One Year

Gaara's experience with Shukaku, although unconventional, was proving to be a decisive advantage in his training. While his peers struggled with basic tasks like chakra control or even sparring with one another, Gaara had the power of the One-Tailed Beast, a being with centuries of combat experience, at his disposal.

The process of entering Shukaku's seal became second nature to Gaara over time. It was no longer a process that left him feeling weak or vulnerable. Instead, his consciousness would slip into the tailed beast's realm with a practiced ease, where the looming presence of Shukaku, though still intimidating, had become somewhat of a strange mentor.

Shukaku's understanding of the shinobi world was vast. He had been the weapon of countless nations before, having been sealed in various jinchuriki over the years, each with different methods of combat and tactical styles. With Shukaku's assistance, Gaara was able to recreate training simulations where he would face opponents who wielded techniques Gaara had never encountered before, testing his skills against all manner of taijutsu styles.

The clones that Shukaku created for him were more than just mere shadow copies; they were embodiments of shinobi techniques, each one different from the other. Some were swift and acrobatic, using advanced taijutsu and ninjutsu, while others fought with weapons or specialized in counters and traps. Each fight brought new lessons. Gaara learned how to move his body with more fluidity, how to anticipate attacks, and even how to fight with limited chakra. Shukaku's knowledge was so extensive that Gaara often found himself gaining new insights, discovering strategies and techniques that Baki or any other teacher couldn't have imparted.

On the surface, Gaara was still the quiet, stoic boy everyone in the academy knew him to be, but underneath, he was evolving into a shinobi far beyond his years. He pushed his body to its limits and, with Shukaku's help, accelerated his growth at a pace that only someone with the power of a tailed beast could achieve. Though his peers were stuck on the basics, Gaara was perfecting his form, making strides toward mastering chakra control, hand seals, and taijutsu.

Yet, this rapid development came with its own set of challenges. Gaara had to be careful not to let Shukaku take over completely. The tailed beast, while useful, was still an unpredictable force. Each time Gaara entered the seal, he had to maintain a delicate balance—using Shukaku's power without letting it overwhelm him.

There were moments, however, when Gaara could feel the pull of the beast's desire for chaos. It was an ever-present temptation, one that made the young boy question his own sense of control. But each time, he reminded himself of the stakes—his father's cruel intentions, the need to prove his worth, and the desire to protect the people he cared about. Those thoughts kept Gaara grounded, even as the whispers of Shukaku tried to sway him.

Baki continued to watch over Gaara's progress, although he was unaware of the extent to which the boy was training. The sensei could see the boy's skills improving, but he assumed it was the result of hard work and his own guidance. Gaara's rapid growth, however, didn't go unnoticed by others within the village. Whispers about the Kazekage's son and his potential began to circulate.

Still, Gaara kept his distance from most, his emotions tightly controlled. He couldn't afford to trust anyone, not with his father's looming influence and the possibility of being used as a weapon for Rasa's political ambitions. His relationship with Yashamaru remained the closest bond he had, though even that was tinged with the complex reality of his father's manipulation.

But deep within himself, Gaara felt something shift. There was more than just the desire for control or power. There was a growing understanding that perhaps he wasn't meant to be a weapon, but a force unto himself—a shinobi in his own right, with a destiny that was his to shape.

As Gaara continued to hone his skills, he knew the real test was still ahead. He would need to face his father, face the demons of his past, and take control of his own life. And with Shukaku's guidance, he would be ready.