The Great Waterfall of Rozan.
Early morning.
“Master, why did you call me here?”
“Shunrei, I have an important task for you.” Dohko opened his eyes and gazed ahead, speaking in his usual calm, measured tone.
“What is it, Master?”
Shunrei was curious.
Her Master had never summoned her this early before.
Whatever the matter was, it had to be urgent.
“Today is the day of Shiryu’s match!”
Shunrei’s heart tightened.
“Has something happened to Shiryu?”
Dohko shook his head.
“Then what is it?”
“I want you to go to Japan and tell Shiryu that I am gravely ill.”
“What?”
“Master, are you feeling unwell?”
Dohko shook his head again.
“This is the final test I have prepared for Shiryu.
I want to see whether he can remain calm at all times and achieve victory in battle under any circumstances.”
“Shunrei, you must do exactly as I have instructed.
You are not to tell Shiryu the truth until he returns to the Five Ancient Peaks.”
A trace of reluctance appeared in Shunrei’s eyes, but this was her Master’s command.
She had no choice but to obey.
“Yes, Master.
I’ll leave right away.”
“Good.
I know this is a difficult task.
Travel with Ryosho this time.
He also has business in Japan, and I will feel much more at ease knowing he is with you.”
“Yes, Master.
But while I’m gone, what about Manos, Cynthia, and you…?”
“Go, Shunrei.
Do not worry about us.
Ryosho is already waiting for you.”
“Then please take good care of yourself, Master.”
Shunrei left the waterfall and returned to the house.
After quickly packing her luggage, she stepped outside.
Ryosho had already been waiting for some time.
He wore white trousers, a fitted T-shirt, and a pair of white casual shoes.
His features were refined and handsome, and a silver Cloth Box was strapped to his back.
“Are you ready?” Ryosho asked gently.
“Mm-hmm.”
Shunrei nodded, her cheeks flushing slightly.
“Then let’s go.”
…
A black sedan stopped in front of the main entrance to the Graad Coliseum.
Unicorn Jabu hurried forward and opened the rear door.
A beautiful purple-haired girl in a white skirt suit stepped out of the car.
With Jabu and the butler Tatsumi following behind her, she walked down the red carpet toward the Graad Coliseum.
At the same time, the announcer’s voice rang out over the deafening cheers inside the arena.
“Today’s second-round match will be Pegasus Seiya against Dragon Shiryu!”
As soon as the announcement ended, the arena erupted in thunderous cheers.
On the hexagonal ring, Seiya made the first move.
He leaped high into the air and launched a flying kick at Shiryu.
Shiryu avoided the kick with a forward roll.
Seiya immediately spun around and pursued him with a clenched fist, engaging Shiryu in close-quarters combat.
Meanwhile, Ryosho and Shunrei arrived at the main entrance to the Graad Coliseum.
The enormous arched gateway and the magnificent structure beyond it left them both in awe.
Just then, another wave of thunderous cheers came from inside.
“It looks like the match has already started.”
“Mm.
Let’s hurry inside.” Shunrei clasped her hands over her chest and gazed toward the arena, her clear, gentle eyes glistening with worry.
“All right.”
Ryosho was about to enter with Shunrei when he suddenly sensed a familiar Cosmo.
He stopped at once and looked toward its source, his brow furrowing.
“Ryosho…”
When Shunrei noticed that he was no longer following her, she turned back and called his name in confusion.
“Shunrei, go on ahead.
There’s something I need to take care of.
I’ll be back soon.”
Shunrei hesitated.
“All right, then.
Be careful.”
Ryosho nodded and gave her a reassuring smile.
Once Shunrei had run into the arena, his smile disappeared.
His expression grew solemn as he headed toward the source of the familiar Cosmo.
Had the Pope already sent someone?
Things were moving much faster than Ryosho had expected.
Ikki had not yet appeared.
The Sagittarius Gold Cloth had not been stolen, and Seiya and Ikki’s decisive battle in the Valley of Death had not yet taken place.
Yet the Pope had already sent someone to Japan.
Ryosho certainly did not believe Saga had sent someone here to deliver gifts to the Bronze Saints.
He quickened his pace.
After circling nearly halfway around the Graad Coliseum, he finally spotted the Saint sent by the Pope in the crowded plaza.
Lizard Misty.
Misty stood surrounded by a group of teenage boys and girls.
His long golden hair gleamed in the sunlight, while an elegant, composed smile graced his handsome face.
He wore a white formal suit with a carnation tucked into the breast pocket and a red bow tie at his collar, making him look like a refined young nobleman.
Though he was clearly a man, he appeared even more beautiful and dazzling than the youthful girls gathered around him.
Misty had clearly sensed Ryosho as well.
With impeccable grace and courtesy, he dismissed the lively group of boys and girls.
Then, holding a fresh, vibrant rose, he approached Ryosho with an elegant and confident stride.
Misty stopped three meters away.
The two faced each other in silence.
Neither spoke, yet tension already hung in the air.
Cosmo erupted from both of them, steadily rising until the two forces collided in the space between them.
Just then, Misty’s Cosmo abruptly vanished.
He idly rolled the rose between his fingers as he walked past Ryosho.
Then he stopped, turned his head, and smiled.
“Relax.
I’m not here to cause trouble, and I’m not here to fight you.”
“Then why are you here?”
Ryosho did not lower his guard.
“Who knows?”
Misty tossed the rose backward toward Ryosho.
Ryosho made no attempt to catch it.
The vivid rose fell to the ground.
“What an utterly humorless man.”
Misty gave a soft laugh before walking toward the entrance of the arena.
Ryosho turned and watched him leave, his brow furrowing once more.
What exactly was this man doing here?
Ryosho could no longer tell what Misty was thinking.
What kind of future had he seen within the Cloth of Crateris?
Whatever it was, it had changed him considerably.
Still, it did not matter.
As long as he was not here to cause trouble, that was enough.
If the two of them fought here, the entire Graad Coliseum might be torn apart.
Ryosho briefly closed his eyes, then followed him.
Whatever Misty intended to do, Ryosho would leave him alone as long as he did not cause trouble.
Besides, Misty was not wearing his Cloth.
Even if he tried something, Ryosho could stop him immediately and keep the situation under control.
The two entered the coliseum one after the other.