Yo!
I'm back with the next chapter of Seal of Fate.
Thank you for your endless support in January, you can refer to my Profile for February Update Schedule.
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Without further ado, let's get started.
Enjoy the chapter.
The Seal of Fate
Chapter 10
The Kazekage
With Gaara
Gaara's consciousness stirred slowly, as though emerging from the depths of a dark, endless ocean. His body felt heavy, his limbs unresponsive, and his chest ached with a dull, persistent throb. The faint hum of chakra resonated around him, but it was muted, distant—like a song heard through water. His eyes fluttered open, the dim light of the hospital room piercing his vision.
The first thing he noticed was the ceiling—a plain, beige expanse that seemed unfamiliar and sterile. The second was the faint murmur of voices outside the door. He blinked sluggishly, his mind struggling to piece together what had happened. Memories came in jagged fragments: the ambush in Suna, the overwhelming power of the Akatsuki, and then… nothing.
Gaara's breath hitched as realization struck him like a physical blow. 'I was defeated.' The words echoed in his mind, sharp and cold. He had been taken from his own village—his people—and rendered powerless. Shame twisted in his chest, mingling with a sickening sense of vulnerability. He clenched his fists weakly against the sheets, his fingers trembling with frustration.
His thoughts turned immediately to Shukaku. Panic surged through him as he reached inward, seeking the familiar presence of the Tailed Beast that had been both his curse and companion for so long. 'Is he gone? Did they take him?' The idea sent a chill down his spine.
Closing his eyes tightly, Gaara focused on his mindscape—the desolate desert within him where Shukaku resided. The transition was slow and disjointed, as though even his inner world had been shaken by recent events. When he finally arrived, he found himself standing amidst endless dunes beneath an oppressive, stormy sky.
"Shukaku!" Gaara called out, his voice echoing across the barren expanse. There was no immediate response—only the howling wind and the distant rumble of thunder.
He took a step forward, then another, his feet sinking into the sand with each movement. The weight in his chest grew heavier with every passing second of silence. 'If they succeeded… if Shukaku is gone…' He couldn't finish the thought. The prospect of being severed from the Tailed Beast left an emptiness he hadn't anticipated—a hollow ache that went beyond physical pain.
Just as despair began to creep in, a familiar growl rumbled through the air. It was low and guttural at first but grew louder until it reverberated across the dunes like a thunderclap.
"You're loud as ever,"came Shukaku's voice, dripping with irritation. "What do you want?"
Gaara turned sharply toward the sound and saw the massive form of the One-Tail emerging from behind a towering dune. Shukaku's golden eyes glared down at him with their usual mix of disdain and curiosity, though there was something different about them now—a flicker of unease that Gaara couldn't ignore.
"You're still here," Gaara said softly, relief washing over him like a wave. His shoulders sagged slightly as some of the tension left his body.
"Of course I'm still here,"Shukaku snapped, baring his sharp teeth in annoyance. "What kind of idiot do you take me for? You think I'd let those Akatsuki scum rip me out without a fight?"
Gaara's lips pressed into a thin line as he met Shukaku's gaze.
"You're pathetic,"Shukaku continued with a snarl, his voice dripping with venom. "You couldn't even protect yourself, let alone your village. And now you're here, crawling back to me like a beaten dog."
Gaara's lips pressed into a thin line, his fists clenching at his sides. He had expected mockery from Shukaku, but the sting of the words still cut deep. "I did everything I could," he said quietly, though his voice carried an edge of defiance.
"Everything you could?"Shukaku barked out a laugh that echoed across the dunes like thunder. "Don't make me laugh! You were taken down in your own village—your precious Sunagakure—and dragged away like some helpless child. If it weren't for that brat and his old man, you'd be dead, and I'd be ripped out of you by now."
Gaara flinched at the reminder, shame twisting in his chest. But he refused to let Shukaku see him falter. "I fought for my people," he said firmly. "I gave everything I had to protect them."
"And look where that got you!"Shukaku roared, leaning closer until his massive face loomed over Gaara. "You're nothing but a powerless Kage—a failure! Your village was doomed from the start, just like every pathetic human who's ever tried to control me."
