SHINOBI EXAM

The atmosphere within the Ninja Alliance was a powder keg, ready to explode.

["Konoha ninjas, huh?!" "Want to fight, Cloud Shinobi?"]

["You Rock Shinobi are bound to betray us sooner or later!" "Mist Shinobi only know how to talk—where are your fists?"]

["Better watch your mouth!" "What did you say?! You want to fight?!" "Oh, you bet I do! Speaking of which, my father was killed by Sand Shinobi! You want to die? I'll make it happen!"]

On a raised platform, Kakashi Hatake, the captain of the Third Division, sighed deeply.

At that moment, a small burst of sand exploded between the arguing ninjas. The gravel neatly separated them without causing harm.

More waves of sand followed, spreading across the entire camp and halting every scuffle in its tracks.

The source was unmistakable: the commander-in-chief of the Ninja Alliance, Kazekage Gaara.

---

Gaara's Words

Gaara stepped forward, his voice calm yet resolute. His gaze pierced through the quarreling crowd, silencing even the most vocal dissenters.

"For the interests of our countries and villages," he began, "we have fought and killed each other in every war—from the First Great Ninja War to the Third."

The ninjas in the video grew quiet as his words echoed, their weight undeniable.

"War," someone whispered.

"For the good of the village and the country," others murmured, reflecting on their own losses.

Images of fallen comrades flashed through their minds, names etched on memorial stones—short lives sacrificed for fleeting glory.

Senju Tobirama, watching from Konoha, nodded slightly. "An impressive opening. He speaks with wisdom beyond his years."

---

Gaara's Pain

In Sunagakure, Gaara watched the image of himself speaking, his expression impassive but his heart heavy.

Temari glanced at her younger brother with worry. Kankurō, awkward as always, looked conflicted but said nothing. Despite their differences, both siblings shared a concern for Gaara's well-being.

The Gaara in the video continued: "It is because of this hatred and thirst for power that I was born."

He closed his eyes. His normally cold, detached demeanor softened into something almost tragic. His vulnerability surprised the Alliance members, who stared at the young Kazekage in disbelief.

Naruto Uzumaki felt a pang in his chest, his hand clutching his shirt tightly.

"Born out of hatred...?"

His instincts screamed, warning him of what Gaara might say next. The fear wasn't logical—it was primal, as if Gaara's words would expose a dark truth about himself.

---

A Shared Struggle

In the video, Gaara's voice grew more impassioned:

"I used to be hatred! I was power! I was the weapon of the village! I was the product of a sacrifice—a Jinchūriki!"

The revelation caused an immediate stir. Ninjas who understood the implications of "Jinchūriki" recoiled, their expressions shifting to fear and disgust. The gap between them and Gaara widened with unspoken judgment.

A flicker of rage crossed Gaara's face, the faintest trace of a smirk betraying his inner turmoil.

["That's right!" he declared. "I was the Jinchūriki of the One-Tailed Beast, Shukaku! I wielded power I couldn't control, and I was treated as nothing more than a monster—a weapon!"]

---

The Weight of Being Jinchūriki

In Konoha, Naruto trembled, overwhelmed by Gaara's words. His teammates noticed immediately.

"Naruto?" Sasuke called, his sharp gaze narrowing.

But Naruto didn't respond. Instead, he turned toward the Third Hokage, his voice shaking:

"Grandpa... what does 'power of sacrifice' and 'Jinchūriki' mean?"

The Third Hokage's expression darkened, his silence filled with regret.

"Sorry, Naruto," he finally said.

The Second Hokage sighed, his stern face softening ever so slightly.

Gaara's voice in the video grew louder, more charged with emotion:

"I hate this world! I hate humans!! I intended to destroy everything!"

Naruto flinched. The hatred in Gaara's voice felt like a mirror to his own buried fears.

["That's exactly what the Akatsuki want to do now!"]

Temari watched the broadcast with tears in her eyes. Despite her fear of Gaara, she had never wanted him to suffer alone.

---

Understanding Pain

Gaara's speech continued, his words cutting through the hearts of his audience:

"Let the world feel pain! Let it understand the suffering of being treated as nothing more than tools—props in someone else's war!"

The Ninja Alliance stood frozen. The rawness of Gaara's emotions forced them to confront their own pain.

But then, his voice shifted, rising with conviction:

["However!!"]

The single word carried power, a beacon of hope amidst despair.

["However, a ninja from Konoha stopped me!!"]

---

Naruto's Inner Struggle

Back in the present, Naruto's legs buckled as he collapsed to his knees, curling into himself.

"Naruto!" Sasuke shouted, alarmed by the sight. For the first time, he saw Naruto's pain as equal to his own—a pain that needed no comparison.

"What happened to Naruto?!" Sasuke demanded. "What are the power of sacrifice and Jinchūriki?!"

The question hung heavy in the air, unspoken yet felt by everyone.

Realizing Naruto's inner chakra was destabilizing, Senju Tobirama knelt beside him. Channeling his Yang Chakra, Tobirama soothed the Nine Tails' cold, turbulent energy within Naruto.

---

A Shared Purpose

In the video, Gaara's words transcended individual grief. The Ninja Alliance felt their structure shift. For the first time, they began to see their pain not as isolated tragedies but as a shared burden.

["The hatred we've endured, the pain we've inflicted on each other—it's time to turn it into strength."]

The screen faded on Gaara's determined expression, leaving the audience to reflect on the weight of his words.

---

Aftermath

Naruto remained silent, his thoughts racing. Sasuke stayed by his side, a rare show of solidarity.

Senju Tobirama rose, his expression unreadable. "Gaara might be young, but his words could unite these shinobi. If they listen."

The Third Hokage nodded. "Let's hope they do."

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