Honored Oaths: A Sakura Haruno Quest

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Sakuro Haruno never took her training seriously until the chunin exams showed her how far behind she was. Now with a new attitude she is trying to become the best ninja she can. Her resources are limited and she is already behind but a clever application of hard work may just make up the difference.
Planning and Promises.

Zedalb

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Sakura Haruno knows that she is many things. A kounichi with all the complications of being both a young woman and a warrior. A shinobi of Kohona with all that entails in being known as the soft bleeding hearts of the world. However, the most important thing that Sakura Hanuro knows she is, is a failure and that's fucking unacceptable to her.

The Chunin exams proved just how unacceptable that is to her. Sure at first she continued to delude herself that everything was okay. The first test made that easy. Until she found out it was an information gathering test and she did no information gathering. She simply happened to know what information she was meant to gather. She failed to gather information because she got lucky.

From there it got drastically worse very quickly. Combat allows no excuses, it is a test of life and death and one as a shinobi she has had a lifetime of warnings about and time to prepare for. She would blame Kakashi if she could. But the badly cut short hair in her mirror is a stark reminder of the truth. Her vanity almost killed her. She knew the truth, she knew that being so concerned with becoming Sauske's wife instead of being a ninja almost killed not just her but her whole team.

She failed to protect them after she failed to even be good enough to fight alongside them. Lucky she didn't die from a stray attack in that fight, lucky they didn't kill her while defending them, lucky her opponent was Ino who wouldn't try to kill her. Luck and being too weak to be a threat kept her alive. How much more of a failure could she be? Well she wasn't going to find out that's for sure.

The fault was her own which meant it was up to her to fix it. Sakura knows she is smart but smart without the right tools doesn't win fights. Shikamaru is smart but he has his shadow techniques and has put thought into how to use them to win. This is her thinking it through making a plan and fixing the faults.

So what tools does she need? What weapons, jutsu, training? Well Iruka already told her in the forest of death, train the body which makes sense her chakra control is good but what good is that without chakra to spend? Not to mention the value of being stronger, faster, and tougher in a fight.

It's a start but she knows how long real physical improvement takes and she has a month until the finals after that she expects to be doing missions. What if either or both her team-mates get promoted? Will she be alone? Will the team disband? Is this her last chance to get help from Kakashi? Did she waste her time with him chasing a boy instead of learning from a legendary ninja?

She doesn't know but the fears run through her for a moment before she masters her thoughts. If team seven might disband soon and she may become a solo genin lead by chunin on missions then this month is incredibly important. She doesn't know what she needs to do so she starts composing a list. Who can help her? She will probably see Kakashi once before the month really starts. He is going to focus on training the boys of team seven but that does give her one chance to ask him something. For other people she has to brainstorm a few ideas.

The gate guard? A chunin themselves they have nowhere to go so might answer a few questions and give her advice more so if she brings them snacks to enjoy while they chat. Her parents are both ninja themselves; they don't have any family techniques nor are they particularly notable ninja but they may have some advice. Lee perhaps, she knows he will be in the hospital and given his apparent crush would be willing to talk to her and if nothing else he probably knows a lot more about physical conditioning than she does. Ino might have an idea why the mind swap jutsu failed and it might be an advantage Sakura can leverage. She feels in short supply of those lately. None of her other classmates stand out as good candidates, too many of them rely upon family techniques or will be busy preparing for the finals anyway. Which leaves Iruka and a few other people she can go to.

She scribbles at her vanity, acutely aware the page is fairly empty of resources and allies. It even includes bothering strangers. She is going to have to do a lot of research herself and things in the ninja world are not cheap. She frowns staring into her vanity mirror once more. If she had funds she could afford a few decent scrolls, they wouldn't help much without an instructor but they are vastly better than nothing.

She could do a bunch of D rank missions but that would eat into her training time quickly. It might be worth it if she really needs something. She could ask her parents for money but feels like that would go better once she had a specific plan and specific areas to work on. She feels humiliated that all of her money from all of those terrible missions went into cosmetics trying to get Sasuke's attention. She has a dozen perfume bottles she used only two or three times to see if he noticed or commented on one of them.

