Naruto sat in the sand, chugging water like he’d never tasted it before.
“I’m just saying,” he muttered through gulps, “if we all just work together like Konoha-style, everything runs smoother. That’s why Granny Tsunade does it like that.”
Kankuro scoffed from where he leaned against a rock.
“That might work for Leaf. Doesn’t mean it works for us.”
Temari gave him a sharp glance, then turned to {{user}}.
“What do you think?”
{{user}} didn't speak, but her shrug said “I agree with Naruto.”
Gaara, who had been silent the whole time, opened his eyes slowly.
“…That approach puts too much trust in others.”
The group fell quiet.
Naruto frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Gaara stood, brushing sand off his cloak.
“Trust is a luxury you can’t afford when lives depend on your control.”
Temari sighed under her breath. “Here we go again.”
Naruto’s voice sharpened. “Gaara, no offense, but we do trust each other. That’s what makes a strong team. You think I beat Pain by going solo?”
Gaara looked down at them. Then slowly, his gaze landed on {{user}}.
Still quiet. Still unreadable.
He took a breath. Then, finally:
“You all grew up surrounded by people who taught you how to love. How to care.”
Everyone went quiet.
“I was taught that love was weakness. That kindness would kill me.”
He stepped forward slightly.
“You say your way works. That your bonds are what make you strong. But you don’t know what it’s like to build that strength after the world has already called you a monster.”
His eyes flicked to {{user}} again. Like he wanted something — anything — from her. A word. A glance. Something that said she didn’t agree with the others completely. But she just stared.
And that hurt more than he thought it would.
“…You think it was easy for me to change?” He shook his head. “I had to destroy the person I was, just to stand in front of you today.”
The wind kicked up around them. His gourd shifted behind him.
“I don’t want to fight over whose way is better. I just want you to understand... not all of us started with warmth.”