Trio’s Journey: Second Chance

{Chapter Five Pt. 3}

"Shin's Sudden Hangout with a Haruno"

Shin sat quietly in the Konoha Library, a history book open before him

Despite his prior knowledge of the Naruto Universe, he found himself engrossed in the village's lore

There were always details he couldn't have known in his past life, and he relished the opportunity to deepen his understanding

Today, he decided to spend his free time immersing himself in the rich history of Konoha

The silence of the library was calming, and he turned the pages of the book with quiet curiosity

"Hm? Shin?"

The familiar voice broke his focus, and Shin glanced up

He was surprised to see Sakura Haruno standing a few feet away, a small stack of books balanced in her arms

"Hey, Sakura, getting some extra study time in too?" He greeted, a smile spreading across his face

Sakura blinked, slightly caught off guard by the warmth of his smile

She quickly composed herself, not wanting to linger on something so small

"Y-Yeah, don't want to fall behind in grades." She replied, returning his smile

"Same here, you're welcome to join me. As you can see, there's plenty of space." Shin said, motioning to the empty seats at his table

Sakura chuckled softly, the offer too kind to refuse

"Sure, why not?" She said, sliding into the seat across from him and settled her books on the table

For a while, they sat quietly

Shin remained absorbed in his book, while Sakura began taking meticulous notes, jotting down key details and major events

Every few minutes, her gaze wandered to Shin

His crimson red hair caught her attention. It was slightly longer than his brother's, draping neatly over his shoulders

She couldn't help but admire how healthy and shiny it looke

A small spark of envy bubbled up within her as she thought of her own hair

"How does he get it to look so perfect?" Sakura thought

Shaking the thought from her mind, she returned her attention to her notes

But no matter how much she tried to focus, her eyes kept drifting back to Shin

He looked so calm and relaxed, completely engrossed in his reading

Finally, unable to hold back her curiosity, she decided to speak

"Um, Shin?" Sakura said, breaking the silence

Shin looked up from his book, his crimson eyes meeting hers with a gentle expression

"Hmm? What's up?" Shin asked

"Well…" She hesitated for a moment, tapping her pen against her notebook

"I couldn't help but notice… you're not taking any notes. How do you remember everything? Or are you just reading for fun?" Sakura continued

Shin chuckled softly, closing his book halfway to give her his full attention

"Good observation. I guess you could say it's a mix of both. I enjoy reading history for fun, but I've also always had a good memory. If it's something I'm interested in, it tends to stick." Shin explained

Sakura raised an eyebrow

"Wait, you're saying you can just read something once, and you remember it? That's… kind of amazing." Sakura said, impressed

"Well, it's not perfect. I don't remember everything, but for the most part, yeah. I just find history fascinating. It's like looking into the roots of everything we see around us today." Shin replied modestly

"That's pretty cool, I wish I could do that. Instead, I have to write everything down or I'll forget it." Sakura admitted, as she gestured to her notebook, filled with neat, tiny handwriting

"Everyone has their own style, taking notes works well for a lot of people. Besides, writing it down probably helps you process the information better." Shin said kindly

Sakura nodded thoughtfully, a small smile tugging at her lips

"Maybe. But it'd be nice to just read and remember like you do. So, what got you into reading history, anyway? Is it for the academy, or do you just like it that much?" /-Sakura asked as she focused her attention towards him

"Honestly? I've always been drawn to it. It's like piecing together a giant puzzle. Every story, every event — it all connects somehow. And learning about the past gives us insight into how to approach the future." Shin said, leaning back in his chair slightly

"That's… a pretty deep answer, you really think about things on another level, don't you?" Sakura said, slightly taken back

Shin laughed softly

"I wouldn't say that. I just enjoy seeing how things fit together." Shin said

Sakura studied him for a moment, tapping her pen thoughtfully

"Okay, one last question, If you're this good at studying and remembering, why don't you tutor the rest of us? I'm sure a lot of people would love that." She said with a smirk

Shin chuckled again, shaking his head

"I'm flattered, but I'm not exactly teacher material. I'm still learning myself, after all." Shin replied honestly

"Well, if you change your mind, let me know, I might be your first student." Sakura said, smiling

The two shared a light laugh before returning to their books, the quiet companionship between them feeling unexpectedly pleasant

Sakura glanced back at Shin after a few moments of silence

Her curiosity had been piqued by his earlier comments

She leaned forward slightly, her elbows resting on the table

"So, Shin, if you're this into history, does that mean you're also into other things like, I don't know, legends or folklore? Or is it strictly the 'real facts' kind of history that catches your eye?" She said, her tone casual but inquisitive

