In the Chūnin Exams, the use of various tools was permitted.
The goal was to showcase authentic ninja combat.
So when Naruto pulled out a scroll, the crowd barely blinked.
But the moment he tore it open, dazzling golden light erupted, runes spiraling toward Gaara. His body froze the instant the light touched him, a pained cry escaping his lips. No matter how he struggled, he couldn't move an inch as the golden tendrils coiled around him.
The stands fell deathly silent. Even seasoned ninja had never witnessed such a sight.
What was happening?
Rasa's fists clenched. He whipped his head toward Hiruzen Sarutobi, demanding, "This… came from that man?"
Only the cans could yield something so unprecedented.
"No need to worry, Lord Kazekage," Hiruzen replied, his smile unwavering. "It's merely a sealing technique. I heard Sunagakure's Jinchūriki has an unstable seal, prone to issues. I happen to have an item that can help."
Indeed, this was the "Seal" item Hiruzen had obtained from a can.
Infused with pre-prepared energy and stored in a scroll, it was entrusted to Naruto.
The plan: if Gaara went berserk, this would bind Shukaku's chakra.
Far stronger than the original seal.
As Hiruzen predicted, the golden light constricted, forcing Gaara's monstrous transformation to recede. His strength seemed to retreat inward, his body reverting to normal.
Finally, the golden light settled at his navel, etching a sharp "Seal" character.
Gaara could no longer feel it.
The agonizing power was gone.
"What did you do?" Gaara's voice wasn't relieved but panicked, his hands clutching his head as he glared at Naruto. "What did you do?"
"I—I don't know!" Naruto swallowed hard.
The Hokage had only told him to use the sealing scroll on Gaara if he went wild.
He hadn't explained what it did.
"Damn you!" Gaara roared, raising a hand. A torrent of sand surged toward Naruto.
"Still fighting?" Naruto yelped, startled, but quickly rallied, clenching his fist and charging forward.
He'd never back down.
"Enough!" a commanding voice rang out, accompanied by a shimmer of golden sand.
A figure appeared abruptly in the arena's center.
With a single raised hand, he blocked Naruto's fist and quelled Gaara's sand.
The Fourth Kazekage, Rasa!
The sudden intervention sent a ripple of shock through the stands.
The Kazekage, a VIP guest, had entered the fray himself.
Gaara's gaze met his father's, a flicker of hatred mingling with fear.
"It's over," Rasa said, his heart twinging as he saw Gaara's fear. His voice softened. "No more fighting, Gaara. We concede."
"Concede…" Gaara's body trembled at the word. "No, I haven't lost! I can't lose! Killing him proves my worth—"
His words were cut off.
Rasa placed a hand on his shoulder.
"You don't need to kill to prove your worth anymore," Rasa said, removing his veil. His face, strikingly similar to Gaara's, bore unmistakable guilt.
Gaara's eyes shook.
He lowered his head.
"Then… I have no worth?"
"No!" Rasa's grip tightened. "From Naruto, I've seen another path. He's earned the village's respect—so can you. Gaara, I was wrong before."
Rasa wasn't sure if his apology would mean anything.
But Shen Mo's words echoed in his mind.
Gaara has great potential.
Coming from that man, the statement carried weight Rasa couldn't ignore. For the village—and his role as a father—he wanted to see Gaara's potential unfold.
Gaara stared, incredulous, at his father.
Had he heard right?
An apology?
From the man who'd been cold, cruel, and tried to kill him countless times?
Rasa's heart ached under that gaze. He took a deep breath, softening further. "When we return, we'll talk. Everything—those years, what happened back then—I'll tell you honestly…"
Gaara's mind was a tangled mess.
Since his earliest memories, his father had been nothing but disappointment and indifference.
Nearby, Naruto watched, a pang of envy in his chest.
He had comrades, teachers, friends—but the bond of parents was something he could never have.
Rasa turned to Hiruzen, still in the stands, and called out, "Lord Hokage, Gaara forfeits this match."
"Very well," Hiruzen stood, smiling.
His goal had been twofold: to strengthen ties with Sunagakure against the Akatsuki and to stabilize their volatile Jinchūriki. This seal was, in a way, a gift to their ally.
Rasa sensed it too.
Gaara's seal was reinforced—a method unlike any chakra-based technique. While it might limit his Jinchūriki power, it ensured he wouldn't rampage, sparing the village further destruction.
"So… I won?" Naruto pointed at himself, grinning ear to ear.
Cheers erupted across the arena.
Nearly everyone rose, roaring for the thrilling battle and Naruto's undeniable strength.
Konoha's people, especially, saw a new star rising. Despite the heart-pounding moments, Naruto had defeated a monster like Gaara.
Gaara watched Naruto bask in the applause, envy and jealousy still gnawing at him. Yet his father's words lingered.
Could he… ever be like that?
He didn't know.
"Let's go," Rasa said, glancing at Gaara with a silent sigh, preparing to leave.
But then—
Whoosh!
Five masked figures leaped from the stands, surrounding Rasa and Gaara.
The Anbu!