Chapter 154: The Perfect Woman

"WAAHHH!!! My great-granddaughter!! Got snatched away by some brat from who-knows-where!!"

"Grandpa, don't sit on the floor. It's embarrassing."

"Grandpa, want a candy?"

With Karura clinging to Rinji's arm and walking out of the hall, the nearly 100-year-old Erioh suddenly plopped down and bawled like a child.

Several members of the Kure Clan nearby comforted the old man as if they were consoling a child.

"Tch, what an arrogant brat."

Kure Raian had been upset ever since he was stopped. He glared in the direction where Rinji and Karura had disappeared, his black sclera filled with fury.

"I'd advise you not to mess with that kid."

A middle-aged man beside Raian gave a warning.

"According to our Kure Clan's code, we're never supposed to fear a strong opponent—we challenge them until we defeat them. But... that man named Takamine Rinji isn't someone you can treat as a proper opponent."

"Hah!?"

"He can't even be considered human anymore."

The middle-aged man shook his head.

His name was Kure Horio, one of the top powerhouses in the Wu Clan, even among elites. He had also participated in the assassination against Rinji years ago.

"Back then, in my fight against him, I learned something."

"What?"

"Fear."

"Huh?"

"I don't know why he's become like this now, but four years ago, when he was still a kid, the only thing you could feel from him was fear," Horio said to the still-enraged Raian. "He had power beyond human limits, and no human emotions. If our clan kills without mercy due to our roots in assassination, then Takamine Rinji completely buried any trace of humanity."

"Tch. Then how did you survive back then?"

"Because your sister won. Our whole clan was spared."

Just as Horio was reminiscing, Katahara Metsudo suddenly appeared on a high platform in the hall, shouting to the fighters and entrepreneurs still enjoying the banquet:

"Silence!"

At his voice, everyone quieted down.

All eyes turned to where Katahara Metsudo stood.

Looking down from above, he announced in a booming voice, "Thank you for your patience. Now it's time for the official announcement."

Everyone thought, "Is it finally starting?"

"In about 27 hours, this ship will arrive at the final battleground," Katahara continued. "Once we arrive, each Kengan Association member company must register the name of their fighter. Only then will the Kengan Death Elimination Tournament officially begin."

He paused slightly, eyes narrowing.

"And finally, private fights between fighters are strictly prohibited. Any rule-breaking will be punished by the 'Bodyguard'.

These "Bodygaurd" were the suited bodyguards seen all over the ship. While they looked like clones of each other, each one had strength equal to—or far beyond—that of an average fighter.

This was why Katahara Metsudo was so confident in holding the tournament here.

"No private fights, huh... So that means…"

Most people took his words to heart and would follow the rules—but a few did not.

They began to see the loophole hidden within Katahara Metsudo's words.

Or rather, the loophole he deliberately left open.

Beneath the seemingly peaceful banquet, a dangerous undercurrent had begun to stir.

---

Rinji was grateful that he hadn't attacked the Kure Clan back then.

Otherwise, how could he now have such a cute girlfriend?

"Rinji, can I sleep in your room tonight?"

"This is moving a bit fast," Rinji replied with an awkward smile. "I'm happy you said that, but... as your great-grandfather mentioned, we only just met today."

"I see. I thought once we were officially together, we could start making babies."

"...Have you never dated anyone before? Didn't anyone ever teach you about this?"

"Nope. You're the first." Karura tilted her head. "Why?"

"Nothing."

'Today's really my lucky day.'

"Then if I don't go to your room, can you come to mine tonight?"

"That's not what I meant."

As mentioned before, Rinji usually seemed indifferent to most things, but when it came to relationships, he was quite serious. He wasn't the type to move in together just a few hours after becoming a couple.

They walked out to the deck.

The Kengan Ship was enormous, with a swimming pool, café, sports field, and garden outside. But since it was already past midnight, most facilities were closed. The two could only stroll through the garden near the café.

At that moment, Rinji's thoughts became a mess.

'What do people do after getting a girlfriend? Kiss? No no, that's too soon… But maybe… holding hands is okay? We are dating after all.'

Karura walked calmly beside him, totally unbothered. She didn't understand any of this either.

"Isn't this Takamine Rinji~? Out for a nighttime stroll?"

Just as Rinji was about to try holding her hand, a woman's voice called out to him.

Looking up, he saw someone he'd only met once before—Kurayoshi Rino, and her bodyguard and fighter, Mikazuchi Rei.

Kurayoshi Rino wore a revealing strap dress, radiating seductive elegance. Many men would go weak in the knees from just one glance.

Luckily, Rinji was not normal.

"Yeah, just out for a walk."

"And this one beside you… that's the Kure Clan's young lady, right?" Kurayoshi Rino smiled. "Could it be that you two are a couple?"

"Of course~"

Rinji proudly lifted his head.

Since getting a girlfriend, his confidence had noticeably skyrocketed.

"She's a beautiful girl. Congratulations~"

"Thanks, I think Karura's perfect."

Before Kurayoshi Rino could reply, Mikazuchi Rei frowned and stepped in front of Rinji.

"I think Rino is the most perfect woman."

"Get lost, it's Karura."

"It's Rino."

"It's Karura."

"It's—"

Wham!

Before Mikazuchi Rei could finish, Rinji kicked him hard in the gut, sending him flying a good distance.

Kurayoshi Rino covered her mouth in surprise as Mikazuchi Rei lay on the ground, unable to get up. She clearly hadn't expected that to happen.

Rinji pulled back his foot and calmly looked at the fallen man.

"Your mom's perfect."

Since getting a girlfriend, Rinji might've lost a few screws. He was already abnormal, and now even more so.