The afternoon sunlight spilled lazily across the streets and alleys of Sand Village.
Sakura and Ino walked side by side on the way back to the inn, their pace much slower than usual.
Ever since Asuma-sensei died, the entire Konoha team had been wrapped in a heavy shadow.
Even walking felt exhausting.
"Ugh…" Ino let out a long sigh and tipped her head back to stare at the sky. "Sakura, when are we finally going to be able to go home?"
Sakura shook her head.
"I don't know. Kakashi-sensei said we have to wait for the Hokage's reply."
"How long is that going to take…" Ino muttered, her voice dull.
These past few days, they'd done almost nothing.
No missions. No training.
Just staying in the inn.
Waiting for a decision.
That kind of helplessness wore people down more than any battle.
Just then…
"Hello!"
A crisp, bright voice called out from ahead.
Sakura and Ino looked up.
Two young women in Sand Village's women's uniform were walking toward them.
Both looked to be in their early twenties.
One had black hair pinned up neatly, her expression composed.
The other had a clean, short cut and a smile so sunny it felt like it could chase away the gloom.
"You're Konoha ninja, right?" The black-haired woman dipped her head slightly, polite and friendly.
Sakura nodded on instinct.
"We are… may I ask who you are?"
"Just call me Yukata." The black-haired woman smiled and gestured to her companion. "She's Matsuri."
Matsuri waved at them, grinning brightly.
"Thank you for helping Sand Village," Yukata said. She reached into her vest and pulled out two delicate cards, offering them to Sakura and Ino. "These are complimentary vouchers for the sand-bath house."
"We hope you'll have time to relax. They include a sand-bath massage, too."
Sakura froze.
Ino froze too.
"Th-this…" Ino started to refuse out of habit. "N-no, it's fine. We only did what we were supposed to…"
But Yukata and Matsuri clearly had no intention of accepting a no.
"You have to go!" Matsuri said with a playful wink. "Sand Village sand baths are famous!"
"Way more comfortable than your Konoha hot springs!"
Before Ino could find another word, the two of them turned with perfect cheer and walked off.
"W-wait…" Ino reached out.
But the two figures were already around the corner, gone from sight.
Sakura and Ino were left standing there.
Each of them held a beautifully printed voucher.
They looked at each other, equally bewildered.
"…So." Ino lowered her gaze to the card.
The address of the sand-bath house was printed on it, along with elegant patterns.
It looked official.
"What do we do?" Sakura asked softly, still dazed.
Strictly speaking, they shouldn't accept things so casually.
But those two Suna kunoichi had been so warm it was almost impossible to refuse, and…
It wasn't anything expensive.
Just two bathing vouchers.
"I've heard Sand Village sand baths are really well-known," Ino said quietly, a hint of temptation creeping into her voice. "Maybe… we go try it when we have time?"
Sakura went quiet for a few seconds.
She thought about how tired she was.
Tired from fighting, tired from grief, tired from waiting.
She felt sticky all over, too.
Water was scarce in Sand Village. Even taking a normal bath wasn't easy.
And since Asuma-sensei died, she hadn't slept well at all.
If she could actually relax for once…
Maybe…
"I… I guess," she finally nodded, voice a little unsteady. "It's been a long time since I've washed up."
They exchanged a look.
A strange feeling rose in both of them.
Was it really okay to go enjoy a sand bath at a time like this?
But then again.
If Asuma-sensei's spirit was watching, he'd probably want them to take care of themselves, too.
"Then… we'll try it?" Ino said softly.
Sakura nodded.
Following the address on the vouchers, they headed deeper into Sand Village.
…
At the same time, in the Kazekage's office.
Teizawa leaned back in his chair, a report pinched between his fingers, the corners of his mouth faintly lifted.
Yukata and Matsuri stood in front of him and reported what had just happened, one sentence at a time.
"The vouchers have been given to them."
"They accepted them."
"They said they'll go try it."
Teizawa nodded, the smile deepening.
"Good."
Yukata hesitated, but couldn't hold back the question.
"Kazekage-sama, why are you treating them to the sand bath?"
Teizawa glanced at her, amusement in his eyes.
"What do you think?"
Yukata and Matsuri exchanged looks, then shook their heads together.
Teizawa smiled without explaining.
He only waved a hand.
"You may go."
The two of them bowed respectfully and left.
The office went quiet again.
Teizawa stood and walked to the window.
He looked out at the streets below, soaked in sunlight.
Why treat them to the sand bath?
Of course it wasn't just "thanks."
Those two girls were important characters from the original story.
Ino Yamanaka, one of the key members of the future Ino-Shika-Cho, with powerful sensory ability and mind techniques.
Sakura Haruno, Tsunade's direct disciple, a prodigy in medical ninjutsu, inheritor of monstrous strength.
And more importantly…
Before he transmigrated, Teizawa had thought about them for a long time.
No, not Sakura.
Sakura wasn't a wife.
She was someone to be trained.
Now they were right here in Sand Village.
If he didn't do something, he'd be failing himself.
Teizawa's smile widened slightly.
First, he'd let them enjoy Sand Village's signature service.
And while he was at it…
He'd let them experience…
What it meant to meet Suna's "mysterious man."
So.
Teizawa tossed his pen aside and rose.
Whatever.
Official business could wait for a bit.
But the sight of beauties stepping out of a bath was the kind of thing you missed once and regretted forever.
He took off the dark-gold Kazekage robe that symbolized his authority and draped it over the back of the chair.
From the wardrobe, he pulled out a plain set of Sand Village clothing.
A dark brown short jacket, simple trousers.
Completely unremarkable.
Transformation Technique.
Chakra flowed through his body, and the contours of his face shifted subtly.
His eyes became a little smaller, his nose not quite as high.
That overly striking face turned ordinary.
Anyone who saw him would assume he was just some average Suna chūnin.
Perfect.
Teizawa checked himself in the mirror, satisfied.
Then he pushed open the office door and swaggered out.
In the hallway, he passed a few busy administrative staff.
They only flicked their eyes over him before hurrying along, heads down.
No one recognized him.
That was the beauty of the Transformation Technique.
Teizawa's lips curved slightly as he walked.
(End of Chapter)
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