Sunagakure's Ninja Went to the Uchiha Merchant Guild, Sarutobi Hiruzen's Ruthless Decision

"My friend, we meet again!"

Xuan Yu's words echoed through Gaara's mind. At that moment, he seemed to have frozen, and moisture unexpectedly appeared in his once lifeless eyes.

Though they had only met once, Xuan Yu still remembered him.

This moved Gaara beyond measure.

"Yes, we meet again!" In the end, Gaara smiled as well. The two of them were like old friends who had not seen each other in a long time, with everything conveyed through their smiles.

At this moment, perhaps only the two of them knew how they felt.

In fact, ever since Gaara arrived in Konoha, Xuan Yu had sensed him. He had also wanted to meet the old friend he had encountered once as a child. But just as Gaara had wondered, did this old friend of his still remember him?

If he did not remember him, then going over to him would only be awkward.

But the moment Gaara entered Konoha and came to the Uchiha Clan's grounds, Xuan Yu knew... Gaara still remembered the bond they had formed during that one meeting.

Even Xuan Yu was somewhat moved.

Gaara was satisfied as well. Though he had only met Xuan Yu once over the years, Xuan Yu had nearly been the thought and motivation sustaining him through his time in that little dark room. Sure enough, his choice had not been wrong.

"Where have you been all these years? I went to Sunagakure twice but never saw you. Fortunately, I would occasionally have merchant guilds passing through there bring you things!" Xuan Yu said as he looked at Gaara.

"Bring me things?" Gaara was stunned.

Gaara was somewhat bewildered. He had not expected Xuan Yu to have sent him things, yet he seemed never to have received anything—not even known about it.

"Of