For Duanmu Huai, the ideal situation would have been to face Mary's opponent in the very first match—kill the guy, take Mary home, and call it a day.
Unfortunately, destiny was not that kind.
But Duanmu Huai wasn't worried. He had already told Honoka—they would watch every one of Mary's matches. If she won, good. If she lost, they'd storm in and take her by force.
In the underground arena, brute strength was the only law.
If you had a problem—come and fight him.
If you could beat him, that is.
But before anything else, they had to get through the first match.
Unlike the Duel Tournament, the Battle God Tournament required contestants to fight three times a day—morning, noon, and night. Based on the number of participants, Duanmu Huai needed to win all three to reach the finals.
First up—his opening match against Bush-Head.
"OOOOOOOOHHHHHH!!"
Returning to the arena, the crowd was even louder than before. Clearly, they were impatient to get started.
Soon after, the announcer's voice boomed through the speakers.
"Thank you for waiting, ladies and gentlemen! Up next—the first battle of the Battle God Tournament! Entering first, the man who vows to rule Duel City and dominate all—MR. BIG!! ESS!!"
"OOOHHHHHH!!!"
Under the roaring cheers, Bush-Head swaggered into the arena, waving and grinning wickedly at the audience. Duanmu Huai raised a brow and curled his lip.
"Next—entering the ring is the man who slew wolves and tigers with his bare hands during the opening test! A top contender for the championship… PINK—LITTLE—BUNNY!!!"
"...…"
The moment the announcer said the name, the previously roaring audience fell silent.
A lot of people clearly thought they misheard.
But Duanmu Huai casually walked in anyway, stepping right up to Bush-Head. The latter stared at him with a complicated expression.
"…This is your name?"
"How is it? Pretty cool, right?"
Duanmu Huai's expression didn't change. He watched Bush-Head closely—
Honestly, he wouldn't have chosen this name if he wasn't specifically aiming for that expression.
"...…"
Bush-Head's face tightened. He clenched his fists and glared.
"I won't lose."
"Prepare to face despair."
Duanmu Huai mirrored the gesture, tightening his fists.
"Soon, you'll know the terror and humiliation… of being defeated by Pink Little Bunny."
"...…"
Bush-Head said nothing, his fists shaking with fury.
I absolutely cannot lose…!!
"ROUND ONE! READY—GO!!"
"HAAAAAAHH!!"
As soon as the judge gave the signal, Bush-Head roared and launched a punch.
A wave of force blasted forward, shrieking across the arena straight toward Duanmu Huai's chest.
Oh? He's not completely useless after all.
Seeing this, Duanmu Huai's eyes brightened slightly.
He originally assumed the Battle God Tournament was full of trash-tier underground riffraff—but this punch was comparable in power to Kyokugenryu's Tiger Flame Punch. Meaning this guy was probably capable of qualifying for the Duel Tournament too.
And yet he chose this underground death match…
The thought flashed through Duanmu Huai's mind.
Then he opened his mouth.
"HRAAAH!!"
BOOM!!!
With a single shout, the incoming shockwave exploded midair.
The audience erupted, and even the announcer became excited.
"Ladies and gentlemen, did you see that?! Pink Little Bunny shattered MR. BIG's shockwave with just his voice! Incredible! No wonder he shone so brilliantly in the opening test—this man's power is overwhelming! Contestants, take note—this may be the strongest enemy you will ever face!!"
Bush-Head wasn't listening. His expression was grave—he could tell how terrifying Duanmu Huai really was. He began circling the arena cautiously.
Duanmu Huai, however, remained perfectly still.
He didn't even glance at him.
As if saying: No matter where you attack from… it won't matter.
"TAKE THIS!!"
Unable to endure the pressure, Bush-Head roared and leapt. He shot forward from behind, fist turning into a bullet as he slammed it at Duanmu Huai's back.
BOOM!!!
The ground trembled, dust exploded upward—
Duanmu Huai did not so much as sway.
"Not good!"
The moment his punch landed, Bush-Head's expression warped.
This wasn't the sensation of hitting flesh.
It was like punching a solid rubber tire.
He realized immediately something was wrong—
But it was too late.
Duanmu Huai grabbed his head and smashed it straight into the ground.
KRAAASH!!
A crater burst open in the arena floor.
Duanmu Huai pulled Bush-Head's bloodied head up.
"How about it? Giving up yet?"
"Ha… don't joke with me!"
Bush-Head twisted and kicked Duanmu Huai in the chest.
It was utterly meaningless.
Duanmu Huai didn't budge an inch.
Instead, he reached out, grabbed Bush-Head's extended leg—
And twisted.
"AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!"
There was a hideous crack, like snapping wood.
Bush-Head's leg bent the wrong way and hung limply.
