The Real Me

62

[8 months later]
A knock sounded on the door before it opened, and a figure clad in red entered.

The Hokage stood up in acknowledgment.

"I was honestly quite surprised when you said you wanted to meet so suddenly." Tsunade spoke lightly as the man, or rather, the child sat down in front of her.

"It's not that surprising." He replied.

Tsunade smiled, and folded her arms, "Indeed, not as surprising as you becoming Kazekage at such a young age."

The boy neither smiled nor responded, just tilted his head slightly.

"Well then," Tsunade cleared her throat and motioned towards the tea, indicating him to feel free to take a sip anytime he wanted, and continued, "What exactly brings you here?"

"Your shinobis continue to trespass." Gaara cut to the chase.

Tsunade laughed softly, "I think we already discussed this a few months ago?"

Gaara shook his head, "I'm sorry but this can't be taken lightly... especially since I'm the Kazekage."

"But we need to find the Akatsuki!" Tsunade tried explaining, "It's not like out shinobis are entering the Sand!"

Gaara folded his arms as well "The areas around the Sand belong to us as well, so technically they are trespassing."

Tsunade narrowed her eyes, "I thought we agreed on the seriousness of the Akatsuki? We even told you that we'd help you with the search for Sasori-"

"Who is rumoured to be a part of the Akatsuki. So far you haven't produced a solid proof for it. For all we know, it might be a lie so that you can trespass-" Gaara didn't back down and glared at her as well, when Tsunade cut him off.

"How dare you accuse us something like that? Why would we even-?? How unreasonable!" Tsunade said sternly.

Gaara tilted his head to the side, "Is it really as unreasonable as you sending out so many groups of shinobis to sneak around other villages? Isn't that very suspicious? What proof do you have that you're actually looking for Akatsuki? Have you even found something yet? Its been more than a year but I haven't received any report about any direct contact with them?"
Gaara locked eyes with the Hokage.
"Where's your proof?"

Tsunade clenched her teeth, unable to come up with a suitable answer. Technically this brat was right. They hadn't found anyone related to the Akatsuki after Team 7's encounter with Naruto.
It was as if the Akatsuki has vanished off of the face of the earth.

Even Jiraiya hadn't been able to locate them.
The Nara clan had only one reason for this, "They might have gone into hiding. Someplace with heavy genjutsu."

"Listen..." Tsunade tried to explain her situation when the door was rudely opened.

Both the Kages looked up to see an a figure clad in special gear, and jet black hair.

"Sasuke." Gaara said lightly, slightly surprised at his sudden entry.

Tsunade's eye twitched. This fucking brat.

"What are you doing here? Don't you know how knock?"She said sternly.

Sasuke glared at her but apologised immediately, "I'm sorry for interrupting but," he turned to Gaara, "Is it because of that scuffle near the Sand borders that day?"

"Sasuke," Tsunade widened her eyes slightly, "Was it your team?"

"Mn." Sasuke nodded, eye not leaving the Kazekage.