did order the massacre, I can't hold the entire village responsible for his actions."

Sakura's eyes widened in surprise. She had expected more anger, more talk of vengeance. "You're... taking this remarkably calmly."

A ghost of a smirk crossed Sasuke's face. "Don't misunderstand. I'm still an avenger. I will kill those responsible for the massacre – all of them. But I won't lower myself to the destruction of innocents. That would make me no better than Itachi."

Sakura nodded slowly, processing his words. "So what's the plan?"

"There's a rot in Konoha," Sasuke said, his voice hard. "It goes beyond just the massacre. The way the clans are treated, the secrets being kept – it's all connected. I intend to pull it out by the roots."

"That's... a big undertaking," Sakura said cautiously. "How do you plan to do that?"

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Sasuke pushed off from the wall, beginning to pace. "We need more information, more allies. We need to understand exactly how deep this corruption goes and who's involved. Once we have that, we can start dismantling it piece by piece."

Sakura's mind raced, already considering potential avenues of investigation. "We'll have to be careful. If we're right about the Hokage's involvement, we could be dealing with some very dangerous people."

"I know," Sasuke agreed. "That's why we need to create a solid foundation first. The rebirth of the Uchiha clan needs to be beyond reproach. We can't give anyone ammunition to use against us."

As he spoke, Sasuke's gaze locked onto Sakura's, and there was an intensity in his eyes that made her breath catch. She felt her cheeks warm under his scrutiny.

"S-Sasuke-kun?" she stammered, suddenly very aware of how alone they were.

"You've been invaluable in this, Sakura," he said, his voice softer than before. "I couldn't do this without you."

Sakura's heart raced. Was this really happening? "I... I'll support you all the way, Sasuke-kun. Whatever you need."

Sasuke nodded, a hint of approval in his expression. "Good. We have a lot of work ahead of us."

Sakura took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing pulse. "Right. So, what's our next move?"

"We need to start building a network," Sasuke explained. "People we can trust, who can help us gather information and potentially act when the time comes."

"Naruto would be a good start," Sakura suggested. "He's loyal to a fault, and he has connections we don't – like his relationship with the Hokage."

Sasuke frowned slightly. "Are you sure we can trust him with something this sensitive? He's not exactly known for his discretion."

Sakura considered this. "True, but I think if we explain the gravity of the situation, he'd understand the need for secrecy. Plus, his unpredictability could be an asset. No one would suspect him of being involved in something like this."

"Fair point," Sasuke conceded. "What about Hinata? The Hyuuga clan could be powerful allies."

"Possibly," Sakura mused. "She's definitely trustworthy, and she has access to information we don't. But we'd have to be careful – the Hyuuga are notoriously strict about clan matters. We don't want to put her in a difficult position with her family."

Sasuke nodded. "We'll keep that option open for now. What about your rabbit summons? Could they be of use in gathering intelligence?"

Sakura's ears perked up at the suggestion. "That's... actually a brilliant idea. They're small, fast, and can go places we can't without arousing suspicion. Plus, Queen Joousa has been around for a long time – she might have insights into village politics that we're not aware of."

"Good," Sasuke said. "See what you can learn from them. In the meantime, I'll start looking into some of my clan's old connections. There might be allies or information hidden in the Uchiha archives that could help us."

As they continued to discuss potential strategies, Sakura couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and trepidation. They were embarking on something big – potentially dangerous – but it felt right. They were working to uncover the truth and bring justice to those responsible for the Uchiha massacre.

More than that, though, Sakura felt a sense of belonging. Sasuke was trusting her, relying on her in a way he never had before. She was more than just a teammate or a potential love interest – she was a partner in this endeavor.

"Sasuke-kun," she said softly, interrupting their planning. "I just want you to know... I'm here for you. Not just for this mission, but for everything. Whatever happens, whatever we uncover – I've got your back."

Sasuke looked at her for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then, slowly, he nodded. "I know, Sakura. Thank you."

The words were simple, but coming from Sasuke, they meant everything. Sakura felt a warmth bloom in her chest, a renewed determination to see this through.

As they emerged from the hidden room, the weight of their discussion settled over them. They were no longer just genin playing at being ninja – they were embarking on a mission that could shake the very foundations of Konoha.

Sakura glanced at Sasuke as they walked back towards the village proper. His face was set in its usual stoic expression, but there was a new fire in his eyes. Whatever came next, they would face it together.

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Another day, another D-rank mission. Sakura sighed as she trudged through the streets of Konoha, her ears drooping slightly in resignation. The infamous "Catch Tora" mission had struck again, and Team 7 had spent the better part of the morning chasing the Fire Daimyo's wife's elusive cat.

