As Chiyo activated the technique, Fujimoto Tōma slowly closed his eyes and, for the first time in a long while, immersed himself completely in his perception.
What he saw wasn't just chakra flowing out of her body.
There was something deeper. Something far more fundamental.
So that's it…
Life itself.
Realization dawned quietly. A faint, almost imperceptible smile touched Tōma's lips. This wasn't like ordinary ninjutsu, where one could copy the form without understanding the reason behind it. Chiyo's forbidden technique laid bare the essence of life, converting it directly through chakra with no concealment.
If I've already seen the core of it…
Then studying Yang Release later won't be blind fumbling anymore.
Tōma opened his eyes.
Chiyo lay on the ground as if asleep, her expression peaceful. Naruto stood beside her, silent. Far in the distance, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed. Sunagakure's main force was arriving, along with Guy's team. Temari was among them.
"Gaara!" Temari and the still-weak Kankurō cried out when they saw him lying there.
"He's safe," Tōma said calmly. "Chiyo used an incredible technique to save him."
"She was amazing!" Naruto added, forcing a smile. "Even something Tōma couldn't do… Granny Chiyo pulled it off!"
In Naruto's eyes, Tōma had always been someone who could solve anything. Seeing even him reach a limit made today feel different.
"I see…" Temari's voice trembled. "So she really used that technique…"
Kankurō clenched his fists, staring at Chiyo's still body. He remembered how restless she'd been after learning the truth about Sasori. Even when Captain Maki tried to stop her, Chiyo had insisted on coming here herself.
Seeing her now, so calm, Kankurō understood. Her regret had finally been laid to rest.
"But… why are you all so sad?" Naruto asked, confused. "Gaara's alive, right?"
"Naruto," Sasuke said sharply. "Stop."
Naruto froze.
"Tōma?" he asked.
"Everything has a price," Tōma said quietly. "Chiyo is dead. She traded her life for Gaara's."
Naruto stared blankly.
"She's… not just resting?"
The silence answered him.
Naruto's shoulders slumped.
Gaara felt like he was drifting in an empty place. No sound. No warmth. Only cold, endless solitude.
So this is death…
Alone. Unnoticed. Forgotten.
Just as he let go, warmth suddenly wrapped around him. A voice called his name, distant but familiar.
Who…?
He struggled, forcing his eyes open.
Blond hair filled his vision. A familiar face, trying desperately not to cry.
"…Naruto?"
"Yeah," Naruto said softly. "I'm here. Everyone is."
He told Gaara everything.
Gaara listened in a daze. Words about Chiyo. About entrusting the future to him. About Sunagakure and Konoha.
Chiyo… the one who had always opposed the alliance… why?
Before he could think further, Temari and Kankurō rushed to his side. Beyond them stood countless Sand shinobi.
Only then did Gaara truly understand.
He wasn't alone anymore.
Once Gaara stabilized, Tōma grabbed Shukaku by the scruff of its neck and held it up.
"Since you're awake," Tōma said, turning to Gaara, "this is yours."
Gaara stared at the struggling tanuki spirit in silence.
This… is Shukaku?
The thing that tormented me all those years?
It looked… pitiful.
"There's no need to seal it," Tōma continued casually. "What's left is weak. You can suppress it."
Shukaku flailed as Tōma tossed it over. Gaara fumbled awkwardly. Shukaku might have been reduced, but it still wasn't light.
In the end, Gaara copied Tōma, concentrating chakra and pinching Shukaku firmly by the back of the neck.
"Let go! I refuse to stay with you!" Shukaku howled. "Only that guy is worthy of me!"
Gaara fell silent. Shukaku was talking about Tōma.
"Even at full strength, I wouldn't want you," Tōma replied flatly. "If you were the Eight-Tails or Nine-Tails, maybe. You? No thanks."
Shukaku froze.
Then rage exploded.
Chakra began gathering in its mouth.
Tōma's gaze sharpened dangerously.
Before anything could happen, Gaara interrupted, forming a gourd with sand and stuffing the miniature Shukaku inside it despite its protests.
That was enough nonsense for one day.
"Alright," Tōma said once things settled. "Our mission's done. Sunagakure probably has a lot to deal with now. We won't interfere."
"Wait," Gaara called out.
"Yes?"
"The Fifth Hokage's proposal," Gaara said firmly. "I accept it on behalf of Sunagakure."
Tōma paused. "Even now?"
"The Sand is allied with the Leaf," Gaara replied, eyes cold. "And I won't let what happened here go unanswered."
Temari and Kankurō nodded beside him.
"…Understood," Tōma said. "I'll inform the Hokage."
After a moment, he added, "By the way, revenge won't be possible. See that crater? That's from the enemy's self-destruction."
Gaara's pupils contracted.
"…Self-destruction?"
"He had no escape," Tōma confirmed.
"And you survived that?" Gaara asked quietly.
Naruto jumped in. "Of course! Kakashi-sensei said Tōma cut down the guy riding the clay bird with a single sword strike, and he blew himself up!"
Gaara went silent.
If Naruto said it, then it was probably true.
No wonder Chiyo had entrusted the future to him.
Tōma smiled faintly, letting the implication stand. Strength spoke louder than treaties.
After expressing their gratitude, the Sand shinobi withdrew.
Soon after, the Leaf team began their journey home.
Two people were missing.
Fujimoto Tōma and Yamanaka Ino had already returned to Konoha via Flying Thunder God.
With that many people and that much distance, Tōma had no intention of playing free transport.
Sasuke glanced at Sakura and Karin, who were subtly glaring at each other, and sighed.
Maybe I should've asked for a ride too…
Naruto noticed, his expression dimming for a moment before he complained loudly.
"Tōma's the worst! Totally ditched his friends for his girlfriend!"
...
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