"!"
His vision finally refocused, and the dazzling sunlight made him subconsciously squint. What came into view was the blue sky. Gaara's consciousness, after Shukaku was completely reinforced and sealed, and fell into a "sleep", he finally returned to reality.
The warm touch of being meticulously repaired came from every part of his body, and the huge but extremely soft chakra was soothing the wounds and fatigue left by his previous battles.
"The matter is over." The familiar voice sounded from the side, "Does your body still hurt? I'm sorry, I just hit you a little harder to subdue Shukaku. But, I can't let you hurt my companions."
It's him... it's this person who has a similar past to me, but has taken a completely different path...
After using the power of Kurama to completely heal the shocking wounds on Gaara's body, Naruto's whole body was still covered with that layer of bright golden Chakra Cloak, and the combat status was not released.
His eyes glanced in the direction of Konoha Village from time to time - obviously, his Shadow Clones were still fighting fiercely with the intruders in the village.
"The 'monster' in your body..." Naruto paused and considered the wording, "I'd better call it 'Tailed Beast'."
"I have re-strengthened the spell that sealed Shukaku. From now on... it will not come out to hurt you again, nor will it whisper in your ear and disturb your sleep..."
"Why."
Suddenly, Gaara's hoarse voice interrupted Naruto's words.
Naruto stopped narrating, Gaara turned his head, and Naruto met Gaara's eyes that were full of confusion, chaos and a trace of imperceptible struggle.
Under Gaara's stubborn gaze, Naruto did not urge him, but just waited quietly.
"Why... why are you doing this to me? I just... really wanted to kill you. In fact, if you hadn't stopped me, I would have destroyed your village and killed your companions without hesitation... Why... why are you still so nice to me?!"
Although he glimpsed Naruto's dark and lonely childhood deep in his consciousness and witnessed how he got out of being rejected step by step, Gaara still couldn't understand it.
Obviously they have such similar starting points, both are regarded as monsters, feared, and isolated... Even if Naruto is lucky enough to meet the person who pulls him out of the darkness, this does not mean that he is obligated to lend a helping hand to another person who is trapped in the darkness and trying to drag him into the abyss together?
This is illogical. It goes against the rules of this cold world that he knows.
"... Because I know that your nature is not bad." Naruto's voice carried an unquestionable certainty, "You were just hurt by some guys and instilled with wrong perceptions, so you closed yourself up... What's more, from the first time I saw you, I felt that we were very similar."
"Well, I saw it."
Gaara responded in a low voice, his eyes a little wandering, "That's your memory, right? Your past... is really similar to mine. They called us monsters... and were hated and rejected by almost everyone... Are we... the same kind?"
Hearing Gaara say this, Naruto was slightly startled. His consciousness just now had indeed reached Gaara's inner world. Could it be because his chakra entered his body, allowing him to see his past in turn?
... It seems like he didn't see the most crucial part... and Menma is Shadow Clone, so the perspectives are independent. Naruto looked at Gaara's confused look and analyzed it quickly in his mind.
"You are right, we are the same kind." Naruto affirmed, "But the 'same kind' I see is not the hateful 'monster' you understand."
"I did this to you not because you were called a monster like me, but because I saw in you the shadow of myself who was once lonely and helpless, struggling in the darkness. I can't do anything to that kind of 'self'..."
"Just because of... such a ridiculous reason?"
Gaara's voice was trembling. Doesn't it sound like "I just want to do that"? What kind of reason is this?
"But!" He became a little excited, "Those people who are good to you... are only those few, right? Why do you risk your life to protect this village? To protect those who once called us monsters! Don't you... really don't hate them at all?"
"I hated it."
Naruto gave the answer straightforwardly without any hesitation. This was not a lie. In those isolated days and nights, in those malicious eyes, how could he not have hated him? He even thought that if those days continued, one day he would leave Konoha.
"However, hate is a double-edged sword. When it tries to hurt others, it will first devour yourself and make your heart full of holes. I am very glad that I have found something more worthy of cherishing than hate."
"It's 'understanding'."
"I gradually understood why people were afraid, and I also understood... that some people would really feel sad because of my existence, and even more people would be angry because I was hurt."
"Satsuki, Iruka-sensei, Kakashi-sensei, Old man Third, Uncle Teuchi, Sakura, Shikamaru, Choji, teeth... They made me understand that the meaning of my existence is to create a connection called 'Bonds' with these people who cherish me and need me to cherish them."
Understand...Bonds... Cherish...
These words are so unfamiliar to Gaara, yet they carry an indescribable attraction. They are completely "similar" people on the same starting line, taking a completely different path. This recognition almost completely subverts the way of survival that he has believed in until now.
"What if!"
Gaara's voice was filled with a trace of imperceptible panic, "If you don't just fight for yourself like me... then why should you fight?"
"What is the value of my existence...?" This is the deepest fear and confusion in his heart.
"No matter who you are, the value of existence has never been proved by 'killing others'." Naruto's words were unequivocal.
"The meaning of existence... is to be found and defined by oneself. However, killing others is the most wrong and saddest answer."
His tone was sincere, "Please, don't continue to use your father's mistakes to punish yourself and hurt yourself after he hurt you!"
He took a deep breath and looked at Gaara with burning eyes. "That's right, you asked me why I did this to you? The answer is simple - just because I want to do that! That's all!"
"And if you can't find the meaning of your existence for the time being and feel confused..." Naruto took a step forward and stretched out his hand.
"Then let me be the first person to 'protect' you. This is not charity or sympathy, this is... the beginning of 'Bonds'."
"... Is it really okay?" After a long silence, Gaara finally found his voice. Even he was surprised that the voice contained a hint of uncontrollable choking.
"Yes." Naruto showed an extremely warm and firm smile. "I will protect you. Because I am strong, and because... this is the path I chose."
His last words were imprinted on Gaara's heart like a vow.
"True strength is not when the whole world is afraid of your existence, but when you finally become a harbor where someone can return to peace of mind."