The moment Kazuki's surrender was official, chaos erupted.
Students shouted in disbelief, some celebrating wildly while others stood frozen in shock. Money exchanged hands as bets settled, though most gamblers had lost spectacularly. Camera drones swarmed around Zororo, capturing his bloodied but victorious form from every angle. The images were already spreading across social media at lightning speed.
Zororo dismissed his shadow army with a thought, and the darkness receded from the arena. His wounds throbbed, his MP was nearly depleted, and exhaustion threatened to overwhelm him. But he remained standing, projecting strength despite barely holding consciousness.
[VICTORY CONFIRMED]
[MULTIPLE REWARDS EARNED]
[PROCESSING...]
Kazuki remained on his knees, staring at the ground with an expression of utter devastation. His perfect record, his reputation, his pride all shattered in a single fight. For someone who'd built his entire identity around never losing, this defeat was psychological annihilation.
Zororo felt no satisfaction seeing him broken. Victory was necessary, not enjoyable.
"Kurogami!" The referee rushed over, medical staff following. "You need immediate healing. Those wounds"
"I'm fine," Zororo said, though blood still seeped through his torn clothing. "See to Kazuki first. He exhausted himself completely."
The gesture surprised everyone. Even in victory, Zororo showed concern for his defeated opponent. It was the first hint that despite having a Villain System, he wasn't the monster people feared.
Yukari vaulted over the arena barrier with athletic grace, followed immediately by his sisters. All three reached him simultaneously.
"You idiot," Himeko said, but her voice was thick with emotion as she steadied him. "You magnificent, terrifying idiot."
Akari was crying openly. "I thought we'd lost you during that frozen time thing. When everything went white, when the cameras stopped working"
"I'm okay," Zororo assured them, though his legs were shaking. "Just tired."
Yukari said nothing, simply pressed herself against his side and held him. Her ice-cold energy actually felt soothing against his wounds, numbing some of the pain.
"SSS-Rank," she whispered so only he could hear. "You revealed yourself to everyone. You know what this means?"
"Yeah," Zororo replied quietly. "Everything changes now."
And it was already changing. Zororo noticed authorities entering the arena official system regulators in government uniforms, their presence commanding immediate attention. SSS-Rank system users were automatically flagged for government monitoring. His revelation had triggered protocols.
But before they reached him, another figure strode onto the arena floor with such presence that everyone instinctively made way.
Kenji Shirogane, Yukari's father and head of the Shirogane family, walked directly to where Kazuki knelt. His expression was unreadable as he looked down at his nephew.
"Stand up," Kenji commanded coldly.
Kazuki rose shakily, unable to meet his uncle's eyes.
"You lost," Kenji stated flatly. "Worse, you lost because you underestimated your opponent and relied on your reputation rather than adapting to his techniques. You were arrogant and foolish."
"Uncle, I"
"Silence." Kenji's ice-blue eyes were merciless. "The engagement to Yukari is cancelled, effective immediately. You are unworthy of her."
Gasps rippled through the crowd. Cancelling a formal family engagement was monumental, especially in front of thousands of witnesses.
Kazuki's face went white, then red with humiliation. But he had no grounds to argue. He'd staked everything on this duel and lost completely.
Kenji then turned to Zororo, and his expression shifted subtly still stern, but with an undercurrent of respect. "Zororo Kurogami. You concealed your true power, manipulated circumstances to your advantage, and executed a strategy that defeated a superior opponent. Those are not the actions of a hero."
"No," Zororo agreed quietly. "They're not."
"They're the actions of a survivor. A tactician. Someone who understands that victory matters more than methodology." Kenji's lips curved slightly. "My daughter chose well. You have my approval to continue your relationship with Yukari. However" his expression hardened, "if you ever use your villain system to harm her or our family, I will personally end you. Am I clear?"
"Crystal clear, sir."
Kenji nodded and turned to leave, pausing only to address the crowd through the amplification system. "Let this be a lesson to all students at Seika Academy. Power level and system rank don't guarantee victory. Strategy, preparation, and the will to do whatever is necessary these determine the outcome of battle. Zororo Kurogami demonstrated all three today."
The crowd murmured, some nodding in agreement. Kenji had just publicly endorsed a Villain System user, which would carry significant weight in official circles.
As Kenji departed, the government regulators finally reached Zororo. The lead official a severe woman in her forties with an A-Rank Observer System spoke formally.
"Zororo Kurogami, as of this moment, you are classified as a High-Priority Individual under System Regulation Act Section Seven. Your SSS-Rank Villain System places you under mandatory government observation. You are required to register at the Central System Bureau within forty-eight hours for official evaluation and power classification."
"I understand," Zororo replied calmly. He'd expected this.
"Additionally, you are prohibited from using your system abilities outside designated areas without explicit authorization. Violation will result in immediate detention and power suppression."
"That's unreasonable," Yukari interjected sharply. "He hasn't committed any crimes. You can't restrict a citizen's rights based solely on their system type."
"We can and we must, Miss Shirogane. SSS-Rank Villain Systems are classified as potential existential threats. Protocols exist for good reason."
"I'll comply with the registration requirement," Zororo said, heading off further argument. "But I want it noted that I've been peaceful and law-abiding. My system type doesn't define my intentions."
The official's expression softened slightly. "Noted. Your cooperation is appreciated. We'll provide you with temporary authorization documents pending full evaluation."
