Opinions about Larry's declaration were divided, both among the Floor Masters and the general public. Some dismissed him as an attention-seeker with no real power. Others believed that for him to make such a bold challenge, he must be someone worth watching.
But amidst the uncertainty and speculation, there was one person whose mind was set on something entirely different. A certain girl, upon seeing Larry's interview, had only one thought— This is a goldmine!
Compared to an unknown challenger, Floor Masters with established reputations would undoubtedly be favored by the betting odds. That meant the payout for betting on Larry would be massive if he won. Now was the time to go all in. This wasn't gambling. This was daylight robbery! Her bright eyes practically sparkled with the reflection of money, the gears in her head already turning with excitement.
Meanwhile, the Sky Arena's administration wasted no time in organizing Larry's first match. With his talent for stirring up controversy, it was inevitable.
The truth was, there were only twenty-one Floor Masters in total, and they weren't always present. Some ran their own dojos elsewhere, teaching disciples and spreading their influence. Others spent their time leveraging their status for lucrative speaking engagements.
As a result, only a handful of Floor Masters were currently in the Sky Arena. But Larry's interview had caught their attention, and it wouldn't be surprising if some returned just to put him in his place.
For now, it seemed the Floor Masters had come to an unspoken agreement—to take him on from the bottom up. If he couldn't even defeat the lower-ranked Floor Masters, then he had no business challenging the stronger ones. And so, Larry's first opponent was chosen. The Floor Master from the 233rd floor. The Sky Arena wasted no time in turning his challenge into a spectacle.
The commentator's voice boomed over the loudspeakers, charged with excitement as he addressed the packed audience. "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to today's special event! This is no ordinary match—today's battle is unlike anything we've seen before!"
The camera panned over the arena, capturing the massive crowd that had gathered to witness the fight. The stadium seats were nearly filled to capacity, an impressive turnout even for the Sky Arena. "This competition isn't about rankings," the commentator continued. "It's a challenge issued directly by the newcomer, Larry! Even if he wins, he won't take his opponent's title as a Floor Master. But make no mistake—this battle carries weight!"
The energy in the arena was electric. The Floor Masters' battles were rare, making it a special event whenever one stepped into the ring. Fans seized the opportunity to witness a Floor Master in action, eager to see their techniques firsthand. Larry's interview had only fueled their anticipation. A newcomer who dared to challenge the system so boldly—was he just all talk, or did he actually have the strength to back it up? "The first fighter entering from the left passage is the long-standing master of the 233rd floor… Shaq, known as The Shark!"
Cheers erupted as a towering, dark-skinned man emerged from the dim passageway. His scarred face twisted into a confident smirk as he stepped onto the stage, his sheer presence commanding attention.
In the Sky Arena, every strong fighter had their share of fans, regardless of their personality or fighting style. As long as they weren't complete failures, there would always be those who admired their strength. "And now, from the right passage, our challenger! A fighter who dedicates himself to the pursuit of martial arts… Larry!"
The crowd's excitement didn't falter as Larry strolled out, completely at ease. Strangely enough, his entrance was met with thunderous applause—most of it coming from female spectators. It wasn't hard to see why. Compared to Shaq's intimidating and battle-hardened appearance, Larry's sharp features and calm demeanor stood out. His good looks alone were enough to earn him a devoted following.
In another section of the stadium, near the live betting counters, a soft but firm voice broke through the chatter. "All in on Larry." Heads turned as the name registered, but the real shock came when they saw who had placed the bet—Machi.
A member of the Phantom Troupe was betting against an experienced Floor Master?
To most people, it was a reckless move. Betting on an unknown challenger over a seasoned fighter like Shaq seemed absurd. But Machi wasn't just gambling. She had already calculated her winnings. With her bet placed, she leaned back in a secluded corner, watching the ring in silence.
Larry stood across from Shaq, looking completely unfazed. His relaxed posture and unreadable expression made some of the audience uneasy.
Shouldn't he be nervous? His opponent was a known powerhouse, a floor owner with countless victories under his belt. Shaq had noticed, too. Cracking his knuckles, he sneered, his voice dripping with malice. "Kid, I'm going to bite you in half."
Larry didn't react. His face remained unreadable, his gaze unwavering.
Shaq's strength wasn't impressive enough to be worth a response. He wasn't weak by general standards, but to Larry, he wasn't worth getting excited over. This guy was just an arrogant mid-tier fighter.
Larry barely glanced at his opponent's stats.
***
Name: Shaq
Strength: B
Nen Type: Materialization
Abilities: Shark in the Ocean – Transforms his surroundings into water, allowing him to swim freely as if in the sea. He can also materialize his body into a shark-like form, enhancing his speed and strength while erasing his presence. The larger the area affected, the greater the Nen consumption.
***
For the Sky Arena, a B-rank fighter was strong enough to hold a floor-owner position. But in the grand scheme of things, it wasn't that remarkable. Even Zushi, a kid still in training, would go on to become a floor owner in the future. That alone showed that the title didn't necessarily signify overwhelming strength.
Compared to truly dangerous Nen users, this opponent barely warranted Larry's attention. It was better to finish this quickly and move on to stronger opponents. With both fighters in position, the referee stepped forward, briefly explaining the rules. "The match begins!" The moment the words left his mouth, Shaq grinned, his teeth flashing like a predator about to strike.
A deep blue aura flared around him, surging outward and spreading across the arena. From Larry's perspective, the stone ring beneath their feet transformed. The once-solid ground shimmered, turning from grayish-white to a deep ocean blue. Shaq leaped into the air and vanished.
In an instant, he had dove into his own ocean, disappearing from sight. His body shifted into a sleek, shark-like form, cutting through the "water" with deadly precision. For the ordinary audience, the scene was bizarre. One moment, Shaq had been standing there. The next, he was gone.
Gasps filled the stadium. The female commentator quickly stepped in to explain, her voice lively but informative. "As expected of Shaq! Using his signature ability, he has transformed the battlefield into his personal hunting ground! Right now, the ring appears unchanged to us, but to him and his opponent, it's as if they're fighting in the middle of an open sea!"