Pursuit

As Jinchuriki, both had been ostracized by the other villagers since childhood and had grown up alone.

Whose experiences in the Shinobi World were most similar to Naruto Uzumaki's?

Without question, it was the Fifth Kazekage, Gaara.

The two had met during the Konoha Crush orchestrated by Orochimaru and had once fought fiercely over their beliefs. At the time, Naruto Uzumaki had emerged victorious.

Yet by the time Naruto returned to Konoha three years later, Gaara had already become the Fifth Kazekage.

Naruto, who had set his sights on becoming Hokage, could only imagine the shock he felt upon hearing that news.

He had not even come close to reaching the threshold of becoming Hokage. He was still merely a genin, separated from standing on equal footing with Gaara by an immeasurable distance.

That enormous gap truly jolted Naruto Uzumaki, and he became noticeably more dedicated to his training.

When Naruto returned from studying at Mount Myoboku, having only just gotten started with Sage Mode, he had been ready to show off his abilities. Then news came that Gaara had been ambushed and captured by the enemy, instantly throwing Naruto into turmoil.

As fellow Jinchuriki who shared the same hardships, Naruto naturally hoped that Gaara, having become Kazekage, could smoothly earn the recognition of Sunagakure's villagers.

That guy who had gotten ahead of him was the benchmark Naruto strove toward. How could he allow Gaara to fall in a place like this?

After expending considerable effort, Mizuki finally transported everyone from Team 7 and Team 8 to Sunagakure in the Land of Wind.

Over such a great distance, Mizuki would never have gone to such lengths if this had not been an urgent mission.

However, seeing Temari and Gaara, both in poor physical condition yet still stubbornly insisting on