Chapter 385: The Centennial Promise
First, there was Baki Hanma, who neutralized the Yin and Yang poisons within his
own veins and consumed fourteen kilograms of sugar-water to trigger a biological
[SUPER RECOVERY].
Then, there was the pinnacle of the fist, Kaku Kaioh, who utilized the ultimate
form of self-preservation, using "Death" itself to halt the unstoppable fist of
Yujiro Hanma.
These feats served as absolute proof of the human body's miraculous potential.
So, within that context, the fact that Ren Shiroki had "visualized himself into
a coma" while watching the match wasn't actually that strange. In the world of
high-level combatants, it was perfectly logical.
...Mostly.
Arisa kicked a rag across the floor, grumbling as she wiped up the puddles.
The group settled back down around the paralyzed Ren, holding the phone steady
to continue the video call with Kaku Kaioh. They noticed the background behind
the old man was shifting; he was clearly on the move.
"Master," Retsu asked, his voice full of curiosity. "Where are you going?"
"To see him, of course!" Kaku Kaioh chuckled.
Soon, he emerged from a brightly lit tunnel into a vast, open space. Even
through the small screen, the group could see the carnage left behind—the stone
walls and floor were a map of spiderweb cracks.
"—The Centennial Arena?" Retsu realized.
The stadium, which had been a cauldron of noise just hours ago, was now silent.
The spectators had long since departed. Only a few dim floodlights remained
active, casting long, eerie shadows across the sunken fighting pit. The craters
and jagged fissures stood as silent monuments to the war that had transpired.
Kaku Kaioh—one of the two architects of that destruction—walked with a slow,
serene pace across the sand.
Waiting for him in the center of the ring was the other architect: Yujiro Hanma.
The group in the Hub watched the screen intently. Yujiro had changed into a
garish Hawaiian shirt but kept his signature loose black trousers and cloth
shoes. He stood in silence, hands in his pockets, staring at the marks of the
battle with a deep, pensive expression.
Curiously, Yujiro was holding a chilled glass bottle of Coca-Cola. Condensation
frosted the glass, catching the dim light.
Despite the gravity of the situation, Arisa couldn't help but whisper, "The
Ogre... drinks Coke?"
Yujiro "hmphed" as he sensed Kaku's approach. He lifted the bottle. With a
casual flick of his thumb against his middle finger, he snapped a "brain-flick"
at the top of the glass.
Squelch!
The neck of the bottle was decapitated instantly. The cut was so clean and
precise it rivaled Doppo Orochi's bottle-shave.
Gulp... Gulp... Gulp...
Yujiro tilted his head back, draining the soda in one go. "You're something
else, 'Sea Emperor.' You old bastard!"
The mixture of praise and insult was the trademark Hanma style.
"Ho ho..." Kaku Kaioh laughed, tucking the phone into his breast pocket so the
camera faced forward. He wanted his disciple and the Hub crew to witness this.
"A magnificent bout," Kaku mused, walking toward the Ogre. "Both sides with
absolute resolve... both sides giving their everything. Wouldn't you agree, Sea
Emperor Hanma?"
The title made everyone in the Hub—and even Yujiro himself—freeze.
Kaku remained perfectly calm. "The tournament to decide the 'Sea Emperor' hasn't
happened yet, but a title is just a word. It cannot contain the reality of what
happened here today."
"A title is born because a man exists to fill it. Not the other way around."
Kaku looked Yujiro in the eye. "I, Kaku Kaioh, acknowledge you. You may hold
your head high and claim the name of 'Sea Emperor Hanma.' No one on this earth
will dare to object."
"Actually..." Kaku added with a smirk. "No one would have dared to object in the
first place."
Yujiro's expression remained flat. He didn't show the mockery he had displayed
earlier for Kenpo, nor did he show any greed for the title. He simply stated a
fact—a fact according to the logic of Yujiro Hanma.
"In this world, among those who bet their lives on the fist... there is only one
man allowed to call himself the Sea Emperor."
"Even if I beat you—even if I kill Kaku Kaioh—no one would ever truly accept me
as the Sea Emperor. That title belongs to the Master of the Principle."
Kaku Kaioh tilted his head, a mischievous grin appearing on his wrinkled face.
