Chapter 7.5 - Ripples Across the Land
The Crowd's Discussions
The atmosphere in the Bright Blade Sub-Sect's Grand Arena was still thick with excitement and disbelief, even though the competition had ended. The stands were abuzz with fervent discussions as people reflected on the battles they had just witnessed.
"I still can't believe what I saw… Did you see that boy, Elton? He wasn't just strong, he was terrifyingly fast! The way he dodged and countered… it was as if he was predicting every move before it happened."
Another voice, filled with excitement, chimed in. "Not just that! He fought without using any conventional weapons. He relied purely on his speed, martial arts, and something about his movements—I've never seen footwork like that before. It's almost like he teleports!"
A grizzled older man in the crowd scoffed. "That's no normal speed. That's a Silver-Tier 1, maybe even higher. And he's hiding it. Mark my words, that boy is no ordinary genius. We might be looking at someone who'll shake the continent in the future."
Others murmured in agreement, but the conversation quickly shifted.
"What about Christy Hucklebare? She wasn't just fighting—she was analyzing and dismantling her opponents. Her Gentle Palms of Chaos technique is a monster in its own right. One strike and she was able to disrupt the flow of Ki Essence inside her opponents. And those eyes… it's no wonder she's from the Aka Boshi Tengan Clan."
"She truly represents her clan well," a younger disciple of the Bright Blade Sect said in awe. "She's got it all—strength, talent, and noble lineage. If she continues like this, she'll be a force even among Gold-Tier warriors before long."
There was an uneasy pause before someone hesitantly brought up another shocking revelation.
"…And what about the Fourth Prince? Prince Hunter Helmsley, alive?"
Silence fell as people glanced at each other, some whispering in hushed voices.
"He was supposed to be dead."
"I heard that his entire lineage was wiped out during the war. If he's alive, then that means…"
"…The remnants of Great King Helmsley's bloodline are not completely gone."
People shifted uncomfortably. The mere mention of that name brought back memories of the turbulent past. Some were excited by the prince's return, while others seemed hesitant, uncertain of what it could mean for the balance of power.
Among the crowd, figures in different cloaks and robes slipped away unnoticed, rushing to deliver reports to their respective organizations. Some ran to deliver messages directly, while others activated communication talismans, sending encrypted Ki-imbued signals across vast distances.
The martial competition had done more than just display the strength of young prodigies. It had shaken the political landscape itself.
The Cloaked Figures at the Battlefield
The area where Zoro, Elton, and the assassin had fought was now eerily silent. The ground was scorched, with charred remains of the assassin still lingering in a pile of blackened ash. Three figures in black cloaks, their faces hidden behind red and gray masks, stepped forward, their Ki suppression so perfect that even the nearby guards hadn't noticed their presence.
One of them crouched, examining the remnants of the battlefield. "The target escaped," he said in a cold, emotionless tone.
"The assassin failed," another said with mild annoyance. "He was strong, but against Zoro Tatsumaki, it seems he was outclassed."
A third figure, the tallest among them, reached out and let his fingers hover over the air, as if feeling for something unseen. His head tilted slightly.
"…There was another here."
The other two snapped their heads toward him. "What?"
"This Ki residue… It doesn't belong to the assassin. Nor does it belong to Zoro." The man's fingers tensed. "There was a third presence."
A heavy silence settled between them before one of them clenched his fist. "That means someone interfered."
The tallest man turned, his red and gray mask glinting in the moonlight. "No matter. We were ordered to capture or eliminate Zoro Tatsumaki. We will proceed as planned. Anyone who gets in our way…"
"…dies."
Without another word, the three figures vanished into the shadows, their presence erased as if they had never been there.
The Fighting Brawlman Cultivation Sect Remnants
In a dimly lit room within a small, inconspicuous inn, three men dressed in tattered robes bearing the insignia of the Fighting Brawlman Cultivation Sect sat around a table, drinking.
One of them, a burly man with a deep scar across his cheek, took a swig of his drink and grunted. "This year's competition was interesting. If our sect wasn't so occupied with rebuilding, we'd have tried to recruit some of these talented brats."
The man next to him, a wiry fellow with sharp eyes, smirked. "The Bright Blade Sub-Sect is getting arrogant, though. And did you notice? One of our old rivals from the Iron Fang Sect has been getting too close to our borders."
"Tch." The scarred man scowled. "We're not at full strength. If they push in now, we might not be able to hold them back."
The third man, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke in a low tone. "Forget the sects. What about Fourth Prince Hunter Helmsley?"
The other two immediately tensed.
"…We need to report this. If he's alive, then—"
"No 'if.' He is alive."
The room fell into silence before the scarred man slammed his cup down. "We'll inform the higher-ups. Whether he's a threat or not, the sect will decide."
They all nodded grimly.
The Great Nobles of Brawlmanica
In an opulent hall decorated with golden banners, a gathering of Brawlmanica's great noble houses discussed the competition.
A well-dressed noble with graying hair sipped his wine. "There are several talents worth watching. Christy Hucklebare is a natural genius, as expected. Elton… now he is intriguing."
A noblewoman tapped her fan against her palm. "He's an unknown variable. And those movements of his… they don't belong to any sect we recognize."
A younger noble leaned back in his chair. "What about the Fourth Prince?"
A tense pause.
Most nobles nodded in approval. "His return could be beneficial. The people still remember his father's reign with respect."
However, a few remained silent, their expressions unreadable. Some had personal ambitions that a returning prince could disrupt.
One man, sitting further back, smirked but said nothing. His eyes, however, gleamed with calculated interest.
Despite their words, one thing was clear—they were watching and waiting.
Christy's Parents & the Aka Boshi Tengan Clan
In a private chamber far from the competition grounds, three figures sat around a table.
Christy's father, a powerful man with a commanding presence, sat next to Christy's mother, a woman with the striking eyes of the Aka Boshi Tengan Clan. Across from them sat another clan member, a sharp-featured man in a crimson robe.
"She exceeded expectations," Christy's father said with a smirk. "She's already stronger than we were at her age."
Christy's mother, however, had her gaze elsewhere, her expression thoughtful. "She's incredible, but I noticed something… strange."
The crimson-robed man raised a brow. "Strange?"
Her eyes narrowed slightly. "Elton Solman. There's something… different about him."
The room fell silent.
"I caught glimpses of a strange energy around him. It was like a star constantly attempting to explode, yet vanishing and being suppressed each time he used more power."
A heavy silence settled between them.
"And Zoro?" Christy's father asked.
The crimson-robed man folded his arms. "If our suspicions are correct… he might be from one of the forbidden bloodlines."
Christy's father leaned back, eyes gleaming. "Interesting. Very interesting."
As the three continued their discussion, the future of the continent was quietly being reshaped.