Shin raised an eyebrow, intrigued by her question

"A bit of both, actually, legends can be just as important as recorded history. Sometimes, the two overlap. Take the story of the Sage of Six Paths, for example. Sure, some of it sounds larger than life, but there's truth in it. Understanding those stories helps us appreciate how the shinobi world came to be." He replied

Sakura nodded, her interest growing

"That's true. I always thought the Sage of Six Paths sounded more like a myth than an actual person, though. You really think he existed?" She asked

Shin smiled knowingly

"If there's one thing I've learned from history, it's that myths often have a kernel of truth. Maybe the details got exaggerated over time, but I believe someone like him existed." Shin answered

Sakura leaned back in her chair, processing his words

"Huh. I never thought about it like that. You really make it sound so… interesting." Sakura said

"It is, but enough about me. What about you? Any topics or hobbies you're particularly passionate about?" Shin said with a small laugh

Sakura hesitated, her cheeks reddening slightly as she glanced down at her notes

"I… don't really know. I mean, I don't have anything specific I'm passionate about yet," she admitted, her voice tinged with embarrassment

Shin leaned back thoughtfully, his memories of the Naruto world sparking an idea

"Well, how about this — have you ever thought about becoming a medical ninja?" Shin suggested

Sakura blinked, caught off guard by the suggestion

"A medical ninja? Why would you suggest that? I've never even considered it before." Sakura replied

"It's just an idea, Medical ninjas play a really important role. They're not just healers; they're lifesavers, both in the village and on the battlefield. And there's always a need for more skilled medics. It's a unique field, and if it interests you even a little, it might be worth exploring." Shin said casually, shrugging

Sakura frowned, resting her chin on her hand

"It sounds interesting, but… I don't really know much about it. How would I even get started? And what if it's something I'm not good at?" Sakura asked as she doubted herself

Shin smiled reassuringly

"That's the beauty of learning. You don't have to decide right now if it's for you. Maybe start by reading about what medical ninjas do and how they train. The library probably has some books on the basics of medical ninjutsu, and we can look for them together if you want." Shin asked

Her eyes lit up slightly, her curiosity piqued

"You'd help me look into it?" Sakura asked, slightly surprised

"Of course, sometimes the best way to figure out what you're interested in is to explore different options. If you want to learn more about medical ninjutsu, I'm happy to help you dig up whatever information we can find." Shin said with a nod

Sakura's lips curved into a small smile, and she nodded

"Alright, let's do it. I'd like to know more. Even if I don't end up pursuing it, it can't hurt to learn something new." She said, her tone slightly excited

"That's the spirit, let's start with the medical section of the library. Who knows? We might find something that surprises you." Shin said, closing his own book and standing up

The two of them walked together, scanning the shelves for anything related to medical ninjutsu

As they flipped through books and shared ideas, Sakura found herself becoming more interested in the field, and Shin was glad to see her confidence grow

As they settled back at their table with a few books about medical ninjutsu, Sakura opened the first book and began skimming through the pages, her curiosity growing with each sentence

"Wow, it's amazing how medical ninjas can use their chakra to heal injuries. I didn't realize it was this intricate." She murmured, her finger tracing a diagram of the human chakra network

Shin glanced at her page and nodded

"It's definitely a complex art. From what I've read, it's not just about pouring chakra into someone and hoping it works. You have to have precise control, understanding of the human body, and a lot of focus." He said

Sakura looked up, tilting her head slightly

"But isn't chakra control something we're only just starting to learn? This feels like something only really advanced ninjas could handle." She replied

Shin smiled softly

"True, but every expert starts as a beginner. Think about it — if you start learning the basics now, by the time you're older, you could have an incredible foundation. Plus, even if you don't go all the way with it, having extra skills like these can be really useful in any situation." Shin said, trying to encourage her

Sakura hummed thoughtfully, flipping the page

"I guess that makes sense. And it's not just about healing people either, right? There's stuff in here about toxins, antidotes, and even combat techniques that rely on medical knowledge." Sakura said

"Exactly, Medical ninjas are versatile. They can save lives, create strategies, and even outsmart enemies in combat. Imagine being able to figure out how to weaken an opponent just by understanding their body better than they do." Shin agreed

Sakura's eyes lit up as she read more

"This is… actually really interesting. I always thought I'd just follow the basic path of becoming a standard kunoichi, but this feels like it could open so many doors." She said, as she grew more interested

