Chapter 16 – The Leader Who Can’t Win

1. The Invitation I Couldn't Ignore

Renji should have ignored it.

Haru's invitation to the underground fight club had been a test. A trap, even.

And yet, here he was.

Walking through a darkened district where streetlights barely worked, following an address scrawled on a slip of paper.

Every step forward felt like a mistake.

But something deep inside him whispered—

"You need to know why he's watching you."

That was Shin's voice.

The part of Renji that always tried to keep order.

"You need to know if you can fight."

That voice wasn't Shin.

But it was still him.

---

2. The Golden Boy and His Games

The underground club wasn't what Renji expected.

Not a chaotic gathering of delinquents.

Not a bloodstained warehouse filled with desperate fighters.

It was organized. Structured.

And at the center of it all, standing near the ring like he belonged there—

Kirishima Haru.

Renji clenched his jaw.

Of course he was here.

Because Haru was the kind of person who was always in control.

Renji took a breath, forcing himself to act natural.

"Didn't think you'd actually come," Haru mused as he turned.

Renji didn't respond.

Haru smiled. "You don't talk much, huh?"

"Depends," Renji muttered. "Why am I here?"

Haru tilted his head.

"Because I wanted to see something."

Renji frowned. "See what?"

Instead of answering, Haru nodded toward the ring.

"Fight."

Renji's pulse spiked.

His body tensed—not in fear, but in calculation.

Haru's smile widened slightly. "What's wrong? I thought you wanted to know if you could win."

Renji's fingers curled into fists.

He should say no.

He should leave.

But deep inside him—something was stirring.

Not just Shin.

Something more.

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3. The Leader Against The Fighter

Renji stepped into the ring.

He didn't know how to fight.

Not like this.

Not with rules. Not with an audience.

The fights he had been in before? They weren't real fights.

Just flailing punches. Just instinct.

Now, facing his opponent—a real fighter, someone trained, someone used to winning—

Renji knew he was going to lose.

And yet, Shin still pushed him forward.

"You can't back down now."

The bell rang.

The fight began.

And Renji moved.

---

4. The Leader's Struggle

For the first few seconds, he dodged.

Pure instinct. Nothing practiced, nothing structured.

But his opponent was faster.

Smarter.

And when the first hit connected—Renji felt it everywhere.

Pain exploded through his ribs, forcing him back.

He gasped, stumbling—but he didn't fall.

Shin's voice pushed through his mind, calm despite the situation.

"Analyze. Find an opening. Just last."

But the body wasn't fast enough.

Another hit—this time to his shoulder.

Then another.

Renji gritted his teeth. This wasn't a fight.

This was a lesson.

And the lesson was simple—he wasn't strong enough.

---

5. The Smiling Observer

Haru was watching.

Not cheering. Not reacting.

Just watching.

Renji knew this wasn't about winning or losing.

It was about something else.

Haru wasn't interested in whether Renji was strong.

He was interested in whether Renji would break.

And the worst part?

Renji didn't know the answer.

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6. The Takeover

Pain flared through Renji's side.

His opponent wasn't holding back anymore.

Renji staggered. His vision blurred.

And deep inside him—something cracked.

Shin's voice was still there, still steady—

"You have to endure—"

But another voice rose.

A voice Renji didn't fully recognize.

A voice that was stronger. Sharper.

"No."

"We're done losing."

And suddenly—Renji wasn't in control anymore.

---

7. The Monster in the Ring

His body moved on its own.

Faster. Smoother. Sharper.

His next dodge was perfect.

The counterpunch wasn't just strong—it was brutal.

The opponent stumbled back.

Renji's lips curled.

Not in pain.

Not in exhaustion.

In satisfaction.

Because suddenly—fighting felt good.

It felt natural.

"This is how it should be."

The opponent came back—but Renji was faster.

A kick—precise. A strike—calculated.

For a moment, everything felt right.

And then—Shin's voice returned.

"Stop."

And Renji froze.

Pain shot through his stomach as a fist connected.

He hit the ground.

The referee called the match.

It was over.

Renji lay there, breathing hard.

Because he knew what had just happened.

He knew.

And Haru knew too.

---

8. The Golden Boy's Amusement

Haru crouched down.

"That was interesting," he murmured.

Renji didn't respond.

"You don't usually fight like that, do you?"

Renji clenched his jaw.

Haru tilted his head.

"But for a second there…"

His eyes sharpened.

"You looked like someone else."

Renji looked away.

Haru smiled.

"See you in class, Amamiya."

And then he was gone.

Renji exhaled.

His body still ached. But that wasn't what scared him.

What scared him was the voice that had taken over.

Because that voice hadn't been Shin.

And whoever it was—

They wanted more.

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9. The Brother Who Saw Too Much

Riku stood outside the club, fists clenched.

He had followed Renji here.

Had watched the fight.

And he had seen everything.

The way Renji moved. The way he changed.

The way, for just a moment—

His brother had disappeared.

Riku swallowed hard.

Because now, he didn't just suspect it.

Now, he knew.

Something else was inside Renji.

And if Riku didn't act soon—

He might lose his brother forever.

---

End of Chapter 16