Welcome to the next chapter.
joharasbel; Thanks very much!
Morregen; Thank you! He did yeah, he managed to survive. Yeah, there could be a scene like that. That would be cool if Hayate did that. Hiruzen might have something's up his sleeve. Hmm, that fight could happen~
danielsnow; We'll see what happens with Hayate in this chapter. Kabuto's gonna be fun to deal with. Glad you liked the moments with the girls. Karin will do yeah.
ShadowUzumaki55; They have yeah, they didn't seem to think it all the way through though. Hayate and Yugao could do yeah. Gaara does seem to be quite blood lusting right now.
BloodRaven46; I'll be doing them at another point.
Silver crow; Thanks. Yeah, it is something that cannot be ignored. Yeah, they're quite aware of it. We'll see the relationship between Haku and Pakura growing soon with what was said last chapter. Naruko was quite cute huh. Yeah, Jiraiya said the line~ Sakura did yeah, and she tried her best to support Ryouta. We'll see how the fight between Ryouta and Neji goes soon. That's the Sound Genin alright. Karin did yeah, she's trying hard, and helping them out. Hayate did and Kabuto does know it in canon yeah. Feeling complex for Kotaro doesn't mean that he'd like him or anything, Kotaro was horrible to his kids, so of course he'd hate his Father too, by feeling complex, we'll see how that would play out if that story wins. Kenji at the beginning both hates and fears his Father. Yeah, that's the point, even with people hating him, he rises above it with his Mother's help, he sees how hypocritical it is and still does his best to show what kind of Hero he is. Yeah, Fairy Tail oc could bring some people with him. Takumi will be with the girls when it's the right time. Giselle could say that sure. Takumi and Aizen's relationship will be fleshed out more if that story wins. Yeah, it could be like that with Mira. Yeah, he could mentor them. Minerva could benefit from that. Flare could be. They'd be cool for Dragon and Devil slaying magic's. Yeah, that sounds good for Selene. He could gain them spirits. I'm glad Bleach is tackling Hell as for the longest time we didn't know anything about it. Yeah, quite crazy they all go there when they die, and if he does come back, that would be some meeting between him and Ichigo. Yeah, Takumi could call her that. Yeah, they're pretty cool characters introduced in the new chapter. Yeah, Takumi and Kisuke could work together on that. Yeah, they'd be cool for Fairy Tail. Yeah, that makes sense for Unohana's Bankai. Yeah, we'll see when the time skip comes. Itachi could give them yeah. Ino could do. Thanks for the harem suggestions. Yeah, they could do. That would be fun.
Guest 1; Thanks, glad you liked those moments! Hayate did yeah, maybe he'll get a happy ending. Thanks for the votes. One Piece I will do one day.
Skull Flame; Maybe he could do yeah.
Hinata fan; Yeah, they couldn't do anything in the end. Ryouta surely did. Gaara's going to get some answers yeah. We'll see what happens next.
Guest 2; Haha, I could see Naruko doing something like that. Satsuki might have her mind blown if that happened.
AlphaOmega; Yeah, they didn't stand a chance, they tried their best, but like Ryouta said, they had the option to run. Lets hope Hayate and Yugao can get married. We might see how they'd counter them.
Guest 3; Yeah, there could be, we'll learn a bit more this chapter. Yeah, Ryouta could do that. Haha, yeah the sound Genin didn't know what hit them. Yeah, we'll see Gaara and Ryouta fighting here. Thanks for the suggestions.
TheGreatGodzilla; Yeah, I'd have to think about how they'd be dealt with. Thanks for the vote. Yeah, he managed to take down Kin with Genjutsu. Yeah, Ryouta and Gaara are pretty good. Yeah, Yugao and Hayate could do. Baki's fate we'll see more of pretty soon. Pakura's absence was hinted last chapter, and shown in this chapter. The same way Ameyuri got them in canon. Yeah, those two could meet. We'd have to wait and see about who he'll have a child with first.
Guest 4; Thanks for the votes.
Valtryek sama; Yeah, that's an interesting idea for a Quirk. They'd be cool members for the harem. Yeah, he could be like that. Yeah, I could see that being a thing with the Quirk. Yeah, we'll see how confrontations between brothers would go. Not sure how Melissa and he'd meet for that to happen. Himiko he could meet early on. All I can say about Bakugo is that the journey Bakugo's going to go on is something that will play into a few plot ideas I've got for later on in the story. In time, he'll come to see All Might like a Dad, the relationship between him and All Might is going to be something that plays a good deal into the story. Yeah, they'd be cool for super moves for One For All, thanks for the suggestions.
Charles Uchiha; Well, thank you very much! I'm trying my best, and I'm glad people are enjoying it, as that's why I write, to bring joy to myself and others.
Guest 5; Yeah, I could see that being a thing in this story with the Boruto stuff. That would be some cool suggestions~
Andrew123456; Thanks.
Any of one; Thank you.
one pie1234; Thanks very much.
War Sage; Thanks! Yeah, they had a cute moment huh. Glad you liked that. Hehe, yeah seems Naruko did. Yeah, Kin surely tried Genjutsu, not gonna work on an Uchiha with a good handle on their Sharingan. I guess that is for Kurenai, since we don't see her in many combat scenarios. Yeah, he managed to help out Hayate. Baki, we'll see soon. Thanks for the suggestions!
Valar; Thanks.
Guest 6; Thanks for the votes.
Neonlight01; Yeah, they surely did. Yeah, Hayate was a cool character. It is going to be quite messy. Thanks for the votes.
Demon lord digimon; Thanks for the vote. Yeah, probably they will if that story wins. Check the bottom for more details about the poll.
Guest 7; Check bottom for status about poll. Thanks for the votes. Thanks for the votes.
Well, with those reviews out of the way, it's time to start the chapter.
Confronting Gaara!
Karin, together with some Anbu protection was taking them towards the area that she felt the most fighting coming from. Going with her was Mikoto, Yugao and some others as well, all forming a protective wall around her.
"The fight feels like it's still going on...but, wait, no this isn't..."
"What's going on?"
Mikoto asked Karin, who tightened her hand.
"I just felt a dip in Hayate-sans chakra all of a sudden, from this distance, it feels like something has happened. But I can't tell exactly what, only that his condition has changed..."
Yugao's face turned to fear.
"Hayate..."
She murmured as Karin concentrated more.
Sensing as much as she could, she could feel the battle waging on.
