Making Up With A Friend

Chakra was an usual, yet comprehensive system of power. It could be expressed through various ways.

Bloodline Limits, which were unique to the lineage of the individual. Sometimes even specific to them.

Hand Seals, the tool used by ninjas to weave chakra to mould it into different 'ninja magics'.

Also known as Ninjutsu.

If we were to exclude all those techniques that originated from hand signs, there was one left.

Taijutsu!

The way of applying Chakra to the body or weapon to fight. This was the main focus of Samurai Clans.

While ninjas had their Genjutsu, samurai had their secret techniques that applied to their bodies.

Sometimes illusionary, sometimes a dense focus and release of energy at a certain part of a blade…

…and sometimes releasing their innate potential.

Just as Ninjutsu could be expressed in different ways through Hand Seals, different Taijutsu specialists expressed their 'style' in unique ways from others. Like the Hyuga Clan's 'Gentle Fist'.

By using their ocular Dōjustu, they were able to see the Chakra Pathways even Sharingan users weren't privy to. Able to use precise strikes to seal up any of the 361 Chakra Nodes located on the body.

This was a style formed with the balance of Ninjutsu and Taijutsu. A hand externalising Chakra.

Then there was 'normal' Taijutsu like one man…

…the 'Strong Fist' of Might Gai.

Though the youth of the Hidden Leaf weren't aware of his exploits, this man had a certain fame to him.

Known as the 'Blue Beast'.

A ferocious man who used a bone breaking fighting style that focused solely on speed and strength.

Spies of the Hidden Mist felt fear whenever they delved deep into his personal life, and saw that this man had a strange and unorthodox practice. Not that it didn't make any sense, but it was overboard.

Handstand running laps around the village?

Training until his muscles and ligaments snapped?

And even after all that, this smiling tiger seemed like a fool to any who knew nothing about him.

Worthy of being the son of the man who killed many of their Ninja Swordsman in a direct clash.

A crazy beast indeed…

It was a good thing Naruto and Sasuke also knew nothing about him, or else they see him differently.

Sakura wouldn't let them know any of this.

It was better to have a goofy instructor they'd get to admire through training than a stoic teacher.

If it weren't for the fact that Kakashi would NEVER train them, she would've chose other options.

Gai was the only person who'd train them harshly without questioning what was the need to do so.

And so, she looked for the master-student pair.

To find the titular duo enjoying their horrifying levels of physical training, all Sakura had to do was ask around. These two dolts were conspicuous Taijutsu Specialists, and would be found in no time.

Her mind wandered while thinking about the future.

The three legendary sannin had taught Team 7 different ways of entering their strongest form.

'Sage Mode'…

Right now, her chakra reserves were too low to use the method Lady Tsunade taught her to activate it.

Unlike Naruto's dangerous method of balancing energies within him, or Sasuke's body modification type Sage Mode. Sakura had to store chakra for years using her high chakra control and patience.

Sealing away a good chunk of her reserves…

Such was the price of using an S Rank supplementary Sealing Jutsu. It was on the same level of complexity as the Flying Thunder God Technique, but was much harder to utilise.

After all, it wasn't made for attacking others, but solely for surviving and healing one's comrades.

It was why she earned the nickname 'Healing Goddess'. Her range and potency improved.

But it was also because of a slight alteration.

Lady Tsunade, the Fifth Hokage, had used the Strength of a Hundred Seal (or 'Yin Seal') to power her Creation Rebirth technique. It was known as the pinnacle of Medical Jutsu that divided cells.

Allowing for instantaneous regeneration.

An S Rank supplementary Kinjutsu (Medical Ninjutsu) that required deep chakra reserves.

The 'Strength of a Hundred Seal' and 'Creation Rebirth' seemed made for each other. Even though one was an ancient art, and the latter was created by Tsunade to heal anyone with quick effects.

Largely due to the traumas she'd sustained…

The 'Creation Rebirth— Strength of a Hundred Seal' Ninja Art was the pinnacle of her mastery.

With it, Tsunade could utilise techniques without wasting excess chakra. Healing herself and others.

Tattoo lines would appear on her body upon use.

Sakura had managed to reach this level in the Fourth Great Ninja War, and even surpassed her teacher by reaching it within three years. A feat that even Tsunade herself was unable to manage.

