Naruto: I'm in Konoha, my name is Uzumaki Menma

Chapter 354 Gaara

In Star City, the Youhe River, like a dark green ribbon, runs through the entire city from north to south, dividing Star City into two distinct banks.

Hexi is a continuous residential area for ordinary people, with neat rows of houses with white walls and gray tiles. With the vigorous development of Xingzhidu in recent years, the newly built residential areas have continued to expand into the Youhe Plain. The previously barren land has been acquired by the government and re-planned, turning into brand-new communities.

Meanwhile, the east bank of the river is the administrative heart of the Star Kingdom.

Towering government buildings, heavily guarded military zones, experimental parks surrounded by white walls, and residential complexes allocated to officials and military families at all levels.

Many ninja clans had their territories located on both sides of the Youhe River, with the Uchiha clan being the most prominent among them.

Beside the traditional Japanese-style buildings in the Uchiha clan's territory, a three-story modern building stands quietly, its white exterior walls gleaming softly in the morning light.

The morning sunlight streamed through the gaps in the curtains, casting dappled patterns of light on the 'love' character on Gaara's face.

He slowly opened his eyes, his light green pupils gradually focusing in the initial confusion of waking up.

After sitting up on the soft bed, Gaara rubbed his slightly messy red hair. Neatly folded beside the bed was the standard blue-gray uniform of a Star Ninja.

"Awake?" A rough voice rang in his mind, tinged with the usual impatience.

Gaara did not respond immediately, but got up and went to the washroom.

He turned on the tap, and cool water washed over his fingers.

He scooped up a handful of water and splashed it on his face; the icy touch completely sobered him up.

"Your half-tailed beast transformation," Gaara said calmly in his mental world as he wiped his face with a towel. "It's a bit different from the method Aunt Kushina taught me."

"Damn it!" Shukaku's voice immediately rose, his loud and boisterous tone unchanged for thousands of years: "Don't you dare compare me to that Nine-Tails! Every tailed beast's tailed beast transformation is unique! I am Shukaku, the most powerful One-Tailed Shukaku! Understand?!"

Gaara wet the towel, wrung it out, and did so slowly and deliberately.

He hung the towel back on the rack and looked at his face in the mirror, which had lost its childishness.

Over the years, the boy who once had dark circles under his eyes and a gloomy expression has become more composed, though a subtle sense of detachment still lingers deep in his eyes.

"What happened last time when I was in half-tailed beast form?" Gaara thought to himself, "How come I was almost bound by the Adamantine Sealing Chains?"

"That, that was just an accident!" Shukaku retorted angrily, but Gaara could sense his guilty conscience.

"Who knew that little girl on the other side was from the Uzumaki clan! That kind of sealing technique is naturally effective against tailed beast chakra, how can you blame me?!"

Gaara's lips curled slightly upward as he turned and left the washroom to change his clothes.

The war from a few years ago is still fresh in my mind.

At that time, he was the "ultimate weapon" of Sunagakure, and was taken to the battlefield by his father, the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa.

In the midst of the Tailed Beasts' rampage, he caught a glimpse of the dark Nine-Tails absorbing the Ten-Tails, and the man known as "Shura".

The arrogant Shukaku was completely defeated by that man.

In Shukaku's own words, this is called "a wise man submits to circumstances".

But for Gaara, the biggest change brought about by that beating was that this volatile tailed beast finally learned to restrain itself.

More importantly, he can now sleep peacefully without having to constantly be on guard against the monster inside him taking away his consciousness.

After the Land of Wind was defeated and Sunagakure was annexed by the Land of Stars, Temari, Kankuro, and other young members of Sunagakure were taken to the Land of Stars.

The blue uniform fit the boy's body perfectly, and Gaara carefully put on the Star Ninja headband on his left arm.

The star-shaped pattern on the forehead protector gleamed with a metallic sheen in the morning light.

He pushed open the door and went down the stairs.

The aroma of fried eggs and toast wafted from the living room downstairs.

Temari was helping Mikoto set out the tableware, her golden, frizzy bun swaying gently with her movements.

