Chapter 123: Hard Work
Arthur watched the unfolding excitement.
They whipped away the enormous tarp concealing a monitor, revealing a giant screen that displayed fighters' names and their matches for all to see, allowing even those perched in the nosebleed section a good glimpse of the action.
Arthur had insisted on this feature, mainly to record the matches and analyze each fighter's method and possible weaknesses for later encounters.
As the crowd roared in approval, their energy became electrifying. The announcer outlined the time constraints.
"Each match has a five-minute limit! If both fighters remain standing after the allotted time, the one who sustained the most damage will be eliminated."
The stakes were not just about physical dominance; a keen sense of strategy was crucial in each match.
High up in the arena's stands, the Raikage eyed Mei and remarked, "Well, this is quite the captivating show. I didn't expect any of this."
Mei smirked, coolly analyzing the matches as they unfolded. "Yes, the rules are indeed fair, but I'm more interested in interruptions than my village's reputation."
As if on cue, he suggested, "Let's make it interesting. I wager that at least three of the five ninjas from my village will advance to the second round."
Mei raised an eyebrow and asked, "What do I gain from this wage, seeing that I don't have anyone from my village participating?"
So A answered, "If three of my ninjas can't advance, I supply the Mist Village with weapons. If they can, you'll furnish us with one of the Mist's legendary ninja swords."