Saori had no malicious intent towards Seiya. Rather, from her perspective, it was Seiya who saw her as a scapegoat for the misfortunes in his life. Such as man it'd be better off that he leaves. Ironically, it was something they agreed on.

But seeing Seiya up against Shiryu, Saori wondered if it was her unconscious revenge.

One punch - just one - Seiya was beaten down.

Unlike Seiya, who was open with his emotions and reckless with his actions, Shiryu was more quiet and calculating in comparison. It was definitely more than sheer strength, like when Seiya fought Bear Geki. Shun, Hyoga, Nachi, Jabu, and Ichi were watching feet away from the ring.

"He's down," Nachi remarked. Who could've endured such a powerful punch and stand back up again?

Yet, that was exactly what Seiya did, much to everyone's shock.

It was going to be longer fight.

If the first blow from Shiryu was bad, then the second one was lethal. It was the Rise of Dragon.

And yet once again, Seiya rose back up. Not only he was alive, though not unhurt, he launched his Pegasus Meteor Punch. Shiryu used his Dragon shield and blocked off all of them - hundreds of them. He had the strength and the powerful cloth with his shield. Defeating him would be impossible. The right arm delivered the lethal punch and the left arm bore the unbreakable shield. Again and again, Seiya was beaten down.

"This is the end of him," Nachi said.

"It isn't," Saori comment. "He is not going to give up at this level."

"Saori-san!" Shun, Jabu, Nachi, Geki, and Ichi were surprised to find Saori stood with them. Instead of dressing up to the nine, she dressed casually. Hyoga remained in his spot and said nothing.

She was correct. Seiya climbed back up.

"Strongest shield and strongest fist," Jabu said. "Seiya has no chance."

"He does," Saori said. "There is a way."

The Saints looked at her and Hyoga coolly chuckled. It seemed like he knew what she meant.

"The strongest shield and the strongest fist can be a powerful combination," Saori said. "But what if you use one against the other?"

By looking at Seiya's bloodied face, Saori guessed that he figured it out too. He was more sway and clever than she thought. He was going to win this fight. And then, he would leave to go find his sister; she did gave him her word. But losing Seiya...no, Seiya wouldn't leave after this fight. He was every inch of a warrior. He came too far to retreat from this tournament.

Without resistance, Seiya delivered his punch towards Shiryu.

"Suicidal!" Jabu gasped.

"No, it isn't," Saori said.

Indeed, Seiya was beaten badly, but so was Shiryu's shield.

"Ojou-sama, maybe you should leave," Jabu suggested. It was becoming too violent.

"And go where?" Saori questioned. She could do whatever she wants. "The Dragon shield is now broken."

"And Seiya is at the edge of death," Shun added.

"You want me to stop this?" Saori laughed. "Even if I put this to an end, they won't."

Indeed both Shiryu and Seiya would fight till the end, meaning until one of them is dead.

The Dragon Shield was broken so what's next? Without a hesitation, Shiryu removed his armor. Shirtless, he stood in front of Seiya and a Dragon appeared on his back. Now he was to continue the fight without his armor. Seiya, wanting to fight a fair fight, did the same. Before they could continue the fight, Shun ran towards the ring.

"You can't do this! Without armor your bodies can't handle the force!"

Shiryu and Seiya ignored him.

The fight was to continue; and now based on their bodily strength.

"What's driving him?" Saori asked out loud.

"There are things more important than wealth," Hyoga said.

Saori paid no attention to Hyoga. Her eyes were glued on the two Saints. Would Seiya rather die in the arena than retreating from the battle to find his sister?

The two Saints went on with the fight without their armor. Seiya used his meteor punch. This time, Shiryu was unable to dodge it. He was hit, twice. Seiya saw through and anticipated Shiryu's every move.

And he even saw the weakness of Shiryu's Rising Dragon. In that one millisecond, Shiryu's guard was down. Seiya took the opportunity and hit Shiryu right in the heart. This time, Shiryu fell.

And he stayed down.

Seiya won. His second victory.

But every victory has a price.

He collapsed too.

"Tatsumi!" Saori bolted to her faithful butler. "Call the hospital! Now!"

The medics arrived and checked on Seiya and Shiryu. Seiya was gravely wounded but still alive. Shiryu's heart, however, had stopped.

"He's dead?" Saori uttered. She turned and saw Seiya being taken away. "Wait!"

The medics looked at her as if she lost her mind.

"We need Seiya to resuscitate Shiryu," Saori insisted.

"How?"

"Another punch in the back," Saori said. "My grandfather once told me the stories of the Saints and their battle. The heart stopped after the punch from a Saint can be resuscitated by another one in the back with the same impact. Only Seiya can do it."

"Impossible, he can't even stand."

"You underestimated him."

As the medics were taking Seiya away, he spoke. He was weak but his determination was undiminished. "Stop, take me to Shiryu."

Saori watched as Shun picked up Shiryu and Hyoga came forward to help Seiya with his aim. The dragon tattoo on Shiryu's back was fading. Seiya was losing his consciousness but before losing it, he delivered the ultimate punch.

"You did it Seiya!" Shun exclaimed with joy. The dragon tattoo appeared again and Shiryu's heart beat was loud and strong. Jabu cheered along with other Saints while the medics took both Seiya and Shiryu to the hospital.

"Saori-san, do you need to see a doctor too?" Shun asked, noticing how pale Saori became.

"No, I'm fine," Saori said and sauntered away.

She wasn't fine. The image of arrow penetrated into her abdomen flashed before her eyes. She stumbled to the bathroom and vomited into the toilet. Today's fight was far more violent than the other ones. The shouts and punches were loud. Seiya was covered in blood. Shiryu nearly died. And more danger is coming.

All she wanted was to be an ordinary girl. But her fate wouldn't let her.