They handed him a data tablet with registration information and departed, leaving Zororo surrounded by medical staff who insisted on treating his wounds immediately.
As healing magic washed over his injuries, Zororo finally allowed himself to process what had happened. He'd won the duel, exposed his true nature, gained Kenji's approval, and triggered government scrutiny all in less than an hour.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
[VICTORY REWARDS CALCULATED]
[REWARDS EARNED:]
[+2000 VP]
[LEVEL UP! 20 → 22]
[ALL STATS +10]
[TITLE EARNED: GIANT SLAYER]
[EFFECT: +15% DAMAGE AGAINST HIGHER LEVEL OPPONENTS]
[INFAMY +100]
[NEW SKILL UNLOCKED: DOMINATION AURA]
[SPECIAL REWARD: VILLAIN SYSTEM RECOGNITION]
[YOUR NAME HAS BEEN REGISTERED IN THE VILLAIN SYSTEM DATABASE]
[OTHER SSS-RANK VILLAIN USERS NOW AWARE OF YOUR EXISTENCE]
That last notification made Zororo pause. Other SSS-Rank Villain System users? The mysterious observer who'd been watching him they would now know exactly what he was.
The thought was both exciting and terrifying.
His phone buzzed constantly with messages. Friends congratulating him, strangers sending threats, news organizations requesting interviews. The viral spread of his victory was already making him infamous beyond just Seika Academy.
One message stood out, from an unknown number:
"Impressive performance, young villain. You showed promise today. We should meet soon to discuss your future. There are things about your system you don't yet understand. Things I can teach you. - A Fellow Shadow Walker"
Zororo stared at the message. This had to be the observer, the other SSS-Rank Villain System user. They wanted to meet, to mentor him possibly.
Before he could respond, another message arrived from the same number:
"Don't answer yet. Think carefully. Accepting my guidance will set you on a path you cannot easily leave. But refusing means facing the challenges ahead alone. You have one week to decide. Choose wisely."
The message deleted itself seconds after he read it.
"What's wrong?" Yukari asked, noticing his expression.
"Someone wants to recruit me. Another villain system user, I think."
"Is that dangerous?"
"Probably. But it might also be necessary. I don't fully understand my system yet. Having a mentor could be crucial."
Medical staff finished treating his wounds, though he'd need several days to fully recover. His HP was restored to maximum, but his body still felt the strain of pushing beyond normal limits.
[HP: 1350/1350 (INCREASED FROM LEVEL UP)]
[MP: 1800/1800 (INCREASED FROM LEVEL UP)]
[PHYSICAL FATIGUE: HIGH]
[RECOMMEND: REST FOR 24-48 HOURS]
As the medical team cleared out, more visitors arrived. Raikou bounded over with her characteristic energy, grinning wildly.
"That was AMAZING! You totally destroyed him!" She punched Zororo's shoulder not gently. "I knew you were hiding something good, but SSS-Rank? That's legendary!"
"Glad I could entertain you," Zororo said dryly.
"Entertain? You made me a fortune! I bet everything on you winning, even though the odds were twenty-to-one against." She showed her phone displaying a substantial bank transfer. "I'm buying dinner for everyone tonight. Team celebration!"
Mei and Hiro approached more cautiously, both looking slightly intimidated now that they knew Zororo's true power.
"We're still teammates, right?" Hiro asked nervously. "You being SSS-Rank doesn't change that?"
"Of course not," Zororo assured him. "Nothing's changed between us."
"Everything's changed," Mei said quietly. "You're going to be famous or infamous. People will fear you. The government will watch you. Your life just became incredibly complicated."
She was right, but Zororo had expected that. Power always came with consequences.
Renji approached last, his hero system's golden aura still flickering around him in agitation. His expression was tortured, caught between personal feelings and system imperatives.
"We need to talk," Renji said. "Soon. My system is demanding action. I might not be able to hold it back much longer."
"I know," Zororo replied. "Give me three days to handle the government registration. Then we'll settle things between us, whatever that means."
Renji nodded gratefully and left, clearly struggling internally.
As the arena finally began emptying, Zororo stood with his closest allies Yukari, his sisters, and his team. The crowd's roar had faded to echoes, leaving relative quiet.
"So," Himeko said, breaking the silence. "SSS-Rank Villain System, huh? When were you planning to tell us?"
"When the time was right. Which apparently was today." Zororo looked at his sisters. "Are you afraid of me now?"
"Don't be stupid," Himeko replied immediately. "You're our little brother. Your system type doesn't change that."
Akari hugged him tightly. "We love you no matter what. Though I'll admit, finding out like this was a shock."
Yukari smiled slightly. "I already knew, remember? And it only made me trust you more."
Zororo felt warmth spread through his chest genuine acceptance from the people who mattered most.
But as they left the arena together, he couldn't shake the feeling that this victory was just the beginning. The true challenges lay ahead government evaluation, potential confrontation with Renji, contact with the mysterious mentor, and whatever other complications came with being a publicly revealed SSS-Rank Villain System user.
His second life had just become infinitely more interesting. And dangerous.
But for now, surrounded by people he cared about and who cared about him, Zororo allowed himself to simply enjoy the victory.
Tomorrow would bring new challenges. Tonight, he'd celebrate surviving.
[END OF CHAPTER 20]