Chapter 139: Fighters

"My name is Soryuin Shion. Here's my card."

"Oh."

Rinji accepted the card she handed over. It read: Chairman of Koyo Academy Group.

The Koyo Academy Group was a major conglomerate in the education and transportation industries. The all-through Koyo Girls' Academy was just one part of its holdings.

"And this here is my secretary," Shion added, pointing to a short-haired woman beside her.

"H-hello, I'm Matsuda Tomoko."

"Nice to meet you. I'm Takamine Rinji." He gave a simple self-introduction.

Taking a drag from her cigarette, Shion looked toward the crowd brawling with fists in the center of the auditorium.

"I only started paying attention to you after overhearing your conversation with Chairman Katahara. I'm sure plenty of other people are investigating you too. Didn't expect you to show up in person. So, how do you know Akemi?"

"We just train together at the gym. I only found out today that her sister—that would be you—is also a Kengan member," Rinji smiled. "I came here to find Ozu Toshio. I've got some questions about muscle training I'd like to ask."

"Oh, so that's what this is about."

Shion chuckled and pointed to a towering middle-aged man in the arena who was clearly several heads taller than everyone else.

"That's the man you're looking for."

"Oh."

Takamine Rinji looked toward the arena. Two muscular fighters were just knocked unconscious by a single punch and lay collapsed on the floor. The one who had sent them flying at once was none other than Uzo Toshio—the man he had come to see.

"So he's a fighter, huh?"

"Ozu Toshio is a gladiator under the Koyo Academy Group. What you're seeing now is our internal fighter rotation—a sort of free-for-all to select the group's official combatants."

"Eh..."

Rinji stood on the viewing platform, watching with interest as Ozu Toshio effortlessly sent every would-be challenger flying with a single punch. No matter how strong the youths looked, they were flattened instantly like paper dolls.

"From the perspective of a regular person, he's not bad."

"You say the weirdest things. What do you mean 'from a regular person's perspective'?" Soryuin Shion chuckled. "But I did some digging and it turns out you're not exactly normal. Seems like Amane Pharmaceuticals only has one person—you."

Amane Pharmaceuticals, the company Takamine Rinji had established just over a month ago.

The company owned an entire office building and an independent research facility. Its total assets were five billion yen.

Staff: CEO—Takamine Rinji. Others: None.

Products: None.

In short, aside from the building and cash, the company was an empty shell. No researchers, no employees, and nothing in development.

"I haven't decided what to do with it yet. For now, I'm using my Kengan Association membership to make a bit of pocket money."

"You have your own fighter?"

"Nope. I make money through bets."

"Then you must be good at reading people," said Soryuin. "So, what do you think of our Ozu Toshio?"

"Him? Honestly, if you plan to send that guy to Kengan's 'Deadly Elimination Tournament' organized by that old geezer Katahara, I doubt he'd make it past the first round."

"Huh?"

Ignoring Shion's 'are you kidding me?' look, Rinji pointed to a long-haired man sitting off in the corner of the arena, who hadn't moved an inch the entire match.

"That guy, on the other hand, might have a shot."

"Hm? Who is he?"

Shion narrowed her eyes. This was an internal selection match for Koyo's fighters. Everyone was giving it their all—but that man looked like he was slacking off the entire time.

Seeing them looking his way, the long-haired man smiled and gave a small wave.

At that moment, a massive shadow fell over him. Ozu Toshio stepped in, smiling and wiping blood off himself.

"You've been conserving energy all this time. Let's see what you can really do."

Shion didn't even bother watching. That lanky guy probably couldn't take a single hit.

Smack!

Toshio swung a punch with precise aim—but the long-haired man casually raised his hand, and Toshio's punch was deflected aside.

"Oh?"

Shion's eyes lit up.

Any normal adult would've been sent flying.

"Chairman..."

"What?"

She turned to see her assistant, Matsuda Tomoko, rushing up with a file in hand.

"There should only be thirty-six participants in this internal selection, right?"

"Yeah, what about it?"

"But... there are thirty-seven people on the field!"

"What?"

"I counted carefully. I'm certain."

Both of them looked back toward the arena—and saw something shocking.

The hand Uzo Toshio had just punched with was now twisted into a grotesque spiral. It was clearly broken.

"What the..."

"Enough!" Shion knew this was bad. "Toshio! Fall back!!"

Toshio, too, had sensed the sickening killing intent from the long-haired man. But his pride wouldn't let him retreat. He charged forward, swinging with his one good hand.

The long-haired man smiled—and casually threw out a palm strike.

"Wait—"

SMACK!

The entire arena went silent.

In the center stood Takamine Rinji, now between Toshio and the long-haired man, both of whom he had stopped with crossed arms.

"Not bad," Rinji looked at the long-haired man, who stared back in slight astonishment. "What's your name?"

After a brief pause, the man smiled.

"...Kiryu. Kiryu Setsuna."

"I have business with Ozu Toshio. Could I ask you to hold back?"

"Of course."

Kiryu lowered his hand.

Just then, Shion and Tomoko stepped down from the viewing platform.

Rinji began tending to Ozu Toshio's twisted arm.

Shion turned to Kiryu.

"How did you get in here?"

"Rumors spread easily. I just asked around a bit," Kiryu smiled.

"I see... So, are you interested in becoming a fighter?"

"Absolutely."

Kiryu walked over to pick up his jacket—only to realize he couldn't lift his right arm no matter how hard he tried.

Looking closely, he found his arm—from palm to shoulder—twisted like a towel, muscles distorted into a spiral.