CHAPTER 39: ONE HUNDRED MILLION YEN
Kaede Akiyama got straight to the point, and the weight of her words was undeniable.
"Are you interested in joining the Kengan Association? Chairman Nogi is prepared to act as your sponsor."
By "joining," she didn't mean as a hired gun—a Party B contractor. She meant becoming a full-fledged Member. The shift from being a "Tool" to being a "Player" was a massive leap in status, and the details were complex.
"Hnnngh—!"
With a sudden surge of power, Ren Shiroki forced his arms between Fusui's legs, prying her lock off his neck. He caught her under the armpits and hoisted her into the air, her feet dangling a few inches off the grass.
"Haha!"
Fusui didn't seem to mind. She laughed, tucked her legs, and gave a playful kick against Ren's chest to break his grip. She backflipped away, landing in a slight stumble.
"I'm done for today, Ren-chin! Go handle your business."
She fanned herself with her hand, looking around the property. "By the way... do you have a shower? I'm drenched..."
Ren pointed toward the crumbling dojo building. "There's a small washroom on the side. The room has been reinforced, and the water heater actually works."
"Thanks~!"
Fusui stretched her arms over her head, humming a little tune as she skipped toward the building.
Ren turned to Kaede, but realized he was also covered in sweat and grime. His shirt was clinging to him, and he looked entirely un-gentlemanly. He gestured for Kaede to make herself comfortable, explaining he needed to wash up first.
From the direction of the washroom, Fusui's head popped out. "Ren-chin! Want to save water and wash together?"
"Pass. Too cramped," Ren replied, already used to her antics. "I'll just use the bucket out here."
While Ren was occupied, Arisa stepped in as the hostess. She expertly set out the table and chairs, inviting Kaede to sit, and served her a cup of freshly brewed tea.
Kaede nodded her thanks and took a slow, methodical sip.
She had met Arisa during her previous visit and had been quietly impressed by the girl. As a high-level corporate secretary, Kaede's ability to read people was elite. She could tell Arisa possessed a remarkable mental fortitude—the kind of "grit" that made for a top-tier executive in a major firm.
But this time, Kaede felt a twinge of confusion. Is this girl's mental state a bit too stable?
For example: sitting at the table with them was a hulking, muscular man who was nearly as large as Ren. He had a vacant, innocent expression on his face and was currently focused entirely on a bag of potato chips. Arisa acted like his presence was perfectly normal.
"This is Marco," Arisa said, introducing them. "Marco, this is Akiyama-san."
"Hello, Big Sister!" Marco said with a polite bow.
Kaede gave a professional nod in return. She had seen her fair share of eccentrics in the Kengan Association; adapting to a "Giant Child" wasn't that difficult.
Focus on the mission, she told herself.
Kaede let out a breath and, displaying her peak secretary habits, opened her clutch bag to touch up her makeup before the negotiation. She pulled out a small, intricately designed silver mirror. The polished surface caught the sun, shimmering brightly.
The glitter caught Marco's eye immediately.
"..."
Marco stared at the mirror for a long time. He fumbled in his pocket for several seconds before producing a single coin—his entire allowance. He held it out toward Kaede.
"I have fifty yen," Marco said, his voice solemn and earnest. "They say this amount will let you do whatever you want..."
"May I please use it to trade for your shiny little mirror?"
Kaede: "..."
Kaede: "Eh?"
Despite the absurdity of the request, Kaede looked into Marco's big, innocent eyes and found she couldn't say no to the "child." She sighed and accepted the trade.
Fifteen minutes later, Ren and Fusui returned, both looking refreshed and respectable. They took their seats at the table.
Ren had used the time to process the offer. He looked at Kaede and gave a low whistle. "The Nogi Group certainly doesn't lack for 'Sincerity.'"
Kaede pushed her glasses up. "Is that 'Sincerity' a compliment? Or sarcasm?"
"..."
Ren smiled. "It's a compliment."
Kaede visibly relaxed.
Arisa looked confused, so Fusui leaned in to explain. "The reward for Ren-chin's previous job isn't money. It's an 'Opportunity' to become a Kengan Association Member."
