Karura

On the panel only he could see, a brand-new line of text radiated a gentle green glow:

[Taijutsu Proficiency (Green): Your understanding of Taijutsu and your body's ability to learn have been significantly enhanced. In actual combat, your moves flow together smoothly, becoming almost instinctive, allowing you to easily handle complex Taijutsu combinations.]

Level Up!

The Taijutsu Trait, which had shown no movement for nearly three years, had finally achieved a qualitative leap in this highly anticipated, no-frills battle of pure Taijutsu, advancing to green!

Moreover, Shinichi had a premonition that the green Trait was not the end. Once the details of this exam spread through the mouths of the thousands of spectators present—not only throughout Sunagakure, but also back in Konoha—the news might not cause as much of a stir as it did in Sunagakure, but it would certainly spark some discussion within the village.

The [Taijutsu Proficiency] Trait would likely rise once again, reaching the blue domain that represented an even higher level of talent.

A while later, Shinichi helped the nearly exhausted Might Duy to the edge of the rest area.

At that moment, a familiar scent drifted over, mingling the rich fragrance of ingredients with the clean freshness of medicinal herbs.

"Exhausted, are you? Come on, this old man estimated the timing and whipped up something. Eat it while it's hot and replenish yourself."

Maruboshi Kosuke had somehow set up his signature large iron pot in one corner of the rest area. The coals beneath it burned low, while the pot bubbled with steam. Plump chunks of meat and vegetables rolled in the thick, milky broth, filling the air with an enticing aroma.

Holding a long ladle, he beckoned with a beaming smile. He looked so relaxed that one might have thought he was having a picnic in the countryside rather than being at the tense Chunin Ninja Exams.

After more than half a year of spending day and night together on missions, the astonishingly perceptive old ninja had already figured out some of Shinichi's traits.

For example, his extraordinary appetite, as well as the special constitution he seemed to possess—something akin to that of the Akimichi Clan—which allowed him to rapidly replenish his stamina and Chakra by consuming large quantities of high-quality food.

"I appreciate the trouble, Senior." Shinichi accepted the food and thanked him before digging in without hesitation. The high-calorie dried meat and medicinal ingredients in the food quickly transformed into the energy he needed, and his fatigue gradually faded.

As he ate, his gaze shifted toward the arena. A new match was underway.

Shinichi's eyes settled on the young woman in the arena. She had shoulder-length, sand-yellow hair and a gentle, quiet bearing. Rather than a ninja charging into battle, she looked more like a clerical worker.

Her fighting style was highly unusual. She merely stood quietly in place, hardly moving her feet, yet seemed to merge with the sand around her.

Under her exquisite Chakra control, vast quantities of sand surged like a living yellow tide. At times, it became giant hands that slammed down; at others, it split into nimble tendrils that coiled around and blocked her opponent, forcing him to leap about in misery.

The opponent occasionally broke through the waves of sand and launched attacks with all his strength—whether throwing Kunai, releasing ninjutsu with Hand Seals, or lunging in with Taijutsu.

Yet whenever the attacks came within roughly three meters of her body, they were steadily blocked by a Sand Shield that appeared flimsy but was incomparably sturdy.

The sand seemed to possess a will of its own, instantly condensing wherever she most needed protection. The feeling of controlling it as freely as her own arm and hand was deeply impressive.

Karura.

Shinichi silently repeated the name in his mind.

This seemingly gentle young woman was none other than the wife of Rasa, the future Fourth Kazekage, and the mother of Temari, Kankuro, and Gaara.

In the memories of his previous life, Karura's true strength—and even whether she could truly be considered a ninja—was shrouded in mystery.

But according to Rasa's later account, the sand that protected Gaara and automatically defended him against attacks did not originate from the power of the One-Tail, Shukaku. It came from Karura's love and strength.

That alone was enough to prove that Karura had been far from ordinary in life. An ordinary mother could never have transformed so-called "love" into such a tangible and powerful defensive force, one strong enough to nullify the vast majority of ninjutsu attacks.

What surprised him was that this woman, who would occupy little more than a background role in the future, had appeared in the arena of this Chunin Ninja Exams.

"This Sunagakure kunoichi who controls sand is very strong." Maruboshi Kosuke had somehow come to Shinichi's side, his gaze likewise fixed on the arena. In an even voice, he analyzed, "Judging solely by the scale, precision, and defensive strength of her sand control, she has already firmly reached Jonin level in terms of raw power."

He paused before continuing, "On paper, you have very little chance of winning against her. However..."

"She lacks battle experience, and... she doesn't seem to like fighting." Shinichi spoke almost at the same time, finishing Maruboshi Kosuke's unspoken words.

This was not the first time he had observed Karura's battles. Counting the scroll scramble in the Desert of Death and the match that had just ended, this was already the third time.

Her battle style was quite fixed: she began by covering the area with sweeping waves of sand and pursuing her opponent, forcing him to dodge constantly and expend his stamina. Once he was driven into a desperate situation or revealed an opening, the waves of sand would suddenly close in and form a sturdy Sand Binding Coffin, trapping him securely—and the battle would end there.

She had never followed up a restraint with the deadly, ruthless Sand Waterfall Funeral the way her future son would.

"Not bad." Maruboshi Kosuke nodded approvingly. "A ninja's victory or defeat has never been determined solely by a comparison of Chakra reserves and jutsu power. Battle experience, split-second judgment, grasp of timing, and even a clash of wills are all crucial."

He narrowed his eyes slightly and analyzed further. "I've observed her automatically defending Sand Shield. Its reaction speed is indeed extremely fast, and an ordinary ninja would find it difficult to break through the rhythm of its defenses. But Shinichi, with your speed, you have a good chance of creating a gap before that Sand Shield fully closes."

"Her weakness lies in her lack of experience and unfamiliarity with seizing combat opportunities. You can use your speed for high-frequency feints and changes of direction, disrupting her judgment and forcing temporary confusion or excessive concentration in her defensive system. Your chance of victory may lie in that fleeting instant torn open by extreme speed, when you strike her real body."

Shinichi slowly swallowed his last mouthful of food. After a moment of silence, he suddenly said, "Absolute Defense! Senior, that's what the people from Sunagakure called it earlier, right?"

Maruboshi Kosuke was slightly startled, then immediately understood his intention. "Hmm? You want to..."

Shinichi turned his head toward his senior, the corner of his mouth curling into the faintest arc, yet one sharp with intent:

"I want to give it a try."

He paused, then said word by word,

"Can I break through this so-called Absolute Defense?"