Qin Chuan slowly stepped onto the ring. As he did, the surrounding jailers erupted in cheers, their eyes gleaming with bloodlust and anticipation for the coming fight.
"Bets are open! Odds are up! Number 38 kills Number 55 within one minute—odds 1 to 1! Within three minutes—1 to 3! Within five minutes—1 to 5! Over five minutes—1 to 10!" A jailer shouted with excitement the moment Qin Chuan appeared.
The crowd of guards immediately took out their Berries and began placing their bets like madmen.
"I'll put 1000 Berries on 38 killing 55 in one minute!"
"3000 on three minutes!"
"5000 on over five minutes. Let him suffer!"
"Wait—what are the odds for Number 55 killing Number 38?" a calm voice broke through the frenzy.
The room instantly fell silent. Heads turned toward the source. Standing in the center of the ring with a faint smirk was Qin Chuan.
"Boy, are you tired of living?" Prisoner 38 bellowed, rage burning in his eyes.
"What's the matter? You think only you can kill me? How about we settle this with our fists like real men?" Qin Chuan replied without fear.
"You sure talk big. Even if I let you bet, you don't have the money to gamble!" the jailer who handled the bets laughed darkly.
"That's a shame. I was hoping to earn some pocket money before I walk out of this place," Qin Chuan said, feigning regret.
"He actually said he's getting out? This guy's hilarious!"
"Too bad Number 38's going to shut him up permanently!"
Laughter broke out among the jailers.
"I'll lend you the money. How much do you need?" a deep voice rang out from the second floor.
Qin Chuan looked up. Saludes, the officer seated above with a grin on his face, was watching him with interest.
"I'll borrow as much as I can. If I lose, I'll be dead anyway."
"Haha, very well. Add a new bet. Number 55 kills Number 38. What's the payout?" Saludes asked, turning to the betting jailer.
"The odds are 1 to 500."
"In that case, put 10,000 Berries on him," Saludes said.
The crowd exploded in shock. This was the first time Saludes had ever placed a bet, and the first time he backed the underdog.
"Hmph, I'll tear you apart!" Prisoner 38 snarled, veins bulging in his arms.
Qin Chuan didn't answer. Instead, he silently opened the system in his mind and activated the character card for Might Guy.
Ding. The host has successfully used the "Might Guy" character card. Remaining uses: 1.
A rush of power surged through Qin Chuan's body. Techniques and instincts flooded into his mind.
Konoha Whirlwind. Leaf Gale. Body Flicker. Morning Peacock. Eight Inner Gates...
One by one, the taijutsu skills engraved themselves into his muscle memory.
"Interesting," Qin Chuan muttered, feeling the transformation.
"You two ready?" a jailer called out from ringside. "Today's death match begins now!"
Ding!
A bell rang out sharply. The match was on.
Prisoner 38 charged forward like a mad beast. His fists were clenched tight, his killing intent pouring out like a storm.
Qin Chuan stood motionless, eyes calm, breath steady.
"Die!" 38 roared, swinging a heavy punch toward Qin Chuan's skull.
But in that instant, Qin Chuan moved.
"Leaf Whirlwind!"
His right leg snapped up like a bolt of lightning, faster than the eye could track. The heel caught 38 squarely on the chin just as his punch froze mid-air.
Boom!
The impact sent Prisoner 38 flying. His body twisted awkwardly through the air before crashing down hard onto the stone floor of the ring.
The arena fell silent. Shock rooted everyone in place.
Blood leaked from the corners of 38's mouth. His limbs twitched once... then fell still.
He was dead.
No one cheered. No one spoke. Even the most hardened jailers, seasoned in death, were stunned.
Saludes narrowed his eyes from above. That single strike exceeded all expectations. Qin Chuan hadn't just won—he had annihilated a known killer with a single blow.
This level of strength couldn't remain on the first floor.
Ding. Congratulations to the host for defeating the enemy. You've earned 500 reputation points.
Qin Chuan smiled slightly. The system's notification brought relief. It confirmed that even killing low-level prisoners could build his reputation.
He had been worried at first, seeing that top-tier character cards cost hundreds of thousands of points. But now he knew—it was possible.
He just needed to get out of here.
"Not bad, kid. You've got skills," a jailer muttered. "But don't get cocky. Someone get him shackled and locked back in his cell. Post two Blue Gorillas to guard him."
"Hey, Saludes," Qin Chuan called up, voice calm, "didn't you say you'd lend me 10,000 Berries? At 1 to 500 odds, I believe you now owe me 5 million."
The crowd fell silent again.
Qin Chuan stood tall in the ring, chains rattling slightly, eyes locked on the man above.
His fight wasn't over yet—not by a long shot.