"Yes! I just felt a huge dip in chakra from one of the enemies! I don't think it is Kabuto, but someone was able to deal a good blow to the enemy and while I can't confirm their condition fully from here, they at least seem to not be moving."
Mikoto looked relieved to hear that.
But Yugao seemed to be more focused on Hayate right now.
"I see, and Ryou-kun? Can you tell his condition from here?"
"He seems to have a very good level of chakra left, and from what I can feel...yes, it feels like he's retreating, and he's got Hayate-san with him."
"If he's with Ryouta-kun then..."
Yugao asked with hope within her.
Karin gave a brief silence to confirm it.
She could still feel his chakra, however small it was currently, and how flickering it was.
"Yes, he's still with us, his signature feels weak though."
Yugao couldn't wear happiness more on her face than at that moment.
However, Karin paused after a minute or so of travel, and turned towards the right.
"Wait, Hayate-san is moving in that way together with a clone of Ryou-kun."
Yugao's eyes shot for the direction, Mikoto noticing so they changed direction and went towards it.
Taking only over a minute, they caught up with the clone carrying Hayate.
"Hayate!"
Yugao gasped, seeing her lovers condition.
The Ryouta clone placed Hayate down with Yugao immediately going to his side.
The Ryouta clone looked at Mikoto who peered into his eyes.
"The real you, is he still fighting?"
"Yes, please hurry over there as quickly as possible. It could be dangerous. Hayate-san, he was stabbed by Kabuto, and an unknown man. Though we managed to injure the unknown man, Kabuto's location cannot be determined."
Mikoto growled as she looked around.
"Yugao, take Hayate to the hospital right away."
"But..."
"Right now, your mind should be focused there. Make sure your lover lives, we'll handle the rest."
Mikoto said in a cooling manner.
She knew that right now, Yugao wouldn't be able to be focused on the mission at hand.
"Okay, we'll split into two teams. One head to the location that Ryou-kun is in, the rest come with me to see if we can still track Kabuto down. If he's still in the area, then we might be able to detain him. So move it right now! Karin-san, take them to Ryou-kun!"
"R-Right! But what about Kabuto?"
Mikoto showed a soft smile.
"Leave that to me. I'll do my best."
Karin placed trust within her, and knew she'd do what was for the best.
So together with her Anbu guard, she took off, as did Mikoto, and finally Yugao took Hayate away with Ryouta's clone disappearing into nothingness, having fulfilled its job.
Facing down Gaara, he could see deep within her eyes that she held blood lust. Ryouta didn't dismiss that for even a moment. Standing near the Kikyo Castle that he was fighting the Oto Ninja before, he could only hope that his clone hadn't run into any danger and had gotten Hayate away and he was currently safe.
With the sand rapidly churning around Gaara, Ryouta didn't know if words would be enough to quell her this time.
She looked ready to fight and more than that…
She wanted some clarity.
Something that Ryouta knew he'd have to give her.
"Gaara-"
Before he could continue, rapid movements of sand came for him, so he shot across a rooftop towards another one. As he did, he saw the previous place he stood being pulverized within an instant.
"Come here!"
Gaara growled out with an intense voice that sounded almost like a howling noise.
He then saw another volley of sand coming for him, so he took his tanto from his back, and ran fire across it. Swinging out the blade, he cleaved through the sand that came for him, and ignited it so he didn't come back, as he burned it out of existence.
As he did that, Gaara moved her hand up to the sky, and Ryouta saw forming there was what almost looked like a large hand, which came down towards him, so he activated the Body Flicker, and he disappeared within a moments notice.
Appearing on another rooftop, Ryouta went to move, when he saw coming from below, that sand was running up the building at high speeds, and had reached the rooftop by the time that he was going to move, and tried to encroach around his feet.
Missing that by mere moments, Ryouta managed to get to another rooftop.
"Gaara-san! You need to stop right now!"
"Not this time...not until I know what it is that I am feeling...tell me why...why don't you hate like me?!"
Ryouta blinked, as he saw the sand churning more and more. Becoming almost like a twister around her, the sand came together, and shot for Ryouta again and again, each burst stronger than the last, so he did the best thing he could and retreat away from crowded areas.
Gaara followed, riding on her sand and kept shooting off intense blasts of sand.
Destroying rooftop after rooftop, Ryouta avoided it and put distance between innocents and their fight.
"Stop dodging and fight me!"
Ryouta appeared on yet another rooftop as he dodged another attack coming for him, and noticed that something was going on.
The way that Gaara's sand was moving in a way that while attacking, each time it did near him…
It seemed to hesitate.
As if she didn't subconsciously want to harm him.
Yet at the same time he could feel the desire to kill coming from her.
He wondered if it was because of Shukaku within her that the desire was coming through and that she was fighting against it to learn more about him, or if she was going to try and attack him so she could pin him down then she'd get the answers that she was seeking.
"I can't fight you Gaara-san, I don't know who it is that I am fighting right now. Is it you? Or your Tailed Beast?"
As he said it, a dark smirk appeared on her lips.
For a few moments, it looked like she was ready to disembowel him.
But, that was replaced with perplexity as she gripped her head. The murderous look in her eyes turned to one of pain once more.
"Get outta my head!"
Gritting her teeth, looking to be in genuine pain.
Shaking her head side to side violently, her eyes turning from open to close, and then being lidded, and doing that several times, the clenching of the teeth as well was a huge indicator that she was feeling deeply about what was happening.
"An inner conflict...that smirk, I wonder if it belonged to the One Tail? While I do think Gaara-san has desires to kill...I don't think it's her fault. If it had gone another way, Naruko-chan could have ended up like this...Gaara-san didn't have anyone to turn too...and from what she said...her own Father wanted her to die...sealing the beast inside of her, then wanting to rid her of this world when she grew too strong...I wonder if it is something like that? I think it could be...and if it is, that's just so sad...Gaara-san..."
Ryouta saw the pain Gaara was in and was reminded of a few things he had felt, and experienced in his life.
Gaara's eyes shot for Ryouta, so the boy spoke up.
"Gaara-san, this fight doesn't have to happen. We can settle this in a peaceful way. I can...I can help you."
Gaara blinked.
"Help...me?"
Those words seemed so far from what Gaara would usually think and say that she felt like the words weren't anything real.
That she couldn't fathom what they'd do for her.
"Yes...those rings under your eyes...the One Tail, he doesn't let you rest, does he?"
Ryouta could tell something was wrong with her, and now he knew about the One Tail named Shukaku, though Ryouta didn't know the Tailed Beasts name, it was a conclusion Ryouta thought was a logical one to jump too.
