A short while later, Kankuro, Gaara, and Temari stood in the castle's training ground.
'Wasn't this supposed to be a taijutsu training?' Gaara thought, feeling a bit skeptical.
"Gaara, as you know, we only just started our own training recently, so we're limited to the basics. Also... we can't exactly fight you to teach taijutsu," Kankuro said nervously.
'Is that how it is?'
"Then what can you teach me?"
'It seems if they can't teach me because of the age difference, I'll have to learn slowly on my own.'
"Hmm, let's see… Can you sense your chakra?" Temari asked.
"Of course he can sense it," Kankuro interrupted, sounding certain.
"No, I can't sense chakra."
"..."
"..."
'Why do they think I can sense chakra?'
"Hmm, then let's start there. Sit in a lotus position, Gaara," Temari instructed. I followed her lead.
"Now, take a deep breath and try to feel the nature within you. Normally, you'll first feel it through your affinity. In simple terms, Gaara, what are you drawn to?"
"..."
'This is harder than it looks. Is it because I'm... not originally from here? I feel so... distracted.'
"It won't be easy for a three-year-old to do this, Gaara. You've already got plenty of potential—you'll get the hang of it with enough tries," Kankuro said, trying to encourage me.
"It seems he's trying to connect with himself, Kankuro. Let's give him space," Temari suggested.
"Are you sure? What if it... comes out?" Kankuro asked with a hint of fear.
"Whether it comes out or not, us being here wouldn't make a difference. His progress is up to him now; it's better if we leave."
Meanwhile, I was still trying hard to sense chakra, but I couldn't feel anything.
'Am I too young? No, it can't be age. Then what is it? Temari and Kankuro can do it…'
'Let's think this through. Why was Gaara able to sense chakra? What's the difference? What am I doing wrong?'
'I think I get it. Gaara was connected to Shukaku from birth, and his weak mental state due to his childhood trauma made his emotions unstable, allowing Shukaku to influence him more easily.'
'But since I've arrived here, I haven't been able to feel or sense Shukaku at all. Plus, my emotions have always been under control. My mental fortitude is high, thanks to my past life experience. I'm living as Gaara with almost no issues.'
'Could it be emotions? Is that why I can't sense chakra? No… that doesn't feel right. Maybe I just need to work harder. Or maybe it's just my luck working against me.'
'Guess I'll keep at it.'
Hours passed…
'This is getting exhausting. I still can't feel a thing. Isn't this supposed to come naturally?'
'For heaven's sake, Gaara has a high affinity for sand—this should be an advantage, so why?!'
Gaara was getting frustrated as he sat there, struggling to sense chakra. Unbeknownst to him, his father and Baki had already heard the news of his difficulty sensing chakra for so long. It was unclear what expression his father wore, or what thoughts ran through his mind, but he immediately got up and began heading toward the training ground.