Yo!
I'm back with the next chapter of Seal of Fate.
Note: I have a note for those who complain Naruto's fight with Deidara and Sasori is dragged in the end AN, make sure to read it!
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Without further ado, let's get started.
Enjoy the chapter.
The Seal of Fate
Chapter 12
The Buried Beast
With Naruto
Inside Sand Mausoleum
Naruto's eyes strained against the suffocating darkness as the Grand Sand Mausoleum Seal constricted around him like an unrelenting vice. The crushing weight of the sand pressed in from all sides, each grain carrying an oppressive force that felt as though it sought to grind him down to nothing. His chest ached under the pressure, every breath shallow and ragged, as if the very air had turned against him. The chakra-restrictive properties of the seal gnawed at his reserves, dulling the once-familiar pulse of his energy that usually flowed so freely within him.
Gritting his teeth, Naruto fought against the immobilizing weight, forcing his fingers to move through sheer willpower alone. He attempted to form the familiar hand seal for his Shadow Clone Jutsu, but his limbs felt heavy, unresponsive, as if submerged in molasses. Panic gnawed at the edges of his mind as he struggled to mold even the smallest flicker of chakra, but the suffocating dome choked it off before it could take form, swallowing his efforts like a relentless predator.
'Damn it… I can't even use my clones,' Naruto thought, a bead of sweat rolling down his temple, only to be absorbed instantly by the surrounding sand. He grunted, trying to summon a burst of wind to carve himself some breathing space, but nothing came. It was as though his chakra was being smothered before it could even spark to life.
Suddenly, a sinister shift in the dome's oppressive presence made his pulse quicken. The once-smooth surface of the sand around him began to ripple, and from the encroaching darkness, ominous purple markings pulsed to life. They slithered across the walls of the dome like venomous snakes, each one radiating a sinister chakra that sent shivers down Naruto's spine. They crept closer, inch by inch, twisting and curling in a way that made the hair on the back of his neck stand on end.
"Not good, not good…" Naruto muttered, his throat dry as he clenched his fists, pushing every ounce of energy into a desperate chakra pulse. A sudden surge of power erupted from within him, momentarily pushing back the encroaching markings, but it was short-lived. The cursed patterns flickered for a heartbeat, then continued their relentless advance, inching ever closer to engulfing him entirely.
A knot of desperation tightened in his chest, and with no other options left, Naruto shut his eyes and reached deep within himself, calling out into the familiar abyss of his subconscious. "Hey, fox! I could use some help here!"
At first, there was nothing but silence. Naruto could barely make out the massive figure coiled in the shadows, the Kyuubi's ominous presence looming just out of reach. The stillness gnawed at Naruto's nerves, his fists clenching tightly at his sides. Just as he opened his mouth to call out again, a massive crimson eye slid open, gleaming with a flicker of amusement.
A deep, rumbling chuckle rolled through the chamber like distant thunder, vibrating through Naruto's bones. "Help you?" Kyuubi's voice dripped with mockery, his lips curling into a sharp, toothy grin. "And why would I do that, brat?"
Naruto's patience, already stretched thin, snapped. "Because I'm about to get crushed out there! That sand dome is draining my chakra and squeezing me like a damn lemon!" His voice wavered slightly, frustration and urgency bleeding through his usual bravado.
Kyuubi's second eye slid open, locking onto Naruto with an unsettling intensity. "And whose fault is that?" he drawled lazily, his massive tails swishing behind him, disturbing the water with slow, deliberate ripples. "I don't recall telling you to pick a fight with that lunatic tanuki."
Naruto blinked, momentarily thrown off by the unexpected response, before his frustration flared again. "So that's it? You're mad because I decided to help Gaara?"
Kyuubi let out a sharp bark of laughter, sending waves crashing at Naruto's feet. "Mad? Don't be ridiculous, brat." His enormous head lowered, bringing his gleaming fangs into the dim light. "You humans and your foolish attachments... your choice to help that sand runt means nothing to me."
Naruto's frown deepened, confusion flickering in his eyes. "Then what's your problem?! Why won't you just help me?!"
The fox tilted his head, his grin widening, mischief dancing in his crimson gaze. "Because this..." he purred, his voice laced with dark amusement, "is far too entertaining. Watching you flail around like a fool, struggling to match that overgrown sand flea... it's amusing."
