Chapter 191: Magnificent!
On the ring, a new round of boxing offense and defense began.
But unlike the previous exchange—where the rapid flurries were almost impossible
to follow—this round saw Ren Shiroki and Retsu Kaioh instinctively transition
into "fundamental" striking.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Under the strictures of boxing rules, Retsu was utilizing the core principles of
Kenpo, while Ren tapped into a wider array of Soul Combat techniques to keep
pace.
As the boxing fans in the audience watched intently, they began to notice
something subtle. Within the movements of these two "amateurs," they saw
familiar "shadows."
Straights, jabs, hooks, uppercuts...
The way Ren and Retsu swung their fists began to align perfectly with the
"Logic" of boxing. In other words, every strike they threw adhered to the
fundamental principles of the sport!
"This..."
Rama XIII paused, finding it difficult to offer an evaluation.
He had watched countless matches involving his "Sword," Gaolang Wongsawat. He
wanted to say he had never seen anything like the boxing being displayed by Ren
and Retsu, but the words caught in his throat.
Was it not boxing?
Sure, both men had technically violated minor rules, and they had literally
pulverized their right-hand gloves.
But if one were to rewind time back to 1865—when the Marquess of Queensberry
Rules were first drafted...
Back then, the rules hadn't been fully refined. By the standards of the sport's
birth, what Ren and Retsu were doing was, without question, the purest form of
Boxing!
Rama had a bizarre, surreal thought: If the Marquess had witnessed this
"exhibition" back then, boxing might have evolved into a completely different,
multi-faceted combat sport!
As Rama's excitement grew, a familiar voice drifted from behind him.
"Their styles are different, but they are both magnificent warriors."
The one speaking was the "God of War," Gaolang Wongsawat. He stood behind Rama,
already donned in his boxing gloves and wearing his pre-match silk robe.
Rama turned to look at his old friend. "Finished your warm-up?"
"I have."
Gaolang maintained his signature impassive expression, but a sharp glint
flickered in his eyes.
"Ren Shiroki and Retsu Kaioh... they are fighting with incredible spontaneity.
Their movements have touched the very essence of striking."
"At its core, boxing is the ultimate refinement of offense and defense at the
'striking' level. That is exactly what I saw in the sport when I transitioned
from Muay Thai. I kept my Muay Thai foundation while continuously refining it
through the lens of boxing."
Rama understood perfectly. He leaned his chin on his hand and smiled. "Indeed. I
look forward to seeing your 'Real Battle' performance."
Gaolang nodded in acknowledgment.
"By the way..." Rama looked back at the ring. "Since you've finished your
warm-up, it means you believe this exhibition is nearing its end, correct?"
"Precisely," Gaolang replied in a low voice. "While they cannot settle a 'Real
Battle' victory here, under 'One-Round Boxing' rules, the end is near. What
decides the outcome now is the accumulation of their experience and their raw
combat instincts."
Ren Shiroki's right straight whistled through the air, missing its mark. He
retracted his body instantly, twisting his waist to fire a following right hook.
POW!
The powerful strike was suppressed by Retsu's bare right fist. Retsu's left
glove then fired out like a piston, aiming straight for Ren's face. Ren,
however, suddenly ducked his head, taking the heavy blow directly on the hardest
part of his forehead.
THUD!!
Ren's neck didn't budge. He leaned his body back slightly to shed the momentum,
neutralizing Retsu's power. He couldn't suppress the grin spreading across his
face.
This is it! The fists of the Fist Master, Retsu Kaioh!
Even under boxing rules, even with unfamiliar gear, Retsu's strikes were
devastating. One lapse in concentration would lead to an instant collapse!
How do I handle this level of striking?
Ren's consciousness went into overdrive. [ENGINE] was at maximum output. His
pupils vibrated violently, and blood trickled from where the glove had grazed
his nose.
Should I evade? Defend?
No... I swing!
[LUKE'S DOUBLE IMPACT]!
Ren stepped forward a half-pace, standing almost chest-to-chest with Retsu. He
unleashed a pair of tight, internal hooks. Two heavy thuds echoed.
Retsu kept his right arm tucked, blocking Ren's bare right fist. Simultaneously,
he tilted his shoulder, using his massive deltoid to deflect Ren's other strike.
