Chapter Text
The first light of dawn had just begun to paint the sky in soft shades of orange, illuminating the remnants of the last great shinobi war. The landscape was desolate: smoldering ruins, craters left by devastating jutsus, and the distant echo of the wind sweeping away the ashes of what had once been battlefields.
Sakura opened her eyes with difficulty. A wave of dizziness momentarily blurred her vision as her body struggled to react after nearly two days of unconsciousness. She stared at the sky for a few seconds, trying to remember what had happened. Then, the memories came rushing in.
His image flashed through her mind. The boy she had once revered, fought for, waited for… and the same one who had attacked her without hesitation. A painful tightness seized her chest at the thought.
How much longer? How much longer would she allow herself to be trampled on and humiliated by him?
A bitter lump formed in her throat, but she swallowed it down. She couldn’t afford to break down now. Taking a deep breath, she pushed herself up with effort. Her body ached, every muscle protested, but there was no time to complain.
All around her was destruction and an eerie silence that unsettled her. She saw no one, not even traces of the other combatants. Except…
—Sakura-Chan, I’m glad you’re awake.
Kakashi’s voice pulled her from her thoughts.
She turned quickly and found him leaning against a nearby rock. He looked weak, pale, his clothes tattered, and dry blood stains covering his vest.
—How long was I unconscious? —she asked, her voice hoarse from dehydration.
—Almost two days…
A shiver ran down her spine. Two days out of commission on a battlefield could mean the difference between life and death.
—And Naruto? —she asked, her heart pounding in her chest— Where is he?
Kakashi fell silent for what felt like an eternity. Then, he lowered his gaze and spoke in a grave tone.
—I don’t know… —he exhaled heavily—Everything has been so quiet for over a day now…
Sakura’s jade eyes widened in alarm.
—What do you mean by ‘quiet’?
—I haven’t heard any explosions, any chakra clashes, not even screams… I can’t move on my own. I’ve been here… waiting for you to wake up.
Sakura felt the air leave her lungs.
Naruto was never quiet. No matter how bad things got, he always found a way to yell, to laugh, to fight. If everything was silent, something was wrong.
She shook her head, forcing herself to focus. She quickly scanned her own condition. She was exhausted, her chakra nearly depleted, but she still had enough left to do her job. Crawling toward Kakashi, she placed her hands over his chest, concentrating on what little healing energy she had left.
A faint green glow enveloped the jounin. Little by little, his more superficial wounds began to close, and his breathing grew steadier.
Kakashi let out a relieved sigh as he felt his body respond better.
—I really needed that…—he murmured gratefully, rolling his shoulders slightly.
Sakura handed him some bandages and supplies from her emergency pouch.
—Kakashi-sensei… I must find Naruto. —she said with determination, though her voice trembled slightly— Can you look for help on your own?
He looked at her seriously. He knew arguing with her was pointless. He knew her well enough to understand that nothing would stop her.
—Of course. I’ll take care of it… —he paused, looking at her intently— But be careful, Sakura-Chan.
She nodded, wasting no more time. Pushing herself up, she started running, ignoring the throbbing pain in her legs.
Naruto had to be okay… he had to be somewhere…
With every step she took, her heart pounded harder. She couldn’t afford to lose him. Not him.
Minutes passed with no signs of life, no trace of them. With each second that slipped away, Sakura’s desperation grew like a storm raging in her chest.
—Narutoooo!—she screamed with all her strength, but her voice was swallowed by the void.
She strained her ears, trying to catch any sound beyond the whistle of the wind or the echo of her own anguish. Nothing. Her heart pounded wildly as she ran aimlessly, clinging to the hope of finding even the smallest clue. She didn’t stop, not even when the burning in her legs threatened to bring her down.
Then, she heard it:
The distant murmur of flowing water, an unmistakable sound that sent her instincts into overdrive. A chilling premonition coursed through her veins. She rushed toward the river, her frantic steps following its path until, in the distance, she spotted a waterfall.
Her breath hitched. She knew this place.
She quickened her pace, and as she peered over the edge, her stomach twisted into a sickening knot.
The colossal statues of Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju, worn down by time and battle, loomed as silent witnesses to what had transpired.
And there, at the base of the waterfall, on damp earth-stained crimson, lay two motionless bodies.
Sakura’s heart stopped for an eternal second. Her breath came in ragged gasps.”No. No, no…”
She stumbled down the slope, slipping on loose rocks, never taking her eyes off those figures. With every step closer, the image became clearer… and more terrifying.
Naruto and Sasuke lay sprawled on the ground, side by side, surrounded by a pool of dark blood. Their bodies looked fragile, lifeless and motionless.
A strangled sob caught in Sakura’s throat when she noticed the detail that sent a shudder through her entire body:
They had both lost an arm.