Naruto's jaw clenched, his fingers twitching with irritation. He was about to fire back when his gaze drifted over Kyuubi's form—and something caught his attention. The once-pristine, burning orange fur looked dull and matted, his massive frame appearing leaner, almost... weakened. Even the oppressive pressure of his usual overwhelming chakra felt muted, restrained.
A pang of concern, unwanted but undeniable, crept into Naruto's chest. "What's wrong with you?" he asked suddenly, taking a cautious step forward. "You look... weaker."
For the briefest moment, Kyuubi's grin faltered, his expression darkening. But it was gone just as quickly, replaced by a dismissive snarl. "It's nothing that concerns you, brat," he snapped, his voice sharper than before. "It happened long ago, and you didn't care then. You certainly don't need to care now."
Naruto studied him for a moment longer, but the fox's narrowed eyes and bristling fur warned him not to push further. Instead, Naruto squared his shoulders, his focus shifting back to the immediate threat. "Look, whatever's going on with you, it doesn't change the fact that I need your help to get out of this trap."
Kyuubi sighed dramatically, his tails coiling around him like lazy waves. "And why, pray tell, should I waste my energy helping you?" His grin returned, filled with sharp teeth and sharper intent. "You've got all those fancy tools of yours—why not actually usethem instead of swinging them around like an idiot?"
Naruto's eyes narrowed. "You're trying to manipulate me into doing something, aren't you?"
The fox let out another dark chuckle. "Oh no, brat, I wouldn't dream of it," he said mockingly. "I'm simply pointing out that instead of whining to me, maybe you should stop and thinkfor once."
Naruto opened his mouth to argue, but before he could respond, a sudden force yanked him backward. The damp cavern and Kyuubi's smirking visage faded into darkness as reality came rushing back with crushing force.
The suffocating weight of the sand dome pressed down on him once more, his breath ragged as grains slipped through his fingers. Naruto gritted his teeth, Kyuubi's words echoing in his mind. 'I'm wasting time. There should be another way out of this… I just have to find it.'
His eyes snapped open, a fierce determination blazing within them. Gritting his teeth against the relentless pressure, Naruto reached for his staff. He wasn't surprised when it remained solid in his grip—just as his Tenchigan remained active, allowing him to clearly see the dark purple chakra flowing through the sand around him. His fingers tightened around the staff, his mind racing with renewed focus. 'Brute force won't cut it. If I can't smash through... maybe I can break it another way.'
Kyuubi knew damn well that Naruto didn't need saving—not yet, at least. Despite the suffocating pressure, despite the relentless sand crushing in from all sides, there was something within Naruto, something tenacious and battle-hardened. The fox watched with a knowing gleam in his crimson eyes, his massive form coiled in the darkness of Naruto's mindscape. 'You're not helpless, brat,'he mused, his thought echoing through the chamber. 'Figure it out.'
"Come on… come on!" he muttered, his breath ragged, his fingers twitching around his staff. With a surge of desperate strength, he hurled the weapon at the suffocating sand walls, willing it to shatter through the dense mass.
The staff struck the thick wall with a resounding thud,embedding itself deep within the granules. Naruto's eyes widened as a sudden pull tugged at his palm. From where his hand had instinctively clenched, a glowing chakra chain shot out from his palm, linking itself to the embedded staff like a tether. The chain pulsed faintly with his chakra, shimmering with an ethereal lavender glow, a connection forged through sheer willpower.
For a split second, Naruto stared in shock, but then something clicked. 'This isn't just a weapon… it's an extension of me.' His mind raced with possibilities, his instincts latching onto the unexpected reaction. His lips curled into a strained grin, hope sparking in his chest even as his lungs burned from the lack of air.
'If I can't brute force my way out… maybe I can use this to unravel it from the inside,' he thought, his grip tightening around the chain.
Ignoring the mounting pressure that crushed against his ribs and the tremors wracking his body, Naruto focused his chakra into the chain, feeling the resonance between himself and the staff. He could feel the intricate chakra threads woven into its core, hidden mechanisms that he had yet to fully explore. His fingers moved with urgency, tracing over the weapon's surface, tinkering, pushing past his body's limitations. Each second felt like an eternity, the relentless weight pressing in, but Naruto pressed harder.
