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Chapter 33: Date Confirmed
The battle footage played on the TV, and after some adjustment, the clear voices of Shalnark and Nobunaga flowed from the tape.
Ronin tapped his finger on the desk.
Ninjutsu was incredibly effective in combat. Even a C-Rank Jutsu, when used correctly, could deal damage far exceeding what his version of the Big Bang Impact could achieve.
The key lay in energy output.
The amount of aura one could release (MOP) limited the destructive power of a punch.
But some Ninjutsu didn't cap the amount of Chakra output.
In a fistfight, Ronin would lose.
But blasting Ninjutsu against Uvogin's Big Bang Impact gave him the ability to wound him!
This probe clarified his tactical strategy for the upcoming match.
However, listening to the audio, Ronin fell into thought.
If five Phantom Troupe members really showed up, his best option would be to forfeit immediately.
Otherwise, even with his abilities, being cornered in the arena meant death.
And judging by Shalnark's words, they didn't plan on sparing the audience either.
Truly a lawless bunch.
Ronin toyed with a black card in his hand. It held his recent earnings: 4.6 billion Jenny.
Not a huge amount, but enough to fund his next plan.
Five or more Spiders? Ronin's eyes flashed. He didn't plan to run. He just hoped his arrangements would go smoothly.
Room 2333 was sealed. Ronin's clone moved to Room 2412.
The match info appeared on the wall.
"Match Confirmed:
Floor 227 Arena
May 12th, 3:00 PM!"
Ronin vs. Uvogin.
With the confirmation, the arena's advertising began to shift.
"The 'Genius Youth,' 'Favored of the God of Battle,' 'Brilliant Supernova' Ronin will face the 'Blood-Drinking Savage,' 'Iron-Armed Gorilla' Uvogin on May 12th!
See you at 3:00 PM on the 227th floor!"
Smash.
A pebble shot out, shattering the TV in the 201st-floor restaurant.
Waiters panicked, but many diners snickered, glancing at the tall man in the bearskin vest exposing his chest.
Because that man was the "Iron-Armed Gorilla," Uvogin!
"He spent money," Shalnark said simply. "A lot of it. On marketing."
"Who is it? I'm going to kill them," Uvogin felt the gazes around him but couldn't massacre everyone here.
He actually wanted to fight in the match.
Killing everyone in the restaurant would get him banned.
"Milia, a Gold Medal Agent. But she's guarding against us. I can't find recent info on her online, and none of the floor brokers would talk. She has significant influence in Heaven's Arena," Shalnark explained. He hadn't forgotten to investigate Ronin's associates.
"Gold Medal Agent?" Uvogin recalled a man in a suit.
When he qualified for the 200th floor, a suit had approached him, offering to build his image and hype him for money and fame.
He didn't care about that crap, so he chased the guy off.
"Fine. I'll endure it." Uvogin downed a large glass of water, trying to quench his anger.
In a corner unnoticed by Uvogin's group, Kurapika had changed out of his ethnic clothes.
He wore black casual wear, a cap, and black-framed glasses, looking scholarly.
He ate slowly, but his eyes were fixed on Uvogin's group.
He suspected their identities. Though not 100% sure, the probability was high.
The conflict on the 200th floor hadn't been kept secret.
Ronin's name was currently the hottest thing in the arena, trending toward Floor Master status.
So, whatever happened to him spread fast. The accuracy depended on the listener's judgment.
The news Kurapika got was that Ronin had crushed Uvogin's spirit on the 200th floor, making him vomit blood with one encounter.
Enraged, Uvogin recklessly challenged Ronin.
In this narrative, Uvogin was a brainless brute.
It fit the "Iron-Armed Gorilla" nickname, but Kurapika doubted it was that simple.
Connecting it to the attack on Room 2333 days ago and the slashed door, Kurapika was certain the attacker was the dead-eyed man sitting next to Uvogin—his sword was never more than an arm's length away.
Who would want to kill Ronin right now?
The answer was obvious: The Phantom Troupe!
But the more certain he became, the less he dared to approach them.
Hatred brewed in his heart, but even sitting there, he could sense the terror radiating from those three.
They were in a different dimension of strength.
Kurapika knew that if he released even a sliver of killing intent, he would be dead before he got within five meters of their table!
Cold sweat beaded on his forehead.
Is this the kind of monster Big Brother Ronin has to face?
Kurapika swallowed hard. Only when Uvogin's group left the restaurant did his tense nerves finally relax.
Just then, a figure sat down opposite him.
"Well? Did you sense the gap?"
The familiar voice made Kurapika snap his head up. His eyes instantly turned Scarlet.
"Big Brother Ronin!" Kurapika's voice trembled with emotion.
"Shh!" Ronin made a hushing gesture. Luckily, Kurapika hadn't attracted much attention.
The oppressive atmosphere from Uvogin's table had driven most diners away, leaving the area empty.
Seeing Kurapika's bright red eyes, Ronin stood up. "Come with me."
Kurapika pulled his cap down and followed Ronin quickly toward a private room.
His expression was unnatural, large tears streaming from his eyes.
Ronin noticed. Although Kurapika tried to suppress it, the sound of sniffling gave him away.
Sighing, Ronin slowed down and took Kurapika's hand.
Kurapika was only thirteen. He had lived in the village his whole life and only recently stepped into the outside world. Even if the tragedy forced him to mature, facing his only remaining kin brought out his fragile, true self.
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