Shun slammed his fist on the table, moving Magnus' clipboard. Magnus and Simon looked at him, rubbing the backs of their heads.
Simon: Sorry about your brother losing…
Magnus: I can only imagine what that loss could feel like.
Shun: It's alright, that just means I have to win. We already have two losses to our group's name, I can't afford another.
Shizu: That's the right spirit, Shun. Get prepared for your match.
Shun grabbed his scythe, lugging it over his shoulder as he headed to the door.
Shun: I have to bring back the Raijin Style properly. If it isn't me, who else?
Shun walked out of the room, Simon and Magnus watching as the door closed.
Simon: He's definitely hiding his annoyance.
Magnus: I want to say he wished he trained with his brother more. He already knew of his insecurity, but he couldn't do anything to help it…
Shizu: Whatever issues he may feel, he's not the type to dwell on them for long. He understands that we must achieve victory. You two must feel the same. Arthur and now Yussuf have both lost. For the Imperium's first match, they achieved a victory already.
Moll: Same can be said for my group. And losing your first match can be said for the Dispensary. Overall, Daymond and Cero's groups aren't looking so hot.
Midori: This room has gotten quite empty since Daymond's match. Hopefully, your morale has not collapsed.
Magnus: We're the Arachna, a group of trained assassins.
Simon: Even if we can't use our killing techniques here, we still assure to win.
Midori's thoughts: These two still show pride despite seeming so disappointed at their friend's loss. Their drive is immense.
Moll: Well, that's to be expected, Midori. Let's get going, you have a grandson in the infirmary, don't you? And I have quite a while until my guys get to fighting. I wish you luck, Simon, cause you're up against a prodigy.
Simon: Don't you worry, I'll be sure to exceed your expectations.
Midori and Moll left the room, Shizu closing it behind them before looking at Magnus and Simon.
Shizu: He wasn't lying, we really have gone down in numbers. I wonder where those Shen brothers wandered off to.
…
Cero came to a stop as Tico and Kammy had finally caught up to him.
Kammy: At least tell us where you're going…
Tico: I've never seen you that pissed before. But try to control it enough to watch my match, alright?
Cero: I intended to watch it, don't worry. For your match is the most important. You have an appearance to keep up.
Tico: Talk about keeping my spirits up…
Kammy: He isn't wrong. The biggest obstacle in this tournament is the Arachna.
Tico: You say that, but they have two losses already, right? Right now, the bigger threats seem to be the Imperium and the Collective.
Cero: Theodore is strong, that is sure without a doubt. His match was definitely among the easier ones regarding his opponent. But you speak the truth for the Collective. Moll is a powerful individual, even one I am not assured a victory against. And he left his match with nearly no injuries.
Kammy: Not even you can win?
Tico: Is he really that strong? He has ten losses, after all.
Cero: Many of those losses occurred early in his career. His latest loss was only to the latest head of the organization. Otherwise, his high victory count should speak to his talents already.
Tico: That strong, huh?
Kammy: He's top ten material for a reason, huh?
Cero: Remember, Tico. You and I are the only ones of the Dispensary left fighting. Due to the Arachna's meddling, it would be impossible to have many more join our side.
Kammy: Yeah, anyone that once showed interest in joining us eventually just decided against it. And you've already stated that the Arachna tries to have a collar on you at all times, right, Cero?
Cero: Certainly. Which is why I need you to assure us of this victory, Tico.
Tico: With who I'm up against, I don't intend to lose. This is a bastard I plan on beating. My daughter would be very pleased to hear about my victory.
Kammy's thoughts: There he goes, mentioning his daughter again…
Cero nodded at Tico, the trio walking forward as they slowly saw the light of the ring.
Kammy: I wish you luck, Tico.
Tico: Don't you worry, this match is as good as mine.
Tico grabbed onto the bottom of his shirt, quickly pulling it off and throwing it behind him. His pink pompadour slightly bounced, scars littering his body as he walked to the ring.
Tico: Be sure to get me some pizza or something, I'll want a good treat once I get back.
Kammy: The usual, right?
Tico: You know it.
Zachary: AFTER SUCH AN INTENSE MATCH AND A BIT OF CLEANING UP, I HOPE YOU'RE ALL PREPARED FOR THE NEXT MATCH! THESE TWO FIGHTERS HAVE NOT KEPT THEIR RIVALRY A SECRET! THE FIRST TO THE RING IS THIS MAN! SURPRISINGLY, HE'S RELATED TO THE FIGHTER WE HAD JUST HAD IN THE PREVIOUS MATCH! HIS WEAPON IS AMONG ONE OF THE MOST VERSATILE IN THIS ENTIRE ORGANIZATION! AND WITHOUT A DOUBT, HE'S AMONG THE FASTEST!! COMING IN AS RANK 39 WITH 18 WINS AND 1 LOSS, STANDING AT 178 CENTIMETERS AND WEIGHING IN AT 73 KILOMETERS, WELCOME "THE HUSH," SHUN RYUJI!!!
Shun walked into the ring, his scythe lugged over his shoulder, walking up to Zachary who smiled at him.
Shun: Hurry up and introduce him. I plan on making this rivalry have a clear victor today.
Zachary: What high spirits, I see your brother's loss didn't impact you too much.
Shun: Just hurry up…
Zachary: AND HIS OPPONENT IS HIS RIVAL! THIS FIGHTER STICKS OUT LIKE A SORE THUMB, AND FOR GOOD REASON! HIS TRACK RECORD IS NOTHING TO SCOFF AT, AND HIS SKILLS AS A FIGHTER ARE EXTRAORDINARY! MANY BET THAT HE HAS ONE OF THE HIGHEST CHANCES TO BE A VICTOR! COMING IN AS RANK 38 WITH 36 WINS AND 2 LOSSES, STANDING AT 183 CENTIMETERS AND WEIGHING 84 KILOGRAMS, WELCOME "THE POISONOUS DRUM," TICO SAMBORAAAA!!!
Tico walked into the ring, stretching his arms before standing opposite to Shun. Both met each other with a smile. The audience erupted in a roar.
Woman: These two have ranks right next to each other and similar win-loss records!
Man: This match is nothing short of heaven!
Tico: Hear that, the audience is excited.
Shun: They couldn't make that any less obvious. So let's put on a nice show for them, eh?
Tico: A good show for them? I plan on showing them exactly what your losing face looks like.
Shun: Cocky today, aren't we? Don't matter, cause I feel the exact same.
Zachary stepped back as he looked at the two contestants with wide smiles.
Zenzo: Aikido vs the Raijin Style, huh?
Zachary: You're familiar with their fighting styles?
Zenzo: Yussuf made Shun's style obvious, and Tico has shown his great experience with his Aikido. This is a match I can't even start to guess a victor.
Zachary: My exact thoughts. I hope this match is something that truly stands out.