#pre shippuden

[leechdoggy]

Idk everyone is so gung-ho about revolution sasuke. Revolution Sasuke was birthed off of the weeping back of Genin Sasuke my beloved

[nat-but-free]

Just a little dude

[lordexplosionmurder132]

Im not a violent dog..

I don't know why i bite..

[yaoiconnoisseur]

yeah but like imagine if kakashi’s trauma manifested like this

instead of becoming angry, cold, and distant during his ANBU years

[stu-dyingstudent]

kid/academy/pre-genin Sakura Haruno fic recs

To be honest, there aren't many kid or academy Sakura fics out there, at least that I can find, and most of which are actually time travel AUs. Now, the tricky thing with it is that most of those tend to start where Sakura is quite young, but by the end of the story she is a genin. So, it gives me the difficult decision of whether of not I should include those on this list (I haven't decided).

Anyway, the other difficult aspect of fanfiction about a young Sakura is the writing itself. There has to be a good balance of childishness and eloquence to ensure that the writing is not just truthful to the character, but that it also flows with the story. These are some of the ones I like!

Started: 2024.07.25

Last Updated: 2024.09.28

note: feel free to check out my master list which has a bunch of Sakura Haruno fic recs (all organized)!

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Satori (Between the Lines) - Jaylene || ffn || gen || T || academy AU || complete

While attending the Academy, Sakura's field experience assignment with the Konohagakure Intelligence Division ends up being more valuable than she'd ever guess.

Sakura lands herself working in Torture & Intelligence??? From the very beginning Sakura has been pegged as a "paper ninja" where she is constantly praised for her intelligence, so Satori (Between the Lines) is academy Sakura putting these skills to use. Super good read and includes characters we don't normally get to see in fics!

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Time Flies Like An Arrow - Katlou303 || ao3 || gen || K || time travel AU || complete

Sakura traveled back in time with the intent of changing everything, but something went wrong, and now she's four years old having nightmares about impossible monsters and losing friends she has yet to meet.

Time Flies Like An Arrow is probably the most interesting take on a time travel AU I have ever read. Sakura ends up going back in time to when she is 4 years old and not even in the academy. The only thing is, she has no clue that this is the second time she's living this life and her mind is still one of a child.

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Two Minds (are better than one) - Lesemaus16 || ao3 || gen || Tobirama as inner AU || complete

Tobirama doesn't generally object to being reborn. He does object to being stuck in the mind of a little girl, though.Sakura grows up with a grumpy voice in her head, telling her to train more.Tobirama's influence on Sakura might very well change the story. Or maybe not, who knows.

note: I think this might actually take place during the genin days, but I have to check since I can't remember.

Tobirama is such a great character (so refreshing) and his interactions with Sakura in this are gold! I hope one day Kishimoto will release some side stories about him and other characters from his time as we really don't know that much about them tbh.

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New Day Dawning - IncompleteSentanc (Erava) || ao3 || narusaku || T || canon divergence || complete

One day, while visiting the grave of Nohara Rin, Obito stumbles across a young girl terrifyingly like her. He decides to ensure she doesn’t meet the same fate.As for Sakura? Sakura had no idea what she was awakening the day she went to visit her parents graves - but she never looked back. One way or another.(Feat. Sakura raised by Obito and the Akatsuki, and her eventual return to Konoha and all those she left behind)

Sakura is brainwashed and manipulated, but loved by notorious killers nonetheless. Incredibly well written and I won't lie when I say that the ending took me a bit by surprise. Also, I should warn you that this does take place over a long time and thus Sakura does not remain a child for the whole thing, but I just really wanted to put New Day Dawning on this list (just read it).

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In Another World - eleventheeggo || ao3 || gen || T || orphan Sakura AU || ongoing

What if Sakura was an orphan instead of Naruto and Sasuke? A story about a socially stunted girl who has a thirst for knowledge and is surrounded by softies who love her all the same.

Orphan!Sakura is not something I knew I needed in my life! She is so precious and it's great to watch all of these characters come together for her sake. In Another World also discusses ROOT a bit, which you know I love, so I can't wait for the story to get there.

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Your Move, Instigator (draw your weapon and hold your tongue) - Laysan_albatross || ao3|| third war extended AU || complete

“We are still under wartime policy,” the recruiter had told her parents. He had an envelope in his hand. He sounded sorry. “She has two parents who are successful ninjas. We would be remiss to overlook her potential based upon that alone.” The Third Shinobi War never ended. Konoha needs more soldiers, grabbing anyone who can fight, especially those who can't say no.

