In the outdoor stadium, with Mr. Oomoto's announcement, the arena tournament officially began.
"I'll go first!"
The seemingly clumsy Tanktop Black Hole seized the first opportunity to ascend the central No. 5 ring: "Ah, how lucky! I'm the first challenger."
Seeing that the audience's attention was focused on him, Tanktop Black Hole smugly thought to himself: 'Sure enough, most people want to cautiously assess the opponents' strength and pass up the chance to be the first one to appear. Well, I'll gladly take this moment in the spotlight.'
In the Hero Association, a place full of hidden masters, he knew it was impossible for him to be the last one standing. Therefore, he focused on the beginning of the competition. Appearing first would definitely boost his visibility.
Standing on the ring, he was in no hurry to attack his opponent, instead swaggering and waving to the audience in all directions. When people gradually started taking the other rings, he became even less anxious.
He pretended to look for an opening while circling the ring and observing the action on the neighboring platforms.
He didn't have to wait long before a short-tempered challenger initiated the first attack.
"My hero name is 'Mountain Ape'! I'll take the first victory of the tournament!" The tall, muscular Mountain Ape flexed his body and charged towards the staff member wearing the exoskeleton infantry armor.
The staff member, who was a young woman, shrieked and closed her eyes in fear, as if something terrible was about to happen, upon seeing Mountain Ape approach: "No, go away!"
"Hmph, I've got this," Mountain Ape had no concept of chivalry. He reached out his massive, fan-like hand, ready to grab the exoskeleton covering the young woman.
However, just then, the exoskeleton armor automatically activated, guiding the young woman's arm through an arc, blocking Mountain Ape's hands. It then grabbed his thick waist and tossed him off the ring.
"What happened? I lost just like that?" Mountain Ape, lying outside the ring, was still confused about what had happened.
On the viewing platform, Bang's eyes widened: "Aomori, is that…"
"Yes, Bang-sensei. You saw correctly; it is the Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist." Aomori was smiling broadly. "We disassembled the movements of the Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist, turning them into over a hundred sets of reactive programs. The exoskeleton's built-in smart-brain will adopt corresponding offensive actions based on different situations, allowing an ordinary person to execute the Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist."
"No wonder you had me wear all those weird things to perform the Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist last time. So that's what it was used for," Bang mused.
"Exactly. Since I wasn't sure if it would succeed at the time, I didn't tell you. My apologies."
"It's alright, this is a good thing." Bang seemed slightly worried. "But if this is the case, I'm afraid no one will want to learn the real Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist anymore."
After all, one could easily use martial arts that others spent years learning just by wearing that exoskeleton armor, without having to undergo grueling training.
"Sensei, you worry too much. A machine is just a machine; it always has its limits," Aomori explained. "People with true martial arts talent are much more powerful than rigid robots."
This would inevitably deter those at the lower end who wanted to study martial arts, but anyone with talent and perseverance would not be affected by external factors.
Martial arts was destined to become the exclusive domain of the top elite. This was the general trend of the era, and even Aomori couldn't change it immediately.
Even if he didn't pursue this research, stronger combat suits would appear in a few years anyway.
When that time came, it wouldn't just be martial arts; all traditional methods of gaining strength would face a severe challenge.
As a grandmaster, Bang quickly understood the core issue. He nodded: "Don't worry about the thoughts of us old men. Be bold and do what you think is right. The future, after all, belongs to you."
"Yes, I understand."
While they were talking, many challengers had already been defeated by the staff members.
On the central ring, Tanktop Black Hole was breaking out in a cold sweat, constantly moving and daring not to engage his opponent. He had worked hard to get the audience's attention; he didn't want to be defeated and slink away ignominiously.
"Damn it! How can I lose gracefully?"
Suddenly, he had a flash of inspiration. He bent over, clutching his stomach, and said with a pained expression: "Oh no, a sudden stomach ache! I can't go on, I surrender."
With that, he walked off the stage himself.
Mumen Rider, who was nearby and watching him, immediately rushed over, asking worriedly: "Are you alright? Are you hurt? Do you need to go to the hospital?"
"Ah, after getting off the ring, I seem to be fine again. How strange," Tanktop Black Hole straightened up, looking "perplexed."
"That's good. But what a shame to give up just like that."
"Haha, yes, yes."
Twenty minutes passed, and not a single person had managed to defeat a staff member.
The audience, who had expected to see heroes displaying their might, started to get restless.
Mr. Oomoto nervously wiped the sweat from his face, muttering: "Did Chairman Aomori set the difficulty too high? Is it possible that no one will be able to break through the exoskeleton armor's defense and become a new defender?"
That would be disastrous.
Near the No. 9 ring in the southeast corner, Iaian, who had been observing for a long time, finally moved after another hero was defeated, and stepped onto the ring.
"Oh, Atomic, your top disciple is taking the stage," Bang said to Atomic Samurai next to him.
"Hmph, with Iaian's ability, the outcome is certain," Atomic Samurai stated definitively.
Bang nodded in agreement.
At their level, it was not difficult to see the flaws in the exoskeleton armor. As long as the opportunity was seized, a single strike would be enough to win.
"Iaian-senpai, go for it!" Below the ring, Bushidrill and Okamaitachi cheered Iairon on.
Iairon nodded. He gripped the hilt of his sword, his eyes fixed intently on the exoskeleton armor, and said softly: "I am Iaian. Please guide me."
After multiple rounds of challenges, the staff member was no longer nervous. She skillfully pressed the autopilot button, content to be a tool, waiting for the exoskeleton armor to put on another show.
The smart-brain, using images captured by its cameras, began to predict Iaian's movements and commanded the exoskeleton armor to walk towards him in the same manner as the usual opening.
'As expected, the initial pattern is fixed. So its next move will be...' Iaian remained motionless. Only when the exoskeleton armor reached his anticipated position did he suddenly draw his sword.
"Laijutsu!"
A flash of lightning-like brilliance disappeared in an instant. Iaian sheathed his sword, and the exoskeleton armor in front of him neatly split open like a sliced watermelon.
The staff member inside was stunned for a moment. She touched her body, sighed with relief when she found she was completely unharmed, and congratulated Iaian: "Congratulations on your victory. You are now the defender of this ring."
Iaian nodded slightly, thanking the staff member.
After Bushidrill and Okamaitachi cheered and congratulated him, the two exchanged a look and each went to find a different ring.
With Iaian's demonstration, they now also had the confidence to defeat the exoskeleton armor.
On the viewing platform, Aomori shook his head: "Its behavior model is still not versatile enough to handle complex combat situations."
Further refinement was still needed.