"Just… need to figure you out," he gritted out, his fingers running over the staff's intricate carvings. Sweat slicked his brow, but his determination remained unwavering. The sand creaked ominously around him, shifting and compacting, testing his resolve with each tightening motion.
A sharp jolt traveled through his arm as the chain tightened, responding to his chakra flow. Naruto's eyes widened, his mind racing with realization. 'I can manipulate it… control it!' A spark of excitement cut through his exhaustion. He poured more chakra into the chain, willing it to expand, twist, and burrow deeper into the sand, anchoring itself like a lifeline.
The pressure around him continued to mount, his body screaming for relief, but Naruto didn't stop. He trusted in his body's endurance, in the resilience that ran deep in his blood. His fingers continued their feverish work, molding the chakra, testing the limits of his connection to the staff. The chain coiled and uncoiled, responding to his every thought, and with a grunt of exertion, he pulled hard.
The sand shifted—just a little.
A flicker of hope flashed in Naruto's eyes. "Gotcha," he muttered through gritted teeth. If he could extend the staff further, anchor it deeper, then maybe—just maybe—he could carve a path out.
The markings on the walls of his prison pulsed angrily in response, sensing his defiance, creeping faster toward him with killing intent. Naruto knew he was running out of time. He could feel his muscles trembling, his chakra reserves thinning, but he refused to give in.
"Not today," he growled, pouring more of his will into the staff. The chain surged outward, and with a sharp tug, Naruto felt a shift in the sand's density. 'There! If I can create a crack, I can break through!'
Despite the crushing force, despite the suffocating darkness, Naruto's spirit burned bright. He wasn't going to let this be the end—not with Gaara and his friends counting on him. With a final, determined shout, he pulled with all his might, pushing his chakra to its limit, fighting to reclaim his freedom from the suffocating grip of Shukaku's seal.
With Gaara
Shukaku's lunatic laughter rolled through the storm, shaking the very fabric of Gaara's mindscape. The beast's massive form loomed closer, his golden eyes gleaming with unhinged amusement. "You really think you can take control, little rat?" he sneered, his jagged teeth bared in a savage grin. "You? A pathetic scrap of flesh who can't even command his own sand? You've always needed me, Gaara. Without me, you're just a scrambling rat in a storm, lost and weak. And now... without your blonde friend bailing you out, you're nothing."
Gaara's expression remained composed, but deep inside, his grip on his anger tightened. He ignored the ache in his body, the weight of Shukaku's words pressing on his mind as much as the storm around him.
Shukaku's massive claws swept through the air, sending ripples through the sand that coiled around Gaara's feet. "Look at you, trying so hard to keep up, to pretend you're strong. But let me remind you, brat—this Grand Sand Mausoleum Seal? No one has ever broken free." His voice turned to a gloating growl, his sand shifting ominously. "Not the First Kazekage, that arrogant little bastard. Thought he could manipulate me, tame me, use me like a tool. I crushed him beneath my sand, squeezed the life out of him drop by drop, till there was nothing left but dust."
Shukaku's voice dropped into a taunting whisper, but it echoed through Gaara's very being. "And you? You think you're different? You think you can command MY sand? Hah! You've only ever borrowed my power, boy. Without it, you're just an empty shell, a useless husk who wouldn't last a second in the real world."
Gaara's breath came faster, his heart pounding against his ribs. He clenched his fists tightly, his nails digging into his palms, drawing thin lines of blood that mingled with the swirling sand around him. He refused to let the beast's words take root—he had come too far, fought too hard to fall back into old fears.
But Shukaku wasn't done. "Face it, Gaara. All your so-called power? It's HIM that's been fighting me. That blonde idiot, Uzumaki. He's the one who's been standing in my way, pushing me back, restraining me. You? You're nothing but an afterthought!" Shukaku's voice crescendoed into another ear-splitting laugh, his entire massive frame trembling with sadistic delight.
The words struck like a hammer, but Gaara's resolve burned brighter. His eyes narrowed, his hand forming a tight seal, and he forced the sand around him to respond to his command. "You're wrong," Gaara said, his voice calm but carrying a weight of unshakable conviction. "I don't need you. Not anymore."
Shukaku's grin faltered, a flicker of irritation flashing across his monstrous features. "Oh? You still think you can fight me? Then show me, Gaara. Show me what you can do WITHOUT HIM." With a deafening roar, Shukaku surged forward, his colossal form becoming a tidal wave of sand aimed straight at Gaara.
