Chapter Text
Kakashi stood in the dimly lit office of the Third Hokage, the rain pattering against the windowpane. The atmosphere was heavy with the report of the report he was about to deliver about his newly passed team. Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, sat behind his desk, his wise eyes fixed on Kakashi, awaiting his words.
“Kakashi,” Sarutobi began, “You may give your report.”
“Sasuke has shown the potential that can be nurtured to benefit the village,” Kakashi started, “He has shown proficiency in his clan’s fire jutsu, and his taijutsu is above academy level. However, his personality is… a bit off, understandable considering his unique circumstances.”
Sarutobi nods his head, “What about Naruto?”
“Naruto’s unpredictability, large chakra reserves, and his use of the shadow clone jutsu are his main skills at the moment,” Kakashi paused, thinking about what to say, “but he has a lot more things to work on, especially his knowledge of things that should be known. His taijutsu is more of brawler style and academy level at best.”
Sarutobi inhaled the smoke from his smoke pipe before exhaling, “I see, and what of the girl?”
Kakashi took a deep breath before he spoke, “I think the reports of her may have left out some information, Lord Hokage,”
Sarutobi leaned forward with interest, “Explain.”
“I've come to understand that she's not just an ordinary genin and probably the most dangerous of the squad.” Kakashi watched Sarutobi’s expression slowly change to a serious one, “Sakura, by her own admission, is the host of a unique colony of fungi. I don’t know when she became aware of this ability or when she could use it. However, these fungi have symbiotically integrated with her body, allowing her to infect living organisms with various fungi, mold, and mildew. Furthermore, she told us that this ‘colony’ has a consciousness and speaks to her.”
Hiruzen’s eyes narrowed in thought, his fingers steepled beneath his chin. “This is troubling news and seems similar to the Aburame Clan. How exactly does this ability manifest?”
“She can infect living organisms on contact, though its effects on us are unknown. However, the fungal infection spreads spores that can weaken or even incapacitate opponents by inhalation. Through this, she was able to take down one of my clones without even touching me. Furthermore, it can cause decay and infection at a moderate rate. I had to burn parts of the forest down to stop the spread of infections, but it is unlikely that that has helped because the spores have already been spread. It's a potent ability that can be dangerous and incredibly useful. As for any other abilities, I’ll have to continue to monitor her.”
Sarutobi leaned back in his chair, his expression pensive, “This is indeed an interesting development I had no way of anticipating. Such an ability could be a powerful asset to the village but poses a considerable risk. We must consider the potential threat it could attract.”
Kakashi understood the unspoken concern. “You're worried about Danzo.”
Hiruzen nodded. “Yes. Danzo has always had a keen eye for unique and powerful abilities. If he learns of Sakura’s potential, he may try to exploit it. We cannot allow that to happen.”
Sarutobi paused, his gaze drifting to the window as he considered his next words. “When I originally placed her on Team 7, it was to balance out the Last Uchiha and Naruto the Jinchuriki. She was meant to be the normal one, the stabilizing force. But with this new development, her role has changed.”
He turned back to Kakashi, his expression serious. “You must take your training of Team 7 more seriously, Kakashi. Their loyalty to the village is paramount. Sasuke's quest for power, Naruto's imminent struggle with the Nine-Tails, and now Sakura's unique abilities – they all have the potential to be swayed by outside forces. You must make them the strongest.”
Kakashi nodded, the weight of the Hokage’s words settling on his shoulders. “I understand, Lord Hokage,” Kakashi replied; his original plan of taking it easy with his team was now thrown out because of Sakura.
Hiruzen gave a small, approving smile. “I know you will, Kakashi. You're one of our finest. Keep a close eye on them, especially Sakura. Her abilities must be nurtured and controlled, for her sake and the village's.”
With that, Kakashi took his leave. The rain outside intensified as if mirroring the storm of thoughts swirling in his mind, most focused on his female student, thinking of ways to keep her loyal. Sasuke and Naruto were easy to coerce, but Sakura was different. She didn’t have a goal tying her down to the village like the other two. He could offer Naruto and Sasuke more training to make them stronger.
But what could he offer Sakura? He didn’t know.
But they didn’t know that Sakura’s loyalty was already captured at birth.
She was the roots
The mycelium.
The infection.
“Naruto is relentless!” Sakura thought as many shadow clones surrounded her.