"You don't know-"
"I don't know, you're right. I don't know. But what I do know is when someone is suffering, in pain. I...I hate it. You know, when I was young, I also got mistreated by my clan, they hated me for simply existing, to the point one of them tried to kill me. I also lost...the most important thing to me, my brother. Someone murdered my brother...and I have to live in this world without him. Even now, until this day, it hurts. It never stops hurting. So I can understand why you feel as you do...you don't have anyone to turn to, do you?"
Gaara's hands began to shake.
His words pierced deep within.
She didn't think that they would do.
"I had someone...but it was a lie...all of it was lies...they turned on me...and tried to kill me too...no one ever cared...all they saw...was a monster."
Ryouta lowered his head.
Hearing that made him feel even more for Gaara.
"Gaara-san..."
She couldn't face the pain again.
What's more, Shukaku used this as a chance to show a malicious smile, and whispered "I'm going to enjoy ripping you apart." Ryouta grimaced as Gaara built more and more sand around her entire being, ready to fire it off at any moments notice.
Meanwhile, Pakura was becoming more and more agitated as she laid waiting within a darkened alleyway. Having managed to fool her Anbu detail for the time being with a little help to Kabuto using his particular skills to disguise a body as hers within her room, simply looking as if she was sleeping the night away.
She was waiting for Kabuto to show up. She knew that he could be late, but she was getting anxious now. She didn't want Gaara to be out of her sights for too long, knowing that she now more than ever had something that she desired.
While waiting, minutes turned into ten, and then twenty and finally thirty and still no sign of Kabuto.
Usually, she'd have left within ten minutes, but she knew that he was most likely leaving and the plan that they had with Oto would be needed to be passed onto her superiors and vice versa, even if she was against such things, she did wish to do the best that she could do for her people.
So when he finally came, she looked towards Kabuto who was carrying someone…
Baki.
"What the hell happened?"
Pakura snapped, Kabuto placed Baki down and began treating him.
"We had a little run in with the enemies, that's all."
"And they're coming here?"
"They could be, that's why we can't stay here long together. For now, you need to remain as hidden as possible. Here, the details." Kabuto took out what seemed to be a file, and Pakura handed him a separate one back. "Then I'll take Baki with me, with you here it should be enough for us until we can launch an attack. Though perhaps you might want to think about Gaara and keeping her from being caught."
Pakura blinked.
What did Kabuto mean by that?
She saw on his face that he was smirking.
She reached down and grabbed his shirt.
"What did you do?"
"Whatever do you mean? I can't control that girl."
Pakura couldn't accept it.
The way he looked at her.
His cold unforgiving eyes.
Something was going on that she didn't like at all.
"But you've done something haven't you? You slimy little-"
"Pakura, it seems you're forgetting something?" Pakura paused, and ultimately let go of his shirt. "I thought that you might see sense. Now listen to me..."
So Pakura did.
She listened to what Kabuto had to say and she felt enraged.
But she didn't let it show at all.
Instead, she kept a silent voice.
"Understood?"
"Yes...I know what I have to do. But what you did to Gaara..."
"I only chose to let her follow her instincts. But, it seems she arrived later than I expected. That damn Uchiha boy. Seems like that he's a tricky boy, if I had more time then maybe I could have done a little more but with people chasing me, it seems impossible now. So, make sure that Gaara doesn't get caught, okay? She's instrumental to the plan for us to succeed. Though I hope that boy doesn't kill our chances. From the last time I saw them, it seems that she had stopped attacking and was swayed with words."
Pakura didn't say anything as Kabuto disappeared with Baki.
Her eyes went towards the area Kabuto briefly told her about, before setting off to make sure that Gaara didn't do anything too drastic, and get caught.
If she was, then it could spell trouble for them all.
Back with Ryouta and Gaara, with more sand gathering, Ryouta saw a murderous expression as the sand whipped around Gaara. More than Gaara, it felt like Shukaku was influencing the girls mind, and body.
More than previously.
It seemed Shukaku didn't like the idea of Ryouta getting through to Gaara, so was doing his all to stop it.
"Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!"
Gaara unleashed a massive wave of sand that encompassed three buildings, thankfully unoccupied, Ryouta knowing that he'd not be able to move out of the way in time, landed on a rooftop, and inhaled as he weaved through some hand signs.
"Fire Release, Great Fireball Jutsu!"
Releasing a giant flaming sphere, the size of a house due to the amount of chakra that Ryouta pushed through, slammed into the wave of sand, and combatted one another, while Gaara wore surprise on her face.
Combatting one another harshly, Ryouta created a clone, and forced it to jump up high.
The clone then weaved through some hand signs, and then released another fireball half the size Ryouta used. But it was enough to dispel Gaara's incredible attack, the sand scattering everywhere around them.
"Gaara-san!"
Ryouta called, seeing sand shooting around her.
"No more talking...no more! It's all lies! Your kindness is a lie!"
Ryouta felt bad for her when she said it.
But when seeing the sand coming together, and formed shurikens within the air, all surrounding Gaara's form, and all ready to fire at Ryouta, he knew that he'd also have to fight her to stop her from attacking anymore.
Responding to that, Ryouta took out one shuriken and looked between Gaara's shurikens, using his Sharingan eyes to track them within moments, and be able to predict their trajectory, Ryouta threw his single shuriken forward.
"Shadow Shuriken Jutsu!"
Creating many shurikens in the air, Ryouta ignited them on fire with a single movement of his neck, breathing out flames that coated the shurikens, Gaara watched as all of the shurikens met one another and cancelled one another out.
When Ryouta saw a chance to bind Gaara, he took out two shurikens and manipulated their path with wire when he threw them, and caused the wire to wrap around Gaara's form.
The shield of sand appeared, and stopped her from being caught.
However, because Ryouta predicted this, he placed the wires to his mouth.
"Gaara-san, don't make me attack you."
"You can't get through my defence!"
Ryouta didn't know for sure, if he used Mangekyou he was confident he could, but failing that for the moment, he wondered if he could with the Jutsu's that he had.
"Gaara-san, I ask that you stop right now. Whatever you want to talk about, lets talk about it. But don't do this Gaara-san, you can't think that this is the best way to get what you desire. And I know now what's inside of you. Your Tailed Beast. Is it influencing your actions?"
Gaara's eyes widened ever so slightly, as she felt a sharp pain run through her.
All she could hear inside of her head was murdering Ryouta.
Taking him out.
But it wasn't her voice.
