Chapter 13: The Nogi Group's Commission
In some ways, the human body is a miraculous thing.
A body activated by intense combat, combined with appropriate and timely medical treatment, can recover at an extremely fast rate.
Thus, on the third day after the match, Shiraki Kei had already removed his bandages.
Without the restrictions, training was much easier, and he could finally begin strength training with real intensity.
Although he didn't have professional equipment, there were still a few stone weights, wooden stakes, and tires in the corner of the warehouse—all convenient tools.
Shiraki Kei moved them into the open lot, coughing from the dust that plumed off them.
"Hoo..."
He wiped his nose, his face now smudged with grime.
This was enough to start his rehabilitation training, but if he wanted to go further, he would need more professional equipment. At the very least, he needed dumbbells and barbells.
Maybe getting a gym membership was a good option?
In Shiraki Kei's view, modern fitness equipment was the culmination of professional wisdom. It was better to make good use of it; there was no need to be obsessed with "ancient training methods."
The so-called "ancient methods" were, at the moment of their creation, also "new."
...
...
Tying a rope around his waist and the other end to a tire, Shiraki Kei began running laps around the open lot.
After a few laps, his body was much warmer.
The subsequent stone-weight squats, frog leaps, and tire flips were, of course, classic and essential. The full circuit left him in a comfortable sweat.
During his training, Ryu's phantom sat quietly to the side, meditating, radiating a faint "Zen."
This was no hollow display. Ryu's realm had reached that of a grandmaster; walking, sitting, and lying down were all part of his training.
Shiraki Kei tried to imitate him but almost fell asleep. It was probably because his own realm wasn't high enough, so he continued to train his own way.
He shouldered the stone weights and continued his squats.
After more than a dozen sets, the feeling of exhaustion began to creep in.
Shiraki Kei gritted his teeth, determined to do the last five. He focused on the muscles in his legs and glutes, keeping his form as perfect as possible.
Five... four... three...
Halfway up, Shiraki Kei almost couldn't stand. His vision blurred as his blood pumped.
Just as he was about to collapse, another phantom burst through the mist and came to his side. It pumped its fists and stomped its feet, cheering him on.
The new phantom was much taller and more burly than Ryu, and his personality was far more passionate. He seemed to be exerting even more energy than Kei himself.
Emotions can also influence the body.
Infected by this high-spirited energy, Shiraki Kei's muscles tensed again, and he completed the last two reps of the final set.
—Two—One!
THUD!
The stone weights hit the ground hard.
The large phantom was overjoyed. He slapped Shiraki Kei hard on the back, knocking the already unsteady Kei flat on his face. The phantom then let out a hearty laugh.
Shiraki Kei rolled over onto his back, staring up at the large phantom, but he couldn't see its form clearly.
The reason was easy to guess—
Shiraki Kei's own "accumulation" was insufficient.
After his fight with [Nioh] Komada, Ryu's phantom had become clearer, and Kei could see more details.
To see this other, larger phantom clearly, he would probably have to continue training, or perhaps... he'd have to go through another fierce battle. Only then would he have the chance to complete the accumulation and advance to the next level.
When would that fierce battle come?
Probably soon.
After all, [Nioh] Komada was a Kengan rookie. News of his defeat was bound to make waves in the Kengan Association.
When the Kengan Association came knocking, Shiraki Kei would have his chance to earn a match commission... and to "level up."
...
...
At dusk, the expected visitor arrived.
A luxury sedan pulled up beside the open lot.
Arisa expertly brought out a table and chairs, then turned to prepare hot tea. She had gotten used to this recently, and had even bought proper tea leaves for guests.
Although Shiraki Kei said she didn't need to go to such trouble, Arisa felt it was important not to be rude. Besides, Karura and Kozue were frequent guests anyway.
But this time, the visitor was a beautiful, unfamiliar woman.
She wore a business suit, her hair tied in a sleek, high ponytail. She wore glasses, and her gaze was intelligent and calm. Her features were exquisite.
"Pardon the intrusion."
The woman was slightly surprised by the Shiraki family's living conditions, but she quickly composed herself and shook hands with Shiraki Kei, who was resting.
"It's a pleasure to meet you. I am Akimiya Kaede, a representative of the Nogi Group."
...
The Nogi Group—[Nioh] Komada's employer.
