CHAPTER 83: KAKEROU + KENGAN!
Entrust your prayers to the fist of the fighter. Thus, it is named "Kengan."
For many in the ballroom, this was the third time they had heard the term tonight.
The first was the match between Ren Shiroki and Atsushi Suedo for Bull-Boy Dining's seat.
The second was the unofficial bout between Ren and Mepu Kiro, where the newly won seat was at stake.
But this "Third Time" was fundamentally different.
Ren Shiroki wasn't proposing another "Challenger Match." He was calling for a traditional Kengan Match—the organized application of violence born from corporate warfare.
This proposal tore through the cold stalemate like a lightning bolt, forcing everyone to reconsider the board. This included the Leader of Kakerou.
"Hmm. A... Kengan Match?" Souichi Kiruma tilted his head, his dark eyes vacant. "I tend to forget minor details that don't involve the Kakerou Club. Joichi, explain."
The scarred old gentleman, Joichi Yagyo, stepped forward.
"The Kengan Matches originated in the Edo period. Merchants formed an association to settle disputes through combat. Each side appoints a fighter for a one-on-one deathmatch. The outcome of the fight is the final legal verdict."
Souichi nodded. "I see. Organized violence. A way to prevent a chaotic brawl from spiraling out of control by turning it into a 'Martial Art.' From that perspective, your proposal is logical, Ren-kun."
Souichi's eyes sharpened as he looked at the youth.
"You refuse to follow my plan, so you wish to use your 'Might' to seize the initiative from Kakerou. I admire the spirit."
"However... Shiroki-kun." Souichi sighed, a touch of pity in his voice. "A Kengan Match requires the two parties to be on equal footing."
"For example: Firm A and Firm B both want to develop the same plot of land. They fight. But if Firm A is a multinational conglomerate with a thousand employees and Firm B is a lemonade stand run by five kids, the 'Conflict' doesn't exist. The giant simply crushes the ant."
Souichi held up two fingers. "To initiate a Kengan Match, one needs two things: Might and Capital."
"Ren-kun, you broke my Number Ten Referee. Your 'Might' is proven. You are worthy of the ring."
"But in terms of 'Capital'... even if we count the one billion yen Akagi-san just dumped in your lap, it is a drop in the ocean compared to the assets of the Kakerou Club."
"Therefore, I cannot recognize this as a valid challenge. You lack the stake."
"..."
Ren didn't look discouraged. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a heavy steel ring with two identical keys. He held them up, letting them shimmer under the chandeliers.
"Is this enough to bridge the gap?"
The room went still. Ren smirked at the Leader's confusion.
"These are the master keys to the illegal arms ship in the harbor. There are only two copies. One was with the merchant who jumped overboard; the other was with his guard."
Ren gestured to Kyara, who was standing nearby with his arms crossed.
Earlier, while climbing to the upper deck, Madarame Baku had realized that Kakerou couldn't easily seize the weapons ship without the keys. He had spent the entire walk pestering Kyara—literally begging and annoying the afro-haired monster—to hand over the "useless" keys he'd taken from his employer.
Kyara, finally snapping after Baku's tenth pun, had kicked the Lie Eater across the hallway and hurled the keys at him. Baku had then slipped them to Ren.
"I see..."
Souichi's expression went flat. "Akagi-san gave you the cash, and Baku-san gave you the leverage. You've used their 'Success' to manufacture your own standing."
"Your 'Capital' has shifted. You've met the minimum requirements for a stake."
Souichi paused. "I wonder... is this a coincidence? Or did those two plan this before they even set foot on the pier?"
Ren gave a lazy, mysterious smile. "Who knows? The world is a messy brawl. Nothing is ever perfect. You just play the hand you're dealt."
Souichi didn't argue. He rubbed his chin, his analytical mind processing the new variables.
Beside them, Chairman Kazutaka Hyodo erupted into laughter. "Ka-ka-ka! What does it matter?! This is much better than a spreadsheet negotiation! Accept it, Kiruma-kun! Let the boy fight for his life!"