Hearing footsteps, Temari looked up and smiled when she saw Gaara: "You're up? Come and have breakfast."

Mikoto brought out hot milk from the kitchen, her gentle smile revealing faint lines at the corners of her eyes.

She was dressed in an elegant kimono, her demeanor exuding the grace characteristic of a woman from a noble family: "Did you sleep well, Gaara?"

“Very good, thank you, Aunt Mikoto.” Gaara responded softly and sat down at the dining table.

His gaze swept across the living room.

This place is completely different from his cold and empty home in Sunagakure. There are landscape paintings on the walls, several potted plants on the windowsill, a few cushions casually placed on the sofa, and even Gaara's childhood toys in the corner. The house is full of life.

Everything was warm, everyday, and even a little too ordinary.

But it is precisely this "ordinariness" that is the most precious luxury for Gaara.

Hurried footsteps echoed down the stairs. Kankuro tumbled down, still sleepy, his purple facial markings somewhat blurred in the morning light.

"Oops! Sorry, sorry! I overslept!"

Temari put down the plate she was holding, put her hands on her hips, and glared at him irritably: "Have you forgotten what day it is today?"

Kankuro ran towards the dining table while scratching his messy hair: "What day is it? Ugh... Ah! The Ninja Sword Tournament!"

Before he could finish speaking, Temari had already taken a step forward and punched him hard on the head.

With a muffled thud, Kankuro let out a howl, clutched his head, and crouched down.

"You tomboy, no wonder no one likes you because you're so fierce..." Kankuro muttered under his breath, but he clearly underestimated his sister's hearing.

Temari raised an eyebrow.

She slowly took off her white apron, folded it neatly and placed it on the back of the chair, then clasped her hands together, her knuckles cracking.

She approached Kankuro, who was still squatting on the ground, step by step, with a sweet smile that was so sweet it was unsettling.

“My dear brother—” Temari’s voice was terrifyingly soft: “What did you just say? I don’t think I heard you clearly.”

Kankuro suddenly covered his mouth, shook his head frantically, and looked to Gaara and Mikoto for help.

Gaara sighed, picked up his milk, took a sip, and showed no intention of intervening.

"Temari," Mikoto's gentle voice rang out at the right moment, "You should remember to behave like a lady."

Temari immediately dropped her fierce expression, turned to Mikoto and smiled sweetly, "Yes, Aunt Mikoto."

She glared at Kankuro and returned to Mikoto's side to continue helping set the table and prepare breakfast.

Kankuro, feeling like he'd been granted a pardon, quickly scrambled to his feet and sat down next to Gaara. He grabbed a piece of toast and stuffed it into his mouth, mumbling, "Let's just pray this girl gets married soon, otherwise who can put up with her temper..."

Gaara did not respond.

His gaze shifted between Temari and Mikoto, who were talking in hushed tones. Temari nodded occasionally, while Mikoto smiled and gently patted the back of her hand.

Their intimate and natural interaction didn't seem like that of an adopted orphan and her guardian; it was more like that of a real mother and daughter.

He glanced again at Kankuro, who was wolfing down his food beside him.

This older brother, who used to only dare to look at him from afar with fear in his eyes, now complains about Temari's fierceness in front of him, snatches sausages from his plate, and asks him for help bandaging up injuries sustained during training.

Everything is changing.

Five years ago in Sunagakure, everyone looked at him like he was a monster.

The father, Luo Sha's, cold gaze; the fear emanating from the villagers' whispers...

Even Temari and Kankuro only dared to stand far away at the door of his room, never daring to step into it.

Even his uncle Yashamaru, who loved him the most, didn't know why he wanted to assassinate him...

Until that man appeared.

"Hey, what are you daydreaming about?" Shukaku's voice interrupted his thoughts: "The milk is going to spill."

Gaara looked down and realized that his hand, which was holding the milk cup, had been suspended in mid-air for a long time.

He put down his cup, and Mikoto looked at him with concern: "What's wrong, Gaara?"

“It’s nothing,” Gaara shook his head and gave a faint smile. “I was just thinking about what exciting matches I’ll see today.”

Kankuro immediately perked up when the match was mentioned.