Rage coiled in her chest, thick and suffocating. The war, the destruction, the death… none of it would have happened if not for the Uchiha. If not for Madara. If not for Obito. If not for Itachi. If not for Sasuke.
They were a plague. A never-ending cycle of hatred and tragedy.
How could she have been so stupid? So blind, so naive to love one of them?
She bit her lip, fury coursing through her as she cursed him over and over in her mind, all while rushing toward the two lifeless bodies at the river’s edge.
Tears blurred her vision as she knelt beside Naruto, her trembling hands searching for a sign of life.
—Naruto! —her voice cracked— I’m sorry for taking so long… Kakashi-sensei went to find help. We’ll get you out of here, I promise.
The blond’s eyelids fluttered open slowly. His gaze, though weak, still held warmth.
—Sakura-Chan… —he murmured with a faint smile— Please… heal us. We’ve lost a lot of blood.
Sakura’s heart clenched. —Heal us.
She gritted her teeth and nodded without hesitation.
—Right away.
Wasting no time, she channeled her chakra, ignoring her exhaustion. She sealed the bleeding from his severed limb, mended torn tissue, fractured bones, every fiber of her being focused on saving him. She wouldn’t stop until he was back on his feet, grinning that radiant smile of his. In her mind, she was already designing the prosthetic that would replace his right arm.
Naruto was going to be okay.
—Sakura-Chan… thank you… —he whispered, stopping her gently— But now… it’s Sasuke’s turn.
Sakura’s blood ran cold.
Slowly, she turned her head and, for the first time, allowed herself to truly look at him.
The last Uchiha lay defeated, one arm missing, his body covered in wounds, his breathing uneven. There was no arrogance in his gaze, no hatred. Only overwhelming exhaustion.
Sakura’s expression darkened.
An idea struck her like lightning.
This was her chance.
Her heart pounded violently against her ribs. Her hand instinctively drifted toward the kunai still strapped to her side.
The perfect opportunity she had once lost.
—Yes… it’s his turn… —she whispered, her gaze lost, tears streaming down her face.
Slowly, she moved forward, drawing her kunai with deliberate slowness. Her grip was firm,m and resolute. One strike. One motion.
But before she could do anything...
—Noooooo! Sakura, stop!
Naruto, who had never taken his eyes off her, sensed what she was about to do. Gathering what little strength he had left, he caught the sharp blade with his only hand.
—Naruto, let go! —she demanded, her voice shaking, her hands tense.
—Don’t do this, Sakura!
Sasuke watched her intently. He made no effort to resist.
—If you think it’s the right thing to do… then do it. —His voice was cold.
Naruto turned to him in disbelief.
—Don’t say things like that, dammit! —he yelled before looking back at Sakura— It’s over now… The village will punish him, but you don’t have to carry this burden.
Sakura let out a bitter laugh.
—Punish? —she whispered, the kunai trembling in her grip— You say that as if they ever truly punished him for anything.
Naruto clenched his teeth.
—You’re not a killer, Sakura.
She squeezed her eyes shut. She struggled against him, but then she felt it, thick, warm blood.
Naruto was bleeding.
His hand, coated in red, still clutched the kunai.
—Let go, Naruto! You’re hurting yourself, you idiot!
—And you’re making a mistake! Please, don’t do this!
Sakura’s eyes burned with rage and despair.
—Don’t make me use my other hand, Naruto… I don’t want to punch you after I just healed you, you giant fool!
She braced herself to push him away with her free arm. But then, a hand caught hers.
—Sakura… that’s enough.
It was Kakashi. His grip was firm despite his evident weakness.
—Let me go! —she roared, her chest rising and falling in fury.
—No! —Kakashi replied, his voice grave and commanding— I won’t let go. And I won’t let you do something you’ll regret for the rest of your life.
—Regret?! —Sakura struggled against him— I don’t care! Just let me end this already!
—You don’t care now because your anger is blinding you —Kakashi said, holding her steady— But later, when you look in the mirror, what will you see, Sakura? The kunoichi who fought to save lives… or someone who gave in to hatred and crossed a line she can’t take back?
—Don’t talk to me like I’m a child! —she snapped, her gaze blazing— If I wanted to, I could take both of you down right here!
—Maybe you could, —Kakashi admitted without hesitation— But you won’t, because you’re not a murderer. And because if you do this, you won’t just become what you despise… you’ll become a criminal in the eyes of the village.
A chill ran down Sakura’s spine, but she didn’t drop the kunai.
—Are you threatening me?
—It’s not a threat, it’s a fact —Kakashi said flatly— It’s not your decision to make. Sasuke is a criminal, yes, but the highest authorities of Konoha will decide his punishment. If you take justice into your own hands, you’ll be committing a crime, and believe me, Sakura… that won’t end well for you.
