Training Grounds – Afternoon
The sun beat down over the dirt-swept field. Enro, Kaito, and Renji were deep in sparring—dust rising, DU energy flaring with every strike.
Then—
Step. Step.
Genzō strolled in, unbothered. Cup in hand, sipping like it was a lazy Sunday.
Genzō (casual):
"Tournament's coming up."
Kaito paused mid-strike. "What kind of tournament?"
Genzō smirked. "One where every teacher brings their students. Team-based. Real matches. And trust me… there'll be some monsters out there in uniform."
Renji (grinning):
"Time to remind this league who we are."
⸻
Tournament Grounds – Next Day
The stadium was massive—towering stone walls, banners flapping, the roar of the crowd rumbling like thunder.
The trio walked through the entrance, heads high.
That's when a voice cut through the crowd.
Voice (mocking, loud):
"Well, well. If it isn't the loser himself."
A teacher in dark robes stepped up — arrogant eyes, snake-smile.
Saeki.
His gaze locked on Genzō.
Saeki (sneering):
"Still think a failure like you can win something in this league?"
He stepped closer.
Saeki:
"Maybe if you weren't such a loser… you might've stood a chance."
Genzō didn't even blink.
But Enro did.
He stepped forward, eyes sharp, voice low and ice-cold.
Enro:
"Watch what you say next."
Saeki blinked. "Or what?"
Enro (dead calm):
"…Or you might not live to see your students fight."
The tone dropped like a blade.
Kaito stepped in beside Enro, voice low, but lethal.
Kaito (calm, but deadly serious):
"It'd be smarter to listen.
We're not looking to kill a teacher for no reason."
Saeki froze.
His eyes flicked between them.
His mouth opened… then closed. The smirk cracked.
Saeki (scoffing):
"Tch. Watch your students. They're getting ahead of themselves.
I'll enjoy watching them get crushed."
He walked off without another word.
Renji (smirking):
"Didn't know you had it in you like that…"
To both of them:
Renji (cool):
"I don't see us losing to anyone."
⸻
Tournament Lobby – Match Schedule
A giant screen flickered. Names appeared.
The bracket loaded.
First Match:
Team Genzō vs Team Saeki.
Kaito (grinning):
"Of course we're fighting that guy's team first."
Enro (reading):
"So that's his name…"
Renji cracked his neck. "Perfect."
The crowd buzzes with anticipation.
Announcer (over intercom):
"First match—Renji of Team Genzō, please proceed to the arena!"
Kaito (calling out):
"Don't put us to shame now."
Renji (not looking back):
"Shame's something I'll never experience in my life."
Enro (nodding):
"Good luck."
Renji paused at the gate.
Renji (without turning):
"The only one who needs luck…"
"…is my opponent."
Then he walked inside—alone, confident, and ready to show the world what a real fight looked like.