Sakura Haruno
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Haruno Sakura (ordered Sakura Haruno in the English anime) is a fictional character in the anime and manga series Naruto.
Personality and Ability
Template:Spoilers In the beginning of the manga, Sakura is a Genin student of Hatake Kakashi's, but she later becomes a Chūnin kunoichi (female ninja) under Tsunade's guidance. Sakura's main strengths are her intelligence and her great chakra control. She was able to climb trees using her chakra on her first try while it took days of constant training for Sasuke and Naruto to manage it. Initially Sakura's stamina and overall talent were quite subpar, having had only used a few skills over the course of the series, the most advanced of which is Kai ("Cancel", for dispelling Genjutsu). Under Tsunade's guidance, Sakura becomes monstrously strong and a qualified medic; after three months of training Sakura's progress makes Tsunade think that Sakura has the greatest talent in Medical ninjutsu she's seen since Shizune. Kakashi even thinks that Sakura might surpass her teacher.
Inside Sakura resides the "Inner Sakura", which ridiculously seems to be much more mean-tempered than Naruto's Kyuubi. "Inner Sakura" seems to represent an assertive part of her personality and serves mostly comedy purposes as Sakura's typical gentle responses are juxtaposed with the inner Sakura's constant しゃーんなろー (Shānnarō), which doesn't mean anything but is usually translated as "Hell yeah", "Hell no" or "Damn it" depending on the situation (In the English anime, it's translated as an angry and forceful "Cha!"). Sakura's having 'two minds' actually came in handy when Ino hit her with the Shintenshin no Jutsu ("Art of the Valentine", "Mind Transfer Justu" or literally "Body Mind Switch Technique"), Inner Sakura combating Ino's spirit where in the case of a regular person there would be no resistance. More recently in the manga, Sakura seems to have gotten in touch with her inner self, yelling out loud things that previously only inner Sakura dared to. She seems to act somewhat like Naruto does now. As for the anime, Inner Sakura has not made an appearance since the fight with Ino. In the manga Inner Sakura made a brief appearance in chapter 250 when Naruto tried to refuse a mission that Tsunade was trying to assign them.
Early Childhood and Academy
In her early school years, Sakura was timid and was occasionally made fun of and bullied because of her large forehead. That was until the popular Yamanaka Ino approached and befriended her, giving her a ribbon and telling her not to hide behind her bangs. Sakura looked up to Ino's looks and ability a lot; while she appreciated Ino's friendship, she couldn't help the feelings of inferiority she induced in her, at one point- during a flower arrangement lesson - wondering whether Ino was like a fully-bloomed flower, and if so, then what was she? Ino cheered her up, telling her that even a bud eventually becomes a flower, and there's no point to a flower unless it blooms. Their friendship continued until it became clear that both of them were infatuated with Uchiha Sasuke; Sakura felt that she could never equal Ino, let alone surpass her at anything, while she was trapping herself as Ino's mere sidekick in her mind. She handed Ino her ribbon back and proclaimed that they were rivals from that point on, their friendship indeed slowly deteriorating into a spiteful rivalry; in fact, when they are first seen interacting in the manga, there is no indication that they were once best friends, and the story of their friendship is only elaborated on later.
In a sharp contrast to most other characters, Sakura lacks any childhood tragedy and, initially, defining themes (Kishimoto Masashi says that he made her initially unlikeable by design). When she, Naruto and Sasuke are assigned to form Team 7, she is ridiculously fixated on her attraction to Sasuke and downright cannot stand Naruto - hardly knowing either of them. Shortly after their formation she tells Sasuke that she believes Naruto must be happy, having no parents to order him around; though Naruto isn't there to be outraged at this, Sasuke knows from personal experience that nothing could be further than the truth, and harshly berates her frivolous attitude. It is then that it is first hinted that deep down Sakura isn't as shallow as she's been presented, and she concludes that Sasuke was probably right and she should treat Naruto better (though even this may be partly due to her infatuation- Kakashi later notes that she always agrees with Sasuke without question).