Sakura gritted her teeth, her entire body trembling with frustration.
—So what, then? We let him live? We wait for them to forgive him like always and pretend everything is the same?
Kakashi met her gaze sternly.
—Nothing will ever be the same, —he said— But you can still choose who you want to be from now on. Will you be the kunoichi who fights to save lives… or the one who let hatred consume her?
Sakura’s chest tightened. The fury and pain suffocated her, strangled her. Her fists shook, her vision blurred with tears.
And then, unable to hold it in any longer, she let out a scream of frustration that echoed through the rocks.
Her legs faltered. She looked at Naruto, who was still holding the kunai with his only injured hand, pleading with her. Then at Sasuke silent and making no effort to fight back.
Her fingers trembled and finally, the kunai slipped from her grasp.
Naruto exhaled a breath of relief and stepped closer; his voice filled with quiet desperation.
—Please, Sakura-Chan… It’s over this time. The four of us will return to the village, to Konoha, to our home, like before… Like when we were Team 7.
Sakura looked at him through the haze of her tears. Her chest ached, not just from exhaustion, but because she knew that nothing could ever be like before. Not after everything they had been through. Not after the hell they had endured.
She said nothing. Instead, she knelt before Sasuke again, and without a word, she began healing his wounds. Her hands trembled over his torn flesh, but her chakra flowed with precision. Sasuke watched her with an unreadable expression, saying nothing, while Naruto let out a shaky breath.
When she was done, Sakura stood without looking at him. Without thinking, she took Naruto’s only hand and began healing the wound she had caused. Then, without another word, she turned away, letting the silence speak for her.
From a distance, she watched them.
Naruto slung his left arm around Sasuke’s shoulders and helped him stand. Together, stumbling, they began to walk. Sakura remained still, watching their figures fade into the distance. The sight of them, leaning on each other, burned itself into her mind.
And then she remembered…
A distant day in the Land of Waves, when after an exhausting chakra control exercise, they had collapsed in the same way, tired, but together.
A lump formed in her throat, and silent tears rolled down her cheeks. She felt a hand on her shoulder and flinched.
—You did the right thing, Sakura-Chan. —Kakashi whispered gently. She nodded but couldn’t find her voice to answer.
The first days after Sakura returned from the war felt strange, as if the village was caught between mourning and hope. Konoha, though damaged, was slowly beginning to recover. The rubble was being cleared, families were reuniting, and the survivors were trying to adapt to the new peace.
When Sakura arrived at her parents’ home, she had barely crossed the doorway before her mother pulled her into a desperate hug, as if letting go would mean losing her again. Her father, his eyes glassy but his smile steady, welcomed her with a hand on her hair, ruffling it like he had when she was a child. That night, they had dinner together for the first time in what felt like forever, with her mother serving her exaggerated portions and her father telling trivial stories just to make her laugh.
The days she spent with them were a pause during the chaos. Every afternoon, her mother insisted on making her tea, sitting beside her on the couch, watching her as if trying to memorize every feature. Her father talked about the village’s reconstruction, about how things would return to normal. But Sakura knew nothing would ever be the same.
The nights were difficult. In the darkness of her room, memories attacked her: the battlefield, the bodies, the blood, Sasuke coming at her.
One of those nights, Sakura woke up with a strangled gasp, her breath uneven as her heart pounded violently against her chest. The shadows in her room were harmless, yet her mind was still trapped in the nightmare. The war. The blood. Sasuke attacking her with that empty gaze. She ran a trembling hand over her face, trying to wipe away the cold sweat on her forehead.
She sat up in bed, hugging her legs as she tried to steady herself. Then, her eyes wandered across the room until they landed on the shelf near her desk. Among books and small keepsakes from her childhood, there was the framed photo of her old team: Team 7.
For a moment, she allowed herself to remember. That day, when she still believed their bond was unbreakable. When she thought that if she just tried hard enough, if she just loved enough, she could reach him. But that girl no longer existed. And neither did Sasuke.
With steady hands, she picked up the photo and held it for a few seconds, letting the weight of nostalgia settle in her chest. Then, without hesitation, she slid it into a drawer. Her fingers lingered on the wood for a moment before she closed it gently. When she lifted her gaze, she chose to focus on the other photos on the shelf.
Naruto, arms raised in one of his usual victories, his endless energy radiating even in a still image. Sai, with his awkward, forced smile. Ino, laughing beside her, carrying that light that even war couldn’t extinguish. Shikamaru, Chouji, Lee, Ten Ten, Kiba... all of them. Her real family.
People she could trust.
For a moment, her gaze flickered back to the closed drawer.
"Those years will never return… that Sakura is gone… that Sasuke… no longer exists."
