Sakura Haruno is Usefull

The night was like a curtain, with the bright moon illuminating the vast landscape.

On a rooftop, the chilly night wind stirred the long, jet-black hair of a man whose golden, serpentine eyes calmly observed the distant Hokage Rock.

Orochimaru raised the wine glass in his hand toward the luminous moon above and drained its clear, sparkling contents in one swift motion.

He wasn't fond of drinking. Alcohol dulled his senses, impairing his ability to judge and analyze matters accurately. Yet, for some reason, he felt a rare impulse to indulge tonight.

"Who would have thought someone like you would drink alone?"

A shadowy figure appeared without a sound, its voice tinged with a sinister undertone as it addressed the man before it.

"Danzo-sama, still keeping tabs on me, a rogue ninja of Konoha? Have you come to apprehend me?"

Orochimaru's lips curled into a faint smirk of mockery as he gazed at the sudden arrival of the elderly figure.

Wrapped in bandages over his single eye, Danzo ignored the ridicule, moving to sit beside Orochimaru. Noticing the extra wine glass, he poured himself a drink and sipped lightly.

"Spare me the excess words. What's your next move?"

"Jiraiya and Tsunade have returned to the village. Your plans have been thwarted before they even began."

"And that new disciple Sarutobi took in—she's no pushover. Even you couldn't deal with her."

Danzo swirled the wine in his glass, his tone laced with mockery, a retort to Orochimaru's earlier derision.

"Today, Tsunade, Jiraiya, Sakura Haruno, Kakashi, and even your former student are gathered at Sarutobi's residence. And here you are, drinking alone in the cold wind."

"Do you regret your past choices?"

Danzo's eyes gleamed with a hint of malicious amusement as he observed Orochimaru's unyielding demeanor.

"Who knows?" Orochimaru replied indifferently.

"My dear Danzo-sama, aren't you also here, drinking in the cold wind, reminiscing with me, a fellow disciple of the old man?"

Orochimaru raised his glass to the bright moon, his golden slit pupils reflecting a trace of melancholy.

"...Hmph."

Danzo snorted, frustrated by Orochimaru's impassivity, then grimaced in disdain.

"No snacks, just drinking straight—how you can manage, I'll never know."

He turned to the air beside him and gave an order:

"Aburame , bring some side dishes."

A moment of silence passed before a muffled response came:

"Yes."

At Sarutobi's Residence

"Cheers!"

Under the warm glow of lamplight, numerous hands raised their glasses in unison. Unlike the others holding sake, Naruto, Sakura, and Konohamaru held orange juice.

Sitting at the head of the table, Hiruzen Sarutobi downed his drink in one go. His gaze swept over the gathered crowd, his eyes filled with contentment.

As he aged, moments like this—where his juniors and students came together—became increasingly precious.

"Eat, drink, and enjoy yourselves. Tonight, there's no Hokage or Sannin titles—just a gathering to celebrate."

"Let's simply have fun."

Hiruzen stroked his short beard, his smile broad as he surveyed the lively table.

Fortunately, no one present felt constrained by the presence of the Hokage. Tsunade and Jiraiya were peers, Asuma was his son, Anko was naturally carefree, and Kakashi had always been laid-back.

Sakura, Naruto, and Sasuke were still young, and even Konohamaru showed no reservations.

Only Shizune quietly sat beside Tsunade, attentively refilling her master's cup.

Jiraiya, his cheeks flushed from drinking, glanced at Anko squabbling over chicken with Konohamaru, a hint of regret flashing in his eyes. He muttered, almost unconsciously:

"What a shame..."

"What's there to regret? Once you've chosen a path, no matter the cost, you must see it through to the end."

Tsunade shot a glance at Jiraiya, her old friend and teammate of many decades. She knew exactly what he was thinking.

Orochimaru was someone she had shared decades of camaraderie with as well.

But since he chose betrayal, the granddaughter of the First Hokage had nothing more to say to him.

Kakashi, watching the exchange between Tsunade and Jiraiya, felt a headache brewing. He wasn't good at handling these kinds of gatherings.

Still, with his former comrades reunited, he couldn't skip out.

"What's on your mind?"

Asuma clinked his glass against Kakashi's.

"Nothing much—just thinking there'll probably be more people next time."

Kakashi swiftly removed his mask, downed his drink in a single gulp, and replaced it with practiced ease, his motions fluid and familiar.

"Hahaha, that's a given."

"These kids will grow up, after all."

"They'll have their own students someday, just like you."

Asuma looked at Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura, a tinge of sentiment in his voice.

"Stupid Sasuke! That last shrimp is mine!"

The blonde boy jabbed his chopsticks at the raven-haired teen, clashing with him over the last fried shrimp.

"I reached for it first, dead last!"

Sasuke countered without hesitation, their chopsticks entangling in a fierce struggle.

"Sasuke!"

"Naruto!"

Sakura, her green eyes filled with exasperation, watched her two companions bickering even over a meal.

As she swallowed her food, a thought crossed her mind—Naruto's cooking had truly improved.

If he ever opened a small restaurant in Konoha, even Ichiraku Ramen's Teuchi might have to close shop.

At that moment, Sakura delivered a light chop to Konohamaru's head, scolding him:

"You're too young. No drinking."

Clearly, Konohamaru had tried sneaking a sip while everyone was distracted.

"Yes, Sakura-nee..."

Seeing his plan fail, Konohamaru could only sigh and obediently apologize.

The Next Day

The weather was beautiful, with clear skies and gentle sunlight—a rare perfect day.

Kotetsu Hagane and Izumo Kamizuki found themselves greeting an unusual visitor at the village gates.

"Please present your pass."

Kotetsu politely addressed a man with short brown hair wearing a white robe. His gaze, however, drifted to the Sunagakure forehead protectors worn by those behind him.

The man waved off Kotetsu's scrutiny with a dismissive gesture, exuding an air of authority.

One of the Sand ninja immediately handed over the pass.

As Kotetsu read the information on it, his eyes widened slightly in surprise.

The Fourth Kazekage, Rasa.

Accompanied by three elite bodyguards.

"Please, proceed. I'll inform the Hokage immediately," Kotetsu said, signaling to Izumo before rushing toward the Hokage Tower in Konoha's center.

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