But this changed nothing…

Even while managing to break the three rules of a medical ninja and fighting directly, both Sakura and Tsunade only became durable punching bags to the revived legend. Which was Madara Uchiha.

Nothing they did could ever deal fatal damage…

The experiences she'd had in the Fourth War lead her to develop a new style. Using her own traits.

She discarded the 'Creation Rebirth' Jutsu entirely.

Instead learning the 'Flying Thunder God Technique' to pair with her power-type battle style.

Switching one one S Rank supplementary Jutsu for another, but changing her a lot after mastering it.

With her extensive medical knowledge and perfect memory, her regular Kinjutsu became on par with Rebirth Creation. With speed, she was able to get her expertise to all in the Fifth Great Ninja War.

Strength, speed, and healing expertise. This was what she was known for in the drawn out Fifth War.

She had been fighting for a long time…

Mastering her own fighting style, the 'Power Fist' that was similar to Gentle Fist on a lot of ways.

An example being the need for Chakra Control.

Except instead of externalising it, her technique temporarily strengthened body parts to hit harder.

But if one was to pit her against the 'Drunken God' of the Hidden Leaf, she would have given in.

Even SHE would never beat Rock Lee of her timeline, even if she had great speed and strength.

He had become THAT strong…

Which was another reason to seek them out.

Since she wasn't a Sensory Type (and the Naruto of the future wasn't here with his Six Paths Sage Mode), it was natural that she used this more simpler method of finding the people she wanted.

Asking the person who'd likely know where they were, even if others would've ignored the duo.

"Are you saying you want to be tutored by Might Gai in Taijutsu?" Iruka asked with disbelieving eyes.

"I'm also bringing Naruto and Sasuke with me. I believe training the basics first." She put on her good student demeanour, and continued while trying her best to make her words reasonable:

"My dream is to become a strong Kunoichi! Come on Iruka-sensei, I am very serious about this!"

Of course, 'reasonable' in a child-like manner.

Enough to make him let his guard down.

Iruka didn't know what to say. The pink-haired student of his was the most studious of the bunch.

For her to actually come to him with eyes full of resolve… It must be a sincere request on her part.

Maybe this was what she truly wanted…

He looked through a window and found that Sasuke and Naruto sensibly waited for her near the Academy's gates (Well, Naruto was still being loud as always). They seemed to be on the right path.

But did they know what they were getting into…?

"You DO know about the 'standards' your Gai-sensei has, right? Are you truly prepared? And not only that but you're bringing Naruto along? Are you sure he won't escape halfway? What if he-"

"Don't worry, Iruka-sensei! I'll beat him senseless if he does something stupid." Sakura raised her thumb towards him and spoke reliably. It didn't seem like she dropped the act while saying that.

Though only Iruka would see it this way.

Anyone else would've called out her violence.

Iruka felt like he found a kindred spirit in this student of his. Those other than himself would only regard Naruto as a nuisance. He was somewhat like a father to Naruto after all these years…

…despite knowing that the nine tailed fox was sealed within the orange clothed kid he cared for.

To find out that the knuckle-headed kid actually had someone other than himself who didn't display pure malice or neglect, this revelation almost brought tears to his eye. Naruto finally had a friend!

A good one at that…

Like the speculative uncle he was, Iruka immediately narrowed his eyes and thought:

'Does she like that kid?'

But that thought only lasted a second. It wasn't his job to speculate the relationships of his students.

He left it at being surprised Naruto made a friend even before they had grouped them into teams.

Surely, her intentions were pure.

"Did you just think something unpleasant?" Sakura didn't know why, but her heart suddenly felt annoyed after seeing Iruka's 'I-see-he-is-popular' look. There was a misunderstanding forming.

There was no way in hell she would ever consider Naruto, that knucklehead as dense as brick walls!

If Hinata made food for him and said that it was homemade lovingly by her hands, he'd say thanks and think she just really like cooking. That was the kind of brick wall Naruto was even in his youth.

It's not as if the Healing Goddess didn't see him as worthy of her, but deep in her heart, she already knew that the person destined to be with Naruto was the courageous and cute Hinata, someone who earned her place by his side and in his heart.

Hinata's inner Will of Fire one that even moved her.

'Should I bring her along as well?' Sakura suddenly had a thought. She remembered that Naruto was a meathead that didn't understand that shy girl liked him until she actually said it to his face!

