"Prepare yourself, Mr. Hoshikaze!" Chen yelled. "I'm going to show you my ultimate taijutsu technique: the Leaf Dragon!"
A rapid spin quickly became a whirlpool of motion as the crowd, having seen this before, still gasped in awe. He spun faster and faster until a tornado formed around him, coiling and spiraling with increasing intensity.
Spectators shielded their eyes from the winds having picked up, and within moments, the tornado materialized into the shape of a dragon. Then it roared with the ferocity of a storm.
Arthur could feel the pressure of the wind; it was much stronger than the first time he saw it.
"Prepare to be swallowed whole!" Chen shouted. The dragon then charged and enveloped Arthur completely, causing razor-sharp winds to slice through his entire being. "That's it—I've got you!"
Crash!
Once the aftermath settled slightly, Chen felt a curious stillness. The winds around him died down momentarily, but all he could focus on was the victory he believed was at hand because Arthur was lying flat on the ground and covered in shrieks of red.
Chen turned to the announcer and urged, "Call the match already! Can't you see I've won?"
Yet to his surprise, the announcer's face was filled with anxiety. Even the crowd murmurs like the match was still hanging.
"What's the matter with you people?" Chen barked.
Just as he was about to demand the announcer call the match again, he felt an immense force grip his entire face.
"Chakra-enhanced strength…"
Then, swoosh! Arthur swiped downward, sending Chen hurtling through the air like a ragdoll!
Crash!
Dust exploded around Chen after he smashed against the wall, leaving a sizeable dent in the arena's structure.
That was it; he had been thrown out of bounds.
The arena erupted into an exciting chorus. The announcer, still shocked at what transpired, rumbled, "The match is over! Hoshikaze is the winner!"
Chen's head burst from the wall with confusion all over his face. "Hold on a minute! What just happened?!" Yet all he saw was Arthur slowly walking back toward the steps. Chen's indignation erupted, following him. "You cheated!"
"Did I?" Arthur coolly remarked, glancing over his shoulder.
"Ugh..."
"You got overconfident, Chen, and assumed your technique landed…"
When Chen heard that, he felt shame threatening to seep in. The comment stung. What did Arthur mean by 'assumed' it 'landed'.
"At least tell me how you won?" Chen urged.
Arthur turned around. "Get lost, old man..."
The dismissal made Chen feel bitter. "Hey now! I thought we could talk things over after the battle. Didn't I earn your respect?"
Earn his respect? Arthur could practically hear the desperate tone, so he ignored the man and walked back to his cell.
Chen felt a sense of defeat amidst the cheering crowd like never before. How had he lost? It didn't add up. He had executed his signature technique flawlessly.
Because he had come to this tournament alone, there was no one to turn to and ask questions. He truly was at a loss, seeking clarity of what happened during the match.
Unbeknownst to many, Arthur had only won because he fashioned a genjutsu moments after Chen yelled, "I'm going to show you my ultimate taijutsu technique!" The genjutsu transformed the entire arena, affecting those even outside the match.
He had excluded the referees and most spectators from his illusion, steering the outcome in his favour. That was why the announcer had an anxious look on his face when Chen kept asking him to call the match.
Chen, and many of the spectators, thought the Leaf Dragon landed and that Arthur substituted afterwards to throw Chen out of the ring. In hindsight, the 'ultimate taijutsu technique' never landed at all!
From Arthur's cell, an unwelcome sense of contentment rose within him as his mind now shifted to a wider picture: who had not been affected by his genjutsu?
He had expanded its reach throughout the entire arena, targeting not only Chen but also the Kages present in the audience. During that moment, Mei, A, and Lars resisted it completely.
But three other names were susceptible to its influence: Neji, Jada, and William.
Neji and Jada were clearly using their ocular techniques. So for them to have been affected would prove valuable if Arthur desired to employ his Crimson Gaze again.
As he maintained his composure, he continued to reflect on that recent match.
Chen's taijutsu was certainly better than Arthur's. For instance, Arthur couldn't use his main fighting style, which was a mixture of common styles from earth and this world.
Paired against someone who could go toe-to-toe with Might Guy, the undisputed best taijutsu user, it was understandable why Chen could have bested Arthur. Especially without Arthur utilizing his Crimson Gaze.
