Chapter 58 - Enter the Emperor

Joan: It appears that Kuro has lost.

Alexander: I'm not surprised. He was up against the head of the organization. How much do you know about the match?

Joan: From what I can tell, it was a close match. Kuro was a lot stronger than anticipated. Apparently, he even turned into a beast during the match.

Alexander: Perfect. If the head can be weakened enough to be taken out before the finals, we have a shot at winning this.

Joan: What about Daniel and Cero which are in the same block as you? And Theodore who is up next?

Alexander: If I can beat Daniel, I have no doubts that I'll be able to beat Cero and even Theodore. This is where we start to rise up.

Joan: If you say so.

Joan and Alexander wander through the halls, passing Vector who crept out of his room.

Vector: He seems like a reliable source of information. Maybe I should try asking him to help me out with my match.

Vector slipped back into his room, closing the door as he sat in darkness.

…

Daymond and Dianshi reached a door on the first floor. Dianshi slowly opened it as a man in a long lab coat and dark goggles met them.

???: Theraposa! Older Shen! I've been waiting for you guys!

Dianshi: Just hurry up and let us inside, Bodin.

Bodin: Why of course, of course. I was watching the match closely and could tell that Daymond would be needing my assistance.

Two nurses came to Daymond's side, taking his coat, and book as Dianshi carried him to an infirmary table. Bodin immediately flashed a light in Daymond's face before moving the light along his body.

Bodin: Yup, just as I thought. That match has caused a lot of heavy damage. Even the arm I collaborated so hard on fixing seems to have some cracks along it.

Dianshi: How can you tell that? You haven't even done an x-ray yet.

Bodin: Quite simply, dear Older Shen. I was taking close notes to Theraposa's match and could tell when a blow would cause some damage. Kageyama sure didn't make this job easy for me. Nurses, bring me my equipment.

The two nurses rushed around the room, placing tools on a bench as they strolled it across the room.

Daymond: I see you and your assistants are as lively as ever, Bodin. Where are you treating Arthur?

Bodin: Oh, Hickory? He's in the other room. Dear ol' Younger Shen visited him a couple of minutes ago. He left midway through your match. I wonder where he is now.

Dianshi: Knowing Nupan, he's probably off annoying someone. But at least he isn't annoying you. You're the Arachna's personal doctor, after all.

Bodin: I simply respect the efforts you guys put in. I have to thank y'all for letting me join three years ago.

Daymond: I acknowledged your skill and ability as a doctor. You continue to impress with each session.

Bodin: Oh, you kid, Theraposa. I just make sure to perfect my craft when I can.

Dianshi: I'm going to cut you two off before you go on a spree of complementing one another. I'm going to rejoin the others since Yussuf's match is up next.

Bodin: Ah yes! The Younger Ryuji! I had a feeling that Daymond may wish to watch that match as well, so I set up cameras around the ring and had them displayed here. Now we can see that match. Oh… That's a lot of blood and damage they need to clean up. How rude, Theraposa.

Daymond: Kuro was no weak opponent. The ring being in any better condition did not seem possible.

Bodin let out a laugh. Dianshi shook his head before walking out of the room. He walked through the halls, noticing long hair past the corner.

Dianshi's thoughts: I couldn't even tell there was someone there. If it wasn't for that hair, I would've missed them… Who is that?

Dianshi quickly walked over to the corner that hair passed, only to be met with an entirely empty hallway.

Dianshi: Maybe I'm getting tired. Seeing weirdly colored hair. What's wrong with me?

Dianshi walked away from the hallway, a figure walking out and standing in the center.

…

Theodore walked out of one of the changing rooms, looking behind him to see Daniel wearing a smile on his face.

Theodore: Having a nice ride back there?

Daniel: Ya ya!

Theodore: Well, only the actual fighter is allowed to enter the ring. So you can get off now.

Daniel nodded before hopping off Theodore's back, holding onto a candy bar. Theodore rubbed the back of his head, Daniel's attention grabbed by the shiny arm gauntlets that Theodore wore on each arm. Theodore was adorned with a black, skin-tight bodysuit that covered the lower half of the face, two metal arm gauntlets, and shin guards. He wore the usual martial artist pants, which most of them were hidden behind the shin guards.

Daniel: Look strong!

Theodore: Thank you. I think you should join the others. I want you to have a good look at the fight, after all.

Daniel nodded, getting on all fours and running down the hall before making a turn. Theodore laughed to himself before turning to the light of the ring.

Theodore: Looks like it's time.

Zachary: These fights really have been crazy! So many repairs were needed just to get to this moment!

Zachary raised his left arm into the air as he smiled widely at the mic.

Zachary: IF WE THOUGHT SEEING THE HEAD, DAYMOND THERAPOSA, IN ACTION WAS A TREAT, WAIT UNTIL THIS FIGHT! THE FIRST MAN WE INTRODUCE TO YOU IS ANOTHER PILLAR OF THIS ASSOCIATION! THE ONLY FIGHTER OF THIS ORGANIZATION TO BE A RULER OF HIS OWN COUNTRY! COMING FROM THE LANDS OF THE VIRTUS IMPERIUM, THIS MAN MADE WAVES IN THE MATCHES FROM HIS FIRST! HE IS RANK NUMBER THREE WITH A TOTAL OF 73 WINS AND 1 LOSS! STANDING AT 194 CENTIMETERS AND WEIGHING 118 KILOGRAMS WHILE CARRYING ANOTHER 36 WITH THOSE ARMOR PIECES, HERE IS "THE KING-EMPEROR," THEODORE ONEIROI!!!

Theodore walked into the ring, his long hair flowing as he towered over Zachary. Zachary pushed up his sunglasses, turning to Theodore as he put out his hand.

Zachary: Great to have you in another one of these matches.

Theodore grabbed his hand, shaking it as he looked down at Zachary.

Theodore: I don't intend to retire any time soon. So after hearing another tournament was going to occur, I simply had to join.

Zachary: If that's the case.

Zachary pulled his arm away before switching the hands the mic was in. He stretched his right arm out, pointing at the opposing entrance.

Zachary: AND THE MAN TO FACE HIM IS NONE OTHER THAN ANOTHER MEMBER OF THE ARACHNA! HIS SKILL WITH THE SWORD IS NOTHING SHORT OF BREATHTAKING! IS HE A MADMAN FOR FACING A KING?! OR WILL HE SHOW US A REALITY THAT NOT EVEN KURO COULD?! ENTERING AS RANK 144 WITH 15 WINS AND 2 LOSSES, STANDING AT 178 CENTIMETERS AND WEIGHING 68 KILOGRAMS! HERE IS THE "SHADED WARRIOR," YUSSUF RYUJI!!!

Leaving the darkness of the entrance, Yussuf entered the ring with his sheathed sword in hand. He walked up to Zachary and Theodore, looking up to meet Theodore's gaze.

Yussuf: You're a lot taller close up.

Theodore: I hear that a lot. Even the President of America has complimented my height as a foreign leader.

Yussuf: That's… an odd thing to be complimented for. Are you sure you're telling the truth?

Theodore: Do I have any need to lie?

Yussuf: Damn, you're right. You are a king, after all.

Yussuf put a hand on his chin as the audience erupted in a roar of cheers.