A Shadow in Darkness: Danger Approaches Sasuke

Between rounds, a predator tours the hospital. Kabuto — mask finally half-off for the audience — slips into Sasuke's room to finish Orochimaru's errand, and finds Kakashi already leaning on the wall: 'I've been waiting.' The standoff that follows is all subtext and scalpels, Kabuto playing the harmless medic one beat too long before cutting his way out through an ANBU squad, smiling. Downstairs, the final preliminary pairs Choji against Dosa, and the bracket for the third exam assembles: Naruto draws Neji.