Sakura Haruno is Usefull

"Thank you for your patronage; that will be fifty ryo."

The cheerful owner of the dango shop handed the packaged dango to a pink-haired girl.

"Thank you."

Sakura accepted the dango, immediately pulling out a skewer as she began eating while heading toward the Chūnin Exam venue.

As she chewed the soft, sticky dango, Sakura reassured herself that all available combat power had been mobilized to face Orochimaru, Rasa, and Ōnoki.

Jiraiya was hidden among the spectators, and Tsunade, disguised as an ANBU, stayed near Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Kosuke Maruboshi was tasked with patrolling the village.

Even Hayama Shirakumo, stationed at the border, had been urgently recalled.

Troops were also deployed along the borders of the Wind, Earth, and Lightning Nations.

Although high-level shinobi were scarce on the border, if these nations attacked, they would first need to conquer Grass, River, and Frost.

This time frame would suffice for Konoha to address internal affairs and mount a counterattack.

Most importantly, in Konoha's current state, no number of shinobi could replace Hiruzen Sarutobi.

It wasn't just his strength—it was his prestige, the people's trust, and the profound impact he had on Konoha.

Having served as Hokage for decades, he was deeply ingrained in the village's identity.

For many, Hiruzen Sarutobi had been Hokage since they were born and remained so to this day.

Even if Tobirama Senju were resurrected, he couldn't replace Hiruzen—only Hashirama Senju could.

Minato Namikaze couldn't even compare.

If Hiruzen Sarutobi were to fall victim to Orochimaru's schemes during a time of war, it would deliver a significant blow to Konoha.

Although Tsunade could eventually stabilize the aftermath of Hiruzen's loss, Konoha would have undeniably sacrificed a Hokage to a conspiracy.

This was something no one in Konoha wanted to see.

Suddenly, the skewer in Sakura's hand flew out, pinning a small green snake hiding in the grass.

Her green eyes grew cold as she gazed at the snake.

"If someone dies, they're dead—no matter how many escape routes Orochimaru has..."

Her voice dropped, laced with an icy determination. If Orochimaru truly killed Hiruzen Sarutobi...

Sakura's jade eyes glinted with a murderous intent.

"Even if it means chasing him to the ends of the earth, I'll eliminate him and destroy all his cursed seals."

The fierce wind howled, deflecting stalactites one by one, scattering debris around the blonde girl.

Temari panted as she looked up at the black-haired girl in the sky, her beautiful eyes glimmering with helplessness.

Helplessness. For the first time, Temari understood what Kankurō had felt.

That damned opponent kept flying and seemed to expend minimal chakra to maintain her airborne stance, keeping herself at a safe distance.

Meanwhile, Temari's attacks with her Three-Star Fan were large and easily predictable, leaving her exposed.

If she used that technique...

Temari glanced at the spectators, bit her lip, and turned toward Genma Shiranui, who was holding a senbon in his mouth as he officiated.

"If I accidentally hit the spectators, it's not my fault, right?"

Genma blinked, then casually replied, "Do as you wish. Barrier staff will handle it."

His words, transmitted via radio to the security team, signaled them to prepare for a potentially wide-scale attack.

"Perfect."

With a sigh, Temari bit her finger, her gaze sharp.

From the sky, Kurotsuchi sensed danger as she observed Temari's actions.

"Earth Style: Steel Binding Jutsu!"

This was Kurotsuchi's strongest Earth Style technique—a versatile jutsu excelling in offense and defense.

In the original series, Ōnoki had used this jutsu alongside Gaara's sand to block Madara Uchiha's Yasaka Magatama.

However, Kurotsuchi's version was far less refined than her grandfather's. Still, it was sufficient for the current situation.

A colossal stone figure, seven or eight meters tall, rose from the earth, its massive strides causing the ground to quake as it advanced toward Temari.

Simultaneously, Kurotsuchi dove downward, intending to interrupt Temari's jutsu.

"Summoning Jutsu!"

Temari's technique was complete. A white sickle-wielding Kamaitachi appeared beside her.

"Sickle Weasel Dance!"

Combining her Three-Star Fan with the Kamaitachi, Temari unleashed her most powerful Wind Style attack!

A devastating storm of wind and blades erupted, engulfing the entire arena with no safe zone.

Temari had initially hesitated to use this move, but her father, the Kazekage, was watching from the high stands. Kankurō had already lost to Kurotsuchi, and Gaara was also observing.

If she, too, lost to Kurotsuchi, it would suggest that both children of the Kazekage had been defeated by Iwagakure, tarnishing Sunagakure's reputation.

Even with Gaara in reserve...

Her next opponents wouldn't be easy—there was Uchiha Sasuke and, most intimidating of all, Haruno Sakura, a disciple of the Hokage.

To Temari, Rock Lee, Sakura's current opponent, was a mere stepping stone—a clown placed there to ensure her advancement.

For Temari, losing was not an option.

As the arena was enveloped by a pale blue, semi-transparent barrier to shield spectators from the impending attack, Kurotsuchi's face turned grim.

"What the—!"

She was still too far from Temari, having flown too high earlier to avoid her attacks. Now, even hiding behind her stone construct wouldn't provide enough cover.

"Damn it!"

Kurotsuchi cursed the Kazekage silently.

"This is supposed to be a Chūnin Exam! That's a genin?!"

She conveniently forgot that she herself had been assigned to this exam by Ōnoki to crush the competition as a special jonin.

Quickly forming hand seals, Kurotsuchi activated her kekkei genkai.

"Lava Style: Lava Pillars!"

She spat out grayish fluid, which solidified into hardened walls. Though insufficient to block the overwhelming wind blades, it bought her enough time to retreat behind her stone figure.

Once there, she began forming seals again.

"Earth Style: Open Earth Rising Excavation!"

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