Sakura spoke up, "Back then, I said you were a beautiful cosmos, while I was just an ordinary aster. But you told me I wasn't even a flower yet, that I was more like a bud. Do you remember that?"
"I do."
Sakura took out a red ribbon. "You said it would be a shame if this bud withered too soon, so you gave me your ribbon. You told me I would bloom into a flower even more beautiful than the cosmos."
Ino nodded. The original owner of this body had indeed said those words. Now, as she recalled it, the scene felt a bit... too intimate. She remembered Sakura's face turning red at the time.
"Ino, I've always believed in what you said to me back then. I've carried that belief with me all the way to this day. How wonderful it would be if it were true, if I could bloom into a beautiful flower. I've always wanted to be like you. I've walked this path with you as my goal, and it's thanks to you that I've made it this far."
Sakura's voice grew firmer as she extended her arm, holding out the red ribbon to Ino. "I know this might sound ridiculous now, but I have to say it—I'll never lose to you again! If I want everything to mean something, I have to surpass you! Ino, this ribbon... I'm giving it back to you!"
Ino looked at the ribbon in Sakura's hand. It symbolized their friendship, along with all sorts of other messy emotions.
She sighed softly. Though she wasn't sure how long Sakura's fiery determination would last, she reached out and took the ribbon, meeting Sakura's resolute gaze.
After pouring out her heart, Sakura turned to leave.
Ino called out to her, "Wait, hold on a second. Don't go. I'll be right back."
Five minutes later, Ino returned and motioned for Sakura to kneel.
Sakura instantly flared up. What are you trying to do?!
"Just half-kneel. We need a bit of ceremony here. Fine, fine, squatting will do."
Confused, Sakura hesitantly squatted down.
Seeing that the height was about right, Ino swiftly placed a straw hat on Sakura's head.
"Returning the ribbon and calling it a day? Don't be silly! Our bond can't be broken with just a few words, forehead girl. This is my favorite straw hat. Remember what you said today. When you reach the pinnacle of your life, when you surpass me, then you can return it to me!"
Ino brought her index and middle fingers together and poked Sakura's forehead. "From the look on your face earlier, it seems like you wanted to challenge me to a duel? You're still far from ready. Maybe next time!"
With a cheerful laugh, Ino walked briskly out of the garden, leaving a bewildered Sakura behind.
Sakura rubbed her forehead. That poke had been quite forceful, and it felt oddly familiar. Who had poked her like that before? She then noticed the straw hat on her head and felt something unusual inside. Turning it over, she was surprised to find a scroll with the character for "Water" written on it.
Sakura unrolled the scroll. She recognized the handwriting—it was Ino's. As she read through it, she discovered that the scroll contained methods for developing Water Release Chakra Nature Transformation, along with some of Ino's personal insights and experiences at the end.
"Ino, you..." Knowing that the scroll in her hand was absolutely priceless to civilian ninjas, Sakura felt a complex mix of emotions. She remained silent for a long time, only to finally explode ten minutes later.
"Who gives a girl a straw hat! And a tattered one at that! Damn Ino-pig! I'm so mad!"
Despite calling it a tattered straw hat, she carefully stored it away. She was determined to prove herself and surpass this girl. When the time came, she would return the hat as promised! Ino left alone, observing her surroundings along the way, looking for any opportunity to stir up trouble and earn Pot Points. As she passed under the shade of a tree, she suddenly stopped. A young man stood in the shadows, and upon seeing her, he bowed respectfully.
"Young Miss."
"Brother Fu." Ino didn't put on any airs of the main family and politely nodded in return.
The man was Yamanaka Fu, a ninja from the Root and the right-hand man of Shimura Danzo, the advisor of Konoha.
Judging by the surname, he was from the Yamanaka clan.
Yamanaka Fu was nine years older than Ino. According to Inoichi, Fu possessed the strength of a Jonin. While Danzo's other right-hand man, Aburame Torune, had a lower presence, Fu was the second-in-command within the Root, a typical figure of real power.
"Young Miss, your battle with Uchiha Sasuke was very impressive. Lord Danzo is very pleased. This is your reward." Yamanaka Fu was concise. After stating his purpose, he handed Ino a scroll with the character "Wind" written on it.
This time, Ino didn't play the role of a novice. Instead, she spoke in a very formal tone, "Please convey my thanks to Lord Danzo. My father has always told me that only Lord Danzo can lead us to make Konoha great again."
Even Kakashi became a Jonin at the age of twelve. In this world filled with slaughter, it wasn't unusual for Ino to speak in a more mature manner at her age.
The two were ten years apart in age, and the gap in their strength was even more significant. There wasn't much to say beyond official matters. Yamanaka Fu nodded lightly and disappeared into the shadows of the tree.
Ino didn't go looking for trouble. She turned a corner and headed home.
Someone just gave you a learning scroll, and you don't even look at it before going out to wander around? Not being able to learn is a matter of comprehension, but not even trying is a matter of attitude. When Ino's strength was still weak, she had to show her respect for Danzo.
Returning home, Yamanaka Rino was cooking. Ino greeted her and then went back to her room.
Inside her room, she opened the scroll given by Danzo. As expected, it was a learning scroll for cultivating Wind Release Chakra Nature Transformation.
Judging by the handwriting, it was likely some of Danzo's personal insights.
Danzo's act of sealing the bridge was indeed foolish, but that was mainly because he had never used the Reverse Four Symbols Sealing before. This one-time technique was used without experience, not knowing that the skill had such a long wind-up time. He also didn't expect that both Uchiha Obito and Uchiha Sasuke's Mangekyo Sharingan were cheat-level abilities, allowing them to easily dodge with a backstep. In the end, the bridge sealing became a big joke.
In reality, Danzo's strength wasn't weak. His Wind Release Ninjutsu could cut through Susanoo, making him a solid Kage-level powerhouse.
The Yamanaka family had collected many ninjutsu scrolls and learning scrolls, but Kage-level powerhouses wouldn't be captured by Konoha Village. Even when it came to the development of Chakra Nature Transformation, the perspectives and approaches of Kage-level powerhouses and Jonin were entirely different.
The scroll that Danzo gave was very precious to Ino.
However, she had no immediate plans to develop Wind Nature Chakra. Apart from Water Nature Chakra, she had a higher affinity for Earth Nature Chakra. Developing a second or third Chakra Nature was still a bit early for her, so she intended to continue deepening her studies in Water Release.