Oh, how much of a pain this guy was…!

Even after saving the village from Pain (a member of the Akatsuki), they still had an awkward relationship because the two fools sucked at romance. It took Toneri kidnapping Hinata for the meathead to realise what was important to him.

To go and actually marry her already!

After being told of Gai-sensei's current location, a light appeared in Sakura's eyes. She looked around for Hinata, who must be watching and silently encouraging Naruto's efforts from a distance.

"Hinata!" She finally found the person she was looking for behind a tree near the Academy's gate.

"Umm... I... Yes...?" The white-eyed girl was at a loss for words after being caught spying on Naruto.

'You know, if you weren't so cute, these actions would be considered stalker-like...' Sakura shook her head inwardly, but still displayed a kind smile on her face. She approached this 'target' of hers.

"I'm going to ask Gai-sensei if he could train us in Taijutsu. It's so that we can pass the graduation exam that's coming up. Do you want to come along?" The pink-haired top scorer in academics asked while grabbing onto her hand expectantly.

"Me? Training with Naruto?" Her face went beet red as she imagined them happily chatting after training.

"No... But... I can't... How could I impose?"

"Don't worry about that. I know you're feeling insecure about a lot of things right now, but all I want to say is that no one will stop you from training in the same place as Naruto.

You understand, right?"

Sakura gave a knowing look at the daughter of the Hyuga Clan. It was strict in a lot of things. She knew that there was no way Hinata would break from her usual routine and come with them, but the suggestion of training itself wasn't a bad idea.

Hinata opened her mouth: "I-"

"Hinata-sama, it's time to go." A strong ninja with eyes similarly white as Hinata's arrived to pick her up. The insecure girl stopped talking to her and left with him. She whispered that she'd think about it.

'Haa... Naruto, it's a wonder if you two will be able to even interact with the Hyuga Clan being as strict as it was in the past. Don't worry though, I'll be your wingman this time!' The wildness within her seemed to emerge. One that her past self revived.

She was pumped to get these lovebirds together at all costs. The only problem was Naruto himself...

'Kurama is still uncontrollable right now and Naruto himself is still too immature. There's no way he'd be able to win that guy's favour as he is now. How am I supposed to help him grow faster?'

This knowledge, along with the problem with Sasuke's brother, really gave her a headache.

Sakura knew it would be too hard for everyone to believe that jet memories came from the future.

The only thing she could do was try to improve their growth rate as much as she could before the whole mess that was the Chunin Exams. She wasn't strong enough to take on Orochimaru right now and certainly couldn't stop his plans…

…as of right now.

'I need to improve my strength!' Sakura thought with resolution, but was taken off guard by the guilt she felt from the last moments of her life in the original timeline. The memory of her future.

The look on Naruto and Sasuke's face when they saw haunted her a little now that she had regained her clarity of mind. Her interpretation of those future scenes that had filled her was different now.

Which also extended to her current memories…

"Sakura, I said I got dibs on Sasuke! What did you say to him that he's actually waiting at the gate for you!" An angry voice interrupted her thoughts. Ino barged in front with an angry look on her face.

"We're going to go see Gai-sensei."

"Who's that supposed to be?"

"A hotblooded Taijutsu Specialist."

"...You're going to use this as a chance to get close to him, aren't you? I won't lose to you, Billboard Brow!" She spoke like a rival in love, but the current Sakura found it hard to find motivation to talk back.

Only being able to offer:

"If you want, you can come with us."

"...Huh?!" A shocked look appeared on her face at her rival's calm reaction. Normally, Sakura would retort by calling her 'Ino Pig' and lose her cool (A usual routine between them as Sasuke fangirls).

Not only that, but she actually INVITED her?!

"What are you plotting?" Ino spoke suspiciously while keeping on guard up towards her cautiously.

"I just found an interesting guy, so I'm temporarily giving up on Sasuke for now. What do you think?"

"What SHOULD I think?" She retorted.

"Why not... We start over again..." Sakura felt a rock in her heart being lifted after she said that.

A feeling she'd hidden deep in the past.

With a matured mindset and future memories of their friendship, she couldn't continue their rivalry.

It was too hard…

"You... Are you actually serious?" There was more genuineness in her eyes. Ino remembered how they stopped being friends after getting into a spat about liking the same guy. From then on, they stopped hanging out and became less friendly.