Gaara steeled himself, his arms rising in perfect harmony with his chakra. He willed the sand to move, not with fear, not with desperation—but with clarity and purpose. The storm around him twisted, spiraling into a controlled vortex, and with a surge of effort, he sent it colliding head-on with Shukaku's monstrous form.
The beast howled as Gaara's sand met his, clashing in an explosion of power. Every movement felt like a battle of wills, each grain a test of dominance. Gaara gritted his teeth, pushing forward, feeling his chakra resonate deeper with his surroundings.
He took a slow, steady breath as he squared his shoulders against the unrelenting force of Shukaku's sandstorm. His mind was razor-sharp, cutting through the haze of fatigue and doubt that threatened to take hold. Something within him had shifted, deep and primal—a storm of its own brewing in his chest, stronger than anything Shukaku had ever thrown at him before.
For years, Gaara had walked a tightrope between his past and his present, between the monster he once was and the man he had fought to become. But now, in the eye of this tempest, all the fear, the trauma, the anger—everything he had buried deep beneath the stoic facade of the Kazekage—came roaring back with a vengeance.
If Naruto were to fall here, if Shukaku overwhelmed them and consumed the blonde in this cursed sand seal, there would be no second chances. No excuses. Gaara knew well enough that Jiraiya hadn't approved of this plan, and the thought of Tsunade finding out sent a deep chill through him.
If anything happened to Naruto here, Sunagakure would be erased from the world.
The two Sannin wouldn't stop. Tsunade wouldn't hesitate to tear the village apart stone by stone. Jiraiya, despite his usual carefree nature, would not leave a single trace of Suna standing if it meant avenging his student. No diplomatic reasoning, no alliances, no consequences could hold them back. And Gaara knew—deep in his soul, he knew—that he wouldn't even blame them.
His heart pounded heavily in his chest as these thoughts clawed at him, the weight of responsibility pressing down on his shoulders like never before. But it wasn't just fear that fueled him now—it was something darker, something raw and unfiltered.
All of it—the pain, the suffering, the endless isolation—swirled within him like a storm waiting to be unleashed. Shukaku dared to claim he was the true beast? That he had been wronged by being sealed? Fool.
He had never known what it meant to be truly alone, to be hated, to be feared by his own flesh and blood. Gaara had lived it. He had endured the whispered curses of his people, the veiled looks of disgust, the countless assassination attempts orchestrated by his own father—the Kazekage, a man who should have protected him.
Gaara's fists clenched as memories surged unbidden, each one sharpening his resolve. The loneliness, the abandonment, the confusion of a child who had only wanted love but was met with scorn. He had been called a monster, a freak—something to be erased. But he had survived. And beyond survival, he had found something... someone precious.
Naruto.
The idiot who had fought him without fear, who had understood his pain in a way no one else could, who had forgiven him when no one else would. Naruto had shown him the path forward, had given him a reason to rise above his demons rather than succumb to them.
And Shukaku thought he knew suffering? Gaara's lips curled into a dark smirk, his eyes flashing with something primal and ancient.
"You think you're the only one who suffered?"Gaara's voice, low and seething with a restrained fury, cut through the raging storm. "You think your pain justifies your destruction? That you're a demon because they forced you into this fate?"
The sand around him trembled, responding not to the beast, but to Gaara's unrelenting will.
"Then what does that make me?!"Gaara roared, his chakra surging with newfound intensity, his hands moving fluidly as his sand coiled with lethal intent. "The pain you whine about is nothing compared to what I have endured. I was betrayed, abandoned, and left to rot by my own blood!"
Shukaku's golden eyes narrowed, an instinctual unease creeping into them as he felt something shift within Gaara—something darker, more dangerous.
Gaara's breath was ragged, but his voice was clear, unyielding. "If pain and suffering make one a monster, then fine. I will become an even greater monster than you."His father's voice echoed in his mind, a lesson repeated countless times during his brutal upbringing:
"You can't reason with fools, Gaara. The only way to make them understand is to be a bigger fool yourself."
His chakra roared to life, the sand around him moving with a newfound vigor, responding to his command in ways it never had before. It no longer hesitated, no longer resisted. Gaara had been fighting too carefully, too cautiously—trying to force Shukaku into submission through restraint.
