Alive and Well

Two days later. Morning light bathed the Village Entrance.

Gaara's figure appeared in the distant sandstorm, his cloak billowing in the wind, his eyes still as calm as ice.

Boruto waited at the Village Entrance to welcome him.

"Kazekage, welcome to the Leaf."

"Hokage." Gaara gave a slight nod, his gaze sweeping over the patrolling ninja. "It's been a long time."

The two walked side by side toward the Hokage Building.

On the way, Gaara suddenly spoke. "I heard you drove off the Otsutsuki main family?"

"By sheer luck." Boruto smiled wryly. "We have Tsukihime to thank for that."

"Tsukihime?" Gaara stopped in his tracks, his brows furrowing. "The Otsutsuki who claims to be Kaguya's younger sister?"

"Where is she now?"

"She's living in the village," Boruto answered frankly. "She's teaching me how to control the Otsutsuki bloodline inside me."

Gaara stopped abruptly. A shield of sand appeared behind him in an instant.

"Boruto, have you lost your mind?" His voice was low, but full of warning. "You let an Otsutsuki live in your village? If she suddenly loses control, the entire Leaf could be reduced to scorched earth in an instant!"

"I know the risks." Boruto didn't look away. "But if she really wanted to destroy us, she would've done it when we first met. She helped me, and she saved the world."

Gaara was silent for a long moment before slowly lowering his guard.

"I hope you're right," he said quietly. "Trusting a god is the biggest gamble of all."

The atmosphere in the meeting room was grave.

"I came here because there's something important we need to discuss," Gaara said without preamble.

"What is it?"

"Sunagakure has discovered something unusual." He unfolded a map and pointed to some ruins deep in the desert. "Three days ago, our