Stream of past

Cha no Kuni

Team 7, minus Kakashi met Tsunade at the mission desk. The three of them had been called for a mission. Tsunade started debriefing them about their mission, a B-rank. They were to go to Cha no Kuni, they were asked to escort a participant in the race to the Great Todoroki Shrine. Tsunade told them she didn't have all of the intel, as an assailant killed the messenger. And even though both Sakura and her shishō knew the truth, this mission was neither important or concerning enough for them to draw on their future knowledge. Sometimes you just had to let things run their course.

"Hey, wait. Kakashi-sensei isn't here yet." said Naruto.

"Kakashi will not be joining you. As you already know, most of the jonin are on different missions right now, Hatake included. This time it will be all three of you alone, since Sakura is already chunin she is allowed to take you two out of the village with her. For this mission, she will be your squad leader."

"Oh, I guess we should call you Sakura-taichō." said Naruto with a grin.

Sakura laughed. "Absolutely not. It would be way too weird. Besides, I'm not even wearing my vest."

"You should." said Tsunade. "It would probably shut up those bastards still talking about favouritism."

Sakura shrugged. "The people can talk as much as they want, shishō. Wearing a flak jacket won't change that. Besides, green isn't my color."

Tsunade rolled her eyes. "Whatever. This is all I had to say to you. Dismissed."

Sakura led her teammates out of the tower, they stopped outside to talk.

"So, what are your orders, Sakura-taichō?" asked Sasuke with a smirk.

Sakura rolled her eyes. "Ugh, stop it you two. I mean it. For now we should go home and pack, we meet at the gate in half an hour. Make sure to bring more than ramen, Naruto."

"That was one time!"

...

Team 7 entered the Land of Tea successfully after a few hours of jumping through the trees. Once they entered foreign territory the stuck to the road, going at a leisure pace. Sasuke was telling them about his correspondence with Itachi.

"He suggested I learn kenjutsu. Do you think I should?"

"I think you would do great with a sword. Tenten has a blacksmith friend in the village, I think she could get you a good deal." said Sakura. "They come from the Land of Frost. Did you know Shimogakure swords are known to be the most durable in the world?"

"Interesting..." said Sasuke, considering her words.

"Ne, are you guys hungry?" asked Naruto.

"You just ate, dobe."

"Yeah but that was like an hour ago and I'm starving..."

"Well, I am a bit hungry I guess. I have some food pills on m-"

"Great! Then it's settled. We'll stop by that tea house!" said Naruto before running ahead.

"Wait, Naruto, don't run off on your own!" but her voice fell on deaf ears. "Ugh, so much for Sakura-taichō, I guess."

Sasuke snorted. They made their way to the tea house where they ordered their food and some matcha tea. Sakura ordered some dango, Naruto some sweet bean soup and Sasuke ordered kaki no tane. They ate in comfortable silence. Unfortunately, the atmosphere was quickly broken.