The Tailed Beast's words were laced with bitterness and scorn, each syllable striking like a lash. Gaara's teeth gritted as he met Shukaku's gaze head-on. "You've been with Sunagakure for generations," he said evenly. "And yet you've never once tried to help us."
"Help you?"Shukaku sneered, his golden eyes narrowing dangerously. "Why would I help you? No one has ever tamed me—not your father, not your ancestors, and certainly not you."
Gaara took a deep breath, forcing himself to remain calm despite the storm of emotions swirling within him. He had spent years learning to control himself, to rise above the anger and hatred that had once consumed him. Now, standing before Shukaku's towering form, he drew on that hard-earned discipline.
"You don't see it, do you?" Gaara said quietly but firmly. "The Akatsuki didn't just come for me—they came for us.They want you as much as they want me dead."
Shukaku huffed loudly, sending a gust of wind rippling through the sand around them. "And what of it? Let them try! I'll tear them apart like I've torn apart every other fool who's dared to challenge me."
Gaara shook his head slowly, his aquamarine eyes sharp with clarity. "You almost didn't survive this time," he said pointedly. "If the brat and the old manhadn't intervened when they did, we'd both be gone."
The Tailed Beast growled low in his throat, the sound rumbling like distant thunder. "Don't think for a second that I owe anything to that brat or his stupid fox,"Shukaku spat venomously. "I don't need their help—and I certainly don't need yours."
Gaara's gaze hardened as he stepped closer to Shukaku, undeterred by the beast's towering presence or his biting words. "You're too arrogant to see what's right in front of you," he said coldly. "The Akatsuki are a threat to both of us—to everyone—and if we don't work together, we'll both be destroyed."
Shukaku threw back his head and laughed—a deep, guttural sound filled with mockery and contempt. "Work together?"he repeated derisively. "You think 'I'—the great Shukaku—would ever lower myself to cooperate with 'you'? A failure son… a powerless Kage… and most of all—a failed experiment of Rasa? Don't make me sick!"
Gaara didn't flinch at the insult; instead, he stared up at Shukaku with unwavering resolve. "Then I'll tame you," he said simply.
Shukaku froze mid-laugh, his golden eyes narrowing dangerously as he glared down at Gaara. "What did you say?"he growled.
"I'll tame you," Gaara repeated calmly but firmly. "If you're too dumb and thick-headed to realize what's at stake here—if your arrogance blinds you to the threats we face—then I'll force you to see it."
The sands around them began to tremble violently as Shukaku's rage erupted like a storm unleashed. The sky above darkened further, lightning crackling across the oppressive clouds.
"You dare threaten me?" Shukaku roared, his voice shaking the very ground beneath their feet.
"It's not a threat," Gaara replied evenly, his gaze steady despite the chaos around him. "It's a promise."
As if to add insult to injury, Gaara allowed himself a faint smirk—a rare expression that carried both confidence and defiance. "And when I do tame you," he added coolly, "I'll use the help of the 'fox brat' you despise most." Though he didn't elaborate further aloud, the implication was clear in his tone.
Shukaku let out an earth-shaking roar of fury as the sands of Gaara's mindscape erupted into chaos. The ground quaked violently beneath them, fissures splitting open as waves of sand surged toward Gaara like tidal waves.
But Gaara remained unshaken. With a final look at Shukaku—a look filled with determination and quiet strength—he turned on his heel and began walking away.
"You can rage all you want," Gaara said over his shoulder as he left the mindscape behind. "But this isn't over—not by a long shot."
The storm intensified around him as he ascended back toward consciousness, leaving Shukaku roaring in impotent fury behind him.
Gaara woke with a sharp inhale, his chest rising and falling steadily as he adjusted to the reality around him. The sterile white ceiling of the hospital room came into focus, and he blinked slowly, his eyes scanning the unfamiliar surroundings but recognition quickly dawned—giving clarity about his surroundings. His body felt heavy, weighed down by exhaustion and the lingering ache of his recent ordeal, but the urgency to know about the safety of his village and people surged forth. He exhaled deeply, his mind already racing with questions.
His gaze flickered toward the door, and he called out hoarsely, "Someone… come in."
