Chapter 285: Terrifying
Whether it was his professional reputation, rumors from the underworld, or the
data in Ren Shiroki's mental archives, there was one defining trait regarding
Jaku Kaioh:
The man was a stubborn bull.
And a top-tier annoyance to boot!
Driven by his obsession with "Martial Education," Jaku Kaioh would try to scout
anyone he met. Rejection meant nothing to him; he would simply double his
efforts and continue his lecture.
In one potential future, Jaku would duel Retsu Kaioh, even attempting to recruit
the "Fist Master" into his school. To prove his conviction, Jaku would fight
until his body was a wreck, resorting to every trick in the book—feints,
grappling, deception, and eventually a desperate, turtle-shell defense. Even
when beaten into a coma, he refused to let go of Retsu's arm.
To a warrior as honorable and upright as Retsu, that result wasn't a victory.
Jaku's sheer, pathological obsession was something even a Kaioh had to respect.
Back in the present, that same stubborn soul stood before Ren Shiroki.
Jaku Kaioh: "..." Jaku Kaioh: "H-Haha... Holy mother of god..."
The words slipped out involuntarily, his body reacting to the staggering
pressure radiating from Ren's predatory grin.
Ren looked curious. "Jaku-san? What's wrong?"
Jaku scratched his head, looking embarrassed. "I... I didn't expect you to agree
so readily. I'm a bit surprised. I haven't even given you my full pitch yet—"
Ren let out a light, refreshed breath. "Jaku-san, you're the one who issued the
challenge. Your part of the process ended at 'Request'. My part is to decide
whether to accept or refuse."
Ren put his hands on his hips, his white teeth gleaming in the dark. "And I just
can't help myself! I want to see your 'Strength' firsthand!"
Jaku's expression softened into his usual gentle mask. He nodded. "I see.
Understood."
The next second—Zip!
Ren began scanning the alleyway. "So, do we settle this right here? Or do you
want to find a quieter spot so we can play for a while?"
The battle intent in the air spiked.
Jaku froze, then shook his head frantically. "No, no! This is for the benefit of
young Haruo-kun. Tonight is for healing. Let's take this to the octagon
tomorrow!"
"Fine by me," Ren said, pulling the designer lighter from his pocket and tossing
it idly. He shared a knowing look with Fusui. "The ring belongs to me right now,
anyway."
Jaku felt his scalp prickle. He forced a dry laugh, his neck stiff. I thought
our levels were close... but the vibe coming off this kid is all wrong...
With the match set for the following day, Jaku turned his attention back to the
"God of Destruction," providing basic first aid to the giant's shallow cuts.
"Come and watch my match tomorrow, Fatty-kun!" Jaku said with high-pitched
enthusiasm.
Haruo hesitated. Though his spirit was broken, his warrior's instincts allowed
him to perceive the vast gulf between Ren and Jaku.
"Is it really worth going that far for me, Jaku-san?"
Haruo wiped the mixture of blood, tears, and snot from his face. His voice was a
shaky, high-pitched rumble. "Even if you want to encourage me... is there really
a chance for someone like me to change?"
"There is! And even if there wasn't, it wouldn't matter! The point isn't the
'Result,' it's the Desire to change!"
Jaku's spirit hit the red-line. He tightened a fist and grinned. "Even if
victory is impossible, you fight! Because without the struggle, you've already
lost. Only by stepping into the fire can you find a new path. That is the
essence of my teaching!"
Jaku patted Haruo on his massive shoulder, giving a mischievous, high-level
smirk. "Besides... in a fight, you never know who's going to hit the dirt
first!"
"For the sake of a lost youth like you... I will win!"
With Haruo under Jaku's care and Akio Kono trapped by the guilt-tripping
lecture, the situation was stabilized. The unconscious Guardians were collected
by a Kure patrol and taken away for "questioning."
For Ren and Fusui, the drama was over. They continued their stroll, eventually
finding that bakery on the next block. The scent of fresh bread filled the night
air.
Jaku Kaioh waited until the Kure patrol had taken Haruo to the local clinic.
During the wait, he gave Akio Kono a lecture so thorough and intense the CEO
nearly collapsed in tears of frustration.
Once the businessman had fled, Jaku let out a satisfied sigh. He tucked his
hands into his pockets and strolled out of the alley.
"..."
