Return to the Village, Return Home, A Reunion [2]

Sakura walked alone down the streets of Konoha, planning to first go home to assure her parents of her safety and then head to the Senju clan grounds to continue training in Yang Release.

After all, even though Tsunade had her own method to resolve the Yin Release issue within her, the Yang Release training couldn't be neglected. Not only could it gradually weaken the effects of the Yin Release problem, but it would also lay a solid foundation for her pre-planned training path.

As for the matter of war...

Until the issue with Yin Release was resolved, the old man probably wouldn't let her leave.

"Sakura!"

As Sakura was deep in thought, a familiar voice suddenly rang out, approaching quickly.

That figure was...

Sakura looked up, only to see a pale yellow blur hurtling toward her. Before she could react, the figure crashed straight into her arms, forcing Sakura back several steps.

Even the Edo Tensei version of Hashirama and the Fourth Raikage hadn't managed to knock her back like this—but Ino just did.

Achievement Unlocked: Ino successfully knocks back Haruno Sakura.

"Ahhh!"

"Sakura, you can't imagine what I went through during this time!"

"Only this familiar flat surface can comfort my wounded, fragile heart!"

Ino clung tightly to Sakura, rubbing against that familiar pink hair. She felt as if all the emotional trauma from being stuck with those four people had suddenly melted away.

Feeling the warmth of the girl in her arms, Sakura chuckled and patted Ino's head. As for that comment about the "flat surface"...

Indeed, Ino understood her best!

At this moment, Sakura felt all the inexplicable frustrations she'd been carrying vanish entirely.

Ino's hand moved to the back of Sakura's head but couldn't find the familiar smooth locks. Surprised, she turned to look at Sakura.

She had been so overwhelmed by joy upon seeing the pink-haired girl that she hadn't noticed it earlier.

"Ah!"

"Sakura, where's your hair?!"

Ino's voice exploded with shock.

Nearly having her eardrums pierced, Sakura hurriedly covered Ino's mouth.

"Mmfff! Mmfff!"

Even so, Ino still stared at Sakura in disbelief, clearly demanding a proper explanation.

"Ah, long hair is troublesome, so I cut it," Sakura said with a conflicted expression.

It was just hair. Was it really that big of a deal?

Ino pried Sakura's hand away and glared fiercely at her.

"I don't care!"

"I want long-haired Sakura back!"

She looked as if she wouldn't let this go until Sakura complied.

Sakura's lips twitched.

This was seriously giving her a headache...

"Yo!"

"Long time no see."

Asuma appeared, leading Naruto, Shikamaru, and Choji.

"Ah, long time no see, Asuma."

Sakura greeted the group with a smile.

"Hehe, Sakura, weren't you on a mission with Kakashi-sensei and the others?" Naruto grinned.

"Are you guys back already? Did Pervy Sage return too?"

"Uh, only Sasuke and I came back. Jiraiya and Kakashi haven't returned yet."

Naruto's face fell at her response.

He had assumed that since Sakura was back, Jiraiya and Kakashi would be too.

But apparently not...

A nagging question lingered in Naruto's mind.

What kind of mission required Jiraiya, Kakashi, Sakura, and Sasuke—but left him behind with Asuma's squad?

It wasn't that he thought Asuma's team was bad; it just felt like he was being excluded.

Seeing Naruto's dejected expression, Sakura couldn't help but feel a bit helpless.

No matter what, Naruto couldn't be allowed on the battlefield.

This wasn't like the Fourth Great Ninja War from the original storyline, which revolved around battles involving the Nine-Tails and Eight-Tails.

Moreover, Naruto hadn't mastered the Nine-Tails' power at this point. If anything went wrong on the battlefield, the consequences would be unimaginable.

"Since Sakura's here, why not join us?"

"One more person won't hurt."

Asuma subconsciously touched his wallet, deciding that having an extra person for barbecue wouldn't be a big deal.

Ino, momentarily setting aside her grudge over Sakura cutting her hair, eagerly grabbed her hand.

"Yeah, yeah! Sakura, come with us for barbecue!"

"Asuma-sensei may be unreliable at times, but he's generous!"

Faced with Ino's enthusiastic invitation, Sakura found it hard to refuse.

A free meal? Why not?

---

Under the night sky, the lights of Konoha gradually flickered on one by one.

In front of the Haruno residence, a pink-haired girl couldn't help but look up.

The living room lights were on, and shadows seemed to be moving inside. Even the light in her own bedroom on the second floor was on...

"I'm home!"

Pushing the door open, the warm glow of the living room lights spilled onto Sakura.

"Sakura?"

"Is that Sakura back?"

Haruno Mebuki's voice came from inside the house. Even though she tried to suppress her excitement, the trembling in her voice was unmistakable.

Sakura heading to the battlefield was something Mebuki could only accept in silence.

After all, Sakura wasn't just a Konoha ninja; she was also the Hokage's disciple. Setting an example was her duty—there was no other choice.

Dressed in warm-colored loungewear, Mebuki walked out of the house. The moment she saw Sakura, her restrained emotions broke free, and she tightly embraced her daughter.

"My child..."

Hearing the tremor in her mother's voice, Sakura slowly extended her arms, wrapping them around Mebuki's waist.

"I'm back..."

Looking at the familiar face before her, Sakura noticed something new—another crow's foot at the corner of her mother's eye.

"My darling Sakura-chan!"

"Dad missed you so much!"

"Let me hug you!"

"Waahhh! Dad worries about Sakura-chan all the time!"

Suddenly, a man with a comically spiky starfish hairstyle came charging toward Mebuki and Sakura. His face was streaked with exaggerated white, wavy tears reminiscent of cartoon ramen bowls.

With his arrival, the entire scene seemed to shift into a chibi anime style.

Wait...

What kind of ridiculous anime art style is this?

Seeing Haruno Kizashi's appearance completely change the atmosphere, Sakura couldn't help but want to complain.

"Idiot!"

"What kind of father lunges at his kid like that?"

"Can you be serious for once, you jerk?!"

Before Sakura had a chance to dodge, Mebuki moved first. With lightning speed, she pressed her palm against Kizashi's face, interrupting his antics with surgical precision. In the next instant, she executed a perfectly clean armbar.

"Waahhh!"

"My precious daughter!"

"Daddy missed you so much!"

Haruno Kizashi flopped around like a fish out of water, but Mebuki held him firmly in place.

Wait, do they always go this hard at home...?

They even know how to pull off this kind of move!

"Ahhh!"

"Be serious already!"

"Stop embarrassing me in front of our daughter!"

Watching her parents' usual antics, Sakura scratched her cheek awkwardly, intending to walk into the living room. However, a sharp gaze suddenly locked onto her.

"And you!"

"How many times have I told you?!"

"Take your shoes off at the entryway!"

"Line them up neatly!"

"I thought you'd already fixed that habit! And now after just one trip, you're back to your old ways!"

Faced with Mebuki's stern expression, Sakura obediently did as she was told without protest.

Seeing Sakura comply, Mebuki nodded in satisfaction. Meanwhile, Kizashi, still pinned to the ground, pounded the floor to signal his surrender.

"That's better!"

Mebuki smiled smugly, pleased with her husband's submission.

"Wash your hands and come eat. I made fish and ribs today."

When Sakura returned from the medical unit, there had been no secrecy about it. Sarutobi Hiruzen even sent someone to inform the Haruno family of her return, prompting Mebuki to prepare a big, delicious meal.

Sakura rubbed her stomach and sniffed the mouthwatering aroma wafting from the kitchen.

Hmm, she could definitely eat a bit more!

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