Gaara quotes from Naruto: Shippūden

Gaara

[Referring to Deidara's clay bird] There are no birds like that one in this desert.

Gaara

[To his father about the One-Tail] He is long gone and I am no longer the jinchūriki that you created, father!

Gaara

My mother was amazing. Thanks to her I have now received medicine from you, father.

Gaara

[To Onoki] When did you all forsake yourselves?

Gaara

[To Tobi] Peace under an illusion is not true peace. It's only meaningful if the real world manages to accomplish it.

Gaara

[To Tobi] We won't give up hope.

Gaara

[To Tsunade about hiding Naruto] I know him well. He takes too many risks when it comes to his friends. That's why.

Gaara

[To Kankurō, when he asked about how Konoha will overcome Pain's destruction] He was the one who taught me to deepen my bond with my people. Thanks to him, I was able to regain my true self. That village has him, the one who cherishes a friend's bond more than anyone I know. Naruto Uzumaki... Knowing him and the friends he holds so dear, they will overcome this disaster and grow even stronger from it.

Kankuro

I know Gaara would never harm the people of this village. Not ever.

Kankuro

Gaara, let it go. I don't want to say this but you know how they see you. You're a weapon of terror. Seriously, leaving us and joining the regular troops is not gonna be an easy thing. They're full of Jonin who think pretty poorly of you. And most of the villagers, they're just as terrified of you as they've always been.

Gaara

I know that. I've always known. But doing nothing at all will almost certainly bring even greater pain. I know what I must do. I must clear my own path. And perhaps then the day will come. The day will come when I can be like him. I want to be a part of this village so I'm aiming for the title of Kazekage as a Shinobi of the Sand.

Kankuro

Gaara...

Gaara

I will work hard and connect to the people of this village. Watching Naruto Uzumaki has brought me clarity. Until I met him, my ties to others brought only pain and sorrow. But he was always pushing me to redefine those ties. I think I finally understand. The suffering and sadness of life, the joy. These are feelings that can be shared with those around me. It was Uzumaki. He's the whole reason my eyes have opened. When we fought we connected. He's known the same pain as I have and he taught me that I can change the path my life will follow. One day Kankuro, I'd like to become something precious to others too. Not just to be viewed as some hideous weapon, but as the Sand's next Kazekage.

Gaara

Naruto. I will have you know that this is also a battle to protect the Eight-Tails and Nine-Tails, mainly you. So for the sake of the shinobi world and as Kazekage, I will make sure to protect you at all costs. And if as an Akatsuki subordinate, Sasuke were to stand against our Allied Shinobi Forces, I will not show mercy. [flashes back to his confrontation with Sasuke] I'm afraid that Sasuke doesn't see you anymore. The only thing he sees now is darkness. Naruto, you told me that you would become Hokage one day. Well I've become Kazekage. And if you've truly resolved to become a Kage, then you're going to need to do what must be done as Sasuke's friend.

Temari

We've said everything we came here to say so let's go, Gaara. We're going to head back home to our village now. Kakashi Hatake, the Sand will proceed as if you will be confirmed as the Hokage. As an ally we ask that there be no confusion in communications.

Kakashi

Understood.

Gaara

[to Naruto] I consider you a friend. In the past, "friend" was just a word to me. Nothing more, nothing less. But after meeting you, I realized something. What's important is the meaning of that word.

Gaara

[to the Allied Shinobi Forces] In the name of gain and profit for one's nation and village, Shinobi have hated and hurt each other for many years. From the first to the third ninja war and the conflicts in between. All of that hatred cried out for power, thus I was born. In the past I was hated, and power, and a Jinchuriki. I hated this world, and all its people, and thought about destroying both. That's exactly what the Akatsuki is trying to do now. But then a single shinobi from The Hidden Leaf Village stopped me. [flashes back to his times with Naruto] He cried for me. I was his enemy, yet still he cried for me! And he called me his friend even though we had battled! He saved me! We were on different sides, but we were both Jinchuriki. Between those who have experienced the same pain, there can be no hate. There are no enemies here now because each one of us bares the pain of having been hurt by the Akatsuki! The Sand, the Stone, the Leaf, the Mist, and the Cloud are no more. NOW THERE IS ONLY SHINOBI! And if you are still unable to forgive the Sand, you can come back and face me after this war is over!

Kakashi

The looks on their faces have changed.

Gaara

The friend I spoke of who saved me is the target of our enemy! If he falls into their hands, our world is finished! I want to protect my friend, and I want to protect this entire world! But I'm too young and inexperienced to do that. So I ask you, all of you, please lend me your strength for this fight!