Team Urahara Shouten's return to the Azazel Cup was greeted by people energetically cursing at them while its team leader just happily waved at them which caused another spike in everyone's hate. Why wouldn't he smile happily at his cash cows?
In the next few matches, the results were the same. Kisuke would be brought into extreme jeopardy but one way or another, the enemy team would mysteriously mess up and end up destroying themselves or creating an opening enough for Kisuke's 'weak' attacks to go through.
But after that, Kisuke and Tiamat noticed that their earnings had already dropped sharply, "I guess that's it, huh..." Tiamat talked under her breath.
"Should we bet on the other side and actually lose?", suggested Kisuke.
"That's no different from match-fixing. I won't allow such a thing." He was met with immediate refusal from the Chaos Karma Dragon, "We have enough so it's about time we take things seriously since starting from now, we're entering the top rankings. Our next opponent is Team Lightning led by Barakiel."
"...Barakiel, is it? I guess for Akeno-san's sake, I'll face him properly."
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"Welcome ladies and gentlemen~! It's another wonderful day for the Azazel Cup with two of the most popular contenders facing each other! Today we'll witness Team Lightning and Team Urahara Shouten compete in the game of Object Break!"
Object Break Game. Another variant of the normal Rating Game where the goal is to break the 'objects' in the shape of a woman with Fallen Angel & Devil wings scattered around the battlefield. There are a total of thirteen 'objects' and the first team to break seven of these 'objects' within the twelve-hour time limit wins the match and just like in the normal Rating Game, victory can also be achieved by defeating the opposing team's 'King'.
The field the players are transported to has the layout of a chessboard and the areas are designated A1, C2, B4 etc. The 'Objects' scattered around can either be stationary or can be moved around by the players. They are either left in their original state, are placed in less noticeable places, or are hidden in obscure places. When an 'object' is destroyed, the area it was located in is no longer allowed to be entered by the team's "Kings", narrowing down the areas the teams can move in. If both teams have destroyed equal numbers of 'objects' when the time limit is exceeded, then the match is a draw.
The two teams entered the game field at the same time and were greeted by a mountainous terrain blanketed by thick jungle. Unlike most of the games, the current game field is only smaller than 'One Day Long War' and 'Yggdrasil Climb' where one's stamina to move around is incredibly important.
"Sir, what should we do? This Kisuke Urahara is incredibly unpredictable." One of the Pawns asked their leader, Barakiel.
As the main representative of Grigori, aside from Barakiel and his Queen, Armaros, both of which are Cadre level possessing 10 black wings, each and every other member possesses 8 black wings which make them one of the stronger contenders for the cup.
"All of you should have already realized that he's hiding his real strength, however, we can't discard his ingenious way of doing things and one mistake could lead to us losing this match. Nevertheless, those petty tricks could be easily countered as long as we're careful and don't rush it. Of all their previous opponents, their most common mistake was undeniably looking down on him and thinking that their victory was already in hand."
But soon after, Barakiel sighed, "In all honesty, if Tiamat and the two Goddesses decided to make their moves, we have no hope of winning since we'd have to dedicate the entirety or our force just to stop two of them, making them unable to complete the game's objective and leaving one free to do whatever she wants."
Armaros chuckled and added, "With that said, it looks like our only avenue is to dedicate ourselves in hunting the enemy King before the Objects are destroyed... Though we can't really ignore Seekvaira Agares and Genshirou Saji either... Haahhh... This is hopeless."
Team Lightning discussed more possible strategies against their opponent but they could only scratch their heads as all of them would only work if Kisuke kept on doing things as he did against their previous opponents.
"For now, let's move out and secure three movable Objects while also gathering intel on their movements. Armaros and I will move together and the rest of you will move in groups of 2 5s and a 4. Our current main target is their Rook, Seekvaira. Eliminate her if possible so that they won't be able to use Castling. If you encounter Tiamat or the Goddesses, retreat and lead them away if possible. If you encounter either Genshirou Saji or Kisuke Urahara, detain them and call for backup. If they are all moving out, converge back to this location for further discussion."
After Barakiel's instructions, all of them went in different directions and the game finally started.
But after an hour, while successful in securing three movable Objects, they had to gather once more, "We're going to lose at this rate. Though I'm happy that they are taking us seriously." Barakiel whispered with a wry smile.
In addition to the three Objects they have, they were able to destroy one more Object. But as far as their luck goes, that's it, as Kisuke's team was already able to destroy 5 Objects and they just needed to find two more to win. And to make things worse, they haven't been able to eliminate even one of their members while they already lost 3 Pawns, a Knight, and a Bishop. Strength-wise, they really aren't their match.
"But unlike before, Kisuke Urahara hasn't moved from his spot and let his team members do all the work this time around. Let's just go straight to him before the last two Objects are destroyed.", suggested by the remaining Bishop.
However, Armaros shook his head, "That won't work. The Surveillance Magic that I placed near the area detected Tiamat's return. It seems that they want to safely secure the win."
Barakiel sighed, "So this is it, huh? As expected, those Goddesses are both battle-oriented and should be high ranking too even among the Deities. Even after losing our men, they were still able to hide their specialty and identities. Not to mention Tiamat with just one of her breaths is enough to retire most of us."
But then, flames sprouted from his eyes. The emotion he has been hiding all this time emerged, "However, I don't want to end this without seeing that detestable bastard's face and at least throw lightning at his sorry ass! Let's blitz through!"
"Oh right... He took away your daughter just when you're already getting along with her." Armaros muttered in remembrance.
Barakiel clenched his fist and gritted his teeth while saying, "That's right. I want to at least punch his face once." Since they aren't going to win anyway, he let his selfishness finally take over.
"Ah... Sir? I think I have a dumb idea that might work." the remaining Knight voiced out.
"Hmm? What is it?"
"Why don't you try challenging Kisuke Urahara into a one-on-one?"
Barakiel and Armaros looked at each other and the latter said, "...Considering the personality he had shown until now, that might actually work?"
Without saying what he was thinking, Barakiel stepped forward and took in a large amount of air in his lungs before shouting, "Kisuke Urahara! You stole my daughter! Let's fight!" Simple words, but it were heard throughout the whole field due to it being imbued with Magic.
A few seconds later, he got his reply in the same manner which made him stagger and almost trip over nothing, "Your daughter is already mine, but I accept!"