Starts In Konoha: Unlocking Shadow Clone

"There was a time when I was just like you, hated by everyone for reasons I didn't understand, even though I tried my hardest. All I received was the villagers' misunderstanding and scorn, and they'd rather see me dead. Their hostility spread to their kids, and no one would play with me. I was alone, trapped in a hell of loneliness."

Naruto sighed deeply.

There is no other way. In order to convince Gaara, he had to be genuine and empathetic.

And he wasn't making anything up. In the original work, Naruto truly was shunned in his childhood, and only through his hard work and the growing number of people who cared for him did he manage to rise from his dark past.

Naruto could fully empathize with these emotions and convey them sincerely.

As expected, Gaara's expression became unstable as he listened to Naruto's words.

Naruto continued, "As I said just now, it was the people who cared about me that brought warmth into my life. You're luckier than I was, since you have an older brother and sister who love you and have stayed by your side. You're the one who's been afraid to open up. If you try to change, maybe everything could be different."

"The humiliation and pain you've felt… I've been through it too, so I completely understand. But why let others' opinions control your life? Be yourself, play with those who care about you, and you'll find your life brighter and more colorful."

"Let's start with this scroll, what do you think?"

As he said this, Naruto signaled with his eyes.

Sasuke, understanding the signal, took a step forward and held out the scrolls again, "Here."

But before Gaara could reach for it, sand from his gourd emerged, instinctively surrounding him.

"Look, your sand has no feelings, yet it's always protected you. It's your family's way of shielding and caring for you. You can trust the sand, so why not try trusting someone else too?"

Naruto took advantage of the situation and pressed on, "If you never try, nothing will change. But if you take a risk and accept others' goodwill, even if things don't work out, you can always return to your comfort zone. It's a choice with no downsides."

Gaara pursed his lips, as if his heart was moved, but his raised hand lowered again.

"You three should leave for a while. I want to talk to him alone." Naruto said, waving them off.

Sasuke handed Naruto the scroll and left without question. Kankuro looked as if he wanted to say something but was dragged away by Temari.

Temari, more than anyone, understood Gaara's years of loneliness and coldness, and she wished deeply for him to escape his suffering.

Now that she saw this rare glimmer of hope, how could she allow Kankuro to interfere?

Once they were alone, Naruto decided to appeal to both Gaara's emotions and reason.

"Gaara, I'm going to be blunt. You're my subordinate now, so I could order you to do anything. But have I ever been heartless to you? I haven't, have I? Do you know why?"

"Why?"

Gaara had never understood this.

With absolute control, why would Naruto still care about him?

Naruto sighed, "Because, we are the same kind of people. We all have monsters inside of us!"

"I see my past self in you. But I've escaped from that lonely hell, and of course, I hope to see you free from it too!"

Hearing this, Gaara was completely stunned.

Up until now, everything Naruto said seemed like empty talk to Gaara… opening up, daring to trust again? Those were all nonsense!

Years ago, he tried to open his heart, only for his closest uncle, Yashamaru, to betray him. From that moment, Gaara resolved to be a monster who only loved himself and trusted no one.

But what Naruto just said completely moved him.

What initially gave him the courage to approach Naruto was knowing that Naruto also carried a monster within him.

They were the same, with shared painful pasts. That's why Gaara felt safe forming a contract with Naruto.

And Naruto's success in overcoming his struggles held undeniable weight.

"Can… can I really do that?" Gaara's eyes flickered, and a hint of hope rose in the depths of his eyes.

"Of course you can!"

Naruto encouraged, "My simple-minded servant, if it weren't going to work, why would I go to all this trouble? Believe in yourself, you can do it!"

The Gaara in the original work was still fresh in Naruto's mind: a Gaara who, despite living in the desert, took it upon himself to learn how to catch and clean fish for Naruto's sake. He even gave an inspiring speech in front the Allied Shinobi Forces, encouraging everyone to unite.

As long as Gaara can take this first step, his future would hold endless possibilities!

"Alright, take this. Like Sasuke said, this is a friend's support. When Sasuke needs help in the future, you'll help him in return… that's what friends do."

With that, Naruto extended the scrolls to Gaara.

Gaara hesitated for a moment, then stretched out his trembling hands and grabbed the Heaven scroll and the Earth scroll.

"Thank you, Naruto-kun!"

Gaara's voice shook, not with fear but with excitement and joy.

This was the care he had always yearned for, but never dared to accept, fearing it was a trap or a ploy.

But as Naruto pointed out, Naruto didn't need to trick him, as he could end Gaara's life with a single command. This, then, was genuine care… something Gaara could accept with peace of mind.

"You don't need to thank me. This is from Sasuke."

Naruto waved it off, then turned his head and called out, "Stop peeking, you can come out."

As soon as he finished speaking, Sasuke, Temari, and Kankuro dropped down from the trees.

Gaara took a step toward Sasuke and said, "Thank you, Sasuke!"

Sasuke, with hands casually in his pockets, responded coolly, "No need to thank me. Helping each other is what friends do. Saying thanks just feels too formal."

Seeing this, Naruto was slightly speechless.

'Wow, Sasuke is indeed the ultimate master of aloofness… the way he phrased it was so on point.'

'If there had been a group of fangirls around, they would have been swooning.'

'No, although there's no group… there is still a little girl here.'

Naruto couldn't help but turn his head to look at Temari, wanting to see Temari's reaction, half-expecting a love-struck expression.

But the result was far beyond Naruto's expectations.

Both Temari and Kankuro's expressions were far from lovesick. Their faces were filled with deep emotion, their bodies slightly trembling, and their eyes moist, brimming with joy and excitement rather than sadness.

Seeing this, Naruto immediately understood.

This was the first time Temari and Kankuro had heard Gaara say 'thank you', so of course they would be moved.

It's just like when parents see their mute child suddenly call out 'Mommy' and 'Daddy'… It was unexpected, but full of joy.

Gaara took a few hesitant steps toward Temari and Kankuro, pausing before finally speaking with difficulty: "Temari, Kankuro, you've worked so hard all this time. I'm sorry!"

Hearing this, Temari and Kankuro froze in place, utterly stunned.

After a long pause, Kankuro awkwardly waved his hands and said, "It's… it's nothing… we're family!"

Temari could only nod, unable to speak as large teardrops streamed down her cheeks.