Survival Test and Wave Country Arc
Though her initial infatuation with Sasuke still overshadows her interactions with both him and Naruto at that stage, Sakura's understanding and respect for both her teammates slowly increase as they spend more time together. Another wake-up call for her is when the sensei of their newly-formed team, Kakashi, easily manages to prevent the three from getting even a single bell of the two he challenged them to get. He berates them for their lack of teamwork and specifically admonishes Sakura for her constant search for Sasuke even though Naruto was right next to her and could use her help. Kakashi allows them to eat - having forbidden it since the morning - save for Naruto, saying that he will fail them all if they feed him. She and Sasuke decide to feed Naruto anyway, in Team 7's first true bonding moment, and Team 7 thus becomes the first team Kakashi ever passed, as all along he was looking for the team with enough spirit to put a starving teammate on higher priority than "the rules".
Later, when the team is sent on a dangerous mission in the Wave Country, Sakura is first confronted with the meaning of being a kunoichi as she witnesses what appears to be Sasuke's death. She recited to Tazuna, after he says it is okay to cry, that the shinobi rule #25 is not to show emotion for it is a weakness. Afterwards, Sasuke wakes up, and she cries again, only with happy tears. Not the ones full of sorrow.
Chūnin Exam Arc
Sakura's true nature leaps in maturity and the depth of her relationship with Naruto, Sasuke and Ino start in the Chūnin exam. In the first stage, which is a written test - which she, herself, knows the answers to despite it being designed specifically to be so difficult for Genin to accomplish that they would have to cheat, a testimony to her intelligence - the teams are eventually presented with the mysterious "tenth question", where they are given a choice of whether to take it or not. The examiner tells them that not taking it fails your whole team immediately, but taking it but failing to answer correctly prevents you from becoming a chūnin forever. Sakura, who initially scorned Naruto and his foolish dream of becoming Hokage, comes inches close to actually raising her own hand to spare him from the chance of seeing his dream go to waste (she is stopped by him raising his hand to proclaim that he doesn't care if he becomes a chūnin or not, because he'll will himself to be Hokage even if he stays a genin forever).
Sakura's shining moment comes in the second stage, set in the Forest of Death. Sasuke was feverish and unconscious on the floor after being branded with Orochimaru's curse seal and Naruto is knocked out from the impact of being strung in the air. Sakura, however had actually saved him from a fatal fall. When this had happened and the sound ninja came she realized that she must protect her friends if they were to pass, and live. As Kin Tsuchi grabs her long hair and immobilises her, she commented on how Sakura's hair was glossier than hers and also asks, "Are you trying to be sexy?" However, Tsuchi Kin also states that, "If your jutsu was half as good as your looks, you wouldn't be in this much trouble." Sakura had grown her hair long because of the rumor that Sasuke liked girls with long hair. While she takes out her kunai and Kin lectures her while having her hands tight around Sakura's locks states, "Why are trying? You know those don't work on me." After that, Sakura replies, "It isn't for you," cuts her hair and leaves everyone in shock. She then thinks about how she was always crushing on Sasuke and scolding Naruto. Claiming she was better than him, when really he was the one improving. How she always thought herself as an equal ninja. Then she states that she watched safely from the sidelines, and watched their backs all this time. It was at this point that she realizes that out of the members of Team 7, she was the weakest, and not Naruto, like she had always assumed. Ino's team arrives just in time to witness this, which changes Ino's outlook on Sakura. Later, when they tie on their battle in the third stage preliminaries, Ino tells Sakura that she finally had blossomed, and- each acknowledging the other as her equal- they become friends again, although they snap into (mild) rivalry mode again whenever Sasuke is mentioned.
The aforementioned battle with the sound-nin ends not by the intervention of Ino's team (though they made a laudable effort) or even the two other members of Rock Lee's team, who come searching for him seeing as he came to Sakura's aid earlier. It is Sasuke, finally awakening, engulfed by Orochimaru's cursed seal, who inquires about who is responsible for Sakura's wounds and consequently savagely brutalizes and then comes close to killing them, or more specifically, Zaku. (He makes several scathing and vaguely humorous/corny comments about his arms before nearly removing them) Before he does, however, Sakura - who knows that the Sasuke she knew would never go on a pointless killing spree - catches him in a hug from behind, begging him to stop, and the curse seal recedes.
