Pairs of two, twenty-one people.
One person was destined to sit out.
Just as they were drawing lots, Kabuto Yakushi suddenly said, "I... voluntarily withdraw from the tournament."
Anko Mitarashi frowned. "Kabuto, you worked so hard to pass the Forest of Death. Why are you withdrawing?"
Kabuto Yakushi said helplessly, "I'm injured, so I can't participate in the preliminaries. Sorry."
After Kabuto Yakushi withdrew, there were exactly twenty people left.
The drawing soon ended, and the preliminary matchups were announced.
Naruto versus Kiba Inuzuka.
Sakura versus Ino.
Tenten versus Temari.
Hinata versus Neji.
Sasuke versus Gaara.
The first match was Ino Yamanaka versus Sakura Haruno.
From the spectator stands, Sasuke watched.
Both sides' parents were cheering for their children!
Sakura's parents were ordinary people. They did not expect their daughter to defeat the daughter of the Yamanaka clan head.
Sakura Haruno's father said, "Sakura! Give it everything you've got! Even if you lose, don't leave yourself with regrets!"
"That's right, Sakura, do your best! You'll become a fine ninja!"
Sakura turned back and gave them an OK sign.
She had also seen Sasuke in the stands, watching every moment of the match.
Fighting spirit blazed in Sakura's heart!
Perhaps it was because of her inferiority complex over her status!
Ever since she was little, Sakura had liked Sasuke, but she had never dared to express it.
Sakura took a deep breath and said to Ino, "Ino, come at me with everything you've got. I won't go easy on you!"
Ino Yamanaka said, "Neither will I!"
Then, Ino began forming hand seals. "Mind Body Switch Technique..."
But at that moment, Inoichi Yamanaka from the spectator stands said, "Ino, you can't use the Mind Body Switch Technique on ninjas from the same village!"
Ino glanced at her father and nodded. "Yes,