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Thump-thump-thump!
A helicopter hovered overhead, its high-powered camera peering out from the open cabin door. A television reporter, microphone in hand, delivered an enthusiastic opening address.
This was the Ninth Arena, one of the few open-air arenas at Hagun Academy.
Unusually, nearly the entire school—students and faculty alike—had gathered here today. All eyes were fixed on the sole one-on-one match scheduled for this afternoon, turning the arena into a boiling cauldron of voices.
After weeks of grueling elimination rounds, only twelve undefeated contestants remained, ready to undergo the final selection ritual across six arenas.
"Wow, this place is packed!"
Saikyou Nene, clad in her vibrant crimson kimono, lounged casually in the last row of the stands—the best vantage point in the entire arena—munching contentedly on a bucket of popcorn.
"Well, they've been building up the hype for weeks," Shinguuji Kurono remarked, appearing beside her with a shrug.
"Mamoru Akaza seems to have pulled every string he could. He's really going all out."
He even got the TV station to broadcast the entire match live. He's trying to bury Kurogane Ikki for good!
"Hmm hmm! Director Shinguuji, you flatter me! I'm still far from deserving such praise!"
A short, stout man in a suit waddled up the steps and took a seat in the lower tier of the audience, right next to the battle ring. His face was plastered with a seemingly benevolent smile.
"Red Fox," Saikyou Nene spat under her breath.
The Ethics Committee was notorious, often derisively referred to as "Red Foxes" in public.
"Finally, the final round of Hagun Academy's internal selection tournament! Your old friend Tsukuyomi will be broadcasting this match, with commentary provided by Oreki Yuri-sensei!"
"Aiya, I never expected this match to draw so much attention! Even I'm getting nervous, Tsukuyomi!"
"G-good luck..."
"Sensei, you too! Please don't cough up blood and collapse halfway through!"
"Don't worry, I came prepared today... with a blood transfusion pack!"
"That's... reassuring! Alright, without further ado, let's introduce the contestants from both sides! First, on this side, who has been waiting in the preparation room since early morning. Even someone as unskilled in martial arts as Tsukuyomi can sense the overwhelming, razor-sharp aura emanating from him!"
"It's said that he was born with a frail constitution. As a child, even the slightest carelessness could lead to life-threatening illness, and many believed he wouldn't live past his youth. Until his teens, he required assistance with eating, yet he never gave up! Confined to his sickbed, he defied all expectations by developing his own rigorous training regimen. At fourteen, he finally managed to walk again. Now, he stands on the Blazer battlefield. Who can truly fathom the immense effort he poured into this journey?"
The announcer's voice choked with emotion as he delivered the impassioned introduction.
"Woah, Little Junior Brother's past is finally being revealed?" Saikyou Nenetch clicked her tongue twice, wiping her greasy hands on the nearby seat.
"So he also had such a past?"
Shinguuji Kurono ignored her impolite gesture, recalling the first time he met Ryoji.
Back then, Ryoji had been frail and sickly, his body lacking even a hint of muscle—a stark contrast to typical adolescent boys. He hadn't realized this was due to Ryoji's lifelong physical weakness.
Come to think of it, only a little over two months had passed since then.
Yet in just two months, Ryoji had transformed completely. His former fragility had vanished, replaced by a lean, muscular physique.
This transformation filled Shinguuji Kurono with profound emotion.
"Junior Brother really had it rough back then," Saikyou Nene murmured, sighing as she recalled his emaciated appearance.
"The Old Man tried so hard to keep him hidden, but now the media's dug it all up. I wonder how he's taking it."
To protect his disciple, Nangou Torajirou had gone to great lengths to conceal Ryoji's existence.
But secrets rarely stay buried forever. Given Ryoji's increasingly public profile, his existence was revealed within a few years, though fortunately, it never became a major media sensation.
Now that Ryoji had finally become famous, his past was truly coming to light for the public.
"Hiuhiu! Nene-chan, don't think of Old Man as some relic from the past!"
Without a sound, not even Saikyou Nene or Shinguuji Kurono noticed a thing.
The elderly man in a gray kimono appeared behind them, letting out a peculiar chuckle.
"Old Man?! What are you doing here?" Saikyou Nene startled, scattering popcorn from her hands.
"Hahaha, when I heard that my prized disciple was going to duel Ryouma's descendant, even all the way in Hokkaido on vacation, how could I not come see for myself?" The old man grinned, revealing a set of healthy white teeth.
At ninety-two years old, his face was etched with wrinkles and age spots, his white hair thinning to near baldness. He leaned on a gray cane, looking frail and near death. But those who knew him well understood the terrifying power that could erupt from his seemingly decaying body.
"It's been a while, Lord Torajiro," Shinguuji Kurono greeted him respectfully.
"Aiya, long time no see, Kuu-chan! Still got that perky butt after having a kid, huh?" the old man chuckled, his face full of mischief, looking utterly unreliable.
Shinguuji Kurono could only offer a wry smile. Nangou Torajiro was always like this—a smooth talker who was surprisingly dependable beneath his glib exterior.
This was the God of War.
The only Japanese to ever win the God of War Cup held at the Chinese Divine Dragon Temple.
There were few world-class tournaments that allowed Blazers to compete. Aside from sporting events like the Olympics, only the League's KOK Grand Tournament and the Chinese Divine Dragon Temple's God of War Cup offered such opportunities.
Unlike the KOK League, the God of War Cup, though a major international competition, adhered to brutal, primitive rules. Any underhanded tactics were permitted, and the ultimate victor received no reward beyond the title of "God of War."
Nangou Torajiro earned the title "God of War" after winning the tournament once.
"This disciple no longer needs the Old Man's protection," he said, sitting down beside Saikyou Nene and gazing at the battle ring below, his eyes darkening slightly.
"Lord Torajiro, who do you think will win this match?"
"Who knows? I have never seen Ryouma's descendant. It's hard to say what that disciple has become. We'll find out after the fight."
His attitude was straightforward and blunt.
"Still, this is quite exciting. My disciple against Ryouma's great-grandson... It's a pity no one in the Nangou Family can make a move."
His expression was relaxed, as if reminiscing about the past, yet his words dripped with disdain for his own family.
"He's coming out," Shinguuji Kurono said, pointing at the battle ring.
On the 100-meter-diameter arena, the ten-minute countdown had already begun.
The red gate opened, and Ryoji's form emerged from the darkness.
The entire arena erupted in cheers.
(End Of This Chapter)