I feel like one of Your Move Instigator's biggest strengths is that it truly gets across the innocence (or loss) of these characters. They themselves don't fully understand what they are doing or why. They are just children following the orders given to them by adults, even if that means taking the life of another. In the beginning, Sakura even recalls times of her spelling and grammar being corrected in her reports along with other childish things. Konoha has shown themselves of not being above dispatching young children to fight, but this story just brings that devastation to new light.

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cut the head off the snake - itsthechocopuff || ao3 || T || time travel AU || complete

when eighteen-year-old, post-war Sakura is thrown back into her tiny, pre-Academy body, she makes a decision. she'd had a childhood once already, and this time, she's more interested in Not Dying when the inevitable shit hits the proverbial fan. so she will work harder, care less, kill more, and smile when she's done. and hey, if she ends up reviving an extinct nature transformation to attract the most corrupt, power-hungry man from her timeline, all the better for her, right?

Probably one of the best time travel AUs out there!! Also, we get to see ROOT!Sakura in here, which I love in addition to Sai (my baby). I know I said it's incomplete, but it's only missing one chapter so you still get plenty of story. Anyway, definitely check out cut the head off the snake!!

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Not so imaginary - FangirlJo || ao3 || gen || T || ghost Tobirama AU || incomplete

Haruno Sakura was 5 when she realises her imaginary friend was not so imaginary at all and resembles the Second Hokage by a lot. Like a lot a lot. In which Senju Tobirama is Sakura's Ghost Sensei. Things change, chaos ensues and Tobirama is once more reminded with the reason he doesn't have kids.

Damn, I just really love Tobirama as a character. This guy rocks and deserves more story time (justice for Tobirama!!).

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Ground Zero - TheIzzatron || ao3 || gen || T || third war extended AU || incomplete

Desperate times call for desperate measures. If this means forcing weapons into the hands of children, then so be it.

A young Sakura is taken advantage of in her parents’ absence at war and is enrolled into the academy's "accelerated" program. The complete unfairness of the situation is skillfully conveyed throughout the story. Sakura is left to wonder why she too isn't learning about flowers and history like Ino? Why Ino isn't learning the fastest way to kill her enemies? The characters and their emotions are so well done that you truly feel just how cheated they are. They aren't heartless, they are children. Highly recommend.

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Inherited Will of Fire - jokergirl2001 || ffn || T || gen || sakura can see ghosts AU || incomplete

She always knew she was a natural at genjutsu but what she didn't know was that being a natural meant she had some immense talent when it comes to spiritual energy. Well at least that's what the cheerful raven haired boy who apparently drowned himself on purpose said.

I only just started reading this now, but Inherited Will of Fire is super cute! Academy Sakura finds she is able to see ghosts after stumbling upon Shisui shortly after the Uchiha massacre.

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One Change in the Story - Aingeal98 || ffn || T || gen || time travel AU || incomplete

It wasn't supposed to be like this. She was only supposed to go back five minutes in time. Instead, Sakura wakes up in a dark room surrounded by people wearing black cloaks with red clouds on them. The worst part? She doesn't have a clue who she is.

Praying for One Change in the Story to be completed!! Sakura lands herself back in time with the mind and body of her four year old self. With Pein being the first one to find her, Sakura's new life purpose is to be the Akatsuki's weapon. Similar to New Day Dawning, Sakura doesn't stay a child for the entirety of this fic, but I still think it is a notable mention. Sakura slowly loses herself to her new roll and in a sense becomes the embodiment of a ROOT agent. It was interesting to see Itachi's internal battle with the situation and Konan's guilt. However, even with Sakura bound to Ame, there are children back in Konoha who have an itch that a pink-haired girl named Sakura is someone important.

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Old Man by the Bar - Varmint || ao3 || T || gen || academy AU || complete

All it took was one school teacher's decision for the reality of Konoha to be altered in a way that no one could have imagined. Follow Kiba Inuzuka, Sakura Haruno, and Chouji Akimichi as they grow as individuals, friends, and ninja. All with the help of that grumpy old man with all of the cool war stories.

