Gaara stayed in Mo-nin Village, slowly adapting to its rhythm and warmth.
For the first time, he observed life as an outsider—watching the villagers' smiles, their laughter, their unity.
As days passed, the once guarded boy began to calm.
On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, lanterns lined every street of Nanmo Village.
Families gathered by the Lianhai River, setting floating lamps upon the water.
In the village square, a grand celebration filled the air with song, dance, and light.
From a rooftop, Gaara watched in silence.
During his stay, Shigeo had taught him how to coexist with the Tailed Beast within—
To understand, not suppress.
"Power comes from balance," Shigeo had said. "When your mind is calm, the beast's heart will calm with it."
And most importantly—
"Have faith. Only by believing firmly in yourself can you stop the beast from controlling your mind."
But Gaara still struggled. What should I believe in? he wondered.
Down below, Shigeo danced with the villagers, singing and laughing.
The bonfire's glow illuminated joy on every face.
This village… radiated peace.
A cold breeze swept past. Gaara's magnetic chakra stirred unconsciously, lifting him gently into the air.
Black iron sand formed beneath his feet, carrying him toward the square.
He landed among the villagers—where an elderly woman grabbed his wrist and smiled.
"Come, young man! Dance with us!"
Her voice trembled with age yet carried warmth.
Her eyes were kind, her smile soft—
She looked at him not as a weapon, not as a monster, but as a person.
For the first time, Gaara felt human.
Why was it so different here?
He glanced around, stunned. Was it just the environment?
No—he realized.
Shigeo, too, carried within him nine Tailed Beasts.
Yet everyone here accepted him.
Once, he had been hated by the entire ninja world.
But through effort, he changed everything.
He built a nation, gave it peace, and proved that monsters could become heroes.
So that's it…
Gaara finally understood.
Fear had shaped him—but courage could redefine him.
Shigeo appeared beside him and reached out, pulling him into the circle.
Together, they danced beneath the moonlight.
Later, several massive mooncakes were brought forth.
Shigeo personally divided them, smiling as he addressed the crowd:
"Everyone—Mo-nin Village is our home. You are my family.
The fifteenth night of the eighth month is a night for reunion.
Tonight, we share the same mooncake; from this day, we share the same heart!"
Cheers erupted.
The festival roared with happiness, laughter echoing through the valley.
After the celebration, people dispersed.
Some went to release lanterns, others camped in the hills, some returned home to their families.
Gaara climbed back onto the roof, finding Shigeo already seated there, drinking and gazing at the moon.
"Sensei," Gaara called softly.
"Sit." Shigeo gestured, sipping from his flask.
Gaara nodded and sat beside him.
"Sensei, I've been here half a month. I feel much better now. I think it's time for me to go back.
Thank you—for teaching me how to control the Tailed Beast."
Shigeo nodded slightly.
"I know. This isn't your home. I may not agree with what your father or your elders did—but I understand."
Gaara nodded faintly, though his eyes showed confusion.
"Do you know," Shigeo asked quietly, "why I've saved you twice?"
"Because… Sensei is kind?" Gaara replied.
Shigeo laughed, tilting his head back.
"My heart… kind or not, even I'm not sure!"
He took another long drink.
"The last time I saved you, it was partly because I owed Lady Chiyo a favor—and because Akatsuki used you as bait to lure me out. But do you know why, when you were a child, I appeared in that valley and saved you from your father's hand?"
Gaara blinked, curious, leaning closer.
Shigeo's tone softened.
"Because of your brother—Kankurō. He didn't want you to die. He wanted to protect you, but he couldn't go against your father. So he hired me instead. Told me to save you, no matter what.
He loves you—he just doesn't know how to show it."
The words pierced Gaara's heart like a chisel cracking stone.
For years, he'd lived inside armor forged from fear and hatred, shutting everyone out.
But now… a small crack let the light in.
"Sensei…" His voice trembled, hands tightening.
Shigeo smiled, patting his shoulder.
"People aren't defined by what others say they are. You decide who you'll be. You choose your own path—and then walk it."
Gaara looked up, eyes firm.
"Sensei, you've protected a nation. You're a hero admired by thousands!"
Shigeo chuckled. "You can be one too."
Gaara smiled for real this time.
Under the full moon, it felt as though both their wounds—his and Shigeo's—were finally beginning to heal.
The next day, Gaara left Mo-nin Village and returned to Sunagakure.
Later, a letter arrived from him.
He wrote: "I have a dream—to become a Kazekage whom everyone can respect."
Shigeo's reply was simple:
"I believe you will."
——
Days flowed by quietly.
One afternoon, two figures—Evil Harp and Demon Drum—stumbled back into the village, covered in wounds.
After days of treatment, they finally recovered.
When they saw their master and senior sister again, they almost turned the entire Mo-nin Village upside down in joy.
Their laughter filled every corner—the streets, the harbor, the inns, the parks.
Fujimaki still bragged endlessly.
Miyako remained vain and outspoken.
Evil Harp and Demon Drum still bickered, pretending to be tough while flinching at every touch.
Someone once asked them,
"If you're so afraid of pain—and you joined Mo-nin Village only because you feared the Mo-Kage's punishments—why didn't you ever betray him?"
Their answer was simple:
"Because this is our home. It's where the people we care about live."
They knew that it was Shigeo himself who had gone to Sunagakure to bring back their master and senior sister, taking them in without hesitation.
That was why they followed him so loyally—
And why, for the first time in their lives, they could call a place home.
(End of Chapter)
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