Kapitel 54: Sakura vs Kiyo
(AN: Don't forget to drop stones, comments, and ratings! Your support is appreciated!)
----
"Haruno Sakura and Yudoku Kiyo, please come up to the front. Everyone else, *cough* could you please head to the upper level?"
Hayate raised his hand and pointed towards the stands, signaling for us to leave. Everyone, including the Jonin, headed upstairs.
Along with Baki, Temari, and Kankuro, our team stood in a corner. Not too far away from the Konoha Genin and their Senseis.
As always, Naruto couldn't restrain himself, shouting so loud that everyone in the building could hear him.
"Let's go, Sakura-chan! Show the sand-guys who's boss!"
Shira looked very nervous, placing his hands on the metallic handrail and clenching it tightly. Turning his head toward me, he made a somewhat worried expression.
"Gaara, do you think Kiyo will win?"
Crossing my arms, I relaxedly leaned on the wall and smiled.
"Do I look like I care?"
Not convinced by my answer, Shira swallowed saliva and turned his head back to the two Kunoichi.
In reality, I couldn't help but feel a little pity for Sakura. Kiyo should have absolutely no trouble against her.
"Hey, you! No brow-guy! Do you not care about your teammate!? I thought you were cooler!"
Obviously hearing my comment, Naruto pointed at me accusatorily. I just shrugged in response.
"Naruto, relax."
After Kakashi told him to, Naruto had to comply. With a sour expression, he decided to drop the issue and concentrate on the match.
*********************************
(AN: When I do a third person switch, I'll use this character: * : from now on.)
"You may... Begin."
Hayate retreated to a secluded area of the field. From this position, he would be able to observe without getting in the way.
...
Kiyo and Sakura stared at each other, trying to gather any sort of information they could.
This stalemate lasted for a few seconds, building tension in the hall.
Breaking the silence, Kiyo reached into her pouch and threw three Shuriken in Sakura's direction.
Reacting quickly, Sakura drew her Kunai and deflected the incoming attack. After succeeding, she looked around but Kiyo had disappeared.
"Careful! Behind you!"
Hearing Naruto's scream, Sakura turned around but was unable to react in time.
With great speed, Kiyo threw a direct punch at Sakura's face and made her fall backward.
Spitting out blood, Sakura quickly balanced herself and tried to counterattack with a punch of her own, which Kiyo dodged easily.
She had sparred with Shira in the past, so this was nothing to her.
Demonstrating great technique, Kiyo dodged all of Sakura's attacks, hitting her in vital areas with precision. Inevitably, Sakura fell to the ground, vomiting blood.
She hadn't even landed one hit on Kiyo.
Hayate flickered next to Sakura, checking her condition.
"Great!"
Shira clenched his fists in happiness. His immense worry fading ever so slightly.
"Sakura-chan! No!"
Naruto almost jumped out of the platform. Next to him, Guy looked at Kakashi with a smile on his face.
"That girl from the Sand was taught well, Kakashi... It seems like your Genin weren't ready after all."
"..."
Kakashi ignored Guy, looking at Sakura with his usual laid-back expression. On the other hand, Naruto was fuming.
"Shut up, Bushier-Brows Sensei! Sakura will win, I know it!"
Turning around, Naruto started screaming at the unmoving Sakura.
"Sakura-chan! I know you can do it! Don't give up!"
Hearing Naruto's words, Sakura opened her eyes. All sorts of thoughts ran through her head.
'After making it this far... I won't stay behind those two! I refuse!'
"The winner of the fi-"
Before Hayate could announce the winner, Sakura's body moved, surprising everyone in the room. Through sheer willpower, she got up from the ground, struggling to breathe properly.
In a decisive action, She untied her headband and placed it on her forehead. Looking up, she stared at Kiyo with determined eyes.
Up in the stands, Naruto was grinning from ear-to-ear.
"Great! You can do it, Sakura-chan!"
'How is she still standing?'
Kiyo was confused. She was sure that she had hit Sakura in every vital spot Shira had taught her about.
Looking up at her team, she saw a worried Shira. Behind him, Baki and Gaara looked relaxed, as if everything was under control. This made her regain her confidence, and she concentrated once again.
Before Sakura could attack, Kiyo started using hand-seals.
"Kirigakure no Jutsu!" (Hiding in mist technique!)
Suddenly, a bunch of mist covered the area, obstructing Sakura's vision and making her unable to do anything.
"That's Zabuza's jutsu!"
Naruto and Sasuke looked like they had seen a ghost. They couldn't understand why a girl from the sand could use this technique.
"She must be an immigrant from Kirigakure, that girl."
"No doubt about it."
Kakashi and Guy looked toward Baki, who just smiled.
"Argh!"
Sakura's screams filled the area, indicating that she was receiving a harsh beating.
Kakashi looked worried, removing his headband in order to see what was going on inside.
In the mist, Sakura was unable to react to anything. Kiyo appeared out of nowhere, hitting her and disappearing almost as quickly. Slowly, she was being worn down and would topple at any moment.
After a while, the mist disappeared and Sakura's unconscious body was visible to everyone. Kiyo was next to her, hands smeared in blood.
Hayate flickered next to Sakura, checking her condition. Once he confirmed her unconscious state, he got back up.
"Yudoku Kiyo has passed the prelims!"
"Yes!"
Shira cheered, and Kiyo smiled back. The fight was finally over, with Sakura not having a single chance to win.
"Sakura-chan!"
Naruto tried to run over to her but was immediately stopped by Kakashi.
"Naruto, she can't hear you. Let the medical team take care of her and go back to your place."
"But-"
"No buts. Sakura tried her best, but it just wasn't enough. If you want to do anything for her, win your match."
"..."
Naruto dejectedly left Sakura, who was put on a stretcher before being taken away. She wasn't in any serious trouble, just unconscious and with a good amount of internal injuries.
*********************************
Once Kiyo got back up, Shira quickly started complimenting her, but also criticized some of her moves. Although she fought well, some things could still be improved.
After talking to Shira, Kiyo looked at me for a moment before heading to Baki, who nodded in approval.
"You did well, Kiyo. Although you revealed one of your cards, you still have a few hidden, so it should be alright."
"Yes, Baki-sensei!"
Well, I was expecting this result. Sakura wasn't really dangerous right now, and her only redeeming qualities were intelligence and chakra control. In contrast, her fighting ability wasn't great.
Smirking, I focused on the electronic board once again.
"Umm... *Cough* We will now start the second match..."
With everyone watching, two more names appeared on the display.
'Zaku Abumi vs Sasuke Uchiha'
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein