Jiro smirked knowingly.
"Anything can happen, boys. That's exactly why the MPA overtook dungeon entertainment these last few years they know how to hook an audience."
Iwazumi, ever the skeptic, leaned forward with a raised brow.
"I know someone would come out especially last minute , tsk and then lose to Gabriel. all staged. You know… for the views. Wouldn't be the first time someone faked a big fight, old man Jiro."
(Both Jiro and Kenta turned to him in near-offended unison.)
Jiro scoffed.
"Don't go disrespectin' the MPAs, kid," he said, voice low but firm. He wasn't mad just trying to set Iwazumi straight."They don't mess around with that. One fake match would ruin everything and it took years to build that kind of trust."
Kenta's tone turned firmer, arms folded across his chest.
"The MPAs aren't like the rest you're used to seeing. I've been watchin' since before I could even throw a decent jab. No rigging. No theatrics. No shortcuts."
His gaze drifted toward the arena, eyes narrowing with conviction.
"What you see in there... is real. Every win. Every scar. Earned."
Iwazumi blinked, suddenly sheepish, and scratched the back of his neck.
"…Ohh right. I'm sorry. Didn't mean any disrespect. I just thought stuff like that was allowed here. My bad, sirs. Got caught up in the moment."
Jiro chuckled, letting the tension ease.
"Haha, it's alright, kid. Just don't go around throwing words like 'staged' too lightly. Us MPA watchers? We're real sensitive tive about that."
He leaned in slightly, eyes gleaming like a seasoned fan.
"This is an extreme sport with a lot of blood, sweat, and real consequences. That's the beauty of it. Real fights. Real surprises."
Gin, who had been quietly watching, finally spoke.
"Old man Kenta… just how strong do you think Gabriel really is?"
Kenta arched a brow.
"Hm? Why do you ask?"
Gin's eyes were still locked on the arena, thoughtful.
"He fights in a way that seems to… I don't know. Elevate the match. Like the longer it goes on, the more dangerous he becomes and the stronger his opponents have to be just to keep up. Is he that type of fighter? One who makes others stronger just by fighting them?"
Kenta nodded slowly, impressed by the observation.
"You're not wrong, Gin. Fighters like that? Rare. And Gabriel's one of 'em."
He leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees, eyes focused on the ring.
"Most brawlers break their opponents beat them down, overpower them. But Gabriel? He draws them out. Forces them to rethink everything they're doing mid-fight. Makes them question their style. And in that pressure… they either adapt or collapse. He doesn't just fight he forges. Step into the ring with him, and you either sharpen… or shatter."
Then he turned toward Gin, voice shifting to a measured tone.
"But back to your question how strong is he, really?"
Kenta tapped his chin. "If I were scouting him for a guild right now, based purely on what I've seen in the arena I'd place him at a solid B-rank."
Samira blinked, surprised.
"Just B? I'd have put him at an A, easy."
Kenta nodded, acknowledging the thought.
"You're not wrong to think that. His growth rate alone puts him on a promising path. But ranking isn't just about potential at the end of the day it's about consistency, performance under pressure, and tactical adaptability across multiple fight types."
He paused, eyes narrowing thoughtfully.
"Truth is… I've been wondering something about him. Is Gabriel good because he's naturally gifted? Or is he naturally gifted because he's made himself get good because of the pressure he's put himself under?"
Samira tilted her head.
"And what if it's the second?"
Kenta smirked.
"Then he's even more dangerous than we thought."
He leaned back again.
"Now that he's officially in the Senior Brawlers Division… we'll find out soon enough. There are fighters in there that won't just test his heat they'll burn back and all that lecturing during the fight how long would he keep it up."
Kenta chuckled to himself, shaking his head.
"I would've loved to have Gabriel in my guild back in our prime. But… we're not exactly top-tier these days."
He paused, then added thoughtfully,
"Still, getting someone like him? It's not just about power. A guy like that he needs to feel challenged. Needs room to grow. He has to chase something… push past his limits."
(Kenta's gaze drifted slightly, like he was seeing something the others hadn't noticed.)
From what I see, he's not just fighting for wins it's like he's chasing someone."
Kenta's whole talk made the entire group freeze for a second.
Jiro simply nodded, unsurprised he already knew.
But the others?
Gin, Tabaki, Iwaizumi even Samira all turned to Kenta, eyes wide.
Gin blinked.
"Wait… old man Kenta, you're in a guild?"
Jiro let out a hearty laugh.
"Hah! Not just in a guild he's the guild master."
Tabaki's jaw dropped.
"No way. Seriously?!"
Iwazumi leaned forward, eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"You don't even look like someone who'd run a whole guild no offense, sir. So why are you sitting here with us instead of up in the VIP section?"
Kenta laughed, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Haha, unfortunately, kids… my dungeon-hunting days are just about over. A few more weeks, and the Secretary Bird Guild will be shut down."
"What?!" Iwaizumi and Samira said in unison.
Samira's brows furrowed.
"But… why?"
Kenta exhaled deeply, voice softening.
"Well… our best hunter left for a bigger guild. Can't blame him better pay, better benefits. Sadly enough, without him, we couldn't maintain our rank. No high-tier contracts, no funding. And with the way things are going, we'll be out of commission soon."
Jiro reached over, placing a firm hand on his friend's shoulder.
The silence that followed held a weight.
But then Samira's voice broke through, calm but assertive.
"I've actually been planning to start my own guild," she said.
"this news would make my plan a whole lot easier. What if… I acquire your guild as the new owner?"