It was the voice of Shukaku.
"Shut up...shut up!"
Her voice sounded demonic.
It didn't even sound like Gaara's for a few moments.
Ryouta then saw sand covering her right arm, and caused it to transform into something else.
It looked like it was made out of sand, with strange markings running across the sand arm.
Ryouta then saw the sand that he bound with wires, being forced open.
"Her strengths increased...that transformation, could it be due to the One Tail within her? Naruko-chan hasn't done it, but I have read that Jinchuriki's can transform parts or all of their body into that of the Tailed Beast. And if that's what she's doing, if she manifests the full One Tail..."
Ryouta knew he didn't have time to waste, so with the wires still in his mouth, he weaved through some hand signs.
When ready, flames burst from his mouth.
"Fire Release, Dragon Fire Jutsu!"
Running through the wire, the flames burst out in a thin line, and when coming in contact with Gaara's sand, the flames burst almost like an explosion, but instead of blasting, it caused the sand to be burned from all sides, weakening it.
"My shield is weakening!?"
Ryouta used this chance to shoot forward, and coat his sword in flames.
"Fire Release, Running Fire!"
Using this technique, it usually shot out like a ring.
This time, Ryouta first channelled it within his sword, before flicking his sword forward, which increased not only the speed the flames travelled within a halo like construct of fire, but the power behind it as well.
Gaara watched as the flames smashed into the already weakened shield, and destroyed it out of existence.
"My shield...destroyed."
Ryouta still rushed closer as Gaara was becoming more worried by the moment at what was being shown to her, and the shield around her was beginning to form once more...
However, the moment that he did get in close, her transformed arm went towards him swiftly. The movements were faster than what Gaara was capable of beforehand, Ryouta saw the hand coming in fast and was going to grab the young man, when Ryouta moved out of the way, using his eyes to predict the incoming path of the large hand.
Dodging out of the way, Ryouta got close to Gaara's body where his sword came out.
The sand tried to deflect the blade, but when the shield of sand activated, Ryouta pierced it, and caused the flames to run through the sand, burning it and combatting it.
Gaara looked down at the sword close to her body, seeing her defences being burned more and more.
Her eyes went towards Ryouta's own, who pulled back with his sword.
"I'm not going to kill you. I can understand why you feel the way that you do. Why you have a desire to kill. The Tailed Beast inside of you, does it compel you to kill? Or it is the fact everyone sees you as a monster? Maybe even both."
Gaara's eyes broadened as a sharp pain once more ran through her head.
Ryouta continued regardless.
"You don't have to suffer in silence, you know? I...I know how the Tailed Beast can make others see you. As a monster...as someone that doesn't deserve to be alive at times, right?" Gaara's eyes lowered, as Ryouta saw the partially transformed arm was disappearing back to her normal one. "I'm not a Jinchuriki, so I can't fully understand what it is like. But I do know what it is like to have the world be against you. When people from even your own clan turn on you and try to kill you. My own clan hated my existence as well. They'd prefer if I wasn't alive. For something that I couldn't control. While not the exact same as you, doesn't it sound familiar?"
Gaara didn't answer.
Her mind was going through a number of things that she didn't understand.
Whenever she looked at him, all she saw was compassion.
She didn't see hate or anger, or anything like that.
Even now, when she attacked him, she wasn't seeing the eyes of hate at all.
Understanding was everything that she saw, and that confused, and maybe even scared her a little bit.
She never received eyes like that all.
Even Pakura who wasn't truly frightened of her, was still apprehensive about approaching her.
But Ryouta didn't do that.
He spoke as if he was speaking to anyone else that he knew.
"Gaara-san...I don't see you as a monster, I see you as a victim." Gaara's eyes lifted and met with his own. "You didn't ask for this, no one asked for your permission to have the Tailed Beast inside of you. And he's...he's hurting you. The Tailed Beast...what he's doing to your life, it shouldn't be happening, you don't deserve this Gaara-san. You're worth so much more than you can see. You don't have to validate your existence by killing people that might be perceived as a threat."
"How do I validate it then?"
Gaara seemed almost worried for the true answer.
Ryouta showed a soft smile.
"By living, by experiencing all this world has to offer. And I can help you do that. I want to help you, but you also have to stop this. Stop attacking me, and let me help you Gaara-san."
Ryouta's words began causing Gaara to experience something she didn't think she could.
A few tears to run down her face.
Even Gaara was surprised by it as she placed a hand to her face.
"Why...Why do I shed these tears…? Why am I...always hesitant to attack you?"
"I don't know the answer to that. Only you can know the answer Gaara-san. When you look at me...what do you feel?"
"Feel...I don't know what feelings are beyond wanting to destroy."
"Then...let me put it another way. When you look at me...do you see an enemy? Someone that wishes to cause you harm?"
Gaara searched his eyes, but couldn't find anything like that.
More than that, it looked as if it was the same person back then.
When he was alive.
"Yashamaru...used to look at me...like you do, before he turned on me. Kindness, was in his eyes...like yours."
Ryouta paused.
Ryouta reminded her of this Yashamaru.
He wondered if this was what Gaara was seeing the entire time.
Someone from her past that used to treat her with kindness, but that was taken away.
Perhaps, and if that was the case, Ryouta hoped he'd be able to use that to help her, now having understood more about her.
"Yashamaru...I remind you of him. So, let me be there for you now...let me be what he could have been if circumstances were different."
Ryouta didn't know the full story so he wasn't sure why Yashamaru turned on Gaara.
If he was forced to do it, or some other reason he didn't know.
But what he did know was that he wanted to be what Yashamaru was for her, someone that would help her, and take care of her.
"I'm...so tired..."
Seeing the wavering within Gaara, Ryouta moved closer and closer.
He didn't get any resistances from her either.
So he stood before her, and yet, her usual shield of sand didn't come up.
As if she didn't view Ryouta as a threat on any level.
"It's okay to sleep. I'll be here, to make sure you're okay."
"No...I can't sleep...if I do...then he comes out..."
Ryouta's Sharingan eyes focused in on her.
He knew that he could help her with his eyes.
So he reached out, and took her hand.
She didn't offer any resistance...
"Dieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!"
But Shukaku did as sand came up and whipped Ryouta in the face hard, hearing an audible harsh sound as it went across his face.
Blood drew across his cheek, but even then he still stayed in front of Gaara.
Despite being hit across the face so hard that Gaara knew would and could have knocked out a good amount of people she had faced, and the fact that he was bleeding, he didn't look as if he was angry at her.
