Episode 3

The crowd roared, filling the air with anticipation as thousands of spectators gathered inside Tokyo's Grand Colosseum, a legendary battleground known for hosting the fiercest Hunter Tournaments in history. This was a stage where warriors proved their mettle, where the strong thrived, and the weak were left behind.

At the heart of it all, two seasoned commentators stood on an elevated platform, their voices echoing through the arena's sound system, ensuring that every hunter, spectator, and VIP guest understood the gravity of the battles ahead.

Commentator 1 (Hajime Oda, veteran hunter & analyst):

"Ladies and gentlemen, warriors and spectators alike, welcome to Japan's most prestigious Hunter Tournament! This is where the strongest young combatants gather, not just for personal glory, but to prove themselves before the greatest forces in the Japanese Hunter Association!"

Commentator 2 (Kaede Fujiwara):

"That's right, Hajime! This isn't just about winning—this tournament is a rite of passage for those seeking recognition in Japan's elite Hunter society! Every single participant here is fighting for their future. Some aim to be recruited into the Hunter Houses, while others seek personal revenge or simply want to measure their strength against the best."

Hajime:

"And let's not forget—the Hunter Houses are watching closely! The Lannister House, the Dragon House, the Light House, and the Shadow House all have their scouts observing these matches. They aren't just looking for raw power, but also tactical ability, adaptability, and mental fortitude. The ones who impress might receive invitations… but those who fail? Well, let's just say Japan's Hunter Association has no room for the weak."

Kaede:

"And there's one more thing to consider—this tournament is also a test of survival. The battles here are intense. Fighters must prove not just their strength, but their endurance, strategy, and ability to handle real-life threats. Many of Japan's top-ranked hunters have come from tournaments just like this. Who knows? We may be witnessing the rise of the next SS-rank hunter right now!"

RULES & PURPOSE

Hajime:

"For those of you unfamiliar with the format, let's break it down! The rules of the tournament are simple but brutal:

Knockout or Forfeit – If a fighter is unable to continue for more than 10 seconds, they are eliminated.

Ring-Out – If a fighter is forced out of the battle zone, they are disqualified.

Death is Forbidden – Killing an opponent will result in immediate expulsion and possible execution by the Hunter Association.

No Outside Assistance – No help from Shen artifacts, outside interference, or teams—it's a one-on-one battle of skill and raw ability!"

Kaede:

"But here's the reality—rules mean nothing if you're not strong enough to enforce them. Some of these fighters… they don't hold back. We've seen past tournaments where contenders have been left crippled for life. If you're weak, you better pray your opponent has mercy."

Hajime:

"And for those who still don't get it—this tournament isn't just a game. It's a stepping stone into the true Hunter world! This is where Japan's strongest young fighters earn their place or fade into obscurity."

Kaede:

"So the question is… who will rise, and who will fall?"

As the massive screens above the arena flashed the names of the remaining participants, tension filled the air. The tournament had already begun… and with each passing battle, Japan's future was being rewriten.

The stadium lights dimmed momentarily as the commentator's voice echoed across the roaring crowd, building anticipation for the next fight.

"Ladies and gentlemen, it's time for the next match! In the red corner, we have a legend in his own right, known as the Grim Duelist—the one and only… Jack the Reaper!"

The crowd erupted into cheers as a slim, menacing man stepped into the arena. He carried two gleaming blades—one in each hand—and moved with the grace of a predator. His dark eyes scanned the audience as if daring anyone to look away.

The commentator's voice boomed again, recounting his record: "With 24 victories in the past and only 4 defeats, Jack has earned his place as an C-Ranker in this prestigious tournament!"

Sakamoto, watching from the glass above, whistled. "Twenty-four wins? This guy must live here or something."

Lee smirked. "That's nothing. Wait till you see the other guy."

"And in the blue corner," the commentator continued, "we have the undefeated storm of destruction, the Soul Eater himself… Wang!"

The crowd's cheers turned into a deafening roar as Wang stepped into the ring. He was a mountain of a man, his dark robes flowing behind him like a shadow. His sharp eyes gleamed under the stadium lights, and his expression was calm, almost bored.

"Wang is a C Ranker, but don't let that fool you! His power rivals even the strongest B Rankers. And in all his battles… he has never been injured!"

