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On the virtual interface that only Shinichi could see, a brand-new line of text radiated a warm, verdant glow:
> [Taijutsu Adept (Green): Your comprehension of taijutsu and your physical learning capacity have significantly increased. In actual combat, your transitions between techniques flow flawlessly, almost becoming instinctual, allowing you to easily handle complex taijutsu combos.]
An upgrade!
After remaining completely stagnant for nearly three years, his taijutsu trait had finally achieved a qualitative leap during this highly publicized, gimmick-free pinnacle duel of pure physical combat, officially advancing to the Green tier!
Moreover, Shinichi had a strong premonition: the Green tier was definitely not the end.
Once the shocking details of this exam spread through the mouths of the tens of thousands of spectators present, the news wouldn't just circulate within the Sand. When the information flowed back to Konoha, even if the shockwave wasn't as intense as it was here, it would inevitably spark massive discussions within the village.
This [Taijutsu Adept] trait would highly likely experience yet another leap, finally touching the Blue realm that represented a much higher tier of talent.
A short while later, Shinichi supported the completely exhausted Might Duy to the edge of the waiting area.
Just then, a familiar scent—a mouthwatering blend of savory ingredients and fresh herbs—wafted over.
"Exhausted, aren't you? Come here. I kept an eye on the time and whipped something up. Eat it while it's hot and replenish your strength."
At some point, Kosuke Maruboshi had set up his signature large iron pot in the corner of the waiting area. The charcoal fire underneath burned at a steady simmer, and the pot was bubbling merrily. Plump chunks of meat and vegetables rolled in the thick, milky-white broth, emitting a rich, tantalizing aroma.
Holding a long ladle, Kosuke smiled warmly. His relaxed demeanor made it seem as though they were enjoying a leisurely picnic in the countryside, rather than standing in the middle of the tense, high-stakes Chunin Exams.
Over the past six months of running missions together day and night, the incredibly perceptive veteran shinobi had thoroughly figured out certain quirks about Shinichi.
Such as his inhuman appetite, and the fact that he possessed a unique constitution—somewhat similar to the Akimichi clan—that allowed him to rapidly convert massive amounts of high-quality food into energy to replenish his stamina and chakra.
"Thank you for the trouble, Senior," Shinichi accepted the food with a nod of gratitude and immediately began wolfing it down without standing on ceremony.
The high-calorie dried meat and the medicinal herbs in the broth were rapidly converted into the energy he desperately needed, slowly washing away the deep ache of exhaustion in his limbs.
As he ate, his gaze drifted toward the arena. A new match was already underway.
Shinichi's eyes landed on a young woman with shoulder-length, sandy-blonde hair. She exuded a gentle, quiet temperament, looking much more like a civilian desk clerk than a frontline combat shinobi.
Her combat style was incredibly unique. She simply stood quietly in place, her feet barely moving an inch, yet she seemed to merge completely with the surrounding sand and gravel.
Under her exquisite chakra manipulation, massive volumes of sand acted like a living, golden tide. Sometimes they formed giant hands that slammed down; other times they scattered into agile tentacles that entangled and intercepted. Her opponent was forced to jump frantically around the arena, utterly miserable.
And whenever her opponent managed to occasionally break through the waves of sand and launch a desperate attack—whether it was thrown kunai, a woven ninjutsu, or a close-quarters taijutsu thrust...
...the attack was always steadily blocked by a seemingly thin, yet incomparably solid Shield of Sand right as it breached the three-meter mark around her body.
The sand seemed to possess a will of its own, instantaneously condensing exactly where she needed protection the most. That level of absolute, effortless control was deeply impressive.
Karura.
Shinichi silently repeated the name in his mind.
This seemingly gentle young woman was none other than the future wife of Rasa, the Fourth Kazekage, and the mother of Temari, Kankuro, and Gaara.
In the memories of his past life, a thick fog of mystery surrounded Karura's true strength, and even whether she was truly considered an active shinobi at all.
But according to Rasa's later statements, the sand that automatically protected Gaara wasn't derived from the power of Shukaku, the One-Tail. It originated from Karura's love and power.
That fact alone was enough to prove that Karura was absolutely extraordinary when she was alive. An ordinary mother could never transform abstract "love" into a physical defense so terrifyingly powerful that it could instantly nullify the vast majority of ninjutsu attacks.
He just hadn't expected this woman—who largely existed as a background character in the original timeline—to make an appearance on the stage of the Chunin Exams.
"That Sand kunoichi manipulating the sand is incredibly strong," Kosuke had quietly stepped up beside Shinichi. His eyes were also locked on the arena as he offered a calm analysis. "Judging solely by the scale, precision, and defensive intensity of her sand manipulation, in terms of raw power, she has firmly reached the level of a Jonin."
He paused before continuing, "Looking purely at paper stats, your odds of winning against her are very slim. However..."
"...she lacks combat experience, and... she doesn't seem to actually like fighting," Shinichi spoke almost simultaneously, finishing Kosuke's thought.
This wasn't the first time he had observed Karura fight. Counting the scroll-snatching battle in the Demon Desert and the match that had just concluded, this was his third time.
Her combat pattern was highly rigid: She always opened with wide-area sand waves to blanket the field and pursue, forcing her opponent to constantly dodge and burn through their stamina. Once the opponent was driven into a corner or revealed a fatal opening, the sand waves would abruptly snap shut, forming a solid Sand Coffin to firmly bind the enemy—and the fight would end right there.
She never followed up a successful binding with the cold-blooded, lethal Sand Waterfall Funeral like her future son would.
"Exactly," Kosuke nodded approvingly. "Victory and defeat between shinobi are never solely determined by a raw comparison of chakra reserves and jutsu destructive power. Combat experience, on-the-spot judgment, seizing the right timing, and even the clash of willpower are absolutely critical."
He narrowed his eyes, breaking it down even further. "I've been observing her automatic Shield of Sand. Its reaction speed is undeniably fast; it's very difficult for an ordinary shinobi's attack rhythm to break through. But, Shinichi, with your speed, you have a very real chance of creating a microscopic opening right before that sand shield fully closes."
"Her weakness lies in her lack of experience and her unfamiliarity with seizing fleeting combat opportunities. You can use your speed to launch high-frequency feints and rapid directional changes, scrambling her judgment and forcing her defensive system into a momentary state of chaos or over-concentration. Your chance at victory likely exists within that fleeting, split-second gap torn open by absolute speed—striking her main body."
Shinichi slowly swallowed the last mouthful of food. He remained silent for a moment before suddenly speaking, "Absolute Defense! Senior, that's what the Sand shinobi called it earlier, right?"
Kosuke froze slightly, immediately grasping his intention. "Hmm? Are you planning to..."
Shinichi turned his head, looking at his senior. A very faint, yet razor-sharp smile curved the corner of his mouth.
"I want to test it."
He paused, enunciating every single word clearly.
"I want to see if I can shatter this so-called 'Absolute Defense'."