If he was going to harm or attack her either.
If anything, all he did was keep a hold of her hand.
"I can help you with resting, but please stop fighting me now."
Gaara's desire to fight was falling.
She couldn't anymore.
With the pain of Shukaku in her mind and the fact that Ryouta was still standing before her.
She wanted to give in…
But Shukaku wouldn't let her.
"Gaara-san!"
Ryouta called as sand came bursting from the gourd on her back, and threatened to strike him. He didn't move as he whipped out his sword, and sliced through them. Ryouta then felt her hand grip him…
No.
It wasn't her.
It was Shukaku as he saw her eye turn a different colour, and sand grow across her form. Her face became deformed to look more like a Demon's, the sclera of its eyes are black, with yellow irises and pupils that each takes the shape of a black four-pointed star with four black dots around it.
It was clear that Gaara was slowly but surely transforming into that of the Tailed Beast called Shukaku.
His claw like fingers dug into Ryouta's flesh, drawing blood.
"Nice words boy, seems like this girls falling for you!"
His words were laced with venom.
As if Shukaku hated the idea that Gaara would have anyone in her life that would help her.
But Ryouta wouldn't give Shukaku what he wanted, and that was fear, and he'd not be intimidated by this Tailed Beast, even if he had immense chakra reserves, even if he was powerful, he wouldn't fear this Tailed Beast.
"One Tail I presume."
"That's right boy. But you can't fight me. You're nothing."
"This nothing will stop you if you don't stop yourself. I'm asking you to stop One Tail."
Shukaku's face twisted in anger.
He didn't accept it, he couldn't accept it.
"Ordering me to stop?! How dare you brat?!"
"I didn't order you, I asked you. You're causing destruction, needlessly so. Gaara-san, she's human, stop tormenting her. In fact, One Tail can't be your name, right? What is it? I'd like to know One Tail, I want to help you too."
Shukaku was taken aback by that.
He never expected anyone to say something like that.
"Do you think you can win me over that casually boy?!"
"No, I really don't think that at all. But I do know that you're still a being inside of Gaara-san. A Tailed Beast might be this mass of chakra, but you've got thoughts, you're sentient, so you must have feelings, and emotions about many things. That's why, can't you see what you've done to Gaara-san is wrong? Compelling her to kill and causing her to become an insomniac. I know she also has her reasons for doing so...but doing this to her, can't you see One Tail that this isn't the right way to go about what you wish for?"
Shukaku wore surprise on his face.
A human, speaking to him like this.
He didn't think it would happen again.
But his anger prevailed within him and he shared it with Ryouta with his angriest expression.
"Humans, are disgusting. Turning us into your weapons, turning us into your pets to serve your village! You think we like being inside of humans?! Being trapped in cages?! Do you think that your words can change my mind in killing you?!"
Ryouta could hear the anger and pain at the same time.
It seemed like Gaara, Shukaku also had some deep emotions.
Ones Ryouta would like to explore.
But seeing how angry he was right now, Ryouta knew that he might have to stop it.
"Being locked away, I can get why that is a horrible existence. But so is tormenting Gaara-san. Taking over her body like this, why don't you work with her? Help one another? That way, wouldn't you be able to finally come out of what you call the cage?"
His words...began to make Shukaku angry.
Because of the fact that they by all accounts made sense, he didn't want a human to tell him what to do or how to feel, even if that wasn't what Ryouta was doing at all, the Tanuki like Tailed Beast couldn't see that for his blind hatred for humans.
"Uchiha boy, you're quite funny to speak those words considering your ancestors."
"What do you..."
Before Ryouta could ask, Shukaku opened his mouth ever so slightly.
"Now die!"
Shukaku in Gaara's smaller form inhaled deeply, and at close range, fired off air bullets for Ryouta's head.
Using the Body Flicker, Ryouta dodged them all with the exception for one which grazed his cheek, but Ryouta used that chance to move closer, and slam his head hard into Shukaku's own, causing it to let out a grumbling sound.
"You've not got full control yet, so I'm asking this one last time, please stop."
"Little Uchiha brat! Haha, I'm going to enjoy ripping you to shreds!"
The hand of Shukaku digging into Ryouta's flesh tried to do it even harder.
But Ryouta stopped him by breathing out some flames onto Shukaku.
"You little brat! Why don't you just die already?!"
Ryouta's eyes met with the Tailed Beasts.
"I tried to reason with you, but right now I see it isn't working, and I can't let you destroy this village or hurt its people, so maybe we can try again, but for now, you have to be stopped."
As he said it, Ryouta's Sharingan eyes met with Shukaku's own eyes.
Realizing what that meant, Shukaku's face turned into one of that of worry.
"Noooooooooooooooooooo!"
Shukaku tried to thrash around, but he had already been caught by Ryouta's eyes.
His sand tried to pierce Ryouta's form, but he sliced it apart with a flaming tanto.
Shukaku's eyes didn't have a choice but to gaze into Ryouta's own as he cast his powers of Genjutsu over the Tailed Beast.
He remembered doing it to help Naruko on the bridge when they fought Zabuza, so he hoped he could do it here now to this Tailed Beast.
Within a few moments, Shukaku began to be suppressed, and the sand around Gaara fell down to the ground, with her slumping to the ground, Ryouta managing to catch her in his arms.
Gaara's eyes opened soon to look at Ryouta, who gave her a gentle smile.
She blinked...she didn't hear a voice.
"...He's not there..."
"He's sleeping now." Ryouta gently soothed, as Gaara's head landed on his shoulder. "You can too." Gaara shook her head, and tried to pull away, albeit weakly and ended up collapsing her head on his chest. "It's okay Gaara-san, you can sleep now. I'll take care of you. The One Tail will sleep while I'm here, and in time, we can help communicate with the Tailed Beast, and maybe even help you come together. For now, I'll make sure you can sleep."
Gaara hadn't ever heard those words before.
She was taken by surprise, and more than that…
She felt safe.
She hadn't felt that before.
She believed his words, and therefore, ended up closing her eyes, and relaxed on his chest.
Ryouta ran his fingers through her long red hair, seeing her breathing becoming calmer than before and her eyes closed. She drifted off to sleep, something that Ryouta could see was difficult for the young girl as she was restless.
In a matter of a minute, Ryouta saw Pakura coming closer. Pakura looked surprised to see Gaara there, sleeping soundly on Ryouta's body.
Even more so that Ryouta was holding onto her like a comforting blanket around her.
Pakura jumped to the right hand side of him, and looked between them, seeing the wound on Ryouta's face, the deep gash, and drew conclusions.
"Ryouta-san...Gaara, what did she...I mean..."
"She attacked, so did the One Tail."
Pakura's eyes widened.
"You know..."
"Yes, I know."
Pakura began shaking.
If he knew, then the plan could crumble entirely.
More than that...she knew that this could endanger many things.
"What are you going to do with that information?"
"Do you expect me to turn on you now, because of Gaara-sans status?"
"...Aren't you? We didn't inform your Hokage, and...you have every right to do that. If I was in your shoes, maybe I'd do the same thing."
"Hokage-sama is going to need to know, I can't hide this from him, most likely the sensory division has already picked up this battle...but, Pakura-san. Can I say something?"
Pakura nodded.
"What is it?"
"I know she's a Jinchuriki...but, I just can't ever agree to what's happened to her. How she's been treated..."
Hearing his voice, it was clear that Ryouta wasn't okay with the treatment Gaara went through.
Because he also remembered Naruko and how he felt about her, and how she could have gone down this path, seeing Gaara as she was, it was like a dark reflection of Naruko, and if he could help Gaara, then that's what he wished to do.
Even Pakura felt the same way.
Pakura exhaled slowly.
"The treatment she received, it isn't right. I and a few others feel the same, but the majority, I'm sure if you're aware of Tailed Beasts, then you know how their hosts are treated."
"Yes, and I know why Jinchuriki's are made...but still, this isn't her fault, she's been treated as a monster for something she cannot control."
"You're right...it's a cruel existence."
Ryouta nodded slowly.
But then Ryouta remembered what Gaara had told him.
"She told me about someone called Yashamaru, who was that?"
Pakura's eyes laced with even more surprise that Gaara had even told Ryouta about Yashamaru.
"Her Uncle, he tried to kill her. After that, I think that's when she gave up on humanity as a whole. That was before I really interacted with her. I wish I could have done more for her...as I don't think she's a monster."
"I don't think she is either, Pakura-san. I think she's a victim, and she needs help. I want to help her, so she doesn't have to suffer anymore."
Pakura's body began to shake as she turned away, hiding her face from him.
Tears formed in her eyes, as she whispered "...I can't do this..." then she glanced back at Ryouta's face.
"Ryouta-san...you are a kind boy. I'm...sorry."
"Sorry? For what?"
"...I'm just sorry for what happened here, that's all."
Ryouta shook his head.
"It's okay, I'm okay and so is Gaara-san. That's all that counts now."
Pakura exhaled slowly, as she saw in the distance that the Anbu was coming.
Pakura looked towards Ryouta, and then Gaara.
"What are you going to say?"
Ryouta glanced down at the sleeping red head, and stroked the back of her hair.
"I'll take care of that. But you will have to speak to Hokage-sama, I can't lie to him."
Pakura knew what he said was truth.
"Yes, I understand. Thank you."
Ryouta bowed, as did Pakura.
Then the people came, and Karin immediately jumped him, hugging around his torso to his embarrassment.
"Geez, look at you Ryou-kun! You're damaged, and you've got a nasty cut on your face! T-That's why you should just bite me, okay? Heal yourself for the love of everything that's good in this world! Alright!? So do just that okay?!"
Ryouta gave a curious expression on his face.
"I'm okay Karin-chan, sorry for worrying you."
"No, no. That wont do. Now hurry and bite me! I insist!"
"Well..."
"Bite me!"
"Eh..."
"BITE ME!"
Karin yelled, Ryouta chuckled awkwardly, and did what she said.
As soon as he did, she let out a happy sound from her mouth, and her cheeks turned bright red.
"R-Ryou-kun...so tender..."
Ryouta looked at her, seeing her blushing face, and her wild eyes on his own.
Soon taking his mouth away from her arm to her disappointment, he faced the others.
Ryouta then began explaining the best that he could.
Accepting what he had said, he was brought with Pakura and Gaara together with him.
Sometime later, Gaara's eyes peaked open with her seeing Ryouta's shirt. Her eyes went up to see his face before her eyes. Remembering what happened, she naturally pulled away, as he bent towards her.
"You okay Gaara-san?"
Gaara looked over him, unsure of what to say.
"I attacked you..."
"Yes, but it's okay. You don't have to worry about that now."
Gaara lowered her eyes, and thought about what she was going to do now.
Such confusion within her mind.
She didn't know what she was supposed to do now.
But she did know that Ryouta helped her…
She hadn't ever had that before.
Help, someone being there for her.
It was a very odd sensation that she wasn't sure on how to feel about it.
"Ryouta..."
Gaara called his name, so the young man pulled closer.
"Yes?"
"You were betrayed as well, weren't you?"
"I was...my clan, a member of it hated my existence so much that he tried to kill me. Others in my clan apart from a select few thought I was a curse as well Gaara-san. That's why, I can understand what it feels like to be betrayed. And your Uncle, Yashamaru-san, you lost someone that you cared for...I did too. It's so hard to process. And I'm sorry that he tried to harm you. I don't know why he did...but I can understand why that would be so scarring. Being betrayed by someone you love...it must have been so difficult to deal with it."
Ryouta's words caused more perplexity within Gaara.
Yet at the same time something else was bubbling inside of her.
Something she didn't understand.
And that was a heat that was beginning to spread deep within her.
There was something Gaara kept thinking about, wondering if she could have any answers to the feelings deep within her.
So she asked it straight out.
"...What is it like to be cared for by others?"
Ryouta hummed as he thought about it.
"It's...It's difficult to answer that. All I can do is show you by caring about you."
Ryouta's words caused Gaara's face to turn towards him.
"Why would you care? I've tried to kill you...I could again."
Though her words suggested a threat, the tone of voice was more calm and mellow than it had been beforehand.
He didn't feel like she was going to attack, or even try to attack either.
"If you wanted me dead, then you would have tried on those multiple occasions that you confronted me. But your sand stops before it could cause me damage. Maybe deep down, you didn't see me as a threat, but someone that could understand you."
It seemed so simple.
But to Gaara, it made so much sense.
Not in the fact that he couldn't be a threat to her existence, as she has seen how strong and capable he is.
But more like she didn't want him to be a threat to her existence deep within her heart.
As she recognized something deep within.
Ryouta then laid his hand on top of her own, causing her eyes to widen.
She looked towards his hand and then towards his face.
A simple touch…
She couldn't remember ever being touched by another person when it wasn't to do with wanting to hurt her, or she hurt them.