"A Member and a Fighter are fundamentally different," Fusui gestured with her hands. "Members have wealth and status. They hire Fighters to settle multi-billion yen bets. In other words, a Member is the one who 'Starts' the game. The Fighter is just a piece on the board."
Arisa thought about it. "That sounds like a great deal! Onii-chan would love that. Why do you sound worried, Kaede-san?"
"Because joining the Association isn't like joining a gym," Kaede explained. "Nogi is only giving him the chance. It's not a guaranteed seat."
Fusui helped herself to a handful of Arisa's chips. "To be honest, I don't even get how the 'Chance' works. Kengan isn't run by Nogi, and Ren-chin isn't exactly a CEO. How does he even apply?"
"You're right," Kaede nodded. "To become a Member, one typically needs massive personal wealth, high social standing, and a corporation that is 'Recognized' by the Association."
"Normally, that is the only path."
Kaede's eyes sharpened. "But Chairman Nogi knows a 'Shortcut.'"
"It's called: The Kengan Challenger Match!"
Kaede began to break it down.
"Becoming a Member is the ultimate proof of being an elite businessman. Consequently, there are countless people desperate for a seat at the table. To capitalize on this, some existing members use their status as a stake."
"They bet their 'Membership' in an unofficial match. The goal for them is usually to collect the 'Challenge Fee'—a massive sum of money paid by the applicant."
"While the stakes are low compared to official corporate warfare, there are always bottom-tier members willing to gamble their seat for a quick payday. Nogi Group will provide the Referee from Kakerou or the Association to ensure the result is legally binding."
Kaede pulled a contract from her folder and laid it in front of Ren.
"Chairman Nogi's offer consists of two parts."
"First: We provide the connection. We have found a member willing to put their seat on the line in a Challenger Match against you."
"Second: We will provide you with an Indefinite, Interest-Free Loan to cover the Challenge Fee."
"The amount is... One Hundred Million Yen."
"One hundred million?!"
Arisa nearly fell off her stool. The number was so large her brain refused to process it.
Ren, however, looked entirely unphased. He had already surmised that Nogi Hideki was playing a deeper game.
The Nogi Group's reward was brilliant. Instead of a flat cash payment, they were offering a path to power. The value of a Kengan membership was immeasurable.
And by offering a "loan" with no interest and no deadline, Nogi was essentially saying: "I'm paying for this. You just owe me a favor." It was a high-level corporate bribe disguised as a partnership.
Nogi Hideki was an old fox. He was likely preparing for his challenge against Metsudo Katahara. To win a tournament, he needed "his people" in as many brackets as possible. By helping Ren become a member, Nogi was essentially planting a "Trojan Horse" in the Association that would be loyal to him.
But there was one thing Nogi couldn't do for Ren.
Ren had to actually Win the match.
"..."
Kaede slid a pen across the table. "What are your thoughts, Ren-san?"
Ren didn't hesitate. He picked up the pen and signed the contract with a flourish.
Kaede tucked the document into her briefcase and stood up. "The date for the Challenger Match is yet to be determined. I will contact you as soon as the arrangements are finalized. Please stay in peak condition."
"I will. Thanks for the visit."
Ren and Arisa saw Kaede to her car.
As Kaede climbed into the back of the luxury sedan, a middle-aged man with slicked-back hair and a custom-tailored suit was already waiting. He was puffing on an expensive cigar.
Hideki Nogi.
Kaede gave her report. "He signed. But Chairman... Shiroki Ren is not a man who can be easily controlled. Are you sure you want to bring him into the inner circle?"
"It doesn't matter!"
Nogi waved a hand dismissively, smoke curling around his head. "Right now, we need variables. We need 'Chaos.' Without new elements, the Association remains stagnant under Metsudo. Change brings opportunity!"
"By the way, Kaede... stay vigilant."
Nogi's expression turned somber. "Metsudo's scouts have detected a shadow moving through the global underworld. A foreign syndicate called 'IDEAL.' They've set their sights on the Kengan Association."
Kaede nodded. "I've heard the rumors."
Nogi leaned back against the leather seat and sighed. "Business is War. There will be kidnappings, there will be extortion. That's why we need to collect as many 'Monsters' as we can... and as fast as possible."