Shizune

While Sai went to call for help, Sakura Haruno pulled Shizune aside for a brief discussion.

Sending someone as Kumogakure Ninja is like taking a plane; it's unlikely to go wrong, but if it does, it's a recipe for total annihilation.

We must be cautious.

Organizing alliances in the Shinobi World has always been a dangerous activity.

The Konoha Ninja certainly haven't forgotten that when the Second Hokage went to Kumogakure to sign the ceasefire agreement, he was ambushed by missing-nin Kumogakure Ninja during the alliance ceremony and died on the way back.

The Fourth Kazekage died in a secret alliance with Orochimaru, and his body was only discovered by the Sand Ninja when it began to decompose.

Yahiko died in a trap during a meeting with Hanzō; from then on, Nagato proclaimed himself a god, and Akatsuki transformed into a terrorist organization that resorted to violence.

These are all stories of well-known ninja village leaders and important figures in the Shinobi World, while the number of nameless soldiers who died in feigned alliances that were actually traps is countless.

Yes, when ninjas hear words like "alliance" or "meeting," their first instinct is to suspect that it might be another trap.

However... we shouldn't throw the baby out with the bathwater.

"Senior sister, in the contingency plans and drills you conducted to deal with the Raikage's change of heart, did you consider using Sai's Secret Technique to escape back to the Land of Fire from the air?" Sakura Haruno asked.

"Some."

Shizune smiled and replied, "Since you want to bring him into the delegation, we have of course looked at his information and have some ideas."

"Oh? How was it?"

Sakura Haruno looked at her senior with great interest.

"It's not very meaningful." Shizune shook her head, looking regretful. "Sai's Chakra isn't enough to sustain the flying ink beast carrying the entire delegation for that long. The journey from Kumogakure to the Land of Fire is too far."

"The Ink Beast's flight altitude and speed are also limited... so Sai's technique isn't as useful as imagined. If something happens, he can only save one or two people at most."

The girl frowned.

Her lips moved, as if she was thinking of something, but Shizune chuckled and cut her off.

"I know why you brought Sai into this... Thank you for your kindness."

"That's enough, Sakura. You've done enough." Shizune smiled gently, stroking her soft hair, and continued, "We all understand the risks of this mission to the Kumogakure Ninja."

"Everyone in this team volunteered for this operation." She patted the girl's thin shoulder, her expression turning serious. "We're all mentally prepared for the possibility of sacrifice."

Sakura Haruno bit her lip, momentarily speechless.

The Shizune wasn't over yet.

"Junior sister," she suddenly said solemnly, pressing down on Sakura's shoulder, "I need to emphasize Master's words once more."

"It would be best if this operation could be completed successfully. However, in case of any unforeseen circumstances..." Shizune said solemnly, "We will absolutely not be a burden that holds you back."

"Because you are Konoha's hope."

Konoha could accept the complete annihilation of the envoy delegation sent to Kumogakure Ninja, and could accept the loss of Sai and even Shizune, but it could not accept Sakura Haruno's meaningless demise in Kumogakure Ninja's trap.

The loss of those people wouldn't cripple Konoha; however, Sakura Haruno is one of Konoha's most important fighting forces, and losing her would be a devastating blow to the Konoha.

Shizune, he unzipped his shirt, revealing a pure white bra to the girl.

With a calm expression, she reached out and removed her bra, revealing two dazzlingly white mounds of soft flesh that swayed a few times in the cold air.

"I am aware of this."

"Shizune," she said slowly.

Her fair, delicate breasts were exposed to the girl without any cover, but they did not add any romantic or alluring touch to the atmosphere.

Sakura Haruno stared intently at Shizune's chest, her expression solemn.

Below her left breast, there was a diamond-shaped black mark the size of a fingernail, emanating an ominous aura of Chakra.

"Cursed Seal?"

She hesitated for a moment, looking at the unsettling mark on Shizune's heart, and asked in a low voice.

"That's right." Shizune calmly put her clothes back on and nodded in acknowledgment. "This is Cursed Seal connected to the heart; it has only one effect..."

"Crush my heart when I deem it necessary."

In other words, this is a Cursed Seal solely for suicide.

Sakura Haruno's expression finally softened.

She looked up, staring incredulously at Shizune's resolute gaze.

Shizune is only 0 years old, with a long life ahead of her, yet she made this decision.

Sakura Haruno saw no regret or remorse in her eyes, only that bright Amaterasu piercing into her heart.

The girl lowered her head.

"Sister Shizune..." she murmured, "You didn't actually have to participate in this operation."

"Someone has to do these things."

Shizune smiled.

"Someone always has to make sacrifices for everyone. I am the Hokage's disciple. If I am not willing, then who will do these dangerous things?"

Her expression was very calm.

"Besides, you participated in this operation too, Sakura."

"I'm different from you..." Sakura Haruno took a deep breath and said, "At least in this mission, I have the ability to protect myself."

"No," Shizune shook her head, "It's the same. You think it's not dangerous because you've already experienced much more dangerous situations... As older generation ninjas, our duty is to protect you younger ninjas, not always have you shielding us from the storm!"

Shizune added with a final laugh, "Also, don't make it sound like we're doomed... Lady Tsunade has already analyzed it; the Raikage isn't the type to betray his word, so the risks of our trip aren't that great."

"... Alright." Having said that, Sakura Haruno had nothing more to say.

Because Sakura Haruno was so dazzling, Shizune, who was always by Tsunade's side, seemed to lack presence. Even Sakura Haruno, as Tsunade's junior sister, didn't really know her senior sister. The two sisters didn't usually talk much, so they took this opportunity to chat warmly.

It's a way to get to know each other better.

After chatting for a while, Sai returned with the others.

Including Sakura Haruno and Shizune, the delegation to Kumogakure Ninja consisted of sixteen people. They were divided into a combat group of eight, consisting of two Jonin and six Special Jonin; and a support group of eight, consisting of two medical-nin and an administrative ninja responsible for negotiations and paperwork. Sakura was the temporary leader of the group, while Shizune was in a supporting role.

"Everyone's here, Lady Sakura Haruno," Sai said, stepping forward.

Sakura Haruno stopped talking to Shizune and jumped onto the wooden platform at the front of the training field.

She wasn't very tall; standing on the wooden platform, she could only look at some of the taller ninjas at eye level. But when she stepped onto the platform, all the ninjas below knelt down on one knee, making the girl's petite figure stand out from the crowd.

"Hmm..." Such a respectful response made Sakura Haruno a little embarrassed. She opened her mouth, almost forgetting what she was supposed to say, "Well then, starting tomorrow, we will set off from the village and head to the Land of Lightning."

"I am the team leader for this mission, Jonin Sakura Haruno Konoha. Nice to meet you."

[First update.]

[Second update coming soon.]