My other half! Sasukex oc. [Slow updates] (under editing)

New leads🔵

🌸 Meeting Sai — Sakura's POV

The morning air was cool as Naruto and I walked toward the Hokage's office. He was buzzing with energy, practically bouncing on his heels.
"Maybe Granny's finally giving us a mission," he said, grinning.

I smiled, but my stomach twisted. Missions meant teamwork. And teamwork meant facing the empty spaces Misaki and Sasuke left behind.
When we stepped inside, Lady Tsunade was waiting — arms crossed, expression sharp.

Shizune stood beside her, and behind them were two unfamiliar shinobi. One was tall, calm, and serious-looking. The other... was smiling at us with unsettling politeness.

Tsunade cleared her throat. "Naruto. Sakura. This is Captain Yamato. He'll be leading your team from now on." Naruto blinked. "Wait—leading? What about Kakashi-sensei?"

"He's still recovering," Tsunade said. "And you two need stability." Her gaze softened for a moment — just a moment — when it landed on me. "And this," she continued, "is Sai. He will be filling the vacant position on Team 7."

Vacant.

The word hit like a kunai to the chest.
Sai stepped forward, smiling. "Hello. I look forward to working with you." Naruto squinted. "Uh... hi?" Sai tilted his head. "You have a very... unique face. Like a monkey." Naruto's jaw dropped. "WHAT DID YOU JUST CALL ME?!"

I stepped between them before Naruto could lunge. "Naruto, calm down!" Sai blinked again, confused. "Was that offensive? I was attempting to give a compliment." Naruto sputtered. "HOW IS THAT A COMPLIMENT?!"

Captain Yamato cleared his throat. "Let's all try to get along. We'll be working together from now on." Tsunade gave us a pointed look. "Team 7 needs stability. And you two need to learn to function without Sasuke."

Her words hit harder than she probably intended. Naruto looked away. I swallowed.
Sai watched us with a strange curiosity, as if studying a painting he didn't understand.

🍃 The First Mission Begins

We met at the village gates at dawn the next day. Yamato stood with perfect posture, clipboard in hand. "Our mission is reconnaissance," he explained. "We're tracking a suspicious movement of rogue shinobi near the Fire–River border. No direct engagement unless necessary."
Naruto cracked his knuckles. "Easy. We've got this."

Sai smiled. "I hope so. You seem... fragile."
Naruto exploded. "THAT'S IT—!"
I grabbed him by the collar. "Naruto, stop!"
Sai blinked. "I'm simply observing. Your emotional volatility is fascinating."
Yamato sighed. "This is going to be a long mission."

We traveled through the forest in formation. Naruto kept glaring at Sai. Sai kept smiling at Naruto. And I kept feeling the weight of Misaki's absence like a shadow at my back.
At one point, Sai glanced at me. "You seem troubled," he said. "Is it because of the teammate you lost?"

I froze.

Naruto whipped around. "Don't talk about Misaki like you know anything!"
Sai blinked. "I don't. That's why I'm asking."
His tone wasn't cruel — just... empty. Like he was trying to understand something he'd never felt.
I exhaled slowly. "Misaki was important to us. She was kind. Brave. And she died protecting someone she cared about."

Sai nodded thoughtfully. "I see. I will try to avoid speaking of her unless necessary." Naruto muttered, "Good."

But something in Sai's eyes softened — just a flicker — as if he was filing the information away with unexpected care.

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By midday, we reached the border. Yamato signaled for silence. "Three rogue shinobi ahead," he whispered. "We'll observe first."