Warning: SPOILERS for Sasuke's Story - The Uchiha And The Heavenly Stardust chapter #3
The most underrated character in Naruto finally gets her time to shine in the series' new sequel, Sasuke's Story, as Sakura makes her much-awaited debut in the hugely successful new manga. The relationship between Sasuke and Sakura as a married couple has been the subject of much controversy and criticism from fans, but the pink-haired kunoichi is finally getting her due.
Sakura was initially one of the main characters in Naruto, as a member of team 7 and a fundamental component in the dynamic between Naruto and Sasuke. However, as the story progressed, the focus clearly shifted to its male characters, and Sakura got very little time to shine. She received a measure of redemption during the final battle in the Fourth Shinobi World War, as Sakura joined Naruto and Sasuke in battle and demonstrated she was no longer a damsel in distress but could fight on their same level. However, with the Boruto time skip, Sakura was once again relegated to a secondary role, this time as the faithful wife of Sasuke who waits for her husband's return from his long missions, while raising their daughter Sarada.
Sasuke's Story - The Uchiha And The Heavenly Stardust is a sequel to Naruto based on a spin-off novel, which promised to give readers a better look at Sasuke and Sakura's married relationship. In chapter #3, Sasuke is wounded and poisoned while investigating the maximum security prison he has infiltrated, posing as an inmate, to find a cure for a mysterious illness affecting Naruto. The Uchiha is saved by the new doctor of the prison, who reveals herself as Sakura. She followed Sasuke to update him on the mission and also to offer her support, despite her husband's stubborn requests to come back to Konoha.
The Relationship Between Sasuke And Sakura Finally Evolves In Naruto's New Sequel
Sakura's arrival is the catalyst that makes Sasuke reflect upon his marriage. In this chapter, he is still showing his overprotective attitude, asking Sakura to leave or to not put herself in danger. However, he also shows jealousy when another inmate approaches her and seems moved by the words of his new friend Jiji, who says that a married couple should always be together. Sasuke is often away from Konoha to fulfill his duties as the village's protector, but he now begins questioning that lifestyle. It is also great to finally see grown-up Sakura in a prominent role, as her appearances in Boruto were scarce, and she was mostly portrayed as a lonely housewife.
Naruto is infamous for its mistreatment of female characters, and Boruto sadly followed this thread until now. The incredible success that Sasuke's Story is obtaining proves that readers have been waiting to see the relationship between Sasuke and Sakura from a different perspective, one that gives the (supposed) female protagonist of Naruto the spotlight and respect she always deserved.
The latest chapter of Sasuke's Story - The Uchiha And The Heavenly Stardust is available from Viz Media.