#39 - Chapter 39: Lost Sakura, Kankuro and Temari

"Konohamaru, didn't I tell you not to use such low-level ninjutsu?" Naruto glanced at the shredded cardboard box on the ground.

"Sorry, big brother."

Konohamaru scratched his head and said with a grin, "I mainly wanted to give you a surprise today with the newly formed Konohamaru Corps!"

The so-called Konohamaru Corps is actually the future Konohamaru squad.

The bowl-cut kid with round glasses, dull eyes, and a runny nose is Ise Udon, a future Jonin of Konoha, who specializes in Water Release and Snot Release ninjutsu... and might even know a little genjutsu.

The one with the brownish-yellow butt-cut hair and red cheeks is Moegi, a future Jonin of Konoha, who specializes in Water Release and Earth Release... and is rumored to also know Wood Release.

"Well... I wouldn't call it a surprise, but it's definitely a bit of a scare," Naruto said blandly.

"Moegi and Udon are capable subordinates I recruited for you, big brother! Aren't you surprised?" Konohamaru retorted.

"No."

"Not even a little?"

"Not even a little."

"...How disappointing~"

Moegi and Udon seemed deeply affected, squatting on the ground and drawing circles.

"Naruto, who are they?" Sakura suddenly asked.

"We're big brother's underlings!" Konohamaru answered quickly, "Who are you?"

"Me?"

Sakura pointed to herself, about to answer, when Konohamaru suddenly thought of something and teased, "Big brother, are you amazing? Is this your girlfriend?"

"Ah? No, no, no, you've got the wrong idea. I'm just Naruto's teammate," Sakura quickly explained.

"Teammate?" Konohamaru blinked, then looked enlightened, "So-called teammate means partner, right?"

"What's with that, partner is partner, why be so secretive~"

"Ouch!"

Naruto punched Konohamaru on the head and said blandly, "Teammate means friend, teammate. Don't talk nonsense."

Although carrying out missions together had eased his relationship with Sakura a lot, he wouldn't choose Sakura as a partner.

Putting aside Sakura's many mysterious quirks, Naruto just didn't like her personality.

Besides, Sakura liked Sasuke, so he should just take this scourge.

"Got it, big brother, you hit too hard~" Konohamaru said with a resentful look.

"Being beaten is also training. I'm fining you dinner tonight," Naruto said blandly.

"Oh~"

Konohamaru felt like something was wrong, but he couldn't put his finger on it.

"If there's nothing else, I'll be going first." Sasuke, who had been watching for a long time, turned around and left.

Rather than standing here watching Naruto and Konohamaru say pointless things, he'd rather train for a few more minutes!

"Sasuke-kun, wait!"

Sakura saw Sasuke leaving and quickly chased after him, saying with a shy face, "Sasuke-kun, next... if possible... would you like to strengthen our teamwork together~"

"Instead of bothering me, you should practice your ninjutsu more. To be honest, your strength is the worst on the team. Do you expect someone to always protect you?" Sasuke said coldly, then put his hands in his pockets and turned away without looking back.

Sakura looked at Sasuke's handsome back, but couldn't bring herself to be infatuated.

It looked like she was really hit hard!

Naruto glanced at Sakura but didn't intend to bother with her.

During missions, they were teammates, but in life, they were just ordinary friends. Naruto had no obligation nor was he willing to interfere in Sakura and Sasuke's private life.

"Konohamaru, let's go too."

"Okay, okay, okay!"

"Big brother, what are we going to do?"

"Hmm... let's go train and see how your Sexy Technique practice is going."

"I've improved a lot recently. I almost defeated Ebisu-sensei last time!"

"By the way, Naruto-big brother, can you teach Moegi and Udon the Sexy Technique?"

"You've already graduated. If they want to learn, you can teach them!"

"Thank you, Naruto-big brother!"

The four walked away while talking, and in the end, only Sakura was left alone on the street, looking dejected~

"In the end, it's still just me alone?"

Sakura walked towards home like a zombie, but as soon as she walked around a corner, she bumped into someone.

Sakura was knocked back a step because of her petite frame.

"Oh? I actually bumped into a Konoha ninja. Looks weak. Is your face so ugly because you were rejected by the handsome guy who just walked past?" Temari teased Sakura.

Weak?!!

Sakura's already terrible mood became even worse!

"Who are you people?" Sakura instinctively questioned.

"Before you ask others, shouldn't you apologize for bumping into me?"

Temari raised her chin and looked at Sakura condescendingly, "Or are all the ninjas of Konoha so rude?"

"S-Sorry."

Although Temari spoke very impolitely, Sakura knew that she was indeed in the wrong, so she chose to apologize.

"I forgive you, Konoha genin. Let's go, Kankuro!" Temari's temper was much better than Kankuro's. Considering Sakura's apology, she wouldn't pursue the matter.

"Wait a minute!"

Sakura saw Temari and Kankuro about to leave and stopped them.

"Is there anything else, little girl?" Perhaps because of Sakura's apology, Temari's tone was a little better.

"The headbands you're wearing are from the Sand Village, right? Although the Sand Village and Konoha are allies, aren't ninjas from the two villages not allowed to step into each other's countries?" Sakura was not polite to her because of Temari's friendliness.

Her eyes were serious and full of aggressiveness.

"Looks like you don't know anything."

Kankuro, who was a little impatient with Sakura, turned around and said to Sakura, "But that's right, it's normal for a trash ninja like you not to know!"

"What did you say?" Sakura was hit again and again, and now her emotions had reached the breaking point.

"Am I wrong?" Kankuro sneered, "I can kill trash like you with one hand!"

"You bastard!"

Sakura couldn't bear it any longer and swung her fist to hit Kankuro.

But her fist, which was always effective against bullying classmates, was easily caught by Kankuro with one hand.

"Heh, your soft fist won't even hurt if it hits someone." Kankuro sneered, then slightly increased the force, making Sakura's fist ache.

"Pay attention in the future, remember to avoid and endure when you encounter a strong person. Otherwise, you won't even know how you died."

Sakura was sweating profusely, trying to pull her hand out but couldn't.

Just as she was feeling helpless, a golden light appeared next to Kankuro, kicking him away.

"Are you okay, Sakura?"

Naruto didn't turn his head, and from Sakura's perspective, she could only see his profile.

The face that she used to not appreciate at all was now exceptionally handsome!

"I'm okay~" Looking at Naruto, who had returned like a divine soldier, Sakura's eyes were filled with admiration and gratitude.