The Sakura Legend

Hokage's Office

It wasn't just the genin squads that were planned in advance; the jonin instructors for those squads were also pre-determined. This was to ensure the most effective and precise training for the genin, helping them mature quickly. At this moment, a group of jonin was gathered in the Hokage's office, observing the situation in the Ninja Academy classroom through the Third Hokage's Telescope Technique.

"Now that the teams have been finalized, go and find your assigned genin," the Third Hokage said to the assembled jonin.

"Yes, sir," the jonin replied.

"Kakashi, wait a moment," the Third Hokage said, stopping Kakashi as he was about to leave.

"Hokage-sama, is there something else?" Kakashi asked, puzzled.

"Kakashi, I'd like you to pay extra attention to the members of Team 7," the Third Hokage said to Kakashi.

"I understand, Hokage-sama. Naruto, right?" Kakashi asked. The first person Kakashi thought of in his assigned team was Naruto, his own teacher's son.

"No, not Naruto. I want you to focus on Sasuke. His issues are a legacy of the previous generation, and I don't want those problems to affect him," the Third Hokage said seriously.

"Sasuke? The Uchiha survivor?" Kakashi repeated the name twice.

"Sasuke's situation is complicated. Everything is in the past now, and these issues should end with our generation. That's why I want you to keep a close eye on him, and make sure he doesn't stray down a dark path," the Third Hokage said.

"I understand, Hokage-sama," Kakashi replied. He knew exactly what the Third Hokage meant by "dark path." He himself had almost fallen into darkness after the painful loss of his friend, and Sasuke's situation was similar: a young prodigy who'd experienced immense suffering. Without proper guidance, he could easily be consumed by darkness.

"Good, I'm counting on you. And then there's Naruto. I'm sure you're aware of his situation," the Third Hokage added.

"I understand," Kakashi said, a little resigned. Why did he always end up with the problem students?

Seeing Kakashi's weary expression, the Third Hokage added, "There's one more student, Sakura Haruno. She's Tsunade's disciple. She's been training with Tsunade outside the village for the past few years and just returned."

"Sakura Haruno?" Kakashi thought of the pink-haired girl he'd seen through the Telescope Technique. "Tsunade-sama's disciple... that's good news, at least."

"However, she might be lacking in experience. Tsunade didn't focus on teaching her combat skills; her primary focus was medical ninjutsu," the Third Hokage added with a touch of "benevolent" warning.

"..."

"Hokage-sama, if they can't pass my test, I'll send them back to the Academy, regardless," Kakashi stated.

"I have faith in them," the Third Hokage said earnestly.

Ninja Academy Classroom

At this point, only the three members of Team 7 remained in the classroom. Sakura had arrived shortly after Iruka-sensei left. She observed her former classmates, noticing how they were gradually starting to resemble their future selves, as she remembered them. As team after team was led out of the classroom, Team 7's jonin instructor still hadn't arrived.

Sakura, of course, knew that Kakashi would be late. Not wanting to waste any time, she began channeling chakra to her Yin Seal. Naruto, after his initial excitement at seeing Sakura, had calmed down considerably. Sasuke sat in his seat, maintaining his usual cool demeanor, saying nothing.

"Sakura-chan, why isn't our sensei here yet? All the other teams have left. It's just us," Naruto complained, bored.

"Just wait. He'll show up eventually," Sakura said, leaning back with her head resting on her hands and her feet propped up on the desk.

"How can a jonin be this late? Seriously!" Naruto grumbled, a little annoyed.

"Hmm? Well, Naruto, why don't you teach our jonin instructor a lesson? Like, maybe put a chalkboard eraser on top of the door so it falls on him when he walks in?" Sakura suggested "helpfully," seeing that Naruto was just complaining and not actually plotting any pranks.

"Eh? (ai｀*))) What??? Why would I do that? He's a jonin, you know? Do you really think a jonin would fall for such a simple trick?" Naruto asked, looking at Sakura with confusion.

"Huh?~~~~ You're right, I guess," Sakura said, slightly bewildered. Was this really the same Naruto? Why did he feel different? It seemed Naruto had actually gained a bit of common sense over the past few years.

Naruto, looking at Sakura, suddenly felt a bit suspicious. Was this really Sakura-chan? Why would she say something so brainless?

"Sakura, let's spar after dismissal," Sasuke finally spoke, but his first words were a challenge to Sakura. He wanted to test Sakura's progress against his own over these past few years.

"Oh, sure, anytime. Naruto, you want in too? I'm worried Sasuke might lose too badly if it's just the two of us," Sakura said, deliberately provoking Sasuke. She'd found that interacting with Sasuke directly didn't always yield the best results. Only by defeating him would he truly acknowledge her and be willing to communicate properly. Perhaps this was just his tsundere nature.

Sasuke, hearing this, immediately stood up and drew a shuriken, ready to start the sparring match right then and there. Having been at the top of his class for several years, Sasuke had become a bit arrogant. In the past, he might have been annoyed, but he wouldn't have been so impulsive.

Sakura, of course, wasn't afraid. She might not be able to handle a "Kage-level" opponent, but Sasuke? She instantly circulated chakra throughout her body, assuming a fighting stance, ready to take on Sasuke.

Naruto, seeing Sasuke preparing to fight Sakura, couldn't hold back either. He pulled out a kunai, intending to stop Sasuke.

The atmosphere in the classroom instantly became tense. Sasuke wanted to fight Sakura and Naruto. Naruto wanted to stop Sasuke. And Sakura wanted to fight both Sasuke and Naruto. Sakura didn't believe she would lose to Sasuke; she considered it practice, and she included Naruto in the mix. Sasuke, on the other hand, only wanted to spar with Sakura, but seeing Naruto jump in, the currently somewhat-arrogant Sasuke didn't think adding a "dead-last" would make any difference. Naruto, however, simply wanted to prevent the fight.

All three of them tensed, their bodies coiled and ready. The slightest movement from any one of them would trigger an immediate and fierce attack.

Just then, the classroom door opened, and a silver-haired ninja with one eye covered walked in. The three genin turned their attention to the doorway.

Kakashi entered the classroom and saw the three students poised for battle, facing off against each other. He immediately felt a headache coming on. He hadn't expected this kind of dynamic between them. He wondered if the Third Hokage's expectations were a little too high. At this point, Kakashi had no hope that they would pass his test.

"Well, as for my first impression of you all..." Kakashi paused, then with a closed-eye smile, said, "I hate you."