Tony

Shinki had found an unexpected refuge in Gaara. After years of feeling alone and isolated because of the weight of his power, the patience and care of the Kazekage gave him a stability he had never known. Although he wasn’t officially Gaara’s adopted son yet, Gaara treated him as if he already were, teaching him to better control his magnetic sand and giving him something he had never received before: sincere affection.

But everything changed the day Rock Lee and his son Metal arrived at the village to visit Gaara. Shinki knew nothing about it; Gaara had only told him that he had to welcome some important guests. Excited, the boy entered the office with a sand figure he had been working on for days, eager to show his progress. However, when he opened the door, what he saw was Gaara holding Metal in his arms, overflowing with tenderness.

The sound of his sand crashing to the floor filled the room. With a lump in his throat, Shinki could only ask timidly:

—M-Mr. Gaara… who are they?

The answer struck him like a blow to the heart:

—Oh, I forgot to mention. This is my husband Rock Lee and my son, Metal Lee…

Shinki stopped listening after those two words: “my son.” Everything he had felt—the warmth, the attention, the care he thought was his—crumbled in an instant. He believed it had all been temporary, that he was only going to be discarded now that Gaara’s “real” family was present. From that moment on, although neither he nor Metal ever treated each other badly, jealousy began to grow inside him. Shinki became more reserved, his emotions unstable.

Gaara, worried, spoke to Rock Lee. After much thought, he confessed his desire to officially adopt Shinki. Rock, understanding and supportive, agreed without hesitation. Still, Shinki remained trapped in his own storm. Because of Metal’s shyness, the boy often avoided looking at him, and Shinki interpreted this as disdain—as if Metal considered him inferior.

Eventually, his frustration led him into trouble. He sought to vent his anger by picking fights, until an Anbu reported the incident to Gaara. Without a second thought, the Kazekage rushed to find him. He found Shinki out of control, vulnerable, unable to defend himself. Gaara embraced him tightly, tears streaming down his face. That gesture shocked Shinki, who suddenly felt a warmth in his chest that disarmed him completely.

Back home, Gaara sat him down to talk. Shinki believed this was the moment he would be rejected for good, but instead he heard the words that would change his life:

—For all these reasons, I’ve decided to adopt you. I want you to be my son legally, because I already see you as one. And… I would truly love to be your father.

The silence broke with Shinki’s sobs as he threw himself into Gaara’s arms. All the frustration, jealousy, and sadness poured out in that embrace, transforming into relief. Through tears and smiles, Shinki finally understood that he had found a true home.

Metal has three dads: Rock Lee, his biological father; Tenten, his biological mother; and Gaara, his stepfather.

Lee and Tenten had a romantic relationship that began after the war and lasted until a few months after Tenten became pregnant. Over time, they realized they had mistaken love for friendship. Tenten had always liked Neji, and after his death, she tried to forget him by being with Lee. For his part, Rock Lee did develop feelings for Tenten, but not enough to start a family with her. In the end, they broke up, but remained very good friends who share the upbringing of their son.

After the breakup, the Kazekage —who had always had feelings for Lee—, upon hearing about it, tried to win him over. After many existential doubts, wondering if he liked men, Lee eventually returned Gaara’s feelings.

Everyone loves Metal very much. Although at first the people of Sunagakure didn’t agree with their Kazekage being with a man, in the end they accepted it and treat Metal as if he were a prince.