Lin Yan stepped down from the arena, but the shock he had left everyone with had yet to fade.
Hanzo's swift, decisive surrender had struck everyone like a dull hammer blow to the heart.
For a ninja, this was not cowardice, but the best choice dictated by survival instinct-rather than fight a bottomless monster like Lin Yan to the bitter end, he was better off staying in peak condition to secure victories in the later rounds.
The names on the big screen began scrolling again.
Second match:
[Gon (No. 405) VS Pokkle (No. 53)]
"Oh! It's my turn!"
Gon jumped up excitedly, his body brimming with springlike energy beneath his green training outfit.
"His opponent's that guy with the bow."
Leorio studied the matchup, his expression grave. "Gon, be careful. He's taken the exam before and has loads of combat experience. His arrows never miss, either."
"Yeah! Got it!"
Gon nodded firmly, then turned toward Lin Yan, his eyes shining.
"Lin Yan, I'm going!"
Lin Yan sat cross-legged on the floor and lifted his gaze slightly, his eyes warm and assured.
"Go ahead. Remember what I said. Don't let him dictate the pace. Play to your strengths."
"Right!"
Gon clenched his fists, took a deep breath, and strode into the arena.
His opponent, Pokkle, a young man with short orange hair, looked a little nervous.
He had just witnessed every moment of Hanzo's crushing defeat at Lin Yan's hands, and it had shaken him deeply.
Now his opponent was Lin Yan's companion, so he dared not let his guard down for even a moment.
"Begin!"
At the referee's signal, Pokkle immediately put some distance between himself and Gon.
He knew perfectly well that his advantage lay in ranged attacks, while Gon, a kid who had come from the