Sakura Haruno
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Haruno Sakura (ordered Sakura Haruno in the English anime) is a fictional character in the manga and anime Naruto.
Personality and Ability
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 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 Kyubi. "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" 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.
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, than 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 recites out loud the shinobi rule of repressing emotions and never showing them while hysterically crying over his body. This is also the first sign that she is coming to understand his frame of mind and his role as avenger better.
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. With Sasuke feverish and unconscious on the floor after being branded with Orochimaru's curse seal and Naruto similarly knocked out from the battle, Sakura finds herself the one in charge of protecting both of them from attacking sound-nin. As Kin Tsuchi grabs her by her long hair and immobilises her, commenting that if she's had that much time to spend on her appearance perhaps she should have spent it training. Sakura happens to have grown her hair long because it was "known" (or rather believed by the girls) that Sasuke liked girls with long hair (given Sasuke's disposition, this rumor is unlikely to have been true); taking her Kunai out, Sakura cuts her own hair, setting herself free in more ways than one. 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 terminates not by the intervention of Ino's team (though they make 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 comes close to killing 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, and it inspired her to fight harder. 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 and even offering to join his twisted journey so they at least can 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).
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.
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 with timid restraint.
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. 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. Motivated by an intense desire to be of use to her village and friends, and help Naruto rescue Sasuke at all costs. Sakura would no doubt rather be dead than 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 shedded 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 displayed some infatuation with Naruto throughout the Naruto II arc. Some fans have interpreted one of her comments towards him as flirting. Before and after they recovered Garra on their mission, it seems they have had a very easy time communicating with each other. They are capable of just having a casual conversation with each other.
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 leaves the status of Sakura's feelings for Naruto somewhat vague. However, the chances that Sakura and Naruto having mutual feelings for each other are very likely for two reasons. One, they have become much closer in this arc, and they spend a lot of time together. Two, Sakura fits the stereotype of being the girlfriend of the main character. However in Chapter 297, Yamato implied to Sakura that she was starting to develop feelings of love towards Naruto, and she did not deny it. Unfortunately, this is a touchy issue with the Western Naruto Fandom.
Gaara's Rescue arc
Sakura and Naruto were choosen to save Gaara after he was kidnapped. During the mission Sakura learns the reason why Itachi is after Naruto. Naruto finally tells Sakura that he is the container of the Kyūbi. Sakura finally realizes why almost everyone in the village used to hate Naruto. Chiyo told 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 about him.
Together, Chiyo and Sakura defeat Sasori in combat. Chiyo and Naruto were able to save Gaara's life as well.
Grass Country arc
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. This was considered a serious turning point, as up until then Sakura punching someone in the face was always in comedy-type scenes. 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 speaks with Sakura and Yamato, saying that 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 Jijūn Jutsu: Kaku An Nitten Sui Shū, which roughly translates to 'Hokage-Style Obedience Technique: Enclosed Hermit Insertion Heavenly Palm'. 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.
In Chapter 297, Sakura wanted to learn the Kaku An Nitten Sui Shū in order to help Naruto in the future. After Yamato told Sakura why she couldn't, she cried. She believes that everything that she can possibly do for Naruto are too small. However, Yamato said that it doesn't matter on how big or small the things she does for Naruto are. He said what matters are the strength of her feelings for Naruto. Yamato implied that Sakura is starting to develop feelings of love for Naruto, though it is a touchy subject for fans. See Naruto Fandom.
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.
- 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 ni jinsei yo!," "A lifetime full of love") in the first databook, 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 honours student.
- Sakura is supposedly afraid of frogs, as implied in the anime in episode 139.
External Links
Serendipity A shrine dedicated to Sakura with plenty of related info and media.
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