Later that day, an exhausted Sakura made her way back home.
Having taken a bath on the river already and exchanged her clothes, there was no sign left on her of the training she was undergoing.
Feeling refreshed and clean, a satisfied smile painted her tender and flushed face.
"I wonder, will we have to fight that scary guy again?" As she pondered on this, the path she was taking merged with another one and to her surprise, she actually bumped on two dirty guys coming out from the forest.
"Ah, Naruto, Sasuke?"
The two were startled for a moment, looking at the side and seeing Sakura, they became curious.
That direction was the lake, what was she doing there?
"Hehe, good evening, Sakura-chan! What were you doing in the lake?"
Seeing Naruto's blushing face, Sakura snorted. This pervert, is he thinking something bad?
"Hmph, what else? I was training."
"Haha, is that so? As expected of Sakura-chan, you're so dedicated!"
Sakura rolled her eyes and didn't say anything.
Surprisingly, Sasuke took the initiative to say something.
"Uh, Sakura, what did you told Naruto yesterday?"
Hearing his question, Naruto was shocked, dazed and then felt his soul leaving his body.
"NAH, NAH! SASUKE, STAY OUT OF THIS! I ASKED HER FIRST!"
"Baka! You're just trying to cheat! So what if I ask her, is that a rule saying only you can do it?!"
Seeing this scene, Sakura was stunned and puzzled at the same time.
If her original self had seen this, she would definitely rush to the boy she likes and cling to him while thinking something along the lines of 'kyaaa! Sasuke-kun is fighting for me, I love you so much!'
But her now...
"Hey, hey! Cut it, you two! If you don't want to ask anything, then I'll keep going and leave the two of you behind!"
Hearing her words, the two immediately quietened.
Of course, it was for different reasons, Naruto wanting to please her, and Sasuke wanting advice.
"Then, Sakura, can you tell me what's the trick? How to master tree climbing?"
Is that it?
Suddenly, she felt like those two were overreacting, just a small advice and they got so worked up...
Shaking her head, she answered casually while continuing to walk.
"It's very simple, it takes mental energy to generate and control chakra, so if you get all worked up like you were just now, it will be troublesome to generate and manipulate Chakra. Calm your nerves and it will be easier."
Hearing those words, Sasuke nodded with a glint of understanding in his eyes.
Of course, how come he didn't think of that? The answer was so simple and yet, he failed to see it. That's it, it's all the fault of that idiot! Naruto, I'll beat you up later.
Feeling a chill on his back Naruto looked warily towards Sasuke, the two exchanged glances and sparks flew in the air.
"Bastard, what are you looking at? I will definitely defeat you tomorrow!"
"Hmph, you're just the tail of the crane, I will eat my shirt if you can defeat me!"
"Hehahaha! That's what you said, you can't go back on your words y'know?"
Laughing loudly, Naruto pointed at him.
"You guys really like each other huh?"
Hearing this comment, both Sasuke and Naruto were stunned, then disgusted.
"What, no way! Who likes this arrogant guy? I only have eyes for you, Sakura-chan!"
"Hmph, Sakura, you're definitely misunderstanding something, the only thing I like about Naruto, is the feeling of punching him on the face."
Seeing them about to fight again, she sighed helplessly and continued on her way.
Despite this altercation, Naruto still kept a big smile on his face on the way back.
Sasuke couldn't understand it and just ignored it.
As for the reason? Looking at Sakura a bright glint appeared on his eyes.
Others may not notice but wouldn't he?
Usually Sakura is completely focused on Sasuke, flattering this idiot back and forth like there's no ending, leaving him quite depressed. Liking her as much as he do, he always pays attention to her, and what did he see today?
Although Sakura wasn't treating him much better, she didn't fawn over Sasuke!
In his mind, he immediately conjured a plot of a princess finding her one true love after the hero (him), pursed her for a long time!
Hehe! Is Sakura finally beginning to realize that I'm more handsome and stronger?
Unaware of his thoughts, Sakura reached the house where they were staying and went inside directly.
Seeing everyone already seated and smelling the aroma of freshly cooked dinner, she smiled sweetly and nodded at Tsunami, the woman of the house who could be seen from the entrance.
"Tsunami-san, thank you for the food!"
"Ah, it's nothing, really. You guys are already doing so much for us, this little bit of food can't compare with it." Tsunami smiled a little embarrassedly.
Tazuna on his seat lowered his head a little ashamed of himself. At the end of the day he did scam those ninja, thankfully they are very easy to exploit- cough, cough, very kind.
Feeling a dangerous gaze aimed at him, the old man Tazuna felt like he was sitting on needles and pins and smiled sheepishly, trying to hide his nervousness.
Shaking her head, Sakura walked to the seat adjacent to Kakashi sensei and sat down.
Not a few seconds had passed and the two idiots fighting each other arrived as well.
Even when they sat down they still kept staring daggers at each other.
If looks could kill... No wait, it seems that Sasuke's Sharingan can actually kill, oh well...
"Alright!" Nodding with a smile, Tsunami-san started serving the food. "Since everyone's here we can start dinner."
While they were eating, there was only one person who always downcast and depressed and that was, Inari. The child at the other end of the table.
Looking at him, Sakura didn't feel any need of mentioning his behavior.
Lest the author was forced to write a whole chapter just to describe his backstory.
And so, time passed quickly, and the next day arrived in the blink of an eye.