Sakura Haruno is Usefull

Sakura lowered her gaze, watching the sweet potato in the hearth as flames licked its skin. Beside her, Kakashi was calmly discussing strategies for handling the ongoing war.

In essence, it all boiled down to one word: defend.

It wasn't a bad plan, really. The Hidden Cloud Village was already struggling with food shortages, while the Konoha group could still roast sweet potatoes here. For all they knew, the Cloud's commanders might be chewing on bark on the other side.

The ones under pressure weren't from Konoha; it was the Hidden Cloud that had its back against the wall.

With limited resources, launching an all-out war demanded results that could justify such a massive expenditure of manpower and supplies.

Jiraiya glanced at Kakashi, then shifted his gaze to the others in the tent. "Does anyone have any objections?" he asked.

A weathered-looking man nodded in agreement. "Kakashi makes a solid point," he said.

The others echoed their approval, but Jiraiya ignored them and turned his attention to Sakura.

"What about you, Sakura? What do you think?"

Before setting out for the frontlines, the Hokage had given Jiraiya specific advice:

For internal issues, consult Shikaku. For external matters, ask Sakura.

With Shikaku busy on Danzo's side, Sakura was the only option left.

She hesitated for a moment, glancing at the sweet potato roasting in the fire. It's probably overcooked now… and won't taste good anymore.

"Well," she began, "I think we need to send out a large number of scouts to assess the Hidden Cloud's situation. Their resources are limited, and it's an exceptionally harsh winter. It doesn't make sense for them to stay so quiet."

She paused briefly before continuing, "At the same time, we should locate their supply lines as quickly as possible—and launch targeted strikes against them."

Sakura had calculated her response, opting for a conservative suggestion. No matter the circumstances, cutting off the enemy's supply lines was always the optimal choice. It was a tactic that even Cao Cao had relied on in the past.

Jiraiya stroked his chin, nodding thoughtfully. The strategy wasn't particularly brilliant, but it was steady and sound.

In warfare, rashness was a fatal flaw. Bold, unconventional plans were best reserved for situations where one was at a disadvantage.

Currently, Konoha held the upper hand in terms of resources and logistics, while troop numbers were nearly even.

Even though Konoha was fighting on two fronts, for a village that had survived three consecutive wars against multiple alliances, the pressure wasn't insurmountable.

After all, Konoha was used to taking on multiple enemies.

Sakura added, "Also, to prevent them from targeting our supply lines, we should station a strong defensive force to guard them. If our logistics remain intact, we can outlast the Hidden Cloud and force them to retreat."

Her tone grew more serious. "But that's the best-case scenario. It's too obvious that the current weather works against them. They wouldn't prolong a stalemate without a reason."

"The Hidden Cloud must be plotting something."

Jiraiya nodded approvingly. "Well said. You truly are my junior."

Kakashi rolled his eyes.

"In that case," Jiraiya continued, "deploy more members of the Hyuga Clan to our scouting teams. Locate their supply points quickly. For our own supply lines, have the Ino-Shika-Cho clans guard them. At the same time, increase patrol density around our forces."

One command after another was issued, and everyone nodded in agreement.

Just as they were about to leave to carry out their assignments, Jiraiya stopped them.

"What now?" The group looked at him, puzzled.

"Hold on, the sweet potatoes are ready. Everyone, take one!"

Grinning, Jiraiya pulled the roasted sweet potatoes from the fire and handed one to each person.

The group exchanged wry smiles but still took their share before hurrying off to complete their tasks.

"What about mine?"

Sakura, noticing that even Kakashi had a roasted sweet potato while she had none, blinked in confusion.

"You don't have one," Jiraiya replied nonchalantly, peeling the skin off his own potato to reveal its golden flesh.

"Hmph! Fine, keep it! Stingy old man!"

Annoyed, Sakura turned to leave, only for Jiraiya to extend the peeled sweet potato toward her.

"You don't have one, but you can have mine," he said, his deep eyes fixed on the pink-haired girl.

Sakura frowned as she noticed Jiraiya's hand, reddened from handling the hot potato. What's this old guy trying to say now?

"Hmph, take it or leave it!" she retorted, snatching the potato from him before storming out of the tent.

Watching Sakura's annoyed departure and glancing at Jiraiya's burned hand, Kakashi cautiously asked, "Should we get a medical ninja?"

"Sakura's the best medic we have on this front, but… you're probably not going to ask her, are you?"

Jiraiya waved him off. "Go on, get back to work."

As Kakashi hesitated briefly before leaving, Jiraiya's gaze returned to the dying embers.

Sakura's decisions had indirectly reignited this war, something that deeply displeased Jiraiya.

But, like Hiruzen Sarutobi, his view was clear:

So what if that's the case?

Sakura represented the new generation of Konoha. With her talent and strength, it was only a matter of time before she became one of the village's most critical figures.

Her exceptional medical ninjutsu alone guaranteed her the position of head of the Medical Corps, a title no one else could claim in Tsunade's absence.

Jiraiya's gesture earlier wasn't just about the sweet potato. He wanted to remind Sakura that as long as the older generation was around, they would shoulder the burdens for her.

But someday, they wouldn't be there anymore.

And when that day came, there'd be no one left to peel that burning-hot sweet potato for her.

Jiraiya didn't doubt Sakura's intelligence. She'd understand his message.

Outside the command tent, Sakura stood in the biting wind, glaring at the cooling sweet potato in her hands before taking a fierce bite.

Of course, she understood Jiraiya's meaning.

But she had her reasons.

"Ugh, so annoying!" she muttered.

"Sakura?"

A familiar voice interrupted her thoughts. Looking up, she saw Sasuke standing nearby, his expression puzzled.

"What's wrong with you?"

Sakura swallowed her bite, her emerald-green eyes meeting Sasuke's onyx ones.

Your teacher is Kakashi. Kakashi's teacher was Minato Namikaze. And Minato's teacher was Jiraiya…

"Come on, let's spar," she said suddenly.

Sasuke's eyes lit up. "Really?"

Sakura nodded, finishing her sweet potato in a few quick bites.

For the first time in six years, Sakura had agreed to a match.

This time, Sasuke was determined to prove his strength.

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