No more.
If Shukaku only understood power, then Gaara would show him truepower.
His hands shot forward, the sand twisting into monstrous limbs—grotesque, jagged, and unrelenting. They lunged at Shukaku, wrapping around his massive limbs, constricting with the force of a predator that had been unleashed after years in chains.
Shukaku snarled, thrashing violently, but Gaara didn't relent. "You will not take Naruto from me!" Gaara's voice was raw, seething, his chakra pouring into the sand with the force of years of pent-up rage and desperation. "Naruto is my hope, my friend, and my proof that I am not alone! I will not let you take him!"
The sand pressed tighter, forcing Shukaku down, making him feel the very weight of Gaara's suffering, of his pain. And for the first time, a flicker of doubt passed through the One-Tail's wild, glowing eyes.
Gaara's breathing slowed, his face hard as stone. He no longer needed to convince himself—he had already won.
"You think I'm weak without Naruto?" Gaara muttered, his tone filled with an eerie calm. "You're wrong. Because of him... I am stronger than I have ever been."
The sand wrapped around Shukaku's struggling form like an unbreakable vice, the inscriptions on it glowing brighter, sealing his movements inch by inch.
This time, it wasn't desperation fueling Gaara. It was resolve.
It was hope.
And Shukaku was finally beginning to understand—he wasn't fighting the same Gaara anymore.
But he didn't give in, with an earth-shaking roar, his rage boiled over like a tempest as he thrashed against Gaara's tightening grip. With a ferocious burst of chakra, his limbs stretched outward, shattering Gaara's carefully crafted binds with brute force. The sand around him trembled, torn from Gaara's control as the bijuu's maddened laughter echoed through the storm.
"You think this is enough to hold me, bastard?!"Shukaku bellowed, his monstrous form surging forward with renewed vigor. "I'm the very sand itself! No one can control me—especially not you!"His golden eyes burned with fury, his massive claws slicing through the air, sending razor-sharp waves of sand hurtling toward Gaara.
But Gaara didn't flinch. A dark smirk tugged at his lips, his eyes gleaming with something far more terrifying than Shukaku's rage—his own madness. His fear, his trauma, his anger—everything he had buried deep inside—was no longer contained. It surged forth with brutal intensity, and with it, Shukaku's grip over the sand began to slip, grains of his own being disobeying him, wavering under Gaara's iron will.
"You talk too much," Gaara said coldly, his chakra flaring in unison with his mounting rage. "You're a fool, Shukaku. You think power makes you untouchable, but you've never suffered—never endured what I have." His voice was steady, but beneath it lurked a storm far greater than the one Shukaku conjured.
With Naruto
The suffocating weight of the sand shifted as Naruto's eyes snapped open, a fierce determination burning within them. His muscles coiled like a spring, and with a primal roar, he shattered the Grand Sand Mausoleum Seal in a violent burst of chakra. Grains of sand exploded outward in all directions, the oppressive walls disintegrating under the sheer force of his will. The once-impenetrable dome trembled, fracturing like fragile glass under the strain of his power.
As the last remnants of the seal crumbled, Naruto emerged, his staff crackling with renewed chakra, his sharp eyes locking onto the chaotic battle between Gaara and Shukaku. The sandstorm raged on, but this time, Gaara was no longer on the defensive—he was pushing back.
A smirk tugged at Naruto's lips. "Looks like you've got this under control, huh, Gaara?" he muttered to himself, gripping his staff tighter. But before he could move, a deep vibration from his back made his entire body freeze.
The gourd strapped to him trembled violently, an eerie hum emanating from it that sent shivers down his spine. A pulse—hungry, eager, and almost gleeful—resonated through his chakra pathways. His hands tightened involuntarily around his staff, and he felt something stir deep within, a power ancient and unfamiliar yet undeniably his. The thick, oppressive bijuu chakra saturating the air was like an irresistible feast, and the gourd was reacting instinctively, feeding off the energy with an insatiable hunger.
"What... the hell?" Naruto muttered under his breath, his eyes narrowing in confusion as the seal on the gourd shimmered ominously. Before he could think further, chakra surged into him, coursing through his veins like a flood breaking free from a dam. Knowledge—foreign yet instinctive—flooded his mind. Images of ethereal coils, dragons winding through the air, a jutsu far beyond his comprehension yet suddenly clear in his thoughts.
