Chapter 20: Chapter 20
Shukaku's arrival at Suna was nothing short of spectacular. His speed was beyond comprehension, reaching the village in mere seconds, a feat that made even the most powerful ninja seem slow in comparison. He could move faster than lightning itself, though he knew that the true power of the Juubi—the Ten Tails—was something beyond his reach. The Juubi could perceive light itself, and it was fortunate that it couldn't actually move at that speed.
Despite his overwhelming presence, Shukaku chose not to enter the village. Instead, he appeared outside its gates, casting a massive shadow that stretched over the Hidden Sand. It was a sight that might have caused panic in the past, but today, the people of Suna reacted with calm. They trusted Gaara, the young Kazekage, and they knew that the presence of the Tailed Beast was no longer a cause for fear.
Gaara, ever the composed and understanding leader, soared through the sky on his sand cloud, stopping just before the mighty Shukaku. His blood-red hair billowed in the wind as he descended to face the beast that had once made his life a living nightmare. Shukaku had been his constant tormentor, and yet, Gaara had come to understand the beast in a way no one else had. He saw beyond the rage and chaos, seeing the pain and loneliness that had shaped Shukaku's existence. Over time, Gaara had forgiven the beast, just as he had forgiven others who had wronged him. He realized that they both shared a troubled past and that perhaps, they both deserved a chance at redemption.
"Naruto, Shukaku, it is nice to see you so soon," Gaara greeted, his voice warm yet measured. "I've been quite busy lately, so I haven't had the time to visit. But I'm glad you've come. It's good to see you both."
Shukaku shifted uncomfortably, knowing full well the torment he had once put Gaara through. His pride, however, wouldn't allow him to show vulnerability. "I thought you would hate to see me again," he said with a hint of awkwardness.
Gaara's expression softened. "I don't hate you," he replied. "I feel sad for your circumstances. I want to make a world where no one has to go through what you did. A world where we don't have to be enemies."
Shukaku stared at Gaara for a long moment, processing his words. The beast's laughter rang out suddenly, echoing in the air like thunder. "I like you, Gaara. Let's work together this time, how about it?"
Gaara raised an eyebrow, surprised by the offer. He turned to Naruto, who had been silent for the moment, watching the interaction unfold.
Naruto knew the time had come to share what he had been holding back. "Gaara, there's something I need to tell you," he began, and the tone of his voice shifted, signaling that this was no small matter.
Gaara's eyes softened with concern. "I see. I'm glad you trust me with this, Naruto. Whatever it is, you know I'll be there for you. You're like a brother to me."
But Gaara's eyes sharpened as he processed Naruto's words. "However, I can't help but notice that you've only mentioned candidates from Konoha and Suna. What about the other nations? Do you plan to leave them out?" Gaara's pragmatic approach to leadership was one of the qualities Naruto admired most. He could see the bigger picture—something Naruto, in his youthful idealism, hadn't fully grasped.
Naruto paused, unsure how to respond at first. "Of course not," he said after a beat, his voice firm. "I want all of us to work together. The war brought us closer, and now we need to build on that bond. I just haven't mentioned other candidates because I don't know them as well. I can't recommend someone unless I have complete confidence in them."
Gaara nodded, but his expression remained serious. "I understand your reasoning, Naruto, but you must see how it might be perceived. If you only choose people from Konoha and Suna, others will think you're forming an exclusive group. They'll see it as a power grab, as though you're building an army just for yourself."
Naruto's eyes widened, the weight of Gaara's words sinking in. "I didn't think about it that way…"
Gaara gave a slight smile. "That's why I'm here. I recommend you approach other nations as well. For example, Mei Terumi, the Mizukage, would be a great choice. As for the others, I'll leave it to your judgment."
Naruto nodded thoughtfully. "I'll talk to her tomorrow, and then I'll start looking for other candidates. You're right; we need to move quickly, before something unexpected happens. The appearance of the Juubi and Kaguya might have already alerted forces we'd rather not deal with."
Shukaku, growing increasingly impatient, interrupted the conversation. "Come on, let's fuse already! I want to see what our unique transformation looks like. I've seen Kurama and Naruto do it, and I'm jealous!" His excitement was palpable, as though the weight of all the conversations had simply evaporated in his eagerness to experience the fusion.
Gaara gave a wry smile, seeing the giant tanuki's childlike enthusiasm. It was a stark contrast to the fierce and uncontrollable force Shukaku had once been in Gaara's life. The change in the beast was undeniable, and Gaara couldn't help but appreciate it. "Very well," Gaara agreed, removing his robe and shirt to prepare for the fusion.
