Hattori , Puppet Tyrant in Sand

After some mutual "flattery," Hattori's gaze toward Yashamaru softened considerably.

"Actually, if you think about it, Yashamaru really wants Gaara to be happy. If it weren't for Rasa threatening him with Gaara's life, he would never have hurt Gaara. So, strictly speaking, he's a victim too."

With that thought, Hattori's slight grudge against Yashamaru dissipated, and he even began to feel some sympathy for him.

As the saying goes, the eyes are the windows to the soul. When thoughts change, the look in one's eyes naturally changes too.

Since they were close, Yashamaru noticed the change in Hattori's gaze and looked puzzled.

"Uh... Hattori-sama, why are you looking at me like that? Is something wrong with me?"

Seeing Yashamaru's discomfort, Hattori immediately shook his head with a smile.

"Not at all. I just think you look really pretty, like a girl!"

"Uh... really? Haha... Hattori-sama, you're flattering me too much."

Yashamaru laughed awkwardly. After all, being praised for looking pretty isn't exactly something a guy would be thrilled about.

Hattori noticed his discomfort and realized his comment might have been out of place, so he quickly apologized.

"Sorry, Yashamaru. I think I may have misspoken. I didn't mean it, please don't take it to heart. I'll be more careful next time!"

He even bowed to Yashamaru in apology.

Seeing his sincere apology, Yashamaru quickly waved his hand. "No, no... it's nothing. Hattori-sama, you're being too polite!"

At that moment, Yashamaru's goodwill toward Hattori shot up, and his smile became more natural.

"People actually say that a lot. I'm used to it. Even my sister says I look like a girl, haha!"

Hearing this, Hattori raised an eyebrow and laughed.

"Haha, really? That's hilarious. By the way, Yashamaru, is your sister a ninja too?"

"Yes!" Yashamaru nodded. "She's a Jōnin of Sunagakure, and her Wind Style is really powerful!"

Just as expected!

Hearing this, Hattori showed a knowing expression.

Although Gaara's mother's identity isn't explicitly mentioned in the original series, fans know that Gaara's protective sand isn't powered by Shukaku; it's actually his mother Karura's will guarding him.

In essence, this willpower is a kind of chakra, and a very powerful one at that.

If Karura wasn't a ninja, how could she leave such strong chakra with Gaara?

Because Karura was a ninja, and her immense love for Gaara, she became the sand that protects him even after her death.

Of all the women in *Naruto*, Hattori most respects two mothers: Naruto's mother, Kushina Uzumaki, and Gaara's mother, Karura.

Their love is truly remarkable!

Moved by these thoughts, Hattori instinctively grabbed Yashamaru's hand.

"Yashamaru, when I return to the village, you have to introduce me to your sister. I really like her; please do me this favor!"

Yashamaru: "╭(°A°`)╮"

What's going on? What did I just say?

Seeing Hattori's excitement, Yashamaru was utterly bewildered, looking completely puzzled.

"Um... Hattori-sama, do you know my sister?"

"Of course I do!"

Hattori blurted out, but seeing Yashamaru's surprised expression, he quickly added, "Didn't you say she's a powerful Jōnin? My favorite kind of person is a strong female Jōnin!"

"Oh... so that's it!"

With this explanation, Yashamaru finally understood, nodding.

"Alright, when you return to the village, I'll introduce you to my sister. I believe she'll like you too, Hattori-sama."

"Great! Then we'll be family from now on!"

"Yes, yes... we'll be family... wait, what?"

Yashamaru suddenly reacted, looking at Hattori in surprise. "What do you mean by family?"

"Just what I said!"

Hattori shrugged and spread his hands.

"I already told you, I like your sister, and you said your sister would like me too. So, if we both like each other, we can get married, right? And marriage makes us family, doesn't it?"

Yashamaru: "(Д*)"

It sounds reasonable, but isn't this complete nonsense?

And what does a kid like you even know about mutual love?

Go play somewhere else!

At that moment, Yashamaru felt a thousand complaints bubbling up, but instead, he just forced a smile at Hattori.

"Hehe... Hattori-sama, actually, my sister is over ten years older than you, and she's already been married, so..."

"That's okay; I don't mind!"

Before he could finish, Hattori waved it off.

"As the saying goes, a woman three years older brings gold; a woman thirty years older brings an empire. A ten- or twenty-year age gap is nothing to me. And being married doesn't matter—who hasn't had a run-in with a jerk in life?"

Yashamaru: "Σ(っ°Д°;)っ"

Dang, you've really gone all out, what am I supposed to say?

In that moment, Yashamaru felt utterly helpless. He carefully glanced at Rasa walking in front of them, noticing his expression was somewhat dark, making Yashamaru even more uneasy.

It wasn't just Yashamaru; Hattori himself felt a little nervous after his boldness since he'd practically called Rasa a jerk to his face. If Rasa got upset, wouldn't he be in for it?

But then again, provoking someone else's husband right in front of them felt oddly thrilling!

It's simply addictive!

"After all, I'm just a kid; kids say things without a filter. Plus, I didn't know about Rasa and Karura's relationship, so Rasa can't really get mad at me!"

With this thought, Hattori prepared to stir things up again.

He glanced at Yashamaru, who was looking down silently, and said, "Yashamaru, if I marry your sister, will you start calling me 'brother-in-law'?"

Yashamaru: "Σ(っ°Д°;)っ"

Call you what? If you're going down, don't drag me with you!

Yashamaru felt like he was about to break down.

At that moment, he deeply regretted ever talking to Hattori, ever mentioning his sister, and ending up in this awkward situation.

Just as he was at a loss, Rasa finally couldn't hold back any longer and spoke up: "Kid, shut up!"

Hearing Rasa's words, Hattori only became more excited and stuck out his tongue.

"Make me! Nyaa~ (づ￣3￣)づ"

Rasa: "..."

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Thanks-thanks to all my readers!