Shocking! The Mysterious Sky Veil Brings Chaos! | Naruto

As the video showed Shukaku's massive body breaking apart, the ninja world fell silent for a moment. Then, an explosion of voices erupted.

"They won! Hahaha, they actually won!"

"See? I told you! How could the Nine-Tails jinchūriki lose to the One-Tail's? Now there's no argument!"

"Unbelievable... That was such an amazing battle."

"Man, this kid is 12 years old and just fought a legendary battle on top of Gamabunta, taking down Shukaku. I'm 30 and still a genin... why do I even bother?"

"Ugh, don't even start. I'm 28 and just barely made it to chunin. Life's exhausting."

"Stunning. Absolutely stunning."

Sakura stared at the screen, her eyes wide with disbelief as she watched Naruto defeat Gaara. She couldn't help but mutter to herself.

"Naruto..."

She had been with him from the start, witnessing his clumsy attempts and unorthodox ways. But now, in such a short time, Naruto had grown beyond anything she thought possible. He had just defeated the opponent even Sasuke couldn't overcome.

"Could he... could he be a genius, hidden all this time?"

"Leave it to the number one unpredictable ninja to win with a headbutt," Kakashi said with a sigh, a small smile tugging at his lips. His student was nothing if not unique.

"Hmph."

Sasuke gave a low grunt and quickly formed hand seals. Lightning gathered in his hand as he launched a Chidori against a nearby boulder, shattering it into pieces.

"Naruto-kun... so amazing," whispered Hinata, her cheeks turning red as her wide eyes shimmered with admiration.

Lee sat in his hospital bed, his fists clenched tightly as he watched the screen.

"If Naruto-kun is still pushing himself, then how could I possibly give up?"

Though his legs were damaged, he resolved to keep training—whether with his hands, his arms, or his entire body.

"Unbelievable. That boy's potential is limitless," Onoki of Iwagakure admitted, stroking his beard. The fact that Naruto defeated a jinchūriki was proof enough of his skill.

"With the Nine-Tails sealed inside him, if he learns to control that power, Konoha's strength will rise even further."

"Nine-Tails or not, it doesn't mean he's unbeatable," countered the Fourth Raikage. But even he couldn't help but feel a tinge of respect for Naruto. "The way he fought for his comrades... I respect that."

"Such an interesting man," said Mei Terumi with a faint sigh, her beautiful eyes sparkling with curiosity. "It's just a shame he's so young."

On the battlefield, both Naruto and Gaara stood atop a tree, breathing heavily, staring each other down. Neither would yield.

"I've reached my limit, but you're probably at yours too, right?!" Naruto exhaled sharply, his voice steady but tired.

Gaara didn't reply. He simply glared, his cold eyes like those of a lonely warrior.

"We're a lot alike... so let's settle this!" Naruto shouted.

BAM!

Gamabunta's massive sword vanished in a puff of white smoke. Both Naruto and Gaara leapt at each other with all their strength.

"My existence won't disappear. I fight for myself!" Gaara snarled, his teeth clenched as he lunged forward.

"I fight to protect my comrades, the ones I care about!" Naruto roared back. His fierce expression carried something more—a resolve born of love and protection.

This was something Gaara had never known.

"AHHHH!"

"AHHHH!"

Their fists collided in midair, but Gaara faltered. In that brief moment, he thought he saw shadows behind Naruto—ghostly images of people supporting him.

And behind those shadows, two radiant suns shone, their light blazing like nothing he'd ever seen.

BAM!

Naruto's punch struck Gaara square in the face, sending both of them crashing to the ground below.

"Gaara... lost?"

Temari and Kankuro stared in shock. Gaara, in his strongest form, had been defeated.

Gaara himself lay on the ground, too stunned to move.

"How... how did I lose? To that guy? To someone like him?"

The word echoed in his mind: Why?

"Uzumaki Naruto... where does your strength come from? Why do you fight? What gives you this power?!"

Naruto lay exhausted on the ground, unable to move. Nearby, the claws of sand binding Sakura dissolved, setting her free.

Gaara stared at Naruto, confusion and doubt filling his mind.

"Why... why is this guy so strong?"

Gaara's memories stirred. He remembered his past—a life of hatred and isolation. He had always thought:

"My existence won't disappear. I'll never vanish..."

Meanwhile, Naruto struggled to crawl forward, dragging himself inch by inch toward Gaara.

Gaara's mind replayed cruel voices from his childhood.

"Monster, get away from us!"

"Why don't you just die, you freak?"

"We don't want to play with you, you monster!"

Their childhoods were eerily similar, marked by rejection, fear, and loneliness.

"To them, I was something they wanted to erase. So why did I exist at all?"

Gaara trembled as he watched Naruto approach. For the first time, fear crept into his heart.

"Stay... stay away from me!"

Naruto stopped and lifted his head, his eyes shimmering with unshed tears. His voice wavered as he spoke.

"The pain of being alone... it's not something ordinary people can understand, right?"

"For some reason, I understand how you feel so deeply..."

Gaara froze, his eyes wide with disbelief. Naruto's expression was filled with sorrow and compassion.

"But now, I have people I care about, and I won't let you hurt them!" Naruto's voice grew firm. "Even if I have to kill you, I'll stop you!"

Gaara's voice trembled as he asked, "Why... why would you go so far for others?"

"Because they saved me from the hell of loneliness. They acknowledged me. They're my precious comrades," Naruto replied.

Gaara's mind flashed to his childhood, to his uncle Yashamaru's words.

"Love... it's the desire to protect those dear to you..."

Gaara stared at the sky, his mind swirling.

"So that's why... That's why he's so strong. Because of love..."

He placed a hand over his chest. His heart beat steadily, but the emptiness inside was undeniable.

For the first time, he felt envy.

"Uzumaki Naruto... what is love?"

Near the riverbank, Naruto murmured to himself.

"Love..."

He didn't fully understand it either. But when he thought of Iruka-sensei, Kakashi-sensei, Sasuke, Sakura, the Third Hokage, and Jiraiya... warmth filled his heart.

"Because of them, I'm not alone anymore."

Naruto smiled softly. "They're the reason I was able to climb out of the darkness. They recognized me. They're my precious comrades."