What really helped him was that he had a blindfold on, preventing Chen from reading his eyes. Then there was his bulky, iron-like physique. Even if the ferocious fist could break bones, it most certainly couldn't crack medal.
Chen's own durability was nothing to scoff at. After Arthur threw him out of the ring like a ragdoll, he still managed to quickly recover as if it were a normal attack.
An average-level fighter would have at least received concussions from any of Arthur's strikes.
With that in mind, Arthur's focus shifted back to examining the space surrounding him.
There was a lot he still had to learn, and through observation, he would surely find the time to further hone his skills.
Chen, now back in his solitary space, looked defeated yet ignited by confusion. "How could I lose like that?" he asked himself. His thoughts scrambled to find an answer just as Rock Lee and William approached him.
"Chen-sensei, you fought well!" William said, trying to be encouraging.
Yet his words were drowned by Chen's thoughts. Whatever they were saying, he couldn't hear thanks to that unsettling feeling Arthur left behind.
"I might just have to come out of retirement," he suggested to himself. "No! Next time, I'll be ready!"
"Yes!" Rock Lee agreed. He then got on his knees with his head down. "But before that, I would like you to teach me the Leaf Dr—"
"Ugh... Lee," William said, cutting him off.
"What is it, Will?"
"He's leaving."
"What?!" Lee said, raising his head.
Chen's mind was still tangled in the events of the match and the destruction of his confidence. Something about Arthur's demeanour had shaken him. Having felt the sting of loss once more, he believed returning to the Leaf Village would allow him to reflect better on things.
Meanwhile, the announcer's voice abruptly brought the attention of the crowd back.
"Ladies and gentlemen!" he boomed. "This has indeed been the most exciting turn of events I have had the pleasure of witnessing! Things are really heating up as we climb higher and higher to the finals."
The crowd was once again riled up, and they were very eager to hear the names of the next contestants.
"Allow me to remind everyone," the announcer continued, "Raidō Namiashi has sadly decided to forfeit his match! That means that Anko Mitarashi advances directly to the third round!"
"Great job!" Anko heard from across the arena. It was Jada waving at her.
Anko waved back, trying to look cool because of the free win.
"For the next match," the announcer finished, "it's one we've all been waiting for! Han, the Jinchūriki of the Five-Tails versus Darui!"
Han stepped forward with a fierce gaze, locking onto the announcer. It made beads of sweat form on the latter's face because he had stated his title out loud.
The audience hadn't seen him fight yet since he was given a bye last round, so they were eager to see another Jinchūriki showcase themselves.
Darui also stepped into the ring, but with a more calm demeanour.
This promises to be an interesting match!" the announcer said, trying not to sound nervous because of Hand. "Especially since both fighters can harness their chakras in ways few others can! We're bound to see a spectacular show, folks!"
The mention of Han's status as a Jinchūriki, coupled with Darui's position with the Raikage, had a significant impact on the audience.
Arthur could tell that both fighters were sizing each other up, just as he had done in all of his previous matches.
Tension continued to rise until the announcer felt compelled to address a pressing matter.
"Before we begin, Han, I must humbly request that you remove your armour, as it's against the rules to have any chakra-enhancing items during matches."
Han raised a dismissive eyebrow and let out a low growl. "Where does it say that in the rules?"
"Um, it's rule number two," the announcer stammered as his eyes darted around. "Chakra-enhancing items are restricted."
Han's irritation grew, so he pointed at an official. "You there, get over here!" When one arrived, he aggressively asked, "What's the meaning of rule two?"
"Mr. Han, your steam armour was stated to enhance your vapour style Kekkei Genkai. Because of that, it's standard protocol to first have you remove it before fighting."
"What?!" Han became more astounded since these mere officials were aware of his profile. "Who gave you that info? I want names!"
Unlike the announcer, the official remained firm and answered, "We don't need to disclose that knowledge since you signed the contract that clearly outlines the regulations of this tournament."
The Jinchūriki's frustration morphed into a scowl as he snapped, "You think I care about some silly contract?"
His towering frame was now against the smaller official, making the scene look intimidating.
Was Han really going to attack a citizen of this country under everyone's watchful gaze? Surely he wasn't that stupid.