CHAPTER 155: THE STREET BRAWL ANNIHILATION!
Mitsunari Tokugawa, the master of the Dome, had proposed a radical shift in the structure of combat: The Real-Combat Protocol.
In this mode, warriors would no longer be restricted by rings, rounds, or referees. They would unleash their "Might" within the geography of the city itself.
The five convicts had converged on Tokyo due to Synchronicity. Tokugawa had gathered the legends of the underground to give them the "Gift of Defeat."
Simultaneously, Metsudo Katahara, the Ruler of Finance and Chairman of the Association, had utilized this shift to redefine the Chairmanship Challenge.
The Kengan Annihilation Street Brawl.
The two seismic shifts in the combat world had merged tonight into a single, blinding tidal wave.
In the stands, the titans of industry and the masters of martial arts processed the news with varying degrees of calculation.
Hideki Nogi, Chairman of the Nogi Group, stood with Gen Kaioh, the Chairman of Ganryu Steel (and the employer of Jun Sekibayashi).
"A Chairmanship Challenge turned into a 'Street Brawl'?" Gen Kaioh frowned, his brow deeply furrowed. "This violates every Kengan tradition. What is the Old Man thinking?"
"Don't look at me," Nogi muttered with a bitter laugh. "I started this fire, but I never expected Metsudo-san to use it to burn the whole house down. The man is terrifying."
As the two executives wallowed in their concern, a cheerful, high-pitched voice cut into their huddle.
"Want to know the secret? I'll tell you~!"
Nogi and Gen turned to see a lean, white-haired youth leaning against the tier below them. Madarame Baku.
Baku pointed a slender finger toward the far side of the arena.
The group followed his gaze to the "Guest of Honor" sitting with Billy Greco. It was the tall Westerner with the radiant aura and long blonde hair.
Baku didn't bother hiding his smirk. "That man is the Leader of IDEAL. His name is Vincent Lalo. He is a man who loves to play games outside the lines."
Nogi's eyes widened. He understood immediately.
Lalo wanted to consume the Kengan Association. He had likely already secured a shell membership. In a standard "Tournament," Lalo's resources and assassins could systematically pick off the other fighters or manipulate the bracket.
"Lalo threw his first punch," Baku explained. "So Chairman Metsudo decided to catch it. To counter a man who plays 'outside the lines,' the Chairman simply erased the lines."
"By moving the match to the streets, Metsudo has incorporated 'Dirty Tactics' and 'External Interference' into the formal rules. He's turned Lalo's greatest weapon into a part of the game."
Baku tore open a fresh pack of pickled plums. "If you guys want more intel, we can talk pricing later. You don't want a foreigner ruling the Association, do you? Just look at Lalo... he's looking very smug right now."
In the center of the pit, the silence stretched.
The monsters stared at each other, imprinting faces into their memories. The "Undercurrent" was no longer hidden. It was a tangible, twisted pressure that filled the Dome.
Suddenly, Baki Hanma let out a massive, uncoordinated yawn.
"Hooo—hah! Alright, Old Man. I'm out. I have school in the morning."
The Champion gave a casual wave and turned toward the tunnel. "Goodnight, everyone."
Baki's casual departure broke the trance. One by one, the warriors and CEOs began to filter out of the arena.
In the front row, Kureha Shinogi adjusted his medical tape, letting out a long, appreciative sigh. "As expected of Baki Hanma. To be that relaxed in this atmosphere... he truly is the King."
"Ren-kun... look at him. That's the target. I lost to him, and tonight, you—"
Kureha stopped. He turned to the person sitting next to him.
Ren Shiroki was leaning against Fusui Kure's shoulder. His eyes were closed, his breathing a steady, rhythmic pulse. He looked perfectly at peace.
Kureha: "..."
Kureha: "Wait. Is he...?"
Fusui raised a finger to her lips. "Shhh. He's asleep."
Kureha: "..."
Kureha: "...What?! In the middle of this?! Why is he sleeping?!"
The Doctor was genuinely baffled.
"Perhaps because he's tired," a voice answered from behind him.
Kureha turned to see Shigeru Akagi. The Man of the Divine Realm was holding a cigarette that he'd just extinguished, clearly not wanting the smoke to disturb the youth's nap.
Kureha recognized him from the dossiers. The Mahjong legend... another friend of Ren's?
As Kureha processed the social web, Hideki Nogi hurried over, looking frantic. He'd just finished his talk with Baku and wanted to secure Ren's commitment.
He skidded to a halt in front of the sleeping youth.
"..."
Nogi let out a hollow laugh. "Honestly... if I were a fighter, I wouldn't be able to close my eyes for a month after tonight. The city is about to become a slaughterhouse."
Akagi tilted his head. "Why is that?"
"Is it not obvious?" Nogi gestured wildly. "The 'Real Combat' rules mean a total free-for-all! No limits on time or place! You could be ambushed while eating, while sleeping, or on a date! It's the Warring States period all over again!"
"The Kengan fighters are under contract, sure. But if those death-row convicts target me... I wouldn't be able to walk down the street without looking over my shoulder! I couldn't live like that!"
Akagi took a long, thoughtful look at the sleeping Ren.
"Heh... is that so? I suppose that's the 'Normal' way to think."
Nogi rubbed his temples. "Exactly—"
"But does it matter?" Akagi interrupted softly.
"When you're tired, you find a comfortable spot and you sleep. When you want to go home, you go home. Perhaps... that is the simplest form of 'Might.'"
Akagi looked at his hands.
"As long as your fist is hard enough, and as long as you view 'Combat' as your 'Daily Routine,' then life doesn't change. Tonight is just a late evening at the office."
"I suspect Baki-kun and Ren-kun feel the same way."
Akagi let out a rare, melancholy sigh. "I envy them."
"Only people like that—people who can sleep peacefully before a war—can truly say they enjoy the fight."
Akagi paused, his eyes narrowing as he looked toward the far tiers.
"By the way... a group of people has been staring at you all since Ren-kun closed his eyes. Is there a problem?"
"Hmm?"
Nogi followed his gaze. Standing in the shadows was the Kure Clan delegation, led by the Patriarch, Erioh Kure.
They were all staring at Ren Shiroki, who was currently using the Kure Clan's top sniper as a pillow.
Fusui Kure gave them a little wave and a cheeky grin. "Don't worry about it! My brother Raian is too bored to care, and Great-Grandpa actually looks impressed."
"Ren-chin is officially 'Kure-Certified'~!"
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