New King Born: Attention from Akita (2)

This scene was naturally noticed by everyone, and all eyes turned toward them.

Chi Tong's voice came from behind him, slightly hoarse, but stripped of its earlier sharpness and pride.

Chi Tong turned around and looked at Mu Shenyi as he approached.

The former king of Kanagawa had lost all his former arrogance. Sweat and dust stained his prison uniform, but his eyes held a newfound respect for the strong.

Maki Shinichi extended his hand and said frankly, "I lost. You're strong. The next time we meet, I won't lose to you again."

Chi Tong looked at his outstretched hand but did not shake it. He merely said calmly, "I should be thanking you this time."

"Mu Shenyi?"

Mu Shenyi's hand froze in midair, his eyes filled with confusion.

The winner was apologizing to the loser. He truly did not understand what Chi Tong meant.

Ignoring his confusion, Chi Tong continued, "Thanks to you, I experienced some of the fun of competition. But I'm sorry, I can't shake your hand right now."

Maki Shinichi's gaze suddenly sharpened, and a complicated emotion flashed through his heart.

Does he think I'm unworthy?

Or is he deliberately humiliating me?

He gave a bitter smile, his fingers curling slightly as he was about to withdraw his hand. Then Chi Tong's next words made his entire body tremble.

"If you want victory, you have to be even more ruthless. Victory is the only thing that matters!"

Chi Tong's voice was soft, yet it struck Maki Shinichi's heart like a heavy hammer.

He stared blankly at the boy before him, his eyes full of shock.

What kind of person was this? How could his obsession with victory run so deep?

"I see."

Mu Shenyi murmured to himself, and the last trace of unwillingness over his defeat