A Few Questions

[P. S.: Perhaps I wasn't clear enough in the previous chapter, but the person talking to Sasuke here is Sakura from the original work, not the protagonist Sakura Haruno.]

This unspoken understanding made Sasuke and Sakura burst into laughter.

Although they had only spent time together, Sasuke surprised to find that he and she got along quite well.

Because they're both Sakura Haruno...

The boy thought to himself, then turned to look at the girl beside him.

The girl's soft, murmuring voice, her pursed lips, and her meek, submissive demeanor were attitudes that Sasuke rarely saw in the other Sakura Haruno.

It was dusk, and the sunset glow was exceptionally brilliant, casting its light on the girl's face. It was as if her fair cheeks were also flushed with a faint blush, making her profile as beautiful as a peach blossom.

Sasuke's heart skipped a beat; he remembered that evening after his battle with Itachi, when they were resting at the riverside camp, and he had seen Sakura's profile from the same angle. [Note]

The same profile, but a completely different feeling.

She really is a girl with two sides to her personality.

He turned his head, looked at the colorful clouds on the side, his hands in his pockets, and slowly Earth Flow to the girl's side. This time, they came out at the same time again: "You go first—"

The two of them laughed again.

Sasuke smiled gently, as if he were joking around with a longtime friend. Sakura smiled softly.

"You go first!" Sakura finally stopped laughing and nudged his hand.

"Then I'll go first." Sasuke's smile faded, but a faint smile remained at the corners of his mouth as he went along with the girl's suggestion.

He paused for a moment, then realized that the question he had wanted to ask... suddenly wouldn't come out.

"I..."

Sasuke blinked, bit his lower lip, his mind filled with the scene he had witnessed in the Land of Iron, but he couldn't find the right words to express it.

I don't know if I should ask.

Why ask such a question? It seems... strange.

Perhaps many times, the words we utter are only spoken in a moment of carelessness or impulsiveness; once we calm down, we lose the courage to speak.

He turned to look at Sakura beside him.

The pink-haired girl still had a faint smile on her lips, her clear eyes quietly gazing at him, as if asking, "What's wrong?"

"I was thinking," Sasuke took a breath, the words he was about to say slipped away, and he said something else, "That although the village suffered a great disaster, everyone is still alive and working hard to rebuild and protect the village. Before long, the village will be able to return to its original state... That's really good."

"I'm truly happy to have met you, and Naruto, in different worlds."

The boy looked into the girl's blue eyes and said earnestly.

"Me too." The girl's face flushed slightly. She looked away, staring at her kicking foot, and stopped. "To meet me from another world, and you, Sasuke, feels like a dream..."

The two looked at each other and smiled.

Many things are left unsaid.

"And what about you?" Sasuke, a smile curving his lips again, tinged with curiosity and anticipation. "What were you thinking about just now?"

"Me...?"

Sakura lowered her head, stepping lazily on her own shadow, dragging out the last syllable of her sentence.

Her voice sounds very cute.

Sasuke slowed his pace, watching her walk forward step by step, a playful smile on his face.

"What I want to ask is..." Sakura suddenly turned to the boy and said, "How did I, from that world, grow into such a powerful female ninja...?"

I'm so envious of her.

With longing in her eyes, Sakura recalled the graceful young girl from before.

She was so confident, so full of vigor, her face seemed to radiate light... She never imagined she could be so dazzling.

I, who had always only been able to watch Naruto and Sasuke's backs, who had always been protected by them and was cowardly, could now stand at the front, turning my back to Sasuke and Naruto...

"I want to become that kind of person too."

"I see..."

Sasuke responded calmly, walking forward, a thought suddenly popping into his mind—

Is that really all Sakura thinks?

Did her words change the moment she opened her mouth?

Sasuke couldn't guess the answer. He kept his question to himself, walked to Sakura's side, and said, "I think the most important thing is to have a strong heart..."

He smiled faintly, turned his head and said, "When she comes back later, you can go to her; she will definitely help you!"

As the two strolled and chatted in the sunset, on the other side of Konoha, in a spacious hospital room...

Tsunade slowly awoke.

Kakashi received the news just seconds before he was officially appointed as the Sixth Hokage.

"I almost became the new Hokage... Lady Tsunade." Kakashi stood before Tsunade, who was wolfing down her food, his feelings a mix of emotions, but also a secret sense of relief. He said, "However, I'm definitely not Hokage material anyway..."

"During the time you were unconscious, a lot happened, and the situation has become extremely complicated and serious. We need you to take charge!"

Kakashi recounted the events that had occurred recently.

"So much has happened..." Tsunade swallowed the last bite of food in her mouth, wiped her mouth, let out a burp, and her eyes, which had been dazed, suddenly became sharp.

"I have a general understanding of the situation..."

"First, let's discuss your becoming the First Hokage later." The Fifth Hokage stood up, slowly washing his hands and face, and said gently, "The Allied Shinobi Forces... even the Raikage and Tsuchikage are willing to join... it seems the situation is truly dire! Kakashi, gather everyone immediately, I'm calling Jonin meeting. Everyone, prepare for battle from now on!"

"By the way, your two visitors from another world, Sakura Haruno and Sasuke... they're still in the village, right?"

Tsunade shook her hands dry, wiped her face, and her slightly swollen belly flattened out at a visible speed. She converted the food into stamina and Chakra, and soon regained her usual stunning beauty and calm composure.

"Go and call Sakura Haruno over... I'd like to meet her before the formal meeting!"

Kakashi was unaware of the details of Tsunade's meeting with Sakura Haruno afterward—not even Shizune overheard their conversation.

What Sakura Haruno and Tsunade, who came from another world, did is something only they themselves know.

In fact, even if someone wanted to eavesdrop, it would be impossible.

Because this conversation took place in the Shikkotsu Forest.

"Sage Katsuyu... long time no see!"

On the giant branches of the Shikkotsu Forest, accompanied by fluctuations in Chakra, two ethereal figures suddenly appeared.

"Long time no see, Tsunade..."

The Sage Katsuyu from another world was still as enormous as ever. Half of its body was submerged in the acidic lake, lazily watching the newcomer, its voice booming like thunder from below.

"And there's Sakura... oh, Sakura from another world, welcome!"

Tsunade's eyes flickered slightly.

"This is an absolutely safe place... I have a few questions for you."

I will speak frankly and without reservation.

Sakura Haruno smiled faintly.

[First update, making up for yesterday's missed update. Two more updates to come.]

[Note: This happened two months ago, in the last chapter of the previous volume.]