"Then, get ready..."
Gekko Hayate looked at Ikeda Ichiro on one side, then Hada Anna on the other, raised his hand, and announced.
Since both sides were in position, the match was about to begin.
"Wait a moment!"
But just as he was about to declare the start of the fight, a clear voice suddenly cut him off.
The next second, slightly surprised and caught off guard, he looked at the little girl whose swaying demeanor had abruptly turned serious.
Hada Anna.
Was there still some problem at a time like this?
Instinctively, that thought flashed through Gekko Hayate's mind as he looked at the little girl who had suddenly become solemn.
Hm? Wh-what was going on?
Had something happened?
Did they not need to fight after all? Could this little girl be about to forfeit?
After all, Kusagakure's intentions were unclear, and Hada Ichiba's intentions were unclear. It was entirely possible that winning here would affect their plans.
Hm...
Hopefully, that was the case.
At the same time, Ikeda Ichiro, her opponent, froze for a moment. It was as if a spark of hope had ignited amid the ashes in his heart.
"What's going on? Why did she suddenly stop it?"
"What happened?"
"What is this... what is she doing?"
At that moment, whispers also rose from the second floor.
Without a doubt, this abrupt action had drawn everyone's attention—no, it had stirred everyone into commotion.
Everyone's attention had been fixed on Hada Anna all along.
For her to suddenly call a halt just as the referee was about to announce the start of the exam left them rather baffled.
Stopping things now? What was Hada Anna trying to do? Was there any need to stop it at a time like this?
Or had something changed? As whispers sounded