After that incident, Sakura, Sasuke, and Naruto managed to use teamwork to pass the second test. In the preliminaries, Sakura fought against Ino. Naruto cheered Sakura on, which annoyed her but at the same time inspired her to fight harder and gave "Inner Sakura" the chance to repel Ino's Shintenshin no Jutsu. In the end, the fight between Sakura and Ino ended as a draw.
Sasuke Retrieval Arc
Eventually, almost inevitably, Sasuke decides to take Orochimaru up on his offers of power. He advances the cursed seal into Stage Two instead of attempting to contain it, and he turns his back on Konoha to join Orochimaru's Hidden Sound Village, betraying Team 7, and all of Konoha, in the process. As he sneaks out of the village, Sakura finds him, and soon understands the magnitude of what he is about to do.
Crying and desperate not to lose Sasuke, Sakura does anything she can think of, confessing her love for him, offering to help him with his revenge and was even willing to join his twisted journey so they can at least be together. Sasuke's cryptic last words before swiftly knocking her out and departing are "Sakura... Thank you". The databook elaborates on this a bit, saying that "Sasuke is unable to answer her feelings - At the end, he leaves her with only a word of gratitude rather than words of parting".
The next day, before Naruto leaves to bring Sasuke back, Sakura appears and begs Naruto to bring back Sasuke, stating that only Naruto is able to do it. "Naruto...only you...my only wish...please...bring Sasuke-kun back!" Naruto, looking at the crying Sakura, promised her that he will bring Sasuke back, making it his promise to her for a lifetime (even using Rock Lee's "nice guy" pose to seal the bargain). Sakura seemed to finally understand how Naruto feels for her, and she realizes that he is not what she originally thought he was.
When Naruto came back from the Sasuke retrieval mission, he can only tell Sakura that he's sorry for failing. He tells Sakura that he'll definitely keep his promise, because he said it was a lifelong promise. Sakura, seeing his determination, replies, giving him a strong smile, "Next time, we'll do it together!" Later on, she asks Tsunade to make her her apprentice. Tsunade, recogizing her determination, agrees to Sakura's request. This also means that each member of Team 7 is now training under one of the Densetsu no Sannin (The Legendary Three): Naruto under Jiraiya, Sasuke under Orochimaru, and Sakura under Tsunade.
Naruto II arc
New personality
In the second part of the Naruto series, Sakura's personality has taken on a much more mature and even tone. Also, like most people when they come of age, she seems to be much more comfortable in her own skin than when she was younger, frequently displaying the more ferocious aspects of her personality that were personified in the 'Inner Sakura' segments, instead of just responding within her timid restraint. In certain cases, her personality has become similar to Naruto's.
Her abilities as a ninja have improved substantially in the form of medical jutsu and the use of chakra to create immense physical strength, due to Tsunade's tutelage (as seen when she had slammed her hand into the ground to force Kakashi, who had hidden underground, to reveal himself, during the bell test, and her monstrous strength easily split the ground apart like an earthquake. Naruto and Kakashi, who had both been freaked out, had commented on her 'insane strength'). Kakashi has made reference to Sakura's past inclination towards Chakra control and Genjutsu, so it is possible she has made significant advances in these fields as well. Sakura has played an instrumental role in the opening chapters of the new arc, creating an antidote for Sasori's poison and curing Kankurō, and with the assistance of Chiyo, defeating Sasori in combat, along with gaining information about Orochimaru in the process. Chiyo had used chakra strings to control Sakura like a puppet, so she could help her dodge Sasori's attacks, as Chiyo was familiar with the puppet, and she herself could not fight one on one with Sasori. With her monstrous strength, Sakura easily demolished the puppet Sasori was hiding in with one hit, and she played an important role in defeating him with Chiyo. She also seems to have a determination that was previously not present when she was younger; she had kept herself going even when she got stabbed in the stomach with Sasori's poisoned katana, and got slashed by him many times. Motivated by an intense desire to be of use to her village and friends, help Naruto rescue Sasuke, and prevent Naruto from becoming a victim of the Akatsuki, Sakura would no doubt rather be dead than return to playing a sideline role in the events set to unfold.
