From the watchtower, Lin Ze could clearly feel Shukaku's chakra surging.
"An emotional breakdown... an unstable seal... it's almost time."
Just as Lin Ze was checking Gaara's condition, the door to the small courtyard house opened.
Yashamaru walked in.
He carried a glass of water, a gentle smile on his face.
"Lord Gaara, are you still awake?"
Gaara raised his head and looked at him through tear-blurred eyes.
"Yashamaru... do you... do you really care about me?"
Yashamaru's smile stiffened for a moment, but quickly returned to normal.
"Of course. You are my most important family member."
"Then... then swear you'll never betray me." Gaara stared fixedly at him.
Yashamaru fell silent for two seconds.
Those two seconds sent Gaara's heart sinking to rock bottom.
"...I swear."
Yashamaru finally spoke, but there was a faint tremor in his voice.
Gaara heard it.
Shukaku heard it too.
[Heeheehee... see? He's lying...]
Shukaku's laughter grew louder and louder.
[Humans are all liars... kill him... kill him, and you won't have to suffer anymore...]
"No... don't..."
Gaara covered his ears, but Shukaku's voice echoed directly inside his mind. He could not block it out.
The seal came completely loose.
Boom!!!
Violent chakra erupted from Gaara's body, and cracks instantly spread across the room's walls!
"Lord Gaara!"
Yashamaru's expression changed drastically. He hurriedly retreated while forming hand seals.
But it was already too late.
Gaara's body began turning to sand. Shukaku's markings appeared on the right half of his face, while his left eye became the One-Tail's distinctive scarlet beast eye.
"Wh... why does everyone lie to me..."
A hoarse voice came from Gaara's mouth, mixed with Shukaku's tone. Sand poured from the gourd, forming several hands that reached for Yashamaru!
Yashamaru hurriedly dodged and threw the kunai in his hand, but the sand