Chapter 180 – Gaara
For Terumi i, the idea was indeed tempting.
After all, if it truly succeeded, it would be a victory for everyone—and for her personally, an imnse honor.
But she was older than both Deidara and Kitagawa Gen, and naturally thought things through with greater caution.
How many ration pills would they need for a raid? How many explosive tags, how many ninja tools, to ensure success?
Which routes could guarantee a safe retreat? What was the terrain of the Cloud hidden village, where were its key targets?
And even if they struck successfully—how could they maximize Kumogakure’s losses while also forcing them into surrender?
Not to ntion the aftermath—how should the spoils be divided?
All of these were considerations i couldn’t ignore.
"Fortunately, we still have ti. Better to think these things through first."
i wasn’t in a rush. Neither was Kitagawa Gen. The only one brimming with impatience was Deidara.
But now that he had a clear goal, Deidara was full of energy—as if he finally had sothing aningful to do.
Of course, most of his thoughts boiled down to how he could make it exciting for himself. Anything beyond that, he couldn’t care less.
"At least now he won’t be pestering every single day."
Kitagawa Gen’s mood lightened considerably. Deidara was a good companion, amusing too—but when he got chatty, it was a headache. Besides, Gen had his own studies to focus on.
"Like this... Storm Release."
Shinobi like Hiruko had used it—but only once, and fleetingly.
The man had fallen to his knees too quickly, leaving Gen with little chance to truly feel its nature.
So now, he needed to carefully analyze it himself. Yet, what he regretted most was sothing else entirely—
"Hiruko’s Chira Technique... it never dropped."
The Chira Technique—an unusual and rather audacious jutsu, one that even hinted at a path toward the Bloodline Limit Fusion.
"Still... that technique had plenty of flaws."
When he recalled Hiruko, Gen couldn’t shake the feeling that the man had been off.
It was similar to Edo Tensei—where a summoning’s power depended on the harmony of soul and flesh, and the user’s precision in chakra control.
But Hiruko had devoured too many others. His body scread with discord.
Even so, his technique remained... fascinating.
"I’ve nearly gathered all the bloodlines I need. It’s about ti I considered the Bloodline Fusion. His thod was crude, but still worth studying."
If Gen were an ordinary man, the Chira Technique would have been his best option—even with its risks, he would have gambled on it.
But as an Ōtsutsuki...
Such a thing was, at most, a reference. Sothing from which to take the essence and discard the dross, broadening his own ideas.
He had no need to devour others. With his own sweat and effort, he could achieve much more.
---
The days passed, each one spent in study.
There was much to learn—Storm Release, Mount Myōboku’s Sage Arts, Wood Release...
Sotis, he even joined Kakashi and the others in training, or shalessly tagged along with Naruto and his gang for als. All in all, his days weren’t bad at all.
But soon enough, Kakashi ca looking for him.
"Has Sunagakure already reached an agreent?"
As they walked toward Konoha’s prison, Gen couldn’t help but ask curiously.
"They’re releasing people this quickly?"
"You really didn’t pay attention in the eting, did you?"
Kakashi, reading his little orange book, spoke casually.
"Sunagakure has sent representatives. They’ll negotiate with Konoha and Iwagakure over the current situation. So, keeping prisoners locked up isn’t an option."
"I see."
Gen nodded, then tilted his head.
"Don’t tell ... it’s Chiyo?"
"That’s right. It’s her."
"As expected. Sunagakure really doesn’t have many people left."
At that, Kakashi nodded slightly.
Everyone knew Suna’s talent pool had withered. Otherwise, Gen’s earlier outrageous proposal wouldn’t have seed plausible.
Even more outrageous was that the recently revived Second Hokage had nearly the sa idea.
"You really are troubleso, you know. Your suggestion caught Lord Tobirama’s interest—and even swayed the Third Hokage."
Kakashi rubbed his ssy white hair with a helpless sigh.
"Now, they’re seriously debating what kind of person to choose."
"...What? You’re kidding, right?"
Gen blinked in surprise. Kakashi only rolled his eyes.
"Of course not. And you need to recognize your own position more clearly, Gen."
"I’m your student, Kakashi-sensei."
Gen blinked innocently. He understood what Kakashi ant—but his emotional intelligence was far too high to answer directly.
