Chapter 102 : Gaara and Genya!!

Huh?

Genya looked at Shukaku, who had suddenly become docile, his eyes filled with confusion and disbelief. 

When did Shukaku change his attitude?

"Kid, what are you thinking? You're absorbing chakra too slowly! Speed it up!" Just as Genya was puzzled, Shukaku's sharp, urging voice rang out again.

It seemed like Shukaku was very dissatisfied with Genya's speed in absorbing chakra.

But…

Genya's mental power was already at its peak, and the black flames could only release so much!

Yet, Shukaku, the One-Tail, was still unhappy.

"I'm already at my limit! Stop pushing me!" Genya looked at the impatient expression on Shukaku's face, beads of sweat forming on his forehead in frustration.

He had never encountered a person so eager for him to absorb chakra. Wait, no—this wasn't a person, it was a beast.

"Hurry up!" Shukaku urged again, though his tone softened as he added, "When we get back, you need to drain Kurama's chakra for me!"

Huh?

Genya turned his gaze to Shukaku, whose expression was one of eager anticipation. He finally understood why Shukaku was rushing him to absorb chakra—it was to target the Nine-Tails.

Looks like…

Shukaku had some serious grievances with the Nine-Tails!

"Ha ha! Don't worry, when I get back, I'll work hard to drain Kurama dry!" Genya laughed heartily. Shukaku was really quite adorable!

Genya knew a bit about Shukaku's resentment toward the Nine-Tails. Back then, the Nine-Tails used the number of tails to determine its power, which greatly displeased Shukaku.

But since Shukaku couldn't defeat the Nine-Tails, all he could do was complain.

Now that someone can absorb the Nine-Tails' chakra, it was naturally going to help Genya. If it were possible to directly inject chakra, Shukaku would have gladly poured all the chakra inside it into Genya's body!

No other thoughts!

It was just to teach the Nine-Tails a lesson!

"Hmph, next time I see that Nine-Tails, it better apologize to me!" Shukaku continued to grumble nearby.

And so, Genya and Shukaku chatted, with most of the conversation being Shukaku complaining about the Nine-Tails. Genya mostly just listened quietly.

As time passed, Shukaku's eyelids started to droop. Genya knew it was time for him to leave! He had likely absorbed about ten percent of Shukaku's chakra, and Shukaku would need several days to recover.

"Shukaku, I'm leaving!" Genya said, giving Shukaku a brief goodbye.

Based on their conversation, Shukaku seemed quite cute. If it hadn't been sealed inside a Jinchuriki, it probably wouldn't have so much resentment.

"You're leaving just like that?" Shukaku sounded a bit reluctant.

"I've been here for a while. If I stay longer, it might attract some attention," Genya explained, his figure slowly becoming faint.

Around him, the black flames quickly retreated back into his pupils.

"Genya, remember your promise. After you return, make sure to deal with the Nine-Tails properly and drain all its chakra!" Shukaku shouted at the fading figure, reminding him once again.

Honestly, Shukaku would never forget its feud with the Nine-Tails.

"I will!" Genya's voice echoed through the desert.

Shukaku stared at the disappearing figure, eyes filled with some lingering attachment.

But the moment didn't last long. Soon, Shukaku lay back down on the sand, eyes closed as if drifting into sleep.

The chakra loss was significant, especially in the sealing space, so recovery would take several days.

Outside, Genya opened his eyes. Blue energy swirled in his gaze—chakra from Shukaku was still being absorbed and converted.

He could feel a warm flow rising within his pupils! Genya could sense his eyes evolving, and the fourth Tomoe was vaguely appearing!

He could also feel that the energy required to activate this fourth Tomoe was far greater than the previous three!

Perhaps,

This was the reason beyond the limits of this world!

He was certain that this fourth Tomoe would grant him a terrifying power.

"Genya-kun, are you okay?" Just as Genya was deep in thought, two Uchiha bodyguards hurried over, carefully observing Genya!

Just a moment ago,

They had seen the child in front of Genya staring at him with intense hostility, as though something monstrous was about to break free.

Had the Sand Village ninja not intervened and warned them not to provoke the beast within the child, they would have rushed over already!

"I'm fine!" Genya shook his head, signaling them to step back.

At that moment, Gaara also regained consciousness. He looked at his uncle, who had been protecting him. With just a glance, he already understood what had happened.

He had transformed again into the tailed beast!

"I told you before, I'm an ominous person. If you become friends with me, you'll lose your life!" Gaara turned his cold gaze back to Genya.

Genya was a good person, and he didn't want to be the cause of his death.

"Lose my life? You mean that big guy from earlier? But... he's quite easy to talk to! We had a nice chat!" Genya replied nonchalantly, showing his completely unharmed body. "See? The beast inside you didn't even harm me!"

Huh?

Gaara found himself unable to argue with Genya's words.

It was true. When he lost consciousness and the tailed beast took over, it didn't attack the young man in front of him.

"He's easy to talk to?" Gaara was confused.

"Ha ha... If you could spare some time to have a proper chat with the beast inside you, maybe you'd realize it's not so terrifying or hateful!" Genya chuckled, as if trying to offer some advice. 

"I already talked to it. You can sleep peacefully for the next three days without being disturbed!"

This wasn't something the One-Tail had actually said, but Genya deduced it based on Shukaku's recovery speed. For the next three days, Shukaku wouldn't have the will to disturb Gaara's mind.

"Sleep?" Gaara murmured softly, repeatedly asking himself: how long had it been since he last slept? He had forgotten.

From then on, Genya and Gaara continued their conversation. This time, Genya shared stories of what he had seen in Konoha and other interesting experiences!

Gaara quietly listened from the side, his rigid face showing interest, even a hint of longing!

He wanted to go out and see the world. He didn't want to stay in the cold, desolate Sunagakure forever. He also wanted friends, just like Genya, a friend like him!

Before he knew it…

The two of them were talking about the setting sun, but Gaara was already listening intently!

"Genya-kun... it's time to leave!" At that moment, Uchiha Shin's voice interrupted their conversation.

"So soon? Uncle Shin, have you taken care of everything?" Genya was surprised. He had just started to bond a little with Gaara, and now they had to leave?

"Yes, we need to leave Sunagakure before nightfall!" Uchiha Shin reminded him. They had come to deliver goods to Sunagakure, but Sunagakure wasn't particularly welcoming to Konoha ninjas. So, Konoha ninjas usually left before nightfall.

"Are you leaving already?" Gaara looked at Genya, and for the first time, a hint of reluctance appeared in his usually emotionless eyes.

"Yes, I have to leave," Genya nodded. But seeing the reluctant look in Gaara's eyes, he added, "But I'll visit you again. And if you miss me, you can always come to Konoha. Just say my name, and you'll know where I am."

"Konoha? I will come." 

Gaara's soft murmur echoed, and this sentence marked the beginning of an unbreakable connection between the two.

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