To his surprise, someone was leaning against the wall at the alley's exit,
waiting for him.
"Hahaha! Oho!"
The high-pitched laugh belonged to the "Saint of War," Gouki Shibukawa.
Shibukawa slapped his thigh, looking at Jaku. "Impressive, Jaku-kun. To issue a
challenge to him just to make a pedagogical point... you've got guts!"
Jaku, showing immense respect to the senior master, bowed deeply. "Master
Shibukawa! How long have you been there?"
"Since before you started the lecture."
Shibukawa looked up at the stars. "Jaku-kun, if you're so obsessed with teaching
the youth, why didn't you just become a schoolteacher?"
Jaku scratched his head, his face flushing. "I'm afraid Kenpo is the only thing
I'm good at."
"Hahaha! I see."
Shibukawa let out a long sigh of admiration. "I was just arguing with Erio about
the 'Social Value' of martial arts... and then you show up and prove my point
all over again!"
"Ah? I... well..." Jaku looked awkward, rubbing his palms together. "You're the
Master of Real Combat. Do you think my philosophy is—"
Shibukawa waved him off. "Real combat, my ass!"
The old man spread his arms, gesturing to his traditional kimono. "Look at me.
I'm wearing a Haori over a gi in the middle of a festival. Does this look like
'Daily Life' to you?"
Jaku stood in a daze. Shibukawa's tone shifted. "That's what Motobe Izou tells
me, anyway. The man spends too much time overthinking."
Jaku: "..."
The Master's logic was making Jaku's head spin. He tried one more time.
"Master... do you agree with my perspective?"
"Who cares if I agree, little Jaku?!"
Shibukawa snapped back playfully. "Perspectives are like styles. Yours, mine,
Motobe's, Ren-kun's... there's no need to convince anyone. They just are."
"But one thing remains a fact—"
Shibukawa narrowed his eyes at Jaku. "You're fighting Ren Shiroki tomorrow. How
do you feel about your prospects?"
Jaku finally snapped back to reality. He clutched his chest, exhaling a massive
cloud of nervous tension. "It's terrifying! I've been breaking out in a cold
sweat since I saw his face!"
"Hahaha!"
Shibukawa boisterously laughed, turning to walk away. "Good luck! Try not to get
killed~!"
Jaku: "..." Jaku: "Master Shibukawa?! You're joking, right? You're definitely
joking!!"
The Next Day. Central Plaza, Temporary Octagon.
As the festival drew nearer, the crowd of spectators had grown significantly.
The Kure Clan was out in force: Erio, Fusui, Reiichi, and a dozen others. The
MPD contingent was there: Shibukawa, Sonoda, and the Judo Division. The NENTEN
group: Haruo Kono (wrapped in bandages) and a trembling Akio Kono. And of
course, the SJPW wrestlers: Kugo Kurachi, Jose Kanzaki, and the rest.
With nearly two hundred people gathered, the atmosphere was a pressure cooker of
excitement.
Haruo sat in the stands, his body covered in medical tape. He was still
terrified of the ring, his spirit too damaged to even consider standing on the
sand. Driven by his gluttony to soothe his nerves, he had gone to buy two giant
ice cream cones.
On his way back to his seat, his massive frame accidentally collided with Raian
Kure, who was passing by. The 315kg giant stumbled, nearly falling into the
front row of the audience.
Suddenly, a massive hand reached out. With a single-handed grip on Haruo's
wrist, the stranger stopped the giant's momentum and hauled him back to a stable
standing position.
"—?!"
Haruo stared in shock. He looked down at the man who had just "casually" handled
his 315kg mass. It was a hulking brute with thick dreadlocks.
"Whoa there! Careful, little brother."
"You're hurt? Is eating ice cream okay for the recovery? You should listen to
your doctors, haha!"
"..."
Haruo was paralyzed by the effortless display of strength.
The dreadlocked man continued to grin. "Go on, find your seat. Enjoy the show! I
hear this match is going to be quite a performance!"
Haruo swallowed hard. "P-Please... who are you?"
"I'm not important enough for a formal intro yet!"
The man known as "Hell's Angel," Jun Sekibayashi, crossed his arms and walked
over to join Kurachi and the other wrestlers. He bared his teeth in a wide,
theatrical grin.
"I'm just a Pro-Wrestler who was passing through!"
(End of Chapter)
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