Chapter 159: Self-Hypnosis
Pulling the White Fang tanto from the body of the last enemy ninja, Sasuke ignored the man's pained cries.
With a flick of his wrist, he shook the blood from the blade and returned it to its sheath.
"S-Sasuke-kun..."
"If you can't handle the sight of blood, sit down and rest."
"We'll still need you to guide us later."
Without turning around, Sasuke spoke calmly to Sakura behind him.
Sakura stared blankly at the battlefield.
Then at Sasuke's back.
All the enemies had fallen.
Yet Sasuke had barely used any chakra.
He had defeated them almost entirely through taijutsu.
Most of these pursuers weren't even true ninja.
Many were simply wandering mercenaries hired by Gatō's organization.
Even so, their overwhelming numbers had nearly driven her and Kiba into despair.
But moments ago—
Before she had even spotted the enemy—
Naruto and Sasuke had vanished.
By the time she managed to catch up, the battle was already over.
Only Sasuke remained standing.
Surrounded by unconscious enemies.
And Sakura still had no idea what had happened.
"They're..."
"So amazing..."
In her eyes, Shino had always been incredibly strong.
Even Kurenai-sensei had relied on him occasionally during difficult battles.
Yet compared to these upperclassmen—
The gap felt immeasurable.
The way they fought.
The way they moved.
Their casual familiarity with combat.
It was a world Sakura couldn't yet comprehend.
Sasuke looked over the fallen enemies.
Suddenly, he noticed the forehead protectors.
"Kirigakure..."
"Recognize anyone?"
Sasuke asked.
"Huh?"
"Me?"
Sakura blinked.
Then realized he wasn't speaking to her.
"Most of them."
"They're all old deserters from the village."
"Nothing worth worrying about."
Mei Terumī appeared behind Sakura.
She was dragging two unconscious men behind her as casually as if they were sacks of garbage.
"..."
Sasuke didn't respond.
Ever since Naruto and Hinata had simultaneously detected trouble on this side—
Mei had shifted her focus entirely.
Protecting Sakura.
Among everyone present, she was unquestionably the weakest.
Mei had long since grown used to Sasuke's silence.
After teaching him for months, she understood him better than most.
Sasuke was kinder than people realized.
More perceptive than he appeared.
He noticed others' feelings more easily than most adults.
Yet he disliked being the target of excessive concern.
Except when it came to Naruto.
That was different.
He carried many things in his heart.
But Mei was certain Naruto already knew them.
At this moment, Sasuke wasn't acting cool.
He was conserving energy.
Because soon—
His turn would come.
"This little beauty should rest too."
Mei smiled toward Sakura.
"You look exhausted."
"I-I can still keep going..."
"Forcing yourself past your limits only creates trouble for everyone around you."
Mei frowned.
"You want to save your teammates."
"They're important to you."
"That's admirable."
"But you need to understand your own condition and what you're actually capable of doing."
"You chose to come because you wanted to help."
"Then maintain a condition where you can help."
"Don't become someone else's burden."
Sakura froze.
She didn't know Mei's exact identity.
But her presence was overwhelming.
Even stronger than Kurenai-sensei's.
And—
Everything she said was true.
Sakura was terrified.
Since graduating from the Academy, she'd spent most of her time performing D-rank missions.
This sudden brush with death had shaken her completely.
"Just rest for a moment."
Mei's tone softened.
"But don't fall asleep."
"Because later, the mission will belong to you two."
"Huh?"
"O-Okay..."
Whether it was Team Seven's decisiveness.
Or Mei's natural authority.
Sakura finally stopped resisting.
She sat down obediently.
Closing her eyes.
Yet she understood exactly what Mei meant.
As the top theory student in her Academy class, Sakura knew her own state.
If she relaxed completely—
The accumulated stress, fear, and exhaustion would crush her instantly.
She had to stay conscious.
No matter how frightened she felt.
She was a Konoha ninja now.
More importantly—
Her teammates had risked everything so she could return for help.
She could not betray that sacrifice.
So she pushed every other thought from her mind.
Focusing only on one thing.
Saving her teammates.
Praying they were alive.
Praying everyone could return safely.
Mei watched quietly.
Even sitting still, Sakura couldn't relax.
Her clenched hands remained pressed together.
Silently praying.
A nervous expression lingered across her face.
Mei's suspicions were confirmed.
As expected.
To prevent fear and terror from overwhelming her mind, she's been unconsciously reinforcing a single mental directive over and over.
It's practically a continuous self-inflicted genjutsu.
Very few genjutsu users develop a habit like this.
If taken too far, it could even lead to a split personality.
Right now, she's forcing herself to cling to the belief that she must save her teammates.
Interesting.
This girl's aptitude for genjutsu is exceptional.
Sasuke noticed it as well.
He glanced toward Sakura.
Then spoke unexpectedly.
"...Later, I'll carry you."
"Because I don't know the direction of the Land of Waves."
"So don't push yourself too hard."
"If you overstrain your mind, your body's self-protection instincts might knock you unconscious during high-speed movement."
His explanation was blunt.
Practical.
Nothing more.
Yet for Sakura—
It changed everything.
Now she finally understood her role.
She still had something useful to contribute.
She looked at Sasuke with gratitude.
After a brief rest among the defeated enemies—
Naruto suddenly appeared beside Sasuke.
Pakkun in his arms.
Sasuke rose immediately.
Sakura hurried to her feet as well.
"Don't worry."
"Fang's already at the hospital."
"Hinata is staying with him."
The moment Sakura heard Kiba was receiving treatment, she released a long breath.
Relief washed over her.
She had no idea how Naruto had transported Kiba so quickly.
But she knew better than to ask about another ninja's secrets.
While Naruto reassured Sakura—
Pakkun jumped down and approached Sasuke.
"Naruto and I just checked Kakashi's condition."
"I think it'll be a while before your turn comes."
Sasuke nodded silently.
Mei raised an eyebrow.
"Longer than our estimate during the Water Country tests?"
"Looks that way."
Pakkun sighed.
"Looks like Kakashi's really pushing himself."
Considering his chakra reserves..."
As Kakashi's summon, nobody understood his limits better than Pakkun.
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