Chapter 264: The Unavoidable Slow-Strike
Ren Shiroki and Fusui Kure, dragging their respective suitcases, followed the
Kure Clan group—three men and one woman. These four were older than Fusui, part
of her cousins' generation. They seemed to have a good relationship, though it
was clear they hadn't seen each other in a long time.
Hearing that there was a mission, Fusui was curious. "It's been a while since
anyone was bold enough to knock on our door. Who's the target?"
"No solid leads on the mastermind yet," the lead youth replied with a helpless
wave. "Ever since the Kengan Annihilation Street Brawl kicked off, all sorts of
factions have been getting restless. Plenty of them have their eyes on the Kure
Clan."
"Or maybe," he added, "some idiots just want to make a quick buck while the
city's in chaos."
As they spoke, the group rounded a street corner and ran into two elderly women
out for an evening stroll. As a prominent local family in the "surface world,"
the Kure Clan held high prestige, so the two women naturally greeted them.
"Thank you for your hard work on the night patrol."
The group nodded politely in return, offering their thanks.
Just then, a young police officer passed by on a bicycle, greeting them with a
friendly smile.
"Ah, everyone from the Kure family! Thank you so much for helping with the
patrol tonight. You're doing a great job!"
The group turned to look.
The lead youth introduced him to Ren and Fusui. "This kid is a rookie from the
station in front of the city office. He was transferred here recently."
After a few pleasantries, the young officer pedaled away.
However, a slightly awkward situation developed. Despite having said their
goodbyes, the group ended up walking the same path as the officer. Even after
turning two more corners, they were still right behind him.
By the time they reached a third, secluded alleyway, both the rookie officer and
the pair of Ren and Fusui had realized the reality of the situation.
This young officer was the target to be cleared.
"Everyone, I'm home," the young officer said, pointing to a small house by the
street. His voice took on a hollow, ominous tone. "Are you planning to—"
Pfft!
The lead youth drew a handgun equipped with a suppressor. A single headshot rang
out, giving the rookie no chance to finish his sentence.
Thud—
The young man fell backward, blood pooling beneath his head as his body let out
a final, violent tremor.
The lead youth turned back to Ren, offering a weary explanation. "This guy was
using local thugs to run a narcotics distribution ring under the guise of his
badge."
Ren nodded in understanding.
The blonde youth beside them sighed. "You moved too fast. We should have
interrogated him for intel first."
"Sorry, the opening was just too good. I couldn't help myself." The lead youth
shrugged, gesturing toward the small house where the officer lived. "But it
doesn't matter. There are plenty of others 'available' inside..."
The moment he said that, the atmosphere surrounding the two-story building grew
heavy. It felt as though dozens of eyes were peering through the darkness,
watching the street.
"Anyone home? Routine inspection!" the lead youth called out. Receiving no
response, he vaulted over the courtyard wall. He pushed the front door open just
an inch, then slid a tactical knife through the gap.
Snap—
A thin wire hidden in the doorframe was severed—likely a trap linked to an
explosive.
After checking the door and confirming there were no other hidden mechanisms,
the youth kicked the door open with a loud BANG and beckoned his companions to
follow.
Looking up, they saw a blonde, blue-eyed man at the top of the stairs, clutching
a tactical blade and already settled into a combat stance.
"Foreign criminals are so ill-mannered. Who sets up a base in someone else's
hometown?" The lead youth rolled up his sleeves and signaled to his team. "Based
on the footsteps, it looks like we're outnumbered three-to-one. Watch out for
tripwires inside."
"Understood!"
The other three cousins stepped forward, their [REMOVAL] states activating as
they followed their leader up the stairs.
Before long, the sounds of a violent struggle echoed from within the house.
Downstairs, Ren Shiroki and Fusui Kure waited patiently. These were Kure
experts; interfering would be an insult to their profession. It was better to
enjoy the night breeze and look forward to the local delicacies they'd have for
dinner later.
From the second floor, muffled thud-thud-thud sounds drifted down—the rhythmic
music of close-quarters combat. It was clear that both sides were forgoing
firearms in the cramped quarters, relying on their fists and feet.
To a fighter, these sounds were invigorating. They made the body feel alive.
Ren stood in the courtyard, staring at the house and reflecting on his recent
loss to Doppo Orochi in the obstacle course. He had been the faster runner, yet
he hadn't been able to hit the button in time, allowing the Bushin to snatch the
victory.
"The appropriate move, at the appropriate time—"
The moonlight was perfect.
Swirling ink-wash lines began to dance around him, coalescing into a powerful,
vigorous silhouette. A long, red headband fluttered in the wind. The figure's
gaze was both intense and serene.
For once, Ryu had come out to enjoy the moon.
[It seems you are growing one step at a time,] the pure seeker of the martial
way mused. He recalled the scene of Ren crashing into the billboard while Doppo
calmly pressed the buzzer, and he gave a knowing smile.
[You excel at things I am... unrefined in.]
[Smartphones, entertainment, choosing the right clothes—the modern world.]
[In my travels, I have lived in many countries for long periods. I learned their
languages well enough to get by. But no matter where I went, the first phrases I
always mastered were: "Let us spar," and "Where can I find food?"]
[Finding the logic of strength within daily recreation... you are truly
remarkable.]