Hyodo was the only person in the room who would dare speak to the Leader like that. He was a tyrant, and he found the "Chaos" of the situation intoxicating. Besides, it was still his ship; he wanted to see it used as a stage.
After a long moment, Souichi nodded.
"Very well. We shall gamble for the ownership of the Espoir and the missile shipment in a formal Kengan Match."
"However—"
Souichi's eyes locked onto Ren's, a spark of genuine interest appearing. "If that were all, I would still be bored. Let us add a Personal Gamble to the victory conditions. A bet between you and me on the outcome of the match."
"Kakerou cherishes rare talent. I would hate for our relationship to end as a simple transaction. I want to draw you closer to the Club. So... let us bet a 'Favor.'"
"If you win, the Leader of Kakerou owes you a favor. If I win, you owe one to me. A debt of honor, to be called upon at any time."
Ren met the Leader's gaze. Both men's eyes were shining with the same "Scent" of the strong. They both let out a low, simultaneous chuckle.
Ren was thinking: Tonight is turning out much better than Nogi's briefing.
Souichi was thinking: Finally, a toy that doesn't break when I touch it.
With both parties in agreement, the Association Referee stepped forward.
To be honest, the Referee was exhausted. Officiating three Kengan matches in one night was unheard of, especially when one of the participants was fighting in all of them. Ren's stamina and will were bordering on the supernatural.
"Before we begin," the Referee said, turning to Souichi. "Kakerou is a powerful organization, but technically, you are not a Member of the Kengan Association. I cannot sanction a match between a Member and an Outsider."
"Ah, that is a minor bureaucratic hurdle," Souichi said. He pulled out his phone. "Nenawa, it's me. Handle it."
A minute later, Souichi's phone buzzed with a photo. He turned the screen toward the Referee. It showed a high-resolution image of a Kengan Membership License.
"I had my staff find a bankrupt member in Ochanomizu. We settled his debts in exchange for his seat. The transfer was finalized thirty seconds ago. Kakerou is now a formal Member-Firm."
"...A minor hurdle?" The Referee's eye twitched. He was beginning to realize that Kakerou's "Might" was on a level that rivaled the Association itself.
"The membership is settled," Souichi said. "Now... we need a Fighter."
Souichi's gaze swept over the warriors in the room.
First, he looked at his "Sweeper," Joichi Yagyo. Then at his twin, the Number Two Referee, Hikoichi Yagyo.
"Hikoichi... you look like you have zero interest in this?" Souichi asked.
"Correct, my Lord," Hikoichi bowed gracefully. "I have no desire to pursue 'Might.' I prefer the quiet life of a barista. Efficiency is my only goal."
Souichi smirked. "Keep that lie for the next time you see Baku."
He then looked at Kyara.
The afro-haired giant let out a snort. "Don't even think about it, kid. I'm not a member of your little club anymore. I'm a free man."
"You've certainly learned to joke since you left us, Kyara," Souichi noted.
"But you're right. A professional match requires a professional. I have a prior contract I can call upon. It is the 'Best Judgement' for this situation."
Souichi gestured for the group to wait as he made one last call.
While they waited, Ren Shiroki strolled over to Kyara and handed him a Soul Combat Hub business card.
"If you're ever looking for a real scrap, stop by my place. I've got elite facilities, high-end medical staff, and I host regular 'Technical Exchanges' for monsters like us."
Kyara stared at the card, then at Ren. "...Are you seriously pitching your gym to me right now?"
Beside them, Marco raised his hand eagerly. "It's true! It's fun! Arisa-nee even buys me spicy chips!"
Kyara's eye twitched. He felt a sudden, inexplicable urge to hit someone. He looked at Madarame Baku, who was grinning like a Cheshire cat.
"Hmph!"
Kyara lashed out with a lightning-fast kick, his boot burying itself in Baku's ribs.
"Gah!" Baku doubled over, wheezing. "Ow... why?! I didn't even say anything!"
"You were thinking something annoying," Kyara growled. "I felt it."