Noah stood across from Hiroshi, his posture relaxed yet stripped of the casual air he had worn in earlier matches. His expression hardened, not with anger, but with a focus that signalled he had no intention of dragging this round out. He was not here to entertain the spectators, the other competitors or even the judges.
He was here to do his job and move on.
The referee raised the ceremonial leaf high, the delicate green trembling between two fingers before drifting downward.
The arena hushed immediately as dozens of spectators fixed their eyes on the leaf, waiting for the moment it touched the floor.
When the leaf landed with the faintest brush of sound, the world seemed to regain its vibrant colour.
WHOOSH!
Noah's figure blurred forward with incredible momentum, carrying him towards his opponent.
Some of the spectators in the crowd gasped at the incredible speed.
