The Restrained Uzumaki Naruto

"Hey, are you okay?"

Haruno Sakura walked over to Blondie and helped him up.

"Th... thanks..."

Looking at the pink-haired girl before him, Blondie spoke with a hint of awkwardness and unease.

"By the way, I'm Haruno Sakura."

"I... I'm Uzumaki Naruto..."

"Haruno... Sakura?"

An old man in a red conical hat watched this scene from afar, lost in thought.

He'd only come to the Ninja Academy on a whim to see how Konoha's new sprouts were growing, never expecting to stumble upon this.

This little pink-haired girl had piqued the old man's interest.

Strictly speaking, aside from himself and Iruka, this girl named Haruno Sakura was the first person to show goodwill toward Uzumaki Naruto.

Moreover, the way she'd gathered Chakra into her fist to make that punch stronger reminded him of someone.

"Go, look into this child's records."

The old man spoke to the air beside him.

"Understood."

With a low, muffled reply, something seemed to vanish from the old man's vicinity.

After enduring another afternoon, Haruno Sakura walked home with Ino, stepping through the sunset.

"Sakura, you were so cool at noon today!"

"Ha!"

Ino mimicked a punching motion with exaggerated flair, then grinned.

"One punch like that, and you sent that guy flying!"

"That's our Sakura!"

Watching Ino's silly pose, Haruno Sakura couldn't help but laugh.

The girl's odd expression reminded her of her own cheap father, but when it came to being pleasant to look at, ten Haruno Yashiros couldn't match one Yamanaka Ino.

It can't be helped—the natural advantage was just there.

"Hehe, Sakura, you finally smiled."

Seeing Haruno Sakura laugh, Ino immediately sidled up again, beaming.

"You've been so serious all day, I didn't even dare to talk."

Ino hooked her arm through Haruno Sakura's, putting on a pitiful face.

That's because I have to study hard...

Haruno Sakura sighed softly, thinking of the Yin Seal that might surface at any time, and felt a headache coming on.

If someone discovered it, she wouldn't be able to explain herself even with ten mouths...

Only by constantly growing stronger, becoming more outstanding, catching the eye of Konoha High Command, and obtaining the Yin Seal would she have a chance to explain...

Or at least avoid the Torture Department...

"Hey, hey, wait up!"

At a fork in the road, just as Ino was about to say goodbye to Haruno Sakura, a shout came from behind.

They turned around to see a blond boy rushing over in a hurry.

Who else could it be but Uzumaki Naruto?

"Hey, Sakura helped you today, but that doesn't mean you can cling to her, right?"

Looking at the grimy Uzumaki Naruto, Ino said with some irritation.

Since he'd been pinned down and beaten up today, and Naruto was wearing a white short-sleeve shirt, he wasn't exactly clean.

"No, that's not it..."

Seeing Ino's annoyed expression, Uzumaki Naruto stammered in a fluster.

"Ino, that's not what he means."

Watching Ino's self-righteous attitude, Haruno Sakura knew it was just her spoiled young lady temperament acting up, not genuine rudeness.

"Um, Naruto-kun, is there something you need?"

Haruno Sakura put on a polite smile.

She knew his personality all too well—though he was a bit reserved at this stage, he'd grow up to be a full-blown social butterfly.

And the other party wouldn't do anything rude either...

Except...

Chase after her.

Haruno Sakura felt a string snap in her mind—she hadn't thought of this layer before.

If Ino were chasing her, Haruno Sakura might have hesitated a bit, since she was a girl herself now.

But if it was Uzumaki Naruto...

Sorry, men can stand aside.

Uzumaki Naruto didn't notice the change in Haruno Sakura's expression. He fidgeted and pulled a small slip of paper from his pocket, saying:

"Grandpa said, when someone helps you, you should give a gift to thank them."

"This is my most precious thing!"

"Please, you have to accept it!"

With that, Uzumaki Naruto held the small slip of paper out to Haruno Sakura.

A crumpled Ichiraku Ramen Coupon...

It looked like he'd treasured it for a long time...

Because the handwritten date on it had already expired three months ago.

"What's the big deal, it's just a coupon, nothing precious about it."

Ino leaned in for a look, a bit disdainful.

"...Thanks."

Looking at the coupon before her, Haruno Sakura was silent for a moment, but still smiled and accepted it.

After parting ways with Ino and Uzumaki Naruto, Haruno Sakura stared at the crumpled coupon in her hand, feeling a little speechless.

Well, at least in the end he'd end up with Hinata. She just had to endure his pursuit until then...

It wouldn't be long, just...

Ten years...

Like hell!

A whole ten years!

Haruno Sakura felt her life was bleak, on the verge of tears.

If she hadn't helped him, wouldn't she have avoided ten years of being chased?

Looking at the crumpled coupon in her hand, she wanted to cry but had no tears. She thought about throwing it away, but waved her hand—the coupon stayed put.

After all, it was someone's goodwill. Throwing it away wasn't great.

Forget it, she'd just toss it in a drawer later...

The pink-haired little girl sighed, shaking her head, and trudged home with heavy steps.

Little did Haruno Sakura know, everything she did was watched by a pair of eyes.

"A good child..."

In the Hokage's Office, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked approvingly at the dejected little girl in the Crystal Ball, an old face breaking into a satisfied smile.

He couldn't help but think of the Fourth Hokage and his wife, Uzumaki Kushina.

One gold and one red.

Though this one was pink, it wasn't a big deal.

And from today's performance, it was commendable.

She took the initiative to help her comrades, listened attentively in class, and had a gentle, friendly personality.

Hiruzen Sarutobi could almost see traces of the Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato, in her.

As for strength, that was secondary.

--

"Sakura, why are you so listless again today?"

Looking at the woman with beige hair, Haruno Meiko, the mother of this body, Sakura sighed and put down her chopsticks, saying:

"I'm going to the backyard to train..."

Haruno Yashiro watched his listless daughter, exchanged a puzzled glance with his wife, and looked confused.

Yesterday he'd cheered her up, so what was wrong today?

Haruno Meiko looked at her daughter thoughtfully, then declared confidently:

"This is definitely—a rejected confession!"

!!!

"What?!"