Sakura Haruno (APPROVED)

Name: Sakura Haruno

Nicknames/Titles: Cherry Blossem

Age: 15-16

Gender: Female

Sexual Preference: Heterosexual [straight]

Ninja Rank: Chunnin

Shinobi Village: Leaf

Appearance:

Personality:Sakura has a deep infatuation for Sasuke Uchiha, rooted primarily in his good looks, cool attitude, and prodigious talents. Because of this, many of Sakura's early appearances are dedicated to her continuing effort to win his affection.[18] As the story progresses and she begins to spend more time with Sasuke as a teammate, Sakura develops a concern that Sasuke will someday abandon her and the rest of Konohagakure in his quest for power.[19] When her fears come true at the end of Part I, Sakura does all that she can to stop Sasuke from leaving, such as professing her love for him and offering to join him. Though touched by her words, they do not stop Sasuke from defecting from Konoha.[20] Since then, Sakura has made her personal goal to bring Sasuke home, which becomes a recurring component of her role in Part II.[21] Although she still worries about his well-being[22] and doesn't allow others to insult Sasuke,[23] Sakura is willing to attack him if it means returning him to Konoha.[24]

Sakura's relationship with Naruto Uzumaki, like with Sasuke, also changes throughout the series. When first teamed up together, Sakura views Naruto as a talentless idiot who deliberately tries to ruin her life.[18] As the story progresses and Naruto continually shows his worth as a ninja as well as his dedication to his teammates, Sakura realizes that her initial perceptions of him were wrong.[25] After Sasuke defects from Konoha at the end of Part I, Sakura pleads for Naruto to bring him back. Having a crush on Sakura, Naruto does all in his power to return Sasuke to her.[26] Although he fails and is left in the hospital afterwards, he vows to someday complete the task she has given him. Realizing the lengths Naruto will go to for her, Sakura spends the two-and-a-half years dividing Part I and II to training so that she can help Naruto during his next attempt.[21] As they search for Sasuke during Part II, Sakura learns of the various hardships Naruto faces: the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox and Akatsuki.[27] Saddened by the impact both forces have had on his life, Sakura becomes protective of Naruto and tries to do whatever she can to help him overcome these obstacles.[28]

Within Sakura resides "Inner Sakura," a manifestation of her inner emotions. In addition to comic relief, Inner Sakura represents Sakura's actual opinion on things when she outwardly displays something opposite.[18] Inner Sakura's appearances are typically marked by an exclamation of "Shānnarō" (しゃーんなろー?). The phrase has no literal meaning, but is usually translated as "hell yeah," "hell no," or "damn it" depending on the situation. Viz media replaces it with the word "Cha!" in the English versions of Naruto. Although she appears quite frequently at the start of the series, Inner Sakura all but disappears midway through Part I, her only other appearance being at the start of Part II.[29] Sakura, likewise, now performs the emotional outbursts she once relied on Inner Sakura for, much to the dismay of those who are around her at the time.[30]



Clan: Haruno

Chakra Elements: none

Skills/Specialties: Medical-nin

Weapons: Kunai, fists, basic ninja wepons

History/Background Story: Upon being assigned as a member of Team 7, Sakura spent much of her time trying to appeal to Sasuke despite the fact that Sasuke had no interest in her and had a habit of belittling her. All the while, Naruto tried to appeal to Sakura, despite the fact that she had no interest in him and degraded him whenever given the opportunity. As such, when Kakashi administered a test on the three to see if they would be allowed to become Genin, Sakura preoccupied herself with following Sasuke instead of helping Naruto. After Kakashi lectured Sakura for this as well as Naruto and Sasuke for their respective faults, Sakura realized that if they are to become Genin, they would need to work as a team, even if that meant breaking the rules. This revelation having been the goal of the test, Kakashi passed the three, Team 7 being the first group to have ever passed his test.

[edit] Land of Waves arcSakura accompanies the rest of her team on their first mission to the Land of Waves to act as bodyguards for Tazuna. While there Kakashi administers a Tree Climbing Practice, and Sakura masters the exercise on her first try. This leaves her in charge of escorting Tazuna while Naruto and Sasuke complete the training. When they are later attacked by Zabuza and Haku, Sakura protects Tazuna while Kakashi, Naruto, and Sasuke battle the enemy. After hearing that Sasuke was apparently killed, Sakura violated Shinobi Rule #25 of not showing any kind of emotions by crying for Sasuke's loss even as she recited it. When Sasuke turned out to have only been in a death-trance, Sakura was relieved that he was alive. Once their mission was completed, Team 7 returned to Konoha.

