Fourth match of the first round!
The runner-up from the Central Capital versus the rising star of the 'Muten School'—Lanton!
The moment the two appeared, the entire crowd erupted in cheers!
"Whoaaa! Finally! I only came to watch this tournament because of the two handsome guys from the Muten School! Go, Lanton!!" A female spectator, clearly a die-hard fan of the Muten School, waved her hands excitedly.
"Lanton fans can drop dead!! My darling Monkey D. is the real heartthrob!!" A middle-aged woman behind her suddenly grabbed the back of her neck, causing the nearby male spectators to glance over in amusement. "Go, Lanton!! You have to win the championship!!" The female fan, struggling against the grip on her neck, deliberately shouted even louder.
A male spectator put away his phone and muttered, "Champion? If you ask Master Taro, he'd just chuckle and say nothing..."
After the host finished introducing both contestants, he declared the match open amidst a tidal wave of cheers from the audience!
"So popular… these Muten School guys."
Lanton's opponent, the runner-up from the Central Capital division, was a short and stout man with a small mustache. His beady little eyes gleamed with ill intent as he sized up Lanton. Lanton, as always, wore his slightly worn-out white Muten School gi when stepping onto the stage to spar.
Lanton smiled faintly, unfazed by his opponent's provocation. He bowed slightly and greeted, "Lanton of the Muten School. I look forward to our match."
The short and stout mustache-man scowled and immediately assumed his fighting stance. He had to admit, Lanton was good-looking. His light stubble, combined with a hint of melancholy and ruggedness… it was infuriatingly annoying. The mustached man snorted. "Muten School? I heard that's just a declining, second-rate sect! I'll show you what real martial arts look like with the ultimate technique of my Fanged Wolf School!"
"Muten Master? What a joke!"
With a swift motion, the mustached man shifted his stance and suddenly charged at Lanton!
His legs propelled him forward like a gust of wind, kicking up dust as he advanced!
A sudden strike! He lunged straight for Lanton's center with a clawing attack!
Roar!
The moment his claw slashed through the air, a piercing sound echoed!
Like the howl of a ravenous wolf!
"So fast! I didn't expect the Blue Wolf to be so quick despite his bulky appearance! Can Lanton—he dodged! Lanton dodged in the nick of time—Lanton counterattacks! Incredible speed! Just how many punches did he throw in that instant?! The Blue Wolf is in trouble! He's scrambling to retreat!—So fast!! Lanton's speed is on par with—A sweeping kick! The Violet-Blue Wolf's leg was effortlessly evaded by Lanton!…"
From his position below the ring, the host observed the match closely, simultaneously keeping pace with the high-speed camera's slow-motion footage. Speaking into the microphone at breakneck speed, he provided a thrilling commentary on the battle. More often than not, before he could finish a sentence, the fight had already shifted!
"Damn it!"
The mustached man had been caught in Lanton's relentless barrage, taking countless blows. His chest and stomach throbbed with unbearable pain.
How could this guy's punches be so heavy?!
And yet, despite their power, they were still so fast?!
"Better not lose focus…"
Suddenly, Lanton's voice drifted eerily behind him.
A chill ran down the mustached man's spine. Every hair on his body stood on end!
When?!
Just as he prepared to counter or dodge, he felt a sudden warmth at the back of his neck. His vision spun, his limbs went limp, and he collapsed to the ground…
Lanton withdrew his hand from the finishing strike, breathing heavily.
Although he had ended the fight swiftly, he had maintained his peak state the entire time—his focus, willpower, tension, power, and speed were all at their limit. Now that the battle was over, exhaustion came crashing in.
"What just happened?! The Blue Wolf is down!!"
The host hurriedly climbed onto the stage and knelt beside the fallen mustached man. After confirming he was still breathing, he began the countdown.
"One, two, three, four… ten! The winner is Lanton of the Muten School!!"
"AAAAHHH!!"
The crowd erupted in thunderous cheers.
Lanton raised his arm, clenched his fist, and smiled faintly as he stepped down from the ring, heading back to the competitors' lounge. As soon as he shut the door, the deafening cheers from outside were instantly cut off. He exhaled deeply.
Inside the lounge, Monkey D. happened to be approaching. He was dressed in the same white martial arts uniform as Lanton. The young heir of the Muten School grinned as they met at the doorway.
"Nice work, senior brother!"
"You too. Let's both make it to the finals and… test ourselves against our master!" Lanton smiled and bumped fists with Monkey D..
"Absolutely!"
After their brief exchange, they passed each other.
Next up was Monkey D.'s match. His opponent was a mysterious psychic named Huntun, whose ghastly pale face made him look like a walking corpse.
As Huntun passed by, his lifeless demeanor gave Lanton a strange feeling. Psychic powers? Shaking his head, he rubbed his slightly sore muscles. He couldn't help but glance toward the 'no man's land' in the lounge—a quiet corner where an old man leaned against the wall, meditating with his eyes closed.
Although the elder didn't open his eyes, he gave a subtle nod just as Lanton looked over. Lanton couldn't stop the wide grin that spread across his face. Knowing he hadn't disappointed his master filled him with pride and satisfaction.
At this moment, the lounge was relatively quiet, with only a few people present—Master Taro meditating against the wall, Lanton resting on the couch, the towering native fighter Uru, Noah Robe sharpening his blade in a corner, and two other competitors, Purin and the third-place winner from the Central division, watching the live broadcast.
The silence in the room was soon broken by the rising cheers from the screen—it was clear that Monkey D. and Huntun had stepped onto the stage.
"Aaahhh! Ohhh! My sweet Monkey D.!!"
"He's so handsome!!"
"Crush your opponent!!"
"Monkey D., can you fly? Take me with you!!"
The announcer wiped the sweat from his forehead, exasperated. It seemed Monkey D. had quite the fan following… But as an insider, he knew a bit of behind-the-scenes information. Word had it that Planet Company was deliberately stirring public opinion, hyping up the Muken disciples—especially Monkey D. and Lanton, who had both looks and strength in equal measure.
It was likely that the Muken master, Taro, had deep connections with Planet Company's head, Mu Tam…
Not that it was something a mere announcer like him should be discussing. His job was simply to run the tournament smoothly. Planet Company had always been generous, so as long as he did his part, there was no doubt the staff would receive their due bonuses…
Gripping his microphone, he announced enthusiastically, "Now, let's welcome Monkey D. of the Muten School for our thrilling fifth match of the day!"
"Psychic abilities, huh…"
On the stage, Monkey D. smiled slightly and brought his palms together in greeting.
"Monkey D. of the Muten School. Pleased to face you."
Meanwhile, Huntun, pale and expressionless, stood motionless. He didn't respond, his dead eyes staring blankly ahead.
Then, slowly, he raised both hands—aiming directly at Monkey D..