Shikaoi finds it hard to pay attention as the Hokage makes his speech. Shikamaru and Shikaoi had been hoping that there would not be a preliminary round, but Naruto and Sasuke were looking forward to the prospect of testing their skill levels.
The genin don't say anything as Kabuto 'forfeits' and is led away by anbu, but they don't miss the gaze the Hokage shoots at the Anbu who nod and take the 'genin' away in a shin shunshin.
Shikaoi sighed and leans against Naruto as Sasuke's name appeared on the screen along with that of some ninja named Yoroi. Team ten makes their way towards where the members of team seven stand, and Sasuke wastes no time vaulting over the railing, and the first preliminary match begins.
Sasuke wastes no time placing the other genin under a genjutsu without even activating his sharingan. Shikaoi notes that his teammate may have overpowered the genjutsu regardless as Yoroi has yet to break out of the genjutsu fifteen minutes later.
An awkward silence settles over the audience as Sasuke begins to fidget as he realizes he won't be getting the fight he was looking forward to his shoulders drooping in resignation, and after several more minutes, the proctor calls the match in the Uchiha's favour.
The fights between Zaku and Shino, and Misumi and Kankuro end with Shino and Kankuro each advancing.
Shikaoi sit up straighter, wondering if he had truly replaced Sakura in the preliminaries and how it would work if the fights are randomized.
Shikaoi internally cringed when he saw his name appear on the screen.
AN: I was going to wait until next year to post this chapter, but I decided it would be too cruel.
I hope you enjoyed it, and have a happy new year.
– A. Sparks