The door creaked open almost immediately, and a guard entered hurriedly. Relief and professionalism mingled on his face as he bowed slightly. "Kazekage-sama! You're awake!"
Gaara's voice was calm but firm as he asked, "What is happening outside? I need an update."
The guard straightened, swallowing nervously before launching into an explanation. "Naruto Uzumaki and Jiraiya-sama of the Sannin brought you back from Akatsuki and are still in Suna. Reinforcements from Konoha arrived yesterday—Team Kakashi and Team Guy. They've been assisting with village security and medical needs. Chiyo-sama has been overseeing council discussions alongside Baki-san regarding security measures moving forward. Kankuro-sama is recovering well under the care of Sakura Haruno from Konoha."
Gaara listened intently, his expression unreadable but his mind processing every word. His siblings were safe for now, and the village had support from Konoha—a small relief amidst the weight of everything else.
"Call Baki," Gaara ordered after a moment of silence.
The guard bowed deeply before hurrying out to fetch him. Gaara's gaze lingered on the closed door for a moment, his thoughts churning with questions about what had transpired while he had been unconscious.
The door opened again a few moments later, but in addition to just Baki, Chiyo barged in alongside him, her sharp eyes narrowing as she swiftly closed the door behind her. Her movements were brisk and purposeful, her presence commanding as she turned to face Gaara.
Gaara's eyes narrowed slightly at her intrusion. He was not in a forgiving or particularly good mood, but he let it slide for now. His gaze shifted to her as if silently asking what she wanted.
Chiyo wasted no time cutting to the point, her voice brusque but laced with concern. "Kazekage-sama, we need answers," she said sharply. "The council must know your condition—and more importantly, we need to confirm about Shukaku."
At the mention of the Tailed Beast, anger flickered in Gaara's eyes for a brief moment—an anger directed not at Chiyo but at the thick-headed tanuki that resided within him. He took a steadying breath before responding calmly, though his tone carried an edge of finality. "Shukaku is still within me."
Chiyo's sharp gaze lingered on him for a moment longer before she nodded curtly. "Good," she muttered under her breath before turning toward the door. "I'll inform the council." Without waiting for further dismissal, she left the room in a huff, closing the door behind her with a sharp click.
Gaara exhaled slowly, his irritation ebbing as he turned his attention to Baki, who stood silently nearby.
"Baki," Gaara began evenly, his voice steady despite the turmoil simmering beneath the surface. "What is the state of our village security? How are things?"
Baki stepped forward slightly, his posture rigid as he gave his report. "The village is stable for now," he said firmly. "The presence of Konoha shinobi—especially Hatake Kakashi and Jiraiya-sama—has bolstered our defenses significantly. Patrols have been increased around the perimeter, and we've reinforced key areas within Suna."
Gaara nodded slowly as he absorbed this information before meeting Baki's gaze directly. "And what do you think we should do next?"
Baki hesitated for only a fraction of a second before speaking honestly. "Kazekage-sama… I believe we should continue working closely with Konoha for now. Their assistance has been invaluable in stabilizing our defenses." He paused briefly before adding cautiously, "But I defer to your judgment on how we proceed."
Gaara's expression hardened slightly as he made his decision without hesitation. "I've had enough of Shukaku's idiocy," he said resolutely, his voice carrying an unshakable determination. "I'm going to tame it."
Baki's eyes widened slightly in shock at first, but understanding quickly replaced it. Though surprised by Gaara's declaration, Baki could see the logic behind it—unlike some of Suna's older generation who might balk at such an idea.
"I understand," Baki said after a moment of silence, inclining his head respectfully. "What do you need from me?"
"Call Naruto and Jiraiya," Gaara instructed firmly. His tone left no room for argument.
Baki bowed deeply before turning on his heel to carry out the order without delay.
As Gaara watched him leave the room, a faint glimmer of resolve shone in his eyes. The path ahead would not be easy—but then again, nothing ever had been for him.
This time, however… he would take control—not just of Shukaku but of everything that threatened Sunagakure's future.
'And this time… he would not fail.'
The door to Gaara's hospital room swung open abruptly, and Baki stepped out, his face set with grim purpose. Without sparing a glance at anyone, he vanished in a blur of speed, his Shunshin leaving only a faint breeze of wind in his wake.
