"It's probably to strengthen the alliance between Konoha and Sunagakure…"
Shikamaru leaned back lazily against the railing, his hands tucked behind his head as he gazed at the evening sky. Although his expression remained as indifferent as ever, his sharp eyes revealed that he had already thought several steps ahead.
"Even though the ninja world appears peaceful on the surface, things are becoming more unstable behind the scenes," he continued calmly. "The Five Great Nations are keeping each other in check, while the Akatsuki Organization continues moving in secret. Under these circumstances, maintaining a strong alliance with Sunagakure is extremely important."
Naruto listened carefully before grinning brightly.
"Shikamaru, you always complain that everything is troublesome, but honestly, you understand things better than anyone else!"
Shikamaru sighed helplessly.
"…Even if something is troublesome, if it has to be done, then it should be done properly."
Naruto laughed loudly at his response.
The mention of Sunagakure immediately filled him with excitement.
"Sunagakure…"
A nostalgic look appeared on his face.
"That means I'll get to see Gaara again soon!"
Naruto crossed his arms behind his head and stared toward the horizon with anticipation shining in his blue eyes.
"I wonder how he's doing now…"
The memories of their battle during the Chunin Exams surfaced in his mind.
At that time, Gaara had been consumed by loneliness and hatred, much like Naruto himself. Unlike others who feared or rejected him, Naruto had understood Gaara's pain better than anyone. Their battle had not merely been a clash between ninjas—it had been a confrontation between two lonely children carrying unbearable burdens.
Naruto still remembered the expression on Gaara's face after his defeat.
For the first time, the boy from Sunagakure had begun questioning the path he had chosen.
Naruto smiled unconsciously.
"Gaara's definitely changed by now."
Beside him, Hinata quietly listened to the conversation. When she saw Naruto smiling so sincerely, her expression softened as well.
"He must be very happy to meet you again, Naruto-kun," she said gently.
Naruto scratched the back of his head awkwardly and laughed.
"Maybe!"
Sasuke, who had been silent the entire time, stood nearby with his arms crossed.
Compared to Naruto's excitement, he appeared calm and composed as always. However, he was also curious about Sunagakure's current state. After all, the relationship between Konoha and Suna had once nearly collapsed during Orochimaru's invasion.
Now, both villages were trying to rebuild their trust.
That alone showed how unstable the ninja world had become.
Shikamaru narrowed his eyes slightly.
"The alliance between villages isn't something built on friendship alone," he muttered. "It's built on necessity."
Naruto blinked.
"Huh?"
Shikamaru glanced at him.
"Konoha and Sunagakure both suffered heavy losses in the past. Right now, both sides need reliable allies. Especially with organizations like Akatsuki lurking around."
At the mention of Akatsuki, the atmosphere grew slightly heavier.
Even Naruto's smile faded a little.
The Akatsuki members they had encountered were terrifyingly powerful. It was hard to imagine what would happen if the entire organization began moving openly.
Still, Naruto quickly clenched his fist with determination.
"No matter who they are, we'll stop them!"
His confident declaration made Hinata smile softly again.
Shikamaru shook his head helplessly.
"Sometimes I really envy your optimism."
Naruto grinned proudly.
"That's because giving up isn't my ninja way!"
Sasuke let out a faint scoff but said nothing further.
The group continued forward toward Sunagakure.
The setting sun stretched long shadows across the road, while the warm wind carried grains of sand from the distant desert.
A new chapter in the relationship between Konoha and Sunagakure was about to begin.
Meanwhile, far away in the Land of Wind, Sunagakure was also making preparations.
Inside the Kazekage's office, the atmosphere was solemn.
Since the death of the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, Sunagakure had fallen into a period of chaos. The village had lost not only its leader but also much of its confidence and stability.
Internal conflicts had erupted constantly.
Many shinobi questioned the future of the village, while the daimyo of the Land of Wind gradually reduced funding toward Sunagakure, weakening its military strength even further.
For a long time, the village had struggled merely to maintain order.
Fortunately, under the efforts of the elders and senior shinobi, the situation slowly stabilized.
At present, Baki was serving as the acting Kazekage.
As one of Sunagakure's most experienced jonin, he possessed both strength and authority. However, Baki himself understood clearly that he was not truly suited to carry the burden of Kazekage permanently.
