"Sunagani versus Ishikuma!"
Shadow Clone Kakashi was intently watching the battlefield.
This was the final round of the pre-selection match, and after a day's rest, the elimination round would commence.
Just as before, Sunagani entered the battlefield with an indifferent look, showing no hint of tension.
Contrarily, Sunagani's opponent Ishikuma appeared as if he was bracing for a great threat.
Although Sunagani hadn't resorted to exaggerated large-scale ninjutsu like Nagato, his casual manner in resolving foes every time made Ishikuma wary.
"Earth Release: Rock Cannon Jutsu!"
With rapid hand seals, Ishikuma spewed stones towards Sunagani, swiftly launching them like cannonballs as they expanded mid-flight.
This was a Legion Ninjutsu of the Hidden Rock, with immense power when used collectively by the Hidden Rock Ninja Squad, and it was also a decent attack ninjutsu in single combat.
Sunagani's face remained indifferent as he retrieved a scroll and deftly dodged the Hidden Rock's attacks.
The next moment, an elderly man, stooped with scorpion-like iron spikes on his back, appeared on the battlefield and rushed towards Ishikuma.
"Puppet Master." Kakashi thought, squinting slightly.
Undoubtedly, this technique was developed by the Second Kazekage as puppet technique.
"Could this guy be a traitorous ninja from the Hidden Sand?" Kakashi pondered with suspicion.
Though the puppet technique was no longer exclusive to The Hidden Sand Village, puppet masters who were not from the Hidden Sand rarely became renowned experts, at least not to Kakashi's knowledge.
The level of mastery Sunagani demonstrated in puppetry was truly extraordinary, quickly suppressing opponent Ishikuma with just one puppet.
Even someone as inexperienced in this area as Kakashi could sense the adeptness of Sunagani's puppet manipulation.
At an age not exceeding eighteen, possessing such puppetry skills made it difficult for Kakashi to believe Sunagani was self-taught.
In the relatively new school of puppetry, the skill level of the teacher is crucial.
Of course, since there was no evidence, Kakashi couldn't very well report Sunagani, but he would certainly keep a closer watch.
Under Sasori's brilliant puppet technique, Ishikuma was quickly forced to the brink and lost the battle.
"Sunagani wins and advances to the elimination round!"
After the referee announced the battle results, Sasori swiftly retrieved the puppet and walked directly out, ignoring everyone.
He had no interest in anything here; Sasori came only because the fourth place prize was a Chakra Blade worth over ten million ryo.
He intended to melt it down for puppet making.
Sasori cared not for the other competitors and had no desire to gather intelligence; he had eyes solely on the fourth place.
Actually, Sasori believed if he exerted his full strength, winning first place should be easy, considering he was one of the few in the Ninja World who had killed a Kage.
However, Sasori had no intention of doing so; firstly, he wanted the fourth-place prize, and secondly, using full strength might prevent him from claiming his prize.
Sasori entered the tournament under an assumed identity.
Though not yet wanted by the Hidden Sand, there were Hidden Sand Ninjas at the Martial Arts Tournament; if he revealed the Third Kazekage Human Puppet, the Hidden Sand would immediately organize ninjas to hunt him down.
Sasori didn't want to be exposed before achieving his goals.
...
Having observed Sasori's battle, Kakashi's main body proceeded directly to Nagato's arena.
Nagato's combat style remained utterly straightforward, forcing his opponents to surrender using high-powered ninjutsu bombardment.
"Nagato, let's go; Yahiko should be finished there too," Konan said to Nagato.
She and Nagato were participants in the same arena, though her sequence number was far ahead.
Nagato nodded and, alongside Konan, headed towards Yahiko's arena.
Kakashi, observing them, appeared pensive; this formidable female ninja should also be part of the Akatsuki.
Since Akatsuki was presently harmless, Kakashi didn't dwell on it much and went to find his other successfully advanced companions.
"The pre-selection match has ended satisfactorily." Nohara Rin clasped her hands and smiled gently.
Before the fight commenced, Nohara Rin worried she might not advance to the elimination rounds.
Having been with Kakashi and the others for a while, Nohara Rin often felt herself to be very weak, merely an ineffectual healer.
However, after four rounds in the pre-selection match, Nohara Rin's confidence was restored.
She felt all opponents were exceptionally weak, even the fourth-round opponent failed to withstand her single Bursting Fist.
"Hehe, Rin, you performed excellently; many competitors were astounded."
Obito couldn't help but laugh recalling Nohara Rin shattering the ground with a punch, leaving spectating competitors dumbfounded.
Obito felt it wasn't entirely the other competitors' lack of insight; who could have anticipated that soft-spoken Nohara Rin possessed such Monster Strength Power?
"It's alright; I'm still far from you all and need to keep striving." Nohara Rin waved with a smile, not letting the pre-selection slaughter inflate her ego.
Nohara Rin considered her strength worthy of pride only when the others no longer instinctively excluded her as a protector in internal battles.
With the pre-selection match concluded, ninjas from the same Ninja Village commenced interactions, as did Konoha.
"This young Martial Arts Tournament has quite a few competent ninjas, failing to advance is no big deal," Asuma consoled Yuhi Kurenai, who was eliminated in the fourth round.
In their squad, only Asuma advanced, while the other two were eliminated.