But this felt different.
This felt…
Good.
Something Gaara didn't have a full grasp of either.
She didn't move, but she did allow her hand to flip so they held one another's hands. Ryouta looked at their connected hands, and then looked towards Gaara's face, seeing that she held a smallest amount of redness on her cheeks, but her face remained stoic.
As they did hold one another's hands, Pakura came walking closer and closer.
"Gaara, it's time for us to go."
Gaara's eyes went towards Ryouta rather than Pakura, and he nodded.
"Gaara-san, I promise to help you okay?"
"...Yes."
Gaara didn't quite understand it…
But it felt so nice to have someone not look at her in fear, and accept her.
Someone that wished to be around her...it felt so good, she felt warm inside of her chest.
Gaara then stood and walked off with Pakura, while glancing back at Ryouta who smiled and waved, causing Gaara to blink, and have her cheeks turn slightly more red for reasons she wasn't sure of.
As they did, Hiruzen came walking up.
Ryouta looked towards him.
Because they were completely alone, they could speak freely.
"Hokage-sama, what's going to happen with them now?"
"They're still participating in the Chunin Exams, I don't see a reason to change that currently. But, it also gives us another reason to be concerned. Ryouta-kun, about what happened to you, I can only offer my apologies once more. It seems that you are quite the target."
Ryouta gave a hollow laugh.
"I'm a popular choice to target it seems. It's wonderful."
Hiruzen chortled at the small joke Ryouta gave.
"Yes, that does seem to be the case. Though thanks to your efforts, it seems that we have also been able to save the life of Hayate Gekko-san."
Ryouta looked relieved to hear that.
"I'm glad that he has been. Though I wasn't sure who was assisting Kabuto. I don't think I've seen his chakra colour before. But I do know that Hayate-san and I were able to disable him."
"I see, that's good that you could disable him. Then we can rule out Pakura-san."
Ryouta nodded.
"Yes, it wasn't her chakra colour that I saw with my eyes. But Hokage-sama, Suna...I mean, I don't want to suspect anything but from what I've witnessed myself, and something's that aren't adding up right, and the attack on myself and Hayate-san, and about Gaara-san, when Pakura-san found out I knew, her eyes displayed...more worry than I thought she would, something felt wrong to me by how she acted..."
"It seems that even as young as you are, you have quite the wisdom, as I've been thinking the same thing. I cannot confirm or deny your thoughts, as we currently don't have the information, but evidence does point that it could be something between Suna and Oto, after this encounter the likeliness of this has grown. So I'd advise keeping a calm mind and a steady focus on the tasks ahead. As we speak, I'm assembling my forces and preparing should anything happen. For now, we have to remain as we have, we cannot seem to suspect Suna and quietly prepare for what happens next, let us hope Suna isn't working with Oto."
"Yes Hokage-sama, I understand completely. And if you need me, then please do not hesitate to ask. I know that I'm but a Genin, but this is my village too, and if any of my talents could be used to ensure that it is safe, then I'd like to do so. Even if it is something minor, then I'd like to do that."
Hiruzen gently smiled at the younger boy.
He could see a sense of duty and honour within him.
Integrity that couldn't be taught.
All of it made what Hiruzen thought of next hard to ask.
Knowing that it was something that he'd very much prefer not to ask.
"Ryouta-kun, if the time comes...with your eyes, I know it is a shameful thing to ask, and under normal circumstances I wouldn't, in these circumstances, should the worst come to it..."
Ryouta moved closer to Hiruzen.
Placing his hands out in front of him, he spoke earnestly with the old man that he looked up too.
"Hokage-sama, since Shi-chan died, you've always been helping me, supporting me in anything I wished to do. If I could help you now, then it is my pleasure to do so. Even if it is using my Mangekyou Sharingan, I know Shi-chan would do it, and so will I. For the sake of my home and those within it. I will protect the village with my life, that's what it means to be a Ninja, doesn't it?"
Hiruzen offered a kind elderly smile.
"Ryouta-kun...you are someone I'd be very proud to call my own Grandson. Thank you."
Ryouta's cheeks flushed with a slight redness to it.
"Thank you Hokage-sama."
Hiruzen expressed a smile, and then he pulled out something.
It looked like a scroll.
But it looked like it hadn't been opened in a good long time.
"What's that Hokage-sama?"
"This scroll contains a good deal of information, I'd like for you to have it. I think there could be some good things in their for you."
"T-That's really kind, thank you Hokage-sama!"
Hiruzen showed a bright smile.
"Now run along, I'm sure that you've got some stuff to do before the Chunin Exams finals begin. Also, don't worry, I'll brief you on anything before the day begins. And Ryouta-kun?"
"Yes?"
Ryouta asked with intrigue.
"I'm very curious to see what it is that you've been working on."
"Haha, I'll do my best to show you Hokage-sama! Thanks very much!"
Ryouta bowed, and ran off.
As he did, Hiruzen couldn't help but smile at the sight before him.
Seeing Ryouta, was like seeing a new generation of Ninja.
One that he was proud of.
Later on, Ryouta went towards the hospital, to go and check on Hayate. After everything that they had been through, and with it now being dawn, the sun peaked through the windows, as he saw Yugao sleeping on a chair within Hayate's room.
Hooked to some machine that was reading his vitals, he saw the majority of his wounds had been healed. Ryouta was relieved.
Holding a cup of coffee within his hand, he moved closer towards her.
"Yugao-san..."
Ryouta gently shook her, waking the young woman.
"Ugh...Ryouta-kun...the suns so bright..."
"Here, to wake you up."
Ryouta offered the coffee, which Yugao took with a tired look on her face.
"Thank you." Holding it in her hands, she took a sip, and gently smiled. "Just what I needed."
"I came to see how he is. Is he..."
Ryouta asked, so Yugao explained.
"Alive...thanks to you. Your clone, told me what happened."
"Well, I just did what I could..."
Yugao shook her head, as she placed her hand on top of his head.
Gently petting his head, she adopted a soft smile.
"Who knew the kid I'd watch all those years ago would save someone so important to me? Thank you, I truly mean it Ryouta-kun."
"I'm glad I could...but, Hayate-san, his condition..."
Yugao exhaled with a depressed look on her face.
"Kabuto...he did something to Hayate's vocal cords, they're so damaged he can't speak." Ryouta looked horrified. "The doctors...they might not be able to do anything for them, that Kabuto was able to cause so much damage, even to the point that his arms and legs were badly damaged. If it had been any longer, then he could have died…"
Ryouta murmured "That damn Kabuto..." seeing the full effects of what he had done, and he felt disgusted.
