Team 1 stood around the infirmary bed, gazing at their fallen comrade.
"He's going to survive," the nurse said calmly. "He should be up in at least two days."
Rei let out a breath of relief. "Well, that's good."
"That's great news," Shun added, his arms crossed but a small smile tugging at his lips.
"Yeah, you bet that!" Goro chimed in with his usual loud voice.
"Hmph," Kenshiro muttered, arms folded, eyes lingering on Kuroyami's unconscious form.
Keep fighting… and wake up, Kuroyami. Ryju thought silently, his fists clenched.
"You should return to the tournament now," the nurse advised.
The team nodded and began walking out.
In the Arena
"A boy still standing strong!" the announcer called.
"I quit! You win, you win!" shouted a panicked voice from the arena floor.
"Kurosaki: The match is over! Gachi wins for Team 34!"
Renji stepped up to announce the next match.
"Now, Team 8 versus Team 1!"
Team 8's Stand
Uzuki smirked. "What is that, luck? Daigo, go!"
Daigo cracked his knuckles. "I hope they send Green Hair."
Team 1's Stand
"I'm going," Shun declared, stepping forward.
"Okay," Goro nodded.
"Fight your hardest," Rei encouraged.
"Win for Kuroyami," Kenshiro said solemnly.
"Win," Ryju whispered.
With a confident leap, Shun descended into the arena. Daigo followed with an equally bold jump.
The Match Begins
Daigo grinned. "You're the one I wanted most—Green Hair. Your spiritual force is outstanding."
"I know it is," Shun replied with a cocky grin.
Renji raised his hand. "Team 1 sends Shun Kobayashi! Team 8 sends Daigo Barou!"
Kurosaki called out, "Let the match begin!"
The two referees leapt from the platform.
Daigo charged. "Let me see how strong you are!"
He's fast! Shun thought, reacting quickly.
"Wood Wall!" he shouted, slamming his palm to the ground.
A massive wooden wall burst from the earth, stopping Daigo in his tracks. Daigo touched the surface.
"Burst!"
The wall exploded into splinters.
What?! Shun's eyes widened.
"You can do better than that, right?" Daigo teased, rushing in again.
Shun summoned wooden arms from his back, flinging them at Daigo.
"Interesting," Daigo said as he hopped onto one of the wooden arms, running across it like a bridge.
Another wooden arm whipped toward him—Daigo flipped over it and landed right in front of Shun.
"Got you," he smirked, pressing his palm forward.
"Wood Barrier!"
"Burst!"
A booming explosion. Dust clouded the air. The crowd erupted in confused murmurs.
"What happened?" a man asked.
"It was so quick!" a woman gasped.
"Thanks for taking me here, Mom! This is awesome!" a boy cheered.
Back in the Arena
"Nice timing," Daigo said, appearing through the smoke.
"Tell me about it," Shun replied, catching his breath.
"It's still not over yet."
Daigo launched a kick—Shun dodged. As his hands moved, a spiky wooden spear erupted from the ground.
Daigo twisted mid-air, dodging just in time. A thin line of red appeared on his cheek.
"Nice one."
"I know."
Daigo threw a punch, but Shun flipped over him, landing a kick to Daigo's back.
So annoying… Daigo grit his teeth.
Emergency!
WEE-OOO! WEE-OOO! WEE-OOO!
A high-pitched siren blared across the arena.
"What's going on?!" someone in the crowd yelled.
Renji and Kurosaki teleported beside the Spiritual King, their faces grave.
Shun froze mid-stance. "What happened?"
Rei stood up. "What's going on?!"
"I don't know…" Ryju whispered, staring up at the Spiritual King. "But it looks serious."
The Spiritual King's voice boomed. "Report."
Renji stepped forward. "There's been an intrusion."
Kurosaki added, "Two guards were knocked out."
Renji turned to the King. "What are your orders?"
"Evacuate the arena. I'll investigate with Okata Ishikawa."
"Got it!" Renji nodded.
"Let's go," Kurosaki added.
The King's eyes narrowed. "What's going on…?"
Evacuation Chaos
"You all need to evacuate now!" Renji ordered.
"What? But I wanted to see more fights!" a boy shouted.
"I bet money on this!" another complained.
"Too bad," Kurosaki snapped.
Outside the Village Gates
"Okata!" the Spiritual King called out.
A man fixing his glasses looked up with a sigh. "Aw man, what's going on now?"
"I need you to check this area. Something happened here."
Nearby, some young ninjas murmured.
"Yo, it's Okata from The Justice! We barely get to see him!"
"Don't forget the Spiritual King—he's the leader of The Justice!"
Okata knelt, placing a hand on the ground. His eyes flashed as images rushed through his mind.
"A man in a black hood," he muttered. "Face obscured. Knocked out the guards with ease… then vanished."
The Spiritual King's eyes lit up. "That's so cool! How far back can you see?"
Okata sighed. "I told you a million times—I can only see up to two years back."
Back to the Arena
A crowd formed outside the arena gates.
"So what do we do now?"
"Yeah, what's next?"
Renji turned. "Kurosaki, ask the Spiritual King."
Kurosaki vanished instantly.
"Where'd that guy go?"
"Yeah! Where?"
Back at the Scene
Kurosaki knelt beside the King. "What do we tell the ninjas? Oh, hey Okata."
"Sup," Okata replied casually.
The King gave the order. "Tell them the third challenge is delayed."
Kurosaki nodded. "As you wish." He vanished once more.
"Let's take this to my office," the King said.
"Okay," Okata agreed.
"You ninjas," the King barked, "Spread out. Find anyone suspicious—especially anyone in a black hood!"
"Yes sir!" the guards shouted.
Announcement
Back at the arena, Kurosaki stood before the crowd.
"The third challenge has been delayed!"
"What?!"
"You've gotta be kidding me!"
Uzuki shook his head. "Let's go."
Daigo slammed a fist into his palm. "Dammit, it was getting good!"
Kenji sighed. "Looks like something bad happened."
"I didn't even get a chance to play my music," Akari muttered.
"I didn't get to share my art…" Appolo frowned.
"Let's go," Kenji urged.
"Aww, man! It was just getting good," Azar whined.
"No kidding," Zanden agreed.
"Let's get dinner," Misa suggested.
Ryju's eyes narrowed. "I wonder what's really going on…"
Spiritual King's Office
"What was his reason?" the King asked.
Okata shrugged. "Don't know. Doesn't seem to be a threat."
"You're right… What do you think, Kaji?"
"To be honest, I don't know either," replied Kaji.
BRRRR! BRRRR!
The King's phone rang.
"Speak of the devil…"
He picked up. "Hi."
"Come," said a stern voice.
A large door creaked open. The King stepped inside.
"It's so dark in here… Y'all should use some lights."
He looked forward and dropped to one knee.
Three figures sat silently on thrones at the far end of the room.