Kakashi has ruthlessly trained them for the past week as if they were going to war. From d-ranked missions, running laps, teamwork exercises, learning to climb trees using chakra, learning about their elements, and to spars where we could beat the crap out of each other. She was paired to spar with Naruto today, and they were allowed to go all out.
“Mother, let’s do that.” Her colony suggested with a gleeful song.
‘I’ll need time,’ Sakura thought, holding her hand to her side. Though her mycelium preferred not to fight, they’ve come to understand why she must in this world.
“Come on, Sakura-can,” Naruto and his clones taunted, “The more clones you defeat, the more will come.”
“You talk too much, Naruto." Sakura grew a long mushroom stalk from her palm that was thick enough to use as a weapon before rushing at the first clone.
The stalk whirled through the air with a satisfying thwack as it struck the first clone, dispersing it in a puff of smoke. Sakura pivoted on her heel, using the momentum to swing at another clone. She moved fluidly, the mushroom stalk extending and retracting as needed, keeping her enemies at bay.
Naruto’s clones attacked from all sides, but Sakura’s precision and the versatility of her mushroom weapon allowed her to fend them off. She knocked one clone's legs out from under it, then whipped around to strike another across the chest. Each clone she defeated disappeared in a cloud of smoke, but more kept coming.
“Is that all you got?” Naruto’s voice echoed from the surrounding clones. “You’ll have to try harder!”
Sakura didn’t respond verbally but focused on her breathing and movements. She ducked under a swipe, thrust the stalk forward, and jabbed a clone in the stomach. Two more clones rushed at her, and she spun the mushroom stalk overhead, simultaneously bringing it down on their heads.
‘Time to retreat,’ Sakura thought, sensing the number of clones starting to overwhelm her. She grew an extra-long stalk from her palms and swung the stalk in a wide arc, creating a momentary gap between her and the clones. Each time she grew a stalk that long, it took a good set of her chakra. With a mighty leap, she launched herself backward, landing a safe distance away.
‘I’m lucky to have another chakra network and chakra core,’ Sakura thought, silently thanking her colony, which had more chakra than her.
Naruto’s clones paused, regrouping and readying for another attack. Sakura took a moment to catch her breath, holding the mushroom stalk defensively before her. The real Naruto stepped forward, a confident grin on his face.
Observing from the side of the field, Kakashi spoke, “What do you think of this spar, Sasuke?”
“Naruto has learned how to use his clones more efficiently, and he can overwhelm Sakura, but she still has the clear advantage. We don’t fully know what she’s capable of.” Sasuke replied, watching the fight intently, learning what he could about his teammate's abilities.
“Good observation,” Kakashi replies. These all-out spars also allowed him to honestly figure out Sakura’s capabilities and those of the other two. She seemed to be holding back during all their spars, but maybe she’ll do something surprising this time.
“That was pretty good, Sakura-chan. But can you handle this?” He created a dozen more clones, filling the training ground with identical grinning faces before they performed the same hand seals, “Wind Style: Super Shadow Clone Wind Gale!”
Sakura tightened her grip on the stalk. “I’m just getting started.” She braced herself, ready to take on the next wave, her colony humming encouragement. This fight was far from over, and she wasn’t about to back down. She brought her hands together, performing the jutsu Kakashi taught her.
‘Earth Style: Mud Wall.’ Sakura thought, putting just enough chakra to create a sturdy wall in front of her that her small body could fit. Since Kakashi told her that her chakra control was the best of her peers, she had been monitoring how much chakra she used.
‘Do it now, Mother,” Her colony eagerly sang, specifically her parasitic mycelium, “We want to play, too!”
The large gale of wind that sent crashed into the wall. This allowed Sakura time to pull out a storage scroll she had been saving for a while. She released what she had stored, and a corpse appeared on the scroll. Not just any corpse but the corpse of a woman.
“Ka-Kakashi, is that a dead body of a woman?” Sasuke asked, his eyes wide.
Kakashi tensed, ready to stop the spar, but something held him back, “We can’t be rash.” He said, wanting to see what Sakura was going to do.
“Secret Technique: Infestation Spores.” Sakura completes the jutsu before placing her mouth on top of the corpse’s mouth. She exhaled a stream of spores into the body, every spore taking root inside the body. She didn't need to do it this way, but this way ensure the spores take root faster. Sakura leaned back, watching in satisfaction as the body transformed and rapidly became encrusted with mold, mildew, toadstools, and mushrooms. It became anything but human before their eyes.