His left glove then shot out, pressing firmly against Ren's chest.
ZERO-INCH PUNCH!
Retsu prepared to unleash his Inch-Power to send Ren flying again, but this
time, Ren was ready. He drove his feet into the canvas and leaped backward,
bleeding off the kinetic energy by moving in the same direction as Retsu's
force.
His Parkour adaptability was working at 100%!
Zip!
Ren performed a backward roll and sprang to his feet. His eyes were shining with
pure joy.
"Again!"
Ren spat out the blood in his mouth, his excitement impossible to contain.
"I want to see more masters! I want to experience the 'Strength' you all believe
in! Maybe then I'll find my answer... but even if I don't, I don't care!"
"At least I 'asked' the question!"
Ren bounced on the balls of his feet, his weight shifting rhythmically as he
lunged back into the fray.
Fist against glove, bare knuckle against leather—the exchange was a chaotic
symphony of impacts.
Bang-bang-bang-bang!
It was clear to everyone that there wasn't a hint of malice on either of their
faces. All that remained was the pure, unadulterated happiness of a high-level
game.
How will he move? What should I do? What's the next play?
Hooks, side-steps, lunges, weaving, overhands...
Infinite ways to swing a fist flashed through their minds, selected in an
instant, and executed with lethal precision. This level of fun made many of the
experts in the audience itch to join in, but for now, it was a world shared only
by Ren and Retsu.
CLACK!
Their left gloves collided mid-air, forcing both men to shout in unison—
"MAGNIFICENT!"
Pow! Bang!
The exchange grew more refined, the angles of their strikes becoming
increasingly subtle and deadly as they poured their entire understanding of the
martial arts into every motion.
Finally, at the very end...
A lifetime of Kenpo experience and a raw, soul-deep combat instinct led both Ren
and Retsu to make the exact same choice for their final move—
A SIDE KICK!
SLAP!
Their shins collided with a sharp crack. Both men were forced back two or three
steps, their breathing heavy as they reset.
"..."
DING! DING! DING!
The ringside bell chimed, signaling the end of the "One-Round" match.
Ren and Retsu paused, then walked toward each other. They gripped their bare
right hands in a firm, mutual handshake. Both wore expressions of total
satisfaction.
"Nice. That was incredible!"
Ren used his teeth to pull off his remaining left glove. He signaled to Arisa,
who tossed him a Soul Combat Hub business card from the stands. He handed it to
Retsu. "Stop by my place sometime. I'd love to have you."
Retsu tucked the card away and replied in a deep, smiling voice, "I would be
honored."
Ren rolled his shoulders, wiping blood from his lip. "Man, I really didn't want
to fight the 'God of War' right after this. That would be almost too much of a
luxury."
Retsu nodded in agreement. "I have gained much from this exchange. I need time
to reflect on it properly."
They shared a look, realizing it didn't matter which of them went on to face
Gaolang next. Neither would be bitter. After all, fighting two world-class
masters in one night was indeed a "luxury."
Ren and Retsu turned to Sayaka Katahara, waiting for her to announce the winner
of the round.
"Um..."
Sayaka looked a bit awkward. She raised her hand slightly and whispered into the
mic: "The result is... both of you are disqualified."
Ren: "..." Retsu: "..." Both: "...Huh?"
Sayaka braced herself and explained, "You both just kicked. Even under our
'loose' boxing rules, we can't exactly let that slide. So... you're both out."
The realization hit them both instantly. Neither was the type to argue over
technicalities, especially after such a satisfying spar. Though the result was
anticlimactic, they accepted it with a wry smile.
"..."
Ren put his hands on his hips. "So, if Retsu-san and I are both disqualified...
that means the next challenger in line is..."
Sayaka turned her gaze toward the floor.
"The Faceless Man" Chiba Takayuki was still unconscious, which left only one
person.
"Ahem!"
Sayaka cleared her throat. "In accordance with the tournament rules, the winner
of the challenger's bracket and the man who will face the God of War is—Ichiro
Nakata!"
Lihito: "..." Lihito: "..." Lihito: "...Me?!"
Amidst the shock, he completely forgot to complain about her using his real
name.
(End of Chapter)
☆☆☆
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