He swallowed the food in his mouth, leaned closer to Gaara, and said, "Are you really not going to participate in this Ninja Sword Tournament? This is a competition held every three years! This year is the second edition of the Twin Swords Hiramekarei. Although Morishita Toshito-senpai is very strong, with your strength, you can definitely win!"

Temari sat down with her plate, elegantly slicing her fried egg, and advised, "Kankuro is right. Of the four ninja swords of the Land of Stars, Samehada is in the hands of Kisame-sama, and its position is unshakeable; Kubikiribōchō is with Ida-suke-senpai, and Raikiri-kiri-sato-sakumo-senpai. The competition for these two swords will have to wait until next year and the year after. If you want to gain fame and improve your strength as quickly as possible, this year's Hiramekarei Twin Swords Tournament is the most suitable opportunity."

Gaara listened quietly, his fingers unconsciously stroking the rim of the cup.

The ninja sword system in the Land of Stars is becoming increasingly formalized.

Apart from Samehada, which was directly bestowed upon Kisame Hoshigaki, the captain of the Anbu, by Lord Shura, the other three ninja swords—Kubikiri, Kiba, and Hiramekarei—had their owners determined through the "Ninja Sword Tournament."

A competition is held every three years, and any ninja from the Land of Stars can register.

After rounds of selection, only one person can compete in the final against the current wielder of the ninja sword. The winner will become the new master of the ninja sword.

In previous editions, the first holder of the title has always defended the ring.

However, with the rise of a new generation of ninjas from the Land of Stars, more and more young people are signing up to participate in the competition.

Not only did members of the Uchiha and Hyuga clans participate, but many talented commoner ninjas also emerged.

This made the Ninja Sword Tournament not only a contest for weapon ownership, but also a stage for young ninjas to prove their strength and hone their combat skills.

The competition is becoming increasingly commercialized.

With sponsorship from multiple companies and live broadcast by television stations, tickets for the audience are always in high demand.

The general public in the Land of Stars is enthusiastic about these competitions, and the image of ninjas has gradually transformed from mysterious killing tools to respected professional warriors.

There is an even deeper reason why Gaara and his siblings crave fame and status.

Their father, the Fourth Kazekage Rasa, has been imprisoned in a secret prison in the Star Kingdom as a defeated warrior.

Whether out of blood ties or because Gaara wanted to unravel the mystery of his uncle Yashamaru's assassination attempt, they both had to see Rasa and ask him personally for answers.

To gain the right to visit or even interrogate, Gaara must become a highly influential ninja in the Land of Stars, possessing great strength, high reputation, and a prominent position.

“I haven’t even fully mastered Shukaku’s power yet,” Gaara finally said softly, his gaze calm. “There’s no need to covet the power of the ninja sword. If I weren’t worried about taking away other ninjas’ spots in the competition, I would indeed like to fight those ninjas.”

Shukaku hummed in his mind.

Breakfast ended in a relaxed atmosphere.

After the three of them helped clear away the dishes, they changed into their outdoor shoes and prepared to leave.

Mikoto saw them to the door and gently straightened Temari's collar.

"Be careful," Mikoto reminded him, her gaze lingering on Gaara's face for a moment longer. "Come back early after the match, and I'll cook your favorite dishes tonight."

"Thank you, Aunt Mikoto!" Kankuro waved energetically.

Temari stepped forward and gently hugged Mikoto: "We're leaving."

Gaara nodded and said softly, "We'll be careful."

The three closed the door and walked down the steps.

The streets were already bustling with activity in the morning, with pedestrians hurrying by and occasionally ninjas using the Body Flicker Technique to glide across the rooftops.

The mornings in the Star City are full of life, a stark contrast to the gloomy, sand-shrouded Sand Village.

“Speaking of which,” Temari said as she walked, “I ran into Natsumi Jonin in the mission hall yesterday. She said that there have been more border patrol missions recently, and I guess it might be related to the situation in the Land of Rain.”

Kankuro shrugged: "Amegakure? Just a bunch of rogue ninja. They can't cause any trouble."

Gaara listened in silence.

