Hidden Foes

The distance between Sunagakure and Konohagakure was vast. For low-ranking Genin traveling in orderly fashion, it would take over ten days to arrive. The Sand's plan was to reach the Land of Fire one week before the Chunin Exams, allowing the Genin, who had seldom left the Land of Wind, to acclimate to the new environment.

The group, consisting of several dozen individuals, didn't move as a collective unit but traveled according to each squad's preference. Team leader Otofuku didn't stick with Daimaru, Yoru, and Senza; instead, he left Daimaru to manage their itinerary.

While still in the Land of Wind, the Genin were somewhat restrained. But as they crossed the border, the starkly different environment of the Land of Fire opened the eyes of the sheltered Sand shinobi.

Passing through the lush grasslands of the Land of Grass and traversing Kikyo Castle Town, the Sand shinobi who entered the prosperous Land of Fire coveted the land's richness.

"This land almost became part of the Land of Wind!" Kankuro lamented, seemingly oblivious to the strange looks from Daimaru's female teammates.

"Why are you following us?" Daimaru asked the mumbling Kankuro.

"Did Temari tell you not to mingle with me?"

"As if I want to! You have no idea how much pressure there is being around Gaara..."

Kankuro grumbled under his breath, careful not to alert Gaara, who was not far behind.

"That's why I hate dealing with troublesome brats!"

"So you left your dear sister alone with Gaara? Your family's affection is as thin as water!"

"What choice do I have? Just thinking about being stuck with Gaara for the upcoming period sends chills down my spine."

Back in Sunagakure, Kankuro barely spoke a few words to Gaara. When lucid, Gaara could restrain his destructive urges, but once he lost control, even kin wouldn't be spared.

"Ever since Yashamaru died, Gaara's become even more terrifying."

"Yashamaru? You're so disrespectful to mention your uncle by name..."

"Do you think being born into the Kazekage's family is all good?"

Kankuro scoffed,

"My mother died when I was little; I don't even remember her face, only a rough idea from fading old photos. Yashamaru wasn't much older than Temari and me, and he was under that man's orders to look after Gaara. Temari and I hardly interacted with him."

"That man, you mean the Fourth Kazekage?"

Kankuro fell silent, tacitly confirming Daimaru's guess.

"Every family has its troubles!"

Daimaru's father had passed away early, and Kankuro's single-parent household was cold.

"I'm a bit better off; my mother, though just an ordinary housewife, still cares for me. But you have something enviable too—an elder sister and a younger brother. Unlike me, an only child."

"A sister is fine, but a brother?"

Kankuro pondered for a moment,

"Gaara has never seen Temari and me as kin."

"Really?"

Daimaru thought for a second,

"Gaara seems to be in a good mood today, right?"

"How would I know? He's not radiating killing intent, so maybe it's not too bad. What are you planning? Don't do anything rash..."

"Relax, little uncle..."

"Who are you calling little uncle? Hey, stop! Don't go looking for trouble..."

Kankuro watched in horror as Daimaru turned and approached the silent Gaara and the trembling Temari.

"Hey, Temari, long time no see. Are you well?"

"Pick a better time if you're trying to flirt, you idiot. Don't get in my way..."

"As courteous as ever!"

Daimaru chuckled awkwardly and turned to Gaara, who had stopped in his tracks,

"Young man, my name is Daimaru, the one who's going to be your brother-in-law. Please take care of me."

"Shut up and get lost!"

Gaara, without even opening his eyes, locked a deadly intent on the smirking Daimaru.

"Sorry to disturb you."

With that, Daimaru took off running.

"That was terrifying."

Daimaru, nonchalantly hooking an arm around Kankuro's shoulder and patting his chest to catch his breath, said,

"Don't stand so close... Why did you provoke Gaara?"

"Did you see that?"

Daimaru had a knowing look,

"If an outsider greets Gaara like that, they get that reaction. If he didn't see you as kin, would you have survived near him for so long without being killed?"

Kankuro thought for a moment; Daimaru seemed to make sense, but,

"Just to prove this little fact, you risked your life getting close to Gaara. Are you out of your mind?"

"It's because little uncle here wanted assurance. How could I, as a future brother-in-law, shy away?"

Daimaru glanced at the impassive Gaara and the glaring Temari,

"Siblings and a father... don't talk as if they're a burden. Some people long for that and never get the chance!"

"You..."

The sudden seriousness in Daimaru caught Kankuro off guard.

"You don't know how lucky you are. Go back to where you belong. There's no place for you in our squad..."

With that, Daimaru gave Kankuro a shove, sending him back to his siblings.

"In the Chunin Exams, we'll be rivals. I won't hold back, future brother-in-law!"

"Tch..."

Kankuro spat softly,

"His strength is unknown, but his boasting has certainly improved."

Temari stepped forward to pull the cursing Kankuro,

"Hey, what did you talk about with that guy?"

"Just some boring stuff, not worth mentioning."

"Good, we don't need any complications!"

Temari glanced at Gaara, who showed no reaction, and sighed in relief.

Anything that could trigger Gaara's loss of control must be avoided at all costs.

Ahead, Daimaru quickened his pace; it was best not to appear in Gaara's line of sight without good reason.

Senza and Yoru exchanged glances and followed closely.

"Daimaru, weren't you afraid to approach Gaara?"

"Speaking for a few moments should be okay."

"But everyone says..."

"I know, Yoru!"

Daimaru cut off his friend's concerns,

"When we're out here, don't talk about Gaara. Some things are better discussed in private."

How many of the uninformed Genin knew the relationship between the Tailed Beasts and the Jinchuriki?

If someone eavesdropped on even a snippet of conversation and guessed Gaara's Jinchuriki status, it would be disastrous.

At least for now, Daimaru and his friends stood with Sunagakure. This included the scheming ally Otonin Village and Orochimaru—all around them were potential enemies.

"Don't act on your own; we're not in Sunagakure. Be cautious in everything."

Entering the Land of Fire, they might encounter unwelcome guests lurking in the shadows. Even the superficial ally, Konohagakure, required vigilance.