Of course she loved Gaara.
But what could she have done?
If Gaara hadn't been made a jinchūriki, everything—everything—would have been different.
But life never has so many "ifs."
And indeed… it was Rasa who wronged Gaara.
The Moon's Center.
Uzumaki Kushina's words made Ōtsutsuki Kaguya feel a faint ache in her heart.
She couldn't help but remember why she had first eaten the God Tree's fruit—
It was to protect her children.
The Sage of Six Paths, silently watching, felt a rare flicker of sadness.
But it faded quickly.
Because—he believed everything he had done… was for the world.
[Fourth Kazekage Rasa: This has nothing to do with Karura. Everything we did was for the sake of the village. You people who understand nothing—what right do you have to condemn me?]
[Third Hokage Hiruzen: If it's for the village, sometimes sacrifices must be made. On that point… I agree.]
[Danzō: One cannot have both fish and bear's paw. If it is for the village, I find his actions understandable.]
[Second Hokage Tobirama: You two unfilial students—what right do you have to judge this? Have you forgotten what you yourselves have done?]
[Uzumaki Kushina: Protecting the village is one thing—but a child is a child! Gaara did nothing wrong! What right did you have to do this to him?]
[Jiraiya: Naruto is a jinchūriki too, yet now everyone is willing to believe in him. Are you still not able to see your mistake, Rasa? @Fourth Kazekage Rasa]
[Chiyo @ Sasori of the Red Sand: There is no mother who does not love her child, and no grandmother who does not love her grandchild! Come home… Grandmother truly misses you.]
[Sasori @ Chiyo: Grandmother… You know better than anyone what Hidden Sand Village really is. Do you think such a village… is worth returning to?]
[Ōtsutsuki Kaguya @ Sage of Six Paths: Mother loved you too. I ate the God Tree fruit for you and your brother. Let me out.]
[Sage of Six Paths: For the sake of the world, I would rather bear the accusations of being an unfilial son. I will never release you.]
[Black Zetsu: Don't worry, Mother. I will save you!]
[Uchiha Madara @ Black Zetsu: Get your neck ready. You dared to manipulate me—your courage, even I acknowledge as the strongest.]
[Uchiha Madara: But! Your coming fate—I also acknowledge as the most tragic.]
[Black Zetsu: Madara! Do you not intend to carry out the plan anymore?]
[Uchiha Madara: I don't need you. I can complete the plan myself. Don't forget—I'm about to be resurrected.]
Madara hadn't used the resurrection coin yet.
Because he knew more rankings were coming, and with his strength, he could rank on many of them.
Whether it was him or others, plenty more rewards were still waiting.
There might even be changes ahead—he might obtain resurrection ninjutsu directly.
A resurrection coin existed only once, and could only be used once.
It was better to be cautious.
While everyone in the chat continued arguing about whether Rasa was right or wrong…
Naruto suddenly tagged everyone.
[Uzumaki Naruto @ Everyone: If you people hadn't put that monster into Gaara—none of this would've happened! What Gaara thinks—have any of you ever asked him how he feels?!?!]
At the same time…
Konoha, Chūnin Exam Arena.
Naruto, with his hand on Gaara's head, shouted those words with all his strength.
And for some mysterious reason—
His voice echoed perfectly throughout the area.
And the same words appeared directly in the group chat!
Even the translucent screen in front of the scroll—
showed footage of Naruto shouting this exact line.
His words struck deep into everyone's hearts.
Silence.
The ninja world fell silent again.
Kushina and Minato felt overwhelming guilt.
When they had chosen Naruto to be the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki…
Had they asked for Naruto's opinion?
Naruto turned to Gaara again.
His eyes were filled with pain.
"I don't know why… but it feels like I understand that pain all too well."
At this moment—
The footage on the screen shifted again.
[Naruto and Gaara's battle was displayed.]
[Then, Naruto said the exact same line.]
[Naruto: If you people hadn't put that monster into Gaara—none of this would've happened! What Gaara thinks—have any of you ever asked him how he feels?!?!]
Light.
Once again, light shined into Gaara's heart.
In the footage, Gaara's world—changed.
["The me of the past was hatred. Was destruction. A jinchūriki."]
["But! A ninja of Konoha stopped me!"]
["That guy cried for me—his enemy! He treated the me who had hurt him… as a friend!"]
["He saved me!"]
As Gaara's determined voice echoed—
Scenes of his battles flashed across the screen.
["I will work hard—
as a shinobi of the Sand—
with the goal of becoming Kazekage!"]
Gaara's resolve grew stronger and stronger.
Saving Lee.
Protecting the village. Fighting Deidara and Sasori.
One battle after another—
Gaara was growing rapidly.
The scroll trembled in the air, then shot a beam of golden light toward the Chūnin Exam arena.
When the light dispersed—
Gaara was holding a pineapple-sized, oddly shaped fruit.
He instantly understood—
This was the Suna-Suna Fruit.
Everyone stared at Gaara curiously.
Kurenai Yuhi blinked. "This fruit is so ugly… is it really edible?"
Rock Lee clenched his fists. "Youth is about daring to try! If I eat the Suna-Suna Fruit, will I finally be able to use ninjutsu?!"
Might Guy delivered a swift bonk to Lee's head.
"Youth is about attempting challenges—but that belongs to someone else! And have you forgotten our vow?"
Lee's eyes sparkled. "Teacher, do you mean… teaching me how to become the light?!"
Guy flashed a glaringly white smile and gave a thumbs-up.
"That's right! To become the light—let us work hard together! Behold, my frog jump!"
Guy then began frog-jumping across the exam arena.
"Teacher, you're so sneaky! I'll chase after you!"
Lee also began frog-jumping, kicking up dust everywhere.
People nearby stared in speechless disbelief.
Kankurō and Temari looked anxiously at Gaara.
They finally understood they had been wrong about him.
They worried the fruit might harm him…
But they were too embarrassed to voice their concern.
Naruto asked, "Gaara, this fruit looks really ugly. You're seriously going to eat it?"
Gaara nodded firmly. "I will eat it."
Naruto grinned. "If that's your decision, then go for it! I'll guard you—no one's getting it from you!"
He drew a kunai, standing in front of Gaara.
Watching carefully in Orochimaru's direction.
Orochimaru had originally planned to act—
but after seeing this scene, he abandoned the idea.
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