In 10 minutes, Baki called Naruto and Jiraiya to Gaara's hospital room without delay. The two entered quietly, their expressions neutral but attentive as they stepped inside. Gaara, sitting upright in his bed, looked pale but composed. His eyes flicked toward them, and for a moment, the weight of everything that had happened seemed to press heavily on the room.
Naruto's eyes flew to Gaara immediately. Relief and exhilaration surged through him at seeing his friend alive but awake, sitting upright in bed. Though Gaara looked pale, he appeared calm and alert, his gaze meeting Naruto's.
"Thank you," Gaara said simply, his voice steady but carrying an unmistakable depth of sincerity. "You saved my life—and my village."
Jiraiya waved a hand dismissively, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Don't thank me," he said casually, nodding toward Naruto. "This kid's the one who stopped the Akatsuki single handedly. I was just there to back him up."
Naruto shifted awkwardly under the praise, scratching the back of his head. "It wasn't just me," he said modestly. "We both worked together to stop them."
He turned his attention back to Gaara, taking a hesitant step closer to the bed. All the worry and determination that had carried him through the rescue flooded him anew. "I'm just happy to see you awake," Naruto confessed, voice shaking slightly from pent-up emotion. "You're my friend, Gaara. I'd do anything to protect you."
After a brief moment of silence, Gaara nodded in acknowledgment. Though his face remained composed, gratitude shone in his eyes. "Regardless, I owe you both a debt I can never repay."
Jiraiya's expression turned more serious as he crossed his arms and leaned slightly against the wall. "Gratitude's all well and good, but we've got bigger problems to think about," he said. "The Akatsuki aren't going to give up after one failed attempt. If anything, they'll come back stronger—and now they know your weaknesses."
Gaara inclined his head slightly in agreement, his expression unreadable. "My village," he said quietly. "They'll use it against me again."
Jiraiya nodded grimly. "Exactly. So what's your plan now? You can't just wait for them to strike again."
Gaara was silent for a moment, his gaze dropping briefly to his hands before he looked back up at them with quiet determination. "I need your help," he said firmly. "To tame Shukaku."
The room fell into a tense silence as Jiraiya straightened slightly, his sharp eyes narrowing in thought. The idea clearly intrigued him, though there was also a flicker of concern in his expression. "Taming a Tailed Beast…" he murmured, almost to himself. "No village other than Kumo has ever managed it—and even then, it was more cooperation than actual control."
"It's dangerous," Jiraiya continued after a moment, his tone turning serious as he addressed Gaara directly. "You know that, right? Trying to force Shukaku into submission could harm you—or worse."
Naruto had been silent until now, standing slightly behind Jiraiya with his arms crossed and his gaze fixed on Gaara. Finally, he spoke, his voice steady but carrying an edge of conviction. "If you feel that's the best chance you have to fight the Akatsuki and keep your village safe," Naruto said firmly, "then I'm up for it."
Jiraiya turned toward him with an exasperated sigh, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Kid, you've got to think about the bigger picture here," he said pointedly. "If word gets out that Sunagakure is trying to tame Shukaku—especially with Konoha's help—it could cause all kinds of problems with the other villages."
Naruto met Jiraiya's gaze evenly, unflinching in his resolve. "And if we don't help?" he countered quietly. "The Akatsuki will come back—and next time, they might succeed."
Jiraiya sighed again but didn't argue further. He could see the logic in Naruto's words—and more importantly, he could see that Gaara wasn't going to back down from this decision. After a moment of silence, Jiraiya nodded reluctantly.
"Fine," he said gruffly. "But don't say I didn't warn you about how dangerous this is." He paused briefly before adding with a faint smirk, "Besides… this might be a good opportunity for me to see how best to approach taming a Tailed Beast—just in case someone else needs it down the line." His gaze flicked meaningfully toward Naruto as he spoke.
Though there was still a hint of worry in Jiraiya's eyes—particularly about how Tsunade would react when she found out about this brash decision—he shrugged it off internally with a mental note to come up with some kind of excuse later.
