Early in the morning at the Shinshinkai dojo, sweat dripped steadily onto the wooden floor, forming small puddles.
Retsu Kaioh completed his stance, white mist rising from his body, every muscle glistening with exertion. He closed his eyes, regulating his breath, circulating his energy through his hands. Then, with a sudden explosive motion, he threw a crushing punch, sending sweat scattering across the dojo.
After the strike, he slowly withdrew, turning to the sandbag behind him. Gently placing his palm on it, he closed his eyes, channeling energy once more.
Ugh!
His pupils trembled. Something inside wasn't sand. Stepping back, he swung his shoulder and delivered a precise hand chop.
Thud.
The bag split open, revealing a mass of cotton—and Kato Kiyosumi, unconscious and battered.
"Ka… Kato!" Retsu Kaioh rushed forward, lifting him carefully. Kato was bruised from head to toe, barely breathing. The most concerning injury was a deep ligature mark on his neck. It hadn't hit the main artery, clearly signaling the attacker hadn't intended to kill.
"Call an ambulance!" Retsu Kaioh shouted, quickly assessing Kato's injuries. His right wrist was twisted at an unnatural angle—definitely broken.
From head to toe, Kato's body was covered in injuries of varying severity. Each was deliberately cruel yet non-lethal, a signature method that immediately pointed to one person: the Death Row Inmate, Dorian.
"Dorian!" Retsu Kaioh's teeth clenched. He carefully laid Kato flat and began first aid. After confirming no spinal or pelvic fractures and no need for intubation, he elevated Kato's legs and adjusted his head to stabilize him until help arrived.
Chaos engulfed the dojo. Students ran to call for help, others grabbed first-aid kits. Katsumi Orochi appeared, paling at the sight of his mentor.
"Kato!" Katsumi knelt beside him, hands trembling, afraid to touch the brutal wounds.
"Who did this?"
"Dorian. Only he would leave someone like this alive, yet broken." Katsumi slammed a fist into the floor, wooden planks cracking under the impact. "That bastard! I will personally kill him!"
Wee-woo! Wee-woo!
The ambulance sirens grew louder, rushing into the dojo. Paramedics lifted Kato onto a stretcher.
"Kato! Kato!" Everyone watched grimly as the ambulance drove off.
---
By 8 AM, in front of Tokyo Den High School, Sol Mirek spotted a cluster of media reporters, cameras raised, blocking the school entrance.
He frowned, planning to take a detour, when a sharp-eyed reporter spotted him.
"It's Sol Mirek!" the reporter shouted, rushing forward, microphone nearly poking his face.
"Rumors say you came to Tokyo hunting Death Row Inmates. What do you have to say about that?"
Sol froze for a moment, unsure how to answer. Luckily, several uniformed police officers arrived. The lead officer, holding a document, addressed the reporters firmly.
"Please don't interfere with our Tokyo Police Department Special Operations Unit consultant," he said. "Certain matters are classified. If you have questions, ask something else."
Sol raised an eyebrow. Consultant? He hadn't realized he'd been officially recognized. The officer even winked, a subtle acknowledgment of Sol's recent exploits.
The reporters grew even more excited, flashbulbs snapping nonstop, shouting questions in succession.
"Sol, when did you become a police consultant?"
"What are your salary and benefits?"
"Sol Mirek, we've heard of your strength. Tokyo Den High students call you the ultimate weapon. In your confrontation with the Death Row Inmate Doyle, you achieved total victory. Are you truly the ultimate weapon?"
Sol blinked, then smirked. "Honestly, I admire how you ask such strange questions with a straight face."
Seeing that Sol didn't deny defeating Doyle, the media erupted. This was a major story, bound to trend everywhere.
"Excuse me, I have to get to class," Sol said, waving and pushing toward the gate.
"Are you not going to say more? We'll pay!" the reporters yelled, but the police officers firmly blocked them, and they relented.
---
Inside the school, Sol entered the classroom to find Baki leaning by the window, winking, a mischievous grin on his face.
"Looks like you're famous, ultimate weapon," Baki teased.
Sol tossed his backpack onto the desk, shrugging. "Those reporters were far more troublesome than any Death Row Inmate."
The classroom fell silent. Every student's gaze fixed on him. The principal, homeroom teacher, and instructors like Fujita and Yamamoto entered, carrying generous gifts, placing them on Sol's desk.
The stack quickly grew taller than him.
___
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Milestone
100 Power Stones = 1 Bonus Chapter
200 Power Stones = 3 Bonus Chapters