Palace of the Dragon King.
Naruto's smirk widened into something more predatory. "Well, well... Looks like I've got something special for you, Tanuki."
With a thunderous crack, he slammed his staff into the ground, his chakra spiking to terrifying new heights. From the tip of the staff, mist-like tendrils coiled outward, forming translucent dragon-like coils of shimmering lavender energy. The tendrils slithered and coiled with a grace unnatural to the battlefield, as if hunting their prey.
Shukaku's golden eyes widened in realization, a flicker of something dangerously close to fear flashing across his face. "W-what the hell is this?!"the beast roared, his massive frame trembling as the ethereal coils wrapped around him with crushing force. He thrashed violently, his sand churning wildly, but each movement only caused the coils to tighten further, glowing with celestial intensity.
"Palace of the Dragon King!" Naruto shouted, his voice echoing across the vast mindscape with undeniable power.
The coils pulsed, locking Shukaku in place as his chakra flow stuttered, his enormous limbs stiffening unnaturally. The sheer force behind Naruto's technique left the air crackling with static energy, and for the first time, the great beast looked momentarily uncertain.
Gaara's eyes locked onto the immobilized Shukaku. His hand instinctively went to his chest, where Jiraiya had placed the physical seal—an intricate network of sealing inscriptions inked directly onto his skin. He could feel it pulsing in sync with his chakra, waiting for the right moment to strike.
His fingers trembled slightly as they brushed over the edge of the seal, the weight of the moment bearing down on him. This was his chance. This was what Jiraiya had prepared him for—what Naruto had fought to give him.
With a slow exhale, Gaara activated the seal. The intricate markings spread across his chest and arms, glowing a deep crimson with streaks of dark purple, feeding off the energy that pulsed through him. The sand around him responded in kind, swirling and compressing into a massive spiral formation.
Shukaku's eyes widened with pure, unbridled panic. "NO! I WON'T BE BOUND AGAIN!" he roared, thrashing with renewed vigor.
Gaara's expression remained cold and resolute. "You're mine now," he said simply.
With a swift, decisive motion, he launched forward, his palm slamming directly into Shukaku's massive chest. The seal burned into the sand beast's very being, latching onto him like an unbreakable chain.
The battlefield trembled under the impact, and for a moment, the sandstorm froze in place.
The seal pulsed violently, sending shockwaves through Shukaku's entire form. The beast let out a primal scream as the inscriptions spread across his body, targeting the three key points where his chakra was most concentrated—his head, his stomach, and his tail. The bindings tightened mercilessly, locking down his vast reserves of power.
Naruto watched in awe, his grip on the staff tightening. "Holy crap... It's working."
Shukaku's monstrous form shuddered, his golden eyes rolling back as the seal drained his chakra, siphoning it into Gaara's control. The beast's movements grew sluggish, his once-mighty thrashing reduced to trembling spasms.
Gaara could feel it—the overwhelming power now within his grasp. The seal worked exactly as Jiraiya had promised. It didn't just contain Shukaku; it commandedhim. With every ounce of chakra the beast lost, Gaara gained control, bending the sand to his will with effortless precision.
Unnoticed by either of them, the gourd on Naruto's back pulsed again, siphoning off the excess bijuu chakra that bled into the air. The Kama on Naruto's hand shimmered faintly, drinking greedily from the unclaimed energy. It took only what it needed, unnoticed and undisturbed.
Gaara's fingers trembled as he clenched his fist, the raw power coursing through his veins unlike anything he had ever felt before. "This… this is control," he murmured under his breath, his voice laced with awe.
Naruto grinned, stepping forward and clapping Gaara on the shoulder. "Told you we'd pull this off." He exhaled sharply, exhaustion finally creeping into his voice. "Man, I need some ramen after this."
Gaara offered him a rare, faint smile. "Thank you... Naruto."
The mindscape around them started to settle, the once-chaotic sandstorm fading into a calm desert. Shukaku, now fully subdued under the weight of the seal, let out one final, defiant growl before succumbing to the containment.
As they both stood amidst the stillness, Gaara realized something profound. He had finally taken control—not just of Shukaku, but of his own destiny. And he had Naruto to thank for it.