After two and a half years, it seems Sakura's feelings toward Sasuke are more platonic. Needless to say, for both herself and Naruto, the subject of their ex-teammate proves to have remained highly sensitive, and both have a moment of over-exaggerated gloominess when Hatake Kakashi mentions him during the second bell test scene.
It also seems that her relationship with Naruto has mellowed out. She even shed tears upon learning of Naruto's terrible burden of being a container for the Kyūbi, and if it is removed he will die. When Sai joined the team, he said Sakura seemed to be gentle with Naruto, the opposite of what happened at the start of the manga. She has apparently displayed some attraction to Naruto throughout the Naruto II arc. Some fans have interpreted one of her comments towards him as flirting. Before and after they recovered Gaara on their mission, it seems they have had a very easy time communicating with each other, despite the nearly 3 year separation. They are capable of having a casual conversation together, and they seem to like spending time together.
Her first impression of the new Naruto was that of a more mature person; she was sorely disappointed to discover he was still lacking in that department. However, despite this she does see that he has mostly changed for the better. They were able to work together easily, and they were able to pass their second bell test. They later end up in a situation which Naruto decides to define as a "date" and Sakura, still furious over the previous let-down, replies "Fine. As long as you're paying." This left Sakura's feelings for Naruto somewhat vague. However, Yamato recently has alluded to the fact that Sakura seems to be developing feelings of love toward Naruto in Chapter 297.
Rescue Gaara arc
Sakura and Naruto were chosen to save Gaara after he was kidnapped. During the mission, Sakura learns the reason why Itachi and the Akatsuki are after Naruto. Naruto finally tells Sakura that he is the container of the Kyūbi. Sakura finally seemed to understand Naruto in many ways. She could understand why almost everyone hated him, excluded him, and why he was alone.
Chiyo tells Sakura if the demon within Gaara is removed, he will die. She realizes the same goes for Naruto as well, and she sheds tears for Naruto because she doesn't want him to die, but Naruto tells her not to worry because he'll save Gaara. She tries to tell Naruto that it's him she's worried about, but he ignores her. This information strengthened her desire to prevent Naruto becoming a victim to the Akatsuki, and she declares that she will make sure Naruto is not captured by them.
Together, Chiyo and Sakura defeat Sasori in combat, with Sakura's medical knowledge and physical strength (it is because of her ability to concentrate her chakra at one point and release it at once at the right time) coming into play often. Sakura's promise to help Naruto save Sasuke and protect Naruto from the Akatsuki was what helped motivate her to defeat Sasori. Meanwhile, Naruto and Kakashi defeat Deidara and managed to recover Gaara's body. Naruto and Chiyo were able to use their power to revive Gaara, albeit at the cost of Chiyo's life.
Grass Country arc Part 1: Bridge of Heaven and Earth
After Sakura defeats Sasori, he tells her some information that may help her and Naruto find Sasuke again. Since Kakashi is still recovering from the last mission, he is unable to participate in this mission; instead, two new characters codenamed Yamato and Sai were picked as the replacements for Kakashi and Sasuke.
Sakura's reaction towards temporary team member Sai has been notably more extreme than even Naruto's; going so far as to physically attack Sai with some prejudice when he insults Sasuke as a traitor to Konoha. Later Sai actually comments on Sakura's behavior and attitude towards Naruto as being kind and gentle.
Sakura's reaction toward's Naruto's Kyūbi form is similar to the time Sakura witnessed Sasuke use Orochimaru's seal in the Forest of Death. She was both surprised by Naruto's power, and she showed a great amount of concern for Naruto's well being. Naruto accidentally knocked Sakura out cold with his power, but she was saved by Yamato.
