Changing

Haruno Sakura sighed inwardly, understanding Hiruzen Sarutobi's difficulties.

Konoha was practically being held up by Hiruzen Sarutobi alone. The only one capable of inheriting the Hokage position, Hatake Kakashi, was completely slacking off.

Namikaze Minato had died with his lover, Orochimaru had defected, Tsunade had hemophobia, Jiraiya had left, and Danzo was lurking with ill intent...

He had to manage everything in the village, from top to bottom. He truly had no time.

Actually, the best person to look after Naruto would have been the Third Hokage's wife, Biwako Sarutobi, but unfortunately, she was killed by Uchiha Obito during the Nine-Tails' attack...

"Tsk, no more instant noodles from now on."

"Or you won't grow tall!"

Haruno Sakura took a step towards Naruto, comparing their heights. Naruto was even shorter than her.

Naruto looked at the girl who had suddenly approached him, blushing slightly, then asked curiously:

"If I don't eat instant noodles, what will I eat?"

However, Haruno Sakura took a book out of her bag and placed it in front of Naruto.

Not eat instant noodles, eat books?

Naruto looked at the book before him, hesitating whether to take a bite.

"When the egg mixture starts to solidify, use the spatula to roll it up, and then continue pouring in the egg mixture."

"And so on."

"This way, the egg roll will be a complete success!"

Haruno Sakura stood on a small stool, referencing a recipe book with a bite mark on it next to her, teaching Naruto how to cook for himself.

Even though the process was a bit bumpy, they had managed to successfully complete Sakura's first dish in her life.

"Wow! Sakura, you're amazing!"

Naruto looked at the egg roll Sakura plated, his bright blue eyes shining with admiration.

Haruno Sakura looked at Naruto like this and helplessly tapped his head, saying:

"You're such an idiot. I gave you the recipe not for you to eat it directly."

"You actually went and took a bite."

"Uh, hehe..."

Naruto rubbed his head, smiling foolishly at the girl before him.

"Here, you try it."

Haruno Sakura moved aside, letting Naruto take over.

"Me?"

Naruto was quite nervous.

"Yeah, come on and try."

"If you don't try, how will you know if you can do it?"

"Besides, it's so simple, Naruto, you can definitely do it."

Haruno Sakura encouraged him.

"Okay!"

Haruno Sakura looked at the scrambled eggs before her and fell into a bit of silence. Fine, scrambled eggs it is. It's not that different anyway.

At least they weren't burnt, right?

"Forget it, we can practice egg rolls more later. Let's start steaming the rice now."

As time slowly passed, with Haruno Sakura's efforts, Naruto somehow managed to prepare a meal.

A plate of scrambled eggs, a bowl of miso soup, and a pot of rice.

"You're really amazing, Naruto."

"You'll be a great cook in the future."

Facing a child, Haruno Sakura offered kind encouragement.

His first attempt was already quite good, and he was only six years old. What more could she ask for?

And even though Naruto had added a bit too much salt to the miso soup, they could just add more water. If it was too bland, they could add more salt...

"Hehe~~"

Naruto looked at the two dishes before him, his face full of a sense of accomplishment.

"Well then, I'm starting now."

Haruno Sakura put her hands together and, under Naruto's dazed gaze, picked up her chopsticks and brought the 'egg roll' to her mouth.

"Hmm? Naruto, aren't you eating?"

Haruno Sakura's gaze made Naruto a little flustered as he stammered, "Uh, uh, I'll eat it now..."

Success.

Hiruzen Sarutobi watched the images on the crystal ball with satisfaction.

He hadn't had time to look after Naruto before, and the village nannies were unwilling to care for him, even showing signs of abuse.

He had told Naruto to eat less instant noodles several times, but he couldn't change Naruto's habits...

It would be best if Naruto could learn to cook for himself.

For Hiruzen Sarutobi, Haruno Sakura's talent was no longer important.

As long as Naruto could settle down and take care of himself, that was enough.

Hiruzen Sarutobi tapped his desk, and an ANBU member immediately appeared before him.

"Go and call Iruka."

As soon as he spoke, the ANBU before him vanished instantly.

Not long after, a man with a scar on his nose appeared before Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"Hokage-sama."

Iruka bowed to Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"Yes, regarding Haruno Sakura's idea of skipping a grade."

Hiruzen Sarutobi hesitated, which made Iruka a little confused.

Hadn't it been decided yesterday?

Was he going back on his word?

"Be as strict as possible, do you understand what I mean?"

Hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi's words, Iruka's heart tightened.

Did he not want Sakura to pass?

"Yes, I understand."

Iruka didn't know what Hiruzen Sarutobi's intentions were, but he agreed anyway.

He was just an ordinary Chunin, a ninja teacher, and couldn't make any decisions.

He could only obey.

The sun was setting, painting the sky with twilight.

"Naruto, I'm heading back now."

"Try not to eat instant noodles in the future, and the milk in the fridge needs to be thrown out in three days."

"If you can't finish it, don't buy fresh milk anymore. Even if you do buy it, don't buy so much. Also, remember to follow the recipe carefully when you cook."

"If there's anything you don't understand, you can ask me."

At Naruto's doorstep, Haruno Sakura spoke in a nagging tone, like a mother.

After all, she had followed the anime from elementary school to graduation in her previous life, so she had watched this guy grow up.

"Mhm, mhm, I got it!"

Naruto looked at Haruno Sakura with shining eyes, without the slightest hint of impatience.

"Okay, then I'll be going now. I'll see you at school tomorrow."

Watching the girl's retreating figure, Naruto didn't shift his gaze for a long time. Only when she disappeared around the corner did he reluctantly return indoors.

After leaving Naruto's house, Haruno Sakura returned to her own home without any lingering thoughts.

Although Konoha was the most prosperous of the Five Great Shinobi Villages, it was just so-so for Haruno Sakura.

There was nothing to see.

"Sakura!"

"Where did you go today!"

"You didn't come home all day!"

"Dad missed Sakura so much!"

As soon as she arrived home, Haruno Yashiro's voice rang out. A huge dark shadow lunged towards Haruno Sakura!

"Eek!"

Haruno Sakura froze on the spot as she looked at the unknown creature lunging at her.

"Idiot!"

"Are you trying to run me over, Sakura!"

Haruno Meiko's voice rang out as she grabbed Haruno Yashiro by the back of his collar and yanked him back.

This guy… he's definitely a doting father…

Haruno Sakura watched as Haruno Yashiro struggled to break free from his mother's grasp and lunge towards her, her eye twitching.

"I went to play with a classmate today."

Haruno Sakura waved her hand and casually sat down in the entryway to take off her shoes.

"Were you going to play with Ino?"

"I'd rather you weren't going to play with some blonde!"

Haruno Yashiro's voice sounded, making Haruno Sakura pause.

Naruto… would he… count?

Honestly, I don't really agree with the Third Hokage's conspiracy theories, because the Hokage series already has many plot holes, and only conspiracy theories can explain them… but this also brought undeserved misfortune upon the Third Hokage… purely personal opini