Fujiwara Kirito and Sakura stood in opposite corners, with five people in between: Hyuga Neji, Inuzuka Kiba, Akimichi Choji, Nara Shikamaru, and Rock Lee.
Tsunade sat in the Hokage's office chair, arms crossed, looking at the seven people with a faint smile. Fujiwara Chika, mimicking her mother, crossed her arms like a little adult, listening to their thoughts and commenting on them one by one.
Sakura wiped her tears and looked at Sasuke: (It's great that Sasuke didn't leave…)
Chika: Love-brained.
Shikamaru, looking lazy and uninterested: (What a hassle. In the end, it was just a misunderstanding.)
Chika: A lazy bum.
Choji, munching on potato chips: (Good, looks like I don't have to work so hard now.)
Chika: Gluttonous pig.
Kiba, glancing between Sakura and Sasuke: (Without Naruto, Team 7 is a mess. No, even with him, things would still be complicated. As expected, I'm the best.)
Chika: Overconfident idiot.
Neji, remaining calm: (I should go back to training.)
Chika: At least this one is normal.
Rock Lee, glancing at Sakura: (I feel sorry that our mission was canceled, but I'm relieved that Sakura is safe.)
Chika: Hopeless romantic.
Sasuke, irritation visible in his expression: (Annoying woman, always crying. And that bastard Fujiwara Kirito, making me call him 'dad'—I'll get back at him one day!)
Chika: Arrogant brat! He insulted Kirito! He must be taught a lesson.
Tsunade's gaze landed on Sasuke. "Tell me, what happened?"
Sasuke replied indifferently, "Nothing much. Last night, Orochimaru sent people to invite me, and I refused."
He would never admit that he didn't go last night because Fujiwara Kirito had stopped him. Otherwise, he would probably have already become Orochimaru's new vessel.
Tsunade turned her attention to Sakura. "And what about her?"
Sasuke glanced at Sakura briefly before saying, "She's always crying. It's annoying. I was worried she'd alert Orochimaru's men, so I knocked her out."
"Sasuke, I—" Sakura, eyes brimming with tears, looked at him with sadness.
"Shut up," Sasuke said coldly.
"Sasuke, but I…" Sakura's tears flowed even faster.
"Stop meddling in my business. I need to train. I don't have time to play love games with you." With that, Sasuke turned and walked out of the Hokage's Office, ignoring everyone.
Tsunade sighed. "What a self-absorbed brat." She waved her hand dismissively. "Alright, it's over. Everyone, leave."
"I'm leaving too, Mom. This isn't fun anymore," Chika jumped off the desk, planning to track Sasuke down and teach him a lesson.
Before long, Sakura was the only one left in the office.
Tsunade stretched and glanced at her. "Why are you still here? Do you need something?"
Sakura wiped her tears and, with a determined look, said, "I have a favor to ask. I want you to take me as your disciple."
Tsunade raised an eyebrow. "And why would I do that?"
Tsunade wasn't going to agree just because Sakura asked. In the original timeline, Naruto and Kakashi had strongly recommended Sakura to her, which played a significant role in her decision.
But now, with Naruto training under Jiraiya and Kirito changing events, things weren't the same.
Moreover, Tsunade already had Karin as a disciple. Managing Hokage duties, mentoring Karin, keeping up with Kirito's antics, and raising Chika, she didn't have the energy or patience to train someone else.
Sakura clenched her fists. "I don't want to feel helpless again. I won't let Sasuke leave me like he almost did last night."
Tsunade sighed internally. (Disappointing.)
If Sakura had said she wanted to grow stronger to stop being a burden, perhaps Tsunade would have reconsidered. Kakashi had asked multiple times for her to take Sakura in, but this answer just felt… lacking.
Tsunade glanced at the door. "Karin."
A moment later, Karin, now wearing a Konoha headband, entered. "Yes, Tsunade-sensei?"
Tsunade gestured toward Sakura. "Sakura, this is Karin—my student. From now on, you'll be training under her. I'll oversee your progress when I have time. Whether you succeed depends on you."
Sakura's face brightened. "You mean… you're accepting me?"
Tsunade nodded. "Karin, take her with you."
Karin smirked. "Understood, sensei."
Meanwhile, outside the Hokage Building, Sasuke walked through the streets, his usual cold demeanor in place.
Suddenly, a childish voice rang out behind him.
"Hey, dumb Sasukae!"
Sasuke froze. He must've heard that wrong.
But then the voice called again. "Hey, I'm talking to you, Pillar of the Uchiha Clan!"
Sasuke clenched his fists. He knew only one person who would say something that annoying.
"Shut up," he growled, turning around.
There, standing behind him, was Fujiwara Chika, her arms crossed like a tiny adult, golden twin-tails bouncing as she smirked up at him.
Shikamaru, Neji, Kiba, Choji, and Lee, who had just left the Hokage Building, also stopped to watch the scene unfold.
Sasuke frowned. "What do you want?"
Chika flashed an innocent yet mischievous grin. "Fight me."
Kiba's eyes widened. "Hey, Shikamaru, did the Hokage's kid just challenge Sasuke?"
Shikamaru sighed. "What a hassle… but something tells me she's not just any kid."
Sasuke scoffed. "Not interested. I have no reason to fight a brat."
Chika pouted. "What, scared you'll lose?"
Sasuke rolled his eyes. "I'm not interested, and I don't want to be interested. Also, don't call me dumb, or I won't be polite to you even if you are the daughter of the Hokage. If you want to play ninja games, go find someone else."
The cold and calm expression on Sasukae's face returned to its usual state. He refused without any hesitation and turned away. He didn't want to play with a brat. He had to become stronger as soon as possible and defeat Uchiha Itachi.
(End of this chapter.)
Want to read 70 more chapters check out my patreon!!!
https://www.patreon.com/john_smith_
Every 300 Power Stones+1 (5 ⭐ Review) = 1 Chapter+1Chapter