Shukaku's sand swirled around him like a mighty tsunami, wrapping around Gaara's body as a seal began to form on his skin. The transformation was a momentous one, a symbolic act of trust and unity between them. As the process continued, Naruto stood back, watching the fusion with a sense of awe. This moment marked a new chapter not only in Gaara's relationship with Shukaku but also in the larger effort to unite the Tailed Beasts and their human counterparts.
The bond between Gaara and Shukaku, forged through years of pain and struggle, had finally evolved into something stronger—something that could lead to a brighter future.
The fusion between Gaara and Shukaku was an awe-inspiring event, marking a turning point not only in their relationship but also in the potential of their power. Unlike the previous forced seals that had kept them apart, this voluntary fusion was a true union of wills. The seal formed a deep connection, allowing Gaara and Shukaku to meet in the spirit world, their chakras now intertwined, creating an even stronger bond. The whole process was a visible display of power as Gaara's form dissolved into sand particles before reassembling into something new, something greater—an elemental being composed of sand, with hardened armor covering the upper and lower parts of his body. Black fuinjutsu seal-like marks adorned the sand elemental body, signifying the deep connection between Gaara and Shukaku.
The power emanating from the fusion was astounding. Naruto, feeling the energy surge through them, could immediately see the results. The fusion wasn't just a simple combination of the two beings' power; it was a massive enhancement. Their chakra was compressed into a more efficient form, and the resulting energy was not only more potent but also more refined. It was like taking raw, chaotic power and shaping it into something precise, something that could be used with deadly efficiency. What was even more impressive was the sheer magnitude of the increase. Before the fusion, Shukaku was already a 300-meter giant with enough chakra to destroy cities. Now, that power was compacted into Gaara's smaller, human-sized body, but with a much higher quality, making them more powerful than ever before.
Gaara and Shukaku were no longer just city-level threats; they were now capable of destroying entire countries with ease. Naruto was stunned by the transformation. He hadn't expected such a drastic increase in power. The fusion had multiplied their strength by a factor that went beyond his initial understanding. It wasn't just about power—it was about efficiency and control. With their newfound strength, they were easily capable of wiping out kingdoms with a single attack. The thought of what the duo could do with such power left Naruto in awe.
Naruto couldn't help but reflect on the broader implications. If the Tailed Beasts had been treated differently, if they hadn't been feared and isolated, this level of power could have been commonplace. The Fourth Great Ninja War could have been prevented before it even started, and countless lives could have been spared. The foundation of hatred and fear, which had kept the Beasts and their Jinchuuriki in constant conflict, had led to this tragic cycle. Now, with Gaara and Shukaku standing as living proof of what could be achieved through unity, Naruto's desire for peace and unity between the nations felt more urgent than ever.
As Shukaku's childish joy erupted into loud shouts, Gaara took control of the situation, trying to contain the power surging within them. If it weren't for Gaara's mastery over his abilities, Shukaku's playful nature could have caused catastrophic destruction. Instead, Gaara decided to test the extent of their new power, mindful of the immense danger it posed. With a simple gesture, he raised his hand to the sky. The sand around him began to swirl and gather, forming a spinning lance that spun with such speed it seemed to defy reality. The force generated was so immense that Gaara had to suppress the impact it would have had on the environment; otherwise, it would have incinerated everything in its path.
As the lance shot into the air, Gaara watched in awe as it cut through the clouds, leaving a giant hole in the sky. The scale of the attack was staggering—he had never before been able to control power on such a level. Before the fusion, Gaara could only influence the area around him, maybe affecting the clouds at best. Now, he could reach as far as the moon itself. It was as if the universe had become his playground, and with just a flick of his hand, he could obliterate anything within his reach.
Tiny Shukaku, ever the playful and impulsive beast, danced around in excitement. "So awesome!" he shouted, unable to contain his joy.
Gaara smirked, still marveling at the newfound power. "Now fire it at the moon or... Naruto," Shukaku suggested, clearly eager to see some explosive results. Though Gaara could sense the potential for destruction, he knew that unleashing such power recklessly could have disastrous consequences.
"I also want to see it. Use your full strength, Gaara." Naruto turned off Six Paths mode and turned to Kurama Chakra mode for the first time after the war.
Naruto's presence in his newly transformed Kurama Chakra Mode was undeniably overwhelming. The transformation was nothing short of spectacular, as it embodied the growth of both Naruto and Kurama. The fusion of Yin and Yang abilities, which had been granted by Kurama's evolution, turned Naruto's body into a radiant golden energy. Fox ears, nine swirling tails, and the emblem of the Yin-Yang symbol on his back were all visible markers of his new form, signaling the remarkable change that had taken place since the war.
