Just as Shikamaru had predicted, the fight between Shino Aburame and Kankurō was lopsided from the very beginning.
Having been warned ahead of time, Shino was quick to act. While Kankurō thought he had the upper hand by switching places with his puppet Crow, he was shocked to discover that Shino had already deployed his kikaichū insects. They had embedded themselves into the puppet's joints and were now crawling along the chakra threads connecting the hidden Kankurō to Crow.
Realizing he'd been exposed, Kankurō was forced to sever the chakra threads and leap backward in retreat. He reached for his tools, trying to prepare another move.
Shino calmly turned to track him—only for Kankurō to suddenly reconnect his chakra threads and hurl the puppet at him once again.
The fight quickly escalated, leaving both the Leaf and Sand observers anxious.
Kankurō can't afford to lose this match, Temari thought, wiping the sweat from her brow. There's no way I can handle this mission on my own…
Kankurō and Temari's primary mission wasn't just to compete—it was to support and protect Gaara. If the Sand and Sound alliance's operation failed, they were responsible for extracting Gaara, their most valuable weapon as a jinchūriki.
The plan had been for all three of them—Gaara, Temari, and Kankurō—to advance through the Chūnin Exams and stay within the village undetected until the operation commenced. If Kankurō failed here, only Temari would remain to cover Gaara.
But the outcome of the fight wasn't up to anyone's plan.
Now that Kankurō's true position was known, Shino had no reason to keep playing his game. He immediately shifted focus, closing in on Kankurō directly. While Shino wasn't a taijutsu specialist, his kikaichū gave him a massive advantage that Kankurō couldn't defend against.
Kankurō tried to maneuver Crow to protect himself, but his puppet skills weren't yet refined enough. Dividing his attention between evading Shino and controlling the puppet meant he couldn't do either effectively.
A strange and tense chase unfolded across the arena. In the end, Shino's superior tactics won out. He intercepted Kankurō and engulfed him with chakra-draining insects. The moment Kankurō felt his chakra being siphoned and realized he couldn't win, he raised his hand in surrender.
Seeing this, Hayate Gekkō coughed once and declared in his rasping voice, "Since Kankurō has forfeited, the winner of the second match is Shino Aburame from the Hidden Leaf Village!"
"Yes!" Hinata Hyūga let out a soft cheer, clasping her hands in joy. "Shino made it!"
"Nice one, Shino!" Kiba Inuzuka called out as Shino ascended the stairs back to the viewing platform. "That looked easy!"
Despite his victory, Shino maintained his usual stoic expression, hands in his pockets. In response to Kiba's comment, he nodded slightly, his face hidden beneath his high collar. "It went well. I hope you and Hinata win your matches too."
Kiba raised an eyebrow. Shino's cool tone carried a hint of smugness, clearly pleased with himself. Kiba, a bit competitive by nature, suddenly felt the urge to prove himself.
"I knew you'd win!" Naruto Uzumaki suddenly appeared beside Shino with his usual energy, clapping him on the shoulder. "That's what happens when your opponent's just plain weak!"
His words were loud and unsubtle—clearly directed toward Kankurō, who was now being carried out of the arena on a stretcher. Across the field, Temari narrowed her eyes, glaring at Naruto and Shino, silently vowing to settle the score if given the chance.
The ruckus caused by Naruto and Kiba drew Gaara's attention. But after a glance, he lost interest. Neither of the matches so far—Naruto's or Shino's—had shown any true strength that piqued his curiosity.
Instead, Gaara's gaze drifted toward Shikamaru, whom he had silently marked as a potential target—someone he was eager to test... and destroy.
Back in the arena, Hayate Gekkō, now hoarse from coughing, waited until Kankurō was carried off by med-nin. Then he stepped forward and called out, "Let's move on to the next match!"
Everyone looked up at the digital board as it began to shuffle names once more.
Akaton Kō vs. Sasuke Uchiha
"Finally…" Sasuke exhaled as his name appeared. His right hand clutched the cursed seal on his neck. The pain's getting worse. I don't know how much longer I can suppress it.
Behind him, Kakashi appeared silently, leaning close to whisper, "Sasuke. Don't use your Sharingan. In fact, try not to use chakra at all. It could trigger the seal."
"You knew?" Sasuke gave a bitter smile. His hand clenched around the mark. "If I can't even use chakra, how am I supposed to fight?"
"You don't have a choice," Kakashi said grimly. "If that cursed seal activates, it could kill you. And if I sense it going out of control… I'll end the match myself."
—
On the opposite side of the arena, the jōnin overseeing Akaton Kō and Misumi Tsurugi narrowed his eyes at the board. A thin smirk tugged at the corners of his lips as he glanced at Sasuke, who was clearly in pain.
"Go get him, Kō," he muttered. "Drain all his chakra. I want to see what that cursed seal really does."
Kō nodded without question and whispered, "Yes… Lord Orochimaru."
He then vaulted from the stands, landing in the arena with barely concealed excitement.
Sasuke, catching his breath, slowly descended the stairs under Sakura's worried gaze, finally stepping into the ring to face Akaton Kō.
When Hayate gave the signal, the match began.
Sasuke, despite the searing pain in his neck, opened with a flurry of shuriken. But the cursed seal dulled his precision—the throws were weak, and Kō easily dodged them before charging forward.
Kō's hands formed seals, chakra coating his palms. He brought them crashing down toward Sasuke's body like twin hammers.
Sasuke rolled aside just in time.
Boom!
Stone shattered as Kō's chakra-enhanced blow cracked the arena floor. Sasuke blocked flying debris with one arm, using the other to pin Kō's arm down. Twisting with his legs, he flipped Kō over and locked him in a chokehold with his legs and arms.
"You better give—"
Suddenly, Kō twisted his wrist and gripped Sasuke's neck. A strange force surged into Sasuke's body.
His eyes widened. "M-My chakra!?"
Kō smirked coldly. With Sasuke's chakra being siphoned, his strength faded fast. Kō easily escaped the hold and rose to his feet, reaching for Sasuke again.
Sasuke barely dodged, rolling away in desperation.
"You're still moving?" Kō mocked, lunging forward.
No chakra, no jutsu… not even proper taijutsu, Sasuke thought bitterly. This cursed seal is killing me… I can't keep up!
Then he glanced at Rock Lee—his distinct green jumpsuit unmistakable. The Shadow of the Dancing Leaf… the technique I copied with the Sharingan… It's taijutsu-heavy. Minimal chakra use.
It was risky. But for Sasuke, losing meant falling behind—behind Shikamaru, Naruto, everyone.
And that was something he couldn't accept.