Archive of Our Own

A retelling of Naruto, from Sakura's perspective.

This time around, the girls play a more central role.

 

Basically I wanted to give Sakura and the girls more prominent roles. And when I started writing, I quickly came to the conclusion that all the side characters in Naruto were under-utilized. So I'm re-imagining how Naruto the manga the anime could have been if all the characters strengths were actually used in the story. This means Konoha Genin Team 9 will have a bigger role to play, also.

And... another controversial decision: Sasuke gets his moment to shine, in a Genin Team that is specifically designed for him. A Team that uses all of Sasuke's strengths, and where he can truly fulfill his purpose.

Parts of this fic get a bit dark, bullying is mentioned, Ino is a psycho, ...and uhh... Sasuke.... is himself (the unstable mess that is canon Sasuke).

Aside from that, I wanted to give some characters a happy ending. (Because they already suffered enough in canon, and they really don't deserve it.) So... Naruto was never alone to begin with. He was orphaned, sure, but he still had Jiraiya looking out for him. Oh and the entire Uzumaki Clan, of which sadly Nagato and Karin (cousins of Naruto) are the only survivors (now that Uzushiogakure has been destroyed). But they're family. And Naruto lives with them in Konoha.

(Nagato does not have the Rinnegan: that whole plot twist of Madara randomly obtaining a Rinnegan through !science, and gifting it to Nagato, felt so contrived. Madara is dead. There is no Rinnegan. Nagato Uzumaki is a Fuinjutsu Master.)

Karin Uzumaki is not a ninja. No one forced her into becoming one, in this timeline. And she's always preferred books to fighting. Karin is a nerd.

Naruto is aware of his status as "vessel" for the Demon Fox. Nagato told him when Naruto was very little. He has always known, in this timeline. And in this fic, Naruto is 2 years older than Sakura and the other Rookie Nine. Because Naruto got held back after he failed the Academy Finals, and had to redo sixth grade twice.