Naruto stretched, rolling his shoulders. "Alright, Kazekage-sama," he teased. "Let's get out of here before your pet tanuki wakes up again."
Gaara nodded, his eyes steady with newfound purpose. "Agreed."
As they took their final steps away from the sealed beast, an unspoken understanding of victory, joy and friendship passed between them.
Sealing Chamber
Kazekage Residence
The tension in the sealing chamber was palpable, the air thick with residual chakra that crackled faintly against the stone walls. Gaara and Naruto, seated in the center of the intricate sealing array, sat motionless with their eyes closed, their breathing slow and deep.
Then, as if a switch had been flipped, both of their eyes snapped open simultaneously.
Naruto let out a sharp breath, blinking rapidly as the weight of the mindscape slowly gave way to reality. His muscles ached from the strain, but the overwhelming sense of satisfaction made it worth it. His gaze flicked toward Gaara, who sat eerily still, his hands resting on his knees, his eyes now darker, more intense.
Jiraiya stepped closer, his usually relaxed demeanor replaced by sharp concern. Baki was right behind him, his face etched with uncharacteristic worry.
"Naruto! Gaara!" Jiraiya's voice boomed across the chamber, his eyes scanning both of them for any signs of distress. He knelt beside Naruto first, gripping his shoulder tightly. "You okay, kid?"
Naruto let out a lopsided grin, running a hand through his hair. "Yeah... just feeling like I ran a marathon through a desert." His stomach growled loudly in protest, and he chuckled weakly. "Guess my chakra wasn't the only thing running low."
Jiraiya smirked, relief washing over his features, but his focus quickly shifted to Gaara. The young Kazekage sat silently, his expression unreadable as he slowly lifted a hand to his head. The kanji for 'love' that had once been a deep crimson now had an ominous purplish-black tint spreading outward in delicate, intricate lines. The seal pulsed faintly, evidence of the bijuu's suppressed but ever-present chakra lurking beneath.
Baki took a step forward, his voice strained with concern. "Kazekage-sama... how do you feel?"
Gaara's gaze flickered to him, his voice calm but resolute. "Different. Lighter." His fingers traced the darkened edges of the seal, feeling the chakra coursing through it, no longer fighting against him, but bending to his will. He looked at Naruto. "It worked."
Jiraiya's brows furrowed, his hand hovering over Gaara's head. "Let me check it out, just to be sure." His fingers moved expertly over the markings, tracing the complex layers of the seal. A faint blue glow emanated from his fingertips as he poured a controlled amount of chakra into it, reinforcing the existing layers. "Hmph," he mused aloud. "It's stable, but... this thing's gonna need passive purification to keep it from corrupting your chakra in the long run due to its sheer volume."
Gaara simply nodded, trusting Jiraiya's expertise without question. The Toad Sage pressed his palm over the seal once more, adding a secondary reinforcement layer that allowed Gaara's chakra to circulate freely while filtering any excess bijuu influence. The dark tint of the seal receded slightly, stabilizing into a steady purplish glow.
"There," Jiraiya said with satisfaction, wiping his brow. "That should keep things in check. You'll be able to use Shukaku's chakra without it eating away at your own reserves."
Naruto stretched with a groan, tapping Gaara's shoulder with a grin. "See? Told you it'd work out. Now, can we please talk about getting some food? I'm starving."
Gaara, for once, allowed himself a small smile. "Agreed. The process took longer than expected." His stomach, though silent, reminded him that his body had been through an immense ordeal.
Jiraiya chuckled, standing up and dusting off his hands. "Three hours straight of wrangling a tailed beast will do that to you. C'mon, let's get to the meal hall. You both need to eat something before you collapse."
Baki, visibly relieved that his Kazekage was unharmed, led the way, his rigid stance slightly less tense than before. As they exited the chamber, the warm scent of freshly cooked food wafted through the halls, a stark contrast to the cold, tense atmosphere they had left behind.
Naruto's stomach grumbled louder, and he rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "Man, I hope they made something with meat... I feel like I could eat a whole feast!"
Gaara walked silently beside him, but his presence felt different now—more grounded, more assured. The weight he had carried for so long had lessened, and for the first time in a long while, he felt in control.
