The rice ball contained a small amount of peanut powder, and the corn chowder held just enough anti-allergy medicine to delay the reaction—barely enough to postpone the onset, but not to ease the symptoms. The dosage was precise, indicating the hand behind this was an experienced medical ninja.
Moreover, the perpetrator knew her intimately: they knew that during her shifts, Sakura only ate rice balls and corn chowder, and that she would finish every last bite. Missing even a bite would have ruined the timing. With this, the location of the culprit could be narrowed down. If not a hospital medical ninja, then someone elsewhere, trained in the art of medicine.
Sakura did not doubt Kazuko; Kazuko had no reason to harm her. The goal of this sabotage was clearly to expose Kita's identity. The advantage of revealing Yoru's true nature? To embarrass her master. And the only person who wanted to undermine her master? Danzo Shimura.
Sakura knew most Konoha medical ninjas, even Root's medical personnel. But in the past few days, she had seen no Root medical ninjas in the hospital. If it wasn't Danzo… who else could it be?
"Yo, Sakura, all better now~"
A playful voice dropped from above. Sakura looked up to see Kakashi-sensei casually squatting on top of a fence, near the small Konoha bridge.
"Kakashi-sensei…"
"Well, you look glum."
She really did. Her brow was knotted in worry, eyes filled with disappointment.
"Nothing… really," Sakura said, trying to hide it. Kakashi sighed. He could barely imagine the intensity of her feelings when discovering Yoru's identity. He remembered the same frustration he felt years ago—not to the point of superstition or ritual, but the disappointment lingered for days. Now, Sakura had cared for a non-human patient with dedication for days. Surely her disappointment surpassed even his.
"Well, you've been Tsunade-sama's student for three years now, but I'm still your teacher, right? Sakura, if something's bothering you, tell me—I'll cheer you up~"
Kakashi spoke lightly, without formality. It wasn't much comfort, but it drew a small smile from Sakura.
"Nothing much," she replied, then paused, glancing at him. "Um, sensei…"
"Hmm?"
"You knew her identity all along, didn't you?"
She used her instead of "that thing." Usually, one would say that thing in moments like this. Sakura must be worried about something else.
"Well, we've crossed paths a few times."
The first encounter ended in crushing defeat, the second, third, and fourth as well.
"I see…"
No wonder he seemed calmer than others after the revelation.
"What's up? Suddenly interested in her?"
"No, she's my patient, but this time the responsibility falls on me—"
"Sakura." Kakashi interrupted. His expression was unusually serious.
"This isn't your fault. Don't shoulder responsibilities that aren't yours."
No.
Sakura shook her head stubbornly.
"Sensei, I'm a medical ninja. I know how to separate patient and doctor responsibilities."
"Sakura, you—"
She waved her hand, refusing to dwell on it. Instead, she said, "Sensei, can you tell me about her?"
"You don't hate her?"
"A doctor doesn't hate their patient. Human or non-human, they're still my patient."
Kakashi wasn't a medical ninja, so he didn't fully grasp the weight of a healer's duty. But seeing his student so earnest, he had no objection to helping.
"…Even knowing her identity, I must admit I respect her. She's incredibly strong. Before, the Third Hokage said my Lightning Release was at its peak—but against her, my lightning felt like a child's spark. I absorbed a Lightning Shadow attack with Kamui, then examined the damage. To control lightning chakra to that degree… I have no shame in admitting I'm outmatched."
"You mean you can't beat her?"
"Ah."
"Wow… I didn't expect even sensei to have someone you can't defeat."
"Well, there's always someone stronger. Little girl, my title of genius was long stolen by Sasuke."
Sasuke.
Sasuke…
Sakura felt her stomach twist painfully.
"What's wrong, Sakura?"
"Nothing… it's just… I find it unbelievable that sensei admitted defeat so quickly."
"Ah, comparison kills. Always remember, some people are better, some… not so much."
"Sensei, don't you always say a ninja shouldn't be overly competitive? Competition can help you grow, but too much can lead you astray."
"That's true when facing someone vastly stronger. Some words may sound harsh, many medical ninjas exist—but only one like Tsunade-sama. Sakura, do you understand?"
"You mean… I'll never surpass her?"
Kakashi clutched his chest, looking mournfully at his student.
"Sakura, saying that hurts me~"
Sakura laughed, bowing slightly.
"Thank you, sensei. I feel much better."
"Well, that's what teachers are for—to solve their students' problems~ Any more issues, come to me~"
"Mm!"
A medical ninja's duty isn't just to earn admiration from juniors. It's to risk life and limb to save a stranger.
This is what being a healer truly means.
Sakura straightened and strode toward the village.
…
Here it is.
Looking up at the tall utility pole, she traced the path to the hospital. No intermediate jumps existed; the wooden wall only reached half the height of the pole. Except for ninja cats, no ordinary cat could reach it.
This explained what Kazuko said—the cat rescue happened during her shift. The lunch box was left unattended for a minute while Kazuko saved the cat.
Sakura leapt onto the pole, surveying the streets below.
When Kazuko rescued the cat, she likely placed the lunchbox on a nearby bench. Focused on the cat, she couldn't see someone swap it. The perpetrator then swiftly left the scene, taking the box along the most convenient route.
Sakura imagined—a figure darted into a street corner.
The street was clean, nearly deserted. At the end stood a large garbage bin, overflowing with uncollected trash. Ignoring the stench, Sakura rifled through three days' worth of garbage.
Half an hour later, she held a foul-smelling plastic lunchbox.
She opened it carefully. Inside were two moldy, swollen rice balls and a small box of corn chowder. Her lunch—the lunch that should have been safe—had been tampered with.
…Sasuke… why…