Looking at the sand sculpture, Temari was struck with awe.
Although Karura had passed away a long time ago, she immediately recognized her identity.
"The sand that protected Gaara... It really is Mother's power..." Temari muttered in shock.
At first, she had shared the same doubts as Gaara, thinking that the story Mirai had told them was just a well-meaning lie.
But to her surprise, everything he had said was true!
Mirai couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth.
Well, that was unexpected, wasn't it?
Even he hadn't foreseen such a development.
After his brief surprise, Mirai quickly returned to his habitual way of thinking.
"Aside from Indra and Ashura, it seems that Karura is the only one who was able to leave behind her power and will after death."
"But according to the records, neither her chakra nor mental strength were particularly remarkable. How exactly did she manage to accomplish this…?"
"It can't just be 'motherly love,' can it?"
Mirai furrowed his brows.
It seemed his power still wasn't enough—there were so many things he still couldn't comprehend.
There was no choice but to work harder from now on!
———
After a long while, Gaara finally lifted his head.
The cold expression that had been on his face earlier had disappeared, replaced with a calm demeanor.
He turned to the woman behind him and softly spoke, "Mother, I've felt your intentions."
"From today onward, I won't be the same as before. I will live well."
As soon as his words fell, the sand sculpture of the woman scattered into a pile of sand, falling to the ground.
Gaara carefully scooped up the sand and placed it into his gourd.
Once he finished, he slowly stood up and walked toward Temari.
An apologetic look appeared on Gaara's face. "Sis, I was too headstrong before. I made you worry."
"I won't be like that anymore."
"Being surrounded by love, I am the happiest person in the world."
For the first time, Temari felt her brother's kindness. She covered her mouth, silently sobbing.
In this world, compared to the original, Gaara had died much earlier, bearing countless accusations.
Temari had raised two younger brothers on her own, and the hardships she faced were unspoken.
Now, seeing her efforts finally pay off, the emotions she had long suppressed burst forth.
Seeing Temari in such a state, Gaara took the initiative to step forward and hug her.
Creeeak~
The old wooden door creaked as it was pushed open from the outside.
A little boy, his face painted with purple makeup and dressed in full gear, walked in.
"Temari, I'm back..."
The boy's voice trailed off.
Seeing the heartwarming scene of Gaara and Temari embracing, the boy rubbed his eyes.
"What the hell, where did you bring me to?!"
Hearing Kankuro's voice, Gaara released Temari and stepped toward him.
"Uh, that... Gaara, I didn't mean to yell like that. Oh! I'll clean up the parts on the floor..."
Kankuro waved his hands, retreating step by step, until his back hit the wall and he couldn't go any further.
As Gaara continued to approach him, Kankuro forced out a smile that looked worse than crying.
"I-I-I Gaara... you... don't come near me!!"
Bang!
Gaara tightly embraced Kankuro. "Don't be afraid, I won't hurt you anymore."
Kankuro stood frozen, dazed, pointing at Gaara's head while quietly saying to Temari,
"What's wrong with him?"
———
"I see now..."
After Temari explained everything to Kankuro, he couldn't help but sigh.
When Gaara was born, he was still young, so like Gaara, he had been kept in the dark about many things.
He never expected that the power protecting Gaara had actually come from their mother.
"Tch~"
"How annoying."
Kankuro muttered.
Even though they were all children of the same mother, only Gaara had inherited such power.
Their mother really was biased.
But, being able to meet this legendary ninja in person was worth it!
Feeling Kankuro's gaze, Mirai stood up. "It's getting late, I should be leaving."
Hearing this, Temari, Gaara, and Kankuro quickly stood and escorted Mirai to the door.
Gaara said earnestly, "Mirai-sama, I apologize for troubling you with my matters."
Mirai waved his hand. "Don't worry about it. I was just doing something that interested me."
Then, in a voice only he could hear, he murmured, "Consider it a reward for the fleeting glimpse you gave me in my youth..."
Once Mirai's figure had completely disappeared, Temari, Gaara, and Kankuro returned their gazes to the inside.
Kankuro spoke with a hint of envy. "Mirai-sama is truly magnanimous. Not only did he not make things difficult for us, the former enemies, but he also helped Gaara resolve his inner conflict."
"That's how a true ninja should be. If one day I could become a strong, respected figure like Mirai-sama, I'd be content."
Gaara, with a determined look in his eyes, gently patted his gourd.
"Mirai-sama gave me the hope to live, rescuing me from the darkness."
"Even if I have to give my life, I will repay his kindness."
Upon hearing Kankuro and Gaara's words, Temari's expression became thoughtful.
Since her two younger brothers were so devoted to Mirai, why not seize the opportunity to build a connection with him?
If they could truly follow him...
Temari glanced at the people hiding nearby, looking nervously at them.
These people usually bullied and scolded them, coming to pick fights every day.
But now, they looked at them with expressions of fear and even attempted to please them.
With this in mind, Temari's gaze hardened.
Though Gaara had resolved his inner turmoil, he had lost the power of the monster within him.
Without Gaara's intimidation, their trio was in a more dangerous situation.
Even if they managed to survive, the villagers wouldn't show them any kindness.
The only way out was to seize this chance and form a connection with Mirai. That was the only way to escape this hellish place.
With today's encounter, their chances of being accepted by Mirai-sama had increased significantly!
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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