She lay back down, letting the silence envelop her. And this time, when she closed her eyes, sleep took her without nightmares.
Days later, Sakura went to meet Ino Yamanaka. The blonde kunoichi stood in front of the flower shop, waiting for her, holding a bouquet of white chrysanthemums. They embraced tightly.
—It's good to see you again, Ino.
Ino took a moment to respond, but when she did, her voice was firm, though filled with emotion.
—It's good to see you too, Sakura.
After pulling away, Ino handed her one of the flowers.
—Will you come with me?
Sakura nodded, and the two of them walked together toward the cemetery. As they moved forward, the silence between them was comfortable, full of understanding. When they reached Inoichi’s grave, Ino knelt down and carefully placed the flowers. Sakura remained by her side, offering silent support.
—Father always said that war was an inevitable risk for shinobi… but I never imagined losing him like this. —Ino’s voice wavered slightly.
Sakura placed a hand on her shoulder.
—He was a great man, Ino. A hero.
Ino took a deep breath, trying to hold back her tears, then gave Sakura a sad smile.
—Thank you, Sakura. And thank you for being here. I know we used to argue over so many silly things… but I think it’s time to leave all of that behind, don’t you?
Sakura smiled wistfully.
—Yes. Let’s promise never to fight over pointless things again. We’ve already lost too much to waste time on nonsense.
—I promise —Ino held out her pinky with a small smile, and Sakura linked hers to seal the promise.
They stayed in silence for a while until Ino sighed and changed the subject.
—You know? Lately, I’ve been spending a lot of time with Sai.
Sakura raised an eyebrow.
—Sai?
—Yes, and it’s strange… —Ino crossed her arms— I enjoy his company, even though his lack of social skills drives me crazy. But oddly enough, I like teaching him things.
Sakura chuckled.
—I have to admit, he really needs to learn how to talk to people without accidentally insulting them.
—Exactly— Ino smiled— But he has his charm. In a weird way…
Sakura nudged her playfully.
—Could it be that you like him, Ino?
—Don’t be ridiculous! —Ino blushed and looked away— I’m just saying he’s… interesting.
Sakura laughed, and for the first time in a long while, she felt something in her chest lighten. Despite all the pain, there were still moments like this, where life offered them some sense of normalcy amid the chaos.
—Well, whatever it is, I think Sai is lucky.
—Obviously. —Ino grinned proudly— Anyone would be lucky if I were the one training them.
They both laughed and remained a while longer in front of Inoichi’s grave, knowing that, despite everything, they were moving forward.
Finally, when she felt it was time to move on, Sakura returned to her apartment. Before she left, her mother smoothed down her hair with her hands and asked her not to stay away for too long, to visit them often. Her father handed her a small box of sweets he had bought, saying that a doctor needed to keep her energy up.
The solitude of her apartment felt different. But instead of letting it pull her down, Sakura resumed her work at the hospital. The village needed her, and deep down, she knew that helping others was also her way of moving forward.
One morning, weeks later, Naruto was sitting in front of Tsunade's desk, swinging his legs impatiently while Sakura observed the massive pile of documents the Hokage had stacked up. Finally, Tsunade let out a sigh and tossed a scroll at Naruto.
—Alright, brat, here are the details about your new prosthetic. —she said.
Naruto caught it in midair, immediately unrolling it using his mouth to assist his single arm.
—We’ll start as soon as I finish some matters at the Hokage Mansion, which will take me a few days. —she continued, crossing her arms.
When Naruto spread out the scroll and read its contents, his eyes lit up with excitement.
—Whoa! So I'll really be able to use chakra with it? —he exclaimed.
—That's right, —Sakura chimed in with a small smile— It won’t just be a lifeless piece. You'll be able to channel chakra through the prosthetic, mold it, and perform jutsu as if you'd never lost your arm.
Naruto looked at her with admiration.
—That’s amazing! It’s like I’m getting an upgrade! Imagine this— He jumped up and started making exaggerated gestures. A giant chakra arm that can extend for meters and punch enemies from a distance! Or maybe one with built-in flamethrowers! Or even a stealth mode that turns it invisible so I can attack by surprise!
Sakura and Tsunade exchanged a look… and couldn't help but laugh.
—For Kami’s sake… —Tsunade chuckled, resting an elbow on the desk— Sometimes I forget how ridiculous your imagination is.
—It’s not ridiculous! Naruto protested. What if it had built-in ramen storage? Imagine pulling out a steaming bowl from my arm at any moment!
Sakura let out a laugh and gave him a light shove on the shoulder.
—You're absolutely impossible.
Naruto laughed along with them, but then his expression became a bit more serious.
—What about Sasuke? Will he get one too?
