"By the way, what is your goal, sister?" Moegi asked earnestly.
Ino's gaze drifted into the distance. "It should be to become an outstanding kunoichi like Lady Tsunade."
Boasting about grand ambitions is a common trait among many ninjas, and Naruto's frequent declaration of "I will become the Hokage" is a prime example.
You must set a goal to let those around you know your aspirations, regardless of whether it's reasonable or not. That's just how things are in Konoha.
If Ino wanted to reach greater heights, she had to establish a credible and well-thought-out persona early on, ensuring that those around her—including but not limited to her parents, teachers, and friends—were aware of her ambitions.
Tsunade was one of her few options.
The Legendary Sannin of Konoha were all excellent teachers. Orochimaru's assistance to Sasuke was undeniable, and while Jiraiya's teaching of Naruto seemed lacking—refusing to teach Wind Style Chakra Nature Transformation, Sage Mode, or Tailed Beast Transformation—he actually focused on solidifying Naruto's shaky foundation. Without this groundwork, Naruto's later achievements would not have been possible.
Tsunade also dedicated herself wholeheartedly to teaching Sakura. Despite her busy schedule as Hokage, with barely any time left for drinking, she still made time to transform the weak Sakura into a capable kunoichi who could stand on her own.
Body techniques, Sage Mode, the Spiritual Transformation Technique, and Medical Ninja Techniques—all the skills Ino lacked—could theoretically be learned from Tsunade.
In the original timeline, Ino had also apprenticed under Tsunade, but she failed to master the skills, squandering a great opportunity. Now, Ino made it a point to tell everyone that she aimed to follow Tsunade's path, so that when the time came to formally become her student, it wouldn't seem abrupt.
Moegi nodded like a chick pecking at rice. "Mhm, I also want to follow Sister Ino's example and become an outstanding kunoichi like Lady Tsunade!"
She didn't mention that "Tsunade is our relative," which left Ino slightly disappointed. However, this was understandable. Their familial connection was likely distant, and not only would children be unaware of it, but even adults might not know. The Third Hokage allowed her to play with his grandson probably because he considered them part of an ordinary ninja family, never associating them with the Senju Clan.
If their secret as descendants of the Senju Clan had been exposed, Danzo would have already taken action. The fact that he hadn't suggested that the secret remained hidden.
Ino wasn't in a hurry to deepen their relationship. She tested Moegi's Chakra Affinity using Chakra Paper and, unsurprisingly, the little girl's strongest affinity was for Water, followed by Earth—exactly like Ino's. Considering that Moegi would eventually become the Jonin leader of the 17th Ino-Shika-Cho Formation, Ino even wondered if the girl might also be related to her. If they weren't related, why else would she be chosen to lead the next generation of Ino-Shika-Cho?
Seeing that their Chakra affinities were identical, Ino decided to increase her investment.
She gave Moegi a scroll of her own learning experience in Water Style Chakra Nature Transformation. The Hiding in Mist Technique and Water Prison Technique were both provided to her by the Yamanaka Clan. Even though many people knew these techniques, due to clan regulations, she couldn't pass them on. However, her personal learning experience was her own, so it was fine. She had given a copy to Sakura that day, and now she was giving one to Moegi as well.
In Moegi's heart, Ino immediately rose to the position of a big sister. This learning scroll, whether viewed horizontally or vertically, was much more advanced than the Sexy Technique, right? She had decided that Ino was her big sister!
"Goodbye, big sister! Come visit my house sometime!"
"Goodbye, Moegi, study hard!"
The week-long holiday quickly came to an end.
The graduating Genin were about to have their team assignment briefing.
At 8:30, Ino arrived at the school.
"Are you here as a Shadow Clone today?" Shikamaru asked her listlessly.
"Of course not, I'm here in person. Isn't today the team assignment briefing? Coming as a clone would be disrespectful to the Jonin leader."
Sarutobi Asuma, the son of the Third Hokage, was going to lead their generation's Ino-Shika-Cho Formation. Inoichi had already told her this news. Whether for public or private reasons, Ino had to come in person; it was basic courtesy.
There were still thirty minutes until the 9 o'clock briefing. She sat quietly in her seat, waiting.
"Sasuke-kun?!" Sakura pushed open the door, stepped into the classroom, and immediately rushed towards Sasuke.
As usual, Naruto stepped forward, trying to attract Sakura's attention with his clumsy antics.
Nowadays, there was no quarrel between Ino and Sakura, but there were still many Sasuke fangirls in the class. Several girls were vying for Sasuke's attention like they were in a competition.
Naruto was infuriated by Sasuke's popularity with the girls. He jumped onto Sasuke's desk, looking down at him with a murderous glare in his eyes.
Seeing Naruto challenging her prince charming, Sakura angrily punched Naruto: "Bastard Naruto, stay away from Sasuke! Ah! This, this is—"
Just then, Naruto let out a scream. His left arm was shattered by Sakura's punch, blood, muscle, and bone spraying everywhere, some even splattering onto Sakura's face and clothes.
She was completely stunned. How could this happen? Did she have such strength? Her voice trembled, knowing she had caused a disaster but not knowing how to fix it. She could only mechanically repeat, "Naruto-kun, I'm sorry, I didn't mean it, I really didn't mean it."
Sakura's heart was filled with anxiety. She saw Naruto glaring at her fiercely. In just an instant, Naruto's hair turned from yellow to red, and his usually somewhat lecherous eyes now exuded an imposing authority.
Naruto widened his eyes and said to her word by word, "Get lost!"
"Listen to me, let me explain—"
"Get lost!"
Tears filled Sakura's eyes. Instinctively, she looked for Ino. In her mind, Ino might have a way to solve the current problem.
Ino? As soon as she thought of this, she realized something was wrong. Where was Ino?
She looked around again, and the more she observed, the more she felt something was off. There were too many suspicious points in the surroundings.
Recalling the knowledge taught in class, she concluded that she must be under a Genjutsu.
Currently, in the class, there was only one person who had the conditions to learn Genjutsu and would deliberately use it to mess with her. She could only think of one person!
"Ino-pig! I'll never forgive you! Ahhh——!"
With her last shred of hope, Sakura closed her eyes and forcefully channeled the Chakra within her body, forming Hand Seals: "This can't be real, it's Genjutsu, it must be Genjutsu! Release! Release! Break it already!"
The world of the Genjutsu receded like a tide. When Sakura opened her eyes, she found everyone staring in stunned silence.
She immediately spotted Ino in the crowd, who was wearing a strange expression: "Ino-pig, I'm going to kill you! Huh? What are you all looking at?"
Sakura turned around sharply and realized that while breaking the Genjutsu, she had knocked over a desk. And standing on that desk was none other than that annoying guy named Naruto.
As the desk toppled, the annoying guy lost his balance, leaning forward, and ended up face-to-face with Sasuke, their lips meeting.