"You little brat."
Kakashi chuckled, patting his shoulder. After a pause, he asked,
"Personally, I don’t like this thod. But if it had to be done... who do you think fits the role?"
"I don’t know Sunagakure that well. I’m not sure I’m the right person to ask."
Gen shrugged. In truth, he thought Pakura would have been the best choice.
Betrayed by Rasa and by her entire village, had she lived, she would’ve been ideal.
But she was long dead at the hands of Kirigakure. Among the living...
"If I had to say, there is one person."
"Who?"
"Rasa’s son—Gaara."
"...The One-Tail’s jinchūriki?"
Kakashi gave him a strange look. Making a jinchūriki a Kage—was that really wise?
But then again... maybe not impossible.
"See? You get it too, don’t you, Kakashi-sensei?"
Gen chuckled as they walked, lowering his voice.
"He might be the Kazekage’s son, but his relationship with Rasa was hardly good. And right now, he’s probably Suna’s strongest weapon. Which ans..."
"You really do think too much."
Kakashi nodded, then quickly shook his head.
"How did I never notice before... you’re a little wicked, aren’t you?"
"Wicked? ? Don’t slander your student, Kakashi-sensei."
Gen rolled his eyes. Kakashi spread his hands helplessly.
"If that’s not wicked, then what is? Only you could dream up such nonsense."
"But didn’t Lord Tobirama think the sa way?"
"..."
"So that ans Lord Tobirama was wicked too, huh?"
"..."
"And speaking of promises, Kakashi-sensei—what about that trip to the hot springs? You still haven’t made good on it."
"...You’ve got to be kidding ."
Kakashi was left speechless. Sohow he’d just insulted the Second Hokage, and now this brat was still pestering him about hot springs. Was Gen about to beco another Gato?
---
With laughter between them, they soon arrived at the prison.
Led by ANBU, it didn’t take long before they stood before Gaara and his siblings.
"You—!"
The mont Temari saw Kitagawa Gen, her expression twisted.
Kankurō too jumped to his feet.
They had been there during the chaotic battle.
They had watched Gen suppress Shukaku—and kill both their father, the Fourth Kazekage, and the Fourth Raikage.
Only Gaara lifted his head slightly, then lowered it again, remaining silent.
"Congratulations. You’re about to be free."
Kakashi’s tone was calm, straightforward.
"Your delegation will arrive soon. You’ll be released for the talks."
"Free..."
Temari whispered in disbelief. Gen, however, nodded.
"You’re lucky. At least you survived, to wait for negotiations. That’s more than many can say."
"...What’s the point?"
To their surprise, Gaara finally spoke.
"If there’s no reason to live—then living itself is aningless. Better to die."
"...Huh?"
Even Kakashi raised an eyebrow. Still, he didn’t look surprised.
Gaara was, after all, a true jinchūriki. Naruto and Killer B were exceptions.
And with Rasa as his father, his pain must have been even greater.
Though it was true Rasa had worked hard for Sunagakure, his ability—and his choices—were always... questionable.
"Kakashi-sensei, should I talk to him?"
Gen glanced sideways, making Kakashi frown slightly.
"...No need to rush. And besides, so things haven’t been decided yet."
"Just a chat. He reminds a lot of Naruto, after all."
Gen shrugged, smiling. Kakashi stroked his chin thoughtfully.
"It’s not exactly by the book, but I doubt the Hokage would object. Do as you like."
He didn’t say which Hokage—but it hardly mattered.
As for whether it was dangerous to leave Gen alone with Gaara...
With the seals suppressing Shukaku, not to ntion Gen’s strength—Kakashi figured the danger ran more in the other direction.
"Hey, what are you planning?"
Kankurō demanded, while Temari looked uneasy. But neither Kakashi nor ANBU had patience for them.
They were invaders, after all. The fact they’d survived to see negotiations was already luck.
Otherwise, they’d have been executed alongside their Kage.
---
"Why are you so set on dying? Isn’t living better?"
Once everyone else had left, Gen stepped into the cell.
Gaara didn’t even lift his head.
"Because living has no aning. My mother hated . My father tried to kill . Everyone in the village sees as a monster. There’s no reason for to go on."
