Sand Shukaku

"I'm really sorry... During the Shinobi World War, Grandma Chiyo always came up a little short against Princess Tsunade... Every time Grandma Chiyo carefully laid out her deadly poison, Princess Tsunade would dispel it with ease. That's why she got so worked up..."

Temari carefully applied medicine to Jimo, her face full of apology. She looked at him with guilt in her eyes, seeing how she'd bandaged him up until he looked like a mummy. She tried to hold back her laughter, but found it far too difficult. Her face had turned bright red, like a ripe apple.

"If you can't hold back your laughter, then don't force yourself... This is only making the 'insult' to me seem even worse..."

Jimo gave Temari a helpless glance, the corners of his mouth lifting into a faint, rueful smile.

Hearing Jimo say that, Temari could no longer contain her surging laughter. She burst out laughing. "Pfft—hahahahaha, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I couldn't help it..." As she spoke, she doubled over with laughter, nearly to the point of tears.

"So, what's your decision?" Jimo was wrapped in thick white bandages, yet still sat perfectly straight. His expression was exceptionally serious as he fixed the people across from him with a piercing gaze.

On the other side of the reception room, Gaara stood quietly, his usually impassive face now especially grave. Grandma Chiyo frowned slightly, her arms crossed over her chest. Ebizo also looked troubled. After letting out a long sigh, he slowly spoke.

"Back when Lord Rasa was still alive, even if Shukaku suddenly went berserk and out of control, we still had the means to suppress him and keep the situation under control. But things are different now! Ever since Lord Rasa was tragically murdered by Orochimaru, our village has been unable to find any way to control that monster..."

As he spoke, Ebizo shook his head, deep worry and helplessness showing in his eyes. A heavy, oppressive atmosphere filled the reception room, as if even the air had frozen.

"I think we can give it a try..." Gaara stared intently at Jimo, a hint of hope and caution in his eyes. He slowly asked, "Does every member of that Akatsuki organization you mentioned really have combat strength as terrifying as Orochimaru's?"

Jimo gave a solemn nod. "That's right. In a sense, they may even be stronger than Orochimaru."

The atmosphere instantly grew heavier. Everyone knew that if Gaara couldn't rely on the power of the One-Tail Shukaku, then with his current abilities, defeating even a single member of Akatsuki would be nearly impossible.

After a long silence, they finally made their decision—to respect Gaara's choice.

Gaara took a deep breath and said firmly, "In that case, I'll give it a try! With Jimo helping me, I'm sure we can subdue Shukaku together!"

Then Gaara suddenly changed the subject and asked curiously, "By the way, is Naruto also trying to communicate with the monster inside him?"

Jimo thought for a moment before replying, "As far as I know, he is. Lord Jiraiya has also been doing everything he can to teach Naruto how to control and use the immense power hidden inside him."

After hearing this, Gaara's eyes flashed with resolve. "All right. If Naruto can do it, then I'll give it a try too..."

They went to the sealing prison where the previous Jinchuriki had been held.

"Gaara, try to communicate with him!"

Jimo stood to one side, ready to transform into his Giant Ape Form and suppress Shukaku at a moment's notice.

Gaara sat down on the cushion. Ebizo and Grandma Chiyo opened the seal within him, allowing him to communicate with Shukaku of his own accord.

Gaara slowly closed his eyes, letting his thoughts sink into the mysterious, profound space within his body. He seemed to be in a long, pitch-black tunnel. Everything around him was silent, with only his faint breathing echoing through the darkness.

After an unknown amount of time, a glimmer of light finally appeared ahead. As he drew closer, it gradually widened into a huge opening. When Gaara stepped through, the view opened up before him—a vast, boundless golden desert stretched as far as the eye could see.

Just then, a sharp, shrill voice suddenly came from nearby. "Well, well, if it isn't the little brat nobody loves! What brings you to see your great Lord Shukaku today?"

As the voice rang out, a huge tanuki with blue markings burst out of the ground. Its savage face and sharp claws sent a chill through anyone who saw it.

This was the first time Gaara had seen Shukaku's full form so clearly. Before this, he'd known that such a powerful Tailed Beast was sealed inside him, but he'd never had a clear idea of what it looked like. Seeing it with his own eyes now filled him with an indescribable sense of shock.

"You're... the one inside me..." Gaara asked, hesitating.

"That's right! That's right! I'm the monster inside you! And I'm the one those Sunagakure fools are afraid of!" Shukaku shouted impatiently.

"I've been bored for ages. Come on, have a go at me, Lord Shukaku!"

Before Gaara could react, Shukaku had already launched its attack. It opened its gaping maw and fired several powerful Air Bullets in succession, hurtling toward Gaara like cannonballs.

But Gaara didn't panic in the face of the sudden attack. He quickly commanded the surrounding sand to form a sturdy wall in front of him. With several loud bangs, the Air Bullets slammed into the barrier, sending sand flying everywhere.

Shukaku and Gaara were like old friends who hadn't seen each other in years, each knowing the other's every move. Neither could get the better of the other.

"I'm done! I'm done! This is no fun!"

Shukaku turned away, looking just like a child who hadn't grown up.

"I think we can be friends!"

Gaara went over to Shukaku and sat down on the ground beside him.

"Hahahahahaha! Be friends? Don't make me laugh! You're giving your great Lord Shukaku a stomachache!"

Shukaku laughed. "I'm the monster you all talk about, the reason you were tormented throughout your childhood! And you want to be friends with me?"

"Jimo was right. The Tailed Beasts were originally distributed among the villages to protect them and live in harmony with humans. We shouldn't have been treated as weapons and tools!"

Gaara stood up and bowed to Shukaku.

"Jimo? That kid who can turn into an ape? I wonder what he has to do with Sun Wukong..." Shukaku looked at Gaara and pondered for a moment.

"You want to borrow my power? Fine! Then use Shukaku's form to make a few friends! If you can prove that the people in your village aren't afraid of me, I'll lend you my power!"

"It's a deal!"