"I swear, that cat is getting faster," Naruto grumbled, nursing a few scratches on his arms.

Sasuke grunted in agreement, his usual stoic expression marred by a slight frown. Even he couldn't hide his annoyance at the repetitive nature of their missions.

Kakashi, as usual, seemed unperturbed, his nose buried in his ever-present Icha Icha book. "Maa, maa," he drawled. "Look at it as stealth training. Tora's quite the challenge for genin."

Sakura resisted the urge to roll her eyes. She respected their sensei, but sometimes his laid-back attitude grated on her nerves. As they rounded a corner, she spotted another familiar team heading their way.

Team 10 was returning from their own mission, looking considerably less disheveled than Team 7. Shikamaru's eyes lit up with a hint of amusement as he took in their appearance.

"Let me guess," he drawled. "Tora?"

Naruto's groan was answer enough.

Choji munched on a bag of chips, looking sympathetic. "Tough break. We had fence painting today."

"I'd take fence painting over that demon cat any day," Sakura muttered.

Ino, who had been oddly quiet, suddenly smirked. "What's the matter, Forehead? Can't keep up with a little kitty? I thought rabbits were supposed to be fast."

Sakura's ears twitched in irritation. She and Ino had been rivals for years, but lately, the blonde had been fixating on Sakura's physical changes.

"At least I'm getting a workout, Ino-pig," Sakura shot back. "Unlike some people who just stand around looking pretty while their teammates do all the work."

Ino's eyes narrowed. "Oh please, Bun-butt. The only workout you're getting is stuffing your face. You're starting to look as big as Choji!"

"Hey!" Choji protested. "I'm just big-boned!"

Sakura felt her cheeks heat up. She knew Ino was just trying to get under her skin, but the comment stung more than she cared to admit. She opened her mouth to retort, but Sasuke cut in.

"We don't have time for this," he said coolly. "We need to report back to the Hokage."

Kakashi nodded, finally looking up from his book. "Sasuke's right. Let's go, team."

As they walked away, Sakura couldn't help but glance back at Ino, who was still wearing that infuriating smirk. She shook her head, trying to push the blonde's words out of her mind.

The walk to the Hokage Tower was quiet, each member of Team 7 lost in their own thoughts. As they climbed the stairs, Sakura found herself discreetly trying to look at her backside. Was Ino right? Had she gained weight?

She wiggled her tail experimentally, watching how it moved. From the corner of her eye, she caught Sasuke glancing her way. His expression was unreadable, but the fact that he was looking at all made her heart skip a beat. Maybe her figure wasn't so bad after all.

The Hokage's office was as bustling as ever. Chunin and jounin moved in and out, delivering reports and receiving new assignments. The Third Hokage sat behind his desk, puffing on his pipe as he regarded Team 7 with a mixture of amusement and exasperation.

"Ah, Team 7," he said. "I trust the mission was successful?"

Kakashi nodded, handing over their mission report. "Tora has been safely returned to Madam Shijimi, Hokage-sama."

"Excellent," the Third said. "Now, let's see what else we have for you today. There's a request for help with harvesting potatoes, or perhaps you'd prefer to repaint the academy's fence?"

Naruto, who had been fidgeting impatiently throughout the exchange, finally exploded. "Oh come on, Old Man! We've been doing nothing but chores for weeks! When are we gonna get a real mission?"

"Naruto!" Iruka, who was assisting the Hokage, admonished. "You can't speak to the Hokage like that! Besides, these missions are important for building your skills and teamwork."

But Naruto wasn't having it. "Building skills? How is chasing a cat or picking potatoes gonna help us become real ninja? We're ready for something bigger!"

Sakura winced at Naruto's outburst, but she couldn't deny that a part of her agreed with him. Even Sasuke looked interested in the conversation now, his eyes fixed on the Hokage.

Iruka opened his mouth to lecture Naruto further, but the Third held up a hand, silencing him. He looked at Kakashi, one eyebrow raised in silent question.

Kakashi sighed, closing his book. "Well, they have been working hard," he admitted. "And their teamwork has improved significantly. Perhaps they are ready for something a bit more challenging."

The Hokage puffed on his pipe thoughtfully. "Is that so? Well then, I suppose we could consider a C-rank mission."

Naruto's eyes lit up. "Really? Alright!"

"Now, now," the Third cautioned. "A C-rank mission is no joke. It will take you outside the village and could potentially involve combat with bandits or wild animals. Are you sure you're prepared for that?"

