land of mist
Gaara remained silent after hearing Lady Chiyo's words, maintaining a neutral expression as he processed the information. The journey was difficult, with the harsh desert terrain making it nearly impossible to travel at full speed. Despite everyone's best efforts, the trek felt grueling, especially for Gaara, who seemed to be running on autopilot. His body moved forward mechanically, while his mind was elsewhere. Only Gaara and Shukaku truly understood the turmoil in his head.
As they traveled, they encountered the usual obstacles—bandits and fellow travelers—but none of it seemed to faze Gaara. His thoughts were consumed with questions and uncertainties about the mission.
The trip took a full week and two days, from Sunagakure to Kirigakure, and throughout the journey, the group kept their thoughts to themselves, the silence between them heavy with unspoken words. When they finally reached Kirigakure, the Hidden Village of the Mist, it was a sight to behold. The village was shrouded in mist, with its towering buildings and distant air. One would wonder why politics were even necessary in a place so far removed from the world of shinobi conflicts.
However, things didn't go smoothly as they approached the gates. They were stopped by guards who suspected them of being impostors. Gaara, ever the pragmatist, handled the situation swiftly by bribing the guards. The team exchanged curious glances, but Gaara didn't care.
Only I know how fragile Kirigakure is right now, Gaara thought darkly. This place is a shadow of its former self, and probably a death trap. But I'm still here. Why?
Lady Chiyo led them through the village until they reached the Mizukage's office. The building was large, but they weren't alone. A team from Iwagakure, the Hidden Stone Village, was already there, and among them was someone Gaara recognized—a participant in the upcoming Chunin Exams. His gaze lingered for a moment before he turned his attention elsewhere, quickly scanning the room.
He noticed something odd—there was no team from Konoha present. Gaara's brow furrowed. Why would Konoha send no one? He wondered.
At only six years old, Gaara was already a prodigy, a genin of remarkable power. Yet, the absence of Konoha's team left him uneasy, as though a piece of the puzzle was missing.
After a brief wait, the Mizukage arrived to brief the assembled teams. To Gaara's relief, it was confirmed that Konoha had not sent anyone. This settled part of his unease. However, his curiosity piqued again when he saw Team Samui from Kumogakure. Why were they here?
Oh well, they can take care of themselves, Gaara thought, trying to push the thought aside.
But before he could relax, Darui, known for his impulsiveness, began to stir up trouble with the Iwagakure team. Tensions were rising over past disputes between the Land of Stone and the Land of Clouds. Gaara didn't care for the politics or the squabbles between villages. The Land of Sand had its own resource disputes with Iwagakure and border conflicts with Kumogakure, but that was none of his concern.
Forget fighting. I just need to get out of here, Gaara thought, feeling the pressure build within him. Shukaku, ever the voice of reason, had already given him feedback on the situation.
As the Mizukage began speaking, Gaara gave Shukaku the signal to proceed with their plan. The plan was simple, though far from easy. Shukaku would first confirm the state of the Three Tails, Isobu, and whether it was truly under the influence of Obito's genjutsu.
It wasn't until after they left the presence of the Mizukage that Shukaku finally confirmed the genjutsu's effect on Isobu. But Shukaku also proposed an interesting theory. If Gaara could somehow "knock some sense" into its host without killing him, it would be greatly appreciated.
Is this Shukaku trying to deceive me? Gaara thought. He probably did something petty to Isobu, didn't he?
Gaara couldn't help but feel a twinge of suspicion, but the urgency of the mission and the chaos brewing in the village pushed those thoughts aside—for now.