[edit] Chunin Exam arcWhen Team 7 is entered into the Chunin Exams, Sakura is reluctant to participate because she feels she is too weak. With some reassurance from Sasuke she agrees to enter. During the first, written portion of the exam, Sakura is one of the few examinees that is able to answer the questions without cheating. She instead spends her time lamenting that Naruto is probably too stupid to answer the questions or know that he is supposed to cheat, and some contemplates forfeiting so that he doesn't need to embarrass himself. After seeing Naruto's confidence in himself she decides against it and they pass the first phase.

Soon after the start of the second phase of the Chunin Exams, Team 7 was attacked by Orochimaru. Although Naruto and Sasuke did their best to defeat Orochimaru, both were rendered unconscious and Sakura was left to take care of them. When they were attacked by a group of Sound Genin sent by Orochimaru to kill Sasuke, Sakura tried to defeat them with some traps she had pre-prepared, though the group easily avoided her efforts. Just as the Sound Genin were about to turn their attention to Sakura, Rock Lee came to her rescue, determined to protect Sakura at all costs. Despite his best efforts, Lee was defeated and the Sound Genin again turned their attention to Sakura. Kin Tsuchi immobilized Sakura by grabbing her hair, scolding her for putting more effort in her looks than her abilities as a ninja.

Distraught that people were always fighting for her because she couldn't fight for herself, Sakura resolved to better herself as a ninja. Cutting off her hair to release herself from Kin's grasp, Sakura did what she could to fend off the Sound Genin, even going so far as biting to make sure that she couldn't be easily repelled. This display spurred Ino and her team into coming to Sakura's aid, allowing the latter to rest. An unconscious Sasuke re-awakened after receiving Orochimaru's cursed seal, and the first thing he did was to ask Sakura who injured her. Quickly overcome by his new cursed seal, he began a violent rampage on the Sound ninja who were present. Frightened by his new behavior and realizing that "this is not Sasuke," a tearful Sakura rushed to his side and embraced him, begging him to stop. Her words and embrace got through to him, and his cursed seal quickly receded.


Sakura fighting Ino during her preliminary match.In the preliminary matches of the exam, Sakura was pitted against Ino. After Sakura and Ino exchanged insults, Ino followed Sakura's earlier example and cut her hair, leading Sakura to believe that Ino had lost her mind. In actuality, Ino cut her hair to help her in battle; by sending chakra into her cut hair, Ino was able to tie Sakura in place, allowing her slow moving Mind Body Switch Technique to have no difficulties in finding its target. After taking control of Sakura's body, Ino tried to force Sakura to forfeit, though Inner Sakura forced Ino from her body before she could do so. With both girls exhausted from the amount of effort they'd been putting into their fight, Ino and Sakura charged at each other to deal final blows. Striking each other simultaneously, both were knocked out, leading to a draw. As the two recovered, Ino and Sakura began to rekindle their friendship

[edit] Invasion of Konoha arcA month later, while watching Naruto and Sasuke's matches during the finals and marveling at how their abilities had improved, the invasion of Konoha began. Sakura was able to repel the sleep inducing genjutsu that spread throughout the stadium. Because of this, and because Sasuke had pursused Gaara, Kakashi tasked Sakura with waking and assembling a team to go after him. Upon catching up with Sasuke, Sakura protected him from Gaara's attacks, risking her life to put herself between him and danger. Gaara used his sand to immobilize her, and as the sand slowly suffocated Sakura, Naruto fought to defeat Gaara. After Naruto defeated Gaara, Sakura was freed. Later, Sakura thanked Sasuke for saving her, but he explained to her that it was Naruto who had saved her, and she turned to smile at Naruto, not noticing the jealous scowl on Sasuke's face as she did so.

[edit] Sasuke Retrieval arcAs time goes by and Sasuke's lust for power grows stronger, Sakura grows concerned that he may abandon Konoha to seek out Orochimaru. Although she spends as much time with him as she can in an effort to deter him from this path, Sasuke finally defects. Having suspected this would happen, Sakura met him at the village's exit, doing what she could to stop him. When it seemed that he was still going to leave, Sakura declared that she was in love with him. She said she would do anything for him, even offering to help him in his quest for power, so long as she could be with him. Sasuke then turned to her and called her annoying but smirked as he did so. Sakura then threatened to scream and alert the village of his betrayal. Sasuke, apparently affected by her words and tears, gave her a soft "thank you" before knocking her unconscious and leaving the village.