Kabuto comments to Sakura and Yamato that it seems Naruto was so desperate to save Sasuke that he let himself turn into a monster. Tears in her eyes and overcome by emotion, Sakura runs towards Naruto, ignoring Yamato's warning and tries to calm Naruto down. Yamato quickly acts to protect her, but does not make it in time. Naruto uses his leftmost tail to swipe Sakura aside, cutting her arm in the process. Kabuto, seeing Sakura as another opposing force to Akatsuki, willingly heals her arm. Yamato then proceeds to using a technique that appears to be a Jinchūriki-containing move called Hokage Shiki Jijun Jutsu: Kakuan Nitten Suishu (Hokage-Style Sixty-year-old Technique: Enclosed Hermitage Return to Society). A seal appears on Yamato's palm, which then, by a thick string of chakra, pierces Naruto's chest and forcefully starts returning Naruto to his normal state.
After Yamato demonstrated this technique, Sakura wanted to learn it in order to help Naruto in the future, but Yamato says that it is impossible since only he has the Shodai's blood. She replies that everything that she can possibly do for Naruto is too small. Yamato reassures her, saying that it doesn't matter on how big or small the things she does for Naruto are, but what matters is the strength of her feelings for Naruto. It is then implied that Yamato believes Sakura to be developing feelings for Naruto, but before he can expand on this point, Naruto wakes up.
After Naruto finally woke up, he saw that the bridge and certain parts of the forest have been leveled, and he wondered what happened. Apparently, after he grew the fourth tail, he forgot everything after that because he does remember starting a fight with Orochimaru in his three tailed form. Sakura lies to Naruto in order to protect him from the truth for now. Unfortunately, due to the damage that Naruto took from being possessed by the Kyūbi's chakra, he is still very weak. Naruto tells Sakura to leave him to chase after Orochimaru with Yamato.
Naruto catches up with the rest of his team, sans Sai, after he has rested and goes along with them to follow Sai. While traveling, Sakura falls out of the tree she is jumping from after the cut on her arm caused by Naruto's four-tailed form starts to hurt badly. Her fall is broken by Yamato, who suggests that they rest while Sakura attempts to recover, as her expertise as a medical ninja is needed if they are to complete the mission. However, he realizes that the damage caused by the Kyūbi's chakra cannot be healed even by a medical ninja with Sakura's level of proficiency. When Naruto inquires about the wound, Sakura says that she was injured by Orochimaru during the fight.
While Yamato calls Naruto off to the side to discuss something, Sakura goes through Sai's belongings and finds his art book. She calls attention to this book and shows it to the rest of the team. The sketchbook contains mysterious drawings of Sai and his assumed older brother growing up and going through a gauntlet of enemies. On each subsequent page, Sai takes the weapons and armor of his previous opponent. The center pages, where the two brothers are supposed to meet, are unfinished. The left page is completely empty, probably because Sai's brother has died, whereas the right page has an image of Sai in full Anbu attire, only without a face.
Grass Country Arc Part 2: Infiltrating Orochimaru's Base Arc
The three remaining members of Team Kakashi arrive at Orochimaru's hideout, following Yamato's Moku Bunshin. Yamato reveals that he was able to track Sai through a seed created by one of his own Moku jutsus which only reacts to his chakra signature. He had one inserted into Sai's food earlier and insists that Naruto and Sakura swallow one each before entering Orochimaru's lair. They both agree. When asked how they will get inside, Yamato decides to use a Doton (Earth Element) jutsu to get underneath the lair. Once the group gets underground, they find that the hideout is surrounded by rocks. Naruto suggests smashing them with his Rasengan, but Sakura warns against it, saying that it will cause too much noise. Instead, Yamato simply exterts pressure on a crack in the rock using wood summoned from one of his fingers, creating an entranceway large enough for the group to enter.
Once inside, Yamato announces that they will track down Sai first. Sensing him through the seed, Yamato leads the team over to where Sai has been locked into a room. Using another wood jutsu to create a skeleton key, Yamato unlocks the room and the team enters the room. Confronting Sai, Naruto grabs him and demands an explanation. Sai responds by saying that Naruto should quiet down, lest he attract some unwanted attention. Sakura returns Sai's art book with his thanks and asks him if he is following Danzō's orders. Yamato inquires if Danzō is planning the next attempt at Konoha's destruction. Emotionless, Sai closes his eyes and suddenly smiles, telling them that their assumptions are incorrect. However, Naruto recognizes his fake smile and yells that he is lying. Sai then states that his mission is a failure and confirms that Danzō is indeed planning another strike at Konoha.
