Sakura Haruno is Usefull

The sky gradually darkened.

A campfire burned by the riverbank, its dancing flames licking and crackling as they devoured the wood. A pot filled to the brim with ingredients hung above the flames.

"Huh? I didn't expect this!"

"Naruto, you've got some serious cooking skills!"

Jiraiya couldn't help but salivate at the sight of the colorful and fragrant dish bubbling away in the pot.

"Of course! Sakura gave me this recipe, and I've kept it safe all this time!"

The blond boy wore a proud grin and couldn't help but steal a glance at the pink-haired girl sitting nearby.

Seemingly trying to show off, Naruto spoke in a casual tone, feigning nonchalance:

"Besides the recipe Sakura gave me, I also bought several other cookbooks—and I've mastered them all!"

However, the girl's expression remained calm as she gazed at the boiling stew, as though she hadn't heard a word. This left Naruto feeling a bit disheartened.

Ignoring the heat, Jiraiya used a freshly cleaned tree branch as chopsticks and fished out a mushroom with a cross-cut pattern from the pot. He popped it into his mouth with a slurp.

"Slurp~ Mmm—hot! Hot! Hot!"

Jiraiya's antics were amusing enough to make anyone laugh, but neither Sakura nor Naruto paid him any attention at that moment.

Naruto was wholly focused on Sakura, while Sakura was deep in thought, wrestling with how to broach a difficult subject with Naruto.

She knew his feelings for her—it was all too obvious. But how could she reject him without hurting him?

Sakura had resolved earlier that once Naruto completed the training tasks Jiraiya had assigned him, she would tell him how she truly felt.

The firelight reflected in her emerald eyes, revealing a glimmer of turmoil and hesitation. It was clear she was grappling with how to turn down someone who liked her without causing pain.

But Naruto's feelings couldn't simply be described as a crush… and that made it even harder for Sakura to give a straightforward answer.

She feared that rejecting Naruto might irreparably damage their relationship.

It wasn't Naruto she worried about—she was worried about herself. She didn't know how she'd face him afterward.

There's an old saying: "An ex who's truly gone is the best kind of ex."

This sentiment also applied to secret admirers.

Sakura vaguely recalled her past life—how, after breaking up with someone, she would block their number, messages, and social media accounts without leaving any room for reconciliation.

No hesitation, no lingering ties.

Taking a deep breath, Haruno Sakura stood up, her gaze steady as she looked at Naruto, who had been watching her intently the whole time.

"Huh? What's wrong?"

"Sakura?"

Naruto felt a sudden unease at the sight of the calm expression on the girl's face.

"Naruto, can you come with me for a moment?"

Perhaps her serene tone reassured him slightly, and Naruto's nerves eased as he followed her.

Jiraiya hastily swallowed his food as he watched the two walk away. A hint of regret flickered in his eyes.

He knew that expression on Sakura's face all too well. He had once seen it on Tsunade's face—back when she rejected him.

By the river, away from the crackling firelight, Naruto walked beside Sakura with his hands in his pockets—a habit he had picked up from Sasuke.

After all, Sasuke had always been the boy most admired by the girls at the ninja academy. Mimicking him just felt… natural.

The moonlight spilled over the water's surface, creating ripples of silver. The serene atmosphere only heightened Naruto's unease.

In all his memories, Sakura had never approached him like this before.

Suddenly, the girl stopped. Sakura looked toward the faint light of the distant campfire, ensuring they were far enough away that Jiraiya wouldn't overhear. Then she turned to Naruto.

"Sakura?"

Naruto's voice wavered slightly, betraying his anxiety. He had an ominous feeling, though he couldn't quite pinpoint why.

"Naruto…"

Sakura took a deep breath, steeling herself. She had already made up her mind—there was no point in dragging this out.

It was better to address this now and help Naruto refocus his feelings on Hinata than let him waste his time on her.

This was for everyone's sake.

"You… like me, don't you?"

Sakura's blunt question made Naruto's face turn bright red.

"Uh—ha—wh-what…?"

"Uh… well…"

"Hehe…"

"Uh…"

Naruto fidgeted nervously, shifting his gaze around and unable to keep his hands still. The only thing he couldn't bring himself to do was look directly into Sakura's eyes.

"Naruto."

Her emerald eyes locked onto him, calm and unwavering, as she spoke.

"I see you as a little brother."

"Do you understand what I mean?"

"To me, you're like family—like a friend, a comrade… a brother."

Sakura's voice was steady, her expression serious as she continued:

"I know exactly what I want, Naruto. But compared to me, there's someone else who's been waiting for you all along."

She didn't dare mention Hinata by name, worried that Naruto might think she was deliberately bringing her up as an excuse and end up harboring resentment toward her.

The blond boy stared at Sakura, his lips pressed tightly together as silence engulfed them.

The gentle night breeze created faint ripples on the river's surface, and the moonlight's reflection wavered with the movement of the water.

After what felt like an eternity, Naruto finally spoke.

"I like you, Sakura…"

"I don't really know what liking someone means…"

"But I know this: besides Old Man Third, you're the person who's been the kindest to me."

"You chased away the people who bullied me."

"You taught me how to cook, told me not to buy fresh milk if I couldn't finish it, showed me how to check food expiration dates…"

"You reminded me to come home when it got dark…"

"And you taught me how to budget my allowance… Well, I didn't do a great job with that one."

Naruto grinned sheepishly, scratching the back of his head.

"And since you clearly know what you want, Sakura, I can say this clearly too…"

"If liking someone means wanting to spend a lifetime with them, then I can confidently say, Sakura—I like you."

Sakura's lips parted slightly, but she couldn't find the words to respond.

Naruto smiled at her with unwavering determination, his blue eyes sparkling with a sincerity that made it impossible for her to look away.

"Sakura, I've known since the day you told me to come home before dark… If that's what liking someone feels like, then I've been certain for a long time—I like you."

"Clearly, and without a doubt."

Sakura stared at the boy in stunned silence, overwhelmed by his words.

Finally, with a sigh, she murmured:

"I'm sorry, Naruto…"

Back by the campfire, a soft sigh could be heard amidst the night's quiet rustling.

The Third Hokage, watching the scene unfold through his crystal ball, furrowed his brows with a conflicted expression.

Had he made a mistake by letting Sakura get so close to Naruto?

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