Suddenly, Naruto launched a surprise attack from behind. Sakura dodged to the side, but the mushroom-infested corpse sprang to life, intercepting Naruto’s clones with startling agility. It moved with unnatural strength, its limbs enhanced by chakra, each strike powerful enough to shatter the clones on impact.
“Yo…not hu…, Mo…ther,” The fungal parasite in control of the corpse barely got out, unused to speaking with a mouth.
“Sakura-chan…. this is scary.” Naruto and his clones said, trembling, “And why do you have a dead body anyway?”
“You can’t be scared of death, Naruto,” Sakura smiles creepily, “As you can see, there is beauty in death. If you die, perhaps I can make you this beautiful.”
“No, thank you!” Naruto quickly shouted before attacking. His clones tried to swarm the corpse, but every touch resulted in an almost instant infection. A fungi infection clung to the clones, spreading slowly and causing them to pop into smoke. The corpse grabbed a clone, its fingers digging in as mushrooms sprouted from its skin before it dispersed.
Sakura watched her parasitic mycelium in control of the corpse. The corpse leaped and twisted, sending Naruto’s clones flying with every hit, sometimes stumbling awkwardly as if unused to a human body. It uses the chakra to enhance its movements and strikes. Naruto’s clones kept coming, but the mushroom corpse was relentless.
One clone managed to land a punch on the corpse, but it recoiled in horror as the fungus infected it, spreading up its arm and causing it to disintegrate. The real Naruto watched from a distance, trying to find a way to break through.
“This is disgusting,” Naruto shivers, watching the corpse in horror. “What would happen to me if that thing touched me?”
“You’d probably have to go to the hospital,” Sakura shrugs, "Or die..."
The clones surrounded the corpse, trying to overwhelm it with sheer numbers. The corpse spun, its arms outstretched, infecting every clone it touched. Clones popped into smoke one after another, unable to withstand the onslaught. Sakura saw her opportunity. She dashed forward, using her mushroom stalk to strike down any remaining clones. Now covered in a thick layer of fungus, the corpse stood beside her, ready to continue the fight.
“Enough!” Kakashi shouted, walking up to them, “Good job, both of you.”
“It was going great until Sakura brought out a freaking zombie mold-infested corpse,” Naruto complained, narrowing his eyes at the pink-haired girl.
“It’s a Myconid.” Sakura corrected, glancing at the boy.
Kakashi regarded Sakura, ignoring Naruto, “Sakura, why do you have a dead body, and who is she?”
Sakura looked at Kakashi with a neutral expression before rolling her eyes, “Kakashi-sensei, I didn’t kill her if that’s what you’re insinuating. This woman is a prostitute from the red-light district who committed suicide in Senju Park a year ago. I found her just as she was doing the deed. Do you know how many women die in the red-light district?”
Kakashi felt another headache coming fast, “Sakura, why didn’t you alert a ninja? I know you’re smart enough to do that. You can’t just walk around with dead bodies in storage scrolls.”
“The colony and I just wanted to give her a beautiful death after living such a horrible life,” Sakura said, looking up at the corpse with pride before looking back at Kakashi, “besides, it's not like she’s coming back to life. Parasitic fungi take over animals and insects all the time. The cycle of nature isn’t evil…it just is…”
“You can’t listen to everything your colony says, Sakura,” Kakashi chided.
“You…evil…grey-haired…one…” The Myconid said, its body twitching., startling Kakashi.
“What?”
“The colony dislikes you, but that’s beside the point,” Sakura said, narrowing her eyes at him, “They’re my family, so they come first.”
Kakashi sighed, not wanting to know why they disliked him. “Alright, fine, but if you’re using that technique, use it on dead enemy shinobi or dead animals at the very least.” He said, realizing he needed to learn more about Sakura’s life in the orphanage. Perhaps he could ask Naruto or the matron there how she lived.
“What can hurt this…thing?” Sasuke suddenly asked, carefully looking at the corpse from a distance.
“F…fire…” The Myconid hissed.
“The most obvious thing would be fire,” Sakura answered, not caring if they knew its weakness.
“Well, can you get rid of it?” Naruto asked tremblingly, “It's creeping me out.”
“You guys should step back or at least cover your noses and mouth,” Sakura warned, bringing her hands together and releasing the jutsu.
‘Our family lost, but this time to the dangerous one,” Her colony mourned the Myconid, singing a sad song.