He didn't know much about Amegakure, only vaguely knowing that a rebellion had occurred there a few years ago and that the original ruler, Hanzo of the Salamander, had been killed, but the outside world knew very little about what exactly happened.

However, the higher-ups in the Star Kingdom seem to have been closely monitoring their movements.

The Ninja Sword Tournament was held in the northern part of the city in a huge circular building that resembled an enlarged football field.

When the three arrived, the audience had already begun lining up to enter.

The cacophony of voices, vendors' cries, and children's laughter blended together, creating a lively torrent. They entered through the ninja-only passage and went straight to the upper tier of the stands.

Looking down, the seats below were already about 70-80% full, with spectators holding small flags and wearing headbands supporting a particular ninja, creating a lively atmosphere.

At the very front of the stands, camera crews from several television stations had set up their equipment, and the hosts were giving pre-match commentary to the cameras.

"Wow, there are so many people!" Kankuro exclaimed, leaning on the railing and looking around excitedly. "There are at least 30% more spectators than last year!"

Temari, on the other hand, focuses more on the contestants' area.

A designated area was marked out with barriers, where some ninjas were already warming up or chatting.

She squinted, trying to make out a familiar figure.

Just then, a lazy voice, tinged with laughter, came from the side:

"Oh ho ho, good morning!"

The three of them turned their heads at the same time.

Their instructor, Jonin Yukimi, was leaning against the wall at the top of the stairs, waving lazily at them.

Her medium-length brown hair was casually tied into a low ponytail at the back of her head, her deep blue pupils were as clear as lake water in the morning light, and the freckles on her face made her look younger than her actual age.

"Teacher Yukimi!" the three greeted in unison.

Xuejian straightened up and walked over slowly.

She wore a Star Ninja Jonin vest over dark casual clothes, exuding an air of nonchalance.

But those who know her know what terrifying power lies hidden beneath that languid exterior.

Ibri's smoke-transformation bloodline limit, coupled with the Wood Release bloodline limit that was accidentally activated later through a bloodline disease stabilizer, has kept her firmly among the top Jonin in the Land of Stars.

"You're here so early?" Xuejian yawned and walked to the railing to stand next to Gaara. "I thought you guys would sleep in a little longer."

"Temari woke us all up early this morning," Kankuro muttered, then immediately shut up when Temari glared at him.

Xuejian chuckled softly, her gaze sweeping over Gaara's calm profile: "Well, have you thought it through? Registration closes in an hour."

She paused, then added, "I heard that more than sixty people signed up this time, including members of the Uchiha and Hyuga clans. But Morishita Toshito is no pushover either; he underwent five gene-modification surgeries and was one of the first test subjects for the 'New Ninja' project."

Gaara gazed at the gradually filling audience below, remained silent for a moment, then shook his head: "Thank you for your kindness, teacher. But I still want to master Shukaku's power first."

This answer seemed to be exactly what Xuejian had expected.

She nodded and didn't try to persuade her further.

As a Jonin instructor, she understood Gaara's uniqueness better than anyone else. As the Jinchuriki of the One-Tailed Beast, his complete mastery of Shukaku's power alone was enough to place him among the Kage-level shinobi.

A ninja sword may be good, but it is ultimately an external object.

Xuejian's gaze suddenly drifted to a corner of the contestants' area in the distance, a slight smile playing on her lips, and a hint of amusement flashing in her deep blue eyes.

"Let's go." She straightened up and beckoned to Gaara and the other two: "I'll take you to meet this year's champion."

"Huh? Is that okay?" Kankuro asked in surprise.

"Why not?" Xuejian had already turned and walked towards the stairs: "I'm fairly familiar with Morishita, it's just a pre-match greeting."

The four people walked down the passageway, through the inner corridor, and arrived at the contestants' preparation area.

The atmosphere here is noticeably different; the air is filled with tense chakra fluctuations.

The ninjas either sat quietly alone to adjust their state, talked in hushed tones with their companions, or did their final warm-up.

Xuejian led them through the crowd with practiced ease, occasionally nodding to familiar ninjas.

