Chapter 66 Full of Joy and Anticipation

[From the age of six until now, over the past six years, I have been assassinated multiple times by my own biological father. Being too powerful makes one a terrifying existence.]

Under the cover of darkness, Gaara killed another ninja who attempted to assassinate him. However, when he stepped forward and removed the ninja's mask, he discovered that the person in front of him was Yashamaru.

It was his uncle, Yashamaru, who had always been by his side, comforting and encouraging him.

"Why..." Gaara's eyes welled up with tears.

Blood trickled from Yashamaru's lips, his eyes were unfocused, and he kept uttering harsh words.

"Your name was given to you by your sister, Gaara, meaning a demon who only loves himself and fights only for himself. In this way, you can continue to exist forever."

"Your name is filled with such a wish, but your sister didn't give you this name because she loved you. She wanted you to live on forever, out of hatred for this village, carrying the resentment of her deceased sister."

"I hate you, I deeply hate you for killing my sister."

[Then what am I existing for?]

[Every time I think like this, I can't find the answer, but as long as I'm alive, I need a reason; otherwise, it's no different from being dead.]

[Therefore, I've come to this conclusion—I exist to kill everyone except myself.]

[Fight only for yourself, love only yourself.]

"Xiao Ai!"

The image of Haruko running towards him with a bright smile flashed through his mind.

[My mother doesn't love me, my father doesn't love me, Yashamaru doesn't love me... the only one who loves me is Haruko.]

For six years, Gaara relied on the old photo to support himself and grow stronger, eventually making it to Konoha in the Chunin Selection Exams held by various countries.

"Haruko... my Haruko... I can finally see you..."

However, when he saw Haruko Hayama surrounded by people, Gaara felt a pain in his chest that was exactly the same as when Yashamaru died.

[I only have you left...]

[So...you can't betray me! You can't leave me! You can't be taken away by someone else!]

"I see, so this is your wish?"

Haruko Hayama, who had witnessed everything, had mixed feelings. She never imagined that Gaara would suffer so much after she left.

Because only she remained to love him, that's why his attitude towards her was so strange after arriving in Konoha...

After figuring out the reason, Haruko turned the surrounding scenery into darkness, and a young Gaara appeared in front of her. Although he looked like a child, he was actually Gaara who had been pulled into the illusion.

Haruko stepped forward and gently hugged him. "I'm sorry I couldn't be by your side."

All the unbearable experiences of the past years were brought up again at this moment, and scene after scene flashed before Gaara's eyes. He thought that when they were relived, he would have a headache again, but nothing happened.

With Haruko by his side, he accepted everything with remarkable calm.

“They’re all wrong. You’re not a monster, you’re not the murderer who killed your mother, you’re not an unloved child.”

"You are a hero, you deserve everyone's love, you just stand in an empty heart, and can only choose to fight for yourself."

Do you remember what I told you before?

Gaara could feel the dampness of his clothes on his shoulder from the tears, and he asked in a hoarse voice, "What?"

"I'm really looking forward to our next meeting."

"Actually, you already have love besides me. Temari, Kankuro and the others have always been by your side, and there are countless other loves waiting for you."

"So, Xiao Ai, you should not only fight for yourself, but also for the people you love most. That should be the meaning of your existence."

As Gaara gazed at Haruko Hayama, whose features were gradually blurring before him, her words still echoed in his mind in the last moments before he lost consciousness.

Fight for yourself, fight for your loved ones...

Click—click—

Shukaku was completely shattered, collapsed with a roar, and was reduced to sand scattered on the ground.

Haruko and Naruto were caught by Gamabunta in time, while Gaara used his last bit of strength to land next to Temari and Kankuro.

Finally, Gaara looked at Haruko Hayama and chose to reveal his original plan, "Haruko, come with me. Stay by my side for the rest of your life, and I will protect you forever."

"Haruko!" Naruto Uzumaki called out anxiously from the side.

Haruko patted the golden retriever's paw and looked at Ai with a smile, "Ai, I look forward to having more companions by your side."

Gaara was surprised that he didn't feel heartbroken at being rejected by her, and he turned away.

"Let's go."

Afterwards, the toad boss disappeared from the spot to recuperate, and Haruko Hayashi and Naruto Uzumaki carried the still unconscious Sasuke Uchiha back to Konoha.

All the way there, Haruko wondered if this cursed seal was some kind of sleeping curse.

Upon returning to Konoha, a heartbreaking message arrived—the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, had tragically died in battle against Orochimaru.

The entire venue was so quiet that the sobs could be heard clearly. Naruto Uzumaki, who was usually loud and boisterous, was fighting back tears, his body trembling uncontrollably.

Haruko calmed herself down and quietly walked over to Kakashi Hatake, tugging at his sleeve.

"Kakashi-sensei, I..."

Glancing at her feigned composure, Kakashi Hatake suddenly remembered that her eye technique possessed miraculous power to bring the dead back to life, but he merely patted her head and pushed her behind him with an unquestionable attitude.

The Third Hokage's soul has already been taken by the Grim Reaper, and there's nothing more that can be done, not to mention...

Kakashi Hatake glanced again at Haruko Hayama, who was tugging at his clothes with a sorrowful look in her eyes.

The Third Hokage's body was carefully placed in a coffin afterward, and almost the entire village attended his funeral. The streets were filled with a dark mass of people, walking with heavy hearts.

******

The list of recipients of gratitude as of February 21, 2024:

grateful--

PinkTulip's update reminder charm

The kettle was filled with urine stains; whoever ordered the delivery of the bubble tea...

Beauty and truth are not contradictory; a love letter sent.

Disheartened _(:з」∠)_ Give this a like

Xiao Qi didn't send the flowers x2

Flowers sent by Yun Cheyun from Ancient Desert Island

Flowers sent by Luan'er, who loves chicken soup and shrimp ball noodles.

Gulu Gulu Cat, G's Meow, Shen Lingqi, Fengqin who loves spicy chicken noodles, Yun Cheyun from Ancient Desert Island, Aning who likes poplar leaves, Yue..., Xiao Qi is not Qi, PinkTulip, Anxi, Sheng Youda Juju, Lazy Sheep EMO, Tuotuo La Yituo, its Zhu Yan Yi Shi, not yet said, Yin Feng...? (Sent out of love)

Thank you for the gifts! The author is so touched! Xiao Ai is sending you hearts with sand! ( ′ ` )