Chapter 164: Finally Becoming the Man I Always Wanted to Beat

"Execute me, huh? Now that's interesting."

Rinji could clearly sense the hostility coming off Akoya, but he wasn't angry.

"I remember you, Officer Akoya. Four years ago, when I blew up the Shinomiya Family's 43rd subsidiary, the 44th Riot Squad blocked my path. You had a helmet on back then, but I eventually found out what you looked like." Rinji smiled. "The police said you're 'the most suitable man for the job.'"

"Hmph."

"A man of justice like you would of course be upset that I was ultimately released."

Rinji's grin grew, and there was a trace of mockery in his eyes as he looked at Akoya.

"Then why didn't you kill me back then? Were you afraid?"

"Justice does not fear."

Akoya stared at Rinji, holding back the urge to snap his neck right then and there.

"Back then, I followed orders and let you go. But this time—I won't."

"Is that so? And how do you plan to 'execute' me? Don't forget, I'm not a fighter. You won't be able to touch me in the arena."

"…"

"I'll give you a chance, at least."

Rinji lightly poked the man's chest with a finger.

"In the elimination match, we'll have a one-on-one duel. No talk of victory—only of life or death."

"…Fine." Akoya's gaze grew sharper. "It's time to settle what happened four years ago."

"I look forward to the moment your righteous fantasy gets shattered…"

"Rinji, look! That place over there looks fun~"

Just as he finished speaking, Karura tugged on his arm, pointing toward the water park on the other side.

"Yeah, let's go~"

As Karura pulled him along, the aura around Rinji disappeared in an instant, and he walked away with her, leaving Akoya behind.

Watching the two leave, Akoya seemed lost in thought.

But judging by his clenched fists, it was clear he was barely restraining the murderous intent boiling inside him.

"Rinji Takamine, I must erase you from this world."

---

After one round of fun, night had fallen quickly.

During that time, Rinji and Karura had tried nearly every attraction on the island. While Rinji wasn't particularly interested, spending time with Karura made it worthwhile.

As for Karura—she had originally wanted to take the chance to "make a baby" with Rinji, but he managed to stop her just in time.

At night, everyone returned from the beach and enjoyed a barbecue under the open sky.

Most of the entrepreneurs ate gracefully, while some of the fighters devoured their food like starving wolves… and then there were the others.

"Ah~"

"Aaah—"

Karura picked up a slice of grilled meat with her chopsticks and brought it to Rinji's mouth. He took a big bite and showed a blissful expression.

This public display of affection annoyed quite a few single fighters nearby.

Among them was Kure Erioh. His hands trembled as he watched the affectionate pair, and he crushed the metal fork and knife in his grip.

"That damn blond brat…!!!"

"Grandpa, your blood pressure's rising again," Kure Reiichi calmly reminded him while eating.

Back in the day, if Rinji saw a couple flaunting their love like that, he probably would've smacked them with a club.

Unknowingly, he had become the very kind of person he used to want to beat up the most.

"Hi, Karura."

Just as Karura was feeding Rinji, a female voice called out her name.

They turned to see a blonde girl in a swimsuit.

"Oh, it's Elena."

The girl named Elena was a Western beauty with a gentle, sweet face. She smiled and greeted Karura warmly.

"Rinji, let me introduce you."

Karura put an arm around Elena's shoulders and pushed her in front of Rinji.

"This is my friend from the ship, Elena Robinson."

"Nice to meet you." Seeing she was Karura's friend, Rinji greeted her without hesitation. "I'm Karura's boyfriend, Takamine Rinji."

"N-nice to meet you, Mr. Rinji," Elena said a little shyly.

"Oh? Elena made a new friend?"

A foreign man wearing a traditional Japanese martial arts uniform walked up and patted Elena's head.

"Big brother."

The man who walked over was also quite burly, especially with knuckles thicker than the average person's.

He stepped in front of Rinji and smiled. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Rinji Takamine. I saw your preliminary match. You're quite impressive."

"Thanks for the compliment."

"But!"

His gaze suddenly sharpened. When Elena and Karura weren't looking, his expression twisted in front of Rinji.

Lowering his voice, he said, "If you dare mess with Elena, I don't care how strong you are—I'll kill you."

"Huh?"

Also avoiding Karura and Elena's notice, Rinji sneered, looking at the man with disdain. "Are you stupid? I already have Karura. You think I'd be interested in some run-of-the-mill chick?"

"F**k! How dare you call Elena run-of-the-mill! She's the most beautiful and adorable girl in the world! Want me to kill you right now?!"

"Screw you! Beautiful and adorable? You sure it's not just your family bias? Want me to beat you into tears right now?"

While Karura and Elena chatted and laughed nearby, Rinji and Elena's brother glared at each other, one wrong word away from brawling on the spot.

The man in front of Rinji was named Mokichi Robinson, another contestant in the tournament. He was powerful and usually dressed like a priest, earning him the nickname "The Exterminating Vicar."

Anyone who had made it to Ganryu Island was no weakling.

"Silence."

As the voice echoed out, the entire party fell silent—including the happily chatting Karura and Elena, and the two who were about to throw punches.

Everyone turned to see Katahara Metsudo arriving with a group of men in black.

Seeing that everyone was gathered, Katahara nodded and said loudly, "Representatives of the 32 participating companies, please proceed to the main hall."

Then he glanced toward Rinji.

"Young friend Rinji, you come too."

"Got it."

Rinji understood his intent. With a slight smile at the corner of his mouth, he followed them.

He knew—the show was about to begin.