When Naruto set out the next day to retrieve Sasuke, Sakura came out to meet him. Sakura begged for Naruto to bring Sasuke back, believing Naruto to be the only person who could get through to Sasuke. Naruto, looking at the crying Sakura, promised her that he would bring Sasuke back, making it his promise to her for a lifetime. This brought more tears as Sakura realized that Naruto knew how she felt and that he had always been there for her.

After Naruto failed to bring Sasuke back and was left hospitalized in the process, he apologized to Sakura for his failure and asserted that he will definitely keep his promise. Inspired by Naruto's determination, she replied that next time they would retrieve Sasuke together and that she would be there to help him from now on. Determined to never be useless again and to save Sasuke and help Naruto, Sakura then asked Tsunade to become her apprentice, a request which Tsunade happily accepted.

[edit] Pre-Shippūden filler arcsLittle was seen of Sakura during the filler arcs, much of her time being preoccupied with training. When she did go out on missions with her fellow Genin, Sakura served as the medical specialist, healing the wounds of others and examining bodies. Ino, jealous of Sakura's newfound healing abilities, asked to train with Sakura to be a medical ninja. To Ino's dismay, Sakura immediately proclaimed that Ino would be her junior during the course of the training.

edit Part II
Sakura in Part II.After Naruto returns from his two-and-a-half years of training abroad, Sakura was one of the first villagers to greet him. Kakashi soon recruited both of them into Team Kakashi and issued another bell test, this time the goal actually being to take the bells. Both are able to show off their new abilities, but in the end are only able to take the bells by tricking Kakashi.

[edit] Rescue Gaara arcAfter returning from the bell test they learn that Akatsuki has captured Gaara. Team Kakashi is assigned to go to Sunagakure to help rescue him. Upon arriving in Sunagakure, Sakura uses her new medical expertise to save Kankuro from a poison given to him be Akatsuki member Sasori. Sakura then makes a few antidotes to counteract the poison in case anyone on the team should have need of it. The antidote in hand, Team Kakashi follows Akatsuki's trail accompanied by Chiyo, a Sunagakure adviser.

Once they arrive at the Akatsuki lair the team splits up, Chiyo and Sakura fighting Sasori while Kakashi and Naruto go after Deidara and Gaara's body. With Both Sasori and Chiyo being master puppeteers, and with all of Sasori's attacks being imbued with his poison, Chiyo controls Sakura like a puppet to improve her dexterity. This, combined with the analysis of Sasori's movements gained from her training with Tsunade, allows Sakura to land a number of successful attacks on Sasori. To cut off the help Sakura is getting from Chiyo, Sasori tries to kill Chiyo, only for Sakura to step in as a human shield. Distracted, Chiyo stabbed Sasori through the heart. As his life waned he relished the fact that Sakura would die too, only to be proven wrong by the combination of Sakura's antidote and Chiyo's healing ability. As a reward to Sakura for surviving, Sasori tells Sakura of a spy within Orochimaru's ranks with his last breath.

When they catch up with Naruto and Kakashi, Sakura tries to revive Gaara, only to discover that he is already dead. As Chiyo surrendered the rest of her energy to perform the resurrection technique to save Gaara, she said to Sakura not to give her life for an old woman and that someday she would surpass her master as a female ninja. After attending Chiyo's funeral the team returns home.

[edit] Sasuke and Sai arc
The reborn Team Kakashi.With the information gained from Sasori, Team Kakashi decides to use this as an opportunity to find Sasuke. Because Kakashi is still bedridden after his encounter with Deidara, Yamato leads the team instead. Sai is also added to the team as Sasuke's replacement, but neither Naruto or Sakura are willing to view him as such and have difficulties getting along with him. Their mission being to meet with and capture the spy, Yamato, disguised as Sasori, goes on ahead. When the spy, Kabuto Yakushi, ends up being in league with Orochimaru, Yamato calls in the team for back up.

Naruto quickly engages Orochimaru in combat, and Sakura is surprised by the danger of his tailed transformations. She is then knocked out cold after Kabuto is thrown away by Naruto and slams into her. After coming to she realizes that Naruto has advanced to a four-tailed form and Sakura approaches him to provide assistance, he attacks and injures her, unaware of what he is doing. Once Yamato forces the demon fox's influence to recede, Sakura attends to his wounds and laments that all she can do is heal him after a battle. He recuperates and they continue on to Orochimaru's hideout, where Sai finally proves his worth by helping them find Sasuke. When they prove unable to persuade Sasuke to come home with them they attack him instead, but this is also ineffective. Sasuke escapes and, defeated, the team returns home.