The body's decomposition sped up, with muscle and ligaments breaking into a sludge-like consistency. The smell of decomposition filled the air, a pungent mix of rot and earth. The skin ruptured in places, revealing tissue already turning to mush, and the bones beneath lost their rigidity.
The corpse's organs liquefied, contributing to the growing pool of decomposing matter. This once-solid form was now a mix of fluids and fungi, teeming with microbial life. The mycelium spread further, accelerating the breakdown of cellular structures.
Within hours, the body had lost all Myconid resemblance. A mass of organic matter remained, richly interwoven with fungal threads. The bones crumbled, merging with the surrounding mush. The ground beneath absorbed the fluids, enriching the soil.
By the end, nothing recognizable remained. The body had returned to the earth, transformed into a dark, nutrient-rich soil teeming with life.
“The cycle of decay and renewal is complete; what was once human flesh now nurtured the ground, ready to give rise to new life,” Sakura says morbidly.
“Gross!” Naruto released the contents of his stomach, and so did Sasuke.
Kakashi watched the process with a mixture of awe and concern. The rapid decomposition and transformation of the body into nutrient-rich soil was unlike anything he had ever seen. He knew Sakura had a unique talent, but witnessing her abilities in action was both fascinating and unsettling. Earlier, he observed the fungi's relentless spread as it fought Naruto’s clones, and now, the body collapses into a heap of organic matter within hours. It is a reminder of the dangerous abilities she has at her fingertips.
'Sakura is dangerous,' Kakashi thought, his eyes narrowing slightly. 'She can manipulate life and death with a single touch. This ability is a double-edged sword—an incredible asset and a significant threat if she ever lost control or fell into the wrong hands.' He thought about Danzo, Orochimaru, and even the Third Hokage of whom he was doing their bidding.
Yet, despite the danger she posed, Kakashi felt a deep sense of protectiveness toward her. He had other shinobi with just as dangerous skills, which the village ate and spat out. He knew she would face it if it happened, and he wanted to protect her.
His protectiveness stemmed from his belief in her potential and his desire to guide her toward using her powers responsibly. He wanted to ensure she had the support and guidance needed to navigate the complexities of her abilities. The world could be harsh, and he didn’t want her to face it alone.
'I'll protect her, not just because she needs it, but because she deserves it,' Kakashi resolved. 'She’s dangerous, but she's also one of us. And we protect our own.'
He would continue to train and guide Sakura, ensuring she stayed on a path that balanced her power with compassion and responsibility. That didn’t go for Sakura only but for Sasuke and Naruto. He was in charge of a team filled with orphans who needed proper guidance. He’ll make them strong enough so what happened to his team would never happen again.
“Alright, Naruto and Sakura, take a break. I’ll be sparring with Sasuke now,” Kakashi told them. "When we’re finished, I want a full report of what Sasuke or I could have done better.”
“Yes, Kakashi-sensei!”
The moon hung high in the sky, casting a delicate glow over Senju Park. Sakura strolled through the park's winding paths, her footsteps barely sounding on the soft grass. She looked around, her eyes adjusting to the dim light, and spotted Shino standing near a grove of trees, their silhouettes dark against the night sky.
“Shino,” she called softly, her voice barely above a whisper.
“Sakura,” he replied, turning to face her. His expression was unreadable behind his dark glasses, but a warmth in his tone reassured her.
“I hope you weren’t waiting long,” Sakura replies, ignoring the excitement of her colony that buzzed in her mind.
“No, I haven’t.” He replied with a slight smile.
They walked together in silence for a while, their steps synchronized, the quiet of the night wrapping around them like a comforting blanket. The park was serene, the usual bustle of daytime replaced by a tranquil stillness. The only sounds were the occasional rustle of leaves and the distant chirping of crickets.
“I found some interesting insects today,” Shino said, breaking the silence. “Would you like to see?”
Sakura nodded, her curiosity piqued. Shino reached into his jacket and carefully pulled out a small, intricately carved wooden box. He opened it to reveal several tiny, glowing insects, their bodies emitting a soft, greenish light.
“Fireflies?” Sakura asked, mesmerized by their gentle glow. She usually explored Konoha’s forests for fungi or dead animal bodies, but sometimes she would come across some interesting insects.
“Yes,” Shino replied. "But not just any fireflies. These are a rare species that emit a different wavelength of light to attract mates or warn others of danger. They're fascinating creatures, and I’ve been studying their light signals as a form of communication for shinobi.
Sakura leaned in closer, watching the fireflies with interest, “They're beautiful,” she said softly, “This is why I love nature. So many exciting things go unseen by those not bothering to pay attention.”
