The cluster of genin looked on with anticipation. The screen flickered yellow before going dark, then displayed a slot for the first contender, a space for "vs," followed by the second contender's name. It scrolled through a list of names and finally settled on "Zaku Abumi vs. Shino Aburame."

Despite his broken arm, Zaku maintained his arrogant smirk. "Heh! Who's the unlucky one?" he scoffed, scanning the crowd.

Cough* *Cough* "Please step forward." Zaku and Shino met each other's gaze. "Excellent, if you're both prepared, let's commence."

Naruto smiled greatly, he really wanted to see Shino fight.

"Do you think Shino will be all right?" asked Hinata quietly.

"He's okay, don't you worry about him," spoke Kiba. "He's the last person here I'd ever want to take on."

"Canidates ready?" Hayate stepped back. "Begin."

'Well, Zaku. How you manage this will certainly be something to see,' Dosu thought. He glanced to his right and saw his 'jonin-sensei' disappear in a puff of smoke.

"Forfeit," declared Shino. Both of Zaku's arms were encased in casts.

"Heh! There's still a bit of movement in one," Zaku boasted, his left hand trembling slightly before he fully extended it. "One good arm is all I need to defeat you!"

Zaku charged at Shino, aiming a strike at his face with his functioning arm. Shino blocked it effortlessly and fixed Zaku with a stare. "Even with both arms, you wouldn't win."

"Well, here's something new for you! Take this! Slicing Sound Wave!" Zaku unleashed his attack, sending Shino flying amidst a huge cloud of dust, rolling across the ground. Zaku watched with a smirk. Kiba and Hinata gasped, while Naruto observed with keen interest.

--

Sasuke, shirtless, was seated in a dimly-lit stone chamber, encircled by strange markings. Kakashi stood above him, inscribing seals around his body, focusing on the curse mark as crimson characters snaked across his back, converging on the seal. Kakashi straightened, "Okay, this will be quick. Are you ready?" Sasuke gave a nod. The marks etched on Sasuke's skin extended throughout the room, resembling the color of blood.

Kakashi began to cycle through hand signs. "Curse Sealing!" he announced, forming the final sign. He then pressed his hand against Sasuke's mark.

A scream tore from Sasuke's throat as the marks on the floor stirred, inching toward him, climbing his arms and legs, converging where Kakashi's hand lay. Sasuke's cries continued, piercing the air. When all the marks had gathered, Kakashi lifted his hand; the cursed seal glowed a fierce red, encased in a crimson circle. Then, the curse mark reverted to black, and the surrounding circle turned black as well.

Sasuke was catching his breath. "The seal should control the curse mark next time it flares up," Kakashi explained. "But the strength of this curse-sealing jutsu depends on you; it's powered by your will. If you ever lose confidence or start doubting, the curse will escape." Sasuke fell to the ground, out cold. "Too exhausted to even protest," Kakashi said quietly to himself.

"You've come a long way." A voice came from behind Kakashi. He stiffened, and his eye widened in shock. "I never imagined you'd be capable of casting the curse sealing jutsu."

Kakashi turned around. "You."

There stood Orochimaru, in his original form, without any disguise or possession. A dark and light purple aura swirled around him. "Long time no see, Kakashi."

"Orochimaru..."

"No offense, Kakashi. But I didn't come to see you. My business is with that boy behind you."

--

"Alright, fool! Have you had enough?" Zaku asked mockingly. As the smoke cleared, a figure stood ominously within it. Shino straightened up and locked eyes with Zaku. "He's... It's impossible!"

A disturbing sound reverberated around the room. "Hey? What's that?" Zaku asked no one in particular.

Zaku's eyes bulged as bugs skittered across Shino's collar. Small holes were visible on Shino's left cheek, from which bugs emerged and scuttled across his face and clothes. 'Bugs are emerging from him, like a human hive!' Zaku thought, as sweat cascaded down his face. 'This guy is a freak!'

Shino's gaze was unyielding. "Fine! Now that you've freaked us all out, what's next?" Zaku demanded. Shino remained silent. The sound of crawling filled the air, and Zaku turned in horror to see thousands of bugs advancing towards him. Frozen and perspiring, he couldn't move.

Shino raised his hand, a bug resting on his fingernail. "Parasitic Insects. They engulf their prey and deplete chakra. A swarm of this magnitude can exhaust all your chakra in less than a minute. The only wise decision is to concede the match. It's impossible to fight two adversaries simultaneously."

Zaku seemed to struggle internally. With a sudden surge of resolve, he aimed his fist at Shino. "Don't underestimate me!" Zaku began to use both hands as if they were unharmed. He endured the pain, directing his palms towards the insect horde and Shino.

Unfazed, Shino watched as Zaku grimaced, his arms dropping weakly. "Argh! My arms! What's happened to them!" Inspecting his palm, Zaku noticed bugs covering his hands and blocking the hole from which he fired. "What!"

"How regrettable," Shino remarked from behind Zaku. "Now, both hands are incapacitated." Zaku snarled and spun to confront Shino.

With a backhand strike, Shino sent Zaku skidding across the ground.

Approaching Zaku, Hayate declared, "This match is concluded. The victor is Shino Aburame."