Akagiri's Intimidation (Part One)

Chapter 216: Maki Shinichi's lips curved into a knowing smile. He looked at Chi Tong and asked evenly, "Is that so?"

"Then I'm looking forward to meeting you again!"

He saw nothing wrong with what Chi Tong had said. He knew how strong Chi Tong was, and Chi Tong had every right to say it.

Chi Tong slowly lifted his gaze from the tournament bracket and turned to Maki Shinichi. His voice remained calm. "Before that, you'll have to make it to the finals."

Muto Tadashi frowned at once. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Are you looking down on Hainan?"

Hostility crept into his eyes as he spoke.

Chi Tong's expression did not change. Even his gaze remained steady as he explained, "I'm not looking down on you. I'm just stating a fact." "You bastard!"

Muto Tadashi raised his voice, ready to argue further.

Maki Shinichi lifted a hand and cut him off. He looked past the others, straight at Chi Tong. There was less of his usual sternness in his eyes now, and more earnestness.

"Chi Tong, I admit you're strong. You might really make it to the finals. But I have to warn you: the National Tournament is different from the Modern Tournament. The opponents here may be much stronger than you imagine."

There was goodwill in his words, born of experience. It sounded less like a warning than a conversation between equals.

"I know what the National Tournament is like."

Chi Tong met Maki Shinichi's gaze. His mismatched eyes were as still as deep water, and his voice was firm. "No matter who I face, I have only one goal: to win!"

So that's how determined he is to win?

Maki Shinichi saw the resolve in Chi Tong's eyes, and a trace of admiration slipped into his