Bab 32: Two and a Half Years
Kakashi wasn't in a particularly good mood at the moment.
He had thought that, having already been through some ups and downs, nothing would stir him too much anymore, no matter what he faced.
But now, it seemed he might have been wrong.
Because right in front of him sat a pink-haired girl, holding a teacup and sipping tea.
To be honest, she was kind of cute.
But Kakashi wasn't fooled by her appearance.
This pink-haired girl looked harmless on the outside, but her heart was definitely dark.
Ever since the Third Hokage took this child as his disciple two and a half years ago, the entire village of Konoha, even the Land of Fire and the ninja world, had undergone significant changes.
The most obvious change was that grain prices had been raised to unusually high levels, while the value of iron, medicine, and minerals had been reduced.
And all of this started when the Third Hokage took this little girl as his disciple.
Even though Kakashi didn't want to get involved in these matters, he couldn't avoid being drawn in.
Because ever since grain prices started rising two years ago, many opportunists had seized the chance to amass enormous wealth, while the Land of Wind, the Land of Earth, and the Land of Lightning suffered.
They didn't produce much grain to begin with, relying heavily on imports from nearby small countries and the Land of Fire.
Their lives weren't easy now…
Naturally, they wouldn't just sit and do nothing. Currently, a meeting was taking place between the Land of Fire and the Land of Earth to discuss cooperation.
Kakashi and several other ninjas were there to act as bodyguards to ensure the security of the meeting.
Or rather, they were there to protect this pink-haired girl.
Sakura sat behind a screen, quietly listening to the discussions happening on the other side.
She chose to ignore the scrutinizing gaze Kakashi directed at her from behind.
In this world, people didn't place much importance on economics, which made her approach remarkably effective.
After all, this was a world that gathered power within individuals.
Everything was proceeding according to her plans.
Like a puppet on strings, she could pull and control it, making the puppet dance as she wished.
However, Sakura didn't dare push too hard, afraid that these simple-minded, strong-bodied warriors might just flip the board entirely.
That would ruin everything.
Listening to the increasingly silent voices of the Land of Earth delegation outside, Sakura knew that everything had already been settled.
---
Konoha
Screech!
The sharp cry of an eagle echoed in the sky as a powerful black hawk shot through the air like an arrow.
It then landed steadily on the window ledge of the Hokage's office.
The old man in a red and white ceremonial robe removed the message tube tied to the hawk's leg and quickly read the note inside.
A look of relief appeared on Sarutobi Hiruzen's face.
It seemed that, for now, he could take a break.
They had successfully reached a cooperative agreement with the Land of Earth.
The pressure from the Land of Earth could finally be set aside for the time being.
---
Right now, the most important thing is to maintain this balance.
All thanks to Sakura...
If not, who knows what would have happened if they had relied on someone like Tenzou.
Sarutobi Hiruzen sat in his signature chair, leaning back, and for the first time, he felt a little relaxed.
Choosing Sakura back then could be said to be a gamble.
However, from what he could see now, he felt that he had made the right decision.
But it wasn't time to relax yet. What's more important is the future.
Once Sakura returns, let her rest for a while.
"Mom!"
"I'm home!"
As soon as Sakura got home, she immediately kicked off her shoes and shouted into the house.
"This child, shouting as soon as she gets home, why must she do that?"
Haruno Mebuki came out from inside the house, looking at her daughter with an expression of dissatisfaction.
"Put your shoes away properly. I'm always the one arranging them. It seems like it's my fault."
"Someday, someone will want a daughter like you."
Haruno Mebuki looked at Sakura's shoes scattered on the floor, a frown forming on her forehead.
"What's wrong with that? I'll just stay at home."
"No one wants you?"
"Well, you'll take care of me."
Sakura casually arranged the shoes under her mother's watchful eyes, answering nonchalantly.
"Heh, this child..."
Sakura quickly ran into her room, leaving the message, "I want fish for dinner tonight," before slamming the door shut.
Haruno Mebuki could only sigh as she looked at the closed door, muttering, "Has she entered her rebellious phase already?"
Once inside her room, Sakura threw herself under the covers.
A pair of emerald eyes watched two orioles chirping in a tree outside.
Whoosh
A pencil flew swiftly, passing between the two orioles, then embedding itself into the tree trunk.
The two birds, startled, panicked and flew away in a disorganized escape.
"I've prepared to live alone forever, no one is allowed to show affection in front of me!"
Even if it's just birds!
Watching the two birds fly away, Sakura couldn't help but smile mischievously.
"Turns out, when trouble strikes, they all fly away."
The ancients were not lying to me.
The pink-haired girl buried her face in the blanket, slowly closing her eyes.
Time passed, second by second, as her flat chest rose and fell rhythmically. She was clearly asleep by now.
Sakura had been so tired lately. Everything seemed to require her attention.
"Sakura?"
"Sakura?"
Half asleep, Sakura was gently nudged awake by Haruno Mebuki.
"Mom..."
Sakura opened her sleepy eyes and looked at her mother.
"How could you fall asleep like this, get up and have dinner."
As for Sakura, Haruno Mebuki didn't know exactly what her daughter had been up to lately.
She just felt that after Sakura became a ninja, she suddenly became very busy.
But since her daughter was Hokage's disciple, Haruno Mebuki wasn't too worried. She believed Hokage would teach her well.
"Didn't you say you wanted fish?"
"I even bought it for you~~"
Haruno Mebuki gently rubbed Sakura's soft pink hair, her eyes filled with affection.
"I'll get up now."
Sakura touched her forehead.
Suddenly, almost instinctively, she sensed that the chakra needed for the Yin Seal on her forehead had almost been fully gathered.
In two years, that S-rank technique should be ready to use.
From the age of six, it would take a total of six years, two years more to complete.
"What are you thinking about?"
Haruno Mebuki looked at her daughter, who was lost in thought, confused.
Sakura was about to answer when a mischievous voice from Haruno Kizashi came from the living room.
"Sakura must need attention from her dad!"
"Dad's coming right over!"
The pink-haired girl twitched her lips, her emerald eyes showing frustration, and with a blank expression, she said:
"No, I refuse."
"Eh? Why like this~~~"
Haruno Kizashi, who had almost reached Sakura's room, now looked defeated, his entire figure turning gray, heartbroken....
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone