A Contest with Rasa

Hui and Gaara tested several new techniques, with Hui describing them from the sidelines while Gaara put them into practice. She even suggested using sand as a medium for flight, though these were not skills that could be mastered quickly. While the other variations were achievable, their destructive power was not quite up to par.

The two continued to discuss and refine their methods until evening fell. Rasa appeared suddenly; by the time Hui sensed his chakra, Gaara was still busy testing the power of his Sand Shower.

Rasa had actually been standing nearby watching for a long time. Had she not sensed his distinct chakra signature, she would have assumed he had never been there at all.

Hui lifted her gaze to the dense beads of sand in the sky and curled the corners of her lips slightly. Rasa likely never imagined that without his guidance, Gaara could still become powerful on his own. Though she could not see Rasa's expression, she could imagine it must be quite spectacular.

Thinking this, Hui turned to look at the spot where Rasa stood; that chakra signature was truly motionless.

Gaara's gaze remained fixed on the sand beads in the sky, struggling to control his chakra to maintain such a massive quantity.

His current chakra reserves made maintaining the form of the sand somewhat strenuous, let alone in such vast amounts. However, giving up was never his habit, and if this ninjutsu could truly be perfected, its power would surely be formidable.

Rasa frowned as he watched Gaara not far away, his expression shifting unpredictably. His heart grew increasingly heavy; if Gaara became too powerful, it would truly be a disaster for Sunagakure. Shukaku was already a significant enough threat.

His gaze shifted to the person beside Gaara, and he saw Hui Youling watching with a leisurely air. Her line of sight seemed to pierce through the boulder he was hiding behind to look directly at him. This thought made Rasa's frown deepen.

At that moment, Gaara controlled the rain of sand in the sky to descend rapidly. The sand bullets struck the ground in succession, gouging deep pits into the sandy earth. Bang! Bang! Bang!

Dust billowed into the air, and Rasa squinted at the pair. As the dust slowly obscured them, Rasa saw Hui Youling say something to Gaara, and Gaara actually laughed. Yet, he always felt that Hui Youling's eyes hid calculation and strangeness; the smile on her lips, viewed from the side, looked like a cold, conspiratorial smirk.

Seeing the experiment finally yield results, Hui felt a surge of excitement. With dust swirling all around and the ground riddled with craters, the power was clearly not to be underestimated!

She looked at Gaara with delight and said, "It seems this technique is truly impressive, Gaara."

Gaara lifted the corners of his mouth slightly and said, "It's all thanks to your suggestion. I never thought it was possible to fight like this before."

Hui's eyes flickered, many emotions crossing them. Once she left, would the boy before her be forced to live a lonely life? If only she could stay here, but no matter how she looked at it, that was nothing more than a pipe dream.

"Gaara!"

A call rang out from not far away. Both Hui and Gaara turned their heads. As the dust settled, they finally saw who was walking toward them. Hui gave a mocking smile in her heart; she didn't know what this guy's sudden appearance meant. He had been monitoring them for a while, so he could have just kept watching.

Upon hearing the voice, the expression on Gaara's face became noticeably stiff and flustered. He turned to look at Rasa, and catching a glimpse of the displeasure and faint anger on his father's face, he instinctively lowered his head.

Hui witnessed every shift in Gaara's emotions. She turned her gaze to the approaching Rasa and stepped forward a few paces, saying respectfully, "Kazekage-sama, we meet again."

Rasa narrowed his eyes at Hui Youling, his pace forced to a halt. Hui Youling had already stood at a distance of two meters directly in front of him. To walk around her would lack dignity, and getting too close was out of the question. Rasa stared at Hui Youling with displeasure, unwilling to acknowledge her greeting.

Rasa's gaze bypassed Hui Youling entirely to look at Gaara. His feelings toward this son were complex, but compared to his responsibilities as the Kazekage, familial affection was of little importance.

Just as Rasa was about to order Gaara to return home, he caught sight of Hui Youling's mocking, half-smile fixed on his face.

This boy had always approached Gaara by feigning friendliness. He had to admit the child was calculating; he knew exactly what Gaara craved most. Maintaining such a positive, sunny image beside Gaara was the easiest way to gain his acceptance.

Rasa softened his tone and said in a low voice, "Gaara, go home first. Your brother and sister are waiting for you to eat."

Even while lying, Rasa didn't want to claim that he himself was waiting for him to eat.

Although the tone had softened considerably, Hui Youling still felt as though Rasa were issuing a command. She heard the faint threat in his words clearly. Yet, what Hui didn't expect was that upon hearing this insincere remark from Rasa, Gaara immediately lifted his head, his eyes filled with a glimmer of anticipation as he looked at his father, nodding happily. "Yes, Father."

Tsk... Hui thought to herself. She bit her lower lip hard, struggling to keep her expression steady.

She had known Gaara craved familial love, especially a father's affection, but he actually believed such a dishonest and cold-hearted statement from Rasa.

At the thought of what Rasa would later have Yashamaru do, Hui's head began to ache inexplicably. In the time to come, Rasa would destroy everything Gaara longed for, erase everyone he cared about, and even shatter the very belief that sustained his existence, leaving him with nothing but hatred, turning him into an "Asura who loves only himself."

Damn it... damn it all...

If only he hadn't hoped from the start, if only he had been heartless from the beginning. Why must you crave it? He will strip you of everything...

Hui Youling could almost feel the pulse in her forehead throbbing, tugging at her nerves with every beat. A crushing pain filled her entire brain, and she even faintly heard a shrill ringing. The feeling of dread returned, and she hurriedly pressed her hand against her neck, the pain in her forehead finally easing slightly.

Hui Youling's expression was dull and wooden. She lifted her eyes to look at Rasa and saw his tightly pressed lips; it seemed even he hadn't expected Gaara to react this way. Yet, it was only for an instant. He suppressed all his emotions and said stiffly, "Hm, you go back first."

Gaara turned to look at Hui, wanting to ask if she would like to join them for a meal. He looked at Hui Youling, hesitated for a moment, and said, "Hui... do you... would you like to..."

"Gaara, you go back first. I still need to return to the inn to take care of some things." Hui interrupted Gaara. Only after a moment did she turn back to look at him and offer a smile.

Gaara paused, but he didn't press the issue. "Alright, then go take care of your business."

Hui nodded, though her peripheral vision flickered toward Rasa. Seeing him finally withdraw that sharp aura and feeling the pressure upon her lighten, she gave a self-deprecating smile in her heart.

Rasa withdrew his gaze from Hui Youling and turned to Gaara. "Let's go."

Gaara glanced at Hui and gave a soft "Hm." Hui raised her hand and waved at him. "See you tomorrow!"

Gaara smiled happily and replied, "See you."

Rasa, however, narrowed his eyes at Hui Youling with a threatening glare, his displeasure nearly overflowing. He realized he truly could not treat this person like a six-year-old child.

Gaara seemed to sense something; he looked up and caught his father's expression. Many thoughts flashed through his mind, and he looked back at Hui Youling, who stood where she was, feeling a sense of loss and guilt.

Hui watched Rasa lead Gaara away. She cast a frustrated look in that direction before turning to leave to find something to eat in the town. Standing there for an entire day was an experience she had never had before, but judging by the look Rasa gave her as he left, she had been thoroughly marked. She had no idea what he intended to do...