As they walked through the corridors leading to the meal hall, the staff and shinobi stationed within the Kazekage's residence halted in their duties, their eyes widening with relief and reverence at the sight of Gaara walking alongside Naruto, Jiraiya, and Baki. The murmurs of quiet awe filled the air, and in unison, they bowed deeply, their expressions reflecting gratitude and respect for their leader's safe return.
Gaara acknowledged them with a subtle nod, his usually impassive expression softening just a fraction. Naruto, watching the scene unfold, nudged him lightly with his elbow. "Looks like your people are really happy to see you back in one piece."
Gaara's gaze drifted across the bowing figures, his aquamarine eyes reflecting something deeper—understanding, appreciation. "I am... grateful," he said, his voice calm but filled with sincerity. "To them. And to you."
Naruto grinned, his stomach growling audibly in the quiet hallway. "Told ya we'd figure it out, Gaara. Now, let's get some food before I pass out."
Baki, walking slightly behind them, let out a low chuckle. "You certainly earned it," he said, his stern features relaxing slightly. "Sunagakure owes you both a great debt."
Jiraiya smirked, nudging Naruto with his elbow. "See, kid? They doknow how to show appreciation."
As they entered the grand meal hall, the rich aroma of freshly prepared dishes enveloped them. The long tables were laden with an impressive spread—succulent grilled meats, steaming bowls of rice, fresh vegetables, and warm bread that filled the air with a comforting scent. Gaara gestured subtly toward the feast, and Naruto's eyes sparkled with unrestrained excitement.
"Now thisis what I'm talking about!" Naruto cheered, piling his plate high with food without a second thought.
Jiraiya, more composed but equally hungry, took a seat beside Naruto, grabbing a generous portion for himself. "You definitely know how to treat your guests, Gaara," he said with a grin before digging in.
The group continued their meal in companionable silence. The tension that had gripped them for the past three hours gradually eased, replaced by the comfort of a well-earned meal and the quiet hum of life returning to normal.
Once their plates were empty and Naruto leaned back with a satisfied sigh, Gaara looked to them with his usual composed tone. "You should all rest here tonight," he said, his eyes lingering on Naruto in particular. "The battle took its toll. My residence will be at your disposal."
Naruto glanced at Jiraiya, expecting some kind of protest from the usually restless Sannin, but to his surprise, Jiraiya only nodded, stretching his arms lazily. "You won't hear me complaining," he said with a grin. "Besides, it's not every day you get to enjoy Kazekage hospitality."
Naruto let out a yawn, rubbing the back of his head. "Yeah, I guess I could use a real bed for once. Thanks, Gaara."
Gaara inclined his head, the ghost of a smile flickering across his face. "It is the least I can offer."
With their hunger sated and exhaustion settling in, the group quietly left the meal hall, the heavy burden of the day's events easing with every step. The halls of the Kazekage's residence offered a rare sense of peace.
And Cut!
That'sit for this chapter folks.
AN:
Well look at that, Shukaku was finally tamed. Damn it was a pain and half to write these 2 chapters as I had to ensure everyhting is in order and aligning well. We got to see another quirky ability of Naruto, I guess 2 if you count the Guord acting up.
But it has finally come to an end, Gaara now has almost 85% of Shukaku's chakra under control and some nifty new abilities to master. Naruto won't stay to help with that though, so don't worry. Hopefully he can master them fast enough to fend off Akatsuki when they come back next.
Speaking about Gaara - he had to get dirty to finally defeat Shukaku, huh, I mean it striked me peculiar that we were never shown how he dealt with his trauma, unless it was covered in his special novel, but I figured this is an effective way to deal with it.
We will jump into some good old political drama in the coming chapters and then we switch back to Akatsuki's (revised) plans. Aside from that, I'm contemplating on either have a 5 Kage summit now or later when the story has progressed more we have more of Naruto's abilities figured out.
Also, should I add Temari a pairing?
NOTE: For those who feel Ch 7 and 8 - Naruto's fight between Deidara and Sasori felt a bit dragged, suggest me where you want me to cut it off, I tried searching for a spot and wanted to make it when Naruto realises he needs to get serious, but felt like bits of important info is missed, so I didn't change it for now, if you suggest me some point, I'll try to find a work around. It's upto to you now, folks.
As always, let me know in your reviews and do share your feedback and suggestions!
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Black Infinity 1289,
Ja Ne.