Naruto, my father's name is Uchiha Madara.

Page 257

Then, a small raccoon head, made of brown sand and with purple markings, struggled to emerge from the darkness!

"Bah! Bah!"

Little Shukaku habitually shook its head, trying to shake off non-existent water stains.

It looked up at the blurry consciousness above and roared irritably, "Wake up, you stupid brat! You're not quite dead yet! Thank goodness I... uh... had a backup plan!"

Gaara's unfocused gaze sharpened slightly, landing on the small, familiar tanuki.

"Shu... Kaku? It's you? You... weren't you..."

"Hmph! Do you think I'm so easily drained?"

Little Shukaku puffed out his small chest, looking somewhat comical: "I managed to cut off a tiny bit during the final, strongest moment of that damned sealing technique's suction..."

"Just a tiny bit!"

"My chakra is hidden deep within your body! Otherwise, do you think you could have held on until now?"

As it spoke, a hint of resentment and barely perceptible worry crept into its voice: "But it's almost at its limit..."

"Thank goodness that Kurama, that bastard with a nose sharper than a dog, noticed! Right now, that blond idiot outside is channeling chakra into you!"

"Kurama...Naruto..."

Gaara's consciousness began to ripple like the surface of a lake after a stone was thrown in.

Fragmented memories begin to surface—

The sky was filled with yellow sand, terrifying explosions, the heavy sand shields erected to protect the village, and...

The last scene before consciousness plunged into darkness after being severely injured...

"Yes! It's them!"

Shukaku's voice carried a hint of urgency: "That brat Naruto, that Uchiha brat, and an old lady..."

"They're all out there risking their lives to save you! You stupid brat, if you dare give up like this, I'll be the first to make you pay! Quick! Grab him!"

Shukaku suddenly stretched out its tiny claws made of sand and grains, aiming them towards Gaara's consciousness!

At the same time, a warm and powerful force, like golden sunlight, suddenly pierced through the endless darkness!

A giant hand made of pure light pierced through the barrier of consciousness space.

It reached out firmly and powerfully towards Gaara, who was struggling in the darkness!

That light was so warm, so familiar.

With the urgent calls of friends and a firm will to protect!

"Naruto……"

Gaara's unfocused gaze instantly sharpened!

The instinct for survival and the concern for their companions instantly broke through the shackles of darkness!

Without hesitation, he reached out and firmly grasped that radiant hand!

"Hold on tight!" Little Shukaku let out its final roar from below.

A powerful traction force is coming!

Gaara's consciousness was as if it had been pulled away from the abyss, instantly breaking through the thick darkness!

Light! Blinding light!

The howling of the wind and sand, the powerful beating of a heart, the sound of breathing!

The scorching sand beneath me, the temperature of the sun shining on my skin!

The air still carried the smells of gunpowder, burnt smells, and... the dryness unique to the desert.

All the senses returned instantly, like a tidal wave!

Gaara suddenly opened his eyes!

The blinding sunlight made him squint instinctively, and after a brief moment of dizziness, his vision gradually cleared.

What came into view was Naruto's familiar face, so close yet filled with tension, worry, and ecstasy.

Her golden hair shimmered in the sunlight, and her deep blue eyes, still wet with tears, were now brimming with immense joy at having regained what she had lost.

"Gaara! You're awake! That's great!!"

Naruto's voice trembled with excitement as he gripped Gaara's hand tightly, the warmth emanating from his palm feeling so real.

Gaara's gaze slowly moved.

He saw Naruto standing behind him, arms crossed, his face still expressionless.

But Sasuke clearly breathed a sigh of relief in his dark eyes.

He saw Kakashi squatting to the side, his Sharingan beneath his headband smiling with satisfaction, nodding slightly at him.

He saw in the distance that he was still holding the remains of the puppet.

At this moment, however, Chiyo was in tears, her face a mixture of grief and unbelievable ecstasy.

He saw even further ahead—

His older brother, Kankuro.

Although her face was pale and her body was wrapped in thick bandages, she was being supported by Temari, but she tried her best to stand up.

Her eyes were bloodshot and filled with extreme worry. The moment she saw herself open her eyes, tears welled up in her eyes!

Behind Kankuro and Temari, on a sand dune further away, a number of Sunagakure villagers were gathered indistinctly!

Some of them were wearing ninja vests.

They were just ordinary villagers.

Men, women, young and old, all craned their necks, looking nervously in this direction.

When Gaara opened his eyes, a suppressed yet ecstatic cheer erupted from the crowd!

Many people hugged each other excitedly, weeping with joy!

"Kankuro...Temari...Granny Chiyo...Kakashi-san...Sasuke..."

Gaara's voice was somewhat dry and hoarse. He turned his neck with difficulty, his gaze sweeping over every familiar face.

Finally, the gaze returned to Naruto, who was tightly gripping his hand: "And... Naruto..."

He opened his mouth, as if he had a thousand words to say, but in the end, it all boiled down to a question filled with deep confusion and disbelief:

"You...everyone...why are you all..."

Seeing that he still looked a little confused, Naruto squeezed his hand tightly.

A radiant, tearful smile spread across her face as she exclaimed:

"Is there even a question! Everyone... came to save you, Lord Kazekage!"

"Come...save me?"

Gaara murmured repeatedly, his heart seemingly filled and melted by a huge warm current.

He looked at Naruto's sincere smile.

He nodded slightly as he looked at Sasuke.

Looking into Kakashi's gentle gaze.

Grandma Chiyo nodded with tears in her eyes.

Looking at my older brother and sister in the distance, tears of joy streaming down their faces.

Looking at the villagers who were worried about him and cheering for him...

An unprecedented and intense emotion arose.

It is no longer a responsibility, no longer a burden, but something cherished, needed, and protected... a source of warmth.

He slowly raised his other, uninjured hand and gently placed it on Naruto's hand, which was tightly gripping his.

The cold touch has faded, replaced by the warmth of a living person.

On his pale face, with great effort and with extreme slowness, a tiny, yet incredibly genuine smile appeared.

Sunlight fell on his face, illuminating that hard-won, reborn smile that belonged to Gaara the Sandstorm.

The wind and sand still howled across the vast desert, but at this moment, they seemed to carry a gentle warmth, as if they had survived a catastrophe.

Chapter 278 The Seventh Class's Final Mission Successfully Completed

The distinctive earthen-yellow buildings of Sunagakure Village awaken in the morning light, while the wind and sand remain.

But the air was filled with the relief and gratitude of surviving a disaster.

After repeated examinations by the highest-level medical team, it was confirmed that Gaara's body was no longer in serious condition.

After their chakra and mental strength needed time to recover, Team 7's anxiety finally subsided.

"Thank you so much... really."

Gaara sat on the hospital bed, his face still somewhat pale.

But those pale green eyes had regained the composure that Feng Ying should have.

And a subtle warmth, barely perceptible, that was only shown to the group of people in front of him.

His voice was not loud, but it clearly conveyed a deep sense of gratitude.

"Sunagakure will forever remember this kindness."

"Hehe, it's nothing!"

Naruto scratched his signature blond hair, his smile as bright as a rare good day in Sunagakure.

"We're friends! Just treat me to ramen next time, a super big bowl!"

"There is no Ichiraku Ramen in Sunagakure."

Sasuke leaned against the doorframe with his arms crossed, coldly splashing cold water, but there seemed to be a very subtle smile on his lips.