Silence fell over the room. Sakura lowered her gaze, her lips pressed together. Tsunade glanced at her briefly before answering.
—If he requests it, yes, —she said calmly— But first, he needs to recover fully. Unlike you, he’s still hospitalized.
—And after that? —Naruto asked, his brow furrowed.
—After that, he’ll be taken to prison until his trial begins.
Naruto lowered his gaze for a moment, processing the information. Sakura remained silent.
—Then… at least he'll be okay, right? — the blond murmured.
Tsunade nodded, and though Sakura didn’t speak, she let out a faint sigh.
Naruto then smiled again, trying to lighten the mood.
—Well, if Sasuke gets a prosthetic too, he’ll probably be jealous when he sees how awesome mine is!
—Yeah, sure, —Sakura rolled her eyes, but she no longer looked as tense.
Tsunade just shook her head with a smile.
—Stop imagining ridiculous things and focus on getting ready for when you receive it.
Naruto nodded eagerly, while Sakura looked at him with a mix of exasperation and fondness.
At least, for a moment, things felt a little more normal.
Naruto left Tsunade’s office, enthusiastically announcing that he was going to visit Sasuke. Sakura, on the other hand, simply nodded distantly and left without adding a word. She stood still for a moment, thinking about the room where Sasuke was hospitalized, that space she had no intention of stepping into. Not until he was discharged and, hopefully, gone from the hospital for good.
The only thing she truly wished for was for Uchiha Sasuke to stop being a presence in her workplace.
But nothing could have prepared Sakura for what awaited her one afternoon, several days later.
Shizune appeared suddenly, her brow furrowed and her breath slightly labored.
—Sakura! I've been looking for you everywhere —she said hurriedly.
Sakura turned, surprised by the urgency in her tone.
—What’s wrong, Shizune?
—Doctor Imamura had to attend to an urgent matter and will be out for the rest of the afternoon. I need you to take over his pending cases at the hospital.—she explained quickly.
Sakura nodded without hesitation.
—Of course. Do you have the files of the cases I need to handle?
But as soon as the question left her lips, she remembered something: “Wasn't Imamura the doctor in charge of…?”
Shizune was already handing her the documents, and her stomach tightened as she read the name on the label of the first folder: Sasuke Uchiha.
—Shizune, could you take care of Sasuke? I can handle the rest.— she asked cautiously.
Shizune crossed her arms and furrowed her brow even more.
—Sakura, I have tons of tasks that Lady Tsunade personally assigned to me, and she herself is busy with urgent matters before the transition of Hokage duties to Kakashi Hatake. I can't take care of everything,—she said firmly. —Besides, you can’t put your personal issues above your duty.
Sakura felt a lump in her throat but had no way to refute her. She let out a resigned sigh.
—I'm sorry… you're right,— she murmured, lowering her gaze slightly before straightening up.— I'll go do my job.
Shizune gave her a brief, understanding look before resuming her hurried pace, leaving Sakura with a new weight on her shoulders.
She couldn't simply refuse. Not when her duty as a medic was at stake.
She started with the other cases and left Sasuke for last. She wanted to delay that painful task as much as possible, but inevitably, the moment arrived. She took a deep breath, straightened her shoulders, and left her office with firm steps. The sound of her boots echoed through the hospital corridors as she walked toward the room housing the last Uchiha, guarded by two ANBU who remained motionless like statues.
—Doctor Sakura Haruno— she announced, showing her ID.— I'm replacing Doctor Imamura, in charge of patient Sasuke Uchiha for his final check-up.
The ANBU silently nodded and stepped aside, allowing her to enter.
Upon opening the door, she found him sitting on the bed, staring out the window. The evening light filtered through the glass, casting shadows on his face and accentuating the sharpness of his features. The physical and emotional toll of the war was evident, yet his expression remained unreadable, as if nothing could affect him.
He barely turned when he noticed her presence, but said nothing.
Sakura closed the door behind her calmly, though her heart pounded inside her chest. She kept her face neutral, professional, as if she were treating any other patient. She approached the bed with steady steps and placed the file on the table beside him.
—I've been assigned to perform your final check-up. —she said, her tone cold and direct.
Sasuke didn’t respond immediately, only watching her with those eyes that had so often made her feel invisible. But this time, she didn’t look away.
—I need to evaluate your condition before you can be discharged. —she continued, not giving him a chance to interrupt.
She put on her gloves and took out her tools, prepared to do her job. “Let’s get this done quickly and painlessly”, she thought.
He observed her silently from his bed, with the same impassive expression as always. It was the first time he had seen her since that moment at the Valley of the End.
His left arm ended in a clean, bandaged stump, barely peeking out from the sleeve of his hospital yukata. He had spent weeks recovering, undergoing multiple treatments to prevent infections, properly close the wound, and facilitate a possible adaptation to a prosthetic in the future.
