Gaara

Granny Chiyo gritted her teeth as she spoke. As if all her strength had drained away, she collapsed into the arms of the two elders.

She had no choice but to agree.

If she agreed, they would have to compensate them with vast resources, lose the One-Tail Jinchūriki, and even surrender Sunagakure's military autonomy within the Land of Wind... but at least Sunagakure would survive. As long as Sunagakure had not fallen, there would come a day when it could reclaim its former glory.

If she refused, it was hard to say whether Sunagakure would even continue to exist in the shinobi world.

In Konoha's earlier bombardment, most of Sunagakure's dead had been lower- and mid-ranking ninja. Their elite forces remained. As long as those people lived, Sunagakure could gradually recover its strength. In another decade or so, when Sunagakure's new generation had grown up, Tobirama Senju would most likely be dead as well. Then Sunagakure would definitely take back everything it had lost!

Chiyo understood what choice she had to make.

But her name, Chiyo's name, would most likely become synonymous with surrendering territory and humiliating her country...

After Chiyo agreed to Tobirama Senju's terms, a mechanical electronic voice suddenly rang out in Tobirama Senju's mind.

Mission: Defeat Sunagakure (Completed)

Reward: Mental energy doubled, natural energy doubled (Issued)

A faint flash of light passed by.

Even though Tobirama Senju was already immensely powerful, he could not help letting out a muffled groan.

Within his mind, his spiritual power continuously strengthened, transformed, and ascended.

However, because he possessed an Impure World Reincarnation body, the natural energy could not flow into his internal organs and meridians. It was all stored within his body instead. Once he regained a flesh-and-blood body, this energy would put his body through a cleansing rebirth.

During the time Tobirama Senju remained silent, everyone in the tent noticed in astonishment that the Hokage felt different.

If Tobirama Senju had previously been a mighty tiger whose imposing presence was obvious at a glance, then he now resembled a restrained, unfathomable dragon. Though no explosive chakra surged around him, the aura that seemed innate to him left everyone almost unable to muster the will to resist.

Chiyo, who had already been on the verge of collapsing, directly fainted after sensing this strange presence.

The two elders supporting Chiyo tremblingly offered Tobirama Senju an apology, then carried Chiyo away in a frantic rush.

Once everything was settled, Tobirama Senju smiled faintly and looked toward Kakashi Hatake and Might Guy.

"Kakashi, Guy, you two will lead the team to receive the supplies Sunagakure is paying in compensation!"

"Yes, Lord Hokage."

The two accepted the order with simultaneous nods.

Two days later

When cartloads upon cartloads of boxed supplies were transported into Konoha, its villagers felt as though they were still living in a dream.

"We won?"

"How long has it even been? Lord Hokage actually defeated Sunagakure already!"

"Long live Lord Hokage!"

"Our Konoha is invincible!"

Cheers of celebration echoed through the streets as Konoha's villagers stood along both sides of the roads, enthusiastically welcoming the victorious ninja forces home.

Many Konoha ninja, however, blushed with embarrassment. They had not actually contributed much, yet Sunagakure had been defeated so easily. It left them feeling undeserving of the credit.

The Star ninja, on the other hand, were grinning from ear to ear. Once the people of Konoha learned that their flying ninjutsu had dealt Sunagakure a devastating blow, everyone became incredibly enthusiastic toward them, practically wanting to give each of them a hug.

"Let me tell you, I was flying up in the sky at the time. That Sand ninja wanted to shoot me down with ninjutsu, so I threw an Explosive Tag right at his head. He was blown to death on the spot!"

"Damn, that awesome?"

"Of course! I'm telling you, this is the Star Clan's secret, unpassed-down technique—the Mysterious Peacock Method! It can grow wings on your back! Here, let me show you!"

In an open clearing,

Gaara watched the scene coldly.

After Sunagakure surrendered, all the Sand ninja detained by Konoha had been released and sent back to Sunagakure on Tobirama Senju's orders, including Gaara's older siblings, Temari and Kankuro. Only Gaara had been kept in Konoha as spoils of victory.

Now that he was in Konoha, he was alone again...

When he recalled the relieved expressions on his brother and sister's faces when they parted from him, Shukaku within him nearly went berserk again. However, the Hokage had reinforced Shukaku's seal, so it could probably do nothing but rage helplessly now.

"Gaara, there you are!"

At that moment, an unmistakable voice rang out behind him. Gaara turned around.

"Gaara, let's train together today! Sasuke has always wanted to spar with you, but he's too thin-skinned to say it himself."

Naruto Uzumaki strode over carelessly and slapped Gaara on the back. Behind him, Sasuke Uchiha rubbed his forehead, then turned slightly to look at Gaara with a cool expression, his eyes full of fighting spirit.

"Come on, come on! Today, I'll show you the secret ninjutsu I just learned. It's super amazing, believe it!"

Without waiting for Gaara's answer, Naruto grabbed his hand and pulled him away. Sasuke quickly followed beside them.

Maybe life in Konoha would be much easier than life in Sunagakure...

Gaara thought silently to himself.

In Sunagakure, even as the Fourth Kazekage's son, he had been someone everyone feared. His brother and sister had also been terrified of provoking him, while his father had regarded him only as a weapon of war and had never considered his feelings.

But in Konoha, Naruto Uzumaki, who shared the same fate as him, could live so brightly and cheerfully. Sasuke Uchiha looked cold and heartless, but when it came to his companions, he was warm beneath that cold exterior. They held no prejudice against him. Instead, they treated him like a companion. He was starting to look forward to the life ahead.

From this day onward, he would no longer think of himself as Sunagakure's One-Tail Jinchūriki. He was Gaara of Konoha!

With that thought, Gaara's steps became a little lighter.