Gaara could feel many eyes on him. The identity of the One-Tailed Jinchuriki was not a secret in the Land of Stars. Many ninjas from ninja clans or special jonin knew about it to some extent.

These gazes contained curiosity, assessment, and a hint of apprehension.

"Morishita!" Yukimi called out in one direction.

A young ninja with black hair and black eyes turned his head.

He looked to be about nineteen years old, with a strong build, wearing a sleeveless combat suit for easy movement, and his bare arms showed well-defined muscle lines.

Most striking were the two enormous swords on his back, their broad blades gleaming with a cold metallic sheen under the lights of the preparation area.

Double sword·flounder.

When Morishita Toshito saw Yukimi, he grinned and gave her a hearty smile: "Yukimi-nee! What brings you here?"

"I brought my students here to broaden their horizons," Xuejian said lazily, stepping aside to let Gaara and the other two step forward: "These are three little guys from my class, Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro."

Morishita Toshihito's gaze lingered on Gaara for a moment longer, but he quickly regained his composure.

He nodded amicably to the three of them: "I know you. The three siblings from Sunagakure, right? You were all outstanding students at the Ninja Academy."

"Greetings, senpai." Temari responded politely, and Kankuro followed suit.

Gaara nodded slightly, his gaze falling on the twin swords on Morishita Toshihito's back.

He could sense the unique chakra fluctuations contained within those weapons, which were completely different from ordinary ninja tools.

"Are you nervous?" Xuejian stepped forward and nudged him with her elbow, casually asking with a smile, "I heard there are quite a few tough guys among those who signed up this time."

Morishita Toshito patted the hilt of his sword on his back, a confident smile on his face: "I'm a little nervous, but mostly excited. After so many years of the Ninja Sword Tournament, we finally have a worthy challenger. Isn't that a good thing?"

His gaze swept over several ninjas warming up in the preparation area.

Gaara followed his gaze and recognized several of them: a boy wearing a dark blue jacket with the Uchiha clan crest, who was meditating with his eyes closed; a young man from the Hyuga branch family, who was sitting cross-legged in meditation; and several unfamiliar ninjas, but judging from their chakra fluctuations, they were all quite strong.

"That Uchiha family." Morishita Toshito gestured with his chin in that direction: "His name is Uchiha Taichi, seventeen years old, he's the nephew of Jonin Inahikasa. He used to train in the police department, and this year he was promoted to Special Jonin after awakening his three-tomoe Sharingan."

"The one from Hyuga is Hyuga Gensui, sixteen years old, a disciple of Jonin Tokuma. It is said that he killed no less than ten Konoha ninjas during the 'Night of Defection' and performed outstandingly in the war with the Land of Wind. He has been serving in the troops stationed in the Land of Wind for the past few years."

"Both of them are registering for the first time, but they are said to be very strong."

"Do you think they can make it to the end?" Yukimi glanced at the two of them and then turned to Morishita Toshito to ask.

Morishita Toshito shrugged: "Who knows? It's a competition, no one can say they're guaranteed to win before it starts."

He looked at Gaara and suddenly asked, "By the way, what about you? Why don't you sign up and give it a try? With your strength, you should be able to go very far."

This question drew the attention of everyone around Gaara.

Gaara calmly met Morishita Toshito's gaze and shook his head: "I'm still learning to control my power and don't want any accidents to happen in the competition."

The words were phrased tactfully, but everyone present understood the unspoken meaning.

Morishita Toshito nodded understandingly: "That's true, I'm also looking forward to having a match with you after you've grown up!"

"Let's watch the games carefully; there should be quite a few exciting matches today."

He glanced at the clock on the wall. "It's about time to draw lots. Xuejian, everyone, see you later."

He waved to the crowd and walked towards the lottery area with his two swords on his back.

His broad back stood out in the crowd.

"Morishita-senpai is a really nice person," Temari said softly.

Xuejian smiled and said, "That kid does have a good personality, but he's sometimes too straightforward and easily offends people."

She turned to Gaara: "So, how does it feel to see a ninja sword up close?"

Gaara pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "A very powerful chakra fluctuation, but... it doesn't seem to be entirely under his control."