In this form, Naruto's chakra radiated immense power—vastly enhanced from his previous Six Paths Mode. The difference between his chakra form and the Six Paths state was stark; it was a step below in raw power, but still unmistakably potent. The Kurama Chakra Mode, which had been impressive during the war, had now reached a continental level of power. It was a massive leap, the result of Kurama's growth, his connection to the Juubi, and the augmentation of the fusion with Naruto. The shift from one tail to nine was no small feat, as it signified a leap from merely potent chakra to an overwhelming force that could challenge entire continents, if not more. This immense power, however, was amplified by the presence of Naruto's Rinne-Sharingan, whose abilities were more far-reaching and potent than he had fully realized. Although still unable to close his eyes due to the nature of the power coursing through him, it was clear that this form allowed Naruto to reach beyond planetary-level threats.
Naruto deactivated Kurama Chakra Mode, reverting back to his base form. The power was still formidable—still in the realm of continental-level strength—but he wasn't using his full capacity. Even without the full extent of his abilities, it was clear to Gaara that Naruto's power far outstripped his own, especially since he hadn't even called upon the Six Paths Mode.
"I'm starting," Gaara said, determination in his voice. He needed to push his limits and see how far he could go. Drawing sand from the surrounding desert, Gaara shaped it into a massive drill, roughly the size of a mountain. The dense, rotating mass of sand spun at incredible speed, reaching about a third of the speed of light—a display of Gaara's newfound control over the sand. Gaara wasn't just playing with raw power; he was testing his abilities, eager to challenge Naruto and see how far the fusion had taken him.
Naruto, recognizing the challenge, shot into the atmosphere, rising higher and higher while Gaara sent the drill hurtling into space. The immense speed and power of the drill were staggering as it cut through the sky before Gaara directed it back toward the Earth with tremendous force. It was a test of strength—a challenge to see how far Gaara had come.
With a sharp movement of his hand, Naruto summoned a colossal chakra fist, and without hesitation, he slammed it into the mountain-sized drill. The drill shattered upon impact, crumbling into smaller pieces as if it were nothing more than sand against a hurricane. Naruto's chakra fist had been simple, raw chakra, but it was more than enough to obliterate Gaara's attack. It wasn't a flashy move; it wasn't complex, but its power was undeniable.
The scattered sand, broken into fist-sized pieces, began to reassemble and attack from all directions. Naruto, knowing the attacks could easily cause island-level destruction, quickly covered himself in a protective chakra armor. His body, not durable enough to handle such powerful strikes, relied on the chakra armor for protection. The attacks rained down on him, but Naruto stood firm, blocking each one with ease.
However, even though he was protected, the sand began to envelop him, and the distinctive markings of fuinjutsu seals began to appear along the surface of the sand. The sealing technique was no ordinary defense—it was a trap. Gaara had activated a sealing jutsu, and Naruto could feel the pressure as his chakra was slowly being negated. The sand pressed tighter around him, forming a prison-like structure that took on the shape of a football. Naruto could feel the seals beginning to suppress his chakra, and for the first time in a long while, he was forced into a position where he couldn't control his energy.
But Naruto was far from helpless. With a thought and the command of his Rinne-Sharingan, the seals melted away, and the sand prison dissolved. He absorbed the chakra from the sand, breaking the sealing jutsu in the process. As the last grains of sand fell to the ground, Naruto couldn't help but marvel at Gaara's skill. Even with the overwhelming difference in power, Gaara had almost sealed him up completely. It was a testament to Gaara's growth and his expertise in fuinjutsu.
"I think we should start learning fuinjutsu," Naruto muttered to himself, realizing how much he had neglected this critical field. As a student of a fuinjutsu expert and a member of the Uzumaki clan, it was astonishing that he hadn't focused more on seals. His admiration for the Fourth Hokage and the great sealing techniques used by figures like Hashirama had always been there, but he had never fully embraced the art.
Gaara, agreeing with Naruto, nodded. "I agree with that sentiment. We should make fuinjutsu a priority. After all, it's the only thing that can deal with such powerful threats."
Shukaku, ever confident in his abilities, boasted, "You can rely on the great Shukaku! I'll lead you puny humans to success!" His enthusiasm for the art of fuinjutsu was finally being appreciated, and he was eager to be part of this new endeavor.
Naruto and Gaara shared a look of understanding. "We will be relying on you, Shukaku," they both agreed.
As Naruto contemplated the future, his thoughts turned to the knowledge contained within the Sage of Six Paths' sanctuary. It was there that the secrets of the most powerful sealing techniques, including those used to imprison Kaguya, were kept. One sealing technique in particular, the Six Paths — Heavenly Body Bursting from the Earth, was a method that had been used by Hagoromo to drain the Juubi of all its energy. It involved a three-step process that not only sealed the beast but trapped its husk within a celestial body, leaving it powerless and imprisoned forever. If they were to face world-ending threats, this was the kind of technique they needed to master.