"Indeed, Naruto does have this ability," the Nine-Tails within him chimed in, agreeing.
After witnessing the wondrous capabilities of Reiatsu, he had long harbored the idea of cultivating it himself. However, considering the inherent risks, he had decided to find an experimental subject first.
Shukaku was the first Tailed Beast experimental subject that Naruto and the Nine-Tails had decided upon.
If the experiment succeeded, Shukaku would gain Shinigami or Hollowfication abilities, while also being able to freely enter and exit Gaara's body.
"If even that stinking fox says so, then I'll believe you," Shukaku grumbled, suppressing its inner fury.
Although the Tailed Beasts often looked down on each other, when it came to serious matters like this, they still stood on a united front.
Since even the Nine-Tails had said so, it believed Naruto's words were trustworthy.
"Then what do I need to do?" Shukaku asked curiously.
"Maintain your current state," Naruto smiled. "I will find you when the time is ripe."
"That day… is not too far off. Soon, you can have your freedom," Naruto promised.
"But before that, I need your full cooperation with Gaara. At the very least, let him get a good night's sleep."
"Just who is Gaara to you, that you're treating him so well?" Shukaku mumbled, dissatisfied.
Looking at the deeply sleeping Gaara and the thick dark circles under his eyes, Naruto's gaze also grew somewhat distant.
He remembered himself, once suffering the villagers' malice.
Hated by everyone, despised.
Everyone wished they could kill him.
He too had once been lost, unable to find the meaning of his own existence.
And Gaara was the same as him.
Having experienced a dark childhood, enduring pain unbearable to ordinary people, and the torment of sleeplessness to survive until now.
Naruto recalled the first time he had seen Gaara.
He knew then that they were the same kind of people.
"As long as I kill you, I can find the meaning of my existence." Gaara's words from that time were still vivid in his memory.
Compared to Naruto, Gaara's situation was even more tragic.
"Perhaps it's because of his potential." Having endured such suffering, he would therefore possess an even more resilient heart.
That was a heart only the strong could possess.
"I understand. I'll try my best to cooperate. Don't make me wait too long," Shukaku nodded, then retreated into Gaara's body and fell into a deep slumber.
Its thoughts were similar to the Nine-Tails'.
Since I'm fated to be sealed anyway, might as well take a gamble. Who knows, there might be a pleasant surprise.
With Shukaku's slumber, the initially restless sand gradually calmed, revealing Gaara sleeping soundly within.
The original Gaara had been plagued by insomnia, the dark circles around his eyes as thick as a panda's, and his body even exuded a dense, almost tangible killing intent.
Years of sleeplessness had made his temperament irritable and bloodthirsty.
But in reality, he was just a child yearning to be loved.
Now, deeply asleep, Gaara's aura had less killing intent and more tranquility.
He looked rather cute.
Compared to Naruto, Gaara's childhood was undoubtedly darker.
Naruto quietly watched the peacefully sleeping Gaara, lost in thought.
"To be chosen as a Jinchuriki, his inherent talent certainly wouldn't be poor. He'll also be the most suitable experimental subject for Shinigamification in the future. With the powers of Shukaku and a Shinigami, perhaps he can surpass Sasuke."
From beginning to end, Naruto's goal had always been to cultivate geniuses.
To have them acquire more power, so that in the future, they could bring him… surprises.
Buzz. Kyoka Suigetsu began to vibrate, refracting ripples of light.
Gaara's brow furrowed tightly, as if he were dreaming of something terrifying.
…
In the dream.
"This monster, so scary."
"I really want to kill him."
"Hurry, let's go! Don't get near him, it's dangerous." Gaara found himself on a familiar street. The sky was dim, and the passing crowds all avoided him. Wind-blown sand filled the air, swirling around him, signifying that he was the monster.
Gaara clutched his head in pain. These memories had been buried deep in his heart; being torn open so vividly now was undoubtedly a second infliction of pain.
The scene changed. Yashamaru, whom he had trusted deeply, was thrusting a sword towards him.
His eyes were filled with ruthlessness.
"Yashamaru…" Gaara murmured, his eyes pained.
In his dark childhood, Yashamaru had been his only ray of light.
But it was precisely because of this that Yashamaru's betrayal had caused Gaara to fall completely into the abyss.
While he engaged in crazed slaughter, was it not also a form of self-torment?
He had lived up to being the monster in others' eyes, and had also become a true demon.
"Yashamaru!" Gaara let out a heart-rending roar, his eyes suddenly turning fierce. He extended his right palm and clenched it forcefully.
The sand around his body surged, easily crushing Yashamaru.
Having done this, Gaara stood rooted to the spot, the aura within his body surging uncontrollably.
"So, this is the past that you've been unable to let go of," Naruto's gentle voice sounded beside Gaara's ear.
Gaara's killing intent skyrocketed. He roared, "Who's there?!"
The sand around his body churned madly, sweeping away Yashamaru's body, surging restlessly throughout the room.
Naruto appeared in the room, smiling warmly.
"It's you, Uzumaki Naruto." Gaara's eyes narrowed, his gaze dangerous.
"Why are you here?" Gaara was somewhat unable to distinguish between dream and reality.
In a daze, Gaara seemed to see the fleeting image of the Nine-Tails behind Naruto.
He stumbled back a step in shock, pointing at Naruto in disbelief. "Could it be, you too are…"
"Correct. I am the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki." Naruto nodded slightly and walked closer to Gaara.
Strangely, the sand that would normally attack on its own seemed to turn a blind eye, allowing Naruto to pass unhindered.
Naruto's voice was full of magnetism. "Like you, I too have endured the world's malice. Like you, I too have a Tailed Beast within me, regarded as a monster by the villagers. Like you, I too yearn to find like-minded companions." Naruto extended his hand.
"Like me?" An indescribable light flickered in Gaara's eyes.
This, perhaps, was the mutual understanding between Jinchuriki.
Gaara subconsciously reached out his hand and grasped Naruto's tightly.
The next moment, Naruto's memories flashed through his mind like a quickly turned picture scroll.
A similarly dark childhood, hated by the villagers. Even the nanny who cared for him despised him, adding sand to his meals.
Only the Third Hokage would offer words of solicitude.
But laughably, the Third's purpose was actually to control Naruto.
Gaara quietly watched Naruto's memories, sympathy rising in his heart, along with a sliver of joy.
So, he wasn't alone.
But he was also very confused.
Why could Naruto, who had endured a darkness similar to his own, be so refined, even possessing a smile as warm as the sun?
The memories shifted to Naruto's self-improvement, Naruto's change.
Time and again, through his actions, he proved to everyone that he deeply loved Konoha.
He hoped to gain everyone's acceptance.
But every effort was met with estrangement.
Naruto released goodwill over and over, and was met with setbacks over and over.
He didn't give up, warming everyone like a little sun.
Eventually, he gained everyone's acceptance.
And now, he had come before him.
Having read Naruto's memories, Gaara's eyes were touched, and an unexpected sense of anticipation welled up in his heart.