At this mont, not only Gaara but even Shukaku seed to believe Naruto—if only by a third.
Naruto released his transformation and reapplied a sealing technique to himself.
It wasn't difficult for him to make a Shadow Clone emit chakra. While most clones were just shells, Naruto's were filled with chakra in abundance. All he needed to do was adjust the flow of chakra within the clone's body—it was simple for him.
"Gaara, we're not enemies. We can be comrades—partners!" Naruto's voice carried pure sincerity.
"Life isn't all despair. The world isn't just Sunagakure. And you, Gaara, your existence has aning."
Naruto understood that to reach Gaara, he couldn't rely on strength alone. He had to speak to his heart, to reason with him.
Gaara wasn't just another shinobi—he was the future Kazekage. If Naruto could win him over, then Sunagakure itself might one day stand with him.
But for that to happen, Naruto first had to open Gaara's heart and pull him out of the darkness.
He knew people like Gaara—those who clung to existence by killing—were the ones who most longed for recognition. Gaara wasn't a monster. He was just a boy pushed into darkness by loneliness, by fear, and by Rasa's cruelty.
Naruto's role was clear: he had to be the light that pierced through Gaara's shadow. He wanted not only to reach him—but to redeem him.
...
Konoha, Ninja Academy…
Naruto was back to his usual self, playfully teasing Hinata. He wasn't aware of the progress his clone had made in Sunagakure. Since the clone hadn't dispelled, he assud everything was fine.
Smiling, Naruto patted Hinata's head. Her face turned scarlet, and when his hand brushed against her arm—
Hiss!
Hinata gasped softly.
Naruto frowned. "Hinata, what's wrong?"
"N-Naruto-kun… it's nothing…" she whispered, flustered.
Naruto gently took her hand and rolled up her sleeve.
What he saw made his expression darken, anger flaring in his chest.
Hinata's arm was covered in faint bruises. The marks were unmistakable—the result of the Gentle Fist.
After a mont's thought, Naruto pieced it together. It was probably from sparring within the clan. But only a few people in the Hyūga household could strike her like this—her father, Hiashi, or her younger sister, Hanabi.
"Hinata… who did this?" His tone was low and serious, startling her. Yet she could hear the care in his voice, and her heart ward despite her nervousness.
"I-It's nothing, Naruto-kun… I just… hurt myself by accident…"
Naruto sighed. She was hiding it.
"If you don't tell , Hinata, I won't be able to eat or sleep. I'll worry about it every day. Please—tell
the truth." He made a pitiful face, knowing that was the only way she might open up.
"Ah… I… It was Hanabi. We were sparring… I lost."
Hinata admitted everything, lowering her head.
Naruto stroked her hair gently. "Hinata… you didn't want to hurt your little sister, did you?"
Hinata looked up into his warm smile and nodded.
Naruto understood. Hanabi was barely five years old, and even if Hinata wasn't strong, she should still have been able to hold her own. But Hinata's kind nature wouldn't allow her to strike her sister seriously.
That kindness was admirable—but in a clan like the Hyūga, it was also dangerous. Especially for the heir of the main family.
Without another word, Naruto took Hinata by the hand and led her away. He made a Shadow Clone, transford it into Hinata's likeness, and left it to attend class in her place.
"Na-Naruto-kun… isn't it bad for us to… skip class like this?" Hinata asked softly, her face heating as she realized he was still holding her hand.
Before, she would have fainted on the spot. But after all the ti they had spent together, she had grown more accustod to his presence—though her shyness remained.
"It's fine. You've already mastered everything they're teaching. And my clone's covering for you, so no one will notice."
Then he grinned. "Also, Hinata—we're close enough now. You don't have to keep calling
Naruto-kun. Just Naruto is fine. Otherwise, it feels too formal."
"O-okay, Naruto-kun—" She caught herself. "Okay, Naruto."
"That's better!" He laughed brightly, gripping her hand tighter as they ran toward their usual training spot.
The secret base they once used had changed a lot. The cave was no longer just a hiding spot—it had been expanded into a livable space with several small rooms.
It had beco a place for Naruto and his friends to rest. Sotis even Neji would spend the night there, throwing himself into training. Lee too.
Hinata glanced curiously around her surroundings. The place looked like a hidden base.
"Co here, I'll heal you."
Naruto led her to a patch of grass and placed his hands over her injuries, channeling chakra into the Mystical Palm Technique.
Among Danzō's vast collection of scrolls were countless volus on ninjutsu and dical arts. After all, in Root's experints, dical knowledge had always been essential. Naruto had studied them thoroughly.
A soft green glow enveloped his hands, and Hinata's bruises began to fade rapidly.
She stared at him in a daze as he worked.
Today, Naruto-kun looks so… handso.
She could hear her own heartbeat echoing in her chest.
Land of Wind, outside Sunagakure…
Naruto's clone was still speaking to Gaara, patiently and with conviction.
Sothing inside Gaara stirred—an urge to see for himself the kind of life Naruto described.
Though Naruto didn't notice it himself, his ability to lead had grown. Constantly guiding Shisui and honing his words had given his speeches a natural charisma, the kind that drew people in and made them believe.
"Gaara, this world is chaotic. People can be cruel… but I want to change that. I want the mountains and rivers to thrive again, and the sun to shine on every corner of the earth."
He raised his voice with passion.
"We may be unfortunate, but together we can help others like us escape their suffering! Imagine a world where there are no borders—where the people of the Land of Wind can see the ocean, the Land of Fire can see the oases, and the Land of Earth can walk the open plains. A world where everyone can travel freely!"
"The shinobi world is corrupt and dark. But even so… we can be the ones to shine bright!"
"Gaara… I need you."
For Gaara, the words struck like lightning.
No one had ever said they needed him.
No one had ever told him he could live a good life.
No one had ever said he could earn respect and love.
His eyes blurred with tears. "Soone like … can also be needed?"
Naruto stepped forward, hooked his hand behind Gaara's head, and pressed their foreheads together.
"Gaara… look at . I need you. And this world needs you too."
Naruto's grin spread wide, bright and fearless, his white teeth flashing with confidence.
It was a smile Gaara had never seen before. He was used to glares of fear, disgust, and hatred.
But this smile was different.
This smile beca the first light to break through the darkness in his heart.
...
TN:
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