Shin leaned back, resting his hands behind his head

"It's always good to have options. And honestly, you seem like the kind of person who could excel in this. You're studious, detail-oriented, and you're willing to put in the effort to learn." Shin said

She blinked at him, her cheeks flushing slightly

"You really think so? I mean, I'm not sure if I'm that capable." Sakura said, flustered

"I do, and besides, we're still in the Academy. You have plenty of time to figure out your strengths and what you enjoy. No pressure, right?" Shin said confidently

Sakura smiled at his words, feeling a bit more at ease

"Thanks, Shin. I wasn't expecting to learn this much today, but I'm glad we ended up doing this. You're pretty good at explaining things." Sakura said

Shin chuckled lightly

"Well, I do read a lot. If you ever want to study together again, let me know. I'm happy to help." Shin said

Sakura looked down at her book, a small, grateful smile forming on her face

"I'll hold you to that. And, um… thanks. Really. You didn't have to do all this, but you did." Sakura said softly

"It's no problem, we're classmates, after all. Helping each other out is what teammates —future teammates — should do." Shin replied with a warm grin

The two continued reading and discussing what they learned, their conversation flowing easily as Sakura grew more invested in the topic

For the first time in a while, Sakura felt inspired to explore something new, and Shin found satisfaction in being able to share his knowledge with someone who appreciated it

…

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…

As Shin and Sakura walked out of the library together, they both blinked in surprise at the sight of the moon high in the sky

"Wow, I didn't realize it was this late. We must have lost track of time." Sakura said, glancing at the darkened streets

Shin smiled faintly, glancing at the quiet surroundings

"Yeah, we got pretty caught up in all the reading. I guess time flies when you're learning something new." Shin saie

Sakura chuckled softly, adjusting the books she held in her arms

"It was definitely worth it, though. I feel like I learned a lot today." Sakura said as she glanced at the books

Shin noticed the dimly lit streets and turned to her

"It's late. I'll walk you home — just to be safe." Shin Said

Sakura blinked, her face warming slightly

"Oh, you don't have to do that! I'm sure I'll be fine." Sakura quickly said, her face becoming slightly red

"Still, I'd feel better knowing you got home safely. It's no trouble at all." Shin said calmly

Her heart skipped a beat as she looked at his composed expression

He's just being nice

"Don't overthink it!" She thought as she scolded herself, though a tiny part of her couldn't help but imagine what this gesture might mean

As they walked side by side, Sakura tried to distract herself from her thoughts

"So… do you spend a lot of time at the library?" she asked, her tone casual

"I do, I've always liked reading. It's a good way to explore new ideas and learn things I might not get from regular training or classes." Shin replied

"That makes sense, you're really knowledgeable about a lot of things. I mean, the way you explained medical ninjutsu earlier was… impressive." Sakura said, nodding

Shin chuckled softly

"Thanks, but honestly, I think anyone can learn like that if they're curious enough. You seem like the type who could get really good at it if you wanted to." Shin said

Sakura glanced at him, her cheeks heating up again

"You're always so calm and encouraging. I guess… I didn't expect that." She said honestly

"Expect what?" Shin asked, looking at her curiously

She quickly waved her hands, flustered

"N-Nothing! Just… never mind!" Sakura said quickly

Shin smiled lightly but decided not to press her

They continued chatting casually about their favorite books, training, and ideas for future studies as they approached her house

When they arrived, Sakura turned to him, still clutching the books tightly

"Thanks for walking me home, Shin. You didn't have to, but… I appreciate it." Sakura said as she bowed slightly

"It's no problem, goodnight, Sakura. See you at the Academy tomorrow." Shin said with an easy smile

She hesitated for a moment, then gave a small wave

"Goodnight." Sakura said

Shin waited until she stepped inside, ensuring she was safe before turning to leave

As he walked down the street, Sakura peeked out from her window, watching his retreating figure

"He's not at all what I thought he'd be I knew Shin was intelligent and strong… but he's also kind, patient, and surprisingly thoughtful." Sakura realized, her thoughts swirling

Meanwhile, Shin walked through the quiet streets, his hands in his pockets

His mind wandered back to their time in the library

"Sakura's not just the fangirl I expected her to be, he thought, a faint smile tugging at his lips. She's sharp, curious, and definitely has potential. If she weren't so focused on Sasuke, I wonder how far she could go." Shin thought as a small smile appeared on his face