Chapter 133: A Single Man
The monitor turned on, displaying the names of the next combatants. Much of the crowd was oblivious to the fighters on screen: Raidō Namiashi vs. Kotetsu Hagane.
Instant murmurs arose, with many spectators exchanging puzzled glances. These were names and faces most hadn't known. However, the moment they saw the familiar Leaf Village insignia attached to their uniforms, interest sparked anew.
The audience recognized that despite their anonymity, these fighters were from the same village as Naruto and Margaret, who had previously enthralled them.
In the midst of the buzz, the Raikage made his return. As he walked back into the viewing area, still fuming over his ninjas' lackluster performances, he found that someone had already placed a fresh chair for him. He plopped down into it with displeasure and a scowl on his expression.
Whatever hopes he had of a proud showing for the Cloud Village hung precariously on the shoulders of his only two remaining fighters: C and Darui. Every other match had felt like a slap in the face.
His eyes drifted back to the arena, and he felt frustrated at the prospect that the fighters were again from the Leaf Village. Then an idea sparked in his mind. So he turned to Mei and suggested, "How about another bet, Mizukage?"
Mei's interest piqued. She leaned forward and queried, "What's the wager this time?"
"The shinobi with the bandage across his face," he said, pointing decisively at Kotetsu. "I believe he's going to win."
Mei studied the two shinobi with a sharp eye. Only vaguely recalling them, she attempted to make sense of his choice. "You think so? He seems a bit... average, don't you think?"
"Sure, but it's about potential!"
That's when Mei recognized something the Raikage regretted. The other fighter, Raidō, had a scar on his face. That surely had to have meant something. A scar like that could only have been acquired in a serious battle.