"Still watching? Run!"
"That guy's coming this way!"
Temari grabbed Gaara's arm, her voice filled with panic.
They stood on a raised platform deep inside Sunagakure, having watched the battle outside from beginning to end.
That boy, who was about their age, had charged straight into Sunagakure alone, wielding the Flame and Thunder Swords.
One defensive line after another had been torn apart.
Hundreds upon hundreds of shinobi had fallen.
Wherever violet flame and thunder swept through, no one in all of Sunagakure could stop him.
Gaara did not move.
He stared blankly at the figure standing high in the distance. For the first time, something other than confusion appeared in his eyes.
One person.
He had stormed straight into Sunagakure as though no one stood in his way.
How could anyone have that much guts?
They were clearly about the same age, yet an entire world seemed to separate their strength.
If I could be as strong as that boy...
Would no one ever dare bully me again?
Would Father stop calling me a worthless failure?
Would everyone look at me with awe instead of disgust?
[Valor Points +30]
Footsteps sounded behind them.
Rasa, draped in his Kazekage robes, slowly ascended the platform.
He glanced at Gaara and said coldly:
"Leave. Now."
"This isn't where you belong. Don't get in the way."
The light in Gaara's eyes quickly faded.
Temari hurriedly took hold of him.
"Gaara, let's get to cover first."
"Father is here now. We can leave this to him."
Gaara remained silent for several seconds, then finally turned and followed Temari away.
Before leaving, he looked back once more.
The figure standing high above with the Purple Flame Sword resting on his shoulder had already been etched deep into his mind.
Rasa stepped onto a