"And that concludes the introduction of all sixteen contestants for the Great Raitai Tournament!" the host's voice boomed through the arena.
"This once‑in‑a‑century knockout spectacle now begins!"
"Now announcing the first matchup!"
As the passionate commentary carried across the venue, eight monks emerged from the shadows carrying four massive scrolls, approaching the center of the arena. They unrolled them carefully, revealing the matchup list.
Only two names were written in bold ink: Liu Haiwang and Yujiro Hanma.
"What? Only two names?"
"Yeah, it's Liu Haiwang and Yujiro Hanma."
"We're going to see the God of Fighting again!" whispers spread through the audience at the sight of the list.
Seizing the moment, the host raised his voice.
"To emphasize fairness, only one match will be announced at this time."
"All other contestants, please exit the stage."
"He's really here…"
"He's never competed in an open tournament before."
Baki stood frozen, staring at Yujiro standing unflinchingly in the center of the ring.
"Father," Baki said with a tremor in his voice, sweat forming on his brow.
"Leave now if you don't want to be disqualified," Yujiro snapped with a feral grin, then ignored him.
Dejected, Baki left the arena.
At the exit, Sol Mirek watched Yujiro in the center of the ring, heart pounding. Even just seeing the man known as Earth's strongest creature standing there stirred his blood.
"Sol, how long do you think Liu Haiwang will last?" Retsu Kaioh asked in a low tone.
Having spent significant time in Japan, Retsu knew the reputation of Yujiro Hanma. In his mind, only someone like Sol could possibly contend with him.
Sol shook his head slightly. "Three moves. Yujiro is immensely powerful, just slightly weaker than I am."
Baki's pupils narrowed at that assessment. Sol had always struck him as humble, yet now he claimed Yujiro was just slightly weaker than himself.
Had Sol grown arrogant after four months of training? Yujiro was something entirely different from ordinary fighters.
"Three moves, huh…" Retsu Kaioh frowned, genuinely concerned for Liu Haiwang.
"I hope Master isn't too badly hurt…" he murmured, eyes drifting back to the center of the arena.
The host stepped forward with a mic.
"To our two champions still present," he began, "we would like to test the strength of Mr. Yujiro Hanma."
Several attendants brought stacks of tiles into the ring, placing them into neat piles until they formed a tall column.
"Tiles are renowned for their hardness," the host continued. "From ancient times to the present, martial artists have measured strength by the number of tiles they can shatter."
"Truly powerful individuals can break ten tiles with ease. Here, we have prepared forty."
"Mr. Hanma, we invite you to take this challenge."
Yujiro walked toward the tiles with slow deliberation. A feral grin spread over his face.
"Breaking tiles? This will be my first time trying it."
"These useless blocks don't prove anything, no matter how many I break."
With that, he placed his massive hand on the stack and breathed in deeply.
"Crack! Crack! Crack!…" In an instant all forty tiles shattered into pieces.
The arena went silent.
Yujiro swept debris from his hand, his signature grin widening.
"Boring," he said, looking toward Liu Haiwang. "What does this prove? What do you think?"
Yujiro paced, scanning the audience with unimpressed disdain.
"Wood, tiles, bricks, stone, bottles, ice, paper, fruit — all unresisting objects. I smash them so they don't fight back."
He turned toward Liu Haiwang, still upright, removing his outer robe to reveal a powerful torso. He cracked his neck, every vertebra snapping audibly.
"Objects can be destroyed without skill," Liu Haiwang said with calm intensity. "But if you train day after day, pushing past what you knew before, does that become meaningless?"
Yujiro's steps slowed as he approached, his sheer presence warping the air around him.
"The growth you built over a hundred years," Yujiro said, voice low, "means nothing."
Liu Haiwang adopted the White Dragon Temple's distinctive stance, muscles coiled like a tiger ready to strike.
"Yujiro Hanma, I would experience your strength," he said with deep resolve.
Yujiro flashed a grin. "Then entertain me."
Before anyone could blink, Yujiro's right hand shot from his pocket and lunged forward at extreme speed.
"Pfft!"
His fist resembled a blade as it drove into the side of Liu Haiwang's face.
The impact was devastating. Liu Haiwang's body trembled violently, limbs quivering under the pain.
"Don't move, it'll only get worse," Yujiro whispered coldly.
Liu Haiwang froze, blood trailing down Yujiro's fingers.
"Snap!" Liu Haiwang's left hand gripped Yujiro's wrist, trying to pry it free, but Yujiro held firm.
"I told you not to struggle," Yujiro muttered with boredom. "Your old face has lasted long enough. I'll make you a new one."
Just as his shoulder pressed down with cruel intent, a hand intercepted.
Sol Mirek stood between them, calm and collected, gripping Yujiro's wrist effortlessly.
"That's enough," Sol said with stillness in his voice.
Surprise flickered across Yujiro's eyes before a sinister grin formed.
"What's this? Not your turn yet, is it?"
With a violent yank, Yujiro freed his hand, spraying blood across the arena floor. Liu Haiwang staggered backwards, quickly supported by Retsu Kaioh.
"Are you trying to ruin my reputation? Get out of the arena!" Liu Haiwang shouted, breaking free from Retsu's hold, blood trailing from his torn cheek.
He glared at Sol with slow intensity.
"I thank you for intervening in time… but this is my match with Yujiro. Respect a martial artist's dignity."
Sol was silent for a moment, absorbing the weight older masters placed on honor. He stepped back slowly.
"My apologies, Master Liu," he said with respect.
Sol and Retsu Kaioh exited the arena through the passage as Liu Haiwang wiped the blood from his face and returned to his stance.
"Yujiro Hanma, let us continue," Liu said with renewed ferocity.
Yujiro grinned wide, amused.
"Interesting old man."