Gaara nodded once in acknowledgment. "Baki will help," Gaara said calmly but firmly. "He will assist you with whatever preparations you need."
Jiraiya nodded in acknowledgement. With everything decided, Jiraiya and Naruto exchanged a brief glance before nodding in unison and turning toward the door.
"We'll get started right away," Jiraiya said over his shoulder as they left the room.
Gaara watched them go silently for a moment before leaning back against his pillows with a faint exhale. His resolve was unwavering—but even so… this would be no easy task.
And somewhere deep within him… Shukaku raged restlessly, his growl reverberating faintly through Gaara's mindscape like distant thunder on the horizon.
.
.
.
Few Hours Later
Sealing Chamber, Kazekage Residence
The sealing chamber within the Kazekage residence was a vast, dimly lit space, its walls lined with ancient glyphs and intricate carvings that pulsed faintly with chakra. The air was thick with tension, the weight of what was about to transpire pressing down on everyone present. At the center of the chamber lay a circular platform, its surface etched with sealing formulas that glowed faintly in the low light. This was the very spot where Shukaku had been sealed into Gaara years ago—a place steeped in history and immense power.
Jiraiya stood near the edge of the platform, his sharp eyes scanning every detail of the room. He had spent hours inspecting the chamber alongside Baki, ensuring that every precaution had been taken. The seals had been reinforced with additional layers of protection, designed to contain any potential backlash from Shukaku's volatile nature. A secondary barrier had been erected around the perimeter of the room, manned by trusted Suna shinobi who were prepared to intervene if anything went awry.
Baki, standing beside Jiraiya, exuded his usual stoic demeanor, though there was a faint tension in his posture. He had personally overseen the preparations, ensuring that no detail was overlooked. "The guards are stationed outside," he said quietly, his voice steady despite the gravity of the situation. "No one will disturb us."
Jiraiya nodded in approval, his gaze flicking to Naruto, who stood nearby with his staff resting lightly against his shoulder. The blonde's expression was calm but focused, his cerulean eyes reflecting a quiet determination. Gaara stood on the platform itself, his posture straight and composed despite the enormity of what he was about to undertake. He looked almost fully recovered—his movements steady and his eyes sharp.
Gaara's thoughts briefly drifted to how he had spent the day leading up to this moment. After waking recovered, he had spent time speaking with Temari, who had been a constant presence by his side since his return. Her relief at seeing him awake and well had been palpable, though she hadn't pressed him about what he planned next. Later, he visited Kankuro, who was resting comfortably after being healed by Sakura. His brother's condition had improved significantly, and though Kankuro had tried to crack a joke about Gaara looking like he'd been through hell and back, it was clear he was still shaken by everything that had happened.
The rest of Gaara's day had been spent quietly catching up on reports and writing to Tsunade to confirm his recovery—a task Temari insisted on helping him with despite her own exhaustion. Neither she nor Kankuro had asked about his earlier conversation with Jiraiya and Naruto, respecting his silence on the matter. For their part, neither Naruto nor Jiraiya had returned to the hospital after their initial departure, leaving Gaara alone with his thoughts as he prepared for what lay ahead.
Now, standing in the sealing chamber with Baki, Jiraiya, and Naruto present, Gaara felt a sense of clarity settle over him. This was not just about taming Shukaku—it was about protecting his village and ensuring that Sunagakure would never again be vulnerable to threats like the Akatsuki.
Jiraiya broke the silence first, stepping onto the platform as he gestured toward the glowing seals beneath their feet. "These seals are designed to hold Shukaku's chakra in check," he began, his tone calm but authoritative. "They'll also act as a buffer in case things get out of hand. But make no mistake—this is dangerous." His gaze shifted to Naruto. "You'll be handling most of this yourself."
Naruto nodded firmly. "I'm ready," he said simply.
Jiraiya raised an eyebrow at him but didn't argue. Instead, he turned back to Gaara. "Once we start," he continued, "there's no turning back until it's done. The integrity of these seals depends on your focus—and on Naruto's ability to manage Shukaku's chakra without losing control."
Gaara inclined his head slightly in acknowledgment. "I understand."
Jiraiya sighed softly before addressing Naruto again. "You're sure you can handle this alone?" There was no doubt in his voice—only concern for what lay ahead.
