Chapter 353: Elena's Request, Ren versus the Fang of Metsudo
That night, the gathering around Ren and Imai Cosmo swelled into an all-out party. It seemed every fighter with a free evening had somehow found their way to the room, and with no matches scheduled for the following day, everyone let loose completely.
The air grew thick with the smell of liquor and boisterous laughter. Ren found himself clinking glasses with new faces, among them Saw Paing Yoroizuka, a boisterous companion of Kaolan Wongsawat, and Adam Dudley, the very man Imai Cosmo had defeated in the first round. What began as a quiet drink between two people had spiraled into a raucous celebration.
Amidst the revelry, Ren confirmed the arrangement for his second match. At Imai Cosmo's persistent, almost desperate pleading, Ren had agreed to take the slot originally meant for Akoya Seishu and face him instead.
"Alright, everyone~" Ren's voice cut through the din as the first rays of dawn painted the sky. "Good night~"
By the next morning, the room was a scene of utter carnage. Even the stoic Kaolan Wongsawat had been plied with so much alcohol by the other revelers that he was passed out unceremoniously on a couch. Of the entire group, only Ren walked out looking as if he'd just had a quiet night's sleep.
But the moment he stepped into the hallway, he was met with the sight of Ichihara Yuko and Lucifer, both standing with their arms crossed, identical, knowing smiles on their faces.
"So?" Yuko began, her tone dripping with playful accusation. "You didn't come home last night. Had a lot of fun, did we? Did you call any pretty ladies to join the party?"
Ren paused, giving the question genuine thought before nodding. "I did, actually. But…"
Yuko and Lucifer's mouths twitched in unison. "You actually did?!" Lucifer exclaimed, a flicker of annoyance in her eyes. "I want to see what kind of woman has that much charm! Uh…" Her voice trailed off as she peered into the room behind Ren.
"What is it?"
Lucifer's expression shifted from annoyance to disbelief. "Ren... did you guys raid the hotel's entire wine cellar? There are so many empty bottles you can't even see the floor. Did you drink all of this?"
"We did," Ren confirmed with a casual shrug. "As for the pretty ladies you mentioned, Adam called them over, but this bunch scared them all off. They ran away pretty quickly. They're an interesting group of guys. Anyway, what did you need me for?"
Yuko gently closed the door on the scene of devastation, cleared her throat, and adopted a more serious tone. "It's about Dr. Hanafusa Hajime. He really did it—he completely cured Mokichi Robinson. Afterwards, Sora and the others became good friends with his sister, Elena. When Elena found out they knew you, she came looking for you."
Ren nodded, a faint, weary smile touching his lips. "I don't even need to guess what this is about. Kure Raian really has a talent for making enemies. I wonder what will become of him if he keeps fighting like this."
Yuko tilted her head, confused. "Huh? But aren't you practically unbeatable? What are you worried about?"
Ren sighed. "I'm worried about who the unlucky fifth person I have to fight will be. So far, I've confirmed my second match is to grant Cosmo's wish. For the third, if nothing unexpected happens, Shion will probably make a mischievous suggestion. That muscle-bound giant from the power company is another likely opponent. But the last one… who will it be?"
Lucifer considered this for a moment. "You're aiming for the championship, aren't you?"
"Of course not," Ren said immediately. "Being a champion is too much trouble. For now, let's go find Karura and the others. Where are they?"
"Uh… having breakfast, I imagine," Yuko replied. "Come on."
Just as Yuko had predicted, they found Jinx, the four girls, and Cerberus gathered around a large breakfast table. The scene was a study in contrasts. Jinx and Cerberus were eating like a pair of hamsters, their cheeks puffed out as they stuffed food into their mouths without pause. Kasugano Sora and the other three, however, were dining with a delicate, refined grace.
"Ren! Cough, cough, cough!" Karura spotted him and tried to call out, choking on her food in her excitement.
Ren smiled warmly. "Slow down, Karura, I'm not going to disappear. Hmm? And you must be Mr. Mokichi's sister, Elena Robinson. You truly are an adorable young lady."
Elena shot to her feet, her hands clasped nervously in front of her as she looked at the gentle-mannered man. "Lord… Lord Ren!" she stammered. "I… I…"
Ren raised a hand, his expression kind. "Please, don't be nervous. I know who you are. And 'Lord' is a bit much; just call me Ren. I didn't expect you to become so close with Karura and the others already. I heard you were looking for me. Is it about Raian?"
