Over at the Hokage battlefield, the fight was reaching its climax.
The unfilial disciple Orochimaru was leading three powerful fighters in a brutal assault against his eighty-year-old master. Meanwhile, the shameless Haruto lounged nearby, watching the fight with great interest. Whenever a particularly thrilling moment occurred, he would even cheer and shout, "Nice!" leaving everyone speechless.
Not far from the Hokage battle, another fierce confrontation was taking place.
In the center of the field, Naruto and Gaara's fists collided violently against each other's faces, sending both of them flying.
"Naruto!" Everyone on the Konoha side shouted his name in unison.
"Gaara!" Kankuro and Temari also called out, concern written all over their faces.
From the start of the fight, neither Naruto nor Gaara had used ninjutsu. Instead, they had relied solely on physical strength, exchanging blow after blow.
Now, both of them were bruised and bloodied, their faces swollen like pigs, and their bodies barely able to stay upright.
Yet even so, the two of them struggled to their feet and kept punching each other in the face.
"Why? Why?!" Sakura's voice trembled. Her eyes were blank as she murmured, "Why don't they just use ninjutsu? They could finish this so easily!"
"If they want to prove who's the strongest, shouldn't they just end the fight quickly? Why do they have to beat each other up like this?"
"You don't understand," Shino suddenly stepped forward. His eyes gleamed behind his shades as he spoke. "This isn't just about strength."
"If I defeat my opponent now, but he surpasses me later, then I was only temporarily stronger. That means the victory meant nothing."
"But this fight—this is a battle of willpower. Only by defeating each other's spirit can one truly be considered the winner."
"A... battle of wills?!" Sakura repeated, looking at Naruto and Gaara in the arena.
Both of them were visibly exhausted, yet they still rose again and again, swinging limp fists at each other.
Boom!
Finally, the two collapsed at the same time.
They lay there, heads touching, their foreheads pressed together, eyes locked. Neither had the strength left to lift an arm.
"You idiot..."
Even so, Naruto still tried to raise his head and headbutted Gaara.
Bang!
A dull thud echoed as Naruto's forehead struck Gaara's. Blood slowly trickled down Gaara's face.
"Ha... ha... ha..."
The two of them panted heavily, staring into each other's eyes.
"I really have... used up all my strength," Naruto said, gasping for breath.
"You too..."
"We're the same kind of people. Let's end it like this." Naruto slowly raised his right hand, reaching out to wipe the blood from Gaara's forehead.
"Ah!" Gaara's eyes widened in fear at Naruto's approaching hand.
"Don't come near me!" he yelled at the top of his lungs.
"Why is he so strong?!" Gaara thought in terror.
He couldn't understand how Naruto still had the strength to move.
Why was he doing this—for him?!
Just to prove that Gaara's beliefs were wrong?
He remembered the scornful eyes of the villagers, the way they called him "monster." It filled him with endless hatred and resentment.
To them, he was nothing but a leftover relic—something they wished had never existed.
All he had ever wanted was to destroy the people who feared and hated him.
He wanted to live for no one but himself.
Gaara tried to move away slowly, but Naruto's hand reached him and gently wiped the blood from his forehead. Then, Naruto softly stroked his head.
"Ow... that hurts."
Gaara's eyes widened as he saw tears forming in Naruto's.
"The pain of being alone," Naruto said, "isn't something ordinary. It's unbearable."
"I completely understand how you feel."
"But now I have people I love. And I won't let you hurt them!"
"If you try, I'll stop you—even if it means killing you!"
"Why?!" Gaara murmured. "Why would you do this for others?"
"Why would you care about me—a monster who invaded your village?!"
"Because," Naruto cried, "they saved me from the hell of loneliness!"
"They're the people who acknowledged me... my precious comrades!"
"...!" Gaara's heart trembled violently.
He remembered what his uncle Yashamaru had once told him.
"Love... means wanting to devote yourself to those you care about and protect the ones you love."
"Emotions...?" Gaara whispered. "Is that where your strength comes from?"
"Enough, Naruto." A soft, calm voice interrupted.
The two looked up and saw a pair of pure white eyes standing in front of them—it was Hinata.
"You've done enough. It's over."
Hinata gently helped Naruto up. Despite the mud and blood, she pulled up her sleeve and wiped his face tenderly.
"He's out of strength. You've already won," she said softly.
"Really?" Naruto smiled faintly, his expression full of relief. "Then I guess... I'm the strongest."
He looked at Gaara one last time. "So... I was right."
With that, Naruto passed out in Hinata's arms.
"So sweet..." Ino said meaningfully, watching Naruto sleep peacefully against Hinata's chest.
Hinata followed Ino's gaze and realized Naruto's head was nestled between her soft breasts.
"Ino!" Hinata's face turned bright red as she let out an embarrassed yelp.
"Oh wow, even the ice princess Hinata can blush!" Kiba teased with a grin.
"Shut up, idiot!" Ino yelled and uppercutted Kiba into the sky.
"What did I do wrong?!" Kiba cried, flying off dramatically.
Swish!
Beside Gaara, Temari and Kankuro landed protectively, keeping a wary eye on Konoha's ninja.
If Gaara gave the word, they'd charge immediately.
"Forget it," Gaara said quietly. "No more fighting."
"Gaara!" Kankuro turned to him in shock. "This is the first time I've seen you like this."
Gaara's injuries were healing, but he looked spiritually drained—like something inside him had changed.
"I understand now," Temari said, sheathing her kunai and helping Gaara up. "Let's go home."
"Go... home?" Gaara repeated.
Such unfamiliar words, yet they made him feel inexplicably warm.
Was this the kind of place that Naruto had wanted to protect—even with his life?
"Uzumaki Naruto... one day, I too will..."
"Sis, bro... thank you."
The three Sand siblings moved through the forest in silence.
Suddenly, Gaara's voice broke the calm.
Temari and Kankuro froze. Their bodies trembled.
They looked at each other, stunned, emotion welling in their eyes.
"It's okay," Temari said, smiling gently.
Together, the three of them raced toward the setting sun over the Wind Country.
End of the Chapter.