Mei Terumi looked at Uchiha You, a trace of wariness entering her eyes.
Uchiha You had already turned his attention back to the arena.
"The match is starting."
Mei stared at his profile and said nothing for a long while.
This man was even more dangerous than the rumors suggested.
Not only was his strength unfathomable, he even had access to intelligence from Kirigakure's highest ranks.
No wonder Zabuza and Raiga Kurosuki had died at his hands.
In the arena.
Ibiki Morino raised a hand.
"Begin!"
Suigetsu didn't hesitate. His hands flew through the hand seals.
"Water Release: Wild Water Wave!"
Boom!
A torrent burst from his mouth like a water snake and surged toward Sasuke.
Sasuke shifted his footing and quickly dodged sideways.
The water grazed his clothes and tore a deep trench in the ground behind him.
Suigetsu formed another set of hand seals.
"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet!"
Water shot skyward and gathered into a roaring dragon.
The dragon opened its jaws and lunged down at Sasuke.
Sasuke didn't counterattack. He moved swiftly, dodging the dragon's attacks one after another.
"Why isn't he using Fire Release?"
Naruto stood outside the arena, looking puzzled.
"Isn't Fire Release Sasuke's specialty?"
Kakashi, standing beside him, explained:
"First, Water Release has a natural advantage over Fire Release."
"If Sasuke uses Fire Release now, Suigetsu can weaken the flames with water, or even turn his Water Release against him."
"Second, you ran into Orochimaru in the Forest of Death. You weren't seriously injured, but you used up a fair amount of chakra."
"Sasuke needs to conserve as much chakra as he can."
"Got it."
Naruto nodded.
"So he plans to stall with taijutsu until he finds a chance to use Fire Release?"
"More or less."
Kakashi looked toward Sasuke in the