[Misumi Tsurugi VS Kankuro]
Kankuro said, "Hmph, finally, my turn."
An older man nearby, dressed just like Akado Yoroi, also stepped into the arena.
"The third individual match begins now!"
After a stream of bluster and some opening posturing, Misumi Tsurugi immediately used the Soft Body Entangling Strangulation Technique on Kankuro.
But Misumi Tsurugi never expected that the target of his rear naked choke was merely Kankuro's puppet.
And once Kankuro controlled his puppet to counter Misumi Tsurugi, the match was over.
"Kankuro wins!"
Gekko Hayate called out, "The next random match!"
[Sakura Haruno VS Ino Yamanaka]
As the randomly selected names appeared, everyone from their Konoha cohort looked at the pair.
"Now that's a fated showdown. Love rival versus love rival?"
Kiba Inuzuka looked at Ino and Sakura with amusement. "Two simps. How many years have Sasuke and Naruto been living together now?"
"Woof, woof..."
Just then, Akamaru barked twice at Kiba, then looked toward Gaara of the Sand shinobi.
"I know, Akamaru. If we're unlucky enough to face that monster, I'll surrender right away to keep you safe."
Kiba pressed his palms together and muttered, "Ancestors, watch over me. Don't let me face that gourd girl."
As they spoke, smoke appeared behind Naruto and Sakura with a pop, and Kakashi made his grand entrance.
"Kakashi-sensei, you're so late. It's already my turn." Only after seeing Kakashi return did Sakura breathe a sigh of relief.
"Ah... Sakura, who are you fighting?" Kakashi asked, scratching his head sheepishly.
"More importantly, Kakashi-sensei, how's Sasuke?"
Seeing both Sakura and Naruto looking at him, Kakashi replied, "He's fine. Sasuke's already asleep in a room at Konoha Hospital. Don't worry, the ANBU are protecting him."
Sakura nodded at that, and Naruto nodded too.
"All right, you don't need to worry about Sasuke anymore. Sakura,