"But Gaara is also like us," Menma said quietly. "He's been rejected by his village. He has no friends. Naruto… would you like to be his first one?"
"Of course!" Naruto replied without hesitation. He saw so much of himself in Gaara — lonely, misunderstood, and carrying pain no one else could see. It struck him deeply that there was someone out there who had suffered just like he did.
While the brothers talked, the battle in the arena had reached its climax.
Rock Lee had unlocked the Eight Gates, his body blazing with green chakra flames.
The Eight Gates Release was a forbidden technique that forced the body beyond its limits, unlocking massive power by opening chakra channels that were meant to stay closed. If all eight gates opened — the Gate of Death — it granted strength beyond any Kage… but at the cost of one's life.
Even with only a few gates open, Lee was a whirlwind of speed and power. For a while, he completely overwhelmed Gaara. But after his final move, the Primary Lotus, Lee collapsed, his body shaking uncontrollably.
Gaara, battered but furious, rose to his feet. His sand swirled violently, wrapping around Lee's body like a predator ready to strike.
Lee struggled to move, but he couldn't. His legs were trembling too hard to even stand.
The sand surged forward.
Just before it reached him—
A figure appeared between Lee and the attack.
"Brother?" Naruto blinked in surprise.
Field:
"That's enough," Menma said firmly, pushing the wave of sand away with a flick of chakra.
Gaara glared coldly at him, sand crawling across the ground like serpents. "Move."
Menma ignored him and turned toward Gekko Hayate. "Rock Lee is no longer able to continue. I'm declaring his forfeit."
Lee, trembling, forced himself up. His voice was barely audible but stubborn as ever. "I… can still… fight… You can't—!"
Before he could finish, Menma appeared behind him in a flash and struck the back of his neck with a hand chop.
Lee collapsed instantly.
Menma sighed and caught him, carrying him to the edge of the field and handing him off to his sensei, Guy.
The entire move was so fast that Guy didn't even have time to react, much less thank him.
Guy's heart clenched. If Menma hadn't stepped in, Lee would have died.
In Konoha, no one could fault Menma for interfering. But not everyone appreciated his timing.
Gaara's expression twisted with rage.
"You ruined my kill."
Sand erupted toward Menma like a wave of spikes.
Gekko Hayate tensed, ready to intervene, but Menma vanished before he could move.
"Gaara! Behind you!" Temari shouted from the stands.
Gaara spun around — and froze.
Menma stood a single meter behind him, hands still casually tucked in his pockets.
"Sorry for interrupting your fun," he said calmly. "Tell you what—let me make it up to you. I'll share something you don't know."
Gaara narrowed his eyes, his sand swirling protectively. He didn't attack — curiosity flickered behind his rage.
Menma met his gaze. "What Yashamaru told you before he died… wasn't true."
Gaara's breath caught.
Menma's voice softened. "He said he hated you, that you were a curse born from your mother's death — but that wasn't her will. Your mother, Karura, didn't curse you. She loved you."
Gaara's eyes widened in disbelief. His breathing quickened.
"Liar!" he shouted, clutching his head.
Menma didn't flinch. "You think your sand protects you because of Shukaku? Wrong. That's your mother's love — still guarding you even now."
The words struck something deep. Gaara trembled violently, memories flooding back — Yashamaru's trembling words, his mother's final breath.
Temari and Kankuro jumped down, both pale.
"Gaara! Are you okay?" Temari asked, panic in her voice.
Menma glanced at them but continued, his tone gentle now. "If you want to know more about your mother, Gaara… then defeat me someday. I'll tell you everything."
With that, he turned and walked back to the stands.
Everyone's eyes followed him in silence.
"Why's everyone staring?" Menma asked, smirking. "Is it because I'm just that handsome? Don't worship me—brother's just a legend."
Everyone: "…"
Temari and Kankuro helped Gaara to his feet as the boy looked up at Menma, eyes filled with something new — confusion, maybe hope.
The preselection battles were finally over. Eleven fighters had advanced to the third exam.
Tsunade stepped forward and spoke loudly, her voice echoing through the hall.
"Congratulations to those who advanced. The third exam's official competition will be held in front of the daimyō and leaders of every nation. Show your strength with pride — one month from now!"
Naruto blinked. "A month!? Why not now?"
Tsunade sighed. "We need time to inform the lords and prepare the arena. And you all need to recover and train. Now—disperse!"
"Alright, everyone, let's go eat barbecue!" Menma declared cheerfully.
"Barbecue!" Choji cheered instantly, drooling already.
Menma laughed and led his brother and their friends toward the Akimichi family's barbecue restaurant — their well-earned reward after a long, exhausting day.
(End of Chapter)
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