The moment Sen Senju finished speaking, the knees of the nearby Sunagakure ANBU buckled. With several thuds, they dropped straight to the ground.
"Lord Sen! No one in Sunagakure will ever forget your kindness!"
Baki's shout rang out loud and clear, echoing across the open space at the village entrance.
"From this day forward, you are Sunagakure's most honored guest. Whatever your orders, we will carry them out even at the cost of our lives!"
The mass of Sunagakure ninja behind him dropped to their knees like a field of wheat flattened by the wind.
"Hey, hey, stop right there!"
"I hate people kneeling to me. You'll shave years off my life, you know?"
"I just happened to save someone. I wasn't looking to become your sacred ancestor."
As he spoke, he stamped his foot against the ground.
"Get up already. The ground's all sand. Doesn't that hurt your knees?"
"You're Uncle Baki, right? Cut the empty gestures and settle the bill. I've got a village to get back to."
Instead of standing, Baki bowed his head even lower, his voice catching with emotion.
"Lord Sen, you didn't just save one person. You saved the hope of all Sunagakure!"
"Lord Kazekage means more to us than our own lives. We owe you as much as we owe the parents who gave us life."
"Please accept this small gesture, or we'll never feel right about it."
"Sen, you sure know how to make an impression."
"This is even more impressive than Granny Tsunade going out on an official visit!"
"But it makes sense. You're so strong, it's only right for them to thank you like this."
Gaara stood beside Baki, still wrapped in his cloak with its several torn holes.
As he watched the villagers kneeling in gratitude because of him,