Perhaps it was the suppression of Shukaku’s chakra, perhaps Gen’s effortless victory over him before—or sothing else entirely.
But for once, Gaara was willing to bare his heart.
"Then let ask you... Are you really a monster?"
Kitagawa Gen noticed Kakashi circle back but not approach. Tilting his head curiously, he asked:
"Or maybe... do you think you’re a monster?"
Gaara paused, struggling with the words before answering quietly:
"I don’t know... I don’t think I am. But there really is a monster inside ."
Kitagawa chuckled.
"You’re not the first I’ve t like that. I’ve seen plenty of people with monsters sealed inside them. One of them—an idiot—is actually my friend."
He studied Gaara’s silence, seeing the curiosity hidden behind his guarded eyes, and kept smiling.
"That idiot also has a demon constantly tornting him. But unlike you... he—"
Gaara suddenly cut him off, almost instinctively:
"Because he has friends like you?"
Kitagawa shook his head.
"Yes... and no. He never complains about his situation. Sure, he gets confused, wonders why fate made him this way. But even when he cries in private, even when he feels anger—he always wipes his tears and stands up again. Because he has sothing to hold onto. A belief."
"A belief?"
"That’s right. He refuses to wallow in self-pity. His belief drives him forward: to earn everyone’s acknowledgnt... and ultimately, to beco Hokage."
"To... beco Hokage?"
"Exactly. I’ve never really understood why he clings to it so fiercely. If I were in his shoes, I’d probably be furious. But he’s just... different."
Kitagawa paused. He’d once wondered if Naruto’s strange determination was the effect of so genjutsu like Kotoamatsukami, or the lingering will of Asura’s chakra. But in the end, it didn’t matter.
Naruto was Naruto. His stubborn optimism, his unshakable spirit—that was who he was. And he truly was Kitagawa’s friend.
Turning back to Gaara, Kitagawa’s expression softened.
"I know you’re in pain. I know you feel despair. You hate this world and everything in it. But... don’t be so quick to deny everything. Didn’t your sister just now show how much she worries about you? And haven’t you noticed sothing else?"
"Sister...?"
The thought of Temari made Gaara’s eyes flicker, mories stirring.
"Noticed... what?"
"Your sand."
Kitagawa raised his hand. Instantly, golden grains lifted around Gaara, shimring in the air.
"Haven’t you realized this sand carries chakra?"
"That’s Shukaku’s power..."
Gaara shook his head, but Kitagawa cut him off firmly:
"Wrong. This isn’t Shukaku’s. I’ve fought Shukaku before—I know his chakra. This is different. This chakra is unique, mysterious... and it has always been protecting you."
As he spoke, he guided the sand closer. Chakra flared and began to take form—slowly coalescing into the faint outline of a human figure.
"See? This presence has been guarding you all along. It has nothing to do with the One-Tail."
Gaara’s eyes widened. He trembled, reaching out, afraid his touch would scatter the image.
"But... why? Why would it be like this?"
Kitagawa’s voice was calm but resolute.
"Then why not set yourself a goal? Give yourself a belief to follow."
He knew Gaara’s tornt was rooted in Rasa’s cruelty. To test his son, the Kazekage had ordered Gaara’s own uncle—the only person who had ever shown him kindness—to attempt his assassination, leaving Gaara broken and consud by madness.
This... this was the curse of being a jinchūriki.
The cruelty of it bordered on insanity.
"Secrets are often hidden in records, in history. But to uncover them, you’ll have to grow stronger—strong enough to beco a Kage yourself. Whether it’s for the truth, or for the recognition of others, why not learn from my friend? Choose a goal. Hold onto a belief. Charge forward. Who knows? You may find everything you’ve ever wanted along the way."
His words fell silent. Gaara sat frozen, staring at the chakra-ford figure before him, Kitagawa’s words echoing in his mind.
"Belief... a goal...?"
For the first ti, there was light in Gaara’s eyes.
Outside, Kakashi—who had been silently observing—smiled faintly.
"Gen... you really are such a kind child..."
But as the smile lingered, it slowly faded.
"...Naruto? Hokage?"
Kakashi lowered his gaze, whispering to himself.
"But Naruto... does he really still have that chance?"
Reviews
All reviews (0)