Kakashi's expression turned grave. Shirogoro was about his height and looked a little frail.
But no puppeteer from Sunagakure was easy to deal with. Every one of them was skilled with poison, and getting poisoned would all but cost him the match.
Nara Shikaku announced the start of the match. A puppet shot out from behind Shirogoro.
It opened its mouth, firing several needles that cut off every angle of escape for Kakashi.
Kakashi formed hand seals. An earth wall topped with a dog's head rose from the ground, blocking the needles.
Clink, clink, clink.
The needles struck the wall and fell to the ground. Kakashi leaped onto it, then charged at his opponent. With a push off the ground, he closed the distance in an instant.
At his age, Kakashi held an enormous speed advantage over his peers.
Just then, the ground shifted. A puppet beneath Kakashi's feet opened its enormous belly and lunged to swallow him.
It was Black Ant, the puppet Sasori of the Red Sands had developed for capturing targets. All eight of its jointed segments also sprang into the air, a long, slender bayonet jutting from the front of each one.
They were poised to rush Kakashi at any moment.
Poof.
The charging Kakashi vanished in a puff of white smoke. His real body had been hiding behind the earth wall. He leaped over it and charged in.
Kakashi drew his short sword. Lightning flashed along the blade as he lunged at Black Ant. The sword slashed again and again; sharpened by Lightning Release Chakra, it sliced the puppet to pieces in an instant.
Shirogoro was startled. His ten fingers flicked rapidly, sending all eight segments in the air hurtling toward Kakashi.
Kakashi swung his short sword in quick succession, Lightning Release Chakra flashing along