"What did you do? How did you get Sol involved?"
In the hallway, the homeroom teacher whispered to Baki, his eyes flicking toward Sol, who stood calmly beside him.
Sol's eyes were slightly red from a yawn, a few tears lingering at the corners. To the teacher, this transfer student, only half a month at Tokyo Den High, had always seemed obedient and diligent.
Baki, in contrast, was notorious for troublemaking. The teacher couldn't understand how these two ended up together.
Seeing Sol's weary expression, the teacher felt a pang of worry. Had Baki been bullying him? Despite Baki's own injuries, the teacher realized he had no idea who had provoked whom.
"Nothing much," Baki replied casually, hands in pockets.
"Do you know who's coming?" the teacher asked, realizing a serious conversation was inevitable after today.
"Sort of," Baki shrugged.
Inside the principal's office, the bald principal nervously wiped sweat from his forehead as he faced a short, elderly man.
"I've been a principal for decades," he stammered, "but I never expected today… I never imagined our school would be graced by Elder Tokugawa himself."
When Sol and Baki entered, Mitsunari Tokugawa, seated confidently on a sofa, broke into a warm smile.
"Hello, Champion," Tokugawa greeted Baki.
"What are you trying to get at?" Baki asked bluntly.
"Old man!" the principal and homeroom teacher gasped, faces pale.
Tokugawa remained unfazed, slowly opening a fan bearing the Tokugawa crest. "Don't be so serious." He gestured to the principal, his tone unquestionable. "Please excuse us."
Once the extraneous adults left, Tokugawa's gaze turned toward Sol, who had remained quietly by Baki's side. There was curiosity in his eyes.
"Baki, this is…"
"He's Sol, my friend, and a strong fighter. These are his marks," Baki said, pointing to his own injuries with a grin.
Tokugawa's eyes lit up. The fan snapped shut with a sharp "crack," and he leaned in, scrutinizing Sol.
Though Sol appeared unassuming, his calm, unwavering gaze sent a ripple of instinctive caution through Tokugawa.
"Oh? A young man who can defeat Baki?" Tokugawa murmured, pacing around him. "He can injure Baki yet remain unscathed… remarkable."
Sol rubbed his eyes, a hint of fatigue in his voice. "It was just sparring, a friendly exchange, not a life-or-death fight."
Baki interjected, excitement shining in his eyes. "Don't underestimate him. This guy is a monster."
Tokugawa's expression softened, leaning closer with a kind smile. "Sol, are you interested in participating in the Underground Arena? It's a place for strong fighters, and it's invaluable for growth."
Sol's pulse quickened. The Underground Arena offered the perfect environment to push his limits and encounter powerful opponents.
"Sounds good," Sol replied.
"Excellent!" Tokugawa clapped, then his tone turned serious. "Tokyo hasn't been peaceful lately. Five unrelated death row inmates have escaped simultaneously, all heading here."
"They came to Tokyo just to be defeated?" Baki said casually.
"Each of them is deadly," Tokugawa said gravely. "They've killed more than ten people each in prison. They don't need weapons—they are martial artists. And they're all coming for you, Baki."
A spark of excitement flashed in Sol's eyes. He exchanged a glance with Baki.
"It's a full-scale war between the black and white martial worlds," Tokugawa concluded.
On the streets, screens flashed urgent news:
"Death row inmate Spike escaped from a submarine after killing five security guards along the coastline."
"Five unrelated death row inmates have simultaneously targeted Tokyo—an unprecedented situation."
"The Police Headquarters and FBI have launched a joint operation to respond."
In Detention Room 1, Spike lounged on the iron bed, arms behind his head, a smug grin on his face. "Mmm, comfortable," he murmured. "Surrendering wasn't so bad. I'll temporarily use this as my base."
Meanwhile, in the second meeting room of the Tokyo Police Department, veteran detectives sat tensely around a table. The projector displayed Spike's file.
"Past data is useless; he's unlike anything we've faced," Superintendent Matsumoto said, voice grim. "From now on, treat him not as a human but as a monster. A monster with a brain."
Silence filled the room, the hum of the air conditioner the only sound.
"We stake the credibility of the Police Headquarters on this. Even if it costs our lives, we must apprehend him. Triple surveillance, highest transport security!" Matsumoto concluded, closing the thick file.
On the projection screen, Spike's grin widened, mocking the helplessness of those who tried to contain him.
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