SHINOBI EXAM

The tension in the air shifted, and Gaara's powerful words continued to resonate throughout the Ninja Alliance.

["However!!"]

The emphatic declaration from Gaara in the video reverberated like thunder, drawing the attention of every shinobi present. It was a pivotal moment—a shift from despair to hope.

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

---

A Surprising Revelation

"Eh?"

Gasps filled the room as the ninjas of Konoha stared at the image in disbelief.

Someone had managed to stop Gaara, the embodiment of destruction during the Chūnin Exams? But who? The only logical answer was that it must have been a highly skilled ninja, certainly not a mere Genin.

"Could it be... a Genin?" someone whispered hesitantly.

"Impossible," another replied, shaking his head. "No Genin could stop that monster."

Despite the skepticism, Konoha's higher-ups exchanged knowing glances, their expressions calm and tinged with pride.

The answer was clear to them.

---

Second Hokage's Thoughts

Senju Tobirama observed silently, his sharp gaze fixed on the boy in question: Naruto Uzumaki.

"That kid..." Tobirama muttered. "He has the power to change people's hearts, even as a child. It's an ability my elder brother always valued—far more than strength or technique."

The Second Hokage's mind wandered to a moment during the Fourth Great Ninja War. He remembered the blond-haired boy standing amidst the chaos, his voice resonating through the Yamanaka clan's communication technique: "I don't want to regret anything anymore!" Those words had reignited hope in countless ninjas who were on the brink of surrender.

---

Gaara's Memories

In the video, Gaara paused, his expression darkening as he fell into deep recollection.

[The image blurred and shifted, reflecting Gaara's memories. A blond boy, around the same age as Gaara, appeared. His bright blue eyes, whisker-like markings on his cheeks, and confident smile made him stand out. He wore a Konoha forehead protector—a Genin of the Hidden Leaf Village.]

---

A Familiar Face

The sight of the boy stunned the viewers.

"Wait... isn't that—?"

"Fourth Hokage?! No... it's Naruto!" someone blurted out in shock.

The resemblance was uncanny. The boy's golden hair and blue eyes nearly caused several onlookers to mistake him for Minato Namikaze.

The younger ninjas who had taken the Chūnin Exams with Naruto were equally stunned.

They recalled his bold declaration during the exam: "I, Uzumaki Naruto, will never run away! Even if I remain a Genin forever, I'll show everyone that I can become Hokage and earn their recognition!"

Now, it seemed that Naruto's words were more than just bravado.

---

Gaara's Shock

Even Gaara, watching the video from Sunagakure, was taken aback.

"Naruto...?" he murmured, his mind reeling.

The realization hit him like a tidal wave. The same boy who had once challenged him—despite being weak and powerless—had somehow managed to stop him.

---

Naruto's Reaction

Back in the present, Naruto sat on the ground, his legs folded under him in a traditional m-sitting position. With the support of Tobirama, Sasuke, Iruka, and Sakura, he had regained some of his composure.

"Gaara... Are you talking about me?" Naruto asked, his tone filled with both curiosity and disbelief.

The younger Naruto in the video smiled brightly. "Is that what I look like when I grow up? Pretty handsome, huh?"

Sakura crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow. "Hmph. He probably beautified you in his memory."

Naruto blinked, confused. "Why would he do that? I'm already good-looking!"

Sakura stammered, realizing her mistake. "Uh... Never mind!"

Meanwhile, Mikoto Uchiha, watching the interaction, chuckled softly. The tension between Naruto and Sasuke reminded her of her own children.

---

Other Villages Take Notice

Unbeknownst to Naruto, his appearance in the video had already set the intelligence networks of rival villages into motion.

The fact that Naruto had stopped Gaara—a Jinchūriki—during the Chūnin Exams and later played a pivotal role as a captain in the Allied Shinobi Forces raised red flags.

The whispers had begun:

"Who is this Uzumaki Naruto?"

"A Genin who can subdue a Jinchūriki... he must not be underestimated."

---

Gaara's Vulnerability

[The video shifted again, the tone darkening. Sad music played, accentuating Gaara's inner turmoil. The scene depicted him lying in a forest, his expression blank and lifeless. Not far away, a golden-haired figure crawled toward him, determined and unyielding.]

---

The Turning Point

"It's Gaara now," someone murmured, noticing the similarity between the Gaara in the video and his current appearance.

The question lingered: What could possibly pull Gaara out of the darkness?

Even Gaara himself leaned forward, his interest piqued. He couldn't imagine what could transform him from a monster to a human being.

["Don't... don't come any closer!" Gaara's voice trembled in the video, filled with fear.]

The real Gaara stiffened in his seat, his eyes wide.

Fear?

The idea of himself flinching away in terror was foreign, even incomprehensible. What had happened in that moment?

---

A New Beginning

The image lingered on Naruto's determined face as he approached Gaara in the video. The golden-haired boy didn't flinch, didn't hesitate.

His courage was unwavering, a beacon of light that pierced through the darkness in Gaara's heart.

And for the first time, Gaara realized that perhaps, just perhaps, salvation was possible.

---

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