Inside the competitors' lounge, the contestants had different expressions due to Might Guy's shocking performance.
"Such a strong body," Sasori looked calm on the surface but was slightly shocked inside.
This level of Taijutsu power is probably too much for his most defensively strong Defense Puppet to withstand.
Sasori originally did not need to pay attention to Might Guy because he would only meet him if he advanced to the final four, and after entering the final four, Sasori could just give up and not care.
However, because of the need to assassinate Kakashi, and Might Guy being Kakashi's teammate, Sasori had to pay attention to Might Guy.
This attention made Sasori realize that a head-on fight would be very difficult.
Kakashi and Might Guy are both fast and high-output ninjas. Once they team up, along with Obito, it would be tough even with the Third Kazekage's Human Puppet.
While the Third Kazekage's Human Puppet is undoubtedly powerful, Sasori, as the Puppet Master, is very fragile. If Might Guy or Kakashi gets close, it's over for him.
"Once the technique is perfected, I need to quickly transform myself. A body of flesh is too fragile," Sasori thought to himself.
Sasori dislikes fleeting things; he likes eternity, including humans.
So, Sasori developed the Human Puppet Technique, which can transform a human corpse into a puppet.
Since Human Puppets are created with the Chakra present at the time of making, they can use their previous Kekkei Genkai and all Ninjutsu.
Sasori, who loves eternity, is naturally willing to transform himself into a puppet, but his Human Puppet Technique is not yet mature enough. Rashly transforming himself might lead to accidents.
"Becoming more and more of a monster, can anyone really defeat him?" Terumi Mei once again felt fortunate that her slip number was later, so she wouldn't face Might Guy.
But after feeling fortunate, Terumi Mei felt troubled. If Might Guy keeps growing at this rate, in ten or twenty years, he might be much more terrifying than the current Sannin of Konoha. When conflict erupts between Konoha and Hidden Mist, she won't know how to deal with him.
The Water Transformation Jutsu of the Hozuki Clan can somewhat restrain Might Guy, who is all physical attacks, but it only protects from injury, not guaranteeing a win against him.
Moreover, on the battlefield, Might Guy isn't without teammates. Pair him with a Lighting Release partner, and the ninjas of the Hozuki Clan would suffer.
Amid the diverse looks from many competitors, Might Guy walked into the competitors' lounge with his chest out and head held high, laughing loudly.
"My dear friend, I'm already fired up!" Might Guy said with excitement to Kakashi.
As long as Kakashi advances to the top eight, they will battle in the next round.
Although it might hurt Nohara Rin's feelings, Might Guy rationally doesn't think Rin can beat Kakashi. He believes Kakashi has a 100% chance of winning with no surprises.
"Then you should calm down a bit, we're only just finishing the third match of the second round," Kakashi said calmly.
What is supposed to come will eventually come. Although theoretically, his win rate against Might Guy is low, there is still a chance of winning.
As a genius, Kakashi believes in his abilities, and he might seize the opportunity to defeat Might Guy.
"Match thirteen, Nohara Rin versus match fifteen, Kakashi!"
The referee's shout echoed in the lounge.
Nohara Rin stood up and joked with Kakashi, "Kakashi, don't hold back because of our relationship."
Even though it's just a match, Nohara Rin hopes Kakashi won't go easy and will take the battle seriously. She wants to personally experience the gap between herself and Kakashi and the others.
"Mm." Kakashi nodded.
He never intended to let Rin win; at most, he would go a bit easy because they are teammates.
Kakashi thinks that because they are teammates, it's even more reason not to go easy because it might give Rin a misunderstanding of her abilities and lead to mistakes on missions.
Mission failure would be a minor issue; Kakashi is worried that Rin might lose her life because of it.
"Rin, good luck, you have a chance now, the arena suits you," Obito cheered for Nohara Rin.
Besides Taijutsu, Rin also knows Water Release, and the small pond left by Kisame's wide-range Water Release enables Rin to perform Water Release more easily and potently.
"Thank you for your blessing, Obito. If I lose, I'll be cheering for you from the stands," Nohara Rin said with a gentle smile before heading to the battlefield.
Rin has a desire to win, but she also has self-awareness. Beating Kakashi is just too difficult.
By the time she was practicing Water Release, Kakashi was already proficient in Lighting Release and Earth Release. By the time she just mastered the Constant State of Breath of Water, Kakashi had become the first disciple to master both the Transparent World and the Breathing Chakra Mode.
How could she possibly defeat Kakashi, just by relying on a bit of advantage from the terrain? Rin thinks it's unrealistic.
Standing on the water, looking at Kakashi in front of her, Rin felt surprisingly calm, knowing this was a battle she would inevitably lose.
"Begin the battle!"
"Breath of Water, Full Concentration!"
Nohara Rin immediately focused her breathing to the utmost limit her body could reach, daring not to hold back any reserve, enhancing herself to the fullest.
"Water Release: Water Clone Jutsu!"
Immediately after, Nohara Rin quickly formed hand seals and created two Water Clones.
Under normal circumstances, Water Clones have only ten percent of the original's power, but in a watery environment, their strength increases.
"Breath of Thunder, Full Concentration!"
Out of respect for Rin's words, Kakashi also focused his Breath of Thunder intensely, entered the Transparent World state, and reached into his Ninja Pouch.