The Dust Devil [English Version]

Chapter 5 - Suspicion

                 Through the door of the Kazekage's office, hurried footsteps suddenly echoed down the corridor. In front of Gaara, Baki's usually composed face tensed, abruptly interrupting his mission report and disturbing the typically calm atmosphere of the Office.

As the running sounds intensified, his eyebrows furrowed further, betraying increasing irritation.

"It's her! I'm certain it's her!" he muttered, more to himself than to the young Kage.

He fell silent for a moment, letting the noise fill the space. Abruptly, Baki turned, rushing towards the door which he opened with a swift motion, as the footsteps began to fade like a distant echo. He poked his head through the gap, scrutinizing the corridor with an inquisitive look.

"It's her! I saw her!" he exclaimed with certainty before turning to Gaara, repeating with a hint of frustration, "It's her!"

After slamming the door shut, he strode towards the Kazekage's desk. "It's her third week in office and she already shows no respect for the rules! What time does she start again?"

Gaara searched his memory and replied, "It is Wednesday. I believe she starts at eight o'clock at the hospital."

A sarcastic laugh escaped Baki's lips. "Eight o'clock... and she can't even be on time!" He approached one of the windows, observing the outside of the Office. His eyes, accustomed to surveilling the movements of adversaries, now seemed to search for the silhouette of the young girl through the streets of Sunagakure bathed in the morning light.

He shook his head slightly, his gaze hardening even further.

"How could Kankuro have been caught off guard so foolishly? The story has already spread throughout the village. It's embarrassing! Not just for him, but for all the shinobis of Suna."

Exasperation tinged each of his word. He paused, then, resuming with a more urgent tone, he added: "And to make matters worse, several Jonins have spotted her alone in the desert. She is straying too far! It's one thing for her to train on the practice fields, but for a Genin from Konoha to venture like this into the desert..."

Baki left his vantage point and took a few steps back towards Gaara's wooden desk: "If something happened to her, if she were to get injured, or worse, it could lead to tensions with Konohagakure. We can't afford an incident of this nature... especially not at this time!"

Gaara remained silent, pondering Baki's words. He couldn't help but share his concerns, aware of the risks posed by the unforgiving desert surrounding their village. After all, even seasoned Suna shinobi had been caught off guard by its manifold dangers.

As the Kazekage, it was his responsibility to ensure the protection not only of his people but also of allies from other villages. The potential consequences of an incident involving the Genin weighed heavily on his mind, perhaps more than he cared to admit.

"After all," he thought, attempting to rationalize his fears, "she is not an ordinary kunoichi. Daughter of the Godaime Hokage and descendant of the Senju clan... her safety is of paramount importance to avoid any diplomatic crisis."

Immersed in his thoughts, Gaara contemplated the various possible strategies to ensure the young girl's safety. For a brief moment, he considered engaging in direct conversation with her, but the mere idea of this discussion sent a shiver of apprehension through him.

Although he was accustomed to dealing with impetuous personalities, such as his sister and brother, or even exuberant and boisterous individuals like Naruto or Rock Lee, Gaara found the kunoichi's temperament particularly challenging to grasp. Her sensitivity often put him to the test. She seemed permeable to everything around her, and her emotions directly influenced her behavior, leading her to oscillate between intense joy and profound sadness.