Without a word, Sakura put on her sterile gloves and stepped closer.
—I'm going to check the scarring on the stump and your overall condition.
Sasuke gave a slight nod.
She carefully removed the bandage. The skin around the amputated area looked healthy, though there was slight redness in some areas, something normal in the final stage of healing. The tissue regeneration had been aided by advanced medical ninjutsu and regenerative treatments using stem cells, preventing abnormal adhesions and reducing the risk of phantom pain.
—Do you feel tingling, numbness, or pain?
—Sometimes, —Sasuke answered without much emotion.— It’s more of a strange sensation than actual pain.
Sakura gently pressed some points around the stump, monitoring his reaction. Then she channeled a bit of chakra into her fingers, ensuring that the energy flow in the area wasn’t blocked.
—That’s normal. Your nervous system still recognizes the arm, even though it’s no longer there. Over time, the sensation will fade.
Sasuke said nothing.
Next, she examined the other wounds on his torso and legs, making sure the muscle regeneration was complete. She applied a final chakra seal to a particularly deep scar on his right side, which had taken longer to heal due to its proximity to vital organs.
—Your recovery is going well. If you follow the instructions, in a few months your body will be completely stable.
Sakura noted the last details in the file and, as she prepared to leave, she added:
—That would be all. I'll submit the order for your discharge tonight. Kakashi will also be informed…
—Sakura.
At last, the Uchiha interrupted her.
Sakura froze.
—I'm sorry.
She closed her eyes for a moment, feeling her chest tighten. Her fingers clenched the file tightly.
—Just saying it isn’t enough.— she replied, her voice low but firm.
Finally, she lifted her gaze and looked at him. Not with hatred, nor resentment, but with deep exhaustion.
—I don’t even know what you’re trying to apologize for. The damage you did to Konoha? To Naruto? To me?
Sasuke didn’t answer.
—I don’t want or need your apologies. —Sakura continued harshly.— I just want you to leave.
She turned around and walked out of the room without looking back.
Sasuke Uchiha finally left Konoha’s hospital that night. His place of recovery was replaced by the cold interior of a cell, where he would await the trial that would determine his fate.
Sakura didn’t attend his transfer nor ask for details. She didn’t want to know anything more about him. She only hoped that justice would take its course and that he would receive a fair punishment for everything he had done.
But she wasn’t going to waste any more thoughts on Sasuke Uchiha.
Determined to focus on her work, she threw herself into her hospital duties with more drive than ever. Not only did she care for her usual patients, but she also assisted Tsunade and Shizune in completing Naruto’s prosthetic arm.
When it was finally ready, Naruto received it with eyes shining with excitement, holding it in his hands as if he were a child given a chest full of sweets.
—This is amazing! Look at this! —he exclaimed enthusiastically, moving the artificial arm awkwardly at first but quickly adapting to it.
Tsunade crossed her arms with pride, while Shizune smiled with relief.
—Before you get too excited, we need to run chakra tests, —Sakura said in a professional tone, though she couldn’t help but smile at his enthusiasm.— We have to make sure you can channel it properly through the prosthetic.
—Yes! And after that, we’re training —Naruto said with a mischievous grin— I want to see how strong my Rasengan can be with this arm!
Sakura sighed with feigned exasperation.
—Just make sure you don’t blow yourself up in the process —she joked.
—Pff! Like that would ever happen!— he replied confidently, already beginning to concentrate chakra into the new limb.
Tsunade watched the scene with a smile, feeling proud of her students. The war had left its mark on them, but in moments like this, where Naruto’s optimism lit up everything around him, she felt hope.
Not long after, Sakura was sent on her first mission in a long time: a medical mission in Suna that would last a couple of weeks. The village was still slowly recovering from the devastation of the war, and its hospital needed reinforcements to care for the wounded who remained in treatment.
Despite the exhausting work, Sakura found a sense of relief in the mission.
Her friendship with Temari and Kankurō grew stronger as they shared training sessions, conversations, and a few jokes that helped lighten the daily burden.
One evening, after finishing her shift at the hospital, Sakura met the two siblings at a local tavern. Between bites of food and sips of sake, the conversation flowed easily until Sakura, with a mischievous smile, turned to Temari.
—Hey, Temari…— she sang teasingly— When are you planning to visit Konoha again? Because, coincidentally, a certain grumpy slacker seems to be suffering in your absence lately.
Temari raised an eyebrow as she bit into a piece of meat.
—What are you talking about?
Kankurō smirked and crossed his arms.
—Oh, don’t play dumb. You know exactly who we’re talking about.
—Shikamaru? Pfft, that lazy bum doesn’t miss anyone, don’t make me laugh— Temari scoffed.
