Three Years Later, Sage Body

Konoha Year 62.

More than three years had passed since the Land of Stars defeated the two great nations of Wind and Earth in succession.

Inside Hoshinin Academy in Star City, everything was as lively and spirited as ever.

On the training ground, an upper-grade practical combat drill was raging fiercely.

Karin's vivid red hair scattered around her as she nimbly twisted aside, narrowly avoiding several Shuriken condensed from sand as they came whistling toward her.

Without the slightest pause, she raised her right hand and cried out sharply:

"Adamantine Sealing Chains!"

In an instant, three golden chakra chains that seemed almost alive surged out from behind her, carrying a powerful sealing force as they shot straight toward Gaara opposite her.

Gaara's expression was focused. The huge sand gourd was strapped to his back, and under his precise control, large amounts of sand quickly flowed back, condensing before him into a sturdy sand shield that protected him completely.

However, the unique sealing power of the Adamantine Sealing Chains had an extremely strong restraining effect on chakra constructs. Though the golden chains did not directly pierce through the sand shield, the sealing force they released clearly made Gaara's control over the sand turn sluggish and heavy.

In the spectator stands to the side, Temari and Kankuro watched their younger brother in the arena nervously, their faces full of worry.

Beside them, Kurotsuchi waved her fists and loudly cheered Karin on. "Karin! Come on! Smash that guy's turtle shell!"

Karin seized the instant when the sand shield slowed. Chakra erupted beneath her feet, and her figure flashed forward like lightning, rushing quickly toward Gaara.

She clenched both fists, a dense layer of chakra covering them, and unleashed the "Iron Fist Sanction" she had learned from her taijutsu teacher. Aiming at the tiny