Jumping right in with Misumi trying to beat Kankuro quickly. The fake Leafer gets his blow caught, but that's okay. He uses Chakra to dislocate every joint in his body and anaconda the Sand Ninja. Misumi's smug, but so is Kankaro. There's a cracking sound, and it looks like Kankaro's neck is broken. The spectators are stunned, save Gaara. It had been a little while since anybody busted out a disturbing ninja trick, so we meet our quota with Kankuro's head spinning around 180 and it's not Kankuro at all. Some sort of evil robot ninja doll [thing, if I'm any judge. The Puppet grapples Misumi in a manner to put the latter's whole shtick to shame, while the real Kankuro unwraps himself from what we thought was Crow. Crow's being controlled by Kankuro's Chakra, and amusingly says that Misumi should be able to pull his stunt real good with all his bones broken. Before anything really horrible can happen, Hayate coughingly puts a stop to the match. Naruto, who regularly employs the Shadow Clone Jutsu thinks two on one is cheating. I take a moment to facepalm. Kakashi and Sakura are blase' about the whole thing: a Puppet's just like Shuriken, only creepier. It's yet another Chakra stunt that makes Sakura wonder just how far she can get in the prelims.
Cut to the restroom, where Sakura's washing her face. Ino appears to mock Sakura, 'cause she's kind of a bitch. If even Sasuke collapsed after his match, what chance does she have, Ino asks. Thank you for the mixed signals after the Forest, Ino. Sakura decides then and there that she can tough this out too, and she's looking forward to kicking some ass. Inner Sakura: "Cha! Bring it on!" YEAH! Hayate coughs his way to announcing the fourth match. Naruto comments on the abundance of weirdoes in this place, and Kakashi and Sakura point out about pots denouncing kettles, though Sakura's giggle over it is cut off by the announcement of the next match. Sakura vs. Ino! Well! Won't this be awkward? The Kunoichi square off, and Ino's sensei Asuma commenting that Ino was a stand-out amongst the Genin (really? Well, okay) and Shikamaru thinking things have gotten gloomy. Heh. Asuma further wonders just how serious Ino will get against Sakura. Naruto amusingly yells out encouragement to his teammate.
At Hayate's signal, they go right at it, and it's cool to see. They duck and dodge each other's blows, with Sakura leaping back to fling a trio of kunai at Ino, who ducks two and catches the last one. On the sidelines, Naruto thinks Sakura's doing great, but Shikamaru thinks Naruto's being an idiot. Neji thinks they're unimpressive, and Tenten comments that they're just being lukewarm because nothing's at stake. Another exchange between the Kunoichi, with Ino getting in a solid punch to the gut. She goes for an overhand punch, then flashes on young Sakura and it turns into a slap. Sakura gapes at her, and Ino at her own hand. We flashback to the Kunoichis' training, and how that they had to learn there'll be times they'll need to know how to act like a proper lady. Younger versions of the girls pair off for some flower arranging, with Sakura lamenting she's no good at this, but Ino helps her out, giving Sakura her first hair ribbon. It's kind of sweet to see. A trio of Ninja Mean Girls start in with Billbroad Brow, but Ino silences her with some thrown flowers to the mouth, and that's the funniest time I've ever seen someone compared to a vase. They were poison flowers, even, and the bit about Ino being a standout starts making sense. Poor Sakura still compares herself unfavorably to Ino, complete with flower-based metaphors. Present day, after more Ino-tormenting Sakura claims bold as brass that Ino isn't worth Sasuke's time, and is just beneath Sakura's notice. Hah! The newly competent Ino takes this as well as we can expect, and even Naruto thinks Sakura went to far. Kakashi, in his wisdom, points out Sakura's not the vindictive sort, she's just pissed Ino's taking her so lightly.
Flashback to Ninja Middle School, and young Sakura asks young Ino why she gave Sakura the hair ribbon in the first place, and Ino says that if a flower doesn't bloom, there's no point to it. Ino says who knows what Sakura might turn out like in the future, and it's another sweet scene. Duel ring - Sakura wanted to be like Ino for the longest time, and thanks to trying to meet Ino's example, Sakura realizes what she really wants is to finally be like Sakura. YEAH! Sakura pulls her headband off, the callsign here for 'bring it.' Ninja standoff! Naruto doesn't get girls. Rivals do weird things, Kakashi says as he glances at Guy, who is put off by how hip and galling Kakashi is. Flashback to the girls being just post-Genin, and both vowing never to lose to the other again. Sakura hands Ino back the ribbon she got when they were kids, and says she'll no longer be under Ino's shadow when they're both Shinobi. Ino grins as they clasp hands. Now time - both girls don their Leaf Village headbands as the taiko drums kick in. This time for sure, a fair fight! That episode was pretty darn solid.
Next Episode: Sakura vs. Ino, and neither's going down!
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