Ever since the second stage of the Chunin Exams ended, Sakura had been in a terrible mood!
First, after Sasuke was injured and fell unconscious, she had only visited him once with Naruto after he woke up.
Later, Sasuke had stayed home training to control the power of the Curse Seal and rarely went out.
Even when Sakura came to visit several times, she was turned away at the door.
Of course, Sasuke was not merely learning to control the Curse Seal at that time. He was also blaming himself because his brother's eyes were nearing blindness, yet he could do nothing to help.
Under those circumstances, there had already been some unrest within the Uchiha Clan. It was perfectly normal for Sasuke to be in such a bad mood that he did not want to see Sakura.
Besides Sasuke refusing to see her, there was another reason Sakura felt miserable: her performance in the second stage of the Chunin Exams.
Uh, rather than calling it a performance, it would be more accurate to say that she had not performed at all!
If anything, she had been the one dragging everyone down.
In a high-level battle like that, Sasuke had at least managed to hold Ohm back for a while, but Sakura had been controlled by Chiyo's genjutsu the moment they met.
Then, Sakura had gloriously begun her experience of "going AFK" and becoming a hostage.
Sakura had indeed helped, but she had helped in the worst possible way!
Neither Naruto nor Sasuke had blamed her, but precisely because no one blamed her, she felt even more guilty.
It was like making a mistake. If you were punished, then the matter would be over.
But if no one blamed you, most people would feel guilty inside.
Sakura was no exception.