But—
This wasn't the end.
Through gritted teeth, Bush-Head yanked out a pistol from inside his jacket and fired directly at Duanmu Huai's head!
BANG!!
The shot echoed—
Bush-Head froze.
Duanmu Huai had blocked the bullet with the palm of his hand.
Smoke curled from between his fingers.
The bullet lay crumpled into a flattened scrap.
"…What the hell kind of joke is this…"
Shock overwhelmed even his pain. He stared blankly at Duanmu Huai's hand.
Duanmu Huai didn't care.
He simply closed his grip.
Crunch.
He crushed the pistol—
And Bush-Head's entire hand along with it.
"GAAAHHHHHHH!!!"
The crowd fell completely silent.
No one spoke. No one breathed.
Even the announcer didn't know what to say.
Duanmu Huai released him and asked calmly:
"So? Surrender?"
Bush-Head's hand was a mangled mass of flesh and metal fragments, blood dripping steadily onto the floor.
"Hahaha… what a joke…"
He lifted his pale face and forced a bitter smile.
"Kill… kill me. Even if I surrender, they'll execute me anyway…"
"Fine."
Duanmu Huai nodded and tossed him onto the ground.
Then stepped forward—
And stomped.
SPLAT!!
Bush-Head convulsed once.
Then stilled completely.
Utter silence.
After several seconds, the announcer finally found his voice.
"A-a shocking result! MR. BIG has been utterly crushed by Pink Little Bunny! A ruthless, merciless slaughter! Everyone, feast your eyes—this is power! Absolute, unbeatable strength! Let us cheer for the victor of the first match!!"
"OOOOOOOOHHHHHHHH!!!!"
Ignoring the cheers, Duanmu Huai stepped off the arena.
Honoka was waiting at the tunnel, pale as a sheet.
"Duanmu-san…"
"I know what you want to say, but this is how this tournament works."
He looked at her calmly. Honoka opened her mouth, then closed it again.
She was clearly shaken.
In Duel City, even the fiercest battles rarely caused death.
But this place… this Battle God Tournament was different.
"I…I'm sorry…"
"It's not your fault. Blame that little girl for dragging us into this mess."
He waved away her guilt. Just then, several bunny-girl attendants approached.
"Congratulations on your victory. You may now return to rest."
One rabbit girl spoke to Honoka, guiding her away.
Another smiled at Duanmu Huai.
"Please follow me, champion. I will escort you to the resting chamber."
"Resting chamber? For what?"
"Oh? You forgot?"
The bunny girl giggled.
"As the victor, you must claim your prize."
"...…"
Duanmu Huai had indeed forgotten about that.
And so—
When he entered the resting room and saw the little sailor-uniform girl sitting on the bed—he had no idea what expression to make.
I am NOT a lolicon!!
"This is not your fault."
Before he could speak, the girl looked up at him expressionlessly.
"This was Ess's choice. He knew the risks. Since he lost, he had only himself to blame. I will not hate you."
"…You know each other?"
Duanmu Huai blinked. He assumed, like Mary, this girl had been tricked into coming here.
"Of course. He's my nephew."
"Wait—your WHAT?"
Duanmu Huai stared up and down at her tiny frame.
She had just said she was thirteen.
How the hell did she have a nephew?!
"I am the child of his grandfather and his lover. So by seniority, he is my nephew."
"Oh… well… that explains it."
Duanmu Huai nodded slowly.
Family hierarchies could get messy. He'd seen worse in his hometown.
"Alright. Now's not the time to discuss that."
She extended a hand and began removing her sailor uniform.
Seeing this, Duanmu Huai immediately raised both hands.
"Stop. What are you doing?"
"Preparing for the night. Don't worry. I studied the proper lessons beforehand…"
"No no no! I'm not interested in little girls! I'm only here to tell you—I'm not planning to enslave you or anything. You can go do whatever you want…"
He waved frantically.
This kid was even smaller than Bambi—he had zero interest.
"But—I do not intend for this to end here."
She answered coldly, turning toward him.
Then she stepped forward and grabbed the hem of his clothes.
"Listen well. I am a woman of the underworld. I know the meaning of loyalty. Since you killed Ess, then you must win the championship in his place! I will stay by your side until you do. Do you hear me? This is the least you owe me—for killing him!"
Loyalty? Responsibility? What am I, a yakuza boss? What is this—Kamurocho?!
Duanmu Huai stared at her speechlessly before sighing.
"Whatever. I wasn't planning to lose anyway."
"Good."
The girl nodded, satisfied.
Then extended her hand—
"My name is Yue Huasha. What is yours?"
"…Duanmu Huai."
He reluctantly shook her tiny hand.
"I don't know what you're thinking, but don't worry. I won't lose."
(End of Chapter)