The Reserved Uzumaki Naruto

"Hey, are you okay?"

Haruno Sakura walked up to Blondie and helped him to his feet.

"Th-thank you..."

Looking at the pink-haired girl before him, Blondie spoke awkwardly and nervously.

"Oh, right. My name is Haruno Sakura."

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

"Haruno... Sakura?"

The old man wearing a red conical hat watched the scene from afar, lost in thought.

He had only come to the Ninja Academy on a whim, wanting to see how Konoha's new buds were growing. He had not expected to happen upon this scene.

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

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

Moreover, the way she gathered Chakra in her fist to make that punch more powerful reminded the old man of someone.

"Go. Look into this child's background."

The old man spoke to the air beside him.

"Yes."

With a muffled reply, it seemed as though something around the old man had vanished.

After enduring another afternoon, Haruno Sakura walked home with Ino beneath the setting sun.

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

"Ha!"

Ino mimicked a punching motion, then said with a grin:

"With one punch, you sent that guy flying!"

"As expected of Sakura!"

Seeing Ino's amusing movements, Haruno Sakura could not help but laugh as well.

Ino's strange appearance reminded her of her bargain-bin father, but when it came to being pleasing to the eye, ten Haruno Yashiros could not compare to one Yamanaka Ino.

It couldn't be helped. The difference in natural advantages was right there.

"Hehe, Sakura, you finally smiled."

Seeing Haruno Sakura smile, Ino immediately sidled up to her again with a grin.

"You were so serious all day today that I barely dared to speak."

Ino clung to Haruno Sakura's arm, wearing an aggrieved expression.

That was because I needed to study hard...

Haruno Sakura sighed softly. Thinking of the Yin Seal that might appear at any time made her head ache.

If someone discovered it, she would never be able to explain herself, no matter how many mouths she had...

Only by becoming stronger, becoming more outstanding, entering Konoha High Command's sights, and obtaining the Yin Seal would she have a chance to explain it...

Or perhaps she could avoid going to the Torture Department...

"Um, wait!"

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

The two turned around to see Blondie hurrying toward them.

Who else could it be but Uzumaki Naruto?

"Hey, Sakura helped you today, but you can't just cling to her, can you?"

Looking at the filthy Uzumaki Naruto before her, Ino spoke irritably.

Because Naruto had been pinned to the ground and beaten earlier that day, and because he was wearing a white short-sleeved shirt, the dirt on him was especially noticeable.

"N-no..."

Seeing Ino's displeased expression, Uzumaki Naruto hurriedly tried to defend himself.

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

Seeing Ino's self-righteous manner, Haruno Sakura knew it was simply the girl's young-lady temperament, not genuine arrogance or rudeness.

"Um, Uzumaki, what is it?"

Haruno Sakura put on a polite smile.

She knew his personality all too well. Though he was rather reserved at this stage, he would grow into someone extremely outgoing later on.

And he would not do anything rude either...

Except...

Chase after her...

Haruno Sakura felt a string snap in her mind. She seemed not to have considered that possibility before.

If Ino chased after her, Haruno Sakura might hesitate a little, considering she was a girl now.

But if it was Uzumaki Naruto...

Sorry, men, stay away from me...

Uzumaki Naruto did not notice the change in Haruno Sakura's expression. Fidgeting, he took a small slip of paper from his pocket and said:

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

"This is my most precious possession!"

"Please, you have to accept it!"

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

A crumpled Ichiraku Ramen Coupon...

It looked like he had treasured it for a long time...

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

"What's so precious about a coupon?"

Ino leaned over to take a look, sounding disdainful.

"...Thank you."

Looking at the coupon before her, Haruno Sakura fell silent for a moment, but she still accepted it with a smile.

After bidding farewell to Ino and Uzumaki Naruto, Haruno Sakura looked at the crumpled coupon in her hand and felt somewhat speechless.

Luckily, he would end up with Hinata. She just had to endure his pursuit...

It would not be for long anyway, only...

Ten years...

My ass!

That was freaking ten years!

Haruno Sakura felt as if her life had gone completely dark, on the verge of tears without any tears to shed.

If she had not helped him, would she not have had to suffer through ten years of being pursued?

Looking at the crumpled coupon in her hand, Haruno Sakura wanted to cry. She wanted to throw it away, but after waving her hand, the coupon was still in her grasp.

After all, it was someone's heartfelt gift. Throwing it away would not be very nice.

Forget it. She would just toss it into a drawer later...

The pink-haired little girl shook her head and sighed as she dragged her heavy steps toward home.

Haruno Sakura had no idea that a pair of eyes had witnessed everything she did.

"What a good child..."

In the Hokage's Office, Hiruzen Sarutobi watched the dejected little girl in the Crystal Ball with satisfaction. A pleased smile appeared on his aged face.

He could not help thinking of the Fourth Hokage and his wife, Uzumaki Kushina.

One blond, one red.

Though this one was pink-haired, it was close enough.

And judging from her performance today, she had done quite well.

She had taken the initiative to help a companion, listened attentively in class, and possessed a gentle, friendly personality.

Hiruzen Sarutobi could almost see a few 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 beige-haired woman before her, Haruno Meiko, the mother of this body, Sakura sighed and put down her chopsticks.

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

Haruno Yashiro looked at his listless daughter, then exchanged glances with his wife, utterly confused.

He had clearly cheered her up yesterday. What was wrong today?

Haruno Meiko looked thoughtfully at her daughter, then declared with certainty:

"This is definitely because her confession was rejected!"

!!!

"What?!"