98 Bad Feeling
After the referee declared Kimimaro the winner due to Temari's unconscious state, the first thing Kimimaro did was use his darkness/gravity to collect the bone fragments from the arena that flew when the impact occurred. This means that Temari's fan must have had a high proportion of chakra-infused metal because common iron can't damage Kimimaro's bones.
Only when he saw that there were no more fragments, he nodded stoically and stepped back to make room for the next competitors.
It's amusing to see Sarutobi and Orochimaru put on a sad expression at Kimimaro's performance because that means they won't be able to study the splinters for additional information.
As for Kimimaro's care, it was naturally my advice for him.
In the series, a lot of emphasis is placed on ensuring even corpses are handled specially to not give information to enemies if they fall into their hands, so I thought there's nothing wrong with being a bit cautious.
The next match was between Kankuro and Shino, which didn't last too long thanks not only to Kankuro quickly surrendering to take care of his older sister but also because, knowing he's a puppeteer, Shino's insects effectively blocked the puppet's joints.
That's the thing about his style; if the cat is out of the bag, there's little you can do unless you're on par with Sasori of the Red Sand.
Shino wins. Next match: Choji VS Karin.
I was interested to see if Choji would use any strategy against Karin or had thought of countermeasures, but to my disappointment and that of the spectators, he decided to surrender even faster than Kankuro, explaining in a single sentence:
—I can't even touch you, how am I supposed to fight?
Boring, but wise. The moment he tried to hit Karin, I'm pretty sure she would make sure to give him a good burn. Perhaps strong enough to make him lose his appetite for barbecue for a very long time.
But I hoped that Shikamaru or Asuma would help him think of ways to fight, even Ino might have thought of something, but no, I guess Karin is the kind of enemy that Choji and the Akimichi fear the most.
Did it not occur to them to imitate what Haku did, using a sealing scroll to release a lot of water or something?
Seriously, in a few moments, I can think of at least four different strategies that he could try if I were in his place and wanted to give it a shot. Although it's also true that the thought processes of those who come from another world work in ways that native people can't quite understand.
Hinata has the free pass, so the next match will be between the remaining competitors: Gaara VS Haku.
—Your boy might have a problem —the Raikage tells me, probably recognizing Gaara's jinchuriki status.
It's not like Sunagakure made a great effort to hide his identity, what with Rasa trying to kill his own son by sending assassins (unsuccessfully), the fact that the whole village is afraid of him, and his peculiar control of sand without any hand signs, which undoubtedly isn't the same as that used by his clan.
And yet, he received better treatment for it than Naruto; at least, no one dares to look at him badly.
Although the difficulty of sleeping must be extremely irritating.
—Wait! —Sarutobi raised a hand and looked at both of us with disbelief written on his face— You said, Haku is a boy?!
His involuntary shout reached the nearby stands and left the spectators speechless, who soon echoed while struggling to believe what their beloved Hokage had just said.
—Isn't it obvious? —I told him as the Raikage nodded seriously, although his clenched hands indicated that he was making a great effort not to burst into laughter. He was too busy sadistically enjoying Sarutobi's unfamiliar expression and didn't want to ruin it too soon.
The best part is that even Orochimaru, who doesn't feel that it's important to have one gender or another as long as the body is useful for him, seems to be doubting life as he tries to discern from his position if it's true.
The Yuki clan genes are really scary...
The only one who seemed indifferent to the revelation was Gaara, as even Haku changed his expression when the truth was revealed and sighed.
I know that expression, it's the same one he puts on when someone accidentally ruins a game he was secretly enjoying.
I'm sure he wanted it to be him who made the big reveal, perhaps after finishing the fight when everyone congratulates him, and he's at his zenith.
Oh, yes, the reproachful look he's giving Sarutobi confirms it.
Mmm? I think I just "saw" Tsunade laugh and collect money from the people next to her in the stands, who, with a desolate expression and some tears running down their cheeks, hand her some bills.
Did she scam them by making them bet on Haku's gender?
Well, I'm straightening up NOW, and I'm really getting serious as I pay attention to the stadium.
Tsunade won a bet.
----
Tomorrow.
Tayuya in kimono.
On my Patreon.
Over and out.
