The Warden continued his brutal treatment every chance he got. He attacked so often that Raioten's face began to permanently shift. His eyes had been low and sharp since his days in the Pit, and the Warden's harsh treatment was intended to make the inside of his mind match his eyes.

  Raioten was mauled every hour the Warden was awake. When he went to sleep, he sent soldiers to continue the attacks. Raioten kept from fighting back out of fear of what would happen. He endured the treatment for months with no end in sight. Red and Kagura kept up hope that he would survive, but each day that hope got a bit weaker.

  An odd friendship formed between them as they worked hard to win at the competition. With only a month before the competition, the duo were confident in their skills. Just as promised, Jugo returned once more to assess their abilities.

  Jugo: Nope, you guys aren't good enough.

  Red and Kagura: WHAAT?!

  Jugo: I'm sorry to be so blunt but I don't want to give you guys false hope. This year, you might have an even lower chance to win it all than last year.

  Kagura: But we've worked so hard.

  Jugo: And I'm proud of you Muscles, you've come a long way. I just don't think it'll be enough. If you want my honest opinion, take a knee.

  Red: You better not be saying what I think you're saying.

  Jugo: I'm sorry but I am. Take this year easy and work hard to succeed next year. I just don't want you kids to get seriously hurt or worse. By the way, what happened to the little mime?

  Red: The Warden took him, not too long after you were here last.

  Jugo: Crap, I'm sorry to hear that.

  Kagura: But if he were here, we could win right?

  Jugo: No. I was honestly picturing all three of you working together already. If you two have to go it alone, then you really shouldn't compete at all.

  Red: You're stupid! If you think we went through all this just to quit now, you're insane! We're going to win no matter what!

  Jugo had a soft smile at Red's declaration.

  Jugo: Hey, I really hope you guys can pull off a miracle, I truly do. I believe in you guys but please, don't push yourselves too hard. Promise me that you'll quit if things get rough.

  Kagura: No way! Quitting is not an option. Either we win, or we win next time.

  Jugo: *chuckle* Alright, alright I get it. You both are speaking much better now, are classes going well?

  Kagura: Well they were. Little Bro was actually the one who taught us, even language, incognito-ly enough.

  Red: Ironically muscle head.

  Jugo let out a hearty laugh as Kagura tried using big words he wasn't familiar with. He left with a large smile full of hope that he would see this kids on the top floor some day. Jugo went to the observation room, and was let in by the officers.

  Jugo: I need to speak with the Warden.

  The soldiers immediately chained up Jugo's arms and legs. They escorted him to the door of the Warden's chambers. After getting the call about his visitor, the Warden unlocked his door.

  Jugo: Where is the kid?

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  Warden: Hm? He's down in the supply room.

  Jugo: That blocked off area? Why?

  Warden: Come, I'll show you.

  The Warden led Jugo down to the storage room, guarded by a small security team.

  Jugo: Is all of this really necessary?

  Warden: I sure hope so.

  They walked past the Warden's men who were guarding the room. When Jugo walked inside, he couldn't believe what was before him. Dozens of vicious monsters had their mutilated corpses strewn about.

  Raioten was eating from one of the insect monsters when he turned to shoot a look of death at Jugo and the Warden. They both were unable to suppress their fear and took steps back. The Warden was proud of what he had created while Jugo felt genuine sorrow.

  Jugo: What the hell did you do?

  Warden: He was the weak link remember? I toughened him up.

  Jugo: No, he was never the weak link. They needed balance to truly work together, TEAMWORK was the issue. Two powerhouses competing with each other and the only one of them with any common sense doesn't speak up and tries his best to follow their path of chaos. You just created a monster.

  Warden: Exactly what I wanted, they can follow his lead now. He's the perfect warrior and they won't stop him.

  Jugo: I'm leaving. You're sick in the head.

  Warden: Guards, take him back. You'll all see, this is our saving grace.

  Jugo: I hope this little pet project of yours grows up to be exactly what you always hoped.

  The Warden locked the newly made door to the storage room and ordered another assault team to head outside the Tower. The assault teams were highly trained combat specialists tasked with maintaining the peace inside of the tower.

  They were trained each and every day in order to have the strength and skill to quell any riots the prisoners might cause. For months, they were given extra 'training' assignments. The Warden sent them out into the wilderness outside without their weapons to capture dangerous wildlife.

  They had to take care not to injure the deadly creatures, because any injuries would make them useless for the Warden's plans. The island was home to many dangerous and enlarged creatures. Because of the activities going on inside the Tower, the wildlife outside became more vicious and grew larger.

  After years of feeding off of the radiation and waste from the towers that were spread around the world, wildlife as a whole became a serious safety hazard in everyday life. Humanity was forced to regroup to a small amount of major, coastal cities.

  Each day, the Warden's squadron brought these voracious beasts to be released inside of the storage room. After sending them inside, the Warden always cracked a smile. It only took a fraction of a second before he could hear the action inside. Sounds of cracking, tearing, and roaring filled the room for a brief moment.

  Then, just as suddenly, it all went silent. The Warden always opened the door just enough to make sure that Raioten was the victor. He forced the boy to fight everyday leading up to the competition. On the day of the competition, Jugo csme back downstairs to inspire the youths.

  Jugo: My favorite little fighters! Are you guys ready?

  Kagura: Absolutely!

  Red: We're gonna kick ass!

  Jugo: I love to hear it!

  Red: We're too strong aren't we? You can be honest.

  Jugo: Hm? No, not really. If I were a betting man, I definitely wouldn't be putting any real money down on you guys in all honesty.

  Kagura: Are you serious?

  Jugo: I'm sorry, really. Just learn from this the best you can and prepare for next year. Has the little blue kid not been back yet?

  Before either of the kids could answer, all three of them were hit with a wave of fear. They turned to see the Warden walking with Raioten, who was covered in bruises and cuts. He had permanent Sanpaku eyes(very small Irises) that made him look like a danger to everyone.

  Warden: Go and do your best young man.

  Raioten didn't say a word. Red was the first to break the silence.

  Red: After all this time, you still didn't get any taller shrimp!

  Raioten walked past her to where the teams were gathering. As Red chased behind, Jugo prepared to go back upstairs.

  Jugo: Remember, just do your best.

  Kagura: Right, thank you.

  The teams were glad to hear that the events for the contest were the same. Red began to explain each of the events and how they could potentially divide them up. When the teams were broken off into groups, Red realized that she completely forgot about the preliminary round.

  Kagura wasn't comfortable trying to kill others either and wrestled his thoughts on a peaceful alternative. Red got him to try avoiding conflict with everyone while she thought of a strategy. The best plan they could come up with still upset them both. All they could hope for was that the other teams killed each other.

  As they planned to simply survive, Raioten made sure they moved on. In a flash, he joined the massive brawl between the other teams in their group. His savage attacks made quick work of those who stepped in his way. The last opponent left fell back on his butt begging for his life.

  Raioten didn't hesitate and ruthlessly killed him as well. Unlike the year before, Red was just stunned by Raioten's violence. She could see in his eyes that yelling at him wouldn't do any good. Kagura however, did not see it that way. He stomped to Raioten and picked him up by his shirt.