Naruto met Jiraiya's gaze evenly. "If this is what Gaara needs to protect his village," he said firmly, "then I'll do whatever it takes."
Jiraiya frowned slightly but didn't press further. Instead, he glanced at Baki, who stood silently nearby with arms crossed over his chest asking for his take.
Baki spoke up then, his tone measured but supportive. "Kazekage-sama has made his decision," he said simply. "And I trust that both of you will see it through."
Jiraiya let out a low chuckle at that before shaking his head slightly. "You're putting a lot of faith in us," he muttered before turning back to Gaara and Naruto. "Alright then—let's get started."
Gaara stepped forward onto the center of the platform as Jiraiya began weaving hand seals with practiced precision. The glowing formulas beneath their feet flared brighter as chakra surged through them—a steady hum filling the chamber as the barrier began to form.
Naruto tightened his grip on his staff as he stepped closer to Gaara, his cerulean eyes locking onto him with unwavering focus.
"Let's do this," Naruto said quietly.
Naruto stepped closer to Gaara, his staff dissipating into faint wisps of lavender light as he reached out and placed a steady hand on Gaara's shoulder. Their eyes met—Gaara's gaze calm but resolute, Naruto's cerulean eyes reflecting unwavering determination. No words were exchanged; none were needed. With a subtle nod from Gaara, the connection was made.
The air around them seemed to ripple as Gaara's chakra flared, pulling both of them into his mindscape. Jiraiya, standing a few feet away in Sage Mode, tensed slightly as the shift in energy washed over him. His sharp eyes tracked every movement, his senses heightened to detect even the faintest disturbance.
The sealing chamber itself remained eerily quiet save for the hum of chakra radiating from the reinforced seals etched into the floor and walls. Baki, stationed fifty feet away near the chamber's entrance, kept his distance as instructed. The toxic nature of Bijuu chakra was dangerous for ordinary shinobi, and Baki knew better than to interfere.
Jiraiya's gaze flickered toward the two jinchūriki as their chakra signatures intertwined momentarily before fading into the stillness of Gaara's mindscape. His Sage Mode senses picked up on the faint but unmistakable presence of Shukaku stirring within Gaara. The Toad Sage remained poised, ready to intervene at a moment's notice should anything go wrong.
Gaara's Mindscape
Inside Gaara's mindscape, Naruto and Gaara found themselves standing amidst a chaotic wasteland. The once-familiar desert was now unrecognizable—a storm of swirling sands and jagged dunes stretched endlessly in every direction. The sky above was an oppressive swirl of dark clouds, crackling with arcs of golden lightning that illuminated the desolation below. The air was thick with malice, heavy and suffocating, as if the very atmosphere sought to crush them under its weight.
Gaara stood tall despite the chaos around him, his expression calm but his fists clenched tightly at his sides. This was not unfamiliar territory for him—he had spent years navigating this volatile landscape within himself—but it had never been this unstable before.
Naruto glanced around, his sharp eyes taking in every detail of the mayhem surrounding them. His hands tightened as he sensed the oppressive chakra saturating the air—the unmistakable presence of Shukaku. "This place…" he muttered under his breath, gripping his resolve tighter as he turned to Gaara. "It's worse than I thought."
Before Gaara could respond, a low growl rumbled through the mindscape, reverberating like thunder across the shifting sands. The ground beneath their feet trembled violently as a massive shadow began to take form in the distance. It moved with an unnatural fluidity, its hulking silhouette growing larger with each passing second.
The storm intensified as the shadowy figure approached, its glowing golden eyes piercing through the darkness like twin beacons of malice. The air grew colder, each breath feeling like shards of ice stabbing into their lungs. A chilling laugh echoed across the wasteland—a sound that sent shivers down even Naruto's spine.
"Kuahahahaha,"
And then he emerged fully from the storm: Shukaku.
The One-Tail towered over them, his massive body composed of swirling sand and chakra that shifted and writhed like a living storm. His jagged teeth gleamed menacingly as his wide grin stretched unnaturally across his face. Those glowing golden eyes locked onto Naruto and Gaara with an unsettling glee that bordered on madness.
