Chapter 1246: Assassination

“Did you see that?”

Staring directly into his son Gaara’s eyes which carried hatred mixed with a tinge of fear, Rasa’s gaze was filled with coldness.

For someone of high status, being seen in such a pathetic state, Rasa’s heart was filled with endless humiliation.

Especially in front of his own son.

As the Kazekage, it was expected to hide such weaknesses, not letting outsiders know.

“I was just speculating…”

Gaara was also scared by Rasa’s cold gaze, harsher than usual, like a blade stabbing into his heart, but seeing Rasa also had a weak side, there was an inexplicable sense of delight in his heart.

It was like successfully taking revenge.

Treating him as a weapon and tool, even sending ninjas to assassinate him continually to assess whether he was qualified as a weapon.

It was all because of his mother, right?

Due to his premature birth causing his mother’s death, Rasa saw him as a tool, linking the father-son relationship only in hatred, without a shred of familial affection.

“You’d better forget about these things, go back and rest now.”

Rasa’s tone carried a warning.

“…Yes.”

Gaara was silent for a moment before obediently nodding, following Rasa’s orders, quietly walking toward his room, closing the door to block Rasa’s prying eyes.

“Really, Gaara actually saw me in such a pathetic state…”

Whether the dignity of being Kazekage, or the dignity of being a father, had already been completely lost.

However, he did not think his arrangement for Gaara was wrong.

He was the village’s Kazekage, the Tailed Beast was an important weapon for the village; since Gaara was a Tailed Beast weapon, he could only be treated as a tool.

After all, compared to the previous generation’s One-tailed Jinchuriki, Monk Bunbuku, Gaara was lacking in various aspects as a Jinchuriki.

However, a weapon only needs to maintain its current state; at the appropriate time, to sacrifice everything for Hidden Sand is the fate of a Jinchuriki.

Familial affection?

Such a thing could be given to his other children, but not to Gaara at all.

Only hatred could make Gaara awaken, giving birth to the consciousness of becoming a village weapon.

As long as it was for the village, nothing was impossible to sacrifice.

…

“What? Turns out he’s just a coward who doesn’t even dare to commit suicide…”

After closing the door, Gaara finally spat out these words of disgust.

Although it was only a quick glance, he had seen Rasa’s action of extending a blade towards his wrist; perhaps at that moment, there was a hint of suicidal tendency.

“Chiba Hakushi… perhaps I should thank this man for making my father so despondent…”

Towards the killer of many Hidden Sand Ninjas, Gaara did not hold any feelings of hatred.

There was no warmth to speak of in this village.

Whether towards the village or toward his father as Kazekage, he only felt disgust, especially the latter.

The source of his misfortune.

Why didn’t this man die on the battlefield?

“Besides, in such a desolate state, someone who doesn’t dare to commit suicide cannot continue holding the position of Kazekage, right?”

Gaara’s small face showed a sinister yet slightly mocking smile.

Saying this, he walked to the counter, opened a drawer, and took out a brand-new Kunai from inside.

“Suicide is a very simple thing.”

Gaara gripped the Kunai and swung it hard toward his wrist.

At a critical moment, sand flew rapidly from nowhere, covering his wrist, preventing Gaara’s sand from making any further progress.

“Protecting me again, mom?”

Gaara’s eyes were filled with disappointment.

However, this version of himself had no need for protection at all.

Right now, he only thought about dying sooner.

To leave this world full of pain.

Perhaps in another world, he would then have so-called playmates.

He could also meet his mom, who had always used her powers to protect him.

This cold world, it’d be better if it disappeared sooner.

“But, going there alone, mom would definitely feel lonely. Since that man wants to die but lacks the courage to commit suicide, it’s only right for me as his son to help him a little, isn’t it?”

In the room, Gaara’s suppressed cold laughter echoed.

◎

The Kazekage Building, which was supposed to be a symbol of the Kazekage, had become the place Rasa most unwilling to go right now.

But now, he was still the Kazekage; he could not completely shake off the duties of the Kazekage.

Fortunately, Chiyo would help him share some of the affairs, easing his workload.

Rasa was very grateful for Chiyo’s help, and she did it with the hope that he would quickly emerge from the shadow of defeat and lead Hidden Sand as a true Kazekage.

But now, does he really have the qualifications?

If at that time, he had died at the hands of Chiba Hakushi, maybe he wouldn’t seem so painful now.

The defeat brought not only guilt for his fallen comrades but also doubts about his own abilities and the humiliation of being spared.

From the physical to the mental level, he had encountered a very deep blow.

“Konoha delegation?”

Upon hearing the Anbu’s report, Rasa was slightly stunned.

“Yes, Kazekage-sama, Elder Chiyo is currently entertaining them.”

The Anbu answered respectfully, but there was no hiding the concern in his eyes.

As Rasa’s direct unit, they could be regarded as Rasa’s most steadfast supporters.

There was no other department that hoped for Rasa to bounce back as much as the Anbu did.