The way this fic is genuinely so good and I almost never see people talking about it is criminal! The interactions between the kids are truly great and there is so much character growth among them. Kiba, Sakura, and Choji really just started off as a group of misfits thrown together for an assignment, but even though it was a complete disaster they grew to appreciate the relationship formed.

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Y'all, please send me some good kid/academy Sakura fics!!!! Or write one...

[thesauce8]

“if not for izanagi, obito would be dead, so he lost”

if not for konan’s crucial knowledge of obito’s abilites, she’d be dead, so she lost.

if tenten was the nine tails, she’d be super powerful, so she’s the most powerful character.

“if x character didn’t have {insert important asset in their arsenal}, they’d be dead, so they’re weak.”

using this logic, we can discredit or uplift any character. literally what’s the point

[matt-at]

shark man and his friend the young-old man!

[x-emeraldsky-x]

Sasuke pressed his index finger to his lips, looking up at Sakura from where he sat. She continued to cut ingredients for dinner, noticing his gaze after a few minutes. He averted his eyes, cheeks dusted a light pink. He tried to play it off by resting his chin on his hand, but Sakura new this game all too well.

His indirect question was answered with a gentle kiss, the taste of cucumber and capsicum tingling off Sakura's lips. She's always had a habit of snacking on her cooking ingredients. He brought his hand to the back of her neck to deepen the kiss, subsequently stopping her weak attempt to pull away. Sakura obliged in his desire until her back strained from leaning. She nipped his lip, causing him to yelp, and made her escape during his distraction.

"How about after I cook dinner, hm?"

Sasuke pouted. He wanted her now, and his desire for her outweighed any desire to wait, but there was promise in her voice. Promise that after cooking, she'll take him to their bedroom and pin him down. And for that, Sasuke would wait a lifetime if he needed to.

He watched her closely, every small tense of her muscular arms made him want to be held, the short glances of her eyes made him want to be seen, and the gentle grip of her hands made him want to be touched. Every second he spent staring, the more he sat wanting.

Sakura finished chopping and turned to the stove, a pan already oiled and heated waiting for her. Sasuke shifted the chair to see better, marvelling at how unphased she was when the oil splashed on her arm when the ingredients went in.

Part of him felt silly for finding such small things so amazing, but the growing impatience pushed the thought to the back of his mind.

He watched her swirl the vegetables with a wooden spoon, taking note of her concentration and technique. Sasuke felt a pang of jealously in his chest, even though it was just a pan and spoon. He wanted her focus on him.

Sasuke stood from his chair and shuffled next to her, looking up at her and resuggesting his advance.

This time, however, Sakura didn't pull her gaze to him, she didn't lean in nor did she pause what she was doing. Sasuke pulled himself closer, placing himself in her periphery.

"Sakura," he started. His words turning into mumbers the more he spoke. "Please... please kiss me."

Sakura hummed, finally catching his presence. It took her a moment to process his words, and she laughed a little once she did.

"You're too cute," she said, tilting her head forward and chuckling. "Last one."

Sasuke connected their lips impatiently, gripping Sakura's qipao tightly in his hand to pull her closer. Sakura caved to his desires until the smell of burning zucchini broke their kiss.

She worked quickly to try and correct the error, hoping the slight char wouldn't affect the overall dish too badly. In the end, though, it was only for them. Sakura would eat anything put on the table, and Sasuke would eat anything Sakura prepared for him, so nothing would be wasted.

Sasuke slowly pulled away despite his desires, giving Sakura some room to move. He returned to his chair and went back to watching her, licking his lips to savour the taste of her lip balm. An off vanilla taste that mixed poorly with onion and pepper. He loved it regardless, mostly because it came from her.

As the clock ticked by and the pops of the oil slowed, Sakura's gentle humming came into ear. It was an unfamiliar tune, something from Naruto's interests he assumed, but it was soothing. She often hummed like this during her tasks, the house was rarely quiet because of it.

Sasuke didn't mind it either. Like this, everything was cozy and warm. Calm despite the nature of the Hidden Leaf and it's prized medical ninja. It had become home after all those years away, and in the end, Sasuke didn't mind waiting if it was like this.

His eyes slowly fluttered shut as he listened, almost slipping into sleep then and there. About fifteen minutes left until dinner was ready and he'd have her full attention. About fifteen minutes of hearing her hum.

They were fifteen minutes he didn't mind at all.

