Chapter 265: Can You Reach It?
"..."
The Kure Clan's "methods" were as efficient as they were brutal. It didn't take
long for the surviving hitmen to break, spilling everything they knew into the
quiet night air.
The infiltration was tied directly to the global crime syndicate—IDEAL.
"The 'Diamond' bastards again?"
The lead youth of the Kure group frowned, turning to Fusui. "Fusui, you were
investigating them earlier. What's the verdict?"
"The leader of IDEAL has officially become a Kengan Association member," Fusui
said, scrolling through her phone. "He showed up on the opening night of the
Street Brawl—the blonde foreigner with the long hair (Vincent Lalo). Our intel
suggests they're likely looking for allies within the Association, probably the
ambitious hawks like the Toyo Electric faction."
"Technically, they aren't breaking any 'rules' yet. It's all within the
framework of the Association. Old Man Metsudo is fully aware of the board."
Fusui ran a quick tactical calculation. "If they want to play by the book, they
have to overcome the 'Fang of Metsudo'. If they want to flip the table, they'll
need a massive army to go head-to-head with the Kengan internal security. For
now, the status quo remains, and we still hold the high ground."
The lead youth nodded, then turned to Ren Shiroki. "Sorry about this, man. We
didn't mean to drag a guest into a family cleanup the second you stepped off the
helicopter."
"Don't worry about it. Taking out trash is good for the soul," Ren replied, his
hands on his hips. "Besides, my Masters have fought alongside comrades plenty of
times. I'm just surprised... I didn't think Kure Village would have this much
'noise.' Doesn't it get annoying?"
The Kure members shared a knowing, jagged smile.
"Just like you enjoy bare-handed combat, Shiroki-san, we don't exactly hate this
line of work. We stayed with the Clan for a reason!"
"True."
Ren's lips pulled back into a grin as the lead youth slung a friendly arm over
his shoulder.
The youth pulled out his phone to call for a cleanup crew. "All this drama is
making me hungry. Come on! Let's get some food and drinks!"
Compared to Hanama Kaoru's heavy "Wild Turkey" whiskey, the local specialty
liquor in Kure Village was light and crisp—exactly the flavor profile Ren
preferred. After several rounds of drinks and a mountain of charcoal-grilled
skewers, the group laughed and bid each other goodnight.
But as they split up, Ren suddenly realized a logistical oversight: Wait, where
am I sleeping tonight?
Fusui offered a serene, slightly ominous smile. "My house is quite spacious,
Ren-chin~!"
Ren Shiroki: "..."
The Next Day.
Ren woke up early. He slid open the shoji doors of the guest room, greeted by
the brilliant summer sun and the lush greenery of a traditional courtyard. The
scent of fresh morning grass filled his lungs.
Fusui hadn't been exaggerating. Her family estate was massive.
As the direct lineage of the 100% "Removal" monster Raian Kure, her branch of
the family enjoyed high status. Their compound was situated directly adjacent to
the Patriarch's mansion. It was a sprawling estate featuring a scenic rock
garden and a large koi pond.
Clack... clack...
The bamboo water-fountain (Shishi-odoshi) provided a rhythmic, peaceful
soundtrack.
"Phew...!"
Ren took a deep breath and stepped onto the grass barefoot, feeling the cool
morning dew. After a quick wash and a hearty breakfast, he draped a traditional
Haori over his shoulders and sat on the porch to enjoy some tea.
Fusui walked past a short distance away, carrying several gift bags and dressed
in casual attire. Being a rare trip home, she had a long list of relatives to
visit. Since the social calls were largely tedious, she had decided to spare Ren
the boredom and go alone.
Once she was gone, the estate fell into a deep silence.
Ren finished his tea and tossed aside his Haori, standing on the lawn in nothing
but his training trousers. He cracked his neck, the sound echoing in the still
air.
Zip!
He fired an empty straight, followed by a high-roundhouse. He touched down,
pivoted, and launched a spinning back-kick. He ended the sequence with a
backward leap and a rapid-fire back-fist.
Zip-zip-zip-zip!
Fists and feet blurred through the air, creating a series of sharp, rhythmic
cracks. His muscles were waking up, a thin layer of sweat beginning to sheen on
his skin. It felt magnificent.
The ink-wash lines swirled. A powerful, weathered silhouette coalesced in the
center of the yard. The phantom of Ryu stood with arms crossed, silently
observing his student.
[This place is well-suited for cultivation. It is quiet. It allows the heart to
settle.]
Ryu sat cross-legged on the lawn, closing his eyes in meditation. In Ren's mind,
the ink lines even began to outline falling cherry blossoms drifting around the
phantom. The aura was that of a Grandmaster in his element.
Compared to Ryu's absolute stillness, Ren was a storm of motion. He cycled
through his growing repertoire, firing off move after move with frantic
intensity.
[STRIKE AT THE APEX]!
BOOM!!
Man, I'm getting good at triggering that, Ren thought.
The [ENGINE] that purged the unconscious; the [STRIKE AT THE APEX] that
ignited 36 trillion cells; the [PARKOUR] that conquered any terrain; the [SATSUI
CHOICE] that turned killing intent into data; and the [FRAME PUNISH] that
exploited the lag of the soul...
It's strange, Ren mused. When did I start being able to understand all of this?
The answer is always the same: before, during, and after the battle.
Through the study of a thousand techniques, through endless drills, and through
the fire of duels with true monsters, Ren was beginning to carve out his own
definition of "Strength."
