70 Chapter 67: The Grand Display!
"I learned everything from your cunning ass behavior!"
It took all his willpower to suppress the surge of emotions threatening to overwhelm him.
Raymond's mutterings nearly threw Sin off his game, but he was able to remain focused, determined not to let his anger get the better of him.
With a quick and decisive move, Sin seized the opportunity presented to him.
He launched a flying kick from behind Raymond, catching him off guard.
The impact sent Raymond hurtling through the platform of the arena, the force of the blow shrouded by the dissipating smoke.
"Whoa! Did Sin land a hit?"
The announcer exclaimed, her excitement palpable as she observed the unfolding spectacle.
"I couldn't see through the smoke!"
As the smoke cleared, Raymond's figure emerged, seemingly unaffected by the powerful blow.
He regained his balance effortlessly, a satisfied smile playing on his lips as he turned to face Sin.
"With my current ability, there aren't many who could land a hit against me. You did well, Sin..."
Raymond silently acknowledged Sin's skill, realizing that he surpassed most others.
Among the talented individuals in Celestial Force, Sin stood out as the best they had ever seen.
Meanwhile...
"Such a monster," Sin muttered under his breath as he witnessed Raymond's incredible reflexes.
Even though Sin's kick had connected, Raymond somehow managed to adjust his position in such a small time frame and was able to mitigate the impact to a degree that seemed almost impossible.
His eyes were locked on Raymond's figure as he swiftly threw another smoke bomb, the explosion enveloping the arena in a dense cloud of smoke once more.
With his senses heightened, Sin could feel those glowing crimson eyes piercing through the haze.
"I guess it's fair that he used those eyes when I used my ability," Sin mused silently, acknowledging the balance of powers in their fierce confrontation.
As the smoke obscured their surroundings, the tension in the air crackled with anticipation.
The intensity of their battle caused the platform to shake and crack, adding to the chaos.
Everyone could see the platform crumbling, yet there was no sound.
Still, the impact sounds of Sin's attacks on Raymond were able to echo through the arena as it was only Sin's movement that was muffled by his Hatsu.
"Whoa!"
"The sounds are intense! What's happening up there?"
"This should be one of the most thrilling fights in decades, right?"
The crowd buzzed with excitement while the announcer tried to spin the situation with professional commentary.
As the smoke cleared, Sin emerged.
It appeared that his supply of smoke bombs was running low.
On the side, Raymond's glowing crimson eyes dimmed, his attention shifting to the crowd.
"I guess that's enough, Sin," Raymond said, his voice barely audible over the excited audience.
Sin nodded, releasing his Hatsu and disappearing from view as their battle raged on.
With Sin's sound cue no longer concealed, the sounds of their fight-filled the arena, heightening the spectators' excitement.
The arena showed the scars of their intense battle, but Raymond and Sin fought on, their moves precise and calculated.
"Wow! What a fight! Holy crap! I think this is the best we've seen in Heaven's Arena!"
The announcer exclaimed, watching Raymond and Sin take a moment's respite, both fighters battered but determined.
However...
"I forfeited the battle..."
Raymond's words cut through the excitement, and the arena fell into a sudden silence.
"Wait... Did he just give up?"
"It looks like it?"
Confusion swept through the crowd as they exchanged bewildered glances, all eyes fixed on Raymond's figure.
"..."
"What on fuck, Raymond! Are you fucking out of your mind! Go fight again, you crazy bastard! Give me back my excitement!"
The announcer's outburst echoed through the arena, leaving everyone stunned as profanity filled the arena.
"Ahem... This is unexpected! But let's move on. Allow me to present the new 250th Floor Master, Sin!"
Thankfully, her colleague quickly intervened, taking over the commentary to restore order as the referee declared Sin victory by default.
"With this, there should be no one foolish enough to carelessly challenge you," Raymond declared as he began to walk out of the crumbled arena.
Sin nodded as his initial excitement faded.
He clenched his fist silently.
However, Raymond abruptly stopped in his tracks, turning back to face Sin, "Still, I'm glad to see how much you've improved. We should spar again sometime..."
"...!"
Sin's eyes widened in surprise, his dimmed pupils suddenly alight with excitement at Raymond's unexpected offer.
"That would be my pleasure, Master!"
He bowed deeply in response, his gratitude was evident.
Raymond chuckled at Sin's reaction.
"Alright, I'll go back to work," Raymond said casually before leaving, leaving Sin feeling renewed determination and purpose.
Though Raymond could read Sin like a book...
...his earlier words were genuine, a well-deserved acknowledgment for the kid.
From the start, their battle was merely a showcase to prove that Sin was no pushover.
It served as a warning to any potential challengers, ensuring they wouldn't dare to underestimate him.
This would save Sin time and allow him to attend to his other responsibilities later.
"Eh? Why would Raymond give up?"
"...Maybe he just didn't want the hassle of being the floor master like we do?"
Gon and Killua whispered, Zushi nodding along beside them.
Wing shook his head, eyeing the wreckage of the arena. Despite the surprise, the kids seemed to enjoy the spectacle.
"They should've learned a lot from watching these fighters," he mused, smiling slightly.
Amid their discussion, Gon saw Hisoka's complexion seemingly grow even more paler as he shook his head, "Might just be my imagination..."
Meanwhile, as Raymond and Sakujiro left Heaven's Arena, Raymond's suit appeared clean again, as if nothing had happened inside. He turned to a girl with purple hair and said, "I didn't know you could create illusions like that, Cassandra..."
"Hmph, making simple illusions is easy, doesn't take much effort..." She grumbled, annoyed at being disturbed for something so minor.
Cassandra's ability was complex when it came to creating attack-based illusions since it had to follow a certain set of rules.
However, her base ability was still illusion creation, and creating a torn suit was too simple.
Raymond shook his head and signaled for his men to escort Cassandra back to her residence.
She was now a member of the Celestial Force, as she was quite a simple girl who wanted wealth and comfortable sleep.
"Quite a unique character, wouldn't you say?"
Raymond remarked, idly swirling a cup of water in his hand as Sakujiro navigated the bustling streets.
"She's certainly one of a kind," Sakujiro nodded in agreement.
He then noticed Raymond's thoughtful expression as he asked, "Something bothering you, Master?"
Raymond's attention shifted to the cup in his hand, "Yeah, this cup just reminded me of something..."
His stuff in this city was done.
Still...
After his little 'reunion' with Machi, he couldn't help but feel nostalgic. These triggered memories of their previous encounter.
"..."
With a subtle flick of his fingers, he channeled his Nen into the cup.
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