Seated in the finest VIP box was the Minister, with several guards behind him and his son, Shira, at his side.
In the center of the arena stood a group of death-row prisoners holding weapons. They had been suddenly released, brought here, and armed, leaving everyone uneasy. They had no idea why this was happening, but human instinct made them gather together to face whatever danger might appear at any moment.
"Yo! You lot will all end up on the execution block if this keeps up! How about we play a game? Whoever defeats those five over there will receive a full pardon and a bounty! Of course, you can all attack together!" Shira shouted down at the prisoners. Five people stood opposite them.
The temptation of freedom and a bounty was impossible to refuse. If they did nothing, they would be waiting to die anyway.
"Hey! Let's do it! We'll die if we stay here anyway!"
"Fine!" ... The death-row prisoners discussed it among themselves.
Seeing that they had begun to deliberate, Shira said with a smile, "Oh! They want to make a move. Using pardons for condemned prisoners as bait—how naïve."
"This is how assassins are trained. After all, real combat is the most effective method," the Minister said as he ate.
Just as the Minister said that, the prisoners seemed to have finished preparing. Several of them charged first, rushing toward the five people.
A man who looked like a swordsman stepped forward. "According to the rock-paper-scissors results, I'm first." As he spoke, he placed a hand on his sword and muttered to himself, "Dear Kozuki, I'll feed you now."
Then his body abruptly accelerated as he met the prisoners head-on. His blade flashed rapidly, and in an instant, he appeared behind them. The prisoners all froze