"Well, well,"Shukaku drawled, his voice deep and guttural, carrying an edge of cruel amusement. "Look who decided to visit me together—my pathetic host and Kyuubi's little runt." He leaned forward slightly, his massive claws digging into the sand as he loomed closer. "What brings you here? Did you come to grovel? To beg for mercy?"
Naruto stepped forward without hesitation, his gaze unwavering despite Shukaku's menacing presence. "We're not here to grovel," he said firmly, his voice steady despite the oppressive weight pressing down on them. "We're here because things need to change."
Shukaku let out another chilling laugh that seemed to shake the very fabric of the mindscape. "Change?"he mocked, his voice dripping with disdain. "You think you can change anything here? You're nothing but ants scurrying around in my domain."
Gaara remained silent beside Naruto, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studied Shukaku's every movement. Though anger flickered briefly in his gaze at Shukaku's taunts, he maintained his composure—this was not a time for rashness.
The One-Tail shifted slightly, his massive tail swaying behind him like a coiled serpent ready to strike. His grin widened unnaturally as he leaned closer to them, his golden eyes gleaming with twisted delight.
"But I must admit," Shukaku continued with a sinister chuckle, "I'm curious about one thing."His gaze locked onto Naruto with unnerving intensity. "Why would you come here? Did that fox put you up to this? Or are you just stupid enough to think you can handle me?"
Naruto didn't flinch under Shukaku's scrutiny; instead, he took another step forward until he stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Gaara. His lavender eyes burned with determination as he met Shukaku's gaze head-on.
"I'm here because Gaara asked for my help," Naruto said simply but firmly. "And because I'm not afraid of you."
Shukaku let out another booming laugh that echoed across the mindscape like thunderclaps. "Not afraid?"he repeated mockingly before baring his jagged teeth in a wide grin. "Oh… this is going to be fun."
The storm around them intensified further as Shukaku reared back slightly, his massive form radiating an overwhelming aura of malice and power.
Gaara took a deep breath before stepping forward alongside Naruto, his voice calm but resolute as he addressed Shukaku directly: "This ends now."
The One-Tail tilted his massive head slightly at Gaara's words before letting out another chilling laugh that sent shivers down their spines.
"Kuahahahaha,"
"Then come,"Shukaku growled menacingly, his glowing golden eyes narrowing dangerously as he prepared himself for what was to come. "Let me show you why no one… no one… has ever tamed me."
The storm reached a fever pitch around them as Shukaku's chakra surged violently through the mindscape—a chaotic maelstrom of power and malice that threatened to consume everything in its path.
And amidst the chaos stood Naruto and Gaara—unflinching and resolute—as they prepared themselves for what would undoubtedly be their greatest challenge yet.
And Cut!
That's it for this chapter folks.
AN:
Done, done, done! We have another Banger in the making folks! Hope I can justify the action to come with proper battle. Imagine deciding to fight against just after you wake up. Guess that's what meant by bro woke up and chose violence ;).
As for the ludicrous nature of Gaara's decision, if we see it from his perspective—if the Akatsuki, the S rank shinobi who were able to defeat him and succeeded in extracting Shukaku in canon, then can't someone/duo that defeated those Akatsuki and saved him before the process even started be strong enough to tame Shukaku, right?
I hope this makes enough sense, if it didn't, take it as Gaara putting everything on the line by blindly trusting his saviours strength. I mean if the saviours ended up being Kakashi and Guy, he wouldn't have gone through with it for sure. Since the saviours endedbeing Naruto and Jiraiya, he went ahead with it.
Share your views on the logic and what your expectations are for the coming chapter and how will the battle with Shukaku will go.
As always, let me know in your reviews and do share your feedback and suggestions!
I'm very delighted to share that you can now read 4 early chapters on my patron. My user name is same BlackInfinity1289 on patron website.
Note: They are early access only, they will be eventually released here as well.
Also, if you want discuss about the story or the ideas, you can join my discord server. I go by Henry there, give me a ping to say hi.
link: discord. gg / SPsSwAcq4b
Hope to see you there!
Thank you for reading.
Good Day!
Black Infinity 1289,
Ja Ne.