He didn't.

She should sell them. That seems obvious to her now even if she got just ten percent back it's better than the reminder of her vanity and foolishness. Ino will probably take them off her hands, another reason to go visit the flower shop.
She knows several things she should be doing though and wants to get started doing them. She does know three different ninjutsu, some chakra control exercises and has practiced with taijutsu and thrown weapons. She can work on those basics as she is gathering more information and making a more detailed plan for her training. All that's left is to plan her day.



/-\
Voting:
We are doing Plan based voting.
You may choose 5 actions to perform on a given day, the quest will do 2 turns of singular days, and then a 5 day time skip and repeat this pattern for the first month.
You may only take 1 action per day with the "Chakra" tag because Sakura has very little chakra to practice with.
Actions with the "Physical Tag" have diminishing returns when multiple are used in the same day.(75%,50%,25% effectiveness)
Actions will be applied in the order they are voted for.

[ ] Talk to Iruka
[ ] Talk to the Harunos
[ ] Talk to Gate Guards
[ ] Talk to Ino
[ ] Talk to Lee

[ ] Train Endurance (Physical)
[ ] Train Speed (Physical)
[ ] Train Strength (Physical)
[ ] Train Taijutsu Technique
[ ] Train Kunai and Shuriken use

[ ] Train Substitution (Chakra)
[ ] Train Transformation (Chakra)
[ ] Train Illusionary Clones (Chakra)

[ ] Continue to master and experiment with Tree Walking

Special (Does not cost an action may only choose 1)
[ ] Ask Kakashi for a replacement instructor
[ ] Ask Kakashi for a Jutsu
[ ] Ask Kakashi how to become stronger
[ ] Ask Kakashi for Taijutsu advice
 
[x] Plan Getting Started
-[x] Talk to Iruka
-[x] Talk to Lee
-[x] Train Endurance (Physical)
-[x] Train Kunai and Shuriken use
-[x] Train Substitution (Chakra)
-[x] Ask Kakashi how to become stronger

Iruka would have good career advice, while Lee would have great enthusiasm and could help with training ideas. Endurance is important for lasting long throughout missions and fights, while kunai and shuriken use lets us be useful despite lacking in physical strength. Substitution is how we stay alive and dodge enemy attacks, while Kakashi would appreciate us striving for personal improvement and could offer advice there.
 
Sakura Stat Sheet.
Sakura Stat Sheet

Base Statistics: These are the most fundamental aspects that make up a ninja. Their physical and chakra based capabilities. All other things stem from here. They are measured in two ways. The first is the ninja rank that the level of ability is indicative of. The second is a 1-10 rating representing how close they are to the next rank. E.G. After Genin 10, comes Chunin 1. As the Ninja rank of the ability is increased it becomes harder to increase the rating because rating represents a greater increase.

Skills: These are rough measurements of the effectiveness of different fighting styles or techniques. These will increase automatically when increasing base statistics. They will also increase with practice and experience including practicing with appropriate jutsu.


Base Statistics
Strength: Genin (4)
Speed: Genin (3)
Endurance: Genin (3)
Chakra Control: Legend (1)
Chakra Capacity: Genin (2)

Skills:
Taijutsu: Genin (6)
Bukijutsu: Genin (4)
Ninjutsu: Genin (7)

Traits:
Inhuman Chakra Control: Sakura's Chakra Control is naturally incredibly advanced and she has not yet found it's true level for lack of difficult enough training techniques. So it may continue to grow quickly in the right circumstances.

A Genius Of Academia: Sakura was the top of her class in academics and shows a deep knowledge of math, chakra, history and other subjects. While not directly useful in a fight this can lead to increased learning speed of certain techniques or concepts.

Ninjutsu Theory: Sakura has created an original ninjutsu so she receives slightly improved learning speed and mastery of ninjutsu because of her expertise.

Inner Sakura: Sakura has started to realize that she is actually a direct, upfront aggressive person. Actions taken in a fitting manner will have a greater impact.