Ryouta sat down beside her, and peered into her eyes.
"I'm sorry about what happened. I wish I could have done more for him."
Yugao shook her head.
"You saved his life, if it wasn't for you then he would have bled out. The fact that he's alive...I couldn't ever thank you enough Ryouta-kun."
"You don't have to thank me. And Yugao-san, he did give me this." Ryouta pulled out the necklace Hayate had given him, and passed it to the now crying Yugao. "While he couldn't speak, this has your name on it, and I think from the look in his eyes, he felt like he could have died, so he wanted to give this to you. Whatever it means to you...or to him, he wanted you to have it for sure."
Yugao looked at the necklace, before she placed it to her chest, and sobbed openly.
As she did, Ryouta bowed.
"I'll leave you two alone, please don't hesitate to ask for anything."
"Thank you, Ryouta-kun."
Bowing once more, he left the room.
As he did, he saw Yugao hold Hayate's hand, something he smiled at, glad that Hayate was still living.
He hoped for them, as he left them fully alone.
Having managed to escape the village, Kabuto went towards his leader, and Master Orochimaru. Laying in wait for Kabuto, Orochimaru watched as the young man approached him in a manner that displayed a certain look to his face that Orochimaru didn't like.
"Kabuto, your face tells me that you're about to tell me news that I don't think that I'm going to like."
"Orochimaru-sama, I completed the tasks that you gave me. However, before I left the village, I saw something that might become a problem Orochimaru-sama."
Orochimaru didn't like the idea of any problems cropping up now.
Kabuto could feel the waves of killing intent that was coming off of Orochimaru that it was causing his body to cease in place, unable to move not even an inch otherwise Orochimaru might have clawed his throat out all in a single movement.
"What problem?"
"It seems that Gaara's soul has been soothed by Ryouta Uchiha-kun. I'm not sure what that would play into the invasion. Gaara is someone that we need to cause a havoc don't we? If she doesn't, then our plans could be thwarted."
Orochimaru's eyes blazed with intense fury.
Kabuto looked for the exit in case he needed to make a swift retreat.
Orochimaru breathed in and out heavily.
His eyes laced with intensity.
"You're kidding me."
"...I wish that I was Orochimaru-sama. But that's how it is, I'm afraid."
Kabuto indeed was afraid by now.
That he would be attacked and Orochimaru would be disposing of him…
However, Orochimaru began to laugh.
A laugh that sounded as if he was having enjoyment out of this.
Kabuto was perplexed by this.
He didn't know what was going on.
"Hahaha, so the boy soothed a Tailed Beast. That's something that I have to love. Makes me want him even more. But, don't worry Kabuto, I perceived their interactions early on during the Chunin Exams, and I have been making a countermeasure for it."
"You have Orochimaru-sama?"
"Yes, of course. I've planned this to the smallest detail. I cannot allow my plans to be foiled because of something as fickle as human emotion. Better yet, this works in my favour hahahaha..."
Kabuto wondered what was going to happen next with this new development.
But he believed in his Master, and knew whatever it was that Orochimaru had up his sleeve.
Now he had to focus on the invasion, which was right around the corner…
As that was going on, Danzo sat patiently within his home, awaiting a certain something.
Sipping his tea, he looked to see a small little bug land on his lamp.
He didn't show a change in his facial expressions as he observed it with his lone eye showing.
But inside, he was rather excited.
To the point that he almost wanted to express it through his voice.
However, all that came out of his mind was "Let the games begin." as he sat back in his chair.
Returning home that evening, Ryouta held the scroll within his hand that he received from Hiruzen.
He prepared to open it, when the door opened, revealing Satsuki.
"What happened? I heard that you got attacked."
Ryouta gave an awkward smile as he placed down the scroll.
"Kabuto, and the Oto Genin. Gaara-san too."
Ryouta explained, Satsuki furrowed her brows.
When hearing about Gaara attacking Ryouta, Satsuki scowled.
"What did she do? Are you alright?"
The concern that she had for him was rather touching.
To the point that Ryouta felt her worries for him within her voice, displayed for his eyes to easily see what was going on.
"Satsuki-chan, the thing about Gaara-san is that...it's hard to explain, but she didn't do me any real damage. And I'm fine. Hayate-san on the other hand..." Ryouta placed a hand to his forehead, so Satsuki came closer, and allowed her arms to wrap around his frame. "...I just wish that I could have done more for him."
"He's alive, right?"
Ryouta inclined his neck.
"Yes...he is, but that Kabuto, he did something to him, and now he can't speak. Potentially permanently, and I learned after seeing him that his body has suffered severe damage. According to who I spoke to, Kabuto put a lot of strain and stress on Hayate-sans body. Using some kind of Chakra Scalpel to inflict internal injuries."
Satsuki placed her lips against his right cheek, and then rested her head on his shoulder.
"That's how Kabuto is, like a leech."
Ryouta couldn't agree more.
Breathing out slowly, he turned his gaze towards Satsuki.
His face curled upwards.
"Damn Kabuto, and Orochimaru as well. They have to be stopped."
"They will be."
She replied, and gently kissed him, something that made him smile.
Satsuki truly was able to make him feel good after all, and now he was more determined than ever, whatever was going to happen next.
End chapter!
First, thanks to everyone that has voted on the poll, the poll will be closing tomorrow from the posting of this chapter, and the results will be announced in the Devils Host story on Thursday, so if you haven't, and would still like to vote, please do before tomorrow!
So this chapter dealt with the match between Ryouta and Gaara, fighting while she was trying to deal with what was going on within her, and Ryouta trying to reach her, while brief, he also came face to face with Shukaku who seemed shocked an Uchiha was acting like Ryouta was. But with his eyes, Ryouta managed to stop Shukaku for the moment, and allowed Gaara to finally have sometime to rest. Then Pakura came and it seems the conflict inside of her is only growing more as the time approaches. Hiruzen and Ryouta also had a moment, as we find out about how Hayate his and his condition, seems Kabuto did quite a number on him. Then at the end, both Orochimaru and Danzo have something going on, what that is, we'll soon be seeing.
Well until next time, thanks for reading!
Ryouta; Satsuki, Sakura, Naruko, Hinata, Gaara (fem), Ino, Haku (fem), Kurotsuchi, Karin, Konan, Mei, Anko, Samui, Hanabi, Mabui,