Sakamoto leaned closer to the glass, his eyes wide. "Wait, never been injured? Not even a papercut?"

Lee chuckled. "Nope. The guy's a monster. And before you ask… yeah, he's faster than he looks."

The Ranking System

"Wait, what's this ranking stuff about anyway?" Sakamoto asked, scratching his head.

Lee gave him a look of disbelief. "You're here… and you don't even know about the ranking system? How did you even get a ticket?"

"Long story," Sakamoto said, waving him off. "Just explain already!"

Lee sighed dramatically, as if the very act of explaining was exhausting. "Alright, fine. The ranks go from E to S, and above that, you've got S+ and SS+, which are basically untouchable. And then there's a special tier: Supreme,Bondless,Warlord, and God-Tier Slayers. Those guys are…"

"Wait, wait. God-Tier?!" Sakamoto interrupted, his jaw dropping. "Why not just call them cheat codes?"

Lee laughed. "Pretty much. Anyway, you're nowhere near any of that, so don't get your hopes up."

As they spoke, Sakamoto noticed a man with slick black hair and a perfectly tailored black suit entering the VIP section on the other side of the stadium. His presence was magnetic, and the room seemed to grow quieter as he sat down among the officials.

"Who's that?" Sakamoto asked, nudging Lee.

Lee's tone shifted, becoming serious. "That's Feng, an S-Rank fighter and one of the commanders of this tournament. His power level is… ridiculous."

Sakamoto squinted. "So, like, super-duper strong?"

"Yeah for people like us," Lee replied, shaking his head. "He's on a whole different level. You don't want to get on his bad side."

The commentator's voice cut through the noise. "Fighters, take your positions… BEGIN!"

A loud DING echoed through the arena. Jack unsheathed both his blades, the sharp metallic sound slicing through the air. He grinned devilishly, his movements precise as he closed the distance between himself and Wang.

Wang, however, didn't flinch. His eyes glowed a bright red, and with a sudden burst of energy, his fingers extended into razor-sharp claws. Fwoosh! The air shimmered around him as he shifted into a battle stance.

Sakamoto watched in awe. "What the—his fingers? Is that even legal?!"

Lee smirked. "Welcome to the tournament, kid."

Jack lunged forward, his blades gleaming as they cut through the air with a shing-shing! He aimed an upward strike at Wang's chest, but before the blade could connect, Wang vanished.

Whoosh! The air rippled as Wang reappeared behind Jack, his claws slashing downward with deadly precision.

"Jack's in trouble!" the commentator exclaimed. "Is this it for him?"

But before the claws could make contact, Jack did something unthinkable. He spun his sword around, stabbing his own blade through his stomach.

"WHAT?!" Sakamoto screamed, nearly choking on his own spit.

The blade emerged from Jack's back, intercepting Wang's claws with a loud CLANG! Sparks flew as the two forces collided. Jack's body shimmered and dissolved into a cloud of smoke, reforming a few feet away. He grinned, twirling his blades as if the whole thing had been a warm-up.

The crowd went wild, their cheers deafening.

"Jack the Reaper lives up to his name!" the commentator shouted. "But Wang isn't done yet!"

Blood dripped from Wang's fingers as he pulled back, his expression darkening. The arena seemed to hold its breath as the two fighters circled each other, the tension palpable.

"Did… did that guy just stab himself to block an attack?" Sakamoto asked, his voice trembling.

"Yep," Lee said casually.

"And then turned into SMOKE?"

"Uh-huh."

Sakamoto blinked. "This is insane. Are these guys even human?!"

Lee chuckled. "Just wait. The real fun hasn't even started."

Sakamoto groaned, slumping against the glass. "I think I'm in way over my head."

Below, the fight continued, each clash of blade and claw sending shockwaves through the arena. Sakamoto couldn't help but feel a mix of awe and terror.

As Lee watched the fight with a calm smile, he leaned over and whispered, "You'd better pay attention, kid. Next minute, it might be you down there."

Sakamoto's stomach growled loudly, breaking the tension.

"Or, you know," he muttered, "I could just open a noodle stand outside and call it a day…"

Lee burst out laughing as the arena below exploded into chaos, the sound of blades and claws echoing through the stadium like thunder.