Double-transformation: I, Sakura Haruno! Will crush the pirates!

He pulled a document from his desk drawer and handed it to the lazy girl who was rolling around on the sofa.

"This is?"

Sakura took the document, opened the outer document bag, and began to look through it.

The document records border clashes between the Land of Fire and the three countries of River, Grass, and Frost, and the number of clashes seems to be on the rise.

As a strategic buffer zone between the four major land powers, the reason for the border friction between these three countries and the Land of Fire can only be attributed to the actions of the major powers behind them.

"Is war about to break out?"

Sensing that something significant was brewing, Sakura's brows furrowed slightly.

Could I, a butterfly that has broken free from fate, really stir up such a huge storm?

"No, the five major powers are not capable of starting another major war at present."

Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head and began to explain to Sakura.

The Third Shinobi World War ended in Konoha Year 50, but the war between Konoha and Iwagakure and Kumogakure continued until Konoha Year 54 before it was completely over.

In the nine years that followed, after consolidating their regional interests, the five major powers all opted for a policy of disarmament.

This was intended to mitigate the large number of combat, logistical, and intelligence personnel that had been rapidly expanded during the war.

Among the five great nations, Konoha benefited from Hiruzen Sarutobi and the F4's excellent political skills, and at the cost of sacrificing a large number of talents, it was the first to complete the economic shift from military to civilian.

As a result, in the following years, relying on the abundant resources of the Land of Fire, it undertook a large number of commercial activities and successfully completed the economic recovery during peacetime.

However, other countries were not so lucky.

The Land of Wind is short of resources, forcing the Fourth Kazekage to dig for gold everywhere to pay off his debts; the Land of Earth is short of talent, resulting in a decrease in the number of commissions; and the Land of Water is completely destitute, fighting amongst themselves under the 'blood mist'.

As for the Land of Lightning? Those muscle-bound barbarians had no intention of ending the state of war and were still eyeing the Land of Fire covetously.

The inability of a wartime economy to transition to a peacetime economy inevitably leads to increasingly intense internal conflicts. At this point, it becomes crucial to seek out external contradictions that can divert attention.

"So, we've become targets?"

Sakura rolled over and lay face down on the sofa, her pink hair falling down and blocking her view.

Hmm...it's getting in the way, how about we cut it?

"It also happened to be during the Chunin Exams, and they even had the idea of ​​forcing us to give up some of our mission quotas."

Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed helplessly.

"So, you specifically called me here just to analyze the current situation for me, right?"

Sakura took out her ninja headband and tied up her somewhat troublesome hair.

"I really can't hide it from you."

"After the Chunin Exams are over, I hope you can make a trip to the border."

Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke with certainty, as if Sakura becoming a Chunin was a foregone conclusion.

"This trip will involve multiple S-rank missions. Once completed, your resume will be sufficient for promotion to Jonin!"

In just a few words, Hiruzen Sarutobi paved the way for Sakura to become a Jonin.

When it comes to leadership, Shimura Danzo really couldn't compare to Sarutobi Hiruzen.

When Shimura Danzo opened his mouth, all he did was offer empty promises or shout slogans demanding your loyalty.

On the other hand, Hiruzen Sarutobi lays out his salary, career prospects, and plans for you in the very first sentence.

If you put these two together, Naruto would know who he should choose as his boss.

Sakura looked surprised: "Wait a minute, why are you in such a hurry for me to be promoted to Jonin?"

It's not wartime now, and the village doesn't need geniuses to inspire people.

The normal process is to hone one's skills and accumulate experience through various missions to become a Jonin. Hiruzen Sarutobi's actions seem to be forcing things to grow too quickly.

"Cough cough."

Hiruzen Sarutobi waved his hand, signaling the Root ninja beside him to step back.

With a tap of his pipe on the table, a specially designed barrier was erected in the Hokage's office, isolating the inside from the outside.

"Sakura, lately this old man often feels a bit... powerless."

The old man sitting in front of the girl looked vulnerable.

Approaching seventy, he noticed his health declining and perhaps it was time to step down from his position.

However, there aren't many ninjas in Konoha right now who have the ability to take on the role of Kage.

Ninjas are beings whose power originates from themselves; no matter how senior they are, they cannot compare to the fighting strength that can protect the village.

"Wait, I'm not taking the Hokage position. Let's leave it to Jiraiya-sensei and Tsunade-sensei!"

Sakura tossed the file aside, jumped off the sofa, dusted herself off, and left.

"But at least get into the Jonin class, and help the village when it goes astray. I'm begging you, okay?"

Having said all that, Sakura paused for a moment, her hand gripping the office door.

