CHAPTER 39- The Unforgiving Arena

Yami let out a slow, menacing chuckle. "Then in two days, the tournament begins. Guards, escort them to their residence. I promise on my name, I will not strike from the shadows. in front of everyone while, all those eyes are watching I will squish your head."

With that, Yoto led his team out of the manor. The moment they stepped outside, the suffocating atmosphere lifted slightly. Yet, as they walked in silence, each of them knew this was only the beginning.

Back in the manor, Yami leaned back against his throne, his excitement barely contained.

"Yoto… I will show you what true fear is." His grin widened. "I can't wait to pulverize you."

Meanwhile,

At their residence, tension simmered among the group. The events of the day weighed heavily on their minds, their thoughts spiraling in different directions. Then, abruptly, Akemi broke the silence, her voice trembling with frustration.

"That's it! I can't take this anymore! I'm bringing Hayato back right now!"

Hataki immediately stepped forward, his tone firm yet controlled. "Akemi, don't rush. None of us expected things to unfold like this. We need to think before acting."

Akemi's eyes burned with anger. "I don't care what happened today! I'm going to bring back Hayato and return to Beastmen Island!"

Kaito, standing near the doorway, folded his arms. "And after everything that happened, do you really think the Speaker will just let us leave peacefully? After what we did?"

The room fell into tense silence, save for the weight of unspoken fears. Eiji, sensing the growing distress, gently guided Hena and Souta to another room, shielding them from the storm brewing among the others.

Ginrou, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke. "Akemi, after everything you've seen here after witnessing how these people live, how can you speak so easily about leaving?"

Akemi clenched her fists, her voice sharp. "I don't care! I just need Hayato back!"

Yushin sighed, her expression filled with both empathy and resolve. "Akemi, we all want to bring him back. But people are suffering here. We will bring Hayato back, I trust Yoto."

Akemi turned on her, irritation flaring in her eyes. "Without Nishi, he's nothing! You only trust him because you're close to him, don't you, "You've felt the Speaker's aura, right? It's menacing… disturbing!" Do you really think Yoto can defeat him? if, in the middle of the fight he got injured and Nishi drained his strength to heal him and then what, could he fight on his own, He's....."

"Akemi, watch your words!" Kaito's voice cut through the room, sharp as a blade. "You're about to say something you'll regret. A stab wound may heal, but a wound from words? That never fades. Think before you speak."

Akemi's chest rose and fell with rapid breaths. "That's it. I'm going alone. I'll bring him back myself."

She turned sharply, storming toward the door. But as she flung it open, she froze.

Yoto stood there, his face unreadable. He had heard everything.

For a moment, the air between them crackled with unspoken emotions. Then, in a voice devoid of anger, devoid of anything, Yoto simply said, "Akemi, I'm not asking you to trust me. I thought I didn't have to. I thought you already knew who I really am."

Without another word, he stepped past her, disappearing into a room and shutting the door behind him. As he shut the door, frustration and sadness twisted inside him, his own comrade didn't believe in him..., he thought "I will definitely bring him back… I swear it."

Akemi stood there, stunned. A sharp sting rose in her chest, and before she could stop them, tears welled in her eyes. She clenched her teeth, dropping to the floor in frustration. "Damn it..."

Yushin hesitated before approaching, reaching out to comfort her. But Akemi turned her head away, shutting herself off from her. Seeing her like this, Yushin felt something heavy settle in his heart.

Still, she spoke, her voice quiet but firm. "Akemi, I don't trust him because I like him. I trust him because he's Yoto."

Then, without another word, Yushin turned and walked away.

Ginrou sighed, glancing at Akemi. "When things cool down, you should apologize to him."

Kaito, watching the scene unfold, spoke next. "Akemi, it's not my place to say this, but... You've all been together for over twelve years. You should trust each other with your lives, If you think Yoto doesn't care about Hayato, then you're not seeing him for who he truly is. Even I've come to respect him, and he's younger than me. I hope you apologize to him."

Hataki, who had been silently observing, found his thoughts spiraling. Why is Akemi acting this way? Am I not supporting them enough? Is Yoto once again carrying all the burden alone?

His gaze darkened. Was Akemi really about to say that she doesn't trust him? How did it come to this? Is our group falling apart?

A reassuring weight on his shoulder snapped him from his thoughts. Kaito stood beside him, offering a calm smile. "Hataki, don't worry. Everything will be alright. They're just kids, and they've been through a lot. They'll get along again. They just need time."

Hataki nodded, but the hesitation in his heart remained.

Just then, Ginrou turned to Eiji. "Eiji, can you bring Hena here? We need to ask her something."

"Of course," Eiji replied before disappearing down the hall. Moments later, he returned with Hena, who hesitated before taking a seat before them.

Before anyone could speak, she suddenly bowed her head, her shoulders trembling. "I... I'm so sorry for what happened today!" Her voice cracked, and tears spilled down her cheeks. "It's all my fault. If Yoto hadn't saved me that day, you all would have been at peace. Everything happened because of me!"

Hataki's heart softened. He leaned forward, his voice gentle. "No, no, it's not your fault. Even if it wasn't you, we couldn't have ignored someone crying for help. Don't blame yourself."

Hena sniffled, nodding as she tried to regain her composure. Kaito then asked, "Hena, what exactly is the tournament about? Do you know the rules?"

Hataki, meanwhile, glanced around, searching for someone. Noticing this, Ginrou raised a brow. "Hataki, are you looking for something—or someone?"

"Where's Ken? I haven't seen him since we returned from the Speaker's house."

Kaito let out a small sigh. "Ah, I forgot to tell you. Ken said he was going for a walk to clear his mind. He mentioned he'd be back late."

Concern flickered in Hataki's eyes, but he returned his focus to Hena as she spoke.

"The tournament is held once every six months," she explained. "Warriors from different villages compete, but only one person from each village can participate. The tournament consists of three rounds with a two-day break between each. The first two rounds are against the Speaker's men, and in the final round... the challenger must face the Speaker himself."

Hataki frowned. "And where is this tournament held?

"It's held on the outskirts of the third village, Yamahana, in a colosseum built specifically for it. But... for the past two years, no one has ever gone to 2nd round until now.

The room fell into a stunned silence.

Kaito exhaled. "Then, can we at least find someone who survived the first round? Maybe gather information on the fighters? That could give us an advantage."

Hena's lips quivered. Her voice was barely a whisper. "No one survived."

A heavy stillness gripped the room.

No one spoke. No one moved.