The top of the Kazekage Building was the place closest to the sky in the entire village.
The afterglow of the setting sun dyed the massive stone structure a warm red, while even the fierce winds became gentle here.
Kamizuki Yu and Gaara sat side by side, looking down at the village below as its lights gradually flickered on.
This was the only place where Gaara had never been watched with hateful, fearful eyes since childhood. "Hatred and fear can indeed bring power."
Kamizuki Yu's voice was calm, as though he were simply stating a fact. "But they are fuel. They burn your soul, and once they burn out, all that remains is an empty shell."
Gaara hugged the bouquet of desert flowers that had already begun to wither, saying nothing. His small fingers unconsciously rubbed the rough stems.
Over the past few days, this man had taught him many things. How to control sand—not for killing, but to pile it into interesting shapes.
How to sense the flow of chakra—not to unleash the tailed beast, but to perceive the path of the wind. All of it had overturned the life he had lived for the past five years.
Boom—! A violent explosion suddenly erupted from the Kazekage's office nearby! Flames shot into the sky, and thick smoke billowed out.
The piercing alarm instantly tore through the village's peace. "Enemy attack! Protect the Kazekage!" Desperate cries rose from below.
Gaara's body tensed at once. A savage gleam uncontrollably surfaced in his pale green eyes as sand began swirling around his feet.
Kamizuki Yu reached out and gently pressed a hand onto his shoulder. The power on the verge of running wild was instantly soothed. "Don't panic."
He stood and looked toward the center of the chaos. "It's just a practical