Its president was a man named Nogi Hideki, a man with both wealth and courage. He was wildly ambitious, even aiming for Katahara Metsudo's position as "Kengan Association Chairman"!
At this moment, Nogi Hideki was likely gathering various masters, preparing to challenge Katahara Metsudo and convene the massive "Kengan Annihilation Tournament."
Akimiya Kaede was Nogi Hideki's secretary and confidante.
...
Shiraki Kei had defeated their fighter, [Nioh] Komada. It was only natural for Nogi to send his most trusted aide to make contact.
Akimiya Kaede's communication was extremely efficient. As soon as she sat, she got straight to the point.
"Shiraki-san, although you were dragged into this, judging by your performance, you must know about 'Kengan matches,' correct?"
Shiraki Kei smiled faintly.
Akimiya Kaede understood. "So, you are interested in Kengan matches, and you intended to use [Nioh] Komada as a springboard to connect with the Nogi Group?"
Shiraki Kei nodded frankly.
Akimiya Kaede smiled back. "Congratulations. You've succeeded. President Nogi believes we have no reason to refuse a fighter who defeated [Nioh] Komada."
Shiraki Kei's eyes gleamed as he thought for a moment. "In that case, Akimiya-san, when is my first official Kengan match?"
"..."
Akimiya Kaede glanced at him, surprised by how quickly he'd accepted, before changing the subject.
"My apologies, but there are no Kengan matches scheduled for the near future. Besides, a suitable debut match for a new fighter is a rare occurrence."
Shiraki Kei just smiled, noncommittal about her excuse.
The entire point of the Kengan Association was to settle business disputes. There were always matches.
And the "suitable debut match" line was just a lazy deflection.
Nogi Hideki had sent Akimiya Kaede here for another reason.
Just as he thought—
Akimiya Kaede took out a file and placed it in front of Shiraki Kei.
"Recently, the Nogi Group does have a... commission. It was originally intended for the local yakuza. It may not be... clean, and it's a bit dangerous. You can take a look."
Shiraki Kei picked up the file. As he read, Akimiya Kaede explained.
"There is a real estate tycoon who has a financial dispute with the Nogi Group. He owes us a significant debt. One of our representatives went to collect, and he... disappeared."
Akimiya Kaede pushed her glasses up, her expression serious. "We suspect our representative was violently threatened... or has already been killed."
"President Nogi needs someone to investigate this real estate tycoon. If you complete this commission, you will be compensated accordingly—a fee no less than what you would earn from winning a Kengan match."
Her cold, intelligent eyes studied Shiraki Kei through her lenses.
"Since you want to make a name for yourself in the Kengan Association, why not try this? See if you can pass this first test."
"..."
Shiraki Kei looked at the file in his hands, marveling internally.
Nogi Hideki really was an old fox.
To prepare for the Kengan Annihilation Tournament, he was recruiting masters from all over, and he had to hide their existence as much as possible.
An unknown "amateur fighter" like Shiraki Kei, with no prior reputation, was the perfect secret weapon!
But simply absorbing him was too reckless. Nogi needed to use a "non-Kengan match" to test his true abilities.
"..."
As Shiraki Kei was thinking, Arisa, who had been listening from the side, suddenly spoke up.
"Akimiya... san."
Arisa had understood the situation and couldn't help but worry. "Underground fighting is one thing... but a commission that was supposed to go to the yakuza? This has nothing to do with fighting, does it?"
"..."
Akimiya Kaede turned to look at Arisa.
Just a high school student, yet she could ask her question so directly. She was already stronger than most incompetent adults.
But it was clear Arisa didn't fully grasp the concept of the "underground world."
"Little girl, you need to understand one thing—"
Akimiya Kaede's face was calm, her voice serious. "What kind of world do you think we live in? People... are capable of anything."
"What's more, your brother is about to voluntarily jump into a terrifying inferno that chews up bones and sucks blood. If he can't prove himself, no one can say how long he'll last."
"If he just wants to be a 'fighter,' he should go sign with a gym and fight in safe, sanctioned matches."
After explaining to Arisa, she turned back to Shiraki Kei.
"The key question now is—what are your thoughts, Shiraki-san?"
"..."
Shiraki Kei put the file down, tapping his fingers on the table. A grin spread across his face.
"Nice. This is awesome!"