The opening cannon salute faded, and the cheers throughout the stadium gradually died down.
From the spectator stands, Scarlet spoke again, her clear voice carrying across the entire arena:
"Everyone, let me reiterate the rules."
"All elimination rounds in this tournament will be completed within a single day."
"The eight groups will compete in order. Only after one group's match has ended may the next group enter."
"Now..."
She raised a hand and pointed toward the center of the arena:
"Contestants in the first group, remain in the arena."
"Contestants in all other groups, leave in order and wait."
As her words fell,
the contestants in the arena who did not belong to the first group turned and filed out toward the passageway.
There were only 128 contestants in total, and only sixteen needed to stay, so clearing the arena took little time.
There was, however, one small complication.
Luffy, who had been confused ever since the explanation of the rules began, saw Shanks backing away and naturally followed him.
He ambled along behind the crowd, heading toward the passageway.
"Hehe, so that's how it works! I'll go wait outside, then..."
"..."
Teach: "..."
Shanks: "..."
Teach, who was still in the arena, Shanks, who had only taken two steps, and the spectators looking at the mere fifteen contestants left inside all froze.
"Luffy! Get back in there! This is your match!"
Reacting swiftly, Shanks grabbed Luffy by the back of his collar and tossed him straight back into the arena.
"Huh? Shanks, why'd you grab me?"
There had been little force behind the toss. Luffy flipped in midair and landed firmly inside the arena, but his face remained puzzled:
"Didn't they tell us to leave?"
"Leave, my foot!" Shanks snapped, rushing over and smacking Luffy on the head. "You're