Chapter 139: Intermission
Fighters and spectators alike dispersed to the various stalls, restaurants, and stands throughout the city. Arthur himself found refuge in a secluded room. The absence of noise was a welcome change; it was here he could gather his thoughts and review the recent activities.
The walls of the small room were lined with monitors displaying various camera feeds, capturing every corner of the arena and its surroundings. Wires snaked around the floor as they connected to mainframes live-streaming the event.
Arthur moved through the technical setup, unplugging several cables and carefully extracting the data from the system. He had learned long ago the importance of preserving valuable information.
Sitting down in front of an old television, he began the transfer process. 'First, I need to ensure everything is safe,' he thought. He inserted a flash drive into the television, and the monitor opened the footage files.
One by one, the videos transferred, allowing him to later review the details of each match, including the interaction among the fighters. As he watched the progress bar fill, he couldn't help but think how the data will provide invaluable insights into their techniques and weaknesses.
Once finished, he turned his attention to the bigger monitors, flipping through camera feeds that offered glimpses into the outside of his closed chamber.
Each screen displayed different areas of the village where the fighters roamed, granting him a perspective on their interactions without their knowledge.
He clicked on a feed that showed several familiar faces. The camera focused in on Naruto, who was animatedly harassing Santa Yamanaka while other Leaf ninjas chuckled at the banter. There didn't seem to be any tension in their conversation.
What was notable was how the clanmates were treating the main character. Naruto, as many understood, was heavily ostracized. Yet what Arthur was seeing was a boy exchanging stories and laughing brightly within the crowded streets.
"You're not stronger than you think!" Naruto exclaimed with a shrill laugh. "I mean, seriously, did you even train before coming here? You're going down!"
Santa shook his head in amusement and said, "You're full of yourself, Naruto. I know what I'm capable of, and I wouldn't underestimate me if I were you."