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The slug vanished. Where its fluids had soaked into the earth, the soil was freshly turned.
Gaara's eyes widened in shock.
He manipulated the sand to lift the coffin. Only then did he discover the truth—his father's grave had been desecrated.
"How could this be…? It was fine on the anniversary. Did this happen recently?"
Sakura studied the marks where the coffin had been pried open. "Your father was the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, correct?"
"Yes," Gaara's voice was low.
Sakura's gaze darkened. "That man… he's likely already been here."
"Who is this man you're talking about?"
"He wears glasses. He smiles at you, but it makes your blood run cold. You should know his name…"
Gaara paused for a moment, then realization dawned. "Ah… Kabuto Yakushi?"
I remember Baki-sensei saying… during the incident at the Loulan temple, Kabuto was there. He even treated him with medical ninjutsu.
Kabuto Yakushi… he serves Sasuke, no doubt. So, his visit to my father's grave… was it on Sasuke's orders? Or at least, Orochimaru's?
At some point, without my knowledge… Father has already been revived by the Impure World Reincarnation.
Gaara's hand clenched slightly, then relaxed. He showed no excess of emotion.
With his sand, he crafted a replica of his father's body, returned it to the coffin, and then resealed the grave, packing the earth solid.
Sakura watched him, his expression in particular, with quiet admiration.
He's my age, yet he's so composed. He doesn't let his emotions show and worry those around him. That's a truly rare quality. No wonder everyone trusts him enough to make him Kazekage…
They left the gravesite, walking through the swirling sand.
"What will you do next?" Gaara asked.
"As I am now, I'm still too weak," Sakura said. "Besides using the intel from the dream to coordinate with others, I'm not much use. So… I want to get stronger."
Gaara considered this. "Becoming stronger is more than just words. It's not about reckless passion; you need a method."
"Right," Sakura agreed. "I've already thought about it. Lady Tsunade taught me the Strength of a Hundred Seal. For over half a year, I've been refining chakra and storing it on my forehead. But compared to the full three-year process… this is just the beginning."
She lightly touched her forehead.
"Fortunately, the hints from Sasuke's dream gave me more information about it. It's an ancient technique, originating from the era of the Sage of Six Paths. First, you have to form the 'Yin Seal' on your forehead. You can do this by slowly refining chakra over years, or… you can absorb external chakra to do it quickly."
"But common sense dictates that any shortcut has its flaws," Gaara noted.
Sakura nodded. "Yes. A Yin Seal formed with your own power is a true wellspring of strength. Even if depleted, it recovers quickly. But if you use an external source for a quick fix, it becomes a one-time-use tool. Once it's spent, you have to start over."
"But permanent or not, what I need right now is power I can use immediately. So, if I get the chance, I want to find an external chakra source and create a disposable Yin Seal as fast as possible."
Gaara was silent for a moment before speaking. "If that thing… wasn't taken by Sasuke, you might be able to use it."
Sakura was surprised. "What thing are you talking about?"
"Ah… so you really don't know. It seems Sasuke didn't include his 'current life' in the dream. Maybe it was a limitation of the genjutsu, or maybe he was worried you couldn't handle that much information."
"About half a year ago, Sasuke and his group visited the ruins of the ancient kingdom of Loulan on our border… and took the power of the Dragon Vein for themselves."
"That really happened?!"
"Normally, it would be unforgivable," Gaara explained. "But later, Sasuke saved my life from the Akatsuki. With Baki-san mediating, the matter of the Dragon Vein was dropped."
Sakura's expression was complicated. "So this time… he was the one who saved you?"
Gaara stopped walking. "Actually, besides the Dragon Vein… there's something else that might be useful to you."
"Back when I was Shukaku's jinchuriki, my father sent assassins after me six times to test my limits. Every time I lost control and rampaged… he would use his Gold Dust Magnet Release to suppress Shukaku, along with me."
"Your father was horrible!" Sakura said, indignant.
"The point isn't how horrible my father was—though he was," Gaara said calmly. "The point is the thing that might be useful to you."
"What is it?" Sakura asked, her curiosity piqued.
"It's easier to show you. Follow me."
A platform of sand rose beneath Gaara's feet. He raised a hand, and another formed at Sakura's side.
She hopped on, and the sand carried them high into the sky above Sunagakure.
The sandstorms above the village were growing more intense, perfectly concealing their presence.
It could fool the patrolling Sand ninja.
But it couldn't fool a Hyūga's Byakugan.
Neji's vision pierced through the swirling sand, locking onto the two figures passing overhead.
That's… Gaara and Sakura? What are they up to?
As he considered investigating, a stern, authoritative shout erupted from the room behind him.
—"Hinata, put that thought out of your mind!!"
Inside the room.
When Hinata awoke, Hiashi had struck her pressure points and bound her wrists in shackles.
Her crime? Upon waking, she had defied her gentle nature and pleaded with her father to speak in Naruto's defense.
That was when Hiashi realized the gravity of the situation.
Indeed… if Neji hadn't knocked you out then, who knows what trouble you would have caused.
"I don't know why you hold Naruto in such high regard," Hiashi said, his voice grave. "But let me make this perfectly clear. He can never return to Konoha! And he will have absolutely no connection to the Hyūga clan!"
Tears welled in Hinata's eyes. "Father, please believe in Naruto-kun. He would never harm a comrade. He must have been framed!"
"Do you think you're the only one who can see that!?" Hiashi's voice was sharp as steel.
"Eh…?"
"Listen! In this village, any ninja with a shred of insight knows something is wrong! But what good does knowing do!? Can you change the situation!? Can you silence the endless gossip of the masses!? Can you bring back the comrades whose lives he 'indirectly' took!?"
"If you can't do any of that, then shut your mouth and stay quiet!"
The cruel, realistic words struck Hinata, leaving her utterly stunned. The light drained from her eyes as she stared blankly at the tatami mat.
Hiashi sighed inwardly, then hardened his heart.
"This is my command as head of the Hyūga clan! From this day forward, in the depths of your heart, you will draw a clear line between yourself and Uzumaki Naruto! Otherwise… you will draw one between yourself and me, your father!"
With those final words, Hiashi turned and left, the door sliding shut behind him.
"Naruto-kun… Naruto-kun…"
Tears of helpless sorrow streamed down her face, splashing onto the tatami mat.
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