In the hard hospital ward, terrifying cracks instantly appeared. Among the broken stones, Gaara stared at Naruto, who was full of fighting spirit, with a shocked and incredulous look in his eyes.
"Do you still want to keep fighting with me?"
Everyone looked at Naruto, who was in high spirits, and Gaara, who had been knocked far away, in disbelief. Even Gaara's armor of sand had shattered. When did Naruto become so powerful?
Although he was already quite remarkable before, he's incredibly awesome now.
"Naruto, what kind of ninjutsu have you learned during this period? You're so amazing!"
Naruto scratched his slightly itchy nose shyly and said to Rock Lee and Shikamaru behind him with a big grin.
"Of course. I've been practicing like crazy this month, except for eating and sleeping. I've been waiting for the third exam to take on those powerful opponents!"
After saying that, he looked at Gaara, who was lying on the ground in the distance.
"Gaara, how long are you going to lie there? I'm not confident enough to think that one strike can completely defeat you."
Gaara lay there blankly. After hearing Naruto's words, he finally came to his senses a bit. He moved his fingers and propped himself up.
He looked at the friendly relationship between Naruto, Rock Lee, and Shikamaru. His face became extremely twisted and hideous.
"Why? Why are you all laughing so happily?"
Seeing Gaara alone in the dark corner, those strong yet desolate eyes seemed so familiar...
"I'm going to kill you all!"
Gaara's controlled sand rushed towards Naruto and the others again. Last time, they were caught off guard by a sneak attack. But this time, it wouldn't be so easy for Gaara to deal with the three of them.
Rock Lee stretched his muscles and launched a Leaf Whirlwind, dispersing the approaching sand. Shikamaru also used his signature Shadow Imitation Technique to immobilize Gaara in place.
Gaara struggled like a caged beast. Even though he couldn't move, his hatred-filled eyes still burned like a raging fire.
The three were puzzled by this inexplicable hatred.
"Gaara, we don't have any deep grudges against you. Don't look at us with that kind of look. Just go back quietly today, and we'll call it quits. Pretend it never happened..."
"Don't look at me like that! I don't need your pity!"
The slight guilt and pity in Naruto's eyes felt like a sharp blade, stabbing deep into Gaara's heart.
"What do you know about me? You're talking big like that! Loneliness, solitude, and fear have accompanied me since I was born. My family is afraid of me, and outsiders fear me. Everyone treats me like a monster. Why me? I'm not willing to accept this!"
Ah! He finally remembered why Gaara's eyes seemed so familiar. This kid had been discriminated against, isolated, and feared, just like he used to be.
Everyone was afraid of him and discriminated against him. He felt like he was at the bottom of an abyss, and the overwhelming malice was like an invisible hand squeezing his throat tightly.
If it weren't for meeting Teacher Iruka, Sasuke, and Third Hokage grandpa, he might have been like Gaara. However, the warmth these people gave him was like a lifebuoy a drowning person finally found, a beam of light...
It's a pity that such light never shone on Gaara. That's why he was envious and jealous, even losing his mind.
"Gaara, you're not the only one who's lonely. You don't have to act like the whole world has abandoned you..."
"What do you know about me? I'm always seen as a monster. I've already become a cold - blooded killer in these people's minds. Since I can't get love, I'll kill everyone just as they expect! I'll kill you all..."
As he gradually went into a frenzy, the chakra in him burst out rapidly. The powerful chakra emitted an astonishing pressure, making everyone present break out in a cold sweat.
How on earth could they defeat Gaara in front of them, who had such powerful chakra?
Naruto clenched his teeth tightly. He glanced back at Shikamaru and Rock Lee, who had been intimidated. If it weren't for the incredibly powerful Nine - Tailed Fox in his body that he had encountered before, he couldn't guarantee he'd stay calm in this situation.
What should he do? Maybe he could use a big - scale move and directly summon the boss Frog.
But this is a hospital. Once the battle starts, with the boss Frog's terrifying body, won't it flatten this place with just one kick?
Thinking about the numerous patients here, Naruto still had a headache. He shook his head. What should he do at this moment?
............
Gaara controlled the sand around him again. This sand was a bit different from before. There were blue - purple runes on it, as if the sand contained more chakra.
Just as Gaara's sand was about to surround the three of them, a kunai shot in from outside the window. It was so fast that no one could catch a clear glimpse of it. It penetrated Gaara's defense and grazed his cheek. Blood trickled down his pale skin.
"Drip... Drip...."
Gaara, who was already out of his mind, became even more crazy and kept shouting.
"Blood, this is my blood... Ah..."
A figure gradually became clear. He was wearing a green tight - fitting ninja suit and had the same eyebrows and hair as Rock Lee. But now, Kai didn't look as careless as before. Instead, he looked serious.
"Are you Gaara from Sunagakure? I wonder what you're making such a ruckus in Konoha Hospital for. I think you should understand that Sunagakure and Konoha still maintain a peaceful and friendly relationship. What, do you want to break this treaty and wage a war against Konoha?"
As expected of an elite Jonin, he immediately took control of the situation. The sand around Gaara, who had been wrapped in sand and looked a bit deformed, quickly receded.
He gasped and looked at the man in front of him. He could sense Kai's power. As more and more people around stared at him, he thought of the plan that still had to be executed in the village.
Despite his extreme reluctance, he gritted his teeth and turned away. Before leaving, he threw out a threatening remark.
"Wait! This ain't over! My next rival is Sasuke Uchiha, right? I'll twist his head off and give it to you..."
After saying that, he was about to leave. But then, a sharp rebuke halted his steps.
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