To everyone's surprise, Elena shook her head. "I don't want to make Lord Ren… Ren… waste a precious opportunity to fight because of my own affairs," she whispered, her voice soft but resolute. "And it really was my brother's lack of skill… Although I won't forgive that man, I also won't ask you to fight him. I only want to ask you… if Kure Raian is defeated by someone else, could you not choose to crush the man who defeats him?"
The request stunned even Karura, who immediately shot up. "Elena! Raian definitely needs to be taught a harsh lesson!"
"If someone else can defeat him, then the goal is achieved," Elena insisted, her gaze unwavering. "There's no need to make Ren waste his chances. And my brother wouldn't want me to seek revenge for him in such a way."
Ren let out a soft breath, a sense of relief washing over him. "Alright, I understand. If no one can defeat Raian this time… No, someone will definitely defeat him. Regardless, after the tournament is over, I will personally discipline Raian."
"Eh?! But won't that be too much trouble for you, Ren?"
"Of course not," Ren said, a dangerous glint in his eyes. "After all, I've been wanting to teach that guy a lesson myself."
During the tournament's breaks, Ren became the living embodiment of a public enemy to all men. He was constantly surrounded by a coterie of stunningly beautiful women, and no one dared voice a complaint—because they knew better.
The following day, the tournament resumed. Just as he and Imai Cosmo had agreed, Ren stepped into the ring and eliminated him. There wasn't the slightest chance for resistance; the renowned 'King of Stranglers' couldn't even get close enough to touch Ren, let alone initiate a grapple.
that Kure Raian was, in fact, defeated—by Tokita Ohma. The moment the match was decided, the entire stadium erupted in cheers that went on for a long time, with many vowing to celebrate the occasion properly. True to his word, Ren did not choose to challenge Tokita Ohma, despite the immense interest he had in the man's fighting style.
As Ren had also predicted, his next opponent was the muscle monster from Toyo Electric Power, Julius Reinhold. The match was a brutal, one-sided affair. In the observation room, Katahara Metsudo and Kure Erioh were seen laughing hysterically as they watched Julius get beaten until he was swollen from head to toe.
Next came the match between Mikazuchi Rei and Kuroki Gensai. The 'Lightning God'was utterly thrashed. Afterwards, he sought out Ren and requested a chance at'revival'. To everyone's surprise, Ren, who they assumed would refuse, actually agreed. However, under the mischievous influence of Sōryūin Shion and Momobami Kirari, the 'revival' took the form of a lesson that left Mikazuchi Rei with deep-seated psychological trauma.
This act made Kurayoshi Rino, his sponsor, nearly grind her teeth to dust. Those two women were already competing with her for Ren's attention, and now they were going this far! She simply turned her back on the broken Mikazuchi Rei and stormed away.
Finally, on the last day of the Kengan Annihilation Tournament, with Katahara Metsudo having successfully thwarted Toyo Electric's conspiracy, a new challenger emerged. As Ren was enjoying a massage from both Sōryūin Shion and Momobami Kirari, his gaze fell upon the man who had left such a deep impression on Yuko and the others: Kanoh Agito, the Fang of Metsudo.
The undefeated Fang had been defeated by Kuroki Gensai. But in an unexpected turn, he chose to challenge Ren for a chance at resurrection. He sought to be reborn, to return even stronger, and to one day crush the man who had bested him.
Ren accepted. And that led to the current scene.
Kurayoshi Rino gritted her teeth as she caught Shion and Kirari looking at her with playful, triumphant smirks. She huffed and turned away, refusing to look in their direction.
Shion giggled. "Rino is always the most fun to tease! It reminds me of when I first met her after her fighter's first-round match!"
Ren slowly rolled his neck, a low crackle echoing in the quiet room. "The Fang of Metsudo... this is getting interesting."
Just as Ren was about to enter the arena, Kirari pulled him back. She rose onto her tiptoes, her lips brushing against his ear as she whispered, "This is the last day. Win, and I'll give you a big gift package."
A slow, predatory smile spread across Ren's face. "I'm looking forward to it," he murmured, his eyes fixed on the tunnel ahead. "Now then, let's go break the Fang one more time."
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