"Even if you bear no ill will, that doesn't prove you aren't an enemy."
The middle-aged sand ninja spoke slowly. "Recently, many ninjas of unknown identity have appeared in this desert. They move in secret, and some of our Sunagakure patrol members have already been attacked, so we have no choice but to be cautious."
"If you really are just passing through, then show us your ninja forehead protector to prove your identity, and leave immediately. Do not linger here."
"A forehead protector?"
Aoba paused, then shook his head. "I don't have one."
"You don't have one?"
The middle-aged sand ninja's gaze instantly sharpened. His right hand abruptly gripped the kunai at his waist, and his tone turned icy. "No forehead protector, unwilling to reveal your identity, and appearing within Sunagakure's patrol zone—who exactly are you? Are you one of those unidentified people attacking our Sunagakure ninjas?"
"I already said it—I'm just passing through. I have no ill intentions."
Aoba's tone remained calm, unchanged by the other man's hostility. "As for a forehead protector, I really don't have one. I don't belong to any village. You could say I'm a wandering ninja."
"A wandering ninja?"
The middle-aged sand ninja frowned, his eyes still full of wariness. "There aren't many wandering ninjas with strength like yours.
"And many of those unidentified ninjas lately have also been dressed like wandering ninjas. How do I know you aren't lying to me?"
"You can choose to believe me or not."
Aoba spread his hands, sounding casual. "Either way, I have no ill intentions, and I won't attack you first.
"But if you insist on treating me as an enemy, then I can only see it through with you.
"Still, let me remind you: if we really fight, you may not be my match. And