Chapter 21: The Zenin's Clan Failure

Inumaki stood at the edge of the stage blood leaking out of the sides of his mouth. Massive screams could be heard as the crowd started to cheer. Inumaki looks around staring at the crowd, breathing heavily. He looks over at the announcer until the announcer talks.

" Inumaki has taken down a Zenin in the first match of the fourth bracket in a blaring upset. The Zenin was meant to steamroll through the remaining contestants. But clearly, Inumaki had different plans but Inumaki please exit the stage. It'll take around 20 minutes to fix the stage, so please bear with us until then."

As the announcer said this, glaring eyes could be felt on his neck. Sweat started to roll down the announcer's face. Zenin clan members stare at him with killing intent. It was obvious that they were annoyed by his unnecessary extra comment regarding them steamrolling through the contestants. All Zenin members glared at him except one. 

Maki is lying back first on the ground. Her face is shell-shocked. She couldn't understand how she had lost the fight. She pushes off the ground getting into a sitting position until hurried footsteps catch her attention as Mai runs towards her with a worried face. 

" Are you okay Maki? " 

Mai says kneeling next to her. Maki nods her head until cocky laughter could be heard in front of them. Maki and Mai stare at Naoya staring at them with a grin until he talks.

" I can't say I'm surprised that you embarrassed the Zenin clan like this Maki. I don't know how you fell for such an elementary plan. "

Mai's face grows annoyed until she retaliates in anger, screaming out at Naoya. 

" You were the only one who saw through his plan, and yet you didn't warn Maki about it. "

Naoya's face turns confused before he scoffs at Mai and facepalms while shaking his head.

" I know Mai. The one who couldn't even pass the Zenin clan placement tournament is talking and besides I wasn't the only one who saw through the plan, he did as well. "

Naoya says pointing towards Mute using his thumb. Mute stares at Naoya before glancing at Maki and Mai. He stares at them before nodding his head in agreement with Naoya. 

" You see Maki. He and I might not have your gorilla-like strength but we use our brains something you don't do. "

Veins pop out of Maki's and Mai's foreheads as Mute watches them with a bored expression. Mute watches them continue to argue until he feels a powerful set of eyes stare at him. Mute snaps his head towards the feeling and sees Naobito staring at him.

Mute and Naobito locked eyes before Mute without hearing him say anything nodded his head. Mute didn't need to hear Naobito to know what he meant. Mute was going to be the next Zenin on the stage. 

Mute crosses his arm waiting patiently for the stage to be fixed. After waiting 16 more minutes the announcer once again roared out. 

" Attention audience. Thanks for waiting. The next match is ready to begin. Will Gen Zenin and Haruki Sato. Please walk onto the stage. "

Mute starts to walk towards the stage. The name Gen Zenin is probably just an alias. Mute steps onto the stage as he feels thousands of eyes staring directly at him. Mute walks to the middle of the stage with his hands behind his back. 

A kid with green hair wearing an oversized white cloak could be seen stepping onto the stage. His green hair was dirty with dark bags under his eyes. Mute locks eyes with him until he glances down at the stone floor avoiding eye contact.

Mute stared at him confused as hundreds of thoughts ran through his head...

Is he scared of me? I stare at the kid in front of me. The cursed energy leaking from his body isn't great. Nor does his physical appearance suggest he's a close combat fighter. The announcer walks between us. The kid and I are standing 20 feet apart. 

The announcer grins as he puts his right hand above his head and speaks. 

" Will another Zenin upset happen or will Gen Zenin get revenge for the Zenin clan? Without further ado. Will the next match begin! "...