"ALL RIGHT ASH, NOW'S OUR CHANCE!" Naruto dashed towards Gaara, with Ash following closely behind, ready to assist at any moment. Gaara got back up and clutched his head. He looked up just in time to see Naruto rushing in for another kick. He tried to lift his arm but froze again. Naruto delivered a devastating axe kick to Gaara's head, sending him hurtling down from the trees to the ground. 'This is probably the last time I'll catch him off guard for a while... I'll take a break for now,' Shikamaru thought, staying hidden; all he could do was provide support in situations like this.
Lying on the ground, Gaara stood up without difficulty, ensuring his spatial awareness was at its best. Naruto landed on the ground, alone—Ash was nowhere to be seen. "Gaara, you and I are almost alike," Naruto stepped forward, looking at Gaara with an understanding gaze.
"THAT COULDN'T BE FARTHER FROM THE TRUTH! HAHAHA!" Gaara's massive tail waved in the wind, his eyes filled with insanity and murderous rage.
"It's true... There is only one difference between us," Naruto said, standing five meters away from Gaara. "Enlighten me. What sets us apart?" Staring Naruto down, Gaara bent down as if ready to spring towards him at any moment.
"I was just like you. I was alone, and I had no one for a very long time. The hate in their eyes, their fear... it was suffocating. Being alone, I had no reason to live. I was just like you. But then I was saved from that hell. I'm not alone anymore. I finally felt at peace when I'm with the very people who hated me and caused me so much pain. From that moment, my reason to live became clear: I wanted to be loved... That's why I will become the one person who is respected and loved by the whole village. Everyone in the village is part of the Hokage's family. That's why... MY REASON TO LIVE IS TO BECOME THE HOKAGE, SO THAT I CAN EARN THE RESPECT OF ALL THE VILLAGERS! BELIEVE IT!" A radiant smile grew on Naruto's face, a smile carved from the purest of intentions.
Gaara froze once more. This time, it wasn't because of the shadow possession but because of the boy right in front of him. "WHAT IN THE WORLD ARE YOU? How could you...? It doesn't make sense... How can you smile like that?" Gaara clutched his head in frustration and disbelief, a tinge of envy coursing through his mind. Within earshot, Shikamaru and Asuma heard everything, growing to understand Naruto and admire his reason to live.
'He's transforming even further!' The sand began to cover both sides of Gaara's body. His head, arms, and torso turned to sand, leaving only his legs untouched. His appearance changed completely, but one thing remained the same: 'what sad eyes.' Naruto couldn't help but see himself within Gaara. He had made a promise to Gaara in the hospital, and he never goes back on his word.
'He's getting closer to his fully transformed form. What did that kid say to him? Although Tanuki-neiri no jutsu hasn't been activated yet,' Temari stood watch over the transformation's development and her brother's safety.
Gaara crossed his arms and opened them in one fluid movement. "
"WHAT'S WRONG? ARE YOU AFRAID OF ME? To fight for yourself or to fight for others... Just love yourself! Fight only for your sake! THAT IS WHAT DEFINES THE STRONG!" Naruto replied with certainty.
"You're wrong, Gaara!"
Gaara's sand stomach bulged, increasing greatly in size as air built up within him. "
Ash jumped out of his hiding spot and cushioned the fall, taking the impact Naruto would have faced when he crashed. "GAAAAAAAAHH!" Naruto turned to look behind him. "ASH, ARE YOU OK?" Barely conscious, Ash couldn't utter a word.
"I think it would be best if you went back now... Thanks for the save, partner." Ash looked at Naruto one last time, and *POOF*—unable to help any further, he decided to leave the battlefield to avoid becoming a burden on Naruto.
"GAAAAHH!" Gaara blindsided Naruto and punched him into a tree. Naruto struggled to stand, but just as he got back on his feet, Gaara went on a rampage, knocking him around again and again. 'What is it...' "Ugh..." Naruto got hit right in the chest and fell. Once more, he got back on his feet. *What is this feeling...* "Guh... damn it!" Gaara was relentless in his assault, not giving Naruto any room to recover. Yet he got back up again. 'What is this... raging feeling that wells up?' "I won't lose... Not to him... I... made a promise..." Naruto looked at Gaara with determination. "I WON'T LOSE EVEN IF I DIE!!!"