Chapter 220: Meet...Sakura

As they strolled around the governor's mansion, Shadow emerged with their host, both wearing smiles that seemed a touch too wide to be genuine.The governor's gaze immediately locked onto Matilda, and he strode towards her with an outstretched hand.

"My dear, I believe we didn't have a proper introduction earlier," he said, his voice syrupy sweet. "How terribly rude of me." Sёarch* The Novelƒire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Matilda, to her credit, maintained her composure. "Oh, it's quite alright," she replied, shaking his hand briefly. "I'm Matilda, as mentioned before."

The governor held onto her hand a moment too long, his eyes roving over her in a way that made Zafron's skin crawl. 'What's his game?' Zafron thought, bristling at the unwanted attention.

[Oh my, looks like someone's developed a little crush. How... revolting,] Calista chimed in, her disgust evident.

Zafron's eyes flicked to Shadow, noting the smug satisfaction on her face. 'What did she tell him?' he wondered, a knot forming in his stomach.

Matilda, sensing the tension, subtly shifted closer to Zafron. The governor's eyes narrowed at the movement, his jovial face slipping for just a moment.

"And what exactly is your relationship?" he asked, gesturing between Zafron and Matilda with a bejeweled hand.

Before either could answer, Whisper smoothly interjected. "I'm afraid we must be going, Governor. So much to do, you understand."

The governor nodded, his eyes still fixed on Matilda. "Of course, of course. My dear," he said, addressing her directly, "if you need anything at all, don't hesitate to ask. I'd be more than happy to... accommodate you."

Matilda's smile became strained. "That's... very kind of you," she managed, her voice tight.

As they walked away, Zafron couldn't contain his curiosity any longer. "What's your deal with the governor?" he asked the twins. "I thought you were planning against him."

Shadow's laugh was sharp and sudden. "Oh, darling. Just because we're against him doesn't mean we can't get close to him. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer, isn't that how the saying goes?"

Whisper nodded, her smile enigmatic. "Sometimes the best way to topple a giant is from right under his nose."

Zafron frowned, unsatisfied with their vague answers. "But what were you actually planning? What did you discuss with him?"

The twins exchanged one of their infuriatingly secretive looks. "Nothing you need to worry your pretty little head about," Shadow said dismissively. "What you should be focusing on is your next match."

"My next... wait, what?" Zafron sputtered, caught off guard by the sudden change of topic.

"Oh yes," Whisper purred. "We've set up quite the spectacle for you. It's going to be the most interesting match you've had yet."

Anger flared in Zafron's chest. "I don't appreciate you setting up matches without my consent," he growled. "I'm not your puppet."

Matilda, who had been quiet throughout the exchange, spoke up. "I don't like this either," she said, her voice soft but firm. "Zafron isn't some toy for you to play with."

Shadow's smile turned predatory. "Isn't he, though? But don't fret, darling. This match is going to be special. You'll even have a partner."

"A partner?" Zafron echoed, confusion replacing his anger. "What do you mean? Is this some kind of tag team match?"

As they left the governor's mansion, Shadow and Whisper led Zafron and Matilda through a maze of winding streets. The Undercity's gloomy atmosphere seemed to intensify, the air growing thick with the scent of sweat and something metallic.

"Where exactly are we going?" Zafron asked, his voice echoing off the cramped walls.

Whisper's laugh tinkled like broken glass. "Patience, darling. You'll see soon enough."

They rounded a corner, and suddenly the narrow alleyway opened up into a bustling courtyard. The noise hit Zafron like a physical force - shouts, grunts, and the unmistakable sound of flesh meeting flesh.

Before them stood a ramshackle building, its walls a patchwork of corrugated metal and salvaged plasteel. A crude sign hung above the entrance, the words "The Pit" scrawled in what looked suspiciously like dried blood.

"Welcome," Shadow announced with a flourish, "to where the real fun happens."

As they stepped inside, Zafron's senses were assaulted. The air was thick with the stench of sweat and something that smelled suspiciously like burning hair. Bodies moved in every direction, a chaotic dance of muscles and mayhem.

In one corner, a woman with glowing fists pummeled a punching bag, each impact sending shockwaves through the air. Nearby, a man covered in scales breathed fire at a series of moving targets, cackling maniacally as they burst into flames.

"Quite the menagerie you've got here," Zafron remarked dryly, ducking as a stray energy bolt whizzed past his ear.

Whisper's smile was all teeth. "Oh, this is just the warm-up act. Wait until you see the main event."

As they weaved through the crowd, Zafron's eyes darted from fighter to fighter. Each one seemed more impressive than the last - a hulking brute with skin like granite, a lithe woman who seemed to phase in and out of reality, a pair of identical twins who kept swapping places in the blink of an eye.

"So," Zafron ventured, gesturing to a particularly fearsome-looking individual with blades for fingernails, "is that my partner?"

Shadow's laugh was sharp and sudden. "Oh, honey. You wish."

They continued through the facility, passing by increasingly impressive displays of power. With each rejection, Zafron felt a mix of relief and growing curiosity.

Finally, they approached a nondescript door at the far end of the training area. Shadow pushed it open with a flourish, revealing a small, dimly lit room.

Seated on a bench, idly swinging her legs, was a young woman. Her most striking feature was a long, pink braided ponytail that nearly touched the ground. She wore a simple outfit - shorts and a vest - that seemed at odds with the elaborate costumes of the fighters outside. Her vest had holes in them revealing bits of flesh, round boobs that sat perfectly on her chest.

No bra from the looks of things with poking nipples that made it look like she was cold. Her side boob wasn't out of sight either.

Zafron blinked, his brain struggling to process the anticlimax. "Her?" he blurted out before he could stop himself.

The twins' smiles widened in perfect synchronization. "Zafron," they said in unison, their voices dripping with amusement, "meet Sakura."

[Well, well,] Calista's voice chimed in his head, barely containing her laughter. [Looks like you've found your cherry blossom in this garden of weeds. Try not to sneeze - you might blow her away.]

Zafron stood there, mouth agape, as Sakura gave him a small wave and a shy smile. The contrast between her unassuming appearance and the chaos of The Pit was so stark, it was almost comical.

As the twins reveled in his confusion and Matilda tried to stifle a giggle, Zafron couldn't help but wonder what kind of twisted game Shadow and Whisper were playing now.