Naruto: Two opponents versus Naruto, Konoha panics!

Mitarashi Anko: "He's surprisingly polite."

Temari: "This...this is just the surface..."

Kankuro: "Gaara... I can feel it. Gaara is excited. He seems very interested in Naruto with black frames."

Kankuro: "And those who interest Gaara... never end up well."

Upon hearing Kankuro and Temari's remarks, Hanabi immediately frowned and tugged at Ino's sleeve.

Ino patted her little head and then began to speak.

Ino Yamanaka: "Hey, can you two stop singing in unison?"

Ino Yamanaka: "What you two are saying seems to be constantly shrouding Gaara in a terrifying mystery, trying to mold him into an invincible, capricious, and frightening monster?"

Sakura Haruno: "It wouldn't have been a big deal, but you two have been going on and on, constantly giving others psychological suggestions... If you get knocked out by Naruto in black frames later, that'll be interesting."

Temari: "..."

Kankuro: "..."

Naruto was somewhat troubled.

This kid... he didn't land on one foot, nor on both feet, he just teleported over.

The initial excuse seems to have disappeared.

【but......】

[Looking at Gaara's chilling aura.]

[My gaze lingered for a moment on his thick dark circles.]

He seems a little pitiful.

[Judging from this... he clearly hasn't had a good night's sleep in a very, very long time. In fact, Naruto felt that the Shukaku Jinchuriki standing in front of him hadn't closed his eyes for more than three days.]

This is a terrible thing.

Schizophrenia is a minor matter.

"Hmph, as expected of the weakest tailed beast, it's even wary of its own jinchūriki."

"Yeah, that guy's voice is awful."

Naruto: "..."

[Oh right, Naruto suddenly remembered.]

[When I first entered the sealed space.]

It seems the big fox deliberately lured me there.

The question from years ago has resurfaced.

"Big fox, are the sealing spaces of the tailed beasts connected?"

"No, but there is a way to connect," the big fox replied immediately.

"Want to know how to connect?"

"Want to know how I did it back then?"

"Don't think about it yet. Beat this kid up, and I'll tell you everything."

Naruto scoffed, "Then why don't I just challenge his new Ninja Cult?"

[The Big Fox: "......"]

Hmm... it's a workaround.

[Perfect timing, I've been bored for too long, going to beat up Shukaku wouldn't be bad.]

No...that's uncomfortable and a waste of chakra.

[Let Naruto use the Adamantine Lockdown to lock it up!]

[Then this fox will use its claws, imbued with sealed chakra, to attack it!]

That feeling... must be incredibly intense~ Shukaku will definitely be laughing with delight~

Inside the sealed space, the Nine-Tailed Fox paused in its breathing.

OK!

That's great!

"Naruto, go find that kid."

"I'll teach you how to practice the Ninja Sect!"

Naruto: "..."

"I don't know the Kong Lockdown."

Nine-Tailed Fox: "..."

"What use are you?!"

"But I've already started trying, trying to become the person I am in this black-framed world, walking the path he walked..."

"Very good, as expected of my jinchūriki! Keep it up, I believe in you!"

That fox changes its tune so quickly!

The large screen with its black border continues to display the image:

Looking at Gaara in front of him.

Naruto couldn't find an excuse to beat him up anytime soon.

[They've already gone through this.]

It wouldn't be good if they attacked again.

[Perhaps it's because they are both Jinchūriki.]

Naruto felt a slight pang of pity.

The big fox curled its lip.

[I knew this kid wouldn't do as I wished.]

[After the tense atmosphere between the two sides eased.]

Sakura stepped forward, blocking Temari's undisguised gaze.

"This headband...you're ninjas from Sunagakure (Hidden Sand Village) in the Land of Wind?"

"Is it because of the Chunin Exams?"

[As she spoke, Sakura hugged Naruto's arm in front of Temari.]

At the same time, he gave Temari a provocative glance.

"Since you're an ally, wasn't your behavior just now a bit excessive?"

[Upon hearing this.]

All three remained expressionless.

Allied nations?

That's just nice talk.

[If you didn't know better, you'd think Sunagakure was an affiliated ninja village of Konoha.]

Kankuro silently put away the puppet crow.

Temari hoisted her iron fan onto her back once more.

Gaara ignored Sakura.

[His gaze passed over Naruto, then glanced at Sasuke.]

Then, with a blank expression, he said, "Let's go."

As soon as he finished speaking, Gaara turned and left without hesitation.

"Naruto, don't even think about me talking to you again!"

"Hmph! Corner, you're not getting any sleep!"

[Within the sealed space, the great fox and Shukaku simultaneously spoke to their respective jinchūriki.]

Gaara pretended not to hear.

He had nothing to say about Shukaku.

However, a few doubts lingered in her mind. This was the first time Shukaku had been so persistent, even speaking to her in a tone of negotiation, and promising to let her get a good night's sleep.

Thinking this, Gaara abruptly stopped in his tracks.

[He turned to look at Naruto.]

Sakura and Sasuke immediately became alert.

Temari and Kankuro also stopped in their tracks.

[Standing beside Gaara.]

Their eyes met.

Gaara was somewhat taken aback.

He sensed a kindred spirit within Naruto.

However, Gaara doesn't want to cause any unnecessary trouble right now; there's plenty of time, so there's no need to rush.

【"oi~!"】

"I'm very interested in you... What's your name?"

Gaara looked at Naruto very intently.

Naruto's lips curled slightly, revealing his signature smile.

"Naruto, Uzumaki Naruto."

Temari blinked, noticing Naruto's gaze, and quickly turned her head away.

For those who are attracted to good looks, both Sasuke and Naruto are extremely appealing.

Gaara nodded, saying nothing more.

Without even saying his name, he turned and left.

【oi~】

Naruto smiled knowingly. This guy was actually quite interesting.

However... I haven't slept in so long, it's a bit pitiful.

It seems Shukaku has gone too far.

The big fox is still the best.

[She's also very cute.]

"What's your name?"

"Me?" Temari turned around, pointing to herself, a faint blush rising on her pretty face.

"Pah! You presumptuous fool, Naruto didn't even ask you!" Sakura glared at Temari with hostility.

"My name is Temari." Temari ignored her and instead earnestly told Naruto her name.

Naruto: "..."

"Okay." Naruto smiled gently and nodded to Temari.

Inside the sealed space, the giant fox smirked and said, "Yo yo yo~"

["Since they like you so much, just accept them. Anyway, we need to revive the Whirlpool, the more the merrier!"]

If Kushina were inside the sealed space right now, she would immediately see that the great fox's current appearance already bore a striking resemblance to her.

The air about her eyes and brows is more like that of Mito Uzumaki.

Uzumaki Kushina: "???"

Mito Uzumaki: "?!?!"

not good!