Tsunade

"My Clone Duplicate did indeed have a pair of Mangekyō Sharingan transplanted into it..."

Sakura Haruno didn't try to hide anything, nor could she hide it; doing so would only damage Sasuke's trust in her.

Sasuke walked ahead, silent.

Sakura Haruno felt uneasy watching him hurry along with his head down.

Logically, he should have been angry and questioned her; Sakura was prepared to explain, but Sasuke remained silent.

The girl hurried two steps, rushed to a position next to Sasuke, and turned to look over.

The black-haired boy was walking briskly with his head down. His face was calm and his eyes were clear. When he saw her catching up, his dark eyes naturally glanced over.

"Um... Sasuke."

"Um..." Sakura Haruno murmured, but then stopped mid-sentence, speechless for a moment.

"What?"

Sasuke shifted his gaze from the girl's face to the distance ahead, speaking with apparent impatience.

"... Um, don't you want to ask anything about me?"

Cherry blossoms carefully traversed the tunnel.

"I can explain."

Sasuke turned around and stared at her for a few seconds. "Those Mangekyō Sharingan of yours, are they Shisui's eyes?" he sighed.

"I know you obtained these Sharingan from Danzo. Because you saw him twice in different worlds," the boy said calmly. "The first time was after you defeated Itachi, when I was unconscious and you defeated him; the second time was in that other world, when you killed him..."

As Anbu Ninja, Sasuke knew a lot about Danzo. When he took Danzo's Sharingan, the information clearly stated that Danzo Shisui's Mangekyou Mangekyō, but in the end, Sasuke only found an ordinary Sharingan.

If you think about it calmly for a moment, the answer to how Sakura got her Sharingan becomes obvious.

"Oh..."

The girl pouted. "You already guessed it?"

That seems to require no further explanation.

She turned to look at him again; Sasuke's expression was calm, and he didn't seem angry.

It's strange, Sasuke clearly cares so much about the Sharingan, he almost had a major falling out with the village over it...

Are you really not angry?

"That Shisui Sharingan..." she hesitated, then mustered her courage and said, "Could I return it to you a little later?"

Not long ago, she thought the Sharingan was nothing special.

However, after experiencing the power of the Mangekyō firsthand, Sakura Haruno had to admit...

It smells so good.

Susanoo, especially its armored form, is really useful!

When used on her Clone Duplicate, she could forcefully increase the clones' combat power to a level close to that of the original—and even surpass it in some techniques.

For Sakura Haruno at this stage, the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan ability is indeed a very useful supplement.

At least until the next stage of Sage Mode, Star God Mode and Yang God Mode, is developed, she is still reluctant to give up the Sharingan...

However, considering Sasuke's attitude...

If he firmly opposes it, then Sakura Haruno will have no choice but to reluctantly give up.

Sakura Haruno blinked, gazing expectantly at Sasuke, awaiting his answer.

Like a prisoner awaiting sentencing, their hearts were filled with trepidation.

Sasuke just rolled his eyes at her and said irritably, "Why are you giving it back to me? Weren't you using it just fine?"

"Huh?"

Sakura Haruno was taken aback.

Seeing the girl's bewildered expression, he sighed and said, "Keep it. I've never asked Kakashi to return his Sharingan."

As for the difference in the origins of their Sharingan, Sasuke deliberately ignored it.

Perhaps for this young Uchiha, the more fundamental question is not why the Sharingan ended up abroad, but who is using it.

Danzo is absolutely out of the question; and so are any unfamiliar ninjas from the same village.

So... you're not angry?

Sakura Haruno moved closer to Sasuke, her expression relaxing, and asked.

"Hmph," Sasuke's composed expression was about to crumble. He snorted, turned his head away, and quickened his pace. "Angry... of course I'm angry!"

I'm angry... just a little bit.

Seeing his expression, the girl chuckled softly.

After taking Sakura to the Hokage's office, Tsunade gave him a few instructions and then Sasuke left.

"I'm going to call Naruto back," Tsunade said lazily, sitting behind her desk.

There were only the master and apprentice in the office, so Sakura Haruno casually sat down on the table.

He chuckled and said, "Were you frightened by the intelligence we sent back?"

When no outsiders are around, conversations between master and apprentice become much more casual.

"That's part of the reason," Tsunade admitted.

"But more importantly, Naruto's training is basically over, and he's gathered enough intelligence on Akatsuki, so why is he still wandering around?" She shook her head and said, "Naruto has been traveling for over two years; it's time for him to come back."

"Is it just Naruto?"

Sakura Haruno blinked and looked at the Fifth Hokage.

"I think you're more worried about Jiraiya, Master!" She smiled knowingly. "You're afraid he'll go to the Land of Rain to gather intelligence... and then sacrifice himself there, aren't you?"

"Stop talking nonsense!"

Tsunade rolled her eyes and scolded, "Your stories are getting more and more outrageous. Going back to the past is possible, but what about traveling to the future, Jiraiya dying in the Land of Rain? Nobody believes you..."

