Shin Kawa stepped slowly into the arena. The circular ring seemed smaller than he imagined, yet the atmosphere pressed down like a vice. Around him, the jailers cheered, clearly eager for the spectacle to begin.
"Place your bets! Number 38 will kill Number 55 within one minute—odds 1:1. Within three minutes—1:3. Within five minutes—1:5. Odds of Number 55 killing Number 38 within five minutes—1:10!"
A loud-voiced jailer announced the betting odds, and the surrounding guards eagerly pulled out their Berries, shouting as they placed wagers.
"I'll bet a thousand Berries—Number 38 takes Number 55 in one minute!"
"I'll take three thousand! Three minutes!"
"Five thousand! He won't last five minutes!"
A sudden, discordant voice cut through the excitement:
"And the odds for Number 55 killing Number 38?"
The arena fell silent. Every eye turned toward Shin Kawa, standing in the center with a faint, confident smile.
"Boy, have you lost your mind?" Number 38 bellowed, a massive man with a scarred face, stepping forward. "You really think you can kill me?"
"Why not?" Shin Kawa said calmly, tilting his head. "This is a duel based on skill, isn't it? Let's see who wins."
The lead jailer sneered. "Hmph, bold words. But even if we handicap him, he doesn't have enough Berries to bet! How amusing."
Shin Kawa feigned disappointment. "What a shame. I was hoping to make a little money for when I get out of here."
"Crazy kid," muttered another guard. "He thinks he's leaving… hilarious. And he has the nerve to provoke Number 38!"
From the second floor, a deep voice suddenly called out. Shin Kawa looked up and saw Saludes, smiling down at him.
"Doesn't matter. I can lend you all the Berries you need. If you lose, well… you'll die anyway."
"Haha! So Number 55 dares to challenge Number 38, huh?" Saludes turned to the lead jailer.
"The odds of Number 55 killing Number 38? One in five hundred," the jailer replied promptly.
"I'll take a million Berries," Saludes said casually. The room erupted. This was his first bet in the arena—before, he had only observed.
Number 38 snarled, veins bulging. "You insolent brat! I'll tear you apart!"
Shin Kawa ignored him. He activated his system backpack with a thought and selected the "Maitekai" character card.
Ding! "Host successfully used the 'Maitekai' character card. Remaining uses: 1."
Instantly, energy surged through Shin Kawa's body. Countless techniques flashed in his mind:
Konoha Whirlwind
Konoha Hard Force Whirlwind
Konoha Instant Body Technique
Power Prelude
Bamen Dunjia
…and dozens more, all recorded perfectly in his memory.
"Interesting," Shin Kawa murmured, testing the newfound power coursing through him.
"Prepare yourselves!" a jailer shouted. "The life-and-death duel begins!"
A bell rang.
Number 38 charged immediately, his fists swinging like hammers.
"Go to hell!" he roared.
Shin Kawa waited calmly. Then he moved.
"Whirlwind of Leaves!"
At blinding speed, Shin Kawa's right leg shot out, smashing into Number 38's chin just as his fist swung toward him.
BOOM!
The massive man was launched into the air, landing hard on the ring. Silence descended.
Blood leaked from Number 38's mouth, and his body lay motionless. The veteran guards, used to death, recognized it immediately—he was dead.
Even Saludes frowned. Shin Kawa had ended the fight effortlessly. For someone like Number 38—a murderer of five consecutive kills—this was beyond expectation.
Ding! "Congratulations! Host successfully defeated the enemy. Reputation +500."
Shin Kawa's lips curved into a satisfied smile. Earning 500 reputation points from a first-floor duel was easier than expected. Character cards like Maitekai could net hundreds of thousands—but reputation points were now within reach.
"Boy, you've got some skill," a jailer muttered. "If you're lucky, you'll be chained back to your cell… and guarded by two Blue Gorillas."
Shin Kawa looked up at Saludes. "Hey, Saludes. About those Berries you offered… odds say I should get five million. Where's my cut?"
Saludes just smirked.
The first duel had ended in utter shock. The legend of Number 55 had begun.