Chapter Twenty: Creating the Human Pillar

What is a Jinchuriki? Anyone who has a Tailed Beast or the chakra of a Tailed Beast sealed within their body can be called a Jinchuriki. These individuals can use Tailed Beast transformation or the chakra of the beast as a unique means of attack. However, unless the actual Tailed Beast itself is sealed inside, the chakra will eventually run out.

Orochimaru intended to create a Jinchuriki who would never run out of chakra. Moreover, a Jinchuriki who did not belong to any of the existing Tailed Beasts.

“Hm, absorbing natural energy? I can do that too.” Orochimaru was preparing to create a Jinchuriki that would belong to him alone.

Orochimaru’s neck stretched out long like a whip, his head flying forward, and then, baring his fangs, he bit into a hollow sphere made from the body of the One-Tailed Shukaku.

With a swift motion, Orochimaru’s neck and head returned to their proper place.

“Using the body of the One-Tailed Shukaku as a vessel, with a curse mark as the gateway for natural energy to flow in and out, if I seal this sphere inside a human body, I can create a simplified version of a Jinchuriki!”

It sounded simple enough, but in practice, there would be countless challenges. Still, he needed to verify this concept before continuing his experiments with the Tailed Beasts.

“Tailed Beasts can’t be cloned?” A deep gleam flashed in Orochimaru’s eyes. After all, a Tailed Beast was merely a manifestation, a seed that had absorbed natural energy—not something truly unique or irreplaceable.

...

After a long, restful sleep, Gaara awoke. He had never felt such comfort before.

He thought he would wake to ruins, but that was not the case. He was still lying on the same bed. At some point, his hands and feet had been unbound, and a blond-haired boy was sleeping soundly beside him on the same bed.

Gaara frowned. He recognized this blond boy; if he remembered correctly, this was the lowest-ranked genin of the Leaf Village before its destruction.

“What’s he doing here?” Gaara tossed aside the boy’s leg, which had draped over him, and got out of bed. There were no guards at the door, so Gaara walked out.

On his way, he encountered no one, and soon stepped out of the snake’s lair onto the surface.

He found himself on a high ledge, much like the Hokage Rock above the Leaf Village, overlooking the entire Sound Village below. He sat at the edge of the cliff.

At that moment, a formidable woman approached and sat down beside him.

“What are you thinking about?” Tsunade asked.

Gaara’s expression was blank; he did not answer.

“Here, take this.” Tsunade handed Gaara an artificial Byakugan.

The artificial eye was stored in a specially made box. When the box was opened, the artificial Byakugan could be seen wriggling in its liquid—it was alive.

“This is an artificial Byakugan. Orochimaru asked me to give it to you,” Tsunade said.

“Artificial Byakugan? Is this the famed eye of the Hyuga clan?” Gaara’s eyes sparked with interest.

“That’s right,” Tsunade replied. “But this one is artificial. Using it may cause you harm.”

Gaara ignored her warning. Eagerly, he removed his own eye and fitted the Byakugan in its place. With a thought, he activated its power.

“So powerful!” In Gaara’s sight, everything became traceable, every detail clear.

“Be careful. This eye has a limited number of uses. If anything feels wrong, stop immediately,” Tsunade warned.

But Gaara was already lost to her words. Like a child with a new toy, he was mesmerized by the world revealed through the Byakugan. Tsunade left in silence, knowing her words were useless.

As she returned to the cave, Tsunade crossed paths with Naruto.

At this moment, Naruto wore a gentle smile. He was quiet, his eyes bright and clear. Step by step, he approached, making Tsunade pause in surprise.

In Naruto, Tsunade saw the shadow of the Fourth Hokage.

“Leave it to me,” Naruto whispered as he passed her.

Since the incident of “bringing Tsunade back to the Leaf Village to become Hokage” had not occurred, the bond between Naruto and Tsunade was not so deep. Still, both knew each other's identities now. The destruction of their village had brought their hearts into alignment, even if they had little connection before.

Tsunade felt tears well up. The children of the Leaf Village were growing up.

Naruto came to Gaara’s side, watching him play with the Byakugan with great fascination.

“Mind if I join you?” Naruto asked.

Gaara ignored him.

Naruto didn’t mind. He sat down, gazing at the Sound Village below. “I’m just like you. There’s a monster living inside me, too.

“But I’m also different. No matter how the village treated me, I loved it. They hated the thing inside me, not me.

“I have a dream: I want to become Hokage, so that all those who despised and resented me will one day look at me with admiration and acceptance.”

Naruto grinned. “Maybe it’s a bit twisted, but thinking about the people who once hated me looking at me with respect—well, it excites me. Heh heh.”

Then Naruto’s tone grew serious. “I used to think that as long as I kept trying, no matter how hard it got, I’d never give up on becoming Hokage—not even if it cost me my life, ha.

“But you’ve seen it—there’s no more Leaf Village. It’s gone, destroyed! My dream and everything I worked for are gone!”

Naruto began to sob, tears streaming down his face. He pointed at the sky, his voice trembling with resolve: “One day, I will kill Orochimaru with my own hands and avenge them!”

“But for now…”

Naruto wiped his tears and smiled again, his expression pure and full of sunshine.

He turned to Gaara, who had grown quiet, and said, “I have to endure. I have to become stronger, until I have the power I need. I guess that’s my new goal, my new dream. What about you, Gaara? What’s your goal, your dream now?”

Gaara was stunned. “My dream? My goal?... What is it?”

...

Another week passed in a blink. In one of the rooms of the snake’s lair, Chiyo and the Third Hokage were chatting casually.

The Third Hokage asked, “What did Orochimaru do to you?”

Chiyo patted her stomach. “He put something inside my body.”

“Damn him!”

The Third Hokage said bitterly, “Blame me. I should have killed that student of mine long ago!”

Chiyo laughed. “So even the legendary strongest Hokage has regrets? I did it willingly. As long as I could get news of my grandson, I’d give Orochimaru my life if he wanted it!”

The Third Hokage fell silent, puffing on his pipe.

...

That night, the Sound Village was suddenly attacked by two people clad in black cloaks with red clouds—one wielding explosive clay ninjutsu, the other a master of puppet techniques!

Gaara rushed out, eager for battle. He faced his first formidable enemy since arriving at the Sound Village—Deidara!

Chiyo had intended to stay out of it, but when she saw the puppet techniques in use, she was stunned.

They were the very puppet arts of her own Sand Village!

She dashed out to confront Sasori.