Sakura's Inner World {3}

"What are you staring at?"

Suddenly, a hand clapped down on Sasuke's shoulder, startling him.

He turned around, only to see yet another Sakura standing in front of him.

But this one… This Sakura was dressed as a ninja—the familiar attire he was used to.

Uh… maybe he should call her Ninja Sakura?

"You—"

"Stop overthinking it. Yes, I'm the Sakura you know." The new Sakura shot Sasuke an exasperated look.

Seriously? Was her inner world really this bizarre?

Sakuras everywhere.

With so many Sakuras around, how was she supposed to find Inner Sakura?

Or… was every single one of these Sakuras actually Inner Sakura?

The thought gave her a headache.

If Inner Sakura didn't come out, what were she and Sasuke supposed to do?

"Uh… so, Sakura… how did you get here?"

Scratching his cheek awkwardly, Sasuke looked like he'd been caught red-handed doing something he shouldn't.

"Dear customers, would you like to try our store's newest product?"

Just as Sakura and Sasuke were wondering what to do next, a mascot Sakura dressed in a stuffed costume walked up to them with a bright, cheerful smile, handing out flyers.

Sakura glanced at the outfit, then shifted her gaze toward the store behind the newcomer.

Sakura Snow Ice City…

Even the mascot statue at the entrance, Snow King, had been turned into Sakura…

What the actual hell…?

Meanwhile, in the real world—

Sakura's eyes fluttered open, her face carrying a mysterious smile.

Tsunade's expression immediately turned cold.

This feeling… There was no mistaking it.

The moment Sakura's true consciousness entered her inner world, control of her body had shifted to Inner Sakura.

Sarutobi Hiruzen's gaze darkened slightly.

This was his first time witnessing the so-called Inner Sakura in person.

There was something deeply unsettling about her presence, as if the very air around them carried a chilling, hair-raising aura.

"Tsunade-sama, I've already taken care of Inner Sakura."

"You can let me out now."

Sakura looked at the two of them, the corners of her lips curling into a smile.

"Stop wasting your time."

"No matter what you say, you've only existed for, what, thirteen years at most?"

"Trying to pull one over on me? You're a hundred years too early for that, brat."

Tsunade's eyes sharpened, filled with icy determination.

"Is that so?"

"Well, that's a shame."

A smugly insincere look of disappointment appeared on Inner Sakura's face.

"Big-titted hag."

"Your biggest mistake was letting my real self enter the inner world to 'find me.'"

"Did you really think Uchiha Sasuke's Yin Release could suppress me?"

"Don't make me laugh!"

Inner Sakura stretched, rolling her shoulders as her neck cracked loudly.

"Oh? Is that right?"

"Care to explain?"

Tsunade prodded, trying to fish for information.

Inner Sakura sneered and spat on the ground.

"You really think that kind of cheap trick would work on me?"

"Have you gambled away your last brain cell?"

At those words, a vein popped on Tsunade's forehead. She didn't bother responding—there was no need.

Instead, she raised one hand, forming a sword seal in front of her chest.

"Adamantine Sealing Chains!"

This was one of the most powerful sealing techniques left behind by Uzumaki Mito.

A top-tier secret art of the Uzumaki Clan!

Since Tsunade already possessed the Yin Seal, her foundation in sealing techniques allowed her to master this one at an accelerated pace.

The pre-drawn sealing formation activated in an instant!

Golden chains burst forth from the sealing array, shooting straight toward Inner Sakura!

"Heh."

"Interesting."

With a wicked grin, Inner Sakura slammed her fist into the ground!

BOOM!

The earth trembled violently!

Just as the golden chains were about to reach her, the sealing formation shattered under the sheer force of her blow, causing the chains to crumble into dust!

"Damn it."

Tsunade cursed under her breath. This was her first time using a sealing technique in live combat, and it had failed.

Next time, she'd have to expand the formation's range—far enough that brute strength couldn't break it.

But at this point, there was no time to rethink tactics.

Without hesitation, Tsunade ripped off her green haori and charged forward!

She could not—would not—let this brat escape!

Until Sasuke and Sakura found a way to subdue her, she had to keep Inner Sakura contained!

Meanwhile, Sarutobi Hiruzen observed the scene with thoughtful eyes.

Such overwhelming Yin Release…

It was so powerful that even her body couldn't contain it, forcing the creation of a second personality as a coping mechanism.

If her Yin Release was this strong…

Could it be counterbalanced with Yang Release?

He'd have to test that theory next time…

"Brat, you're dead!"

Tsunade roared, her punch tearing through the air with violent force, aiming straight for Inner Sakura!

"Heh, are you sure you want me dead?"

"You'd be killing my real self too, you know."

Inner Sakura sneered, meeting Tsunade's attack head-on!

BOOM!

A shockwave of raw chakra exploded outward, sweeping across the battlefield like a hurricane!

The ground beneath them shattered instantly!

"Trying to overpower me in brute strength?!"

"You're still too naïve, brat!"

Tsunade let out a low growl, pouring her full strength into another punch!

"Oh yeah?"

"Who's the naïve one?!"

"HAH!"

With a crazed grin, Inner Sakura rushed forward once more!

Her fist clashed against Tsunade's blow, and at the same time—

—her leg lashed out in a lightning-fast kick aimed at Tsunade's stomach!

Inner Sakura's very existence was born from an overwhelmingly powerful mind, making precise, instinctive combat maneuvers second nature to her!

But just as the clash intensified—

From the sidelines, Sarutobi Hiruzen formed a series of hand seals.

"Earth Release: Earth Dragon Bullet!"

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