Negotiations

Rasa was startled. Orochimaru's disciple? He wasn't sure if that was true, but the intelligence team had said the boy was definitely strong, and he didn't seem to be lying. Why had he dared approach Gaara? Was it confidence in his own strength? More importantly, did they know Gaara's true identity?

However he looked at it, Orochimaru's disciple approaching Gaara seemed fraught with schemes. Yet the boy appeared so open and honest. Was he naive or simply ignorant?

He continued in a cold voice, "Why did you come to Sunagakure? And how did you meet Gaara?"

Hui Youling answered without the slightest hesitation. "I've been traveling all over, studying as I go, and came to Sunagakure because I wanted to see it. I have no other reason."

"I met Gaara by chance when I couldn't sleep. I thought we got along, so I wanted to be friends."

"Came to see Sunagakure?" Rasa didn't seem to believe that. He also completely ignored what Hui had said about becoming friends. He had never believed anyone would want to be Gaara's friend, much less a stranger.

"Lord Kazekage, please don't worry. No matter how strong I am, I can't pose much of a threat to your village. Besides, I came with a trade caravan, so I'll leave with it." Hui assured him, then added, "If you're still concerned, you can have someone keep an eye on me."

Rasa fell silent again, weighing Hui Youling's words as his gaze kept sweeping over her. She was a disciple of one of the Sannin, Orochimaru, and a kunoichi from their ally, Konoha. She hadn't committed any serious offense, and killing her here didn't seem appropriate. She wouldn't be staying long, so there was no need to invite trouble. For now, he'd hold off.

"You may leave," Rasa said blandly, though he was already considering what to do.

Hui bowed. "Goodbye, Lord Kazekage." Then she turned and left.

After leaving Rasa's office, Hui stood silently outside the door for a second or two, her thoughts in turmoil, relief mixed with sadness. She really had to thank Orochimaru for raising her to keep her composure in situations like this. Still, it seemed she'd only managed to bluff her way through.

Gaara had shed his disguise and was waiting outside the Kazekage Office Building. Several ninja stood far away, not daring to approach him.

When he finally saw Hui emerge, he felt relieved, though his face remained expressionless.

Hui spotted Gaara downstairs and ran up to him delightedly. "Gaara, let's go."

Gaara's gaze wandered over their surroundings. Every ninja watching them was frightened by his look. They were simply surprised that someone could get close to Gaara, that someone would risk their life to speak with him. Hui stood out too much, but her fate could only be death. Thinking about it, they could only take pleasure in her misfortune.

Hui herself hadn't noticed that ever since she'd seen Gaara, a faint smile had lingered on her lips. In her heart, she thought, Even though he's still young and hasn't gone through those things yet, Gaara is still so dependable. I'm so happy I found you, Gaara...

Hui also noticed the stares around them, but she'd never cared about them. Besides, this would only make them more surprised. She stepped forward and took Gaara's hand. His small hand enveloped hers. Gaara turned his green eyes toward her, a little puzzled.

Hui grinned, her hopeful eyes fixed on him. She couldn't hide how much she liked him. "Come on. How about you take me to the place you go most often?"

Gaara looked into her dark eyes. They were still so bright, all her happiness shining in them. He liked looking into Hui's eyes, and he liked seeing her smile.

"Mm," Gaara answered softly, leading Hui to the place where he often trained.

Hui blinked, her gaze fixed on the person leading her. How lucky she was to have met him.

Hui looked around. It was all sand, probably to make training easier. Gaara hated Sunagakure now, and Hui Youling felt the same way. She still had the same thought: she couldn't stay by his side forever, but she hoped he wouldn't forget her. So she was going to do something very bold.

"Gaara, let me see how strong you are." Hui tilted her head toward him.

But Gaara didn't seem happy to hear that at all. His expression darkened, and the atmosphere around them seemed to plunge to freezing. Sand appeared to stir around them, and the air filled with danger.

Hui had expected this. She didn't back away, but continued to smile at Gaara. She was used to this terrifying atmosphere anyway. It was much better than Orochimaru smiling while striking swiftly and unexpectedly.

Seeing that Hui wasn't affected at all, Gaara slowly lifted his pale green eyes to her. Somewhat hesitant and surprised, he asked, "Aren't you afraid?"

Hui pursed her lips and teased him. "I know you won't hurt me, Gaara. And I'd like you to trust in my strength too, okay?"

Gaara's pupils contracted slightly. Trust that he wouldn't kill anyone? It was the first time someone had said that to him. But sometimes it wasn't a matter of whether he wanted to; he couldn't control his emotions. He was still afraid that losing control would cost him this friend.

"Gaara, you can control yourself. You just have to stop looking at those people's faces." Hui didn't know why she'd suddenly said something she shouldn't have known, but she didn't want to see hurt in Gaara's eyes.

Gaara furrowed his brow and studied Hui. Her shoulders rose in a shrug as she continued, "You're so strong, Gaara. How could those losers understand?"

The smile on Hui's lips turned strange, and her eyes filled with murderous intent. "As I see it, those people aren't even worth killing. They can't even fight back. You should just become stronger, Gaara—strong enough that those losers can only look up to you. Why bother doing it yourself and getting your hands dirty?"

At the same time, Zhan stood motionless in the Inner World, the smile on her lips slowly growing.

"You talk so firmly, but the moment you encounter something like this, you're still affected by me. Hui Youling, you have a weakness after all. That makes you worthless."

Living without sorrow or joy, carefree and unrestrained—that was the true way to live. Wasn't destruction more interesting than creation?

A resilient, unyielding heart was the source of strength. Others thought Hui Youling was as tough as a boy, but Zhan knew she was fragile. She was just a fool forcing herself to become strong. That kind of forced strength could never be true strength. Only she was truly resilient. No one could stop her, not even Hui Youling.

She could already imagine Hui Youling's fate: being devoured and replaced by her. Hahahaha...

Thinking of how these people treated Gaara and how Yashamaru would betray him later, Hui Youling felt her murderous intent slipping out of her control. She was rarely like this, but anything involving Gaara always made her lose control easily. Yet she was trying to comfort him and stop him from killing people!

Hui thought her expression must look frightening. She quickly raised a hand to cover her eyes, and the smile on her lips faded. When Gaara saw Hui with that expression, he was surprised too. They really were alike, especially that bloodthirsty look. He had seen it in his own eyes, too. Whenever it appeared, others looked at him only with fear and hatred.

It was rare to see Hui not smiling. She'd said all those things, too. Did she really understand him? Could she truly relate to how he felt? But it all seemed so real. Hui could look bloodthirsty, even disgusted. He wasn't afraid; he just thought that this must be what it meant to find someone like himself. Hui wasn't a brilliant flower. She was more like a prickly cactus.

The fury in Hui's eyes, hidden behind her hand, slowly subsided. She calmed herself before lowering her hand and looking at Gaara. His expression was calm, his gaze still fixed on her.

Hui looked at Gaara too, and saw the corner of his mouth lift slightly as he said, "All right."