A soft response drifted through the office, making Hiruzen Sarutobi laugh heartily.

Chapter 138 Sakura's Ninja Path

"Sakura, come down for dinner!"

At seven o'clock in the morning, Sakura was awakened by her mother's call.

Having grown accustomed to sleeping in until she naturally woke up at sea, she was so dazed that she didn't even realize what was happening.

"Ugh, I don't want to get out of bed."

The girl let out a few weak moans and got out of bed.

After dawdling for a long time, Sakura finally went downstairs with a heavy heart.

"Sakura-chan~ You're awake~"

Inside the restaurant, Leviathan smiled like a virtuous wife and loving mother, and her raincoat was transformed into a small apron with pink lace by the transformation spell.

"Breakfast is ready! Eat up!"

The little girl, with her long, drawn-out voice, tiptoed on her slippers and brought breakfast to Sakura.

"Oh, thank you."

Sakura rubbed her head and yawned.

"Leviathan is so cute, I wish you were my daughter!"

Looking at the obedient Leviathan, Haruno Meifuku revealed a kind smile.

"Sakura's family~ is also my family~"

Leviathan didn't understand what Haruno Meibuki meant, and instead answered seriously with a straight face.

“Wow, that’s so cute!”

Haruno Mei was overcome with maternal instincts and hugged Leviathan, nuzzling her face against her chest.

"Oh, right, Mom, I have to take care of Ino today, so I won't be home for dinner."

Sakura swallowed the sandwich in front of her in one bite and called out to her mother, who was obsessed with 'ships'.

The mother remained silent, looking at the 'daughter' on the table, dressed in pajamas, with messy hair and swinging her toes. Her expression was calm, which was somewhat frightening.

My mother doesn't want to talk.

Your mother doesn't want to talk to you.

My mother is building up her anger.

My mother wants to get a different daughter...

Finally, after taking several deep breaths and reminding herself that this was her own child, Haruno Meibuki refrained from cursing Leviathan in front of him.

After quickly finishing breakfast, Sakura changed her clothes and sat in the entryway to put on her shoes.

"I'm going out!"

I shouted something to the two people in front of the TV, but my mother didn't even turn her head.

Seeing her looking like she'd given up on her older daughter after having a younger one, Xiaoying sighed helplessly.

So, love can disappear, right?

.

.

Starting from her home, Sakura walked through several streets to the mountain flower shop in the south block.

"Oh, Sakura's here!"

Rino Yamanaka, who was managing the flower shop, smiled when she saw Sakura.

"Aunt Liye, here's a gift."

Sakura handed her the gift she was carrying, which surprised the elegant woman.

"Oh, you're here, why did you bring anything?"

Rino Yamanaka quickly ushered Sakura into the shop and served her a cup of hot tea.

"Both Inoichi and I have been quite busy lately, so we'll have to trouble you to take care of Ino."

"To be honest, I'm quite sorry. Ino turned out this way because of me."

Sakura scratched her head sheepishly.

"That's how ninja battles are; there's no need to take it so seriously."

"The door to the second floor is open; you can go up by yourself."

Rino Yamanaka gave Sakura a few instructions, and then went off to work because of the arrival of customers at the flower shop.

The flower shop and residence in the Yamanaka House are on different floors, making the structure somewhat complicated. However, Sakura, who had been here many times before, found Ino's room easily and pushed open the door.

"Sakura...cough cough!"

Just then, Ino, who was in the room, lifted the covers and reached for the water glass on the bedside table.

"Lie down properly, patient!"

Sakura went over and wrapped the blanket around her again, then poured her a glass of water and fed it to her.

"Whoo~"

Ino, with a fever-reducing patch on her forehead and a flushed face, stared at Sakura. The two looked at each other for a while, and then burst into laughter together.

Sakura's slight apology vanished amidst the laughter of her understanding friend.

"You really went all out!"

Ino lifted a corner of the blanket and patted the mattress next to Sakura.

"Of course! Would you be happy if I used about the same amount of strength as you to play house with you?"

Sakura wasn't shy at all; she took off her slippers and crawled into Ino's bed.

I'll beat you up!

Ino pressed herself against Sakura, her fist under the blanket weakly waving at her.

"What would you like to eat for lunch? Can I cook you porridge?"

Leaning against the headboard, Sakura gently massaged Ino's temples, her Yang Release chakra flowing through her fingertips into Ino's pressure points, easing the dilated blood vessels in her brain.

"Okay, I like everything Sakura cooks!"

Ino's headache, which had been caused by a fever, subsided, and her furrowed brows gradually relaxed.

"Sakura..."

"what happened?"

Attracted by her friend's soft call, Sakura lowered her head.