—Oh yeah? Well, he’s been worse than ever since you left. The last time I was in Konoha without you, he was so distracted that instead of dodging a tree branch, he actually asked it for permission.
Temari, who had just taken a sip of sake, nearly spit it out. Sakura almost choked from laughter.
Kankurō leaned his elbows on the table, clearly enjoying himself.
—You’re not serious! —Temari exclaimed.
—Oh, I am!— Kankurō confirmed enthusiastically.— And that’s not all… He kept looking around every time someone said your name and even dropped his cigarette from his mouth.
—Pfff, that doesn’t prove anything.—Temari retorted.
—Temari, when you left Konoha last time, he kept sighing ‘troublesome’ over and over— Sakura said with a mischievous grin.
Kankurō nodded solemnly.
Temari crossed her arms, but the faint blush on her face betrayed her.
—You guys are exaggerating.
Sakura placed a hand on her chest, feigning indignation.
—Exaggerating?! He looks like an abandoned husband!
—Temari, if I go to Konoha next time and tell him you’ve forgotten about him, I bet he’ll start counting clouds out of depression— Kankurō added.
Temari shot him a deadly glare.
—Say that, and I’ll bury you in the middle of the desert along with all your puppets!
Sakura burst into laughter, pounding the table.
Temari rested an elbow on the table and massaged her temple in resignation.
—…How did I end up here?
Kankurō patted her shoulder with mock sympathy.
—You fell, sister. First, you hit him, then you liked him, and now he’s sighing for you.
—Accept your fate, Temari! You fell for a slacker!— Sakura declared dramatically.
—How did this even happen?— the Suna kunoichi groaned, covering her blushing face with her hands.
Sakura lifted her cup energetically.
—A toast to troublesome love!
Kankurō raised his own cup with a wide grin.
Temari rolled her eyes but, unable to hide her smile, clinked her glass against theirs.
Laughter echoed through the Suna tavern.
Later that night
When Sakura met with Gaara, the atmosphere became more serious. The desert breeze was cool at this hour, and the two of them stood in silence, gazing at the starry sky.
The conversation flowed calmly until the Kazekage mentioned a name she wished to forget.
—Naruto believes in him.—Gaara said in his usual composed tone.
Sakura sighed, lowering her gaze.
—Naruto believes in anyone. —she replied, her voice heavy with exhaustion— But that doesn’t mean they all deserve his faith.
Gaara studied her in silence for a few seconds before speaking again.
—There was a time when you believed in him too.
Sakura closed her eyes for a moment, feeling something stir within her at those words.
—Yeah… —she admitted quietly— And look how that turned out. —Gaara didn’t push further. He knew some wounds took longer to heal, but he also understood that time had a way of shifting perspectives.
Silence settled between them once more, interrupted only by the sound of the night wind sweeping sand through the streets of Suna.
Sakura bid farewell to the Kazekage’s siblings, with the promise that they would visit the village soon. She returned to Konoha feeling more energized after her time in Suna. However, that fleeting sense of enthusiasm vanished the moment she heard the unexpected news:
"He was pardoned. All charges against him were dropped."
The words of the shinobi on guard left her stunned. She felt anger rising to her head.
—Sakura-Chan, you’re back.
Naruto’s voice pulled her out of her daze.
When she turned to look at him, the blonde stopped in his tracks. His expression shifted as he realized what was happening.
—So it’s true, then, —she murmured coldly. —Sasuke was pardoned?
—Yeah… Kakashi-sensei and Granny Tsunade approved it, —he answered cautiously.
—I can’t believe this! —she burst out indignantly. —After everything he did, after all the times he tried to kill us… they’re just letting him go as if nothing happened?
—It’s not like it’s nothing, Sakura-Chan. He—
—Don’t tell me he’s “changed” or that he “regrets it”! —she cut him off furiously. —Sasuke needs to pay for what he did, Naruto! You, of all people, should understand that!
—Sakura, he is paying! —Naruto took a step forward, raising his voice. —Maybe not in a cell, but living with what he’s done, carrying the weight of his decisions… that’s already a punishment.
Sakura let out a bitter laugh.
—Is that what you think? That feeling bad about what he did is enough? What about the people he hurt? The terrorist acts he committed? Does remorse undo all of that?
—No, it doesn’t! —Naruto frowned. —But locking him up forever won’t change anything either.
—Oh, right, because letting him walk free will, huh? —Her voice dripped with sarcasm. She looked at him incredulously. —You don’t get it, Naruto. You still see Sasuke as the boy who was our teammate, but he changed. He betrayed us. He hurt us. How can you still trust him?
Naruto lowered his gaze for a moment before meeting hers with determination.
—Because I know him. I know how he feels. I know what he did was wrong, but I also know he wants to make things right now.
