Sasuke glared at Houka through gritted teeth. His gaze held anger, resentment, longing, fear—and even anticipation!
"You came looking for me. What is it?"
At Houka's question, Sasuke's hand trembled slightly, and the sharp kunai instantly drew a bead of blood on Gaara's throat.
"Sharingan!" Sasuke seemed like a naked man standing amid ice and snow, trembling as he growled, "Teach me how to train the Sharingan!! Please!!"
"This isn't how you ask someone for help." Houka smiled and turned to leave.
"Don't you care whether he lives or dies?!" Sasuke shouted agitatedly, wishing he could kill Gaara right then and see the heartbroken expression on Houka's face.
"Ah, I don't care at all." Houka waved without looking back as he walked farther away. "Kill him if you want."
"Isn't he your companion? Isn't Sunagakure your ally?" Sasuke shouted unwillingly.
"You're overthinking it."
With both hands in his pockets, Houka leaped onto a tree branch and swiftly disappeared.
"Bastard!!"
Sasuke was caught in a difficult position, unsure whether he should kill this little bastard or not.
"If you don't kill me, then one day, I'll kill you, Uchiha Sasuke!" Gaara had an explosive temper. Even with a kunai pressed to his throat, he still acted as arrogantly as ever.
"Quit putting on an act!"
A fierce look flashed through Sasuke's eyes. Just as he was about to kill him, he suddenly heard the sound of rapid movement behind him.
He turned around, and his heart skipped a beat. It's Temari and Kankuro! Damn it, if I fight them here, I won't be able to catch up to Uchiha Houka!
With that thought, he kicked Gaara away and immediately raced off in the direction Houka had gone.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was buried in the Martyrs' Cemetery alongside the other ninja who