"But you didn't beat me, did you? Ho ho!"
Yujiro didn't argue. He let out a faint, rare smile. "Heh. You really are a
stubborn old fossil."
He turned to leave. "I'll take the sentiment, though."
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Yujiro began his exit. Just as he was about to disappear into the tunnel, Kaku
called out.
"Monster!"
Yujiro paused, half-turning.
Kaku's face was a mask of pure delight. "One hundred years from now... let's
have our rematch!"
"..."
Yujiro didn't speak. His mouth curled upward into a genuine, terrifyingly sharp
smile. It was clear the [STRONGEST CREATURE ON EARTH] loved the idea.
He turned back and vanished into the darkness. The ripple of the muscles in his
back was visible even through his shirt. He raised his right hand, four fingers
pressed together, and gave a casual horizontal flick—somewhere between a salute
and a final goodbye.
Watching him go, a look of longing crossed Kaku's face.
"I'd like to be called that just once," the old man whispered. "The Strongest
Creature on Earth."
The Great Centennial Arena had seen many legends, but this night was different.
The official tournament hadn't even begun, yet it had already hosted the
absolute apex of human combat. The fight had no winner and no loser.
But every witness—from the stands in China to the living room in Tokyo—felt a
sense of profound fulfillment. Their hearts were full.
After the broadcast ended, the group in the Hub began to disperse.
Arisa was the designated "Chief of Cleanup" for the week. She barked orders at
Marco, directing him to help her restore the living room to order. Since the
battle had been so intense, no one had actually touched the snacks or tea; the
room was mostly clean.
The only "mess" was Ren Shiroki. He was still paralyzed on the floor.
Arisa: "..."
She pointed at her brother. "Marco! Pick up the trash and put it on the couch!"
Marco complied, hoisting Ren's dead weight and plopping him onto the cushions.
Arisa then proceeded to mop the floor around him, scrubbing away the puddles of
"Willpower Sweat."
Ren felt a bit guilty and tried to wiggle an arm to help. But he was still
leaking sweat, leaving a fresh trail every time he moved. This sent Arisa into a
"Red-Line" of irritation. She told Marco to just throw him in the shower.
Ren: "..."
The "hospitality" was aggressive, but the hot shower felt amazing. After washing
up and changing into fresh clothes, Ren stumbled back to the living room and
collapsed onto the sofa with a long, happy groan.
"Mmm... that hit the spot!"
Ren stretched, reflecting on the match and his own mental training. He felt
refreshed, his soul satisfied in a way words couldn't describe.
Arisa, still mopping nearby, shot him a look of pure exasperation. Ren just
squinted and gave her his best grin. "Nice. That's perfect!"
Suddenly, Fusui Kure poked her head over the back of the sofa. She leaned her
weight against the cushions, her black-and-white eyes shimmering with a playful,
dangerous light.
She mimicked his expression, squinting her eyes. "Nice. That's perfect!"
Ren: "..."
Ren: "Wait. I don't like that look."
He tried to stand up, but a hand clamped around his neck.
[REMOVAL: 28%]
The veins around Fusui's eyes bulged. Her grip turned to iron as she grabbed Ren
by the collar and began to drag him off the sofa.
"You've had your fun watching the old men," she whispered. "Now it's time for my
'Daily Routine'."
The two of them vanished from the living room, heading upstairs.
[The Next Day — Morning]
Ren Shiroki woke up at his usual time. He threw on his compression gear,
finished a warm-up in the courtyard, and headed out for his morning cardio.
He chose a new route today. A twenty-five-kilometer loop that headed straight
toward a specific private boxing gym.
His Kengan match against [THE ROARING SPIRIT] Saw Paing Yoroizuka was looming.
Ren had a sudden "Technical Itch" to visit an old friend—the man who was both
Saw Paing's best friend and his self-declared eternal rival.
[THE GOD OF WAR] Gaolang Wongsawat.
☆☆☆
-> 30 Advanced chapters Now Available on Patreon!!
-> https://www.pat-reon.co-m/c/Hollowborn
(Just remove the hyphen (-) to access patreon normally)
If you like this novel please consider leaving a review that's help the story a lot Thank you