Mono took a deep breath as the fight kicked off. The announcer's voice boomed through the speakers, "Let the tournament begin!"
And the rowdy crowd cheered loudly from the stands as fighters rushed into the huge arena in all directions, each trying to find an opening.
The noise from the spectators blended with the chaos below. People shouted names, placed bets, and cheered for their favorites, while others just enjoyed the spectacle—watching as bodies clashed, feet scrambled, and fists swung wildly across the field. The energy in the arena was electric, fueling the competitors as they fought to stay in the game.
Sensei sat high up in the instructors' booth, arms crossed, watching with keen eyes. The booth was massive, positioned high above the battlefield so every fight could be observed. He had seen countless tournaments before, and while this was only the opening stage, he knew it would set the tone for the real fights ahead.
Fighters wasted no time. As soon as the signal had gone off, battles erupted everywhere. One competitor on the far left lunged at his opponent with a fast kick, only for the target to step aside and counter with a sharp elbow strike to the ribs. The attacker stumbled but quickly regained his footing, throwing another punch to make up for his lost ground.
Nearby, a fighter swung a heavy fist straight at his opponent's face, aiming for a knockout blow. But the target ducked just in time, and the missed hit created a gust of wind that made everyone around pause for half a second before launching back into combat.
Mono had barely moved from his spot, watching and waiting. He wasn't in a rush to jump into unnecessary fights—he wanted to pick his battles carefully.
That plan didn't last long.
He noticed movement to his right—a fighter had locked onto him as an easy target, sprinting toward him with his fist pulled back, ready to strike. Mono shifted his weight and slid to the side, dodging the attack effortlessly. He countered with a quick knee to the stomach, forcing his attacker to stumble back, gasping for breath.
Not far from him, Renji had already intercepted a stray blow. A wild punch was coming his way, but Renji caught his attacker's wrist and twisted it ever so slightly, redirecting the force before taking a step back. He had no interest in wasting energy too soon.
Around them, the arena was filled with clashes. Fighters grouped into small skirmishes, while others broke into individual duels, testing their opponents' limits. Some immediately went for platforms scattered across the field, hoping to gain an advantage in positioning before things got too messy.
One fighter performed a quick series of jabs, landing two solid hits before being countered by a sharp kick to the thigh. Another competitor dodged a spinning back kick at the last moment, retaliating with a hook to the ribs.
The crowd loved every second of it. Their cheers rang out with each decisive move, their voices growing louder as more fighters got knocked down or pulled into relentless exchanges.
Sensei continued watching, expression unreadable. He had seen many different styles over the years—aggressive fighters who relied on brute strength, cautious competitors who waited for the perfect opening, unpredictable brawlers who changed tactics depending on the situation.
Mono and Renji moved carefully toward a less crowded area of the arena, slipping between fights without committing to a full battle yet.
Renji glanced at him, speaking just loud enough to be heard over the chaos. "Truce for the rest of this?"
Mono smirked, deflecting another lazy attempt at a hit from someone who didn't seem fully committed to attacking him. "Wouldn't want to deal with you early anyway."
Renji nodded, shifting his stance slightly, keeping close enough that they could cover each other without being obvious about it.
Just as they settled into their rhythm, Mono caught a sharp movement from the corner of his vision—a fighter had broken from a skirmish and was barreling toward him, fist drawn back for a full-force punch.
Mono could tell from the fighter's stance that the hit would be strong. Too strong to block with one hand.
Instead of stepping aside, he braced himself, bringing both arms up just in time to catch the punch head-on. The impact crashed against his forearms, rattling through his body with sheer force. He gritted his teeth, holding his ground.
The attacker hesitated for just a moment—he hadn't expected Mono to stop the hit so completely.
Mono didn't waste the opening.
He pushed forward, driving a punch straight into the fighter's jaw, snapping his head back. The hit stunned him, leaving him wide open.
Mono shifted his weight, twisting his body as he delivered a mighty side kick, sending his opponent flying backward a full meter across the battlefield. The fighter crashed into another competitor mid-swing, both of them tumbling into a tangled mess of limbs.
The crowd erupted at the sight of it, shouting in approval at the sheer power behind the move.
Sensei watched from the booth, eyes narrowing slightly.
Strength alone wouldn't win this fight. He had seen countless fighters rely on brute force, thinking it would carry them forward. But most of them never made it far.
It was instinct. It was control.
And Mono—whether he realized it yet or not—had both.