Ch 83 - Sakura Haruno

Naruto had just finished his classes for the day and was heading home when something caught his eye.

Passing by the training grounds, he spotted a lone figure—Sakura.

She was panting, her movements sluggish, her fists trembling as she struck the training post again and again. Sweat clung to her pink hair, strands sticking to her forehead, but she didn't stop.

Naruto tilted his head, a slow smirk forming. Now, what's this?

Sakura was never the most diligent when it came to training. Before, she had always clung to him, prioritizing appearance over skill.

But things had changed.

Perhaps it was his influence. Perhaps it was Ino's constant competitiveness.

Whatever the reason, she was pushing herself—hard.

He stepped into the clearing, hands in his pockets.

"You know," His voice carried easily through the quiet training ground, "you're gonna drop dead at this rate."

Sakura gasped, nearly tripping over her own feet as she turned to face him. "L-Lord Naruto?!"

She looked guilty—like a child caught red-handed in an act she wasn't supposed to be doing. Her hands clenched into fists as she averted her gaze, pink dusting her cheeks.

Naruto stepped closer, his eyes sharp as they examined her. He could see it—her exhaustion, her desperation.

It was written all over her face.

"…Why are you pushing yourself so hard, Sakura?"

Silence.

She bit her lip, hesitant, fidgeting. Then, she took a deep breath, her emerald eyes finally meeting his. And in them, he saw vulnerability… and devotion.

"…Because I admire you, Lord Naruto," she admitted softly, her fingers clutching the hem of her shirt. "I adore you."

Naruto raised an eyebrow, a slow smirk forming. "Oh?"

Sakura's cheeks burned brighter, but she pressed on.

"I've been watching you. You're… incredible. You're so strong just Lord Fourth Hokage, so respected. You're not just another ninja—you're you. And I—" She swallowed, her voice shaking, "I don't want to be left behind."

A gust of wind brushed past them, carrying her words into the air.

Sakura's fists tightened. "Ino, Hinata… they're from ninja clans. They were born for this life. But me? I'm just… a civilian girl playing ninja."

She let out a shaky breath. "I don't want to be weak, Naruto. I want to stand beside you. I want to make you proud."

Naruto stared at her for a long moment. His smirk softened into something more unreadable.

Then, without a word, he stepped forward and placed a hand on her head.

Sakura blinked, wide-eyed.

"You idiot," He murmured, voice low and warm. "Since when did I ever see you as weak?"

Her breath hitched.

Naruto ruffled her hair slightly before his grip tightened—not painfully, but firmly. "You want to be strong?"

His voice took on an edge. "Then I'll train you myself."

Sakura's eyes widened in disbelief. "You—"

"But," He interrupted, leaning in, his smirk returning. "I have one condition."

Sakura swallowed. "W-What is it?"

His fingers trailed from her hair, down to her chin, tilting her face up toward him. "Absolute obedience."

Sakura's breath caught in her throat.

"I'll make you strong, Sakura," Naruto murmured, his voice laced with something dark, something commanding. "I'll teach you everything—push you past your limits, shape you into someone worthy of standing at my side."

His thumb brushed against her jawline. "But in return, you belong to me."

Sakura shivered.

She should have been afraid. She should have questioned it. But instead, warmth spread through her chest—a rush of exhilaration, of purpose.

Because the truth was… she wanted this.

She wanted to be his.

With a deep breath, she dropped to one knee in front of him, head bowed, heart pounding.

"I promise," She whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. "I will follow you, Naruto-sama. I will be yours."

Naruto's smirk deepened.

Good girl.

He reached down and lifted her chin with his fingers, forcing her to meet his gaze. "Then remember this, Sakura…"

His golden-blue eyes glowed with quiet power.

"You're mine now... And tomorrow we will begin your special training."

"Yes, Naruto-sama." 

----

The next day, the training began. 

Naruto pushed Sakura to her absolute limits. He was relentless, unforgiving, and merciless with a little mixture of encouragement, pushing her beyond what she thought was humanly possible.

And in just a few days, the results were nothing short of legendary...

The morning sun bathed the training ground in golden light, yet the atmosphere between the two figures standing in the clearing was anything but gentle.

Naruto stood with his arms crossed, his gaze sharp as he watched Sakura struggle through the chakra control exercises he had assigned.

Her form wavered. Her movements were shaky. Her focus faltered at every step.

A sigh left Naruto's lips.

"Stop," He ordered.

Sakura froze mid-movement, her chest rising and falling with heavy breaths. She clenched her fists, knowing she had failed again.

Naruto tossed her a bottle of water. "Take a break."

His voice lost its usual edge, turning softer as he watched her slump onto the ground. "What's wrong? You're distracted today."

Sakura caught the bottle and took a long sip before muttering under her breath. "It's that stupid boar…"

Naruto raised an eyebrow. "Boar?"

"Ino," Sakura spat out, her expression torn between frustration and something deeper. "She always mocks me, saying I'm not strong enough. That I'll always be behind her, that I should just give up."

Naruto remained silent, watching her closely as she trembled, fists clenching on her lap.

"And maybe… she's right," She whispered bitterly. "She's from a clan. She has a legacy. I have nothing. No bloodline. No special jutsu. Nothing."

Her hand slammed against the ground in frustration.

"But I want to be strong! I won't lose to her—I refuse to lose to anyone! I will not let your hard work get wasted."

Silence stretched between them.

Then, warm fingers ruffled through her pink hair.

Sakura froze, her breath hitching.

"You'll get there," Naruto said, his voice low and warm. "Better than her. Better than all of them."

He smirked. "And when that day comes, Ino will be the one looking up at you."

Sakura's vision blurred. She clenched the fabric of his shirt and buried her face into his chest, shaking.

"Thank you, Lord Naruto," She whispered, voice trembling. "I-I'll work harder. I swear it! I won't disappoint you!"

Naruto's eyes gleamed, unseen.

Perfect.

She was at her most vulnerable now—desperate, eager to prove herself, yearning for his approval.

He rubbed slow, soothing circles on her back, his voice dipping into something more conspiratorial. "Actually…"

Sakura tensed slightly, sensing a shift in his tone.

"There's something I can teach you," Naruto murmured. "Something special. A secret that could make you much stronger."

She pulled back slightly, looking up at him with wide, hopeful eyes.

"R-Really, Lord Naruto?" She stammered, excitement and admiration mingling in her voice.

Naruto smirked, tucking a loose strand of her hair behind her ear. "Have I ever lied to you?"

Sakura shook her head furiously. "Never!"

He leaned in closer, lowering his voice like he was entrusting her with the greatest secret in the world.

"But…" he paused, glancing around, "it's not something I can share so easily."

Sakura's heart pounded.

It felt intimate—this trust, this moment.

"I'm only telling you because I believe in you, Sakura," Naruto continued, voice like silk. "Because I want to help you."

Warmth rushed through her body.

He trusts me.

Me, of all people.

"I-I won't tell anyone!" she swore, hands clenching into fists. "Not even if someone threatens my life!"

--- ✦ ✦ ✦ ---

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