Unexpected Preliminaries!


 * The team sets out for the underworld of the humans... The SnS Tournament arc starts now!

Arrival
"It's truly something, isn't it?" Itsuki stated, viewing a large landmass in the distance.

The team had ridden on a large vessel on pursuit for the island which would host the competition, courtesy of the tournament committee in charge of the event. One glance was enough to determine that it was cut off from any trade routes or common visitation, full of foliage and sandy beaches. But as they approached the isolated island, they could begin to see a massive dome-like structure at the heart of the island.

"That must be... where the tournament will be taking place." Minato had spoke, the others looking in the same direction. But Kōya was actually looking around the ship, noticing the vast degree of teams and participants that were also hitching a ride for the upcoming tourney. "It seems we'll be having plenty of competition in this competition. Do you have a plan, Captain?" addressing Minato, clearly. Despite being on the same team, Kōya did not respect Minato as their "team" leader, nor did he have any intention to work under him as some sort of subordinate. In response, Minato simply scratched his head, bearing a rather dumbstruck facial look. "I suppose... just keep fighting and fighting until we win?" A rather straightforward remark, but Kōya merely scoffed at its simplicity.

Suddenly however...

"AGHHH!" roared one of the participants, having quickly caught on flames. Blue fire raged and enveloped his body until it became nothing but ash. The teams aboard the ship quickly stared in shock, Team Kuramoto being no exception to this.

"Th... the hell happened?!" answered Hakkōda with disbelief. Suddenly, the same had just occurred with another participant.

A man descended from the shipping deck, and looked over at Hakkōda and the others. "I take it you are not aware of the preliminaries." he spoke.

"Preliminaries?" Itsuki answered.

Kōya sighed gently. "I've heard of this. Around the island, there is a barrier set up which makes it impossible to enter without possessing the minimum level of spiritual energy that it demands. Unless you wear some sort of special spirit sticker that prevents this. They consider this an informal... preliminaries, killing off all the humans who are deemed too weak to participate." he finished. Minato's eyes twitched a bit, "So that's the kind of tournament this is..." Kōya then smirked. "What's wrong, detective? Getting cold feet? I told you from the start. If you don't have what it takes... you'll die." he warned as he walked over to where Itsuki was standing.

Minato shut his eyes. Unable to process this entire situation. But he wouldn't have much time to do so.

"We've arrived." the boatman said as the ship slowly began pulling into the beach on the island.