Gaara heard understanding in Naruto's tone. It was not condescending pity, but a silent confirmation that only those who have drowned in deep waters can give each other.
Naruto looked into Gaara's eyes and asked, "So, have you ever thought about changing this Ninja World?"
"Changing this world that treats people like us as weapons and monsters, and constantly creates tragedies."
"Change the Ninja World?" Gaara's voice carried a hint of skepticism.
Naruto explained, "The power struggles between the major nations, the slaughter between ninjas—it all boils down to interests."
"Why did Sunagakure cooperate with Orochimaru to invade Konoha? The most direct reason is resources."
"Sunagakure is located in a desert, with less than one-tenth of the arable land of the Land of Fire, and water sources depend on a few old wells that are almost dry."
"Your village's higher-ups have to haggle with the nobles of the Land of Wind every year for food and water. Ninja staffing is cut again and again. Ninjas who grow up in such an environment are fighting for survival every minute they are alive."
"But have you ever thought, since there is Ninjutsu in the Ninja World capable of assassination, why is there no Ninjutsu to change the environment, grow food, or open up water sources?"
"Sunagakure is short of water all year round. Have you ever thought about having Wind Release Ninjas blow rain clouds from afar?"
"Or having Earth Release Ninjas search for groundwater veins beneath the sand?"
"If one's own country were thriving, who would risk the lives of the entire village's ninjas just to seize a water well?"
"And who would raise Jinchuriki like us, treated as weapons and monsters from birth?"
Gaara was silent.
A scene not about slaughter or battle appeared in his mind.
The streets of Sunagakure were not filled with yellow sand. Children no longer had to learn how to kill enemies from a young age and those Jinchuriki like him were no longer monsters hated by others.
This image was so foreign to him that when it first surfaced in his mind, he didn't even know how to describe it.
"What are you going to do? How do you plan to change this Ninja World?" Gaara asked.
"Given our status and strength, it's not yet the time to talk about these things, but I want to invite you to change it together."
Naruto stood up and tossed a Flying Thunder God Kunai toward Gaara. "If you become the leader of your village in the future, we can talk then. I hope that by then, we will no longer be enemies, but partners who can work together toward this goal."
"Of course, if you ultimately choose to walk the same old path as the older generation, then just pretend I said nothing."
"I'll give Shukaku back to you. You can continue to use it as a weapon of war if you want, but if so, we'll only meet on the battlefield."
Gaara caught the Kunai and then looked at Naruto. "Naruto, your ideas are very advanced, and once they are known, you will become a thorn in the side of many people. Aren't you afraid I'll spread your ideas?"
Naruto shrugged, "The fact that I have this idea means I have the capacity for it. And having this capacity means I have the corresponding strength. So I don't really care."
Gaara was silent for a moment, then put the Kunai into his Ninja tool pouch.
After seeing Gaara put away his Kunai, Naruto handed him a scroll.
"This is the unlocking key for the seal. Once you have the ability to completely suppress the hateful will of Shukaku, you can use it to undo the seal I reinforced. But before that, try talking to Shukaku more often."
"It hasn't been treated well for hundreds of years, so it's normal for it to have a short temper. You can try treating it as a partner rather than a prisoner."
"Become partners with a Tailed Beast?" Gaara repeated these words in a low voice.
Just then, Sasuke woke up. He sat up and rubbed the back of his neck, taking several seconds to regain his senses.
Then he saw Naruto and Gaara nearby. Those two guys were actually sitting together chatting.
"Naruto, what's going on here? Aren't we supposed to be chasing him?"
Naruto greeted Sasuke, "Sasuke, you're awake. Everything is over, relax. The war is over, and we are now in a post-war temporary ceasefire state."
"What?" Sasuke's expression shifted from confusion to irritation.
Pressing on the back of his neck, which was still faintly tingling, Sasuke did not continue to press the issue. He just needed Naruto to give him an explanation later.
Soon, Kankuro and Temari also woke up. The moment they woke up, they instinctively assumed defensive postures.
Gaara raised his hand to signal them to relax. "They are not enemies right now."
He stepped between them and Naruto, a move that made both Kankuro and Temari's hearts skip a beat.
Gaara was shielding someone else?
"You guys should take Gaara back. Once you go back, you will know the truth—who the real enemy is, and who used you." Naruto said.
"What truth?" Temari frowned and demanded.
As the oldest sister of the Sunagakure trio, she habitually confirmed the accuracy of information before agreeing to leave.
Gaara glanced at Naruto, then turned and left.
Kankuro and Temari exchanged a look, and although they were full of questions, they ultimately chose to follow Gaara.
The figures of the three soon disappeared into the woods.
After the three left, Sasuke immediately stepped forward. He stared into Naruto's eyes and asked impatiently, "Naruto, what is this all about? What exactly happened while I was unconscious? What was that golden light?"
"Sasuke."
Naruto knew what Sasuke wanted to ask and knew that he had already guessed something, but now was not the time to talk about it.
"The war is over, and my mission is to bring you back safely. If you have any doubts, we can talk about them when we get back."
"Tch. Loser, you'd better explain everything clearly once we get back."
Sasuke put his hands back into his pockets and followed behind Naruto, walking toward Konoha.
When the two returned to Konoha, they were not greeted by the cheers of villagers celebrating victory, but by grief.