Can I reach it? Can the road I'm walking truly lead to the Peak?
Actually... I don't care.
Ryu's foundation, Zangief's mass, Jamie's flow, Guile's discipline, Luke's
aggression, Rashid's wind, Sagat's ferocity, Cammy's lethality...
The chance to encounter these legends—whether as masters, friends, or rivals—was
the only reward he needed.
"I wonder what kind of scenery is waiting for me at the next turn?"
"I can't wait to find out—"
Zip-zip-zip!
A flurry of high-speed strikes sent droplets of sweat flying across the lawn
like diamonds.
[...]
The display caused Ryu to open his eyes slightly.
[Martial arts change with the man. They are as fluid as the soul.]
[Perhaps, one day, you will fuse everything you have consumed into a singular,
cohesive system. A martial art that belongs only to you.]
Ryu offered a faint, proud smile. [Surprise me when that day comes. Though, to
be fair... you're already doing a pretty good job of that.]
ZIP!
Ren unleashed a heavy punch, then drove off his calves, his silhouette
flickering like a ghost as he lunged across the yard.
[DRIVE RUSH]!
WHOOSH!
Ren glided across the grass, coming to a halt at the edge of the porch. He took
a deep breath and paused his training.
"Phew—"
He grabbed a towel from the railing to wipe himself down. He looked up to see
four people standing at the compound gate—the same Kure cousins he had been
drinking with the night before.
They had been passing by and were drawn in by the sound of the air being torn
apart. They watched in fascinated silence until he finished.
"That's insane power," one of the youths noted, his eyes eager. "Is this the
'Front Line' of the Kengan matches?"
He looked ready to jump the fence. "Need a partner? We're all on holiday. We
were just going to wander the town."
"Nice. That's perfect!"
Ren stepped inside to grab his business cards, handing them out to the group.
"Have you guys heard of the Soul Combat Hub?"
As the cousins tucked the cards away, promising to visit Tokyo, they prepared to
step onto the lawn to spar. But they were stopped by a sharp voice from the
driveway.
"Don't go bothering the guest first thing in the morning! Grandpa will have your
heads!"
The newcomer was a powerfully built young man with short hair—Reiichi Kure.
He was a prominent member of the Kure combat units with a 50% Release rate.
Known as "The Freak" (or the Diamond Demon), his strength was undisputed within
the Clan.
"You lot specialize in weapons and assassination," Reiichi said, waving them
off. "You aren't suited to be Ren-kun's training partners. You'd just be making
work for him. Move along."
Being fellow Kure, they understood the hierarchy. They realized Reiichi had
business with Ren and didn't linger, offering their goodbyes and heading toward
the commercial district.
Reiichi put his hands on his hips, studying Ren.
He couldn't help himself. He and Ren ended up trading a few sets of slow-motion
technical drills. Only after breaking a light sweat did Reiichi shift to
business.
"The other branches are still looking into IDEAL," Reiichi reported. "The small
fry don't matter, but word is IDEAL is gathering some serious heavy hitters. Men
like Bai Long (The Master of Slaughter) and the bodyguard Kyung-ho."
"They've been spotted crossing the borders recently. Their destination is almost
certainly Tokyo."
Ren nodded, internalizing the names. Reiichi noticed the wide, exhilarated grin
on Ren's face and let out a weary sigh.
"I guess the 'Synchronicity' isn't just drawing in convicts and criminals,"
Reiichi mused. "The world's martial artists are starting to get restless too..."
Ren bared his teeth. "That's exactly how it should be!"
Reiichi arched an eyebrow. "Then you came at the right time. Kure Village is
going to be especially lively this year. We have quite a few 'External Guests'
arriving for the festival."
Ren took a quick shower and changed. Reiichi offered to give him a proper tour
of the town. Just as they were heading for the gate—BOOM!
The front door was kicked off its track with a thunderous bang.
"KUKAKAKA! BROTHER! WE MEET AGAIN SO SOON!"
Ren and Reiichi turned. As expected, it was the "Devil" himself—Raian Kure.
Reiichi looked surprised. "I thought you were at the Martial Arts Lecture?"
Raian waved his hand dismissively. "That bearded old man with the eyebrows was
talking sappy bullshit about 'Honor' and 'Duty.' It was so annoying I almost
butchered him on the spot! I had to leave before I got bored."
Reiichi massaged his temples. "I told Grandpa that guy shouldn't provoke you. He
never listens..."
Raian's eyes—black sclera and glowing pupils—shifted to Ren. He grinned, his
eyelids curling up in a look of pure, manic joy.
Zip!
He lunged without warning. A rapid-fire straight whistled toward Ren's face,
which Ren caught on his crossed forearms. The moment the punch retracted, Ren
spotted the opening and fired a right hook at Raian's ribs. Raian performed a
fluid lateral slip, the fist missing him by a hair.
In a heartbeat, they had traded a high-level exchange that made Reiichi let out
a low whistle of appreciation.
"Haha! This is way more fun!"
Raian slung a massive arm over Ren's shoulder, dragging him toward the street.
He waved a dismissive hand at Reiichi. "I'm borrowing this guy! Going to show
him the sights!"
Ren gave Reiichi a thumb-up and a wave as he was hauled away. "Nice. That's
perfect!"
Reiichi stood alone in the courtyard, rubbing his chin. "Grandpa said we have
too many guests and we shouldn't be starting brawls in the street... those two
aren't going to listen, are they?"
He paused for a long second.
"Whatever. I'll just pretend I didn't see anything—"
(End of Chapter)
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