Youth! Asking for Directions!

The last rays of the setting sun cast a warm glow over the tranquil little plaza, bathing everything in a warm hue.

"Go away!"

"Run--"

"Waaah!"

Piercing cries shattered the twilight silence. Thick, tangible sand transformed into ferocious claws, knocking down the fleeing children one by one. The sound of sand grinding against itself echoed like a dreadful whisper across the plaza.

Gaara stood alone by the swing, his tattered teddy bear torn to shreds at his feet. He stood with his back to the sun, his small figure casting a long shadow.

His face, hidden from the light, was shrouded in shadow. His youthful features were contorted by uncontrolled power—years of rejection and indifference had finally found an outlet.

"Stop it!"

As a raging sand wave surged towards the last boy, a familiar figure suddenly blocked its path. Yashamaru's outstretched arms looked so frail against the sandstorm.

Gaara's pupils contracted slightly, but the rampaging sandstorm could no longer be stopped.

"Get lost!"

A clear, sharp laugh cut through the stagnant air like a blade.

In a flash, Yashamaru was swept aside by a fierce flying kick. Accompanied by a clear metallic clang, a blinding flash of lightning exploded in the dusk, and the violent sand wave instantly collapsed.

Crash--

Sand rained down like a torrential downpour, reflecting tiny golden glints in the afterglow.

"Yo! Kid."

As the dust settled, a tall figure stood against the light. The setting sun outlined him in a dazzling golden halo. His red and blue spliced short tunic fluttered in the wind, the exquisite Gunbai pattern on the finely stitched cuffs subtly visible. Beneath his loose beach pants, white flip-flops casually rested on the flowing sand, exuding a devil-may-care swagger.

Gaara tilted his head up dazedly. What greeted his eyes was a smiling face bathed in sunlight, his black, messy hair dancing in the wind, his clear smile so unrestrained.

"Kid!"

His deliberately deep voice echoed in Gaara's ears again. His deep, dark pupils, like bright black gems in the sea of sand, reflected Gaara's image.

"Could you trouble me for directions?"

Faced with the stranger's question, Gaara was momentarily unable to react, unsure how to answer.

"Outsider?"

Yashamaru, who had just been kicked away, flashed in front of Gaara. His expression was grave, his eyes warily fixed on the half-grown youth before him, especially the unmissable Gunbai on his shirt.

Is he Uchiha? he thought, inwardly on guard.

"Tch!"

The youth's disdainful gaze swept over them. His previously warm smile turned cold and unapproachable. His lips parted, spitting out a single word, "Scram."

Swish!

As if a cold front had swept through, Yashamaru quickly dodged aside. With a series of hissing sounds, the spot where he had stood was instantly covered in ice crystals emitting a chilling cold.

"Whoosh."

The sharp whistle of a Kunai cutting through the air suddenly rang out—

A silver gleam, like a viper's tongue, struck fiercely from his right. Slender fingers hooked the ring on the Kunai's tail, drawing a deadly arc in the air, aiming straight for the throat. At the same time, a faint, ethereal fragrance drifted on the wind, hiding a murderous intent.

Yashamaru's pupils constricted, and cold sweat instantly broke out on his back. He hastily dodged to the side, only to see the cold glint strike again—

Two girls, one large and one small, had appeared like phantoms. The Kunai and Senbon in their hands glinted coldly, striking from left and right towards his vital points!

What is going on?

Yashamaru struggled to fend off the fierce assault, but before he could even comprehend what was happening, he felt waves of dizziness wash over him.

Poison?

Kazekage's reception room.

"Bang!"

Chiyo stood up somewhat distraught, her emotions running high. She shouted angrily, "How is that possible! It couldn't have been Sasori!"

Facing the agitated old woman, Tsunade didn't even bother to change her expression. "Years of seclusion have made your mind obsolete?"

She continued, "It's all been explained. My husband did visit the Land of Wind before the Third Shinobi War, but according to him, he encountered a red-haired youth skilled in using Puppets in a desert to the north. After defeating the Hiruko where the opponent was hiding, he produced a Human Puppet made from the body of the Third Kazekage..."

At this point, a malicious smile touched Tsunade's lips, as if deliberately provoking Chiyo. "He said that Puppet was exquisitely made. Not only could it perfectly use all the powerful ninjutsu the Third Kazekage possessed in life, but its body had also been augmented with numerous mechanisms!"

"Enough!" Chiyo roared. "Where's the proof!"

Tsunade, however, shook her head with a carefree attitude, giving off a 'believe it or not' vibe. "I've already explained so clearly, what more proof do you want?"

Chiyo clenched her fists, her lips trembling several times but unable to speak. Ebizo, standing beside her, sighed. He could tell his sister had likely already believed it in her heart.

That child, Sasori... has he fallen this far?

"Compared to that..."

The Fourth Kazekage, who had been silently listening the entire time, suddenly spoke. His eyes showed no sign of shock from the news. "I'm more interested in why Ryuu Uchiha was in our Land of Wind at that time?"

"That's a different price altogether." Tsunade showed no respect for the other party, even though he was a Kage. Even her own teacher, the Third Hokage, would get a piece of her mind if she was displeased.

"Bang!"

Chiyo, recovering from her shock and disappointment, slammed the table again, warning, "Don't get too out of hand, Tsunade! This isn't Konohagakure, you know."

Tsunade glanced at her dismissively. "Are you daring to start a war then?"

"You!" Chiyo was instantly speechless.

Just then, a Sunagakure Anbu rushed in and whispered something into the Fourth Kazekage's ear.

"The son of Ryuu Uchiha?"

The Fourth Kazekage frowned slightly, then slowly relaxed his expression. He quietly instructed the Anbu a few words before waving them away.

"Don't worry, it's just a sparring match. You saw it yourself, a ninja from the village already sent him back."

On the street, covered in cracked, dry earth, Qing Xuan's finger traced a mark on the wall made of clay and stone as he spoke, trying to comfort the other.

Gaara clutched a dirty stuffed bear. The worn part, clearly imprinted with shoe prints, exposed clumps of dusty gray cotton stuffing that swayed slightly in the air. Yet, he still held it tightly, cherishing it.

Qing Xuan's gaze swept over him. "You really like this bear."

Gaara nodded slightly, answering in a muffled voice, "Mother left it for me."

"Then you're truly fortunate."

Qing Xuan withdrew his finger. "My mother never bought me toys like this."

"Is it because your mother didn't treat you well?"

"How should I put it? It wasn't that she treated me badly, but she was just a very worrisome person. How about this! If you take me to that place, I'll revive your bear for you as a thank you gift."

"Really?"

"Why would I lie to you?"

The two walked and chatted. By the time their figures disappeared around the street corner, Sunagakure ninja slowly surrounded the area, their gazes fixed on the mark Qing Xuan had just made on the wall.

"This is... the internal core contact code of the Sunagakure spies?"

"What did he write?"

"Uchiha Qing Xuan... was here?!"