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Chapter 78 - Machi of the "Phantom Troupe"!
Not long after Akira left, a girl emerged from the shadows in the corner. Her expression was cold, and her indifferent eyes seemed uninterested in everything.
She had a petite figure and pinkish-purple hair, giving her a rather cute appearance. She wore a feminine training robe and a pair of purple stockings, exuding a sense of efficiency.
Glancing at the three losers limping away, a hint of seriousness flashed in her deep blue eyes. She had also sensed that aura earlier, though only for a fleeting moment. But in that brief instant, she was certain that person strength far surpassed her own.
In fact, it far surpassed the entire Phantom Troupe strength!
This girl was none other than Machi, a member of the Phantom Troupe!
This was the intuition she had been born with!
How could such a powerful being appear here? Machi couldn't quite figure it out.
After a moment, Machi seemed to think of something. The seriousness in her eyes gradually faded, replaced by a fiery fervor. It was a fervor for money!
So, it's Akira, huh... She could make a fortune off this!
.....
The next day, Akira arrived at the entrance of Heaven's Arena, where he was being interviewed by the official staff.
"Hello everyone, today's interview subject is the newcomer who made a big splash yesterday—Mr. Akira!" The attractive reporter stood beside Akira, holding a microphone and smiling at the camera. She was wearing a work uniform with a fist emblem, and even her hat bore the same logo.
Come to think of it, everyone Akira had seen working at Heaven's Arena had this emblem, likely a uniform requirement.
"Mr. Akira has truly made a stunning debut. On his very first day at Heaven's Arena, he reached the 200th floor. Such an astonishing feat completely shattered Heaven's Arena's records. Not only that, Mr. Akira has defeated every opponent in an instant, leaving no one able to gauge his true strength!"
"Mr. Akira, we're all curious about your plans moving forward. Will you stop after reaching the 200th floor and claim the prize money? Or will you continue fighting and challenge the floor masters? Everyone is very interested in this question."
At this point, the reporter handed the microphone to Akira, eagerly awaiting his response. From her perspective, of course, she hoped Akira would choose to continue challenging, as it would boost the interview's popularity. And, well, it might also increase her bonus...
At this moment, the reporter had no idea that Akira upcoming statement would not only declare his intention to continue challenging but also bring unprecedented attention!
"Hello everyone, I'm Akira. First, I want to make my stance clear—I will continue to challenge at the Heaven's Arena," Akira said with a slight smirk, his handsome face revealing a playful smile. This instantly won over many female viewers, turning them into fans of his looks.
"Here, I extend a challenge to all the Floor Masters. Let me witness your strength!" Akira words had barely left his mouth when the reporter beside him seemed to freeze, her mind struggling to process what she had just heard.
What... what did he just say?
"Of course, if any of you are afraid and unwilling to face me, I can understand that too!" Only after Akira added this final remark and handed the microphone back to the reporter did she snap out of her daze and realize what had just happened.
This was Akira plan!
To directly provoke the Floor Masters during the live broadcast, forcing them to fight him. As the highest-ranking individuals in Heaven's Arena, the Floor Masters took immense pride in their status. Their reputation was also a tool for them to continuously amass wealth.
Naturally, they couldn't tolerate anyone challenging them. If someone refused to accept the challenge, it would appear to the audience as if they were afraid of Akira.
How could a long-established Floor Master be intimidated by a newcomer to Heaven's Arena?
Not only would their reputation plummet and their income shrink, but Akira also wouldn't value the experience of such individuals.
Of course, Akira method of issuing challenges didn't align with Heaven's Arena's "Challenge Application System." In theory, challengers needed to win ten matches before they were eligible to challenge a Floor Master.
After defeating the original Floor Master, the challenger could replace them and become the new Floor Master. Akira approach, even if he won, wouldn't follow the rules, and he wouldn't replace the Floor Master's status.
But... So what?
Akira wasn't challenging these Floor Masters for the status they "treasured."
It was for the experience points he would gain after defeating them! Even if he didn't hold the title of Floor Master, what if he defeated every single one of them? What if he even defeated the champion of the martial arts tournament, the current Floor Master of the 251st floor?
Even if Heaven's Arena didn't recognize him as a Floor Master, people would still call him the strongest! His achievements would speak for themselves!
If he followed Heaven's Arena's rules, Akira had no idea how long it would take to become the strongest Floor Master. With that amount of time, he could have already obtained a bunch of new Pokémon elsewhere.
