The electronic screen was unveiled. "The names of each pair of opponents are selected entirely at random. These names will be displayed on the screen behind me before each match," Hayate announced. "Shortly, the names of the first two contenders will be shown." The group of genin watched expectantly. The screen blinked yellow, then turned black, showing a slot for the first name, a space for "vs," and then a second name. It cycled through various names before stopping on "Yoroi Akado vs. Sasuke Uchiha."
Sasuke allowed himself a smirk. 'No time wasted,' he thought. The smirk briefly faded as he grimaced, clutching at his curse mark.
'This is exactly what I wanted,' Yoroi thought.
"Those whose names have been called, step forward," Hayate instructed. Sasuke and Yoroi advanced and faced him. "You are selected for the first match." They turned to face each other. "Yoroi Akado and Sasuke Uchiha. Any objections?" Neither of the selected spoke.
Sasuke winced again. 'That curse mark giving you trouble.' thought Yoroi.
"Everyone other than the two foes, go to the upper area." The crowd of genin split and walked up the stairs on to the balcony the hung above the room.
"Start."
Sasuke seized a kunai while Yoroi hurled three shuriken at him. Sasuke advanced and deflected them, then retaliated with shuriken of his own. However, his curse mark flared, causing him to lose balance and tumble to the ground. 'Already?' Sasuke wondered.
Yoroi loomed over him, aiming a punch as Sasuke lay on the floor. Sasuke rolled aside, avoiding the strike as Yoroi's fist cracked the ground, scattering debris. Planting his kunai into the floor to halt his slide, Sasuke used it to vault his legs forward, striking Yoroi's left leg with both feet. He then wrestled Yoroi to the ground, securing him in a pin.
Sasuke pinned Yoroi's upper body to the ground, securing Yoroi's arm across his chest. Yoroi twisted his hand, seizing Sasuke's collar; his hands began to emit a light blue glow, accompanied by a humming sound. Sasuke, bewildered, felt his energy draining and his strength fading.
As the blue chakra dissipated, Yoroi thrust his fist skyward, then brought it crashing down onto Sasuke's chest, breaking free from the hold and leaving Sasuke sprawled on his back. Yoroi retreated with a leap. Sasuke lay there, clutching his chest and trembling, Realizing his strength had completely dissipated, Sasuke lay on the ground. Sakura's cry, "Sasuke! No!" filled the air as he abruptly sat up, only to find Yoroi upon him, hands radiating a light blue glow.
'Chakra drain...' Naruto realized.
Yoroi seized Sasuke's forehead, bringing him down. Sasuke struggled beneath Yoroi's palm, his attempts to dislodge the hand futile due to his drained strength. His left hand fell weakly to the ground, his eyes nearly closing.
"my... chakra..." Sasuke gasped.
Yoroi's laughter boomed. "Only now you notice?" Sasuke's arms trembled beside him, too weak to defend himself, fear etched on his face.
Yet, Sasuke mustered his remaining strength, clenched his fist, and thrust Yoroi off, sending him sprawling. Shaking, Sasuke rose. "Still some fight in you, I see. Admirable for a test subject. But don't worry, this will be over soon."
Yoroi charged, his hand shrouded in a blue aura, aiming directly at Sasuke. As Yoroi lunged for Sasuke's head, Sasuke evaded, and the dance continued—Yoroi punching, Sasuke dodging. Sasuke leaped back, and they locked eyes in a tense standoff. Yoroi let out a laugh.
"Sasuke, snap out of it! What have you been working your whole life for?" Naruto scolded. "You look pathetic. Pick yourself up." As Sasuke's eyes met Naruto's, he remembered his goal. How could he get to fight Naruto if he perished here? That was not an option.
Sasuke smirked and looked back at Yoroi. "You can afford to not pay attention!" Yoroi ran at Sasuke. Yoroi attack Sasuke with a barrage of attacks, Sasuke effortlessly dodged them. Yoroi kept attacking. Lee's eyes widened as Sasuke vanished and appeared below Yoroi, kicking him into the sky. Yoroi cried out as blood splattered, Yoroi was gliding through the air, Sasuke leapt into the air.
'That's my move!' Lee shouted mentally.
'What the..." Gai looked in surprise. Naruto smirked.
Sasuke appeared behind the gliding Yoroi. "I kinda stole that, but from here on out, this is all mine." Sasuke spoke.
Sasuke pressed his fingers into Yoroi's back and abruptly winced, coughing up blood. "Not again! It's becoming more potent!" he grunted, as faint red marks spread across his body, enveloping his entire face.
Mulling over Naruto's words, Sasuke made a firm internal vow: 'No! I won't let this take over!' As he did, the marks started to vanish before they could fully appear.
'The curse mark is receding!' Anko realized in surprise.
In mid-air, Sasuke feinted a kick to Yoroi's side, which was blocked. He then faked a kick to the other side, only to pivot and land a solid back-fist to Yoroi's face. As Yoroi plummeted headfirst towards the ground, Sasuke delivered a fierce punch to his stomach, forcing out a spurt of blood. With a swift motion, Sasuke positioned his foot above Yoroi, and as Yoroi hit the ground, Sasuke's leg crashed down onto his torso.
"Lion's Barrage!" Sasuke slid back as Yoroi cried out in pain.
Both Sasuke and Yoroi lay on the floor motionless, while the proctor surveyed the scene. Approaching Yoroi's body, the proctor remarked, "Well, this one's finished." However, his focus shifted as Sasuke stood up, panting heavily. Lifting his head, Sasuke heard the proctor declare, "This match is over. Advancing to the finals is the winner of this preliminary round, Sasuke Uchiha."
Sasuke settled on the ground, attempting to lie back, but was halted by a figure. "Hm, not bad," Kakashi commented. Sasuke turned and offered a smirk. Kakashi, book in hand and halfway through, noted, "Interesting, your technique before the Lion's Barrage bore a strong resemblance to Gai's Taijutsu."
--
"Sasuke Uchiha. Maybe you should come along to the infirmary too and let us treat your injuries."
"I think you're out of your league with this one." spoke Kakashi. "I'll look after him." Kakashi leaned down. "Okay, up you go, you're coming with me." Kakashi spoke.
--
"Okay then, let's move on to the second match."