[A self-absorbed demon...]
Gaara unconsciously touched the "love" mark on his forehead.
Does nobody love themselves?
Gaara's eyes were lowered.
Looking at the sand swirling around my feet.
He always carried the burden of "love."
Love has always been protecting him.
[Armor of Sand]
[Absolute Defense!]
[An absolute defense in the name of love!]
"Perhaps it is true that your mother, Carol, died because of you."
"But she won't hate you."
"She's a ninja, and also the Kazekage's wife."
"If you want to survive, it won't be difficult at all."
"The price is... your death."
[The final whisper.]
[Silence, yet a breakdown in defenses.]
"The order was given by the Fourth Kazekage, who is your father."
"If Yashamaru is to hate anyone, it's him."
"Instead of hating you."
"He is a ninja, the Fourth Kazekage's right-hand man."
"A member of the Anbu, belonging to the Hidden Sand Village."
"For the sake of the village, he must obey the Kazekage."
"Let's confirm whether you are truly qualified to become a Jinchūriki."
"Rasa threatened to kill you, so Yashamaru gave in."
"He ultimately died."
"A Jinchūriki who cannot suppress a Tailed Beast's rampage is not a successful Jinchūriki."
"Back then, the Fourth Kazekage not only eliminated Yashamaru, but also you."
"Think about what you're doing right now."
"And where does it stand?"
"The position of a qualified Jinchūriki is an absolute weapon of war."
Naruto shook his head.
[Looking at Gaara, who was on the verge of collapse.]
Seeing that the sand surrounding him showed no sign of going berserk, he chuckled softly.
"Shukaku, are you done fooling around?"
"This is a pretty good opportunity."
"If you miss this opportunity, you'll rarely have another chance like this."
[Temari, who was still grieving, immediately panicked upon hearing this.]
Just as he was about to tell Naruto not to provoke the monster inside Gaara...
It's over.
[Shhhhh—]
Gravel continued to climb onto Gaara's body.
Gaara was completely unaware.
Or perhaps, at this moment, he has already lost the ability to think.
[He's caught in a internal struggle.]
[A moment later.]
Gaara has transformed into his tailed beast form.
[Half of his body transformed into the likeness of Shukaku.]
"Damn brat, shut your mouth!"
Temari instinctively took a step back.
Fear is ingrained in our very being.
However... with this level of aura, it's somewhat unrealistic to think it can intimidate Naruto.
Naruto touched his ear.
Shukaku's voice is indeed very sharp.
No wonder Gaara suffers from severe insomnia.
"This is the second time I've heard your voice, isn't it?"
[Gaara, temporarily in half-tailed beast form and dominated by Shukaku, remained silent for a moment.]
He said coldly, "Hmph!"
"Damn brat, you saw me come out and you still didn't run away?"
"You're just waiting to die, aren't you?!"
Naruto waved his hand and said, "Don't be so loud, your voice is too shrill."
"As expected, the big fox is still better."
[Shukaku: ???]
[Ultimate move at point-blank range?!]
In an instant, Shukaku was about to go berserk.
But the next second...
Naruto appeared in front of Shukaku.
A palm strike landed on Gaara's lower abdomen.
["It's noisy."]
"If you don't shut up, I'm going to break my promise."
"You are Gaara's tailed beast."
"Even you're joining everyone in bullying him."
"To think I didn't seek to destroy you with me while I was suffering from such insomnia is a testament to Gaara's kindness."
"Shut up, or I'll make sure you're never able to speak again."
Having said that, Naruto raised his head, a gentle smile playing on his lips.
Shukaku's pupils contracted slightly as he sensed an overwhelming suppressive force.
[Sealing technique?!]
[How is that possible?!]
[This great one... this great one actually got taught a lesson by a nine-tailed brat?!]
[It's only been a few years... This kid who was almost led astray into my sealed space back then, has he actually grown to this extent?!]
Shukaku's eyes slowly closed.
Temari was stunned.
Everything that happened today was so sudden...it shattered her worldview.
["have a good rest."]
[Until Shukaku's appearance completely weathers away.]
[After Gaara's face was revealed.]
Naruto glanced at his complex expression and chuckled softly.
[Then he raised his hand and gently tapped Gaara's forehead.]
[Buzz—]
Warm, sun-like chakra entered Gaara's body.
[Then, a particularly fragile nerve in Gaara's mind...]
It broke with a "bang".
Sleepiness is creeping in.
Gaara, just like Shukaku before him, slowly closed his eyes.
"Get a good night's sleep; no one will disturb you."
[I noticed Gaara's expression at the end.]
Naruto shook his head helplessly.
"Okay, I promise you, everything I said today is true."
"As for coming to my house for a simple meal... come with your sister after you've had a full night's sleep."
Finally, after receiving Naruto's assurance.
Gaara smiled.
Perhaps it's because I haven't smiled in too long.
His smile was more painful to look at than his tears.
However, this smile was merely an expression of his emotion to Naruto; once the emotion was conveyed, that was enough.
"Remember to get your body repaired... Remember to eat and sleep on time from now on, and take good care of yourself, otherwise you'll always be a shorty, malnourished."
Naruto smiled gently, supporting Gaara, who had fallen into a deep sleep.
At this moment, Gaara is sleeping like a log.
Even if the heavens and earth were to collapse, he would not wake up.
Naruto didn't interfere much in this matter.
[It only slightly awakened Gaara from the drowsiness that had accumulated over the years.]
Of course, fully repairing the body is not something that can be done overnight...
[The faster ones will at least remain in a state of dormancy for two and a half years.]
Those who progress more slowly can only rely on a gradual, patient approach, constantly resting and recuperating.
However, after Naruto's careful investigation, he discovered that Gaara's losses were not as severe as initially thought.
Okay... just think of him as Hinata who's never had enough to eat.
Hinata: "..."
Waaaaah~!
Naruto with black frames~!
Hinata is a little angry.
Little Firework couldn't help but laugh.
I immediately felt the love of my second older sister, who was not yet fully grown up.
The love was almost suffocating.
Like a gentle, soft knife.
[When Naruto reminded Gaara to rest, he was speaking to Temari.]
Temari nodded.
He rushed forward and took the fast-sleeping Gaara from his arms.
[Looking at Naruto, he hesitated, as if he wanted to say something.]
Finally, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
He bowed deeply to Naruto.
["Thank you."]
"You bad guy~"