"You…"
Temari's face changed drastically when she saw Takemi appear.
Not only her, but Kankuro also immediately stood up.
When the chaotic battle broke out, they were all present.
They had personally witnessed Takemi defeating the One Tail, and even killing their father and the Fourth Raikage.
Gaara slightly raised his head to glance, then lowered it again, remaining silent.
"Congratulations, you're almost free."
Kakashi didn't waste words, he spoke calmly.
"Your negotiation team is about to arrive, so we're taking you out now."
"Free…"
Temari found this incredulous, but Takemi nodded.
"You're lucky. At least none of you died, and you're still alive to await the negotiations."
"What's the point?"
However, to everyone's surprise, Gaara slowly spoke at this moment.
"There's no reason to live anyway, everything is meaningless. I might as well just die."
"Hmm?"
Gaara's appearance made Kakashi raise an eyebrow, but he didn't seem particularly surprised.
Gaara was actually the true Jinchuriki. Naruto and even Killer Bee were anomalies.
Moreover, Gaara was probably in even more pain because of Rasa.
While it was undeniable that Rasa had exhausted himself for Sunagakure, his capabilities always remained questionable.
"Kakashi-sensei, should I talk to him?"
Takemi thought for a moment, then turned to look at Kakashi, which made Kakashi's expression a little strange.
"No need to be so rushed, and some things haven't been decided by the higher-ups yet."
"Just a chat. After all, he seems quite similar to Naruto."
Takemi shrugged, replying with a smile, which made Kakashi rub his chin.
"Although it's not quite by the rules, I think Hokage-sama shouldn't object. Do as you see fit."
Although he didn't specify which Hokage, it was likely that there wouldn't be any major issues.
As for whether being alone with Gaara would be dangerous…
Leaving aside the fact that Gaara was sealed, even if he wasn't, Kakashi felt that Gaara would be in greater danger.
"Hey, what are you going to do?"
Kankuro didn't understand what this meant, and Temari was also full of worry, but Kakashi and the Anbu had nothing to say to them.
Ultimately, they were invaders. Being alive to accept negotiations was already a stroke of luck for them.
Otherwise, they would have long since been eliminated along with their Kage and others.
"Why do you want to die? Isn't living good?"
After everyone else left, Takemi simply walked in, while Gaara paid no attention to him.
"Because there's no meaning in living. My mother hated me, my father wanted to kill me, and everyone in the village treated me like a monster. I can't find a reason to live anymore."
Perhaps it was because the One Tail's Chakra was sealed, or perhaps because Takemi had easily defeated him, or for some other reason, but at this moment, he was willing to open up.
"Are you a monster then?"
Takemi saw Kakashi return but not approach, so he casually tilted his head and asked curiously.
"Or rather, do you think you're a monster?"
"I don't know. I don't think I am…"
Gaara was silent for a moment, but finally spoke with hesitation.
"But there really is a monster inside me."
"I've seen many people with monsters inside them. You're not the first, and there's even an idiot who's my friend."
Takemi chuckled. He knew what kind of people Gaara was lacking, and he probably knew how to prescribe the right remedy.
Looking at the silent yet curious Gaara, he shrugged and continued to smile, "He also has a monster inside him, and that monster constantly torments him, but he's not like you. He…"
"Because you have a friend like him?"
But at this point, Gaara curiously interrupted Takemi, which made him shake his head.
"Yes, and no. He never complains about his situation. He also feels lost and wonders why he became this way."
"But he's always optimistic. Perhaps he cries and gets angry in private, but after wiping away his tears, he becomes strong because he always has a belief."
"Belief?"
"Yes. He doesn't like self-pity. His belief pushes him to constantly move forward, and his belief is to gain everyone's recognition and finally become Hokage."
"Become… Hokage?"
"Yes, although I can never understand why he's like that. If I encountered a similar situation, I would definitely be very angry, but he's just so different."
At this point, Takemi paused.
He had once wondered if Naruto had been under the influence of 'Kotoamatsukami' or 'Asura's Chakra'.
But no matter what, Naruto was Naruto. His attitude and personality were just like that, and he truly was Takemi's friend.
"I know you're in a lot of pain and disappointment, and even full of torment, and you're full of negativity towards this world."
Takemi sat up straight, looking at Gaara and speaking softly.
"But don't be so quick to deny all of this. Wasn't your sister just worried about you? And haven't you noticed something?"
"Sister?"
Thinking of Temari, and all the past instances, Gaara was somewhat in a trance.
"Also, noticed what?"
"Your sand."
Takemi raised his hand, and suddenly, fine yellow sand rose around Gaara.
"Haven't you noticed that this sand has Chakra?"
"This is the One Tail's power."
Gaara shook his head, but was quickly interrupted by Takemi.
"Wrong. It's not from the One Tail. I defeated the One Tail, and I recognize its Chakra. This Chakra is very special, it contains some incredible things."
As he spoke, he controlled the sand to move closer to Gaara.
Instantly, a surge of Chakra emerged from the sand. Slowly, it condensed into a human silhouette.
"This Chakra has always been protecting you, guarding you. It has no relation to the One Tail whatsoever."
"This… this is…"
Gaara looked at the silhouette, his face full of disbelief. He tremblingly reached out to touch it, yet worried about dispersing the Chakra.
After a long moment, he whispered, "But… why is this happening? Why is this happening?"
"Then why don't you set a goal for yourself, give yourself a belief?"
Takemi knew what he was wondering, all of this was caused by Rasa.
To test Gaara, he specifically sent Gaara's uncle, the only person who was kind to him at the time, to assassinate him.
At the same time, he told such a lie, which drove Gaara insane, turning him into his current state.
Perhaps, this was what a true Jinchuriki had to face?
Although, this was simply like a mental illness…
"Secrets are often found in various records and documents, and to see them, you need to constantly grow, and even become a Kage."
"Whether it's to investigate secrets, or to gain everyone's recognition, why can't you learn from my friend?"
"Set a goal, and charge forward with belief."
"Perhaps in that process, you'll get everything you want."
At this point, Takemi paused, while Gaara sat there in a daze.
Looking at the Chakra that had condensed into a human silhouette before him, Takemi's words echoed in his mind.
"Belief… a goal?"
Gaara fell into deep thought at this moment, but there seemed to be a light in his eyes.
Outside, Kakashi, who had long since returned, also showed a smile.
"Takemi, what a kind child…"
But as he smiled, Kakashi suddenly couldn't smile anymore.
"Naruto? Hokage?"
"But Naruto, does he really still have a chance…?"