Chapter 208: Kyubey! Give Me Back My Wish!!!
In the temporary shelter of Konoha, the remaining lights flickered, illuminating faces still etched with shock. The air was thick with the acrid smell of blood and dust, and a lingering panic.
A chill shot from the soles of her feet straight to the top of her head, leaving her body cold. No, this isn't what she wanted!
"Sakura, are you okay?"
An older woman approached cautiously, her voice choked with sobs. "Your parents… they are respectable heroes. We all owe them…"
Sakura jerked her head up, her eyes empty and dazed. She pushed away the woman's outstretched hand and stumbled toward the shelter's exit. Her steps were unsteady, each one feeling like she was walking on cotton, or perhaps on the edge of a blade.
"Sakura! Where are you going? It's too dangerous outside!" Villagers exclaimed, trying to stop her.
"I'm going to find my mom and dad. They might still be alive." Her voice was soft, but carried an unquestionable stubbornness.
Several Chunin guarding the shelter immediately became alert.
"Stop! The turmoil outside hasn't passed yet. You can't go out!" one Chunin shouted sternly, signaling his companions to block her.
Sakura ignored them. She started to jog, her mind filled with only one thought: Find them. Confirm it with my own eyes.
How could her parents…
How could they…
Because of her—
"Stop her! Quick, stop her!" The villagers shouted anxiously. Some even knelt, crying and begging the ninjas: "Please, you must protect her! That child… she might be the last bloodline of the Haruno family!"
"Last bloodline…"
Those words pierced Sakura's eardrums like needles. But it was only "might be." She refused to believe it, refused to admit it!
The ninjas quickly caught up, trying to grab her arms.
"Let go of me!"
Sakura screamed, a strange power surging within her body. She violently shook off the ninja's hand, her speed suddenly increasing, sprinting desperately toward the battlefield in the east district.
Reason was being eroded by fear bit by bit. She had to be faster, even faster!
After all, it's just a possibility—
They didn't actually see my parents die… Maybe it's not too late. Maybe there's still a chance to fix everything!
Wind roared in her ears, scenery blurring past. The familiar streets of Konoha were now ruins, broken walls, billowing smoke, the air filled with the smell of burning and death.
When running could no longer satisfy the anxiety and panic in her heart, a powerful will exploded within her.
Pink light erupted from the Soul Gem on her chest, instantly enveloping her body. The familiar Magical Girl outfit replaced her everyday clothes. The lace on her skirt fluttered in the wind like dying butterflies. And she was but a panicked prisoner in this nightmare.
Then she took flight, flying recklessly toward the depths of the battlefield. She had to find them; she must find them!
Flying over the devastated shopping district, over collapsed houses, Sakura searched frantically, guided by the child's vague words and the lingering chakra fluctuations on the battlefield. Her gaze swept over every fallen figure. Each time it wasn't them, her heart sank a little, and her frenzy grew.
Finally, at the edge of a battlefield plowed by massive Earth Style ninjutsu, she smelled a stench of blood so thick it was nauseating, mixed with rot and a strange, fishy sweetness. Fighting the urge to vomit, she followed the smell.
Two humanoid objects lay in the scorched earth.
Calling them "corpses" was generous; they were more like remains discarded by beasts after feeding. Large chunks of flesh were torn away, jagged white bones exposed, internal organs mixed with dirt and shredded clothing scattered on the ground.
A swarm of grotesque, armored snake-insects fought over the scraps of meat still clinging to the bones. Their writhing bodies almost covered the two "things," each movement tearing off more bloody filaments and tissue.
One of the remains had a relatively intact head, but half the face had been eaten away, the empty eye socket staring at the sky. The frozen expression was one of extreme shock and unwillingness, as if unable to believe dying in such a miserable way.
The other remains were frozen in a twisted combat pose, a broken arm reaching weakly forward. The charred finger bones were dug deep into the soil, as if trying to resist the irresistible death until the very last moment of life, protecting something important.
Those were her parents.
Even though they had completely lost their human form. Even though they were gnawed beyond recognition by those disgusting bugs. Even though the blood and rot in the air were suffocating, Sakura recognized them instantly.
The fragments of familiar hair color, the distinctive patterns still discernible on the clothing—everything screamed this cruel fact.
"AAAAHHH—!!!"
A scream so shrill it didn't sound human burst from Sakura's throat. Her vision turned blood red. All hope collapsed in this instant. Uncontrollable rage and despair erupted. Pink magic power surged violently around her, turning into a destructive shockwave that swept outward!
The swarm of insects feasting on the corpses, along with the surrounding rubble and debris, were instantly ground to dust.
But the two corpses did not move an inch.
The release of immense power did nothing to alleviate the pain in her heart.
Sakura collapsed beside her parents' cold remains. She reached out a trembling hand, wanting to touch them, but stopped at the last moment. She didn't dare touch them. She didn't dare admit that all of this was caused by her wish.
"No… it's not like this… it's not…"
She murmured, shaking her head desperately, trying to deny everything before her eyes.
"This isn't my fault—"
"This isn't—"
Intense self-blame gnawed at her heart. If not for her, her parents wouldn't have died. Even if they would have continued to nag and argue like before, they would still be alive.
"I—I don't want this wish anymore! The wish I wanted wasn't like this! I don't want anything anymore!"
She screamed hysterically, her voice hoarse and desperate.
"KYUBEY!!"
"Please give me back my wish!!!"
"Take… take everything back!"
"I'd rather… rather never have made such a wish—"
She didn't know if Kyubey could hear her. On this cruel battlefield, her cries seemed so powerless, so insignificant.
Flames soared into the sky, illuminating her pale and twisted face. Wails filled the wilderness, intertwining with her cries.
The Soul Gem on her chest flickered violently. Corruption was rapidly eroding it, just like her heart being swallowed by despair at this moment.
Kyubey did not appear. Only the night wind howling across the battlefield responded to her.
A moment later.
A voice suddenly rang out, husky and tinged with amusement.
"Isn't this the little girl from the same team as the Demon Fox and Sasuke? It looks like something sad has happened here?"
Sakura jerked her head up. Through tear-filled eyes, she saw a tall, thin figure walking slowly towards her against the firelight.
He wore strange Snake Armor, a faint smile playing on his pale face. The firelight cast a twisted shadow behind him, the scales of his armor reflecting a crimson glimmer.
Orochimaru.
He stopped in front of Sakura, looking at her with a hint of appreciation. His golden vertical pupils were like two cold moons, reflecting her despair, yet seemingly silently inviting her to fall into a deeper abyss.
"I might be able to help you—"