CHAPTER 67: THE SHINSHINKAI THIRD-DAN!
The man who stepped into the light was a physical impossibility.
He wore heavy-duty trainers and camo-patterned trousers. His black sleeveless compression shirt was stretched to its absolute limit by massive deltoids and a chest like a bank vault. His bare biceps were thick with bulging veins, radiating a sense of explosive power.
In terms of sheer dimension, this man made Marco look small. He was taller than Hanayama and broader than a doorway.
His features were just as striking. His hair was cut into a short buzz that stood upright like steel needles. His face was a map of hard, sharp angles, with a low brow that cast a shadow over aggressive, triangular eyes. His mouth was set in a cold, unyielding line.
His name was Atsushi Suedo.
A Third-Dan Black Belt in the Shinshinkai Karate school.
Like the Rokushin Kaikan, the Shinshinkai was not a sports club or a fitness center. It was an ultra-massive martial arts organization focused entirely on full-contact, "Real-World" combat. To reach the rank of Third-Dan in their hierarchy was to be recognized as a living weapon.
"..."
Kaede Akiyama's expression shifted several times before she managed to force a neutral mask. She stepped forward to shake hands with the CEO of Bull-Boy Dining, Mikio Nabemi.
"Miss Akiyama of the Nogi Group? A pleasure, a pleasure," Nabemi said with a greasy, fawning smile. "My, I never expected the great Chairman Nogi to waste his resources helping a startup firm join the Association. Are you planning something big?"
It was a blatant attempt to fish for corporate intel. Kaede brushed it off with a professional deflection. "Just standard business maneuvering. Nothing more."
She glanced toward Suedo. "A Third-Dan from the Shinshinkai... a fighter of that caliber should be unstoppable in the main circuit. I'm surprised you're letting him participate in a mere Challenger Match."
"Hahaha! You flatter us!"
Nabemi waved a hand dismissively, a predatory glint in his eye. "But I have no intention of entering the official Kengan warfare. The risks are too high for a dining group of our size."
"However... by using my Membership as bait for these Challenger Matches, I can hook quite a few desperate 'Big Fish.' It's a wonderful way to earn some extra pocket change!"
Nabemi was shamelessly transparent. He wasn't the only member doing this. There were always arrogant fools who thought they could bypass the years of corporate grinding and jump straight to a seat at the table.
Those idiots never realized that finding a top-tier fighter was nearly impossible. Even if Ren had beaten "Nioh" Komada, Nabemi was confident. Suedo wasn't just a fighter; he was the "Destroyer."
"Heh. You are as honest as always," Kaede said, her voice dropping into a subtle taunt. "But have you considered whether a Shinshinkai elite is satisfied staying in a 'Third-Rate' arena with you?"
Nabemi's smile turned thin and sharp. "Miss Akiyama, you really have a knack for stirring the pot. Regardless, Atsushi Suedo will be fighting tonight. That is all that matters."
Kaede retreated back to Ren's side, her brow furrowed in genuine concern.
"Ren-san... this is a problem. Atsushi Suedo—" she checked her notes. "A few years ago, he achieved 'Four Consecutive Dominations' in the National Full-Contact Karate championships. He's a legendary striker."
"He's likely using Bull-Boy Dining as a springboard to make a name for himself in the Association. I didn't expect to run into a main-circuit caliber threat tonight."
Kaede's mind was racing. Chairman Nogi wanted Ren in the Association as a loyal proxy. She thought beating Komada proved Ren was ready for a low-level challenger match, but the board had shifted.
"What can I do? How can I help him survive this?"
"Akiyama-san..."
A hand suddenly rested on Kaede's shoulder. Ren Shiroki smiled at her, gesturing politely with his other hand.
"Could you step to the side for a second? Someone wants a word."
"!?"
Kaede froze, feeling the light from the chandeliers being blocked by a massive shadow.
She looked up to see Suedo standing directly in front of her. His forehead was a map of throbbing veins, and his triangular eyes were locked onto Ren with a terrifying intensity.
"Eep!"
Kaede flinched, scrambling out of the way. She nearly tripped, but Fusui caught her by the arm.
Only Ren and Suedo remained, standing face-to-face in the center of the Grand Ballroom.
"You..." Suedo's voice was a deep, guttural rasp. "What did you say about me earlier?"
Ren gave a casual, lazy smile. "I said you were 'Quite Good.'"
Suedo raised an eyebrow. "And?"
Ren's grin widened. "I said I could finish this before the main course is served!"
"..."
"BA—HAHAHAHA!"
Suedo let out a thunderous burst of laughter. He slapped Ren on the shoulder with enough force to crack floorboards, acting like they were old war buddies reunited at a bar.
After laughing until he nearly shed a tear, Suedo wiped his eyes and gave a playful wave, turning to walk back to his corner.
However, the instant his back was to the group, Suedo's face contorted into a mask of pure, unadulterated malice. The veins in his neck bulged, and his expression turned into that of a wrathful Asura.
I'm going to kill you.
Suedo's lip twitched. His eyes were bloodshot. His teeth ground together with the sound of a rock crusher.
I. WILL. ABSOLUTELY. KILL. YOU.
Every warrior in the room felt the sudden spike in killing intent. It was like a physical heat.
Ren didn't care. He rubbed his stomach, still chuckling, and headed toward the far side of the ballroom to greet his other friends.
"Akagi-san, Yagyo-san, Kaji-kun. Long time no see!"
Kaji looked a bit more mature than he had two weeks ago, but he still looked nervous. Yagyo was his usual elegant, stoic self. Shigeru Akagi, the Man of the Divine Realm, sat slumped in an expensive velvet chair, lazily puffing on a cigarette.
"Ren-kun. It's been a while." Akagi gave a casual wave.
Ren looked around. "What are you guys doing here? Don't tell me you took the 'Trash Boat' too."
"Teiai offered a very interesting gamble," Akagi replied with a thin smile. "So I decided to accept."
He flicked his ash. "I didn't expect to see you in the ring tonight, though. That's a pleasant surprise."
Ren laughed. "Akagi-san is becoming a combat fan, I see!"
"I discovered that high-stakes gambling and high-stakes fighting are both 'Struggles' for existence," Akagi said tonelessly. "The essence is the same."
"And because of that... I've grown quite fond of it."
Akagi gestured toward another trio across the room. The leader was a man in sharp glasses with a stern, joyless expression.
"That man is Sadakuni," Akagi introduced. "He calls himself a 'Revolutionary.' He's my opponent for the night."
"Between him and that old lizard Hyodo... tonight should be a good show."
Ren nodded. "Haha, yeah! Perfect! Simply perfect!"
He chatted with Akagi for a few more minutes, then produced several business cards for the Soul Combat Hub and handed them out to the trio.
A few minutes later, the Kengan Association Referee signaled he was ready. He gestured for Ren and Suedo to prepare themselves.
But just as the Referee prepared to introduce the fighters, Nabemi, the Bull-Boy CEO, scrambled up onto the stage and snatched the microphone.
"Ahem! To the honorable Chairman Hyodo, and to our distinguished guests... forgive me for taking a moment of your time!"
Nabemi couldn't hide his smug grin. He loved the spotlight.
"However, I believe it is only proper that I officially introduce our fighter—and provide a small demonstration of the 'Might' of Shinshinkai Karate!"
Nabemi snapped his fingers.
"Bring out the Thick-Impact Shield!"