Chapter Thirty-Eight: Fist of Will! Gathering!

When the tense, ambiguous atmosphere was finally shattered by a thoroughly frightened Taizuke, it was not the ever-reserved Saeko—whose yearning for Hakudo Kagami was always so transparent—who hesitated. Her elegantly sculpted jade hand pressed firmly against Hakudo Kagami’s well-muscled chest, pushing him away.

Faced with the younger man's look of frustration, she offered her explanation.

“Even if you claim that ‘there are no longer any worthy opponents in this world,’ as your future wife, I cannot afford to be careless. It’s simply common sense for a fighter to abstain before a match—especially today, of all days, when registration for the death match is taking place.”

When it came to speaking of their relationship, this mature lady from a family of warriors showed no hint of bashfulness; she crossed the chasm that daunted countless other women with ease and frankness! She even displayed the grace of an ideal partner, gently admonishing Hakudo Kagami not to underestimate his opponents.

And how could he possibly refuse, faced with such a gentle yet compelling reason? He could only watch as the “prize” he was about to claim, with a sly yet noble smile, turned away and walked off.

~~~~~~

On this very day, the leading corporations that formed the backbone of the nation’s economy suddenly declared an emergency suspension of business. The moment these deeply entrenched enterprises announced their closure, society across the entire country was thrown into turmoil. White Night News, Imperial Sakura Academy, the Nogi Group, Juoh Communications... even Tokyo Electric and the Great National Bank!

Media, education, electricity, information, finance…

The scope of the shutdown was so vast that ordinary people feared the end of the world had come.

Yet at a certain port in Tokyo, sealed off in advance, mountains of shipping containers had already been hauled away, exposing the entire wharf. In place of the containers, the dock was filled with a throng of distinguished, elegantly dressed elites.

From both home and abroad, young and old alike...

Countless business magnates, entertainment stars, and figures of authority—people whom the average person could only ever see on television or computer screens—were now gathered in this obscure port. They chatted and laughed, utterly unconcerned about the havoc their absence wreaked on their respective industries.

When Hakudo Kagami and Saeko, accompanied by a visibly astonished Taizuke and guided by the directions of the Kengan Association, arrived at their designated spot, they were greeted by this dazzling scene of gathered luminaries.

“Ah! Are you Mr. ** from Greater Asia Airlines? I’ve heard so much about you!”

“Oh! Mr. ** from Fujima Express! What an honor to meet you!”

“Hello, are you Ms. Togo from Iwagishi Heavy Industries? Wonderful to see you! We’re in urgent need of a shipment of heavy weaponry overseas!”

...

Hakudo Kagami watched with keen interest as these corporate titans exchanged courtesies. Saeko—still in her casual attire—smiled serenely, her arm gently entwined with his, her poise and tenderness untouched by the overwhelming presence of wealth and power on the dock. The two of them were like young lovers strolling by the seaside.

Behind them, Taizuke peered about in wide-eyed curiosity. Compared to anyone present, the fifty million dollars he’d managed to accumulate in eight years as an adopted orphan seemed as insubstantial as the slivers of beef atop a bowl of noodles. As frail as foam on water.

But Hakudo Kagami showed no sign of intimidation. To surpass them in wealth and status—this was his very reason for joining the Kengan Association as a member.

Thus, to his eyes, everyone present was no more than a stepping stone on his path upward.

“Oh! President Akano! About that exclusive interview we discussed last time...”

“Yes, it’s you! Rest assured...”

A familiar name suddenly caught Hakudo Kagami’s attention, prompting him to look in that direction. As expected, there was a burly old man in a kimono, sleeves folded across his chest, leading a white-haired, cast-bearing, rebellious young man toward them.

“Hey there, Master! Has this brat become your apprentice?”

“Uncle Takemoto, Kirishima, good evening.”

“Mr. Takemoto! Hikaru! You’re here!”

The three greeted Takemoto Hisayasu with enthusiasm, Taizuke being especially excited to see Hikaru. Perhaps, in his mind, he was an adventurer who had stumbled from an ordinary world into a strange new one, and Kirishima Hikaru was his only companion from the same starting point.

The kimono-clad elder approached with a kindly smile, trailed by Kirishima Hikaru, whose eyes blazed with excitement at the sight of so many formidable figures. He scolded the excitable, blond-haired youth as they walked.

“Settle down, Taizuke! Haven’t you learned to mind your manners by now?”

But even as he chided the boy, the old man couldn’t help but grin at the sight of his acquaintances.

When the elder was scarcely two meters away from Hakudo Kagami, the boy’s welcoming smile began to fade, as if sensing something amiss.

Yet the old man’s kindly smile only grew wider and wider—until it twisted into a grotesque, frenzied grin!

Takemoto Hisayasu, now eighty-two years old. At forty-five, he founded the Takemoto School of Practical Martial Arts. Over the next thirty-seven years, he participated in more than ninety underground matches—never tasting defeat!

And “practical martial arts” meant: there was no aversion to surprise attacks!

With a hiss, the hand that had been tucked in his sleeve shot forth like a dragon emerging from the sea—sudden and explosive! The masterful force of his punch not only failed to be hindered by his voluminous sleeve but drove it to slice through the air with a razor’s edge. Even if the strike missed its mark, the sleeve alone could cut skin, sever arteries!

Takemoto Style: Fluttering Sleeve Thrust!

The thrust aimed straight for the boy’s face!

The “Martial God’s” honed technique could pierce even stone, let alone a mere skull!

Saeko instinctively released Hakudo Kagami’s arm, freeing him from restraint. For Taizuke and Hikaru—feeling the “Martial God’s” killing intent for the first time—their knees nearly buckled!

“Stop.”

Yet the young man facing the attack head-on made no move to evade, standing calmly in place. His words, imbued with iron will, rang out just as they had a week before. But unlike last time, the result was different. The old man’s frenzied grin faded for only an instant, as illusory as a dream, then returned in full force!

With a whir, his hand—shaped for the thrust—halted beside Hakudo Kagami’s face, a stray lock of hair drifting down alongside the now-stilled sleeve.

“As I thought,” Takemoto Hisayasu slowly drew his hand back, “as long as I prime myself into a combative state beforehand, the influence of your ‘words’ is greatly diminished.”

Hakudo Kagami quickly grabbed the yellow-haired boy, who had nearly collapsed in fright, and tossed him onto the equally stunned Kirishima Hikaru. He then turned to his master, admiration in his eyes.

“By your standards for ‘combative spirit,’ Master, there aren’t many on this dock who would qualify.”

The old man seemed not to hear, his gaze fixed with pride on his disciple, his smile growing even more pleased.

“But that also proves your ‘words’ are nothing but a trivial gift, doesn’t it? After all, I know your nature—explosive yet steady. Your emergence from isolation means your state of mind has reached completion. But the ‘force’ behind your ‘words’ is hardly different from a week ago.”

“Master, you are as insightful as ever.”

“Ha!”

The youth’s sincere compliment drew a hearty laugh from the old man, whose eyes, though curious, probed no further. He simply rubbed his cheeks with both hands, smoothing away the previous ferocity.

“No more questions—don’t you say a word. Something this interesting should remain a surprise!”

With that, he dragged Kirishima Hikaru back to the side of the White Night News president, as if clutching a chick by the scruff.

Meanwhile, in a nearby crowd, a group of imposing men in black suits stepped forward. Muscular and exuding a dangerous aura, they cut a striking figure among the glittering throng.

In less than half a minute, the men in black had lined up in formation. Their leader stepped out.

“Thank you all for waiting. We will now begin the ‘boarding’ process.”