On a wide, empty stretch of land, the rescue team regrouped once again.
Naruto knelt beside Gaara's lifeless body, tears streaming down his face.
"I'm sorry... I'm so sorry, Gaara... It's all my fault. I couldn't save you…"
Chiyo closed her eyes, unable to bear the sight. In a single day, she had lost two people dear to her. After spending so much time together, she had already come to see Gaara as her own grandson.
"Let me handle this," Chiyo said, sitting down beside Gaara. Her hands began to slowly form hand seals.
"This jutsu… is something I created after the death of Sasori's parents," she explained. "It's called Reanimation Jutsu."
"It uses all of the caster's chakra as a medium to transfer life to the dead. The user's chakra gradually guides the soul back into the body—until the user dies."
"But before I could finish developing it, Sasori betrayed Sunagakure by assassinating the Third Kazekage and fleeing the village."
"I never thought I'd actually end up using it like this. Trading this old woman's life for Gaara's… that's a damn good deal, if you ask me. Hahaha…"
Chiyo chuckled to herself, but no one else could even crack a smile. Though they weren't from Sunagakure, everyone present could feel the weight of her sorrow.
She wasn't just doing this for the village—this was also a way to make peace with herself.
...
Suddenly, someone came running from the distance—it was Temari, who should've been back in Sunagakure. Following closely behind her was Hyuga Gakuya.
"Grandmother, stop!" Temari cried.
She rushed forward, trying to halt Chiyo's actions. She couldn't bear to witness another tragedy—not if it meant trading one life for another.
After their parents died, it was this old woman who raised and guided Temari and her brothers. Thanks to her, they felt the warmth of family again after their mother's passing.
Chiyo's hands didn't falter. She smiled gently.
"Meeting the three of you in my old age… it's been a blessing. We've saved each other, really. Looking at you, I'm reminded of Sasori when he was just a boy."
She turned to Mokushū and Naruto, her gaze soft but resolute, as if she could glimpse the future of the shinobi world through them—one where people would truly understand each other.
"This world, built by the mistakes of us old folks… it needs people like you."
"I've made many mistakes in my life. But now, at the very end, I finally get to do something right."
"Sunagakure, the Federation, and Konoha… the future of the shinobi world will be nothing like our time."
She looked to Naruto. "Kakashi tells me you harbor incredible power, and limitless potential. Maybe you really will surpass the Hokage of the past."
Naruto stared at the old woman in silence, unsure what to say.
"Mokushū-sama," Chiyo said to Hyuga Gakuya, "I know your dreams reach even farther. Please… take care of Temari."
Arms crossed, Gakuya gave a small nod in reply. He had no need for dramatic farewells, but he honored Chiyo's words. She was, in the end, a worthy opponent.
And for once, she hadn't misjudged him—Gakuya truly did have a grand vision for the world.
But the next time they met would surely be on the battlefield… hopefully she wouldn't regret putting her faith in him.
"Grandmother…" Temari choked out, tears spilling down her cheeks.
"Don't cry, child. Life and death are part of the cycle—we can't escape it. And giving my life to bring Gaara back… that's something I can be proud of."
At that moment, Gaara's body began to glow faintly with green light. Chiyo's chakra was slowly fading, dispersing into the air.
Her voice grew weaker as her body began to collapse, but Temari caught her just in time.
And then—Gaara stirred.
He slowly sat up, dazed and confused. "What… what's going on?"
He saw his sister crying beside him. Chiyo lay against her, her face etched with sorrow and disbelief.
A terrible sense of dread welled up in Gaara's chest.
He crawled toward Temari with trembling hands and reached out to Chiyo's face—only to find there was no breath left in her.
His eyes instantly turned blood-red with fury and grief.
...
Gaara's head snapped up, scanning the area. His gaze locked on Hyuga Gakuya.
Given the long-standing tension between their two nations, it wasn't a stretch to assume Gakuya might be responsible.
Especially with his known history—he had once conspired with Orochimaru to assassinate the Fourth Kazekage.
"Chiba Mokushū… was it you?! Did you kill Grandmother?! I'll make you pay with your life!" Gaara roared. He shot to his feet, eyes blazing with rage, and launched a punch straight at Gakuya—only to be grabbed and held back by Naruto.
"Let me go!" Gaara screamed, consumed by madness and despair. He thrashed violently, trying to break free, but Naruto held on tight.
"Gaara! Calm down! Granny Chiyo gave her life to bring you back! Don't let your hate blind you!" Naruto shouted.
Gaara froze in place.
Temari rushed to his side, gripping his arm.
"After you were captured by the Akatsuki, the Federation and Konoha sent a joint rescue team to retrieve your body. It was Grandmother who used her own life to revive you!"
Gaara fell to his knees beside Chiyo, stunned. He had never truly known the warmth of family—but Chiyo had always treated them like her own.
She'd taught them, looked after them, cooked for them… just like a real grandmother would.
Hyuga Gakuya stepped forward, towering over Gaara.
Speaking in the voice of an enemy, he said,
"Chiyo was a worthy opponent. She gave her life to save you—not so you could wallow in grief."
Gaara looked up, his eyes clouded with confusion.
"She saw you as more than just a boy—she saw you as her grandson, and the future of Sunagakure," Gakuya continued. "So bear that responsibility. Make her sacrifice count."
"Sunagakure needs a strong Kazekage. Someone who can lead them forward."
Gaara's eyes gradually regained clarity. He knew he couldn't stay stuck in sadness. For Chiyo, and for his village, he had to move on.
He rose slowly, taking a deep breath, drawing strength from within. Looking into the distance, he silently vowed to grow stronger—to protect everything Chiyo had cherished.
He stood tall, his sorrow now tempered by resolve. Then he extended his hand toward Hyuga Gakuya.
They shook hands tightly—an unspoken truce, a symbol of alliance between their two nations.
"Thank you, Mokushū-sama… I misjudged you."
Gaara finally understood why even the criminals in the Federation held such loyalty to their leader. Chiba Mokushū was a charismatic force—whether as an enemy or an ally.
"It's alright. I understand your anger. Losing someone you love… there's no pain like it. No shame in losing control."
Hyuga Gakuya carried himself with the composure of a true leader.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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