Meanwhile, Akira statement had attracted the attention of many viewers watching the live broadcast. It had to be said, while many people came to Heaven's Arena to challenge, Akira was the first to make such a bold declaration right after arriving!
Instantly, people had mixed opinions about Akira. Some thought he was just a boastful braggart, daring to challenge the long-established Floor Masters so soon after arriving at Heaven's Arena. Others believed he was skilled and bold, perhaps possessing real talent.
After all, from the replays of his previous battles, Akira had achieved one-hit KOs in every match! No one knew what Akira limits were
...
"Hehehe... Challenging the floor masters, huh?"
In the dimly lit room, Hisoka gaze was fixed intently on Akira on the television, letting out a chilling laugh. Under the pale glow of the screen, Hisoka's already bizarre clown makeup appeared even more eerie. Hisoka was also the first to understand the purpose behind Akira actions.
This approach suited those like them who didn't care about the benefits of being a floor master but simply wanted to enjoy battles with the strong.
In fact, Hisoka strength was more than sufficient to be a floor master. It was just that the "application battle system" was a bit troublesome, which was why he hadn't become one yet.
In the original story, during Hisoka great battle with Chrollo, both of them were floor masters. Currently, Hisoka battles in the Heaven's Arena were all victories, with the few losses being due to his absence.
Those were directly ruled as defeats.
"What a great idea..." Hisoka narrow eyes curved into a smile, making him look even more sinister and terrifying, with a hint of darkness hidden in his golden pupils.
However... There was one thing he still couldn't figure out.
For Akira, was it really necessary to challenge those floor masters?
Hisoka didn't believe that those floor masters could provide Akira with the thrill of battle. Even the highest one, the 251st floor master, was no exception!
.....
After saying what he wanted to say, Akira left directly, wanting to try the local delicacies of the city. Only the journalist, caught in a whirlwind of thoughts, remained standing there in a daze.
After some deliberation among the higher-ups of the Heaven's Arena, they decided to tacitly allow Akira approach! On one hand, Akira words had successfully generated a lot of buzz. The vast majority of the audience expressed a desire to see Akira battle the floor masters.
The ticket sales would amount to a significant sum. On the other hand, since Akira challenge didn't conform to the "application battle system," even if he won, he wouldn't gain the status of a floor master.
This was confirmed after they sent someone to ask Akira himself. Akira didn't need the status of a floor master, he only sought a battle!
With this, the officials were completely free of concerns and even actively promoted Akira live broadcast. The interview was on loop in the Heaven's Arena and other regions.
After some promotion, Akira image in the public eye shifted from a "rude and arrogant" troublemaker to a master who pursued martial arts wholeheartedly, unmoved by fame and fortune!
As Akira sat in the restaurant, enjoying the local snacks and watching the interviews about his performance on TV, he was somewhat surprised himself.
So now he had the reputation of "pursuing martial arts, indifferent to fame and fortune"?
Although it was true that Akira didn't desire those things. 𝒏𝙤𝙫𝒑𝙪𝙗.𝙘𝒐𝙢
Mainly, because he just couldn't stand it.
...
On the 237th floor of the Heaven Arena, a woman was staying in a specially decorated tennis court. The woman had short golden hair, fair skin, and facial features that resembled those of a Westerner. She had just finished her daily tennis training, and her tennis outfit was slightly damp with sweat.
Sally casually picked up a towel nearby and wiped the sweat from her forehead, with a few beads of sweat clinging to her golden hair tips.
Watching Akira previous interview on the TV screen, Sally remained silent, a hint of impatience flashing in her eyes...
In her opinion, Akira actions would only disrupt her practice.
Talking big without any real strength? She couldn't see anything impressive about Akira. Better to finish the match early and get it over with.
...
On the 233rd floor of the Heaven Arena, a well-built man was swimming freely in his private pool. The man had a darker complexion, with a striking long scar on his face. The scar ran from the corner of his eye all the way down to near his chin, giving him a fierce appearance.
When he surfaced for air and heard Akira "boastful" words on the nearby TV, Shark let out a scoff. A bloodthirsty smile, reminiscent of a shark, spread across his face.
Just a clown seeking attention.
Watch me tear you to pieces!
In that brief moment, Shark had already imagined Akira death.
Let him be bitten in half in one go!
....
On the 242nd floor of the Heaven's Arena, a woman sat in her meticulously decorated garden, with several butterflies fluttering around her. The woman wore a green robe adorned with intricate patterns, and her long hair was a vibrant emerald green.
Strangely, the plants around her were growing at an astonishingly fast rate, giving off a sense of vitality.
