The scent of smoke and tension still hung faintly in the air as the second round of the Grand Open Tournament entered its latter half. The ring, marred by deep slashes and broken tiles from the earlier exchanges, was a battlefield still humming with the echo of clashing ki. Most of the spectators had gone silent—not out of boredom, but disbelief. Only the faint whispers of astonishment or skepticism buzzed among the crowds. Many eyes now locked onto the two who stood motionless amidst the fallen bodies—masked Jinmu and serene Haria.
They hadn't just won. They overwhelmed.
"...They defeated all eleven from Azure Thunder Hall's circle. That's... That's not supposed to happen," one voice murmured behind a folding fan.
"They weren't even scratched..."
"It must be some trick. They're hiding something."
