Torn

Meanwhile, Jiraiya also explained the matter of the Child of Prophecy to Naruto.

"So, I'm going to become a ninja who changes the entire Shinobi World?" Naruto asked, still somewhat doubtful. "But my strength is still far inferior to Sakura's!"

Upon seeing Sakura, Jiraiya's smile froze for a moment.

Excluding this special case, Naruto does indeed resemble Child of Prophecy: his strength far surpasses that of his peers, and his talent is unfathomable. In the future, he will undoubtedly Jonin world and become a great hero who defeats Akatsuki and saves the world.

But I really can't rule her out!

If Naruto and Sasuke's growth is already dazzling, then Sakura Haruno's seemingly superhuman improvement in strength is enough to dazzle everyone else.

Jiraiya couldn't believe that the girl, Naruto's contemporary, had achieved such skill at such a young age! Without Kekkei Genkai or the support of Tailed Beast, her physical potential was almost limitless. Countless people had predicted that she would at most reach the level of Elite Jonin or even an ordinary "Kage." In the end, she actually forged her own path!

During their brief encounter last night, Jiraiya clearly saw that her strength had far surpassed his own and was still continuously improving—even if Naruto mastered Sage Mode and became Perfect Jinchuriki, his power would probably only be slightly stronger than Sakura's current level. But by then, who knows what level Sakura would have reached...

Just as he was racking his brains trying to find a way out, the Sage Fukasaku happened to walk by.

"Ahem," the sage coughed twice, speaking with a serious expression, "Strength isn't the most important factor. As the Child of Prophecy, what's more important is the determination to bring change and peace to the Shinobi World. Without such will, possessing immense power is nothing more than another Pain!"

"You're right, Grandpa Sage!" The easily fooled Naruto instantly perked up.

The old Toad smiled slightly and continued, "Moreover, prophecy is not something that is destined to happen; it is merely one possibility for the future. If Naruto, you don't train hard and don't have the determination to change the Shinobi World, then even if you are the Child of Prophecy, you will achieve nothing, and the prophesied events will not come to pass. Conversely, if someone is more hardworking, more talented, and more determined than you, then perhaps the Child of Prophecy will become that person instead!"

Naruto only understood the surface meaning of these words: even if he was confirmed as the Child of Prophecy, he still had to work hard to train.

Fukasaku's words were actually meant for Jiraiya's ears.

He wanted to give Jiraiya a heads-up first.

Jiraiya somewhat understood the implied meaning.

He found Sage Fukasaku's words strange: If that's the case, doesn't that mean Sasuke, Sakura, or any other powerful individual could also be the Child of Prophecy?

"In short, your most important task right now is to improve your strength through diligent training!" Sage Fukasaku concluded loudly before Jiraiya could Jiraiya process what he meant. "Whether you become Hokage or reform the Shinobi World, to achieve anything, you first need sufficient power!"

At the same time, in Konoha.

After seeing Naruto off, Sakura Haruno felt a little melancholy.

Having lingered at the Training Ground 7 for quite some time, she didn't want to go home too early. After thinking for a moment, she headed towards Sasuke's house.

A moment later, at the entrance of Sasuke's apartment.

What are you doing here?

The boy, who was late in returning home, was surprised to see Sakura Haruno waiting outside the door.

"I finished my treatment ahead of schedule, so I went back to the village... and just saw Naruto off," the girl replied. "And you? Why are you only getting home now?"

Sasuke a wry smile, "I went to the Naka Shrine. Before I go completely blind, I wanted to read the inscription on the stone tablet one last time."

"Blindness?"

Upon catching that word, Sakura Haruno frowned sharply.

She sighed and said slowly, "Have your eyes... your vision deteriorated to such a severe degree?"

Sasuke nodded silently.

The girl opened her mouth, but could not say anything.

"Now I understand a little why Madara Uchiha took away his younger brother's eyes. The feeling of gradually losing sight and eye power, and being unable to fight, is truly terrifying..." Sasuke raised his head, gazing at the vast starry sky, and said softly.

Because of his declining eyesight, many of the Little Star he could see have disappeared.

That beautiful scene of countless stars seems to exist only in my memory now.

"And more importantly..."

Sasuke once had a stubborn idea: he didn't want to get his eyes replaced. He knew that the Mangekyō Sharingan would gradually cause blindness with use unless he replaced them with his father's or brother's eyes. But for various reasons, he didn't want to get them replaced.

Sasuke had to admit that he had a variety of emotions towards the village, his father, and his brother. No matter how much he was persuaded or reasoned with, Sasuke still hated Konoha for forcing the Uchiha Clan Massacre to be wiped out, hated his father's incompetence as the clan leader, and hated his brother for colluding with outsiders to massacre the Uchiha Clan and his parents.

Rationally, as he delved deeper into the investigation of the truth, he gradually realized that this was a tragedy in which both sides had made mistakes. However, emotionally, Sasuke was still unable to let go of the knot in his heart and resisted contact with everything about them.

However, when this moment arrived, Sasuke realized how immature and awkward he had been in the past.

Especially when he saw Naruto skip the New Year's celebration and rush off to train overnight.

He was suddenly moved.

Naruto suffered countless hardships and cold shoulders because of his identity as the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. But he never agonized over using the Nine-Tails' power. He trained diligently, pursued power, and knew why he needed to be strong.

In contrast, how ridiculous it is that I've been so fixated on not wanting to use Fugaku's Sharingan!

More importantly, he needs power...

We can't always rely on Naruto to risk his life and get injured, we can't always let Sakura risk dying together with him, and we can't always play the role of the one being protected!

He needs to grow up, to face this dangerous world, and to protect the people he cares about.

"Such a simple truth, and I still need Naruto to remind me? I'm really incredibly stupid." Sasuke chuckled self-deprecatingly.

"No. He can't overcome his own inner confusion," the girl said with a faint smile. "I think Sasuke is full of wisdom!"

Every step of growth in life is usually accompanied by the pain of acknowledging one's past foolishness.

Sakura Haruno admires those who can overcome such pain.

Sakura's words eased Sasuke's smile considerably.

"Thank you, Sakura." He pursed his lips, lowered his head, as if making a decision, "I'll go see the Fifth Hokage tomorrow for the eye transplant surgery. I can't delay any longer."

"Replace your father's eyes?" Sakura Haruno asked, startled. "I remember, he didn't seem to have awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan..."

"It's alright, I can awaken the Mangekyō again, just like I can awaken it once more," Sasuke replied confidently. "The sooner I get new eyes, the sooner I can awaken the new Mangekyō!"

"That's true." The girl nodded.

"By the way... how about I die again for you to see?"

At this point, Sakura Haruno suddenly remembered the scene when Sasuke first awakened his Mangekyō, and immediately winked at Sasuke teasingly, chuckling softly.

Sasuke a huge predicament.

"Hey, hey, hey, forget about this right now!"

"No way, hahaha..."

Before we knew it, we'd gone too far with the conversation.

When they came to their senses, Sakura and Sasuke realized that they had been standing there like idiots for half a day, forgetting to even open the door.

Sasuke quickly Gate of Opening and invited Sakura in to sit down, but she politely declined.

It's already a bit too late.

"Since you've decided to have the surgery tomorrow, get some rest tonight!" Sakura Haruno said. "That's all for today, see you tomorrow!"

"Yes, I understand."

"Good night."

The girl smiled gently, waved goodbye, and then vanished into the night in Body Flicker Technique.

She left with a carefree air, but on her way home, she suddenly became conflicted.

What happened to the planned New Year's Eve reunion of Team 7? But some were busy with their training, others with surgery, and in the end, only she was able to attend the celebration?