Hisoka's surrender cast a strange atmosphere over the entire venue.
Kurapika stepped down from the ring in silence.
The scarlet had faded from his eyes, returning them to their usual gray, but the aura he gave off was colder and more solemn than before.
He walked over to Lin Yan without a word, gave him a long look, then sat down and closed his eyes to steady his breathing.
Lin Yan asked no questions either. He merely nodded.
He knew Kurapika had found his own path.
That path was full of thorns and flames, but at least he had learned how to keep his cool amid the fire instead of being consumed by it.
That was progress.
"Who's next? Seriously, why are all these guys so weird?"
Leorio scratched his head, completely unable to understand how these experts thought.
The electronic screen flashed, displaying the next matchup.
Fourth match: [Hanzo (No. 294) vs. Pokkle (No. 53)]
"It's that ninja and the archer!" Gon said.
Both had just lost their matches and dropped into the losers' bracket.
This match was crucial for them.
Win, and they still had a chance.
Lose, and they would be one step closer to elimination.
Hanzo entered the ring with a dark expression.
He had just suffered a crushing defeat at Lin Yan's hands. The frustration of being unable to bring his strength to bear, of being toyed with like a puppet, burned in his chest.
He needed to vent.
He needed a decisive, exhilarating victory to wash away the humiliation and fear Lin Yan had inflicted on him.
And Pokkle became the unlucky target of his anger.
"Begin!"
The instant the referee's voice fell, Hanzo vanished.
It was exactly the same opening move he had used against Lin Yan.
But this time, there