"The Chunin preliminaries will now begin. We'll draw the matchups."
Everyone turned to look.
Snap! Gekko Hayate snapped his fingers. Pale blue patterns of light rippled across the Crystal Screen in the center of the Arena, and names raced past like shooting stars.
The entire crowd held its breath.
When the names "Suigetsu" and "Kurotsuchi" stopped at opposite ends of the screen, the stands erupted.
Qingwu's lips curled upward. Both were familiar faces. The leggy Kurotsuchi against the half-naked Suigetsu? This would be interesting!
Naruto looked disappointed. "Not me, huh."
"It's Suigetsu from Kirigakure! That sword... it's Kubikiribōchō, one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen's blades! But I remember it belonging to Zabuza Momochi. Did he get killed?!" A Cloud Village examinee pointed toward the edge of the field, his voice full of excitement and apprehension.
"Go, Lady Kurotsuchi!"
A unified cheer rose from Iwagakure's section. Kurotsuchi, granddaughter of the Third Tsuchikage, stepped out of the crowd. Her ocher Forehead Protector sat at an angle above her brow, a cold smile curved her lips, and traces of rock dust still clung to her fingertips.
"Hahaha! I get the first match? What an excellent choice. Then let yours truly get things heated up!"
Suigetsu carried Kubikiribōchō over his shoulder. The blade was taller than he was, still wet, and its cold metallic gleam hurt the eyes.
Bobbing his head, he jumped into the field. His crimson eyes swept over Kurotsuchi, and he licked the corner of his mouth. "A little girl from Iwagakure? Perfect. Let me see how it feels to cut through that defense you're so proud of. I like a challenge like you."
Kurotsuchi kept her hands beside her Ninja Tools pouch, her soles scraping softly as she shifted her feet. "Hmph. A mere genin dares to act so cocky?