But as the smoke started to clear, it slowly revealed the shadowy outline of a perfect sphere, a mineralized cocoon of sand that shielded Gaara from the blast. As Gaara predicted, Gokudera's efforts did not even come close to touching him. The sand cracked audibly as it became fluid. Streams of sand fell to the ground, revealing the boy within; he hadn't moved an inch during the onslaught. The only difference before and after the attack, was an increasingly murderous undertone in Gaara's voice. The attack had been stronger than Gaara had anticipated for someone who possessed no chakra. He wanted to see if there was more.

"Don't tell me that was all you could do."