At this point, a flicker of complexity passed through Gaara's eyes before he changed the subject.
"But I no longer hate you, and I can understand what you did back then.
"As the Kazekage, protecting the village from threats is the Kazekage's responsibility."
His voice was calm and resolute, as if he were stating a fact that had long since settled within him.
"Besides, I have friends now, and things I want to protect."
Kazekage? Friends?
Those two words were not unfamiliar to Rasa, yet when applied to Gaara, they seemed so abrupt and inappropriate.
From beginning to end, he had believed Gaara should be nothing more than a weapon of war, a perfect weapon existing for the village. He should not have friends, much less become the Kazekage.
He remained silent for a long time, an emotion even he could not explain churning in those hollow eyes.
At last, he slowly spoke, his voice low and hoarse.
"Why? Why do you have friends, and why did you become the Kazekage?"
Having recovered somewhat, Hozuki Gengetsu shook his head.
He stroked his two neatly groomed mustaches, his tone carrying a hint of carefree ease.
"Since it has already happened, just accept it calmly."
As he spoke, he paused again, as though something had occurred to him.
"I just wonder whether anyone from the Hozuki Clan is still alive now."
It sounded like he was muttering to himself, yet also like he was preparing himself mentally.
But after hearing Rasa's words, he could not help turning his head and chiming in.
"What's wrong with friends? At his age, having a few more friends is normal, isn't it? Otherwise, he'd be far too lonely."
As he spoke, he looked up at Gaara in midair, then turned toward Ning Xue nearby, raising a