Chapter Text
At a crucial point of this alternative fictional universe, when referring to the Naruto franchise series, the current situation for our heroes presents a tremendous challenge. Having just concluded the celebration of Naruto's defeat over Pain, the blond jinchuriki took the time to acknowledge the six unsung heroes, which are Sakura Haruno, Ino Yamanaka, Hinata Hyūga, Shino Amburame, Shikamaru Nara, and Choji Akimichi, who contributed in the conflict for peace, prosperity, and unity. Although this part of the phase is finished, there will still be some unfinished work that has yet to begin: the rebuilding of Konohagakure. While the transition won't be an easy one, especially with Lady Tsunade still being in an unconscious state of mind, the process of this rebuild must start somewhere. It is under the leadership of Danzō Shimura, who had been appointed to the position of Hokage as a fill-in for the Legendary Sannin Ninja, that he will now be the overseer of the current effort to rebuild the Hidden Leaf Village. However, there is a pivotal moment that I want to focus on when it comes to a flirtatious interaction between Naruto and Sakura. During what I will consider is one of the most underrated scenes in Part 2 of this franchise series (Naruto Shippuden), I took the moment of visualize the point from the original series where Sakura wants to get a status update on the hokage's condition. Shizune, Ino, and the rest of the medical staff, informs her that while Lady Tsunade remains unconscious, it will be best to bring in some water to keep her mentor hydrated by the time she regains consciousness. As the mature kunoichi medical ninja exits the tent to get ready to draw some water from a nearby river, Naruto insists that he wants to go and assist her in this effort. "Hey, Sakura, please let me help draw some water for you," said the blond jinchuriki ninja as he gently took one of the two large jugs from her hands. The pinkette medical ninja can only smile and blush at her mutual partner as she says to him in response, "Okay then, let's go together, shall we?" Kakashi Hatake of the Sharingan, whom I should mention was one of those brought back to life miraculously as a result of Pain restoring those people who he had killed during his rampage, is watching this touching and heartfelt moment as his two pupils walk alongside one another. While watching their interaction, the masterful instructor not only reminisces about how far these two have come when he took them under his wing as their Team 7 mentor, but it also reminded him of the feeling that Rin Nohara had for a younger Kakashi back when they were teammates on Team Minato, with Naruto's father, Minato Namikaze, being the hokage at the time. Here's an instance where we will follow the interaction of these two lovebirds on their way to the river: "So, Naruto, I am just a bit curious as to why you have decided to come help me with these two water jugs? May I remind you that you are the hero of Konoha? You have done more than your share, don't you think?" Sakura asks. Naruto looks at her, and gives his reply, "Yes, I know, but whenever I get the chance, I always do my best to hang out with you and to give you a helping hand, if that's okay?" Sakura is seen with another smile of gratitude and an obvious blush as she says, "Aww, Naruto, you are such a gentleman and a really awesome mutual partner, if I do say so myself? Thank you so much, you sweet baka [a bit of laughter]. Although, I just want to make sure that you don't try anything funny, alright?" The blond shinobi ninja concurs with his soulmate in this instance. There is a bit of silence between the two, but Sakura says to him, "Hey, you don't have to be completely silent, you know? I would expect more of a conversation from someone who saved the village from an evil adversary like Pain." Naruto thinks to himself as he wonders what to ask her next while they are much closer to the river, "Sakura, do you ever feel like you are lonely despite finally getting what you have always wanted for most of your life?" She politely asks him to clarify, "What do you mean, Naruto? Please talk to me?" He starts to feel somewhat dejected and explains to her, "Well, I mean even though I am being praised for defeating someone like Pain, I just feel as though there's still a void that's left to be filled." The mature medicial ninja becomes worried about her true love to the point where they decide to stop and sit down for a moment. "You're still thinking about how cruel you were treated as a child, aren't you?" she asked, to which he replies, "Yes." This causes the pinkette to get closer while also putting a hand on his back to comfort her teammate and mutual partner, "Naruto..." The heroic shinobi ninja begins to exhale a sigh and says, "During the conversation with my dad, he suggested to me that I should take a different approach when it comes to becoming hokage of the village. Rather than trying to do so in the case of those people who had wronged me, I should instead make the decision to do it because of all the people who have supported me every step of the way, especially since it includes you, Sakura, along with our fellow comrades and mentors." The worried kunoichi medical ninja wants to encourage him, "Naruto, I'm really proud of you and the person that you have become. In a way, what your father [the Fourth Hokage] told you is right. I mean when you think about it, he's really saying that you can't stay stuck in the past. Listen, I understand what happened to you as a child is something that nobody should have had to experience. It was absolutely unacceptable how the villagers treated you as well because of making you feel guilty for something that wasn't your fault. At some point, though, you are going to need to have more of a present type of mentality. One thing I know that I want to do is being able to find a way to help kids who are and/or were in your position as far as being treated unfairly. I decided that I want to be someone who can make a difference in another person's life by helping those people who can't help themselves. It's also a main reason why I made the decision to become a medicial ninja, especially under the tutelage of Lady Tsunade, so that I can heal those who are close to me, such as you, Naruto! Anyway, the point I am trying to make is that you are definitely more mature now. Even though you do have moments where you are showing immaturity, you are no longer the person that you used to be in terms of being the young man who had to constantly get attention by being a so-called prankster, [both heroic ninja have a bit of a giggling moment here before getting back on track with the conversation.] Now where was I, oh yes, it's like I always tell you by saying, 'You are smarter than what you think of yourself!' Believe it or not, you have inspired so many people along the way, probably more than you realize..." The heroic blond jinchuriki is dumbfounded and responds, "Oh really? Do you believe that?" To which the heroic soulmate replies, "Of course I do. Naruto, I can think of a lot of instances in which you have inspired me. Even when I didn't want to admit it, you are the reason why I never gave up on myself and why I can still have a chance to fulfill my dream!!! Back when we were taking the Chunin Exam Tests, I was willing to do anything to make sure that you didn't fail because of how much I believed in you! Being hokage is not going to be easy, Naruto, which is why you need to do whatever you can to prepare for it every chance you get!" With all of that being said, the now encouraged blond shinobi ninja and the hero of the village asks his mutual teammate one last question, "Thanks for the encouragement, Sakura, but I do want to know something else: when the day comes for me to be sworn in as the Hokage of Konoha, will you be there when my name is called and step on the stage by my side in front of all the villagers (including our fellow comrades, friends and mentors)?" She replies, "Now Naruto Uzumaki, you should know better than to ask me a question like that. Of course, I will be there, and I will be more than honored to be by your side when you do get sworn in!!! [A passionate kiss is inserted here between these two lovebirds.] Hey, we better go on and fill these two jugs with water before Kakashi and Shizune have a fit with us." Naruto agrees and says, "Oh yes, you're right. Let's get a move on..." By the time these two teammates had returned to the tent after a couple more trips until the water was ready, the rebuilding phase for the Hidden Leaf Village itself still continues on...To Be Continued...