Of course, Tsunade doesn't deny that if Jiraiya truly discovers extremely important information and clues about the Land of Rain, that man would indeed risk his life to rush into the lion's den...

That's definitely the personality of that rough and boisterous man.

Tsunade has known him for so many years and understands his true nature very well.

On the surface, he was just an ordinary lecher;

In reality, he was an incurable lustful monster, a lecherous glutton!

Therefore, he was popularly known in the martial arts world Jiraiya the Mad Demon.

Well, aside from the lecherous nature he inherited from Sarutobi, this rugged and unkempt man does indeed possess extremely noble qualities.

Resolute, courageous, and unafraid of sacrifice.

For Tsunade, there is another very special reason— Jiraiya has always loved her.

As Hokage, Tsunade doesn't act on emotion; she recalled Jiraiya to the village because Sakura Haruno had already brought back enough information, so there was no need for Jiraiya to risk his life to gather more intelligence.

However, this does not mean that Tsunade made this decision purely out of altruism.

"In short, I only called them back out of consideration for protecting the village 'Chunin and not sacrificing top combat power," Tsunade said seriously.

"Hehe."

Sakura Haruno absolutely refused to believe it.

In private conversation, she didn't need to hold back and asked directly, "Master, have you decided to accept Jiraiya's feelings?"

Tsunade was startled and abruptly stood up from her chair.

"What are you talking about!" the blonde woman shouted, both embarrassed and annoyed. However, seeing Sakura Haruno's matter-of-fact expression, she was momentarily taken aback.

"What... have you misunderstood this time...?"

Tsunade sighed and said helplessly.

There's really nothing between Jiraiya and me.

The woman shook her head.

Even when the two occasionally share a drink and confide in each other, most of the time it's just Tsunade telling Jiraiya about the stress and frustration of becoming Hokage. Occasionally they'll reminisce about the past and chat about their current situations.

However, the intimate relationship between her and Jiraiya, as others speculated, never actually happened.

It's just a misunderstanding.

Tsunade emphasized this to herself.

"We just wanted to check on you," Sakura Haruno shrugged. "After all—"

She quickly stopped herself from making the potentially disastrous remark about Tsunade's age, and awkwardly changed the subject, saying, "After all, Jiraiya really cares about you."

Don't be curious about my private affairs.

Tsunade face, gave her waist a shove, pulling a stack of documents out from under the girl's bottom. "Move your butt a little."

"It's important."

"First, after Naruto returns, he'll likely rejoin you and Sasuke as Team 7 frequently, tasked with completing challenging missions... especially against Akatsuki. Be prepared."

Sakura Haruno jumped off the table and nodded solemnly.

"Secondly, there's a task I need you to complete." She waved the document in her hand. "The Kumogakure sent people to visit Konoha a while ago, inviting us for a 'friendly return visit'... You know about that, right?"

"Yes." Sakura Haruno nodded. "I happened to be returning from Shikkotsu Forest at the time and saw them." (Chapter 444)

Since they weren't important figures, after more than half a month, her impression of those Kumogakure Ninja, besides being that they were dark-skinned and strong, was that of the fair-skinned, beautiful, and incredibly well-built female ninja.

"You mean...?"

Sakura Haruno's expression shifted slightly.

"That's right. At the end of the month, I hope you will lead a team to revisit Kumogakure."

Tsunade's expression was serious as she spoke in a deep voice.

"Please note beforehand, this mission carries a certain degree of danger. Because... we don't know if the Raikage's invitation was malicious. After all, there isn't much trust between Kumogakure and us..."

"This mission shouldn't have been your responsibility, but since you've recently mastered Sage Mode, and..." Tsunade blinked a few times, speaking meaningfully, "And Shizune will also be participating in this mission."

"With your strength, even if the Raikage personally led the team, they couldn't do anything to you, right?"

Tsunade smiled slightly.

Sakura Haruno nodded demurely.

Tsunade paused for a moment, then added, "In the unlikely event that something happens to me, please try to take care of your senior sister while ensuring your own safety."

Because Sakura Haruno's brilliance was so dazzling, Shizune was completely overshadowed by her, and many people didn't even notice that Tsunade had another top disciple besides Sakura Haruno.

However, as Dan's niece and a subordinate and friend who had followed Tsunade for many years, Shizune held a special place in Tsunade's heart. Therefore, Tsunade hoped that Shizune could make a difference and achieve something, which is why she included Shizune in this mission.

On the other hand, the fact that Tsunade's two disciples went on the trip together was enough to show the Raikage the Hokage's sincerity.

Sakura Haruno took a deep breath and said seriously, "I understand. Leave the mission to me, Master!"

"Very good."

Tsunade nodded in satisfaction.

"My final piece of advice to you is..."

"If things become impossible, everyone, including Shizune, is a sacrifice. As long as you return safely, the mission will be a success!"

Tsunade lowered her voice, her tone cold and resolute.

Sakura Haruno was slightly taken aback, then stared wide-eyed at the Hokage.

"Don't be surprised..." Tsunade said calmly, "I've already spoken with everyone involved in this mission about this."

"Those who lack sufficient awareness will not be included on my list."

[First Update]