Hey, you c*ways try doing your matsuri slightly later than you usually would. Could avoid the top players who search for their fights immediately. Alternatively, you can just use a 'sacrificial' team in your first fight. (Another team you have prepared that is pretty much sub-par to your main team or sorts) Next battle most likely would match you with lower powered people, so you can work your way around there.

Also, you don't seem very informed of how cross-sage actually works, so I wouldn't comment so much on that. (read that poll page ;P worth noting that it might not be as ideal as it sounds too) The release seems to be delayed though, so you got that working for you.