A hint of approval flashed in Xuejian's eyes: "Good observation skills. The Twin Blades Hiramekarei are also quite special among the Seven Ninja Swords. They can absorb the chakra of the user after killing an enemy to enhance their power. However, this characteristic also means that if the wielder's chakra control is not precise enough, it is easy to be backfired by the weapon."

She paused, then added, "It took Morishita two years to fully tame it. That's why the Ninja Sword Tournament is held every three years, giving new wielders enough time to get used to the weapon and challengers enough time to prepare."

Kankuro asked curiously, "Yukimi-sensei, if it were you, could you beat Morishita-senpai?"

This question made Xuejian laugh out loud.

She ruffled Kankuro's hair, quite roughly: "Kankuro, you can't just ask questions like that. But..."

A sly glint flashed in her eyes: "If I really participate, I'll probably make that kid suffer a bit."

An announcement then came over the loudspeaker, informing all participants to assemble at the main venue.

The noise from the stands grew louder; the match was about to begin.

"Let's go back to the stands." Xuejian stretched.

"The show is about to begin."

When they returned to the upper stands, the seats were already full.

The referee's voice, amplified through a loudspeaker, resonated throughout the venue, introducing the rules and participants of this year's Ninja Sword Tournament.

When the name of the current owner of the twin swords, Hiramekarei, was announced, the entire audience erupted in enthusiastic cheers.

Toshito Morishita walked out of the players' tunnel and waved to the audience.

In the sunlight, the two swords on his back reflected a dazzling light.

Gaara watched all of this quietly.

He could sense Shukaku's restlessness in the spiritual world; this tailed beast was always exceptionally sensitive to powerful chakra fluctuations.

"What, are you tempted?" Shukaku's voice carried its usual sarcasm. "You want that sword?"

“No,” Gaara answered calmly in his heart. “I was just thinking, if one day I were to stand on that field, what would it be for?”

Shukaku remained silent for a while, unusually refraining from immediately retorting.

The game officially started.

The first match was a preliminary round, where two special Jonin engaged in a fierce battle in the center of the field.

The light of ninjutsu clashing, the muffled thud of taijutsu fighting, the crisp sound of weapons clashing.

All of this was transmitted to every audience member through a large screen and a sound system.

Temari watched intently, occasionally whispering her analysis of the tactics of both sides.

Xuejian leaned back lazily in her chair, seemingly nonchalant, but Gaara noticed that her gaze would become exceptionally sharp whenever there was a brilliant offensive or defensive play on the field.

Time passed during the game.

One duel after another unfolds and ends, with the winners advancing and the losers exiting the stage.

Uchiha Taichi and Hyuga Gensui both easily passed the first two rounds, and their strength caused gasps of surprise from the audience from time to time, while many star ninjas in the audience also looked solemn.

The quarterfinals began around 3 p.m.

As the reigning champion, Toshito Morishita will face a challenger who emerged from the quarterfinals in the final round.

The quarterfinals were far more intense than the preliminary rounds, with every match being extremely close and difficult to decide.

Finally, after nearly two hours of fierce fighting, Uchiha Taichi stood on the final stage.

This Uchiha boy displayed amazing talent in previous matches.

Although he has only awakened the three-tomoe Sharingan and been promoted to Special Jonin, his strength already surpasses that of an ordinary Jonin. Moreover, his mastery of Fire Release ninjutsu is extremely high, his taijutsu is also very strong, and he possesses the unique combat intuition of the Uchiha clan.

After defeating several formidable opponents in succession, he stood before Morishita Toshito.

The referee's voice rose in excitement: "Ladies and gentlemen! After a fierce competition, the finalists for this year's Ninja Sword Tournament have been determined!"

"Current wielder of the Twin Blades - Hiramekarei - Jonin Morishita Toshito!"

"Challenger—Uchiha Taichi, Special Jonin!"

The competition will begin at 10:00 AM tomorrow! Stay tuned!

The audience was buzzing.

The clash between the new generation of Uchiha ninjas and the wielder of the ninja sword is undoubtedly the most anticipated showdown.

(End of this chapter)