Chapter 350: Ren Enters the Fray, and a Cop's Judgment
With the exception of the fighters scheduled for the next day's matches, nearly everyone left on the island was a creature of the night. They scattered to the bars for drinks or settled in for a few rounds of cards, playing with the reckless abandon of men who knew their company presidents would cover any losses. With beautiful women at their sides and fortunes on the line, winning or losing the small-stakes games hardly mattered.
It was during one of these leisurely evenings that Ren, whose participation in the tournament was entirely subject to his whims, found himself approached by a young woman. Her appearance puzzled Ichihara Yuko and Lucifer, but Sōryūin Shion and Sonoko Suzuki greeted her with familiar smiles.
After a round of introductions, the others learned this was the legendary Katahara Sayaka, the daughter of Chairman Katahara Metsudo himself. She and Sonoko were close, and she clearly shared a friendly rapport with Ren. Given Sayaka's charming personality and effortless social grace, the entire group quickly warmed to her.
Ichihara Yuko leaned in, a thoughtful expression on her face. "It's hard to imagine Old Man Katahara, at his age, having such a young daughter. More, their personalities couldn't be more different."
Ren simply shrugged, a casual smile playing on his lips. "That's only because you haven't met Old Man Erioh and Karura yet. If you had, your exclamation would be aimed in a completely different direction."
The next morning, the sun had barely crested the horizon.
"Haaah... Karura... you're up so early..." Kasugano Sora mumbled, still half-asleep.
"It's my body clock!" Karura chirped, already dressed and brimming with energy. "But Sora, where's Jinx?"
"She should still be sleeping..."
A few minutes later, a sharp yelp echoed from another room. Jinx was jolted awake, but after a moment of groggy protest, she flopped back onto her pillow without a word. Karura, however, was fascinated by her new, explosive friend. Ignoring Jinx's myriad expressions of reluctance, she physically hauled the blue-haired girl out of bed to get washed and ready for the day's events.
Later, Mouri Ran stood at the entrance to the main venue, her jaw slack. She swallowed hard, the sound barely audible over the roaring crowd. "K-Kirari-nee! Are you serious?! Didn't you say there were only thirty-two contestants? This... this crowd has to be in the tens of thousands!"
Kasugano Sora and Jinx, now fully awake, shared her stunned expression. Karura, who had found Ren after her successful mission to rouse Jinx, was now clinging to his arm. She grinned, "If you're this surprised now, Ran, you might be in for an even bigger shock later."
Ran couldn't imagine anything more astonishing than the sight of tens of thousands of the world's most successful entrepreneurs and corporate titans pouring into the arena like a tidal wave. But then she saw them—a procession of legendary national leaders, figures she had only ever seen on television, being escorted to their private boxes.
Her worldview tilted. A headache began to throb at her temples. The sheer scale of this competition—from its opulent setting to the sheer number and quality of its audience—was beyond anything she could have conceived. It had truly become a modern-day colosseum, an arena for beasts.
"It's certainly lively," Momobami Kirari remarked with an amused hum.
Kasugano Sora took a deep, steadying breath. "Kirari-nee, why do I feel so nervous? I have a bad feeling, like something is about to happen."
Lucifer's eyes narrowed slightly, fixing on Kirari. "Kirari, shouldn't you explain why Ren, the very person you coaxed into coming here, is nowhere to be seen?"
Kirari simply smiled and waved a dismissive hand. "A small matter. He has a mission this time, so he's probably off playing somewhere. Oh? Isn't that Kaolan?"
Hearing his name, Kaolan Wongsawat, who was seated a few rows ahead, turned. His eyes widened slightly in recognition before he gave a respectful nod. "Mm, Kirari. I see even you were able to call upon that man, Ren."
"As expected of me," Kirari replied, her smile widening.
"As expected of you," Kaolan conceded with a faint, almost imperceptible smile of his own.
As their group chatted, a surge of passionate, high-energy music blasted through the stadium's speakers, igniting the already fervent crowd. After an inspiring opening speech by Katahara Sayaka, the Kengan Annihilation Tournament officially began. The first match was announced immediately: Imai Cosmo versus Adam Dudley.
The explosive introduction, the raw, fist-to-flesh combat, and the staggering corporate fortunes won and lost with every blow captivated Ichihara Yuko and the others.
Kirari's smile was predatory. "The entire first round of matches will be completed today. It seems we have a lot to enjoy. Kaolan, I've never heard of this Kaneda Suekichi you're up against."
Kaolan shook his head, his gaze fixed on the ring. "For His Majesty, King Rama XIII, and for the honor of my homeland, I will defeat any enemy who stands before me."
"Oh? You're actually getting fired up for once," Kirari teased. "Eh? The second match looks interesting."
Everyone's attention shifted to the massive screens. A colossal man named Kono Haruo was facing off against a stoic man in police riot gear named Akoya Seishu. After hearing the announcer's introduction, Jinx puffed out her cheeks and shouted, her voice cutting through the local chatter, "I don't like either of them, but I hate cops even more! So... go, fatty!"
Her outburst made those around them cover their mouths to stifle their chuckles. The girl was undeniably adorable. But the match that followed left both Ichihara Yuko and Lucifer stunned. Was this still a human fight? The raw, destructive power on display was monstrous.
Meanwhile, in the chairman's private box, Ren stood beside Katahara Metsudo, a faint smile on his face. "Doesn't this count as cheating, Old Man Katahara?"
Metsudo let out a hearty laugh. "Hahaha! If you don't like it, you're welcome to step in and pass judgment. But if you do, you'll only have four chances left to act. That girl Kirari would be very unhappy."
"Which is why I'm just asking, not participating," Ren replied smoothly. "Hmm? A message from Kirari..."
"Oh my, she's getting involved quickly," Metsudo noted, his eyes twinkling. "What did that girl have to say?"
Ren glanced at his phone. "Kirari says she highly encourages cheating, but she despises men who are rude to women."
"Then," the old chairman declared with a sharp grin, "let's get you on that stage!"
Ren nodded once and turned to leave. Down in the arena, Akoya Seishu, who had just been declared the victor and was about to exit the ring, was suddenly called back by the referee. A murmur of confusion rippled through the spectators. They watched as the referee sprinted over to Katahara Sayaka and whispered something urgently in her ear.
Sayaka's expression lit up. She raised her microphone, her voice booming across the stadium.
"Ladies and gentlemen! Do you remember?! The special rules of this Kengan Tournament! Now... that man, the dojo challenger, is about to make his appearance!"
She paused for dramatic effect, then pointed directly at the bewildered Akoya. "This challenger will now use his first of five chances! And his target is... Akoya Seishu!"
Akoya froze on the spot. A moment later, a low, chilling voice emanated from his helmet. "This is good. I can proceed directly to the finals, gain more rest, and execute the ultimate evil..."
Back in the stands, Ichihara Yuko watched as Kirari gracefully stood up. "Kirari? Where are you going?"
"Oh my," Kirari said, her eyes curving into crescents. "As the employer, I am, of course, accompanying my fighter to the stage."
"Eh?! Ren is going to fight?!" Sonoko gasped.
Kirari nodded, her smile unwavering. "Hmm. Although he only has five chances to act, there are some things I dislike more than others. And I truly hate vulgar, rude bastards who disrespect women. So, everyone, please enjoy the show. Watch Ren beat up a cop."
"EH?!" The entire group cried out in unison.
Jinx, however, leaped to her feet, pumping her fist in the air. "Kirari! Well said! Let that bastard Chef beat the hell out of that damn crazy, violent cop!"
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