Inside the locker room.
''Eh?'' Antti and Antero looked at each other with faces filled with shock.
Hessu's hand trembled as he pointed straight at Ichiro's face.
''Y-You... You are...''
Ichiro scratched his head, 'I didn't know I was this famous...'
Seeing their faces, he realized that they recognized him.
Patti, with excitement, said, ''Kurogami Ichiro was sent to be our fourth fighter!''
''''''What?!'''''' The three young men shouted in unison with shock.
Ichiro nodded and scanned the young men. A frown appeared on his brows as he saw their pale and sickly faces.
'I was expecting... Stronger ones.' He tapped his chin, wondering what was currently happening in this Youth Competition.
''T-This is an honor!'' Hessu put his hand for a handshake and said, ''I am also from Gensa, from Viorange!''
''Ah.'' Ichiro shook his hand asked, ''Are you all from Gensa?'' He looked towards the twins.
Antti and Antero nodded vigorously.
''Why are you guys the representatives?'' Ichiro asked and turned towards Patti.
Patti sighed and sat down on the bench, ''We had a hunch that we were sent here to lose, but if they sent you, then it was false worries!''
''Oh.'' Ichiro narrowed his eyes and realized that he had stepped on some conspiracy, ''Any idea why you all were chosen?''
Patti looked towards Hessy, who looked at Antti, and who looked at his twin brother.
They all didn't seem to have any clue.
''No... I am only a mere Martial Leader fighter.'' Patti sighed, ''I don't have any coaching experience.''
''We are also only Peak Martial Leaders,'' Hessu said while pointing at Antti and Antero.
Ichiro crossed his arms and nodded, ''Any idea how strong our opponent is?''
Patti sighed and leaned on the red locker, ''No... But, we heard that they will send their Junior Team against us.''
Ichiro sat down on the bench and rubbed his forehead, trying to get his mind running.
'Junior team... If we lose, it will be a massive embarrassment... But why Gensa? It is a Low-level country, with only a few Martial Kings, so why did they choose from there...'
Hessu, Antti, and Antero kept looking at each other, still shocked about meeting with Ichiro, who is a legend in their home cities!
But then, Hessu remembered a certain violent young girl who hates the name of Kurogami Ichiro more than anyone.
''Excuse me...'' Hessu raised his hand, like a kid wanting to ask a question from the teacher.
''Yes?'' Ichiro turned his head towards Hessu; even though it was such a simple motion, it was very powerful in the eyes of the young men!
''Do you perhaps know a girl called... Tania?'' He asked, saying that name gave him chills, and even remembering her face makes his legs go jelly.
''Tania?'' Ichiro frowned and started thinking, but then he remembered where Hessu was from.
''Viorange, right?''
Hessu nodded vigorously, excited that Ichiro knew about the place!
Ichiro then remembered a certain girl he met in the Middle School Tournament, and it wasn't exactly the most pleasurable meeting in his life.
He shrugged and said nonchalantly, ''I remember that thot.''
Hessu paled and quickly looked around the locker room, scared that the violent girl would show up out of thin air.
That name has been forbidden in Viorange for years, and there had been rumors that legendary Kurogami Ichiro called her that!
Hessu thought that it was only rumors, but now he heard him say it with a poker face!
Antti and Antero wondered why Hessu was pale all of sudden.
''Ah, right!'' Ichiro stood up in a hurry and wondered something vital after being out of contact from the internet or any electricity devices for weeks!
''Do you guys have a phone?'' He asked anxiously.
''I-I have.'' Patti took a phone with a touchscreen from his pocket, which looked quite old.
''Can I borrow it?'' Ichiro asked in a hurry.
''Sure!'' Patti gave it to him instantly, happy that he could help.
Ichiro nodded with gratitude and sat down.
He started typing the phone number of his girlfriend, Azura!
*Ring*
The phone started ringing, and with anxiousness, he started waiting for the phone to get connected, but soon, he heard something else.
*Ding*
''The phone number you tried to call has been blocked for the time being because of traffic in this specific number.'' Ichiro almost crushed the phone, but calmed his rising anger and gave it back to Patti.
'Sigh...' Ichiro had a hunch why her number was blocked because of the amount of phone calls and text messages she received.
There is only one reason why such a thing happened.
'He is dead... Isn't he...' He bit his lip, which made a trail of blood.
He can't even use messaging apps because his accounts are connected to his phone, which he did so that no one could steal his accounts, but now, it was a mistake on his part.
He could try to make a new account and send a message to her, but News Stations can easily find her account, and knowing Azura, she has stopped using any use electronical devices.
But... Perhaps, she is still waiting to hear from him, even though slim chance.
'Maybe I can call Jordan...' Ichiro looked towards Patti, who was about to put his phone back in his pocket.
''Can I borrow it one more time?'' He asked and saw Patti giving his phone back with a smile.
He quickly typed Jordan's number.
*Ring*
After ten seconds of ringing, a voice was heard from the phone.
*Ding*
''Because of the sudden traffic in Coldland's telephones. They are blocked for the time being.''
''Arghhh!'' Ichiro slammed his head on the locker, which made a sizeable dent on it.
Everyone in the room flinched and had a hunch that Ichiro didn't hear good news.
He sighed loudly and gave the phone back to Patti.
''Is everything alright?'' Hessu asked and looked at the massive dent with almost worship. He can't even make such a dent with his most powerful attack, but Ichiro did it with ease!
''No...'' Ichiro replied and gritted his teeth, 'Azura... I am coming, just wait for a moment...' His eyes became cold as his head turned towards the door.
It is time to win the Youth Competition and return to Coldland as soon as possible!