—And what about me? —she asked, her voice shaking, rage and pain mixing in her throat. —What about all of us who suffered because of him? Does our pain not matter?
—Of course it matters, Sakura. That’s exactly why Sasuke wants to make amends…
She let out a cynical laugh.
—Oh yeah? And how does he plan to do that? With a simple “I’m sorry”?
—It’s not just that. He’s leaving the village. He has a special mission…
Sakura felt her indignation clouding her mind. She averted her gaze, clenching her fists.
—It doesn’t matter what he does, —she whispered bitterly. —He will never erase what he did. Never…
Naruto sighed.
—I know… but everyone deserves a second chance.
She looked at him icily.
—Maybe you think that, Naruto… but I don’t… I just can’t understand why you keep defending him!
—Sakura…
—I don’t want to hear you anymore, —she replied harshly. —Just leave me alone!
Without another word, she turned on her heel and walked away with firm steps, leaving Naruto at a loss for words.
“Damn you, Sasuke Uchiha!” she cursed inwardly as she climbed the stairs, her heart pounding.
When she reached Tsunade’s office, she didn’t even bother to knock. She pushed the door open with a sharp bang, startling both the Hokage and Kakashi, who were inside.
—You’re all insane! —she exploded, completely disregarding formalities.
Tsunade raised an eyebrow.
—Would you care to explain what this is about?
—How could you even think of releasing him?! Even without an arm, he’s still a threat to everyone!
Kakashi, ever composed, was the one to answer.
—Sakura, he was pardoned because of his cooperation in the war. Without him, the Infinite Tsukuyomi wouldn’t have been stopped.
—And what about everything else he did against Konoha?!
Tsunade leaned on her elbows and sighed.
—That’s exactly why he’s been assigned a special mission. A long-term one. It will test his loyalty.
—Loyalty? —Sakura scoffed. —Since when has Sasuke ever been loyal to anyone but himself?
—I understand your frustration, but there’s more to this than you realize, Sakura-Chan, —Kakashi continued patiently. —The Uchiha massacre was an order from the Elder Council. Sasuke was yet another victim of Danzo’s conspiracies.
Sakura felt a shiver of rage run through her. So, in the end, the Elder Council had chosen to evade responsibility and pretend as if nothing had happened.
—If you’re going to let him go, at least run psychological evaluations on that damn lunatic!
Without waiting for a response, she slammed her mission report from Suna onto the desk and stormed out, slamming the door behind her.
Tsunade and Kakashi exchanged glances.
—That’s… not a bad idea, —the Hokage murmured thoughtfully.
Later, Sakura learned that Sasuke would remain in Konoha a little longer before leaving on his so-called "journey of redemption." She wasn’t surprised in the slightest to see Naruto accompanying him everywhere. She chose to avoid them. She hadn’t even spoken to Naruto since their argument.
Instead, she focused on her work. She returned to the hospital, and on her days off, she spent time with Ino and Sai. She also met up with Shikamaru and Chōji whenever they could. Any excuse to visit her parents was welcome: they always greeted her with warm smiles, preparing her favorite tea and the childhood desserts she loved.
Being with them was a reminder that not everything was lost. That there were still people she could count on.
A few days later came the ceremony for Kakashi’s appointment as the Sixth Hokage, an event attended by nearly the entire village. Sakura was there with her teammates, though her mind wandered elsewhere.
When the ceremony ended, she looked for Ino and Sai among the crowd, but instead, her eyes met those of Naruto… and Sasuke. She knew they were both watching her, waiting for some kind of reaction. However, without a word, she turned around and walked away. Naruto lowered his gaze, saddened.
The next morning, at the village gates, only Naruto and Kakashi were there to see Sasuke off as he prepared to depart on his indefinite mission. The morning breeze blew gently, rustling his cloak as he took his first steps away from Konoha.
Naruto watched him until his silhouette began to fade into the distance. Then, in a barely audible whisper, he murmured:
—Sakura should be here too… I thought that after the war, we’d be Team 7 again…
Kakashi, hands in his pockets and his expression calm, responded:
—People change, Naruto. Some for the better, some for the worse… And some just need time.
He paused before adding in a lower tone:
—Time to forgive… and to heal.
At the hospital, Tsunade and Shizune spoke about Sasuke’s departure.
—So Sakura didn’t go to see him off —Shizune remarked.
Tsunade smirked with a hint of sarcasm.
—No, not when she despises him with every fiber of her being now.
Shizune sighed.
—Even though Sasuke is trying to make amends…
—The heart gets tired —Tsunade said. —And when it does, it simply stops trying.
—Do you think she’ll ever forgive him?
Tsunade looked out the window and shrugged.
—Only time will tell… But I know Sakura. She will hold on to that resentment for a long time.