The arena was packed with everyone who had successfully made it through the Forest of Death. They were all filthy and looked exhausted.
Gekko Hayate walked to the center of the arena and began explaining how the matches would work.
"Next, we'll hold one-on-one preliminary matches. The winners will advance to the third round. There are no rules in these matches. They continue until one side dies, goes down, or surrenders. So if you don't want to die, surrender before it's too late."
The sickly Gekko Hayate coughed as he explained. Then a large screen appeared in the arena and began randomly drawing the ninjas' names.
Unsurprisingly, Sasuke was still up first.
Sasuke Uchiha VS Akado Yoroi
"Now, let the first match begin. Both contestants, please enter the arena."
Sasuke and Akado Yoroi stepped into the arena. Meihui took Naruto up to the viewing platform to enjoy the show, pulling popcorn out of who knew where and munching as they watched. Sakura, standing beside them, was dumbfounded.
What's wrong with these two? Aren't they Sasuke's teammates? Why don't they look worried at all? A giant, dark version of Sakura voiced the thoughts inside her head.
She had reached the end of her patience, and there was no need to hold back anymore. The little manipulator began her guilt trip.
"Hey, what's wrong with you two? Can't you see Sasuke fighting down there? As his teammates, shouldn't you be worried? Shouldn't you be cheering him on?"
Meihui laughed in sheer irritation when he heard that. He had seen shameless people before, but never anyone this shameless.
"Excuse me, miss, is there something wrong with you? Sasuke is our teammate, and we trust his abilities. That's why we're not worried. If you want to cheer him on, go ahead. Don't bother us. The door's over there. After you."
Foul-mouthed Meihui gave the little manipulator a lesson. Sakura felt both angry and wronged. She had only tried to offer them some well-meaning advice, yet they had spoken to her like that. Boo-hoo.
"It's fine. You yelled at me when I was only trying to help, but I don't feel hurt. What's there to feel hurt about? As long as you're happy." Tears filled Sakura's eyes as she spoke, and her voice trembled with the beginnings of a sob, though she fought to hold it back. Anyone seeing her would have thought someone had bullied her.
Seeing Sakura act like that left Meihui rather speechless. He immediately decided to give her a taste of her own medicine. Since you're going to play dirty, don't blame me for being ruthless.
"That's right, we're very happy. You do have a little self-awareness after all. Looks like you're not that stupid. Just keep that in mind and remember your place from now on!" With that, Meihui tossed Sakura a book-Don't Lose Because You Can't Express Yourself.
Sakura glanced through the book he had tossed her. She had intended to throw it away, but decided to keep it instead.
With Sakura finally quiet, Meihui breathed a sigh of relief. At last, he could watch the match.
When he turned back to the match, Sasuke had already beaten his opponent into the ground. Without the Cursed Seal interfering, Sasuke was still a capable fighter.
That, however, left Orochimaru, who was watching from the shadows, thoroughly frustrated.
"Did that snake fail earlier? Why can't I sense the Cursed Seal on Sasuke anymore?"
Orochimaru continued puzzling over it. How could he have known that it was all Meihui's doing? What did he think top-tier Sealing Jutsu was for?
Sasuke had kicked Akado Yoroi into the air with his Taijutsu move, Lion Combo, then finished the fight with a backflip and a hooking kick from one foot. He had certainly proved himself an artist with his feet.
Seeing that Sasuke had knocked Akado Yoroi down, Gekko Hayate hurried to announce the result.
"The winner of this match is Sasuke Uchiha."
Before you continue