Naruto: Starting with Creating a Genius Persona

On the panel that only he could see, a line of brand-new handwriting was radiating a warm green light:

[Physical Skills Proficiency (Green): Your understanding of physical techniques and your ability to learn through physical combat have significantly improved. In actual combat, your moves flow smoothly, almost becoming instinctive reactions, allowing you to easily handle complex physical combos.]

It's been upgraded!

After nearly three years of silence, the martial arts skill entry finally made a qualitative leap and was promoted to green in this highly anticipated and unpretentious ultimate martial arts duel!

Moreover, Shinichi had a premonition that the green tag was not the end. Once the details of this exam spread through the mouths of the thousands of spectators present, it would not only be in Sunagakure, but when the news returned to Konoha, although it might not be as shocking as in Sunagakure, it would definitely cause some discussion in the village.

The term "[Physical Skills Expertise]" is likely to see another leap forward, reaching the blue realm that represents a higher level of talent.

A moment later, Shinichi helped the nearly exhausted Might Guy to the edge of the rest area.

At that moment, a familiar aroma, a blend of fresh ingredients and the refreshing scent of herbs, wafted over.

"You must be exhausted. Here, I've been keeping track of the time and quickly made something. Eat it while it's hot to replenish your energy."

Maruhoshi Kosuke had set up his signature large iron pot in a corner of the rest area. The charcoal fire underneath was simmering, and the pot was bubbling with steam. Plump chunks of meat and vegetables were rolling in the thick, white broth, and the aroma was irresistible.

He held a long spoon, smiling and greeting everyone, his relaxed demeanor as if he were having a picnic in the countryside rather than at the tense Chunin Exams.

After more than six months of working together on missions, this insightful old ninja had already figured out some of Shinichi's characteristics.

For example, his extraordinary appetite and the special physique that seems to be similar to that of the Akimichi clan, which allows him to replenish his energy and chakra extremely quickly by consuming large amounts of high-quality food.

"Thank you for your trouble, senior." Shinichi took the food, thanked him, and began to eat heartily without any hesitation. The high-calorie jerky and the medicinal herbs in the food quickly converted into the energy he needed, and his fatigue gradually subsided.

As he ate, his gaze drifted to the arena, where a new match was underway.

Shinichi's gaze fell on the young woman on the field, who had shoulder-length sandy-yellow short hair and a gentle and calm temperament. She looked more like an office worker than a ninja charging into battle.

Her fighting style was very unique; she simply stood still, barely moving a step, as if she had become one with the surrounding sand.

Under her exquisite chakra manipulation, the vast amounts of sand surged like a living yellow wave, sometimes transforming into a giant hand to strike, and sometimes dispersing into flexible tentacles to entangle and intercept, forcing her opponents to jump up and down, suffering immensely.

The opponent's occasional attacks, launched with all their might, breaking through the sandstorm, whether it was throwing kunai, releasing ninjutsu attacks through hand seals, or close-range taijutsu thrusts.

However, it was always blocked by a seemingly thin but incredibly solid sand shield when it was about three meters away from her body.

The sand seemed to possess its own will, instantly coalescing in the area where she needed the most protection. That sense of control, so effortless and intuitive, was truly impressive.

Galuro.

Shinichi silently recited the name in his heart.

This seemingly gentle young woman is the wife of the future fourth Kazekage, Rasa, and the mother of Temari, Kankuro, and Gaara.

In her past life's memories, Karura's true strength, and even whether she could be considered a true ninja, were shrouded in mystery.

However, according to Rasa's later statement, the sand that protects Gaara and automatically defends against attacks does not originate from the power of Shukaku, the One-Tailed Beast, but from Karura's love and power.

This alone is enough to show that Karura was no ordinary woman in life, because an ordinary mother could never transform so-called "love" into such a concrete and powerful defensive force that could nullify most ninjutsu attacks.

To his surprise, this woman, who would have been more of a background character in the future, would actually appear on the Chunin Exams field this time.

"This Sand Village female ninja who manipulates sand is very strong." Kosuke Maruhoshi had appeared beside Shinichi at some point, his gaze also fixed on the field, and he analyzed in a calm voice: "In terms of the scale, precision, and defensive strength of her sand manipulation alone, she has firmly reached the level of a Jonin in terms of raw power."

He paused, then continued, "Judging from the strength on paper, your chances of winning against her are very small, but..."

"She lacks combat experience, and... she doesn't seem to like fighting." Shinichi spoke almost simultaneously, picking up where Maruhoshi Kosuke left off.

This wasn't the first time he'd observed Garuro's battles. Including the scroll-grabbing battle in the Desert of Death and the duel that had just ended, this was the third time.

Her fighting style is quite fixed: she starts by covering and pursuing a large area of ​​sand waves, forcing her opponent to dodge and exhaust their stamina; when the opponent is cornered or reveals a weakness, the sand waves will suddenly close in, forming a solid sand coffin, which will imprison the enemy firmly—and the battle will end there.

She never followed her future son's bondage with a deadly, cold-blooded sandfall funeral.

"Not bad." Maruhoshi Kosuke nodded approvingly. "The outcome of a ninja's battle is never just a comparison of chakra reserves and the power of techniques. Combat experience, on-the-spot judgment, timing, and even the contest of wills are all crucial."

He narrowed his eyes slightly, analyzing the situation more meticulously: "I've observed her automatic defensive sand shield; its reaction speed is indeed extremely fast, making it difficult for ordinary ninjas to break through. However, Shinichi, with your speed, you have a good chance of creating a gap before the sand shield completely closes."

"Her weakness lies in her lack of experience and unfamiliarity with seizing opportunities. You can use your speed to launch frequent feints and change direction, disrupting her judgment and forcing her defense system into brief disarray or over-concentration. Your chance of victory may lie in that fleeting moment when extreme speed tears through you, allowing you to strike her main body."

Shinichi slowly swallowed the last bite of food. After a moment of silence, he suddenly said, "Absolute Defense! Senpai, that's what the people of Sunagakure called it before, right?"

Maruhoshi Kosuke paused slightly, then understood his intention: "Hmm? You mean...."

Shinichi turned his head to look at his senior, a faint yet sharp smile curving his lips:

I want to give it a try.

He paused, then said, word by word,

"Can we break through this so-called absolute defense?"