Substitution Expert: Due to focusing on the body replacement technique it has moderately improved performance for it and related jutsu
Body Flicker Adept: Due to focusing on the body flicker technique it has slightly improved performance for it and related jutsu

Iron Fist Practitioner: Sakura has started to learn the Iron Fist style and will have improved combat abilities in armor while using the style.

Second Skin: Armor does not slow Sakura down unless it is excessively heavy compared to her strength

Water Affinity (5): Gain a bonus to the conversion rate of chakra into water chakra, learning water ninjutsu and making them more efficient.

Genin Level Ninja: Large amounts of training and increased capabilities have made Sakura more capable of training and she now gets one extra action per day.


Known Jutsu:
Substitution
Transformation
Illusionary Clones
Iron Fist Taijutsu
Moisture Draw
"Water Water Walking"
Genjutsu Release
Sealing Scroll Jutsu
 
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Ohh love this, Sakura deserves some love. Though the fact she drew agains ino while ino had more time to rest and a clan helping her train does kinda put things into perspective a little.

[x] Plan Master the Basics
-[x] Talk to Lee
-[x] Train Taijutsu Technique
-[x] Train Endurance (Physical)
-[x] Continue to master and experiment with Tree Walking
-[x] Train Illusionary Clones (Chakra)
-[x] Ask Kakashi for a replacement instructor

I'm assuming the replacement instructor is for the exams month long break which would give us an actual teacher. Which is likely the best option rn
 
. Though the fact she drew agains ino while ino had more time to rest and a clan helping her train does kinda put things into perspective a little.

Alternatively. She got a tie while fighting someone who specializes in family techniques that she through no effort of her own happened to be immune to. It was her very most possible ideal match against anyone there, and she got a draw.
 
Alternatively. She got a tie while fighting someone who specializes in family techniques that she through no effort of her own happened to be immune to. It was her very most possible ideal match against anyone there, and she got a draw.

Fair, and while we can really only measure her to the others of her age as like she had 6 months of Genin stuff she is pretty much the weakest there physically and by technique variation. Except maybe Kin, and she has at least got genjutsu.

This was probably the exact kick kakashi was hoping for. Get her more motivated and willing to put effort in.
 
Fair, and while we can really only measure her to the others of her age as like she had 6 months of Genin stuff she is pretty much the weakest there physically and by technique variation. Except maybe Kin, and she has at least got genjutsu.

This was probably the exact kick kakashi was hoping for. Get her more motivated and willing to put effort in.

It is interesting me and my friend @Sendicard have spent a lot of time discussing what normal progression looks like for an "Average" ninja.
(No bloodline, family techniques, clan, etc etc)

I should probably do an informational post on that as it is canon to the quest.

However, it includes the idea that you don't really teach genin many jutsu.

Meaning sakura isn't that far behind she needs physical conditioning to improve chakra capacity, and more taijutsu ability (both from skill and physical conditioning) would help her be a capable fighter without spending her limited chakra.

However her frankly insane levels of chakra control should mean learning jutsu faster in many cases a LOT faster (I'll go into why in informational post). It also means she can get away with less chakra to some extent.

None of which really fixes her core issue that most ninja focus their training on a way to hurt people and she has not yet done that leaving her without much to actively do in a more dangerous fight.


Kakashi has been working with what he has. She needs more capacity to do much of anything (except tai-jutsu but that needs training too) and he isn't the type to stand there are watch her do push ups. However Kakashi was a genius and Anbu damn young. He is pretty removed from what a normal genin should look like and even then he has two young prodigies so no one to compare Sakura to.

So I think partially he missed the fault that she was in need of more. She certainly never asked for more and her parents are ninja. He doesn't know what the standard should be for her and even if he missed it her parents should not.
 
So I think partially he missed the fault that she was in need of more. She certainly never asked for more and her parents are ninja. He doesn't know what the standard should be for her and even if he missed it her parents should not.
Im pretty sure it's also that it's normal for it to be basic training unless something big happens or they directly ask for it. Iirc Tenten learnt her seals after failing to get into medical. Gai isn't exactly a pro at either so likely signposted her to appropriate ninja. The issue is that Sakura wasn't being proactive in this.
 