"I truly want us to be friends again." After seeing the young Ino of today, Sakura couldn't help but think of that older friend of hers in the future. The one who ended up getting married to someone as infuriating as Sai (who even called her 'ugly'!).

"How do I believe you?" Ino still felt this was some sort of scheme as people don't change in one day.

"Then let me prove my resolve." She smiled before pulling out a kunai from a pocket strapped to her waist. Once again, Ino was shocked. Sakura tied her hair up with one hand and cut her pink hair.

A messy cut that left strands here and there…

It didn't look the least bit clean, but the messiness and loose strands made her seem more genuine.

Like she'd given up something important to her.

"You know, I grew my hair out because I was self-conscious. I'd also heard Sasuke liked longer haired girls. Now I don't need it anymore." Unlike the previous timeline, there was no need for her to try appealing to him with such shallow tactics.

Her future self's memories already made a plan.

After discarding her long lock of pink hair, Sakura saw Ino's emotional expression as she faced her.

"You didn't have to go that far..."

"I didn't... But I did since I just wanted to. Having long hair gets in the way when fighting anyway~"

The happy look on Sakura's face as if changing her hairstyle was nothing really hit her deep. It was only now did she remember how her friend was like in the past, timid and insecure about her looks...

Since it wouldn't look nice to go with messy hair, it was Ino who helped cut off the loose strands.

She took out a kunai, then cut small bits off.

"I'll come along as well... As a friend this time." Ino no longer thought of acting close with Sasuke.

To her, it was as if Sakura grew up while she was being immature. So it was better to do the same.

It still didn't change the fact that she had a crush on Sasuke, but at least for now. She wouldn't be as fangirl-like and focus her efforts to match her rivals own. Right now, she wanted to find out how strong Sakura grew in their time apart all this time.

"Thanks, Ino~ You really are the best~!"

"Stop clinging to me! Billboard Brow!" Though some things still never changed.

The two boys saw them making up from the gate.

Sasuke himself was a little surprised at the scene.

These two fangirls were practically the most toxic of his 'fan club'. They'd always fight constantly.

What made them so close now?

He was a little interested, but feigned edginess with crossed arms. As if he didn't care.

"How long are you going to take? We've been waiting a long time." He asked in displeasure towards them.

"Sasuke, Ino will be coming with us as well!"

"Do whatever, just don't waste my time." He replied coldly, which Ino seemed to find extremely cool~!

After all, she also liked the 'bad boy' types.

"Wow! Sakura cut her hair! Why though? Oh well, you look as cute as ever! Believe it!" Naruto spoke in confusion. From their reactions alone, it was as if he was the only one who noticed her hair.

"It'd get in the way of training, so I cut it." This explanation was easily accepted by Sasuke, but didn't seem to work on Naruto. He knew her better than that! His eyes seemed very suspicious of her.

'Why does he got to be weirdly sharp at times like these?' A thought of just clobbering him came to mind, but she held herself back since it wasn't like he was actually prying her for answers.

Sakura even noticed that though he looked a little bored, but in truth, he was very excited towards showing everyone how awesome he was! He turned and decided to lead the way himself.

Despite not knowing which way they were going.

"You ready to get going?" Sakura held him back.

"I was born ready! As the future Hokage, there's no way any of you will match my efforts, ya know?"

She ignored his usual 'telling-everyone-in-the-world-he'll-be-Hokage' and was about to go forward to lead the way. However, she was stopped by hand that grabbed her wrist and pulled her backwards.

"Are you going to go with such messy hair? Let me tie it up for you." Ino didn't give the pink-haired girl any room to refuse. She got ahold of a red ribbon from her pocket and took off the blue one Sakura wore. The messy hair looked like bob cut now.

Those minor alterations really made it look better.

When she was done tying her hair, even Sasuke was surprised at the transformation. Sakura put her hand on her head and realised this was the same hairstyle she'd always have in the future.

'How will he react?' Sakura secretly swept a glance at Sasuke and found he had quickly hid his reaction at her increased cuteness. Naruto, on the other hand, was the acting same as ever (a little perv)…

…which was practically asking for a beating.

"Well then, let's go!" Sakura spoke while smiling happily. She remembered how Ino similarly tied her hair in the past, when they were kids. She was a little excited now that she had another chance to shock Ino when they finally got there.

Today's training would be 'fun'.