Yosogai - Sasosaku

Introduction

"War is the cowardly solution that the most powerful employ to avoid exposing their weaknesses.

In that desolate desert landscape, partially destroyed by the relentless struggle between Sand and Leaf, an intense sandstorm was brewing—a consequence of a senseless confrontation with no winners.

Upon catching sight of the enemy's brown eyes and red hair, Sakura initially thought she would despise him. Sasori of the Red Sand, the most renowned shinobi from Sunagakure, was also the most dreaded executioner on the battlefield, with a high lethality rate. His gaze was cold and distant, as if nothing around him affected him, and the ease with which he manipulated his deadly puppets was, to her, unbelievable."

Considered 'natural enemies,' Sakura possessed all the qualities that could disarm his techniques, and indeed, that's what she did more than once. Whenever they crossed paths, the battlefield lay in ruins, much like his puppets and creations. No matter how many poisons Sasori concocted, she would find an antidote, rendering them useless.

Recognizing this triumph, Konohagakure deemed their best medical ninja, a disciple of Tsunade, the most suitable person to handle him in rescue missions. The leaf village's casualties had become alarming, while the sand had someone like him, capable even of using his deceased comrades if the situation and desperation demanded—an army of one.

Perhaps this would be the final battle, and after hours of facing each other, near physical and mental exhaustion, both found themselves alone once again. Solitary and without hope, they tried to draw strength and motivation from where there was none. In reality, it became a personal matter that forged a strangely unexpected connection. Neither was willing to retreat until the other was defeated.

Sasori had one arm broken, unable to move his fingers. Sakura was panting and fatigued, the effects of the opponent's poison taking a toll on her body. Both stared at each other, their eyes weary and frustrated as the battlefield was engulfed in a sudden sandstorm. 

The first to catch their breath and deliver the final blow had a high chance of emerging victorious, potentially altering the course of the war. He could still use his other arm; she could still move and heal superficial wounds, even though her chakra was disturbed.

He was determined to rise, to stride through the trenches, even if his steps betrayed him and his body had no more strength. She wouldn't let him advance, resolved to survive at any cost if possible.

But nothing happened. The adrenaline dissipated when they heard their village comrades shouting the code to retreat, leaving the outcome of the fight unfinished. Sasori disappeared amid the sandstorm, and Sakura allowed herself to falter for the first time. She fell to her knees and was supported by Kakashi, who had quickly arrived to announce the change.

"Kakashi sensei, what happened?"

"The two villages negotiated a truce. Rest, you've done enough."

"Alright."

Although briefly relieved by the news, and considering that she could have died at that exact moment due to the poison's actions, Sakura never imagined that she and Sasori would be the pillars of the truce. She could never have predicted that the man she last saw on the battlefield would be the person she had to marry for peace to exist.