"We're ready, Hokage-sama," Sakura said firmly. Beside her, Sasuke nodded in agreement.

"Very well," the Third said. He shuffled through some papers on his desk. "Let's see... Ah, here we go. We have a request for an escort mission to the Land of Waves. The client is a bridge builder who needs protection on his journey home. It should be straightforward enough for your first C-rank."

Kakashi nodded. "Sounds reasonable. When do we leave?"

"You can meet the client immediately," the Third said. "In fact, he should be waiting just outside. Izumo, could you please send in Tazuna-san?"

A moment later, the door opened, and a gruff-looking old man stumbled in. He was wearing simple clothes and a straw hat, and he reeked of alcohol. In one hand, he clutched a bottle of sake.

"These are the ninja I'm paying for?" he slurred, looking over Team 7 with obvious disdain. "They look like a bunch of snot-nosed brats to me."

Naruto bristled. "Hey! Who are you calling a brat, you drunk old man?"

Tazuna ignored him, his bleary eyes focusing on Sakura. "And what the hell are you supposed to be? Some kind of overgrown bunny? How is that supposed to protect me."

Sakura nose twitched at the stench of the alcohol on the man. She took a deep breath, trying to maintain her composure. "I'm a kunoichi of Konoha, sir," she said as politely as she could manage. "My appearance is the result of a unique summoning contract."

Tazuna grunted, taking another swig from his bottle. "Whatever. As long as you can fight, I don't care if you're part rabbit or part fish."

Sasuke's eyes narrowed dangerously. "We're more than capable of protecting you," he said coldly. "Though if you keep insulting my teammate, you might need protection from us."

"Now, now," Kakashi interjected smoothly, stepping between Tazuna and his bristling genin. "There's no need for threats. Tazuna-san, I assure you that my team is fully qualified for this mission. I myself am a jounin, and I'll be overseeing everything personally."

The Third Hokage cleared his throat. "Well, if that's settled, I believe we can consider this mission accepted. Kakashi, I trust you'll handle the details from here?"

Kakashi nodded. "Of course, Hokage-sama. Team, go home and pack for a long-term mission. We'll meet at the village gates in two hours."

As they filed out of the office, Sakura could feel the excitement building. Their first real mission outside the village! It was thrilling and a little scary all at once.

"Can you believe it?" Naruto grinned, practically bouncing as they walked. "A C-rank mission! We're gonna see a whole other country!"

"Don't get too excited, dobe," Sasuke said. "It's still just an escort mission. We probably won't see any real action."

But even Sasuke couldn't completely hide the glint of anticipation in his eyes. Sakura smiled to herself. For all his cool demeanor, she knew Sasuke was just as eager as the rest of them to prove himself.

"We should focus on preparing," Sakura said. "We don't know how long we'll be gone, so we need to pack carefully."

Kakashi nodded approvingly. "Good thinking, Sakura. Make sure you all bring enough supplies for at least a week, possibly more. And don't forget to pack for various weather conditions. The Land of Waves can be quite humid."

As they reached the street outside the Hokage Tower, Kakashi dismissed them to prepare. "Remember, two hours at the gate. Don't be late."

Naruto snorted. "Shouldn't we be saying that to you, Kakashi-sensei?"

Kakashi's visible eye crinkled in what might have been a smile. "Maa, even I know better than to be late for a C-rank mission. Now go on, get ready."

As Sakura headed home, her mind was racing. What should she pack? What kind of challenges would they face? Would her unique abilities be useful on this mission?

She was so lost in thought that she almost missed Sasuke falling into step beside her. She glanced at him, surprised. Usually, he headed straight home without a word.

"Sasuke-kun?" she questioned.

He was quiet for a moment, then spoke softly. "Don't let what that old man said bother you. Your abilities are an asset to the team."

Sakura felt warmth bloom in her chest at his words. It wasn't often that Sasuke offered praise or reassurance. "Thank you, Sasuke-kun," she said, smiling.

He nodded, then turned off towards the Uchiha compound without another word. Sakura watched him go, her smile lingering. Then, squaring her shoulders, she picked up her pace. She had a mission to prepare for, and she was determined to prove herself worthy of Sasuke's faith in her.

As she reached her house, Sakura's mind was already cataloging everything she needed to pack. Clothes, weapons, medical supplies – she wanted to be ready for anything. This mission was their chance to show what Team 7 was really capable of, and Sakura wasn't about to let anyone down.

With a deep breath, she pushed open her front door. It was time to get ready for their first real adventure as ninja of Konoha.