In his heart, there was already someone he believed should inherit that position.
Gaara.
However, each time Baki proposed Gaara as the Fifth Kazekage, the council of elders rejected the suggestion immediately.
To them, Gaara was still too young.
More importantly, he was the host of the One-Tail Shukaku.
Even though Gaara had changed significantly compared to the past, many people within the village still feared him deeply.
In the eyes of the older generation, Gaara remained an unstable existence—a weapon that could lose control at any moment.
Inside the office, several elders sat around a long table while discussing the upcoming Chunin Exams.
"Although Sunagakure's current situation is difficult, we cannot afford to appear weak before the outside world," one elder said seriously.
"As one of the Five Great Nations, we must display enough strength to maintain our reputation."
Another elder nodded.
"Konoha has already agreed to support us fully during the exams. Their advance team should arrive soon."
Baki stood beside the window quietly listening.
After a moment, he spoke.
"The shinobi arriving from Konoha are familiar faces."
He glanced toward the three siblings standing nearby.
"Uzumaki Naruto, Uchiha Sasuke, Hyuga Hinata… and Nara Shikamaru."
The moment Naruto's name was mentioned, the expressions of the three siblings changed slightly.
Temari raised an eyebrow.
"Naruto?"
Kankuro folded his arms and clicked his tongue.
"That loudmouth ninja from Konoha…"
Despite his words, there was no hostility in his tone.
Instead, it sounded almost nostalgic.
As for Gaara—
The moment he heard Naruto's name, his previously emotionless eyes trembled faintly.
Slowly, he lifted his head.
Outside the office window, the desert wind howled across the endless sea of sand beneath the crimson evening sky.
For a brief moment, countless memories surfaced in Gaara's mind.
The pain of his childhood.
The loneliness.
The hatred.
The endless nights spent believing that his existence held no meaning except killing others.
Then—
A single figure appeared in those memories.
A blond-haired boy who had stood before him fearlessly.
A boy who understood his suffering better than anyone else.
Naruto.
Gaara unconsciously touched the scar on his forehead.
The kanji for "love" remained deeply etched there.
Back then, he had never understood what that word truly meant.
But now… things were different.
Naruto's words had changed him.
For the first time in his life, Gaara had begun trying to connect with others instead of rejecting them.
He had started protecting the village rather than despising it.
And gradually, the people of Sunagakure had begun acknowledging him in return.
Gaara's gaze softened slightly.
"…Naruto."
Hearing him say the name quietly surprised both Temari and Kankuro.
In the past, Gaara would never have spoken someone's name with such calmness.
Temari smiled faintly.
"Looks like you're actually happy about this."
Gaara remained silent for a moment before replying softly,
"…Perhaps."
Kankuro immediately burst into laughter.
"Hah! If Naruto sees this side of you, he'll probably start shouting about friendship again."
Temari rolled her eyes.
"That sounds exactly like something he would do."
Even Baki allowed himself a faint smile.
Compared to the terrifying child who once lived only for hatred, Gaara had changed beyond recognition.
And the person responsible for that transformation was none other than Naruto Uzumaki.
One elder frowned slightly after noticing Gaara's reaction.
"No matter what, emotions should not interfere with official matters," he warned sternly.
Gaara turned toward him calmly.
"I understand."
Although his voice remained quiet, there was now a steady confidence within it that had not existed before.
The elders exchanged glances silently.
Even they could not deny that Gaara had matured tremendously over the past few years.
Not only had his control over Shukaku improved, but his temperament had also become far more stable.
More importantly, many shinobi within Sunagakure had gradually started trusting him.
The idea of Gaara becoming Kazekage no longer sounded as impossible as it once had.
Baki observed everything silently.
Deep down, he believed the village needed someone like Gaara now more than ever.
Someone who truly understood pain.
Someone who could protect others precisely because he had once suffered himself.
Outside, the desert wind continued sweeping across Sunagakure.
The approaching Chunin Exams would not merely be a competition between young shinobi.
For both Konoha and Sunagakure, it symbolized the strengthening of a fragile alliance and the beginning of a new era.
And soon—
Naruto and Gaara would finally meet again.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)