Watching Akira bold declaration on TV, Lina furrowed her brows slightly, a look of surprise appearing on her serene face.
"He's not here with good intentions..."
.....
Just like the ordinary audience, the floor masters also had mixed opinions about Akira words. Some thought Akira was just seeking attention, with no real strength. Others believed that Akira ability to make such bold claims was not to be underestimated!
Unlike the differing views of the floor masters, a certain girl had only one thought after seeing Akira interview—This is going to be a huge payday!
Compared to a nobody like Akira and the long-established floor masters, people would definitely favor the floor masters. In other words... the odds would be heavily skewed!
This is the time to go all in! This isn't gambling—it's robbing money!
The girl lively eyes were now filled with the gleam of wealth, completely shining with the allure of money.
...
The Heaven Arena acted quite swiftly, and perhaps due to Akira "provocative" skills being too outstanding, just a few days later, Akira was about to face his first battle.
There are a total of 21 floor masters in the Heaven Arena, and they don't always stay here. Some, having founded their own schools, spend most of their time outside teaching disciples. Others, leveraging their reputation as floor masters, travel around giving so-called lectures.
Currently, only a handful of floor masters are present in the Heaven's Arena. Of course, it's possible that some floor masters, after learning about Akira interview, might rush back to participate.
The floor masters in the Heaven's Arena seemed to have reached a consensus—to proceed from the lowest to the highest.
If you, Akira, can't even defeat a lower-level floor master, what face do you have to challenge us?
This way, it also saves them time. Akira next challenger for the top spot is the floor master from the 233rd floor.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to our challenge arena. Today's match is different from the usual. This match is more like a friendly competition. The challenger will not replace the floor master even if they win." The commentator, with an excited expression, introduced the event to the audience in the stands.
Looking around, almost all the seats were filled, showing just how captivating the battle between the two was.
Firstly, floor master battles are rare, and it's not easy for people to see a floor master perform in the arena on a regular basis. Everyone wanted to take this opportunity to witness the floor master prowess up close.
Secondly, Akira interview further heightened the audience expectations. They were curious about what kind of performance the young man who made those bold statements would deliver.
"First, walking out from the left-side tunnel is our long-renowned floor master of the 233rd floor. Known as the Shark—Shark!" A dark-skinned man with scars emerged from the shadowy tunnel, greeted by cheers from many in the audience.
People naturally admire strength, and those who enjoy watching battles in the Heaven's Arena are no exception. As long as a strong individual doesn't have too many flaws, they will have plenty of supporters.
"Next, making his entrance is our challenger, a master dedicated to the pursuit of martial arts—Akira!" The audience turned their attention to the right-side tunnel, where Akira calmly walked out. Strangely, Akira entrance also garnered continuous applause from the audience.
If one were to observe carefully, they would notice that most of those clapping for Akira were women. In other words, Akira fans were drawn to his looks.
After all, the handsome and dashing Akira was indeed a cut above Shark in terms of appearance.
In another corner of the stands was the counter responsible for on-site betting.
"Bet on Akira to win, all in!" A cool voice rang out.
Machi placed a large sum of money on Akira victory, an action that surprised those around her. To them, it seemed like an irrational move, betting on the floor master to win would have been the safer choice.
After handling her business, Machi found a corner to stand in, quietly watching the composed Akira on the arena. In her mind, she was calculating how much money she would make later.
Seeing Akira standing on the arena, facing the floor master Shark, yet maintaining a calm demeanor, puzzled many in the audience.
Facing such a powerful floor master, wasn't he nervous?
Shark, of course, took in Akira demeanor, clenching his fists tightly, producing a "crack, crack" sound.
Shark eyes gleamed with ferocity as he spoke to Akira in a low voice. "Kid, I'm going to tear you in half!"
Akira face remained as expressionless as ever. This floor master isn't strong, but he sure talks big.
He doesn't even consider why I have no expression—it's because you're too weak.
You can't even get me excited!
Name: Shark
Strength: B
Nen Ability: Shark in the Ocean, Conjuration Type
He can turn the surrounding terrain into an ocean for himself to swim in. The larger the range, the higher the aura consumption. He could materialize himself into the form of a shark, swimming in the "ocean" influenced by Nen. He could erase his own aura, enhancing his speed and strength.
With B-level strength, he was considered quite skilled compared to others outside. It was reasonable for him to be a low-level floor master in Heaven's Arena.
After all, in the movie version, even a child like Zushi became a floor master by the time the next martial arts tournament began.
This shows that the title of floor master in Heaven's Arena doesn't hold much weight.
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