"Yagyu, I have a question!"
While moving forward, Shikamaru Nara turned his head and asked Yagyu, who was positioned in the center to support all directions,
"This mission should come with danger. So why are we taking such a standard route? Won't our movements be easily exposed?"
Shikamaru's question made the others, who were on guard, listen carefully.
Yagyu, however, remained calm,
"Because aside from this S-rank mission, I also have another special task to complete. So we must take this main route."
After a brief pause, he continued,
"On the way to the Land of Wind, it's unlikely anything will happen. If enemies appear, it will most likely be on the return journey."
"At that time… I might not be able to stay with the team due to the special task."
Turning his gaze, Yagyu looked directly at Shikamaru:
"Shikamaru, you're the only chūnin in this squad besides me."
"If I'm not around, command of the team is yours."
"I'm entrusting everyone's lives to you. Don't take it lightly."
Hearing that the others all looked toward Shikamaru.
In their eyes there was only one thing trust.
Unconditional trust.
"What a drag…"
Though his face showed annoyance Shikamaru's eyes became serious:
"I got it… Captain."
At that moment he clearly felt the weight on his shoulders increase.
That's right he, Shikamaru Nara, was no longer just a rookie genin.
He was a true chūnin a squad leader.
He couldn't afford to be careless anymore.
Three days later.
Yagyu and his team could already see Sunagakure in the distance.
At the entrance of the village the elite jōnin Baki was already waiting along with the three siblings Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro.
Seeing Yagyu's group approaching from afar Baki's expression turned serious as he spoke,
"Konoha's people have arrived. Prepare yourselves. We cannot afford any mistakes in this reception."
"Sunagakure can't withstand another war."
The three siblings nodded silently.
No one spoke further.
But when Yagyu's team got closer and Temari clearly saw the one leading them her body stiffened instinctively.
Her eyes trembled slightly.
"Yagyu Sōsuke… it's actually him leading the team?"
"Wasn't Konoha supposed to send ANBU… why was the personnel suddenly changed?"
The shadow of that name and what it represented had already taken root deep within her memory.
To be honest in the previous Chūnin Exams, Temari had been completely traumatized by Yagyu.
That overwhelming stance.
That absolute, merciless domination.
That suffocating pressure where she couldn't even use her own techniques before being defeated all of it left a deep shadow in her heart whenever she faced Yagyu.
At the same time there was also strong unwillingness.
After all, Temari was considered one of the strongest among the new generation.
If she simply accepted it, that would be strange.
Right now, she didn't lack the courage to challenge Yagyu again but she knew clearly that now was not the time.
Because the gap between them…was like a chasm.
"Temari, calm down."
Sensing her fear, Gaara spoke calmly,
"This isn't a time for war. You won't be fighting Yagyu Sōsuke now."
"And even if we do fight him in the future… it will be me, not you."
Hearing Gaara's words Temari froze for a moment, then smiled,
"I understand."
"But I still want to fight that man again someday…"
"Even if it's just to overcome the fear in my heart."
"Otherwise… I might never reach my peak."
Gaara nodded slightly, saying nothing more.
His gaze shifted to the approaching group.
Temari's thoughts he didn't fully understand.
But ever since being changed by Naruto Uzumaki his earlier words were not a joke.
Soon Yagyu arrived at the entrance of Sunagakure with Shikamaru and the others.
Handing over the official documents, Yagyu said to Baki,
"Greetings. This time, I and my subordinates will be responsible for receiving all compensation materials from Sunagakure. Please take care of us."
Neither arrogant nor submissive even standing on foreign soil facing an entire village's shinobi Yagyu remained calm, composed, and confident.
Behind him Shikamaru and the others felt the pressure.
The surrounding Sand shinobi stared at them with hostility making the atmosphere tense.
Still none of them lost composure.
Baki checked the documents carefully then returned them to Yagyu.
"No issues."
Looking at him, Baki said,
"Please follow me. While you're inside the village, your safety will be under my responsibility."
"Don't mind the others' attitudes. They haven't fully recovered from the previous incident."
Yagyu smiled lightly.
Glancing at the Sand shinobi whose killing intent wasn't even concealed, he replied:
"It's fine. I don't mind."
"As long as they don't make a move, there won't be a problem."
"This is an internal matter of Sunagakure."
"Konoha's policy is simple"
"We do not interfere in the internal affairs of other nations."
After a brief pause, Yagyu spoke again,
"But the premise is that neither I nor my subordinates encounter any problems."
"This hard-earned peace… Konoha doesn't intend to lose it so easily."
Hearing this Baki nodded calmly,
"Rest assured."
"Once you receive the materials, Gaara's team will personally escort you back to Konoha."
"That is Sunagakure's sincerity. This way, please."
With that Baki took the lead, guiding Yagyu and his group into Sunagakure.
Meanwhile, Gaara and his siblings handled the reception.
Walking beside Yagyu Gaara's steady voice broke the silence,
"Yagyu… are you friends with Naruto Uzumaki?"
"I've heard him mention you before."
"He considers you one of his most important friends."
"Can you tell me… what kind of person he is?"
Yagyu showed a hint of surprise at the question then smiled slightly,
"Naruto?"
"A hot-blooded idiot, I guess."
"Someone who shares the same fate as you… but chose a completely different path."
"If you really want to understand him, no one can fully describe it."
"You'll have to interact with him yourself."
At this point Yagyu turned his gaze toward Gaara, a faint smile on his face:
"You should be able to feel it, right?"
"There's something in Naruto that others don't have."
"A kind of warmth… a kind of light."
"He once stood in the deepest darkness yet chose to walk toward the light."
"He didn't just illuminate his own world"
"He keeps lighting up the worlds of others as well."
Hearing this Gaara fell into quiet thought.
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