[moldy-flowers]

Cant take Naruto seriously cause I know for a fact whenever his baby teeth started to wobble just a little he'd rip them right out and all I have is the image of Naruto walking into class 20 minuites late with 7 less teeth than he had yesterday

[al-hekima-madara-blog]

Hi my friends,

I hope everybody is ready for Madara's birthday, I have at least 3/4 metas posts ready and cooking on the fire :

~ The Menu ~

-Yin/Yang generality part 1 : I will post it this evening since it's not directly talking about Madara but it's really important to understand the part 2

-Yin Yang part 2 (Madara/Hashirama) ~ 24/12/2024

-What's Madara's dream? ~25/12/2024

-What if we rewrite Madara as a hero? ~26/12/2024

-Is Madara a tengu? ~27/12/2024

[evilkitten3]

i've seen some genuinely incredible designs for orochimaru's parents but i just wanna throw my own hc out to see if anyone else likes it:

they were two completely normal people. orochimaru was just born like that

[emo-nova]

I have come to a realisation why I don't like Boruto:Next Gen. It isn't quite the turn they have decided, but it focuses more on the handling of Naruto and his actions as a father. I truly, and utterly believe, that this is what turned me off from the show, albeit some storylines of the show is iffy to me its fine.

Naruto, in my whole opinion, would try to emulate Iruka Umino. He would try to be there for his son, for his failings and his successes even before and after as Hokage. This kid would become Hokage and immediately go to Iruka and ask how to balance work and private so he can be there for his son, he might go to Kakashi as well but let's be honestly does he have a life outside of his work as a ninja? Anyways.

This is what got me off of the show. I couldn't watch Naruto as a parent of Boruto because I don't think he would be handling it like that. He would take his son out after forcing him to clean the faces for ramen or burgers to get him to speak up about it. He would try to emulate the father-figure Iruka was to him in his early life, and he would be the same with Himawari.

That is my realisation. I know that if Naruto parented differently, there would or could be bigger changes in Boruto Canon. I am fine with cherry picking what I like from it, but Naruto being an absent parent is not what I see for him.

If I have anything wrong, do tell me, I will like to be stand corrected over this :)

[martialartslover7]

Here, as I promised, to keep you all excited for the final chapter of "The Hero, The Blind & The Martyr" story, here is another NaruHina story project of mine, except now, this takes place BEFORE Shippuden.

This is my attempt at writing a whole freaking saga about the Hyuga clan, before Naruto would head off to train with Jiraiya. And yes, I am aware, these conflicts may have gotten resolved in the canon story, but, you know what the biggest issue here is? It was all done off-screen, like, no on-screen conflict solving, no scenes of the Hyuga elders being challenged by either Neji or Hinata, or this conflict with Hanabi being resolved, nothing. None of it ended up making the cut, either in the manga, or the anime.

And sure, you can say, "read the databooks" or, "read the Retsuden manga" or whatever, but the question is, why should I? The Hyuga clan isn't non-canon, they are part of the main storyline, Hinata is ending up with Naruto, and you mean to tell me, they were never deserving of the courtesy of getting more screentime to have these problems resolved, ON-SCREEN? Fuck no. I don't roll like that. I am more of a man with the saying:

Show, don't tell.

I don't want to read this as a "mention on the side", to me, this is just disrespectful towards both Neji and Hinata as standalone characters, who never had the privilege of getting their own baggage solved, with Naruto's assistance.

On that note, have some dorky Naruto and Neji bromance, as they both ended up having the exact same coherent thought: Hinata's well-being above all.

Enjoy.

All characters belong to Kishimoto

P.S.: Tsunade drank coffee... mixed with vodka, mind you. Yup.

[bythepen98]

More Naruto doodles (ft. team 7 and implied Shikanaru) 💛

Had to fulfill my need to draw Naruto in a typical highschool uniform👉 👈

[im-still-watching-anime]

*naruto and sasuke arguing*

sasuke: well at least sakura offered to come with me when i left, you just tried to fight me

naruto: oh what I’M the team freak for not wanting to willingly go live with orochimaru?

sasuke: ……..touché

[woodblxssomcrowned]

'THE FLYING LEECHES OF KONOHA VILLAGE'???

EX -FUCKING-CUSE ME WHAT?

I BEG YOUR MOST SINCEREST PARDON???