Shino nodded, closing the box and placing it back in his jacket. “What about you, Sakura? Have you found anything interesting recently?”
Sakura smiled, her thoughts turning to the fungi she had discovered in the Senju Forest in the past week. “I have. There's a type of fungi I've been studying. It's unique to this region and has some intriguing properties. I’ve been thinking of incorporating it into my body.”
Shino's interest was immediately piqued. “Tell me more,” he said, his voice tinged with excitement.
They walked deeper into the park, their conversation flowing effortlessly as they shared their knowledge and discoveries. Sakura described the fungi in detail, its appearance, habitat, and the unusual way it interacted with the environment. Shino listened intently, his mind already racing with ideas and questions.
As they continued to talk, the atmosphere around them seemed to change. The air grew cooler, and a light mist began to form, giving the park an otherworldly quality. The moonlight filtered through the trees, casting long, eerie shadows that danced on the ground.
Despite the mysterious and slightly tense ambiance, Sakura and Shino felt completely at ease with each other. Their shared passion for nature and the unknown created a bond that transcended words. They often fell into comfortable silences, simply enjoying each other's presence and the tranquil beauty of the night.
“Do you think there's a connection between your fungi and my insects?” Shino asked suddenly, breaking one of those silences.
Sakura considered the question, “It's possible,” she replied. “Nature is full of intricate relationships, especially between fungi and insects.”
Shino nodded thoughtfully. “It's something worth exploring. Maybe we could work on it together…as a project.”
“I'd like that,” Sakura said, her smile genuine and warm.
They continued their stroll, occasionally examining a particularly interesting plant or insect. The park was like a living laboratory, full of secrets waiting to be uncovered. Even though they probably explored this park a thousand times, there was still something new to find.
They sat on a bench overlooking a small pond at one point. The water was perfectly still, reflecting the moon and stars like a mirror. Sakura leaned back, her eyes closed, savoring the moment of peace.
“Shino,” she said softly, “do you ever wonder about the cycle of life and death? How decay is just as important as growth?”
“All the time," Shino replied. “Decay is a crucial part of the natural cycle. It's nature's way of recycling nutrients and sustaining life. Without decay, there would be no renewal, no growth.”
Sakura nodded, glad that someone finally understood her, “It’s interesting how everything is connected one way or the other.”
“Indeed,” Shino agreed. “Even insects have their part to play. Some species aid in decomposition, while others pollinate plants, ensuring the continuation of life. It's a very delicate dance of life and death."
Sakura smiled, feeling a deep connection with Shino, “It's comforting, in a way,” she said. “Knowing that everything has a purpose, that even in death, there is life. Is it wrong that I view us humans the same way?”
“No, but we have emotions. We are prone to be sentimental. So while death is part of the cycle of nature, I would hate for you to die…or any of my loved ones.” Shino said softly.
“I see,” Sakura pondered, ‘I suppose that’s one way to view it. I grew up in the orphanage with no one to call friends or family besides my colony…”
“Am I your friend…?” Shino asked after a while.
Sakura looked at him, thinking about his question before answering, “I think you are.” She looked up at the canopy of trees, “I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t think so.”
“What about your teammates?”
“You mean Sasuke and Naruto?” Sakura hummed softly, “I think we’re close to being friends. At least Naruto and Sasuke don’t fight as much anymore.”
“Now, you have more people to call your friends and family…”
They sat in companionable silence for a while, the tranquility of the night seeping into their souls. The tension of the unknown was there, but it was a welcome challenge, a promise of new adventures and discoveries.
As the night wore on, they decided to head back, retracing their steps through the park. The mist had thickened slightly, giving the trees and plants an almost spectral appearance. But rather than feeling eerie, the park seemed more magical, a hidden world that only they were privy to.
“Sakura,” Shino said as they reached the park's edge, “thank you for tonight. I enjoyed our time together.”
"Me too, Shino," Sakura replied. “Tomorrow?.”
“Definitely,” Shino agreed.
They parted ways, Sakura heading home with contentment and tranquility. As she walked home, she couldn't help but smile. She felt happy to be able to share her interests with someone else and also learn their interests. They shared a bond of mutual respect and understanding, something she was exploring for the first time with another human being.
She was looking forward to their meeting the next day, ‘Maybe we can explore again tomorrow,’ She thought, not knowing that tomorrow would be her first mission outside the village.