Great Japan Bank: The Fiercest Fifth-Generation Fang, Gaku Kana!Toyo Electric: Monster, Julius Reinhardt!Nogi Group: Fleeting Cloud, Izumi Hatsumi!Furumi Pharmaceuticals: Ferocious Tiger, Takeshi Wakatsuki!Yatou Trading: Kaolan Winsawado!Motorhead Motors: Ultimate Martial Artist, Genzai Kuroki!Golden Entertainment Group: The Freest Man in the World, Oriba!Jinguji Ramen Shop: Hina Hongo!
Suze could say without hesitation: he couldn't beat any of them.
His Observation Haki gave him a near-prescient martial edge, but his physical limits held him back. A vacuum blade kick? Three times, and his leg would give out.
Reian Wu's sweeping kick in the bathroom had numbed his entire arm. Without Desire Points to heal, it'd still be swollen.
Still, he came out ahead—Reian Wu yielded 1,573 Desire Points.
"The higher the number you draw, the earlier you pick your match slot," Metsudo Katahara explained, gesturing to the electronic device.
"Interesting setup," Mitsumasa Tokugawa chuckled.
The United Clothing Association president crossed her arms, grumbling, "Why use your machine? You could rig it."
Metsudo's aura turned menacing. "I've arranged everything. Stop complaining and follow the rules!"
The president fell silent, cowed.
"As long as we avoid Gaku Kana in the first round," Nintendo's president, Akiyo Kono, shrugged. "I don't want my fighter facing the Fang unscathed."
Gaku Kana was fixed at slot 32, facing number 31 in the final first-round match.
The lowest draw would likely meet him.
"Avoid the strongest, Gaku Kana, and you're fine," Metsudo said with a kind smile, hiding his cunning.
Those who dodged weren't usually top-tier.
This preserved Gaku Kana's condition.
"Who's first…" Metsudo scanned the room, landing on Hana Miyagu. "You, young lady."
The Miyagu sisters froze.
Being in a room with these corporate titans already felt suffocating.
Now, to draw first?
Hana, sweating, stepped forward stiffly.
"Pardon me." She bowed politely, eyeing the machine.
Nine digits, nine button presses.
"The first digit matters most."
Hana's mind raced, grasping the key.
But the numbers spun too fast—she'd have to rely on luck.
Beep, beep, beep…
Hana pressed nine times, eyes shut.
Like unveiling cards in a game, she peeked slowly. Seeing a leading zero, she nearly fainted.
"We're not facing Gaku Kana, are we?!"
Hana, near tears, stumbled off the stage.
The sisters exchanged despairing looks.
Hina Hongo, however, remained unchanged, her cute face fixed with a sweet smile.
The sisters' gloom didn't last—someone else soon took the bottom spot.
The Yitake Real Estate boss went second, drawing two zeros.
The lottery was tense but swift, results coming quickly.
By chance or design, the top three companies' fighters were noticeably stronger.
Metsudo frowned, sensing something too convenient, as if someone was deliberately avoiding these monsters.
"Oriba-san, which number?" Rino Kurayoshi smiled, respecting the fighter's choice.
"If no one wants the Fang…" Oriba rubbed his chin, lips curling. He glanced at Gaku Kana. "I'll take seventeen."
If both kept winning, they'd meet in the semifinals.
Gaku Kana met Oriba's stare, his face cold and unmoved.
No fighter believed they'd lose.
"Kuroki, you?" Seiji Takakaze turned to Genzai Kuroki.
"One," Kuroki said, eyes closed, voice deep.
He hadn't found who he sought, a flicker of disappointment in his heart.
Furumi Pharmaceuticals' boss looked to Takeshi Wakatsuki.
"Then we'll take number sixteen," Takeshi Wakatsuki declared.
The thirty-two fighters were split into Groups A and B. Number sixteen, if victorious, would face Genzai Kuroki.
Though Wakatsuki yearned to rematch Gaku Kana, his company's interests came first.
"Fine, that's how we're playing!"
The prime slots were claimed, frustrating some who scrambled for strategies. Urged by staff, they quickly picked their match positions.
"Toyorin Construction," Metsudo Katahara called, eyeing Suze's group.
Toyorin's draw was middling—ideal for picking a weak opponent.
That was the organization's initial plan.
Kurapika's eyes flickered, her mind rapidly sorting intel to map the easiest path to victory.
Just as she opened her mouth, Suze turned to Yoshino Yorita. "We'll take twenty-four."
Yoshino promptly announced, "Toyorin Construction selects twenty-four."
Kurapika froze, glancing at Suze in confusion. He smiled back.
What was Suze doing? Did he not want to win?
Per the organization's intel, Oriba was a true monster.
Kinzo Sanshiki, president of Onitora Company, shared the same thought.
"What's this guy up to?" Kinzo frowned.
"Seems he's not so obedient," Nitora chuckled softly.
Kinzo didn't respond, instead asking, "Decided who you'll fight?"
Nitora grinned. "Since he's in Group B, I'll take Group A. Doesn't matter who."
His words dripped with confidence.
As a veteran, he had no reason to lose.
Even Genzai Kuroki, the most senior by rank, was his junior.
Soon, it was Tokugawa Enterprises' turn.
"Few slots left… We'll take twenty-five," Soku Toma said to Mitsumasa Tokugawa, smiling calmly. "Heard his kicks are something else."
Tokugawa blinked. "But he's still a high schooler, right?"
Soku shook his head, dead serious. "Combat knows no age."
You're just bullying the kid!
Tokugawa's mouth twitched, but he sighed. "Alright, Metsudo, give us twenty-five."
Yitake Real Estate was last.
"I'll fight Oriba!" Rito exclaimed, realizing the final slot was eighteen, pointing at himself in shock.
"You'll win, right?" Kirou Yitake asked, uneasy.
Rito flashed his sharp fingers, laughing. "Relax, one swipe from me!"
Just some prison boss.
Easy win!
Oriba glanced at the brash Rito, flashing a cryptic, uncle-like smile.
With that, the battle order for all thirty-two fighters was set.