Chapter 314: Seeking a Path
"...Naruto!"
The moment that blonde figure appeared, Gaara immediately stood up from the corner, voice carrying obvious urgency as he called out.
However, judging from Kankuro and Temari's expressions behind him—still carrying some bewilderment and disbelief—they clearly hadn't fully adapted to this brand-new version of their brother.
The original Gaara radiated a cold aura warning people away, his survival meaning reduced solely to slaughter, his eyes showing not a trace of human light—only death and madness... But now?
That bone-chilling coldness, that killing intent constantly emanating, had completely disappeared. In its place was a sense of fragility—even his face clearly displayed childlike unease and confusion.
This far exceeded what "personality change" could explain. It was almost like... his will had been completely rewritten.
During the time they'd been unconscious... what exactly had happened? Temari and Kankuro's hearts filled with tremendous doubt.
But regardless, compared to their former brother who regarded them as nothing and might suddenly turn violent and kill, though the Gaara before them was unfamiliar, he made them feel... heartache and the impulse to protect him.
For Naruto, he naturally preferred this current Gaara who'd shed his heavy armor, revealing genuine emotions—somewhat like a little red panda.
"Yo, Gaara," Naruto walked forward. "How's the situation? That Shukaku guy hasn't been running out to disturb your sleep anymore, right?"
"Yeah," Gaara hurriedly nodded forcefully. "It's all thanks to you, Naruto."
Last night, he'd slept his life's first peaceful sleep without threats, whispers, or any nightmares, but... Gaara hadn't slept with peace of mind.
Because the moment he closed his eyes, this person's figure appeared in his mind.
"That's good. Looks like even after returning to Sand Village, you won't need to worry about sleep problems anymore."
Naruto continued speaking in a light tone, but Gaara's emotions obviously dropped.
Though Gaara had become "normal," when he'd mustered courage yesterday to tell team leader Baki he wanted to stay in Konoha, he'd frightened Baki considerably.
Though not knowing what had happened, Gaara had actually... become normal? Beyond his shock, seeing this stable Gaara, Baki realized this meant Sand Village's jinchuriki was no longer a time bomb that might explode anytime.
So Baki immediately adopted an extremely serious attitude, explaining in detail to Gaara the international rules regarding jinchuriki and the cruel reality.
He emphasized that if one village forcibly seized another village's jinchuriki or Tailed Beast, it equaled stripping away that village's strategic trump card. This would not only trigger endless war but invite combined vigilance and sanctions from all other great nations!
This far exceeded the realm of personal will—it was a dispute at the level of shaking national foundations and triggering total war.
Gaara understood the logic. But currently, toward Sand Village, aside from the carefully rekindled familial affection for Temari and Kankuro, Gaara had not the slightest attachment or concern for the entire village.
Right now, if Naruto said one sentence "stay," Gaara would absolutely, without hesitation, choose to remain in Konoha without looking back.
However, watching the scene before him, Naruto obviously wouldn't say that "stay." Naruto gazed at the undisguised disappointment on Gaara's face, naturally understanding what this red-haired youth's heart currently longed for.
If considered purely from a power perspective, Naruto didn't care at all about Sand Village's attitude. If they truly dared start war over this, the entire Land of Wind's military forces combined wouldn't be enough for Naruto to fight.
However, Naruto chose not to forcibly keep Gaara. The reason was simple—in Sand Village, Gaara wasn't left with nothing. He still had blood-related family. Temari and Kankuro were right there.
Naruto absolutely didn't want Gaara's entire world to revolve solely around himself. He should have opportunities to repair relationships with his siblings, to explore his own independent life trajectory.
Aside from that mentally abnormal father Rasa, Gaara's other family members all truly loved Gaara.
Naruto's gaze swept over Temari and Kankuro standing behind, expressions complex yet unable to hide their concern. In the original trajectory, these two couldn't express familial affection because they'd long lived under the death threat of Gaara losing control and rampaging—fear overwhelming affection.
The vast majority of suffering Gaara endured originated from his father Rasa's cruel policies and deliberate guidance. Now that Rasa was dead, this greatest tumor removed, no one within Sand Village would deliberately persecute him anymore. This was the fundamental reason Naruto could confidently let Gaara return.
Of course, there was also one most basic, most realistic guarantee—for the distant journey from Konoha to Sand Village, for Naruto who'd mastered Flying Thunder God Technique, the travel time required was merely... one second.
"Gaara," Naruto slowed his voice, speaking seriously. "After returning to Sand, if you encounter any difficulties, or have anything you need me for, just channel chakra into the mark I left you. No matter how far apart, I can clearly sense it. I promise you—no matter what happens, I'll reach your side immediately."
Gaara's head shot up. The "being abandoned" emotion about to drown him in his green eyes instantly vanished without trace!
Is this... what I'm hearing? He's really not abandoning me?
"Flying Thunder God Technique," Naruto patiently explained, "is a space-time ninjutsu that enables instantaneous teleportation. Just like that day when Orochimaru kidnapped you—that's how I could reach your side in an instant. Moreover, once a Flying Thunder God mark is planted, it will never disappear."
"Really... really?!" Gaara's voice carried trembling. He urgently wanted to confirm this promise that to him was like salvation.
"Yeah, absolutely certain." Naruto's tone was incomparably firm. "Whether you encounter danger or face anything else that makes you feel helpless... even if you just want to chat with me, that's completely fine too. Because I promised to protect you, so you absolutely don't need to fear troubling me. Understand?"
Gaara raised his hand, gently stroking his shoulder's position—right where Naruto had left the Flying Thunder God mark. His movements were careful, as though stroking the world's most precious treasure.
"Really... is it okay..." he confirmed again in a low voice.
Of course it's true. Naruto answered firmly in his heart. This was actually also Naruto's bit of selfishness. If Sand Village dared prevent Gaara from summoning Naruto in the future, or tried isolating Gaara from the outside world... then Naruto would have no choice but to personally have a good "chat" with Sand's leadership.
"By the way, Gaara," Naruto's voice became serious again as he guided the topic toward a more core question. "Now, you've completely abandoned that previous path of 'proving existence value through slaughter,' right?"
"Yeah!" Gaara nodded forcefully, eyes clear and determined. "You've already proven with facts that the ideas Father instilled in me were completely wrong! I'll never think that way again!"
"So, Gaara, listen carefully—" Naruto gazed into his eyes. "Since your past survival meaning has completely collapsed, and a brand-new meaning hasn't yet been clearly established..."
"Then go search for it! Use your eyes to observe this world, use your hands to personally create and experience."
"Go find that path—not forced upon you by anyone, but one you're certain of from deep within your heart, willing to give everything for—your own path."
"And no matter what path you ultimately choose..." Naruto's voice filled with infinite tolerance and support, "except the original one, I'll always, always stand behind you, becoming your most solid support."
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