My Techniques are a bit off

The Next Day – Training Ground Seven

"...That's all."

After arranging his three subordinates' training, Link planned to visit Lee at the hospital.

Though he wouldn't reveal his Delicate Illness Extraction Jutsu to his teammates, he still cared enough to help them structure their basic training—which, coming from Baki, was already battle-tested and reliable.

Just as he was about to leave, Gaara called out to him.

"Link-sensei."

Link turned back, a little curious.

"Are we... friends?"

The moment those words were spoken, Temari froze, and even Kankuro—who had barely gotten any sleep from being harassed last night—stopped in his tracks.

Link chuckled, slightly surprised.

"First and foremost, I'm your superior."

He smiled.

"But outside of our ninja roles—yes, we are friends."

"I see."

Gaara seemed to process that for a moment before stepping forward, extending his hand.

"Friends."

Link couldn't help but find it amusing.

Where did he learn this from?

Still, he extended his hand and shook Gaara's—feeling like he was humoring a child.

Forming bonds with a Jinchuriki wasn't a bad thing, after all.

Hmm... But why are his hands so smooth?

For a ninja, his palm had zero calluses—it was like he'd never done hard training.

No wonder his taijutsu is so weak.

He probably never practiced throwing shuriken either.

Link immediately discarded the idea of teaching him projectile weapons.

He has chakra-rich sand—why would he need kunai?

Tossing sand shuriken is cheaper and stronger anyway.

"I understand now."

Gaara released the handshake, then, quite suddenly, asked:

"What is love?"

Link blinked.

"Who taught you that word?"

A kid who barely understood positive emotions was now asking about love?

Just moments ago, he was talking about friendship, smiling like a normal person, and now this—

Wait... did some girl in Konoha break through his emotional barriers?!

At that moment, Kankuro's expression shifted drastically.

He started backing away.

"Kankuro said that Temari wants to develop a love relationship with you."

Gaara stated it as naturally as if he were commenting on the weather.

"And that my feelings toward you are friendship, which means being accepted by others."

Silence.

Temari stopped breathing for a second.

"Did he tell you what love is?"

Link kept smiling, but his eyes locked onto Kankuro—who had already retreated ten meters away.

[I never told you to go around asking people what love is, you idiot!!]

Kankuro was sweating buckets.

He instantly flickered away without a trace.

"BANG!"

Temari stomped the ground, leaving a deep crack.

Her face was red with anger and embarrassment, gripping her fan like a furious tiger ready to pounce.

"He didn't know either."

Gaara added, as honest as ever.

For the first time in his life, Gaara was living normally.

No assassination attempts.

No one knew he had a monster inside him.

No hatred or disgust from people on the street.

And now, he was recognized by others.

He was the healthiest and most normal he had ever been.

There was still some resentment toward his mother and uncle, Yashamaru, but for the first time, he was exploring the meaning of "love."

"Love is a special relationship between a man and a woman."

Link glanced at Temari and chose his words carefully.

"If you're curious, there are books about it in the bookstore."

"I see."

Gaara turned to leave, then hesitated.

After a pause, he asked:

"I should say 'thank you' now, right?"

"Kankuro said that when you ask for help, you should say 'thank you' afterward."

But since Kankuro was often unreliable, Gaara wasn't sure if it was true.

Link nodded approvingly.

"That's correct."

His smile became more genuine.

"Besides love, you also have 'family.'

No matter what, both Temari and Kankuro love you as their little brother."

Gaara looked at him, visibly confused.

Temari pressed her lips together, looking away as her ears turned completely red.

Even when her feelings for Link were exposed, she wasn't this embarrassed.

Gaara clutched his chest—his heartbeat was pounding.

The sand around him trembled, responding to his emotions.

Link reached out, and as if by some unspoken understanding, Gaara's sand shifted away, allowing his hand to rest on his shoulder.

His voice was gentle.

"If you want something—then chase after it."

"They... love me?"

Gaara clutched his head, memories flooding back.

The sand engulfed him, wrapping him like a cracked eggshell.

But sunlight pierced through the gaps, casting a warm glow onto his shaking body.

Temari panicked.

Her brother was in pain, and the man she liked had his arm inside the sand shell.

But then, Link gave her a reassuring look.

Kankuro, peeking from a distance, hesitated.

He recalled how terrifying Gaara was when he lost control in the past.

He wasn't sure if he should get closer.

"Gaara..."

Temari gently placed her hand on the sand barrier.

She could feel the rough texture under her fingers.

Softly, she said:

"You must have been lonely... all this time."

"I'm sorry we left you to suffer in solitude."

In the past, she never would have dared to get this close.

People feared Jinchuriki losing control.

Even a slight emotional flare-up could mean death.

But now—

The new seal from Konoha

Gaara's visible changes

And...

Her crush was watching her.

She summoned her courage.

Temari caressed the sand, her eyes shining with emotion.

She thought back to all the times Gaara had been alone.

Her voice was gentle.

"No matter what... I am your sister."

"I have always loved and cherished you."

The sand slowly caved inward—as if some monster was swallowing her hand.

But she didn't flinch.

She turned to Kankuro, who was still hesitating in the distance—

And shot him a sharp glare.

"Tch... fine."

Kankuro grumbled, reluctantly walking over.

"You're too scary. No wonder you can't get married—"

"Ow!"

Temari stomped his foot, hard.

Rubbing his bruised toe, Kankuro took a deep breath, then placed his hand on the sand shield.

For once, his usual goofy grin was gone.

He looked serious.

"I'll be honest, I was always afraid of you."

Temari shot him a death glare.

Kankuro smiled wryly but continued:

"But no matter what...

You're still my little brother."

~~~

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