Chapter 529: Private Instruction
After listening to Naruto, Gaara couldn't help but feel moved.
As for exactly why he was moved... he'd have to think about that later.
In any case, the fact that Naruto was willing to open his heart to him was enough to touch him.
"Uh... what Naruto means is that, as a Jinchūriki, if you're under a lot of pressure, Kazekage, you can use his method to relieve some stress. Don't put too much pressure on yourself."
Seeing that the atmosphere had become rather strange, Kakashi's mind raced, and he stepped forward to explain Naruto's words.
Although no one present really believed that explanation, at least it gave everyone a way to move on.
At last, they got to the main topic.
Promoting Sage Mode.
Though, somehow, even promoting Sage Mode didn't feel particularly serious.
And after Naruto had gotten things off to such a questionable start, explaining the training method for Sage Mode now sounded even less respectable.
"W-What?"
Gaara instinctively assumed Naruto was still joking around, so he looked toward Kakashi.
Kakashi nodded, indicating that Naruto was telling the truth.
"If necessary, I can demonstrate it with Konohamaru."
Kakashi added.
"There's no need. I believe Naruto."
Before Kakashi could finish, Gaara interrupted him and looked straight at Naruto.
"Naruto, who do you think would be suitable to become our Sage instructor?"
"Uh... hehe... if you're asking me..."
Naruto awkwardly scratched his head with a foolish grin.
He barely knew any ninja from Sunagakure.
How was he supposed to answer that?
"I think, Gaara, your village should select a group of outstanding ninja and have them all train together. That's how Iwagakure did it."
"Whoever masters it first can become the Sage Arts instructor."
After thinking for a moment, Naruto offered a suggestion.
"Outstanding ninja... Then I can train too, right?"
Gaara asked.
The moment Sage Mode had been mentioned earlier, Temari had already remembered the experience Shiromo had given her.
As for Gaara...
Only now, after all this time, did he finally remember that he had experienced it once as well.
That was the difference in how different people occupied different places in someone's heart.
In every sense.
"Of course you can. But Gaara, there's one thing you need to remember. Since you're a Jinchūriki, don't let your Tailed Beast take part when you're training in Sage Mode."
"A Tailed Beast can't replace a summoned beast as a Sage Arts assistant."
Naruto earnestly repeated the explanation Kurama had fed him.
"I see. Understood."
"My relationship with Shukaku isn't bad anymore. He probably won't interfere with my training."
Gaara nodded slightly.
The "Sage Arts" Shiromo had once let Gaara experience was fundamentally pure natural energy, completely different from Sage Mode, which fused natural energy with chakra.
Because of that, Gaara had no way of knowing whether what Naruto said was actually true.
And if he couldn't tell...
Then, naturally, he'd simply believe Naruto without question.
"You guys can keep talking. I have something to do, so I'll head out first."
Looking rather uncomfortable, Temari tossed out those words and left.
No one stopped her or said anything.
While Sage Mode training itself didn't distinguish between men and women, that only applied to discussing it.
Once the actual training began, it was still best to give each other some privacy.
After Temari left, Naruto visibly relaxed.
For some reason, he always felt uncomfortable whenever girls were around.
Being with guys was much more relaxing.
Besides, the way Temari had looked at him just now reminded him of Sakura.
It was the kind of look that said she wanted to beat him half to death.
"Naruto, don't forget our bet. Kakashi is the witness, and I trust him to be fair. I'll be leaving too."
Tokiwa also left a brief reminder before walking out of the training ground to catch up with Temari.
As a middle-aged woman, Tokiwa was naturally different from Temari.
Even if she stayed and watched the training process, the embarrassed ones would probably be the men, not her.
The reason she left was simply to give Naruto and Gaara room to do their thing.
Precisely because they would be embarrassed by her presence, she couldn't stay.
After catching up with Temari, Tokiwa openly told her about the bet she had made with Naruto and invited Temari to witness it together.
In reality, she wanted Temari's cooperation.
The training ground was only a temporary location.
Tokiwa refused to believe they would actually begin training Sage Mode right there in broad daylight.
They'd have to find a private room first.
She wasn't familiar with Sunagakure, so she needed a local guide.
Preferably a powerful local like Temari.
That would make it much easier to keep track of what Naruto and the others were doing.
Temari was curious but too embarrassed to watch herself.
So Tokiwa would handle the spying and then tell Temari everything afterward.
Everyone would get what they wanted.
A win-win.
Meanwhile, back at the training ground...
When Tokiwa mentioned the "bet" before leaving, Kankurō looked suspiciously at Naruto.
"A bet? What bet?"
"I-It's... it's about betting how long it'll take me to teach you Sage Mode. Yeah, that's it."
Naruto struggled to come up with an excuse as though he were badly constipated.
Afraid Kankurō would question him further, he hurriedly turned toward Kakashi.
"Kakashi-sensei! Konohamaru! Konoha and Sunagakure are allies, and Gaara and I are best friends! We have to do everything we can to help them master Sage Mode as quickly as possible!"
"..."
"Kakashi-sensei, Konohamaru, listen..."
Seeing that neither of them reacted, Naruto pulled them together and lowered his voice.
The content of the bet had been discussed openly in front of everyone.
But the actual stakes had only been added afterward, so only the three of them knew.
"Our next stop is Kirigakure. I heard they've been developing beach resorts in a big way. Even Granny Chiyo from Sunagakure went there for a vacation."
"Whoever loses the bet has to pay for the winner's entire vacation in Kirigakure..."
"...What does that have to do with us?"
Kakashi and Konohamaru exchanged glances.
The moment they heard the word "vacation," they were tempted.
After all, they'd been traveling around the ninja world, sleeping outdoors and roughing it for so long.
It was about time they enjoyed themselves.
"If I get everything paid for, you two can just come along and enjoy it with me."
Naruto proudly lifted his chin.
"That works? Naruto-niisan, you..."
"Wait, Konohamaru."
Kakashi grabbed Konohamaru before he could continue discussing it with Naruto and shook his head.
Only then did Konohamaru realize something was off.
The excuse Naruto had just given was that the bet was about teaching Sage Mode.
But that was only the cover story.
The real bet...
Was whether or not Gaara was a bonds-type ninja.
There was still hope if they were betting on Sage Mode.
But when it came to the whole emotional-bonds issue...
The clever Kakashi and Konohamaru already felt that the outcome had been decided.
The two exchanged another glance and sighed.
Forget it.
They might as well agree and see what Naruto was planning next.
Once they nodded their agreement, Naruto turned around happily and looked at Gaara and Kankurō.
"Great! They agreed! Gaara, I'll teach you personally. Konohamaru, you teach Kankurō. Kakashi-sensei, you can teach everyone else~"
(End of this chapter)