Im Sakura, Rely on Pure Skill

Kakashi glanced at the melancholic girl beside him, a faint glimmer of relief flashing in his eyes.

It seemed he didn't need to say much after all.

Sakura would always be Sakura.

"So, Kakashi, why didn't you point out my mistake?"

Sakura stared at the flickering campfire, her voice cutting through the night.

If Kakashi had stopped her from crossing the Cloud Village's defensive line, none of this would have happened. Fewer people would have died.

Sakura refused to believe Kakashi hadn't noticed the problem.

"Actually, I was prepared for this," Kakashi said, pulling a scroll from his cloak.

"What's that?"

Sakura, her eyes dull like a dead fish's, gave the scroll a glance before looking away. Her mood was thoroughly downcast.

Without a word, Kakashi opened the scroll in front of her, revealing a complex formation diagram inscribed across its surface.

At the very center were four bold characters:

Sword of Love and Duty

Sakura's jade-green eyes widened slightly at the sight.

"This is?!"

Seeing her astonishment, Kakashi's eyes softened with a hint of nostalgia.

"It looks like you recognize it… but unfortunately, this isn't the Flying Thunder God Technique."

"This is a teleportation array that my teacher designed for his personal guard unit."

"It was the last relic he left behind."

"The coordinates at the other end point directly to Konoha," Kakashi explained calmly, hinting that he had prepared a backup plan all along.

However, instead of feeling relieved or grateful, Sakura's expression grew darker.

"You had something like this—why didn't you use it earlier?!"

Her voice rose sharply but quickly dropped to a whisper when she noticed their scattered companions nearby. Her glare at Kakashi remained fierce.

If Sakura had known about this earlier, she would have retreated immediately, and none of the subsequent tragedies would have occurred.

She wouldn't have recklessly crossed the Cloud Village's defensive line.

There would've been no need for Kakashi to lead a desperate assault through their defenses.

How many lives had been lost simply because Kakashi chose to withhold this information?

Kakashi remained calm, facing Sakura's suppressed fury with a serene gaze.

"It seems, Sakura, you don't fully realize your importance to Konoha."

Her brows furrowed at his words. "What do you mean?"

Kakashi slowly rolled the scroll back up, his expression as tranquil as a still pond.

"Do you really not understand how the Hokage views you?"

"Even this scroll was entrusted to me by the Hokage."

"For use only in a critical situation."

Sakura pressed her lips together tightly, her emerald eyes glaring at the man before her.

"So you think that situation wasn't critical enough?"

Kakashi nodded without hesitation.

"Yes. Consider this a lesson for you."

"In the future, remember to think things through carefully before taking action."

A lesson?!

Was he joking?

"Do you know how many people died?!"

"You're always preaching that a ninja who doesn't value their comrades is worse than trash!"

Sakura was on the verge of exploding. What was wrong with Kakashi?

"But comrades can't be valued above the future."

"Their sacrifice was worthwhile if it leads to your growth."

"Sakura, you're practically the designated next Hokage."

"If you don't want to face this kind of situation again, stop acting recklessly."

Hearing Kakashi's words, Sakura's chest heaved. She wanted to retort but bit her tongue.

Her thoughts drifted to the elderly man far away in Konoha.

Suppressing the anger in her heart, she admitted to herself:

This wasn't Kakashi's fault—it was her decision-making that had been flawed.

She had been careless.

She was still too weak.

She had to become stronger. So strong that no one could stand in her way!

So strong that everyone would fear defying her will.

So strong that just her presence would make people bow at her feet without a second thought.

"Fine. I understand now."

Sakura forced herself to calm down.

At that moment, she truly understood what it meant to be a leader and bear responsibility.

For the sake of teaching her a lesson, Kakashi had made such a painful choice.

Every decision affected countless lives.

With that realization, Sakura turned and walked away.

"The sweet potatoes are ready. Aren't you going to eat?"

Kakashi's voice called out to her departing figure.

"I'm not eating! I've lost my appetite!"

...

Kakashi stared at the crackling fire, pressing a hand to his chest.

There was a dull, throbbing pain.

Making such a decision had been agonizing for him too.

His suffering even exceeded Sakura's.

Kakashi had no tears left to shed; they had long dried up.

He looked up at the starry sky, silent and somber.

He had disappointed his father.

He had chosen a path completely opposite to his father's.

Sakumo Hatake had abandoned a mission for the sake of his comrades.

Kakashi Hatake had abandoned his comrades for the sake of a mission.

He had once believed his father was wrong—that missions were everything for a ninja.

Later, his comrades changed his mind, teaching him that comrades should always come first.

But now, he had come full circle and chosen the mission once again.

He was...

A failure.

...

As the flames began to die down, Kakashi sighed.

To his surprise, the figure that had left earlier returned and sat down beside him.

"I'm sorry. I was wrong."

The pink-haired girl muttered, her lips pursed in frustration.

Kakashi was momentarily stunned, then his expression softened.

"Well, this time we both made mistakes."

"Let's try not to mess up again."

With that, Kakashi extended his pinky finger toward her, a hopeful gleam in his eyes.

The meaning was clear.

Sakura stared at his outstretched pinky, then looked at him as though he were an idiot.

"Are you some white-haired, heterochromatic, tsundere dead-fish-eyed fool?"

Kakashi scratched his head awkwardly. "Come on, just humor me."

Reluctantly, Sakura hooked her pinky around his and even stamped her thumb on his.

"If I become Hokage one day, don't you dare slack off anymore," she grumbled.

"Your lazy attitude pisses me off."

Kakashi looked at their linked fingers, feeling a pang of melancholy.

It seemed his days as a carefree slacker were over.

"Still want the sweet potato?"

"Of course! Why not?"

"Wasting food is disgraceful!"

She tossed more wood onto the fire, pulled out the roasted sweet potatoes, and broke one open, revealing its golden flesh.

Sakura bit into it fiercely.

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