Gaara Hiden: A Sandstorm Mirage

is an original story written by Ukyō Kodachi and illustrated by Masashi Kishimoto. It is the fifth book of the Naruto Hiden series.

Chapter 1
Gaara, the Fifth Kazekage, is still having to deal with a lack of funding for Sunagakure. Although the Land of Wind was happy to pay for all expenses that led to victory during the Fourth Shinobi World War several years earlier, the Wind daimyō has been reluctant to fund issues that arose as a result of that victory: compensation to families of shinobi who died during the War or rehabilitation costs for those who were injured.
 * Sunagakure

While he contemplates these issues, Gaara is visited by his older sister, Temari. Temari is to be married to Shikamaru of Konohagakure's Nara clan; their relationship surprised Gaara when he first learned of it and, despite his research, he still doesn't really understand it. Because Temari is a sibling of the Kazekage and Shikamaru is an influential figure in Konoha, their marriage is a delicate political matter that will solidify peace between their two villages. After careful consideration, Temari and Shikamaru have found a date for their wedding that will appease both sides. Gaara is pleased by the news as it is one less issue that he'll need to deal with.

Three days earlier, Kankurō, Gaara's older brother and the recently appointed leader of the Anti-Terror Division, led an A-rank mission to capture Kajūra, a missing-nin from Ishigakure. Despite the brief incapacitation of one of Kankurō's subordinates, Amagi, Kajūra's Magnet Release: Lightning God Self was defeated and he was taken into custody. Gaara reports the mission's details, the date for Temari's wedding, and other recent developments to the Suna Council, a group of village elders who must approve all of the Kazekage's actions. They find no issues with anything and, Gaara believes, they were likely already aware of everything he's told them.

Ebizō, current head of the Council, asks to discuss something with Gaara. As he slowly builds towards the topic he has in mind, Gaara tries to guess what minor personal issue it is. He is caught off guard when Ebizō reveals that he and the rest of the Council would like for Gaara to get married. Because Temari is going to be married into a Konoha clan, any children she has will be Konoha ninja. If Gaara and Kankurō should die before producing heirs, that would mean that a Konoha ninja will have a claim to the Kazekage position, something that the Council wants to avoid. Therefore, they would like Gaara to find a wife so that he can, in turn, have children.

Gaara tries to deflect their suggestion by pointing out that Kankurō, being older than him, should get married before him. He is informed that Kankurō has already been approached about it and that he successfully argued that Gaara, as the Kazekage, should marry first. The Council insists that their interest in seeing Gaara married is more of a recompense for turning him into a jinchūriki years ago than it is a political matter. Unable to argue out of the situation, Gaara accepts whatever marriage the Council decides to arrange for him.

Chapter 2
Gaara is to meet his future wife at a formal gathering of the Land of Wind's various dignitaries. Temari helps him dress for the occasion and Kankurō advises him on being sociable, which predominately involves drinking alcohol. Gaara has little fondness for the alcohol, but he is nevertheless glad for the brief time he gets to spend with his brother and sister. Kankurō is meant to provide security for the gathering but he is abruptly called away at the last minute, replaced by Baki. Both Gaara and Baki find this suspicious and increase the security for the event in case somebody is planning something.
 * Hakuto

Gaara meets the woman the Suna Council has found for him to marry: Hakuto of the Hōki family. His first impression of her is that she is beautiful, something that embarrasses him once he realizes that she is to be his wife. Their handlers leave them alone and Gaara, having never been romantically with a woman despite his hordes of admirers, has no idea how to make conversation, having forgotten all the etiquette lessons Temari gave him. After several silent minutes, Gaara decides to try and emulate Naruto Uzumaki's successes from being unoriginal: he asks what her hobbies are.

Temari, who is secretly watching their one-on-one time, is mortified by Gaara's choice of topic. However, when Gaara starts speaking about his passion for raising cacti, Hakuto is intrigued and it dispels some of the rumors she's heard about him from his days as "Gaara of the Sand Waterfall". Those who live in Suna and were around when he was a child still remember his former violent ways whenever they meet him, coloring their opinions of him. Hakuto, whose family lives on the border between the Lands of Wind and Fire and has thus not met him before, does not have the same preconceptions. She therefore declares that Gaara is, "kind." Temari is mystified that the conversation, despite being so casual, is going so well. Gaara is also pleased, filled with the same happiness he experiences when he tends to his cacti.

Chapter 3

 * Moonlight

Chapter 4

 * Sandstorm

Chapter 5

 * Chance Meeting

Main Cast

 * , an advisor from Sunagakure
 * , a shinobi from Sunagakure
 * and, missing-nin
 * Temari, a shinobi from Sunagakure
 * Gaara, the Fifth Kazekage
 * Kankurō, a shinobi from Sunagakure
 * Baki, a shinobi from Sunagakure
 * , the head of the Hōki Family
 * , a shinobi of the Hōki Family
 * , a shinobi of the Hōki Family

id:Gaara Hiden: Badai Pasir Fatamorgana