If you're a man, hasn't everyone dreamed of becoming the Strongest Man on Earth at some point?
Even if the details differ, even if the definition changes, it's a dream almost everyone has had.
But most people give up on it without even noticing.
During sibling quarrels.
During youthful fights.
Or the first time they learn how painful it is to be hit by their father.
Bit by bit, people find new dreams as they move through life.
However-
There is always a small minority.
No matter what they encounter.
No matter who they meet.
Even as they grow older.
They never give up on that dream.
It may be foolish.
But those fools who persist until the end will either become the undisputed strong-
Or they will become stepping stones on the Shura path of the strong.
So who is the strong?
And who becomes the stepping stone?
"Want to see the Strongest Man on Earth?"
Tokugawa stood at the center of the underground arena on the sixth basement level, addressing the surrounding spectators.
At the sound of his voice, thunderous cheers erupted.
Hearing the response, Tokugawa spoke again.
"I want to see him too, everyone!"
Just as the crowd thought he was about to launch into a long speech and the cheers began to die down, Tokugawa suddenly raised his fist and pointed directly toward the fighter entrance.
"Please welcome the fighters!"
With that, he handed hosting duties to the professional announcer, hopped off the ring, and rushed to his reserved seat, eyes gleaming with anticipation.
Those words were not hype.
Nor were they empty.
He truly wanted to see him.
He genuinely wanted to witness-
The Strongest Man on Earth.
-
Entering the Arena
"The fighters are now making their entrances-"
As the announcer's voice echoed through the venue, Jaden yawned and walked in lazily, stopping in the corner of the third-and final-row of contestants.
He looked completely unmotivated.
The other fighters focused on the introductions, sizing up those around them.
Only Jaden showed no interest at all.
When the announcer mentioned his name, he merely nodded once toward the audience.
That was it.
As the fighters gradually exited the ring and the first match was about to begin, Hanma Baki approached Jaden again.
Since Baki was scheduled for the opening match, he came over simply to greet him.
"Yuki, I'm up next. Since it's your first time here, just take in the atmosphere."
Jaden didn't respond verbally.
He just nodded.
Then he leaned against the tunnel wall, waiting for his turn.
The underground arena had two entrances.
Seiryuu-Azure Dragon.
Byakko-White Tiger.
Baki entered through Byakko.
From Seiryuu emerged a man over two meters tall.
Standing beside Baki, whose height wasn't particularly outstanding, he looked like a small giant.
"That man's name is Andreaj Rion."
A voice spoke from behind Jaden.
"Two hundred forty centimeters. Three hundred ten kilograms."
"He's rumored to be the 'Strongest' wrestler in certain regions of the pro wrestling world."
Two figures had walked up behind him.
One was a bald man with an eyepatch covering one eye-Doppo Orochi, the God of Martial Arts. Incidentally, that missing eye had once been cut out by Hanma Yujiro.
Beside him stood Orochi Katsumi.
The Final Weapon of Karate.
Though the Shinshinkai was hailed as the Strongest Dojo on Earth, neither father nor son carried themselves arrogantly. They simply greeted Jaden politely while introducing the wrestler.
"I heard about you from Tokugawa, Yuki," Doppo said with a smile. "Who do you think will win this match?"
Tokugawa and Doppo shared a close relationship.
When Tokugawa discovered Jaden, he had immediately told Doppo about him.
That was why Doppo had taken interest in this newcomer Tokugawa praised so highly.
"Who will win?" Jaden repeated calmly.
"That question is only interesting in an evenly matched fight."
"In this one... asking it is just boring."
He shook his head lightly, completely ignoring the faint surprise on Doppo and Katsumi's faces.
At that moment, Baki and Andreaj Rion stood back-to-back in the arena, spacing themselves out as they waited for the referee's signal.
Jaden closed his eyes.
"I see no possibility of Andreaj Rion winning."
"And I'm not even sure why he's called the 'strongest.'"
"Among the wrestlers I know, there are people stronger than him."
"Has the word 'strongest' become that cheap in today's wrestling scene?"
Jaden wasn't exaggerating.
Among the alternate participants of this tournament alone, there was a former wrestler who clearly surpassed this man.
So-
"This match is still watchable."
"But the outcome... is already decided."
Doppo Orochi and Orochi Katsumi froze slightly.
Jaden's tone was flat.
Unwavering.
As though he were stating an established fact.
Before either of them could respond, the match had already begun.
The instant the bell rang, Baki crashed into Andreaj Rion and slammed him straight into the arena wall.
Rion attempted several counterattacks.
Each one was intercepted.
Baki seized every opening and landed heavy blows in succession.
Clean.
Efficient.
Finally, just as the giant adopted a stance that signaled he was about to get serious-
Baki knocked him clean out of the ring.
Rion collapsed unconscious, foam spilling from his mouth.
Silence followed.
Then-
An eruption of cheers.
"Champion! Champion!"
As the chants echoed, Doppo and Katsumi looked toward Jaden.
He hadn't changed expression once.
Not from beginning to end.
In their minds, Jaden's standing rose yet again.
"Well," Doppo laughed, "it seems you were right, Yuki. I regret even more now that my first-round opponent isn't you."
Jaden's gaze shifted.
It landed on Orochi Katsumi.
"That's fine," Jaden said calmly. "If you want to fight me, God of Martial Arts-then just keep winning."
"We'll meet eventually."
Doppo didn't respond.
Orochi Katsumi did.
He met Jaden's eyes and shook his head with a helpless smile.
"Yuki, you shouldn't look down on people so easily."
"Your first-round opponent isn't my father."
"It's me."
"Even if you really are strong..."
"Your run might end the moment you face me."
After all-
"I honestly can't imagine myself losing right now."