[x] Plan: Start with information
- [x] Talk to Iruka
- [x] Talk to the Harunos
- [x] Train Substitution (Chakra)
- [x] Continue to master and experiment with Tree Walking
- [x] Ask Kakashi how to become stronger

Basically its training with things that have already worked for her, and getting information from people on where she could focus next
 
[X] Plan Master the Basics
It's simple, it's effective, and it includes everything that's needed.
It's also responsible, which is very in character.

It is interesting me and my friend @Sendicard have spent a lot of time discussing what normal progression looks like for an "Average" ninja.
We still disagree on the extent of it, but the vast explanation we made a middle ground.
I do still think a Jounin-Sensei is supposed to do more than Kakashi is shown to do on screen.
They meet every morning like ritual and there's no way the village is paying Jounin to sit around not pushing their students and being useless every day.

Still, Sakura has shown zero initiative and even chides him for trying to compliment her. Ignoring her to focus on Sasuke is probably a better use of his time, and his time is valuable.
Let's change that with the month we have. Super impress the dude into being a teacher.
 
I do still think a Jounin-Sensei is supposed to do more than Kakashi is shown to do on screen.

I think that part of that, that we missed was how vastly outside the norm Kakashi is when his other 2 students are amazing. He honestly might think that Sakura is average for a genin her age. and with her chakra control and academic knowledge when she is a bit older and has the capacity for some jutsu she will be fine.
 
I think that part of that, that we missed was how vastly outside the norm Kakashi is when his other 2 students are amazing. He honestly might think that Sakura is average for a genin her age. and with her chakra control and academic knowledge when she is a bit older and has the capacity for some jutsu she will be fine.
so we litterally just have to kick his ass into gear ask for more lessons :p
 
so we litterally just have to kick his ass into gear ask for more lessons :p

Honestly? maybe.

Kakashi has good reason not to pass out a bunch of jutsu to his team but Sakura asking for help is a pretty drastic shift.
Re-watching the tree walking exercise she gets annoyed at him for pointing out when she does well because it annoys Sauske.

So I don't think he would give her elemental jutsu or anything flashy, yeah if he wasn't about to fuck off for a month he would probably be a big help.
 
Stat sheet and rules for it were added. It's not important really it's just a way to keep track of progress and have an idea of where Sakura is at in more detail.
 
I would rather like to see if we can start working on using Inner Sakura for something and get all planing/talking out of the way turn one. By talking to our parents and our old teacher we should be able to get enough good information on how Sakura should train and when we get our new instructor have a clear goal for them to help us work towards. Talking to Ino should help us both in funding and making Sakura aware of her inner self which we can start to incorporate into our style. The tree walking exercise should help increase her current strength of fine chakra control and the last action is just my preference and I am open to changing it.

[X] Plan Step One gather information and work on our strength.
-[X] Talk to Ino
-[X] Talk to the Harunos
-[X] Talk to Iruka
-[X] Train Substitution (Chakra)
-[X] Continue to master and experiment with Tree Walking
-[X] Ask Kakashi for a replacement instructor
 
I think that part of that, that we missed was how vastly outside the norm Kakashi is when his other 2 students are amazing. He honestly might think that Sakura is average for a genin her age. and with her chakra control and academic knowledge when she is a bit older and has the capacity for some jutsu she will be fine.
I think of it as more that...geniuses are terrible at teaching.

Sasuke puts in the work to make up the gap on his end. Naruto has that strange talent where either he gets it at genius pace or it does nothing, so it doesn't hurt him that much either

Sakura needs actual teaching because she's good at skills Kakashi himself isn't remarkable at and since she's focused on her romantic life she's getting nothing much.
 
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[X] Plan Master the Basics

Perhaps maybe not finding Lee as he was way too passionate and loud. Yes good natured, but still terrifying.

But the other parts are good and with good rationale. Would be a good start imo


Edit: Taijutsu is good as we know from canon Sakura that she would be well adapted with it. However, I suggest considering weapons/Kunai/Shuriken as it is a force multiplier. This also matches with the low chakra reserves but skill-focused type ninja. It might be a good idea to build up something within our capabilities just in case if the canon derails quickly (and have to meet the Fifth Hokage later)
 
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