The Colosseum, once filled with roaring cheers, now hummed with quiet anticipation as Jun stepped forward. His expression was serious, his voice steady as he addressed the gathered rookies and the watching clans.
"All of you have fought well today. Each battle was a testament to your skills, strategies, and determination. But now, we must move forward."
The remaining participants stood in silence, their hearts pounding. Who would make it to the semi-finals?
Jun glanced at the elders, who had been deliberating. The discussions had been intense, and now the final decision had been made.
"After much discussion, we have chosen the top three warriors who will advance to the semi-finals."
A hush fell over the Colosseum. Every fighter stood at attention, their breaths held in anticipation.
Jun raised his hand and announced the names one by one.
"First, Mon Tsukigiri of the Moon Mist Clan."
A wave of murmurs swept through the crowd. No one was surprised—Mon had displayed terrifying power, nearly overwhelming Sho in their match.
Mon, standing at a distance with his arms crossed, remained unfazed. His expression was unreadable, his piercing gaze unwavering.
Jun continued.
"Second, Touwa Raijin of the Thunder god Clan."
Touwa nodded, a faint smirk on his lips. His performance in the battle against Kyoko had been swift and decisive. He had barely broken a sweat.
And then, the final name.
"Third, Kuki Kazan of the Volcano Clan."
Sho and Kyoko turned to look at Kuki, who grinned, hands casually resting behind his head. "Well, of course. Did you guys really think I wouldn't make it?" he said, chuckling.
Sho shook his head. "You really are something else."
Jun addressed the three selected fighters. "Mon, Touwa, Kuki—you have two days to rest and prepare. Return to the Colosseum after that, ready for battle."
Kuki stretched his arms and looked at Sho and Kyoko. "Guess I'll be seeing you two later, then."
Kyoko gave him a small smile. "Don't get too confident, Kuki."
Kuki laughed. "Confidence is my specialty." He turned to Sho. "Take care, Sho. And make sure you stay in this tournament long enough for us to fight."
Sho nodded. "You know I will."
With that, Kuki waved and walked away, disappearing into the crowd.
The Colosseum grew quiet once more. Only three fighters remained.
Jun turned to them, his expression firm.
"Now, as for the remaining three of you—Sho Hikari of the Light Clan, Hima Yukihana of the Snow Blossom Clan, and Kyoko Seiryu of the Azure Dragon Clan—you have a choice to make."
Sho straightened his back, listening carefully.
"If you feel you are not strong enough to continue, you may step down and allow another rookie from your clan to take your place. Discuss with your clan and make your decision."
The weight of those words settled on them. This wasn't just about personal pride—it was about their entire clan.
The crowd murmured, watching the three closely. Would they stay, or would they step down?
Kyoko sighed and looked at Sho. "I should talk to my clan about this."
Sho nodded. "Yeah, it's a big decision."
Kyoko gave a small wave. "I'll see you later, Sho. Think carefully." She turned and walked away, disappearing into the sea of her clan members.
Sho stood there for a moment, deep in thought.
Jun's voice pulled him back.
"Sho, are you still determined to fight in this tournament?"
Sho clenched his fists, his determination burning brighter than ever. "Yes."
Jun nodded. "Then let's go."
As the night deepened, the two walked side by side, heading toward their respective castles. The tournament was far from over, and Sho knew—his greatest battles were yet to come.