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[NTU] [ARC-14-15] Chapter : 189
🕑 Added 2024-10-12 19:30:21 +0000 UTCHe looked up at the sky, where clouds drifted leisurely, and then shifted his gaze to the four solemn stone faces carved into the mountainside. They stood silently, gazing down at the village below, as if trying to convey a story beyond his understanding.
His eyes swept across the surrounding buildings—the intricate, Japanese-style architecture seemed to whisper to him, hinting at possibilities he had never considered before.
His heart ached, and his mind spun wildly. He tried to process everything Toshiro had said, attempting to untangle the chaos of his thoughts.
With a sharp shake of his head, he broke free from the confusion, but the disruption of his once firmly held beliefs still weighed heavily on him, its force nearly overwhelming.
Shisui took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. He'll need to think and meditate on this.
The air was rich with the scent of spring—fresh green leaves, blooming flowers, and moist soil. He closed his eyes, allowing the sensations to seep deep into his consciousness. He needed time to process it all and fully grasp Toshiro's words.
Without pausing, he continued moving forward, stepping into an uncertain future. His silhouette appeared lonelier under the sun, like a warrior abandoned by the world, searching for his own path.
The Japanese-style buildings stood quietly behind him, seeming both to bid him farewell and to anticipate the changes his future might bring.
Meanwhile, Toshiro watched Shisui’s retreating figure, showing no trace of guilt. Advising Fugaku and altering Shisui's mindset had been necessary steps, all carefully orchestrated in his plan before departing Konoha.
Otherwise, the thought of coming back after a long journey only to find his home in chaos pained him. He couldn’t bear such a scenario.
Whether his words would lead to unexpected outcomes, he wasn’t certain. After all, Uchiha's way of thinking was always unpredictable. But he will be there if anyone pursues to harm his clan nad loved ones. That was his unshakable resolve.
—
Early the next morning, Toshiro left Konoha with minimal baggage.
The night before, he had already said his farewells to Mei-nee and Uncle, and had also reassured Hana.
As for the Hokage, everything had already been settled. The Third Hokage had gladly approved his application to travel the elemental nations and be on a 'spiritual journey'.
As Toshiro walked through the Land of Fire, he effortlessly fended off the minor nuisances sent to test him—likely hired by someone. His mood was exceptionally light.
After spending years in this new world, the constant worry about a tragic fate finally seemed distant. Now, he could truly enjoy the breathtaking landscapes of this two-dimensional world, indulge in the food and drink, and, of course, appreciate the various charming young ladies, each with their own unique allure. The mere thought of it all made him feel excited!
**Six months later**.
"Do you really know where my mom is?"
"She didn’t abandon me after all?"
A red-haired boy stared at the stranger before him, his questions tumbling out in a rush, his voice growing hoarse from excitement.
"Of course!" came the calm reply.
The boy, no more than four or five years old, was answered by a tall young man with long hair tied back in a ponytail.
"Your mother's name is Karura, and your name is Gaara, isn't it?"
Toshiro smiled as he looked down at the child with dark, heavy circles under his eyes. Despite Gaara's age, his wariness was unmistakable, and Toshiro knew he needed a surefire way to gain his trust.
At the same time, he couldn’t help but inwardly criticize the crude sealing techniques of Sand Village. It was inhumane to let a child so young be tormented by Shukaku day and night. No matter how gifted the child, the chances of maintaining sanity were slim at best.
'Going crazy is the expected outcome!' Toshiro thought, watching Gaara closely.
"How do you know about me and my mother’s name?" Gaara demanded, his voice trembling with desperation and little doubt. "If you know, tell me where she is!"
As he spoke, his expression started to change, slowly contorting with mental anguish. It was as if he was battling something terrifying within, his face twisted with pain.
"Calm down!" Toshiro's voice was sharp but steady, cutting through Gaara's distress like a blade.
"Ugh..." Gaara, who had been on the verge of losing control, suddenly froze, his expression momentarily blank, as though the pain had been subdued.
"Did you just silence it?" Gaara muttered, blinking in confusion. He noticed a brief flash of red in Toshiro’s eyes, and for the first time, the ever-present voice of the beast within—the one always whispering, threatening to take over his body and kill—had gone silent.
The silence was palpable.
"His name is Shukaku," Toshiro said, gently running his hand through Gaara’s red hair. He revealed the name of the beast that had tormented the boy for so long. Putting Shukaku to sleep earlier had been effortless for someone of his current power.
"It will be with you for the rest of your life, so you'll need to learn how to coexist with it," he continued. Gaara's situation was even more tragic than Naruto's. While Naruto had been orphaned at birth, Gaara’s own father had actively sought to end his life. The boy's pain ran far deeper.
After half a year of wandering through the Fire Nation, taking time to explore the various customs and cultures of different lands, Toshiro finally remembered the task at hand.
Reluctantly, he began the first stage of his Tailed Beast Chakra collection plan. His starting point was the Land of Wind, where he found Gaara, still just a boy, suffering under the weight of his burden.
"Get along with it? But... how?" Gaara stammered, wanting to say that the monster inside him was terrifying, something he never wanted to face. But the emotions overwhelmed him, and he struggled to find the right words.
"Your mother has always known about your situation, Gaara," Toshiro said gently, trying to comfort the distressed boy. "That's why she's been by your side all these years, even if you couldn't see her."
Gaara’s eyes widened in disbelief. "You’re saying... Mom was always with me? How could that be? I've never seen her!"
His young mind couldn’t fully grasp the idea. He looked around, searching for any sign of his mother, his expression filled with confusion. Then, turning back to Toshirou, he silently pleaded for an explanation, desperate for clarity.