Ryu tightened his right fist, holding it out toward Ren.
[You are able to synthesize these ideas quickly because of the fundamental
basics you've built through other styles.]
[But whether they hold up in a real battle... that you must test for yourself.
Continue your diligent practice. I, too, shall strive to improve every day!]
Ren nodded, standing firm on the grass. Ryu's words were always "quiet,"
bringing a sense of calm to his soul.
In contrast, the noise from the house was getting louder. The hidden criminals
were no match for the Kure Clan, but due to their numbers, three of them managed
to scramble down the back stairs and burst into the yard.
To escape, they had to go through Ren.
The three hitmen looked at each other, then at the girl standing beside
Ren—Fusui Kure, with her terrifying black-and-white eyes.
However, Fusui simply pulled Ren's suitcase to the side and retreated a few
paces. She had no intention of interfering. Instead, she offered a cheeky grin.
"I'd suggest you turn around and take the beating from the guys upstairs. It'll
be less painful."
The three hitmen weren't listening. Turning back meant certain capture. Since
the Kure girl wasn't moving, they figured their best odds were to break through
the "tourist."
Having made up their minds, the three drew their daggers and lunged at Ren
Shiroki simultaneously.
Seeing this, Ryu's phantom crossed his arms, his voice dropping into a deep,
instructional tone:
[When I was young, I often looked down on opponents who appeared weak or elderly
during a spar.]
[In those moments, I always suffered crushing defeats. I realized then how
immature I was. I reflected deeply on my arrogance.]
[Since then, no matter who the opponent is, I give my absolute everything. That
is my way. You must take this to heart as well. Never be careless, regardless of
the enemy's appearance—]
Ryu's phantom suddenly smiled. [Besides, every battle is a treasure. A perfect
chance to sharpen your soul.]
Ren lifted his gaze. He felt as if he were submerged in a sea of ink-wash lines.
His state was peak. Facing the three aggressive hitmen, Ren drove his right foot
into the ground and lunged.
WHOOSH!
[DRIVE IMPACT: SHOCKWAVE]!
A single straight punch buried itself into the first man's abdomen. The hitman
fell to his knees, clutching his gut as he retched a mixture of red and white
foam.
The second man closed in, swinging his blade. Ren performed a half-step lateral
slide and delivered a lightning-fast lead kick.
[RYU'S HIGH FOOT-BLADE KICK]!
BANG!
The man was launched like a cannonball. He slammed into the courtyard wall, his
head embedding itself in the masonry amidst a spiderweb of cracks.
Only one hitman remained. He stood frozen, paralyzed by the sheer violence he
had just witnessed. He was trapped between a lethal retreat and a suicidal
advance.
"The appropriate move..."
Ren strolled forward casually. He stopped inches from the last man's face, their
breaths mingling in the cool air.
Suddenly, Ren pursed his lips and frowned, mimicking the intense, predatory
expression of Doppo Orochi. A sharp, guttural roar erupted from his throat.
"HYAH—!"
The hitman flinched in terror. Ren immediately drove a knee forward.
[SAGAT'S TIGER KNEE]!
This was the foundational knee strike of Muay Thai, a move with infinite
follow-up variations. It was the perfect tool for Ren to explore his new focus:
"Appropriate Timing."
The knee stopped an inch before impact.
Ren's eyes glinted with focus. He watched the hitman's reaction frames. The man
was paralyzed, unable to move a muscle.
Ren had planned for this.
Zip!
Ren snapped his leg upward. He stood on one foot, the other shin hovering
lightly beside the hitman's ear.
"If you don't move... I use [TIGER RAID], a high-level scan-kick to the temple."
The motion shifted instantly.
Whoosh—
Ren twisted his hips and core. His raised right leg swept forward with heavy,
razor-sharp momentum, whistling past the man's torso.
"If you drop into a crouch... I use [TIGER AMBUSH], a downward axe-strike from
above."
"But if you just stand there and block—"
Ren's knee drove forward again, stopping right in front of the man's chest. It
was a "Slow-Motion" strike that was physically impossible to evade.
Zip!
"I use [TIGER NOVA]. A secondary knee thrust. Even if you block the first, my
recovery speed is faster than yours. I'll break you anyway."
"Tell me... does this feel like the 'Appropriate' way to hit you?"
"..."
Ryu's phantom closed his eyes in meditation. [Hm. I feel like there's a man who
loves to laugh who is quite the specialist in 'Timing'. I wonder if my intuition
is correct—]
If even a Master like Ryu couldn't give a definitive answer, the hitman
certainly couldn't. He had been completely broken by Ren's "Triple-Lethal
Choice." A warm fluid began to soak through his trousers as he collapsed into a
heap on the ground.
At that moment, the Kure cousins emerged from the house. They had finished the
cleanup and had been watching Ren's "training session" for the last few moments.
"Incredible," the lead youth noted, a bead of cold sweat on his brow. "I'm glad
you're on our side, Ren-kun."
He patted Ren on the shoulder. "Thanks for the help. Dinner is definitely on me
tonight!"
With that, he and the others moved in to surround the only "intact" survivor,
beginning a professional interrogation.
"I won't tell you a damn thing—AAAAAAAGH!!"
The defiance lasted half a second. The rest was nothing but screams.
(End of Chapter)
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