Advance

Everyone settled around Gaara, who already had his eyes closed. Zeus thought about his earlier experience, interested in what was happening within Gaara's mind. However, considering how realistic it was, it must be tough for the kid, especially considering that he had such a fucked-up childhood.

"Well, with such eyes, he can even destroy the world." Zeus laughed internally, glancing around and understanding that Gamaton had approached him from the side.

"Zeus, what did you see there? And why is this becoming such a big deal?" Gamaton asked, glancing at Gaara. "Darui is talking shit how I would never be able to do that? Should I give it a try and prove how great I am? It's not scary, right? Right?"

"It was the scariest experience in my life." Zeus sighed, glancing down at his feet, acting vulnerable. "I would advise against doing it."

"Really?" Gamaton furrowed his brows, a seed of doubt in his mind. "But I already made the deal with Darui. There is no way back! Listen, help me cheat him somehow."

"Come on, Gamaton, it was sarcasm." Zeus sighed, not in the mood to entertain the toad.

"What is sarcasm?"

"Just go and be quiet, or else we will disrupt Gaara," Zeus mumbled, gesturing Gamaton to go away. "You don't want to get squashed by Gaara's sand, do you?"

Gamaton remembered the time when Gaara almost did so, after he had unintentionally ripped his only t-shirt, and fear clouded his mind. Without further deliberation, Gamaton sat down and quieted down.

A few minutes of tranquility and peace ensued, during which Zeus closed his head and leaned against the tree trunk. It was peaceful, especially with the wind caressing his cheeks, and his mind felt free of pressing issues and earlier interactions.

When he opened his eyes, Gaara was standing on his feet. However, he wasn't panicking or turning around. Instead, he remained frozen in the spot, and everyone remained in the dark whether Gaara had passed the trial or not. Once he turned around, Zeus noticed a few tears scurrying down his cheeks.

"I did it," Gaara mumbled, bringing a smile to Killer B and Darui. Meanwhile, Zeus stood up and put a thumb up. Gamaton was the last one to do so, as some doubt crept up in his eyes.

"What are you crying for, loser?" Zeus asked with a smirk.

"You are a loser," Gaara answered instead.

"Yo, you passed the first trial in barely an hour, and that's even faster than me. I honestly thought you were gonna fail here, but you ain't a simple kid indeed. I like your conviction, so let's get to the part where I am going to teach you for real." Killer B started rapping, bringing a smile to Gaara's face. He had really done it. He didn't expect it from himself, but being resolute in his truths has given him an advantage over his clone.

"Alright, fellows, let's go and make that One-Tailed Beast yours." Killer B took a few steps forward, as everyone started following him from behind. However, before they could even take a few steps, Gamaton jumped on top of the platform.

"Darui, you said I would never be able to do this, yeah?" Gamaton shouted, closing his eyes in anger as he concentrated. However, Zeus saw the shaking in the toad's legs. "Look at this, I am going to beat this challenge even faster than Zeus."

Zeus giggled at the toad but didn't move an inch, thinking that Gamaton had already entered that other world. However, Gamaton opened his eyes barely a second later, confusedly looking around. "Where the hell is my clone? Or is it you guys? Did I become a human?"

"Is your IQ dropping or what?" Zeus asked, genuinely afraid that the toad was having intelligence problems. "How come you don't see anything? Maybe it's because you are an animal?"

"It should still work though," Darui added from the side.

"For it not to work, your soul must be pure like an angel, the bad side doesn't even show up." Killer B put his two fingers up, pointing them at the toad. "You must be a frog straight out of heaven because it is rare to be so pure."

"Are you telling me he doesn't have a bad side to him?" Gaara joined their mutual conversation, which was surprising since he rarely did that. "What about all those pranks he pulled on me? That can't be true. Gamaton, go try again."

"If you can't accept that I am such a pure soul, then it is your problem." Gamaton was already away from the platform, grateful that he didn't actually see his clone. Gaara frowned but simply turned back around, following Killer B who had already started walking.

Strangely enough, they walked straight toward the waterfall, and then Killer B passed right through the water, followed by Darui. Zeus, who had already felt the free space there, also joined them not so long later. Gaara and Gamaton made eye contact with each other, annoyance clear in their eyes, as they both followed the group.

The interior of the place was much more grandiose than expected, but it carried a heavy mood. On the walls, inclinations, and paintings depicting the Tailed Beasts were portrayed, and there were statues of people without their heads in front of them. However, no one was disturbed by the scene as they continued further.

They passed a bridge and finally came to the end, where they saw the head of a particular animal in their way. Killer B turned around, his face becoming much more serious than usual. "This is the place where you will have to fight the One-Tailed beast."

Gaara frowned. "What do you mean? I have to fight him?"

"Yes, in order to take control over him, you will have to defeat him." Killer B explained. "However, don't fear anything, for I and Zeus will help you beat that monster."

Gaara didn't even know what to think, for he had never expected to have to face Shukaku. He thought there would be another way to do everything, but his worst fears have come true. The thought of facing that monster almost made him puke.

However, a single hand landed on his shoulder.

"Stop stressing when you don't face the problem yet," Zeus said. "And Killer B already said it. I will help you beat that scaredy-cat, and then you will be able to live without an annoying voice in your head."

******

Patreon 10 chaps ahead.

https://www.patreon.com/Zerga3