Normal Series: The Palms

"His eyes are sharp to the point he can notice a fly moving passing him in the heat of battle. That was the reason some proclaimed he had foresight. His weakness is not to overwhelm him with Strength as many thought but rather a Strength and Speed. You must be fast to land a blow and strong to cause some damage."

'Eyesight? Don't make me laugh. I haven't even used my greatest strength one beat and it was coordination.' Noah thought.

His eyes scanned as he looked at his future rivals trying to discern their intention on him. The majority were hostile but few were interested.

Roaring Beast particularly was smiling. The black kid dominated Group B and became top 10 in a short amount of time.

'Ran as much as you can. I will catch you!' 

Noah smiled at him and nodded, Roaring Beast nodded.

The thing was, monsters recognized each other. So, there was already acknowledgement before they even fought.

"Lose your first fight!" The referee whispered to Noah, "it will be easier for you in Group B!"

It was then that Noah realized that he was officially Group B now. That meant that 99 wins were required to reach Group B and the last fight was there to test one capability against the new group.

Unlike Group C where one was fitted against Losers to have an easier entry, Group B fitted you with Winners to beat you to submission.

"Vote between the top 20 Group B!" The referee shouted.

In a hurry, wood planks were passed around among the fighters and audience votes. After all that, it was counted and then a name popped up and people cried out.

"Water Rise!"

"Two punch man. Take down that sloppy Tender!"

"Flood him with your river. Rise, rise, rise Water!"

People went frenzy as they began to bet with a lot of money. 

Gaggard walked to Noah and whispered.

"You have seen a lot of his fights. Can you win?" 

"He is the strongest I may face if you remove Blow Horn and Green Tiger!"

"Blow Horn, that kid is just tall and muscular but nothing special. Nevertheless, I'm going to bet all my fortune on you, is that alright?"

"Yes!" Noah said.

"Good. Make them like you, please. That way I can get some funding and you get some privileges and gifts!"

'Hmm. He pleaded. How can I entertain them!'

"How!"

"Like, show some fear and uncertainty. Show more emotion that isn't confidence!"

"Ok. But I will not create an opera!"

"Fair enough!"

Water Rise stood 10m away from Noah. He was tall but a bit chubby that was moulded to muscles. Over time, the fighter moulded techniques and he became very good until Noah agreed that he was powerful.

His stamina proved to be his great asset and his chubby moulded muscles that were able to take impact from punches and kicks. And based on that, he might be Noah's best possible counter.

Noah uses Slapping Techniques and that might seem ineffective against Water Rise. But Noah was already having a plan.

'This gonna be a long fight!'

"Fight!"

The huge fighter moved fast and his iconic powerful punch descended on Noah. Water Rise took speed as Noah's weakness, so he moved fast to overwhelm Noah.

However, Noah was already expecting something like that, but he didn't dodge until it was point blank and moved closer as if he would slap Water Rise but he then bent down fast. And clasped his opponent's leg and pulled him up.

As large as Water Rise was, he was lifted up in the sky and before he could strike Noah's back he was already descending on his back.

Boom.

That was Water Rise's weakness. He has weight and he was grounded in one place as he attacked and defended but making him move and stumble would make him flustered and susceptible to panic.

But as someone that fought many times, he woke up fast and glared at Noah, his eyes were red already.

But unlike Noah's expectations, he dashed toward him and came at him with a kick.

"Kick!" Noah stepped back but he calculated wrong as the leg reach was longer.

Bang

He was sent back flying and for the first, he almost went out of the ring. Standing up, he met with a punch to the face that further sent him out of the ring.

CHEERS!!!

At that moment, Noah's evaluation was overridden. His mind dragged all the fights he can remember about Water Rise and the conclusion was that the guy has been hiding his strength through all those fights.

"I don't know if Water Rise can move this fast until now."

"Don't you see, he can kick with his legs!"

"Fuck. This was insane. Look. Tender is waking up"

Noah sat and he could hear the referee counting numbers from 10 to 1. He stood with some difficulty and stood right before the ring. His eyes were shocked as he watched the fast tank known as Water Rise.

"5,4,3,2.."

Noah stepped in. That means the fight will continue. Noah smiled and then opened his hand and clasped them together in a prayer gesture.

He smiled wide and he then bowed while one of his hands was to the side and the other on his chest.

He was greeting Water Rise.

"Normal Series: The Palms!" Noah muttered before he dashed forward. For the first time he was attacking first, his hands were in fists but he heard the referee say.

"NORMAL SERIES: THE PALMS"

The audience was confused before they realized it was the new move Noah was going to use. 

Right as Noah reached Water Rise, his fist lose grip and they swung. Water Rise amped up his muscles, his eyes became sharp as he raised his hands protecting his face.

Noah first struck his knees, and there was no slapping sound, but Water Rise punched down, however, Noah was already attacking his left ribs and then the back.

Water Rise moved fast and kicked hard but made sure Noah didn't tackle him, to his surprise he found Noah sitting on his leg that was swinging, and with insane precision Water Rise punched forward despite him being in balance.