The Sky Arena.
Over the past two years, two dazzling new stars had risen rapidly, reaching the pinnacle of the Sky Arena in remarkably little time.
At just twenty-seven, the young monster known as "Fierce Eyes" Rugal had come to dominate the Sky Arena with his formidable Body Techniques and Haki.
In a little over two years, Rugal's overall strength had undergone an astonishing transformation. He had a monstrous physique and had mastered both types of Haki.
His fighting ability was especially impressive, brutal and breathtaking.
Ignis had only asked Rugal to reach the Fifteenth Floor.
But Rugal had climbed to the Seventeenth Floor.
The Eighteenth Floor was reserved for battles between the Sky Arena's top competitors.
It opened no more than five times a year. Every match was a fierce clash that gave spectators a spectacular show.
And Rugal's opponent was the mysterious competitor known as "Breath of the Gale."
He, too, had fought his way to the top of the Sky Arena with an astonishing record.
He was nowhere near as flamboyant as Rugal, and his identity remained a secret. In the Sky Arena, fame usually made it impossible to hide who you were. Exposure was inevitable.
Becoming one of the Sky Arena's strongest competitors also meant becoming a celebrity watched by thousands.
Others might not know it, but Rugal did. The opponent standing before him was Goenitz, the man who had once defeated him.
Win or lose, Rugal would leave the Sky Arena after this match and begin building his own Underground Forces.
He would run underground fighting rings and build his organization.
He had intended to start earlier, but the crushing defeat he had suffered years ago still rankled, so he had put it off until now.
At the very least, he wanted one more fight