Fine, he had accepted the mission, but completing it was another matter.
As Hayashi followed Sakura, he prodded the system in his mind:
"System? Come out and talk. How am I supposed to do this mission now? I'm not a ninja under the Kazekage, and I'm not from Sunagakure."
But his mind remained utterly silent, without so much as a ripple.
Fine. The damn system was playing dead again.
Hayashi raised his eyes and looked at Gaara.
Was he supposed to rush over, shake his hand, and say, "I hear things aren't going too well for you in your village. Want to come back to Konoha with me?"
He would probably be bundled up in sand and dragged away before he even finished speaking.
Before Hayashi could work out a plan, the boy opposite him suddenly changed direction, as though he had caught a scent on the wind.
Without warning, Gaara turned slightly and walked straight toward them.
"Huh?"
Naruto reacted first, abruptly stepping forward to shield Hayashi completely.
Almost simultaneously, Sakura shifted sideways, her right hand already resting on her Ninja Tool Pouch, her gaze wary.
Gaara did not spare so much as a sideways glance for the person they were protecting.
He walked straight up to Sasuke Uchiha, stared at his face for a few seconds, and slowly stretched his lips into an almost twisted curve.
"The Uchiha survivor."
"I heard all about you back in Sunagakure."
"You won't be missing these Chunin Ninja Exams, will you?"
Sasuke frowned and glanced at him as though he were something strange.
"I've never heard of you."
His voice was cold, carrying his usual aloofness.
"But yes, I'll be taking part in these Chunin Ninja Exams."
"You've never heard of me?"
Gaara gritted his teeth and forced out each word,