Sakura yells at Sai about the collateral damage that will occur with Danzō's planned destruction of Konoha, Sai replies that he doesn't care and is only doing this since he was ordered to do so. He states that he sees himself only as an emotionless tool of Danzō. However, Sakura states that an emotionless ninja is an impossibility, using Sai's attachment to his art book as a link to his brother as an example.
Naruto tells Sai that he looks at Sasuke as a special friend and that there is still a bond between the two of them, which is why he'll get him back from Orochimaru at all costs. As Kabuto jumps in to free Sai, Sai suddenly restains him, as he was moved by Naruto's words. Sai said he'd help them look for Sasuke, and he goes off. Later Yamato finds a bingo book in Sai's bag that shows the pictures of dangerous missing-nins. Sakura notices Sasuke's picture inside, and all of them realize the Sai was also sent there to assassinate Sasuke.
In pursuit of Sai, Team Kakashi hears a loud explosion, from which Sai's chakra is also detected. Running to the source, Sakura spots Sai standing in a large blown-out room and is about to slug him for what she believes is him once again betraying the team. However, the mention of her name by a familiar voice stops her and she looks to the top of the room, seeing Sasuke for the first time since he left for Orochimaru. Sakura's reaction prompts Naruto to run into the room to see Sasuke for himself.
Trivia
- The name "Haruno" means "spring field" and "sakura" means "cherry blossom", which is the national flower of Japan.
- Sakura shares the same name as Wandaba Style's bratty nursery rhyme singer. Sakura is also one of the most common female names in anime.
- According to the official databook Sakura’s favourite foods are syrup-coated anko dumplings and umeboshi (pickled ume fruits); her least favourite food is anything really spicy. Her hobbies are Quizzes and memorizing things and her favorite phrase is 勇気 ("Yūki", "Courage"), although this was 一生愛の人生よ！ ("Issen ai no jinsei yo!," "A lifetime full of love") in the first databook. The latter was also featured in the ending song of episode 170 as a painting on her bedroom wall.
- Her personality is described as being willful and like an honors student.
- Sakura is supposedly afraid of frogs, as implied in the anime in episode 139.
- Sakura uses the same shampoo as Pakkun (Floral Green), however he claims that his hair is glossier.
- The reason why only Tsunade and Sakura are the only ones who have their monstrous strength is because of their unrivalled excellent chakra control– their strength comes from the use of chakra, which requires excellent control. Sakura has to store up chakra at a certain point, and release it all at once. If she didn't do that, her strength would be normal. If Sakura's chakra control wasn't top notch, Tsunade would have never been able to teach Sakura that, let alone become a medic. Overtime, both Tsunade and Sakura seem to naturally do that (Storing up chakra and releasing it), without actually having to concentrate. It is also possible Sakura can perform Tsunade's move, 'Tsutenkyaku' (Painful Sky Leg), though she has never done it yet. Tsunade basically jumps up and kicks her leg downward to form a massive crater with her monstrous strength, which Sakura also has.
- As Naruto, Jiraiya's apprentice, can summon toads, it's possible that Tsunade has taught Sakura how to summon slugs; in addition, she displays the same "monstrous strength" that Tsunade has, and also became an excellent medic like her teacher, implying that she, Naruto, and Sasuke are possibly the next generation "Legendary Sannin."
- In volume 1 of the manga, the cover of chapter 6 already showed Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura each standing on the animal summons of the Legendary Sannin. Naruto-Gamabunta,Sasuke-Manda,Sakura-Katsuyu.
- Whenever Sakura is shown with an animal, it is a slug.
- Sakura's vow to prevent Naruto from being a victim of the Akatsuki could possibly be foreshadowing a future fight or event in the series.
- In a recent interview on U.S. Shonen Jump Magazine, Masashi Kishimoto, the creator of the manga series, stated Sakura and Rock Lee were meant to symbolize human weakness (at least in the beginning).
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Haruno Sakura Fan Links
- Naruto Network - Haruno Sakura Biography