[edit] Fire Temple arcIn the anime, Team Yamato is sent to the Fire Temple to investigate the grave robbings of some of the former Twelve Ninja Guardian. While trying to apprehend the grave robbers they are drawn into a trap and their team is split up. Sakura is attacked by a giant spider but is saved by Sai, and together they find Naruto and rescue him from Fuka's soul absorbing power (although Sakura furiously thought Naruto was making out with the enemy).

Later, during the attack on Konoha, Sakura did her part as medical ninja, healing all injured people she came across until she was told to aid Asuma at the power plant. There she discovered that the four of the Ninja Guardians had been resurrected in order to destroy the village, and Asuma sent her to stop one of the four. She was intercepted by Fuen who trapped her in a unique genjutsu. However, Sakura had already analyzed Fuen's attack patterns and devised a counter-maneuver. She then tricked Fuen into revealing herself, allowing Sakura to strike her, causing Fuen's defensive barrier around Konoha to disappear. She returns to Asuma and finds Naruto struggling with the demon fox's chakra once again. After he overcomes it she heals his injuries.

[edit] Hidan and Kakuzu arcTeam Yamato is sent to provide backup for Team 10 during their battle with Akatsuki. Because Shikamaru was separated from the rest of the group, Sai and Sakura were sent to provide assistance for him, though upon arrival they found that Shikamaru had already defeated his opponent. Having not taken part in the battle, Sakura returned to Konoha with the others, and later healed the damage to Naruto's arm from the use of his new jutsu. Because this makes it difficult for him to eat, she offers to feed him. Though he is delighted by the idea, interference from both Sai and Kakashi prevent this from happening.

[edit] Three-Tails Arrival arcIn the anime, the team is once again sent to provide backup, this time for Team 8. After locating them and finding Hinata to have been captured, Sakura watches as Naruto rescues her and helps her recover afterwards. After rejoining her team and learning that the Three-Tailed Giant Turtle has appeared, and Sakura is added to a team meant to seal the beast. When their efforts keep being stopped by Orochimaru's forces, more skilled ANBU members replace them and they return home.

[edit] Hunt for Uchiha arcWhen news reaches Konoha that Sasuke has killed Orochimaru, Sakura and Naruto were the first to join Kakashi's Eight Man Squad and began the hunt. During her search, she barely missed a member of Sasuke's Taka, Karin, and followed Deidara's suicide explosion to regroup. When Kiba caught Sasuke's scent, the group followed until they encountered Deidara's former partner, Tobi. Sakura initially suspected that he was using genjutsu or clone techniques, but after Hinata pointed out that his chakra remained in one location and Tobi managed to escape Shino's bugs, she realized that he was removing parts of his body from existence. She attempted to head to Sasuke's location with her team, but Tobi had already taken him away.

[edit] Invasion of Pain arcOnce they return to Konoha and learn of Jiraiya's death, Sakura tries to comfort both Naruto and Tsunade. When Naruto blames Tsunade for the death of Jiraiya, Sakura scolds him. She is then shocked to hear Naruto declare that he will get his revenge. She later tries to help decipher Jiraiya's dying message to find out more about the Akatsuki leader, Pain, but is interrupted by Pain's attack on the village. Sakura goes to the Konoha hospital, defending the building and healing what injuries she can.

When Pain destroys the village, Sakura is saved by Katsuyu and can then only watch as Naruto tries to defeat him. She becomes worried when Naruto enters a six-tailed state, and is amazed to find out that Hinata risked her life to try and save Naruto. She heals Hinata afterwards and watches as Pain, defeated and converted by Naruto, revives all those who had died during his attack.

[edit] Sasuke and Sixth Hokage arcWhen Naruto returns from his conversation with Nagato, Sakura punches him but then tearfully hugs him and thanks him. She is then devastated to tell Naruto and the others that she and Shizune cannot do anything else for Tsunade who is left on a state of coma. She tried to cheer Naruto up after what happened to Tsunade but they were later called by Tazuna and Inari who complimented her appearance causing her to blush. Tazuna then looked for Sasuke but Naruto stated that he has been gone for a while and will bring him back, causing Sakura to look relieved. She then saw Kiba and was shocked to hear that Danzo is now Hokage and has ordered for Sasuke to be eliminated as a missing-nin. Team Samui also reveals that Sasuke is now an Akatsuki member. She desperately said that she'll confront Danzo about Sasuke but was stopped by Kakashi. She then along with Naruto talked to Sai, but the trio was attacked by Omoi and Karui pointing out that Sasuke has attacked their master and is now a member of the Akatsuki.

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