"!"
His vision finally refocused, and the dazzling sunlight made him instinctively squint. What met his eyes was the azure sky. Gaara's consciousness, after Shukaku was completely reinforced and sealed, falling into a "sleep," finally returned to reality.
A warm sensation of meticulous repair spread through his body, and that vast yet unusually gentle Chakra was soothing the wounds and fatigue left from his previous battle.
"It's over." That familiar voice sounded from beside him, "Does it still hurt? Sorry, I was a bit heavy-handed just now to subdue Shukaku. But, I couldn't let you hurt my comrades."
It was him… the person who had a similar past to his own, yet walked a completely different path… After healing Gaara's shocking wounds with the Nine-Tailed's power, Naruto was still enveloped in that brilliant golden Chakra cloak, not having disengaged from his battle state.
His gaze occasionally swept towards Konoha Village—evidently, his Shadow Clones were still fiercely battling the invaders within the Village.
"That 'monster' inside your body…" Naruto paused, carefully choosing his words, "I'll still refer to it as a 'Tailed Beast.' "
"I've already reinforced the sealing jutsu on Shukaku. From now on… it won't run out to hurt you again, nor will it whisper in your ear and disturb your sleep…"
"Why?"
Suddenly, Gaara's hoarse voice interrupted Naruto's words.
Naruto stopped speaking, and Gaara turned his head. Naruto met Gaara's eyes, which were filled with confusion, turmoil, and a hint of imperceptible struggle.
Under Gaara's persistent gaze, Naruto didn't rush him, just waited quietly.
"Why… why are you doing this for me? Just now… I genuinely wanted to kill you. In fact, if you hadn't stopped me, I would have unhesitatingly destroyed your Village and killed your comrades… Why… why are you still so good to me?!"
Even though he had glimpsed Naruto's dark and lonely childhood in the depths of his consciousness, witnessing how he gradually emerged from being ostracized, Gaara still couldn't understand.
They clearly had such similar starting points, both regarded as monsters, feared, and isolated… Even if Naruto was fortunate enough to meet people who pulled him out of the darkness, this didn't mean he had an obligation to extend a helping hand to another person who was trapped in darkness and trying to drag him into the abyss as well?
This was illogical. It violated the rules of this cold world as he understood them.
"…Because I know your true nature isn't bad." Naruto's voice carried an undeniable certainty, "You were just hurt by some people, instilled with wrong perceptions, which made you close yourself off… Furthermore, from the first time I saw you, I felt we were very similar."
"Hmm, I saw it."
Gaara responded softly, his gaze a little unfocused, "That was your memory, wasn't it? Your past… it really is very similar to mine. They called us monsters… almost hated and rejected by everyone… Are we… the same kind?"
Hearing Gaara say this, Naruto was slightly taken aback. His consciousness had indeed reached Gaara's inner world just now. Could it be that because his Chakra entered Gaara's body, Gaara in turn saw his own past?
…It seems he probably didn't see the most crucial parts… And Menma is a Shadow Clone, so his perspective is independent, right? Naruto quickly analyzed in his mind as he looked at Gaara's confused expression.
"You're right, we are the same kind." Naruto affirmed, "But the 'same kind' I see isn't the 'monster' full of hatred that you understand."
"I'm doing this for you, not because you're called a monster like me, but because in you, I see the shadow of my past self—lonely, helpless, and struggling in the darkness. I can't just stand by and watch that 'self'… die."
"Just because… of such a ridiculous reason?"
Gaara's voice trembled slightly. When he heard this, simplified, didn't it just mean "I merely wanted to do it"? What kind of reason was that?
"But!" His emotions became a little agitated, "Those who were good to you… there were only a few of them, right? Why do you still risk your life to protect this Village? To protect those who once called us monsters! Don't you… truly not hate them at all?"
"I did."
Naruto answered directly without any hesitation. This was not a lie. In those isolated days and nights, under those malicious gazes, how could he not have hated? He even thought that if such days continued, he would eventually leave Konoha.
"But, hatred is a double-edged sword. While it tries to harm others, it will first devour you, leaving your heart riddled with holes. I'm very fortunate that I found something more worth cherishing than hatred."
"It's 'understanding.' "
"I slowly understood why people would be afraid, and I also understood… that some people would truly feel sad because of my existence, and even more would be angry if I got hurt."
"Satsuki, Iruka, Kakashi-sensei, Third Hokage, Uncle Ichiraku, Sakura, Shikamaru, Choji, Kiba… They made me realize that the meaning of my existence is to form a connection called 'bonds' with these people who cherish me and whom I need to cherish."
Understanding… bonds… cherishing… These words were so foreign to Gaara, yet they held an indescribable allure. This was a completely different path taken by a "same kind" from the same starting line, a realization that almost completely overturned his long-held way of survival.
"If!"
Gaara's voice carried a hint of imperceptible panic, "If I don't fight only for myself like this… then what exactly should I fight for?"
"What is the value of my existence… after all?" This was his deepest fear and confusion.
"No matter who it is, the value of existence is never proven by 'killing others.' " Naruto's words were decisive.
"The meaning of existence… is to be found and defined by oneself. But, killing others is the most wrong, most pathetic answer."
His tone was earnest, "Please, don't keep punishing yourself with your father's mistakes and constantly hurting yourself, just because he hurt you!"
He took a deep breath, looking intently at Gaara. "That's right, you ask me what reason I have to do this for you? The answer is very simple—it's simply because I want to! That's all!"
"And if you can't find the meaning of your existence for now, and feel lost…" Naruto took a step forward and extended his hand.
"Then I will be the first person to 'protect' you. This isn't charity, nor is it pity, this is… the beginning of 'bonds.' "
"…Can it really be?" After a long silence, Gaara finally found his voice. Even he was surprised that his voice carried a hint of uncontrollable choked emotion.
"Yes." Naruto showed an incredibly warm and firm smile. "I will protect you. Because I am strong, and even more because… this is the path I have chosen."
His final words, like a vow, were etched into Gaara's heart.
"True strength is not making the whole world fear your existence, but finally becoming a safe haven for someone to return to."
------------------------
I've posted 70+ chapters in advance on Patreon.
Webnovel updates will still be daily, as usual.
It might not seem tempting right nobut who knows what the future holds?
[email protected]/TripleCrown
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"