Chapter 167: Do I Still Fear

"Defeat him… and become the Kengan Association chairman right away!?"

Except for the few who knew Rinji's true capabilities, the rest of the business leaders looked at him in disbelief.

He looked so small and thin—probably not even eighteen.

And yet, beating him would grant them the right to appoint the next chairman?

And joint challenges were allowed?

Was Katahara seriously that eager to give up his position?

"That's right."

Katahara kept his eerie grin as he looked at the confused crowd.

"If you defeat Rinji-kun, the victor gets the right to choose the next chairman. If a group of fighters beats him and more than one is still standing, then they fight each other for the right… though frankly, I doubt that scenario will happen."

"…"

As his words settled, the business leaders began calculating.

It sounded like a simple rule—but in their eyes, it was filled with room for maneuvering and traps.

First, Katahara's boldness meant Rinji must be far more powerful than he appeared. Even though they had seen him fight in the prelims, his performance hadn't seemed overwhelming.

But if Katahara was making such a declaration, it meant Rinji's strength might even surpass Kanoh Agito.

This led to a critical question: how should they challenge him?

Logically, alliances would offer the best chance. But if one side held back and let the other exhaust Rinji, then swooped in to finish the job, the first side would be screwed.

Moreover, since challenges were allowed after the first round, losing meant their fighter could be too injured to continue—costing them a spot in the quarterfinals or semifinals.

How strong was Rinji really? Should they challenge him? Should they ally? With whom?

These were the decisions now confronting them under the new rule.

One misstep—and the chance at the Kengan Association chairmanship would be lost forever.

"By the way."

Seeing their faces grow increasingly grim, Katahara added with a smile:

"If Rinji-kun isn't competing, he'll be commentating for the tournament. If you're interested in challenging him, go to him directly—no need to go through me. As I said, his existence is beyond the Kengan rules."

"…"

The opportunity was now on the table.

But only companies who made it to the top 16 could take it.

---

"Hey, Gizenga. What do you think about all this?"

A black-haired woman with serrated teeth looked toward Muteba Gizenga, who was reclining on a beach chair, enjoying a massage from a bikini-clad beauty behind him.

Her name was Togo Tomari, the boss of Iwami Heavy Industries.

Because her company frequently dealt in arms and military goods, she was known in the industry as the "Merchant of Death."

"What are you referring to?"

"That guy named Rinji Takamine. Do you think you can take him on?" Togo Tomari asked as she looked at the relaxed Gizenga. "If you win, you'd be the champion immediately."

"You sent me to compete, right?"

"Of course I did."

"Then you shouldn't be sending me to my death." Muteba chuckled.

"Huh?"

"That Takamine was my superior two years ago. We were both part of the African coastal defense forces. Back then, I was still a direct IW mercenary."

"You were with IW!?"

Togo Tomari was genuinely shocked.

Anyone in the arms business knew what the name IW meant. You could only do business under IW's permission. Iwami Heavy Industries sold many weapons, but only because IW allowed it. In essence, they let her eat at the table.

"Yeah. And back then, Lieutenant Takamine was terrifying. Even a hundred of me wouldn't stand a chance against him." Muteba smirked. "Even if all thirty-two companies and Kanoh Agito teamed up, they wouldn't last five minutes against him."

"...That strong?"

"Absolutely. Which is why the best move for us is not to challenge him."

Muteba took off his sunglasses, revealing his blank, pupil-less eyes.

"Let those frogs at the bottom of the well think they can beat him. After they all get crippled or killed, there will be fewer opponents in the main tournament. If I'm the only one left from the top sixteen who doesn't challenge him, we'll basically have the championship locked."

"Hmm... that actually makes sense."

After learning about Rinji, Togo Tomari had a mischievous thought.

She wasn't thinking about forming alliances to challenge Rinji—but rather how to trick those clueless companies into attacking him, thereby reducing competition in the main tournament.

...

"Mr. Ohma, I really don't think this is a good idea..."

"What's wrong with it?"

"Because..."

On the beach at night, Tokita Ohma was warming up while Yamashita Kazuo stood beside him, visibly conflicted.

"Takamine is way too strong. Besides..."

"Precisely because he's that strong, I have to challenge him."

After finishing his stretches, Ohma began throwing punches into the air, the speed of his fists cutting through with sharp "whoosh" sounds.

"You say that, but I really don't know what to do."

Yamashita lowered his head.

"I got tricked into this. Our company has nothing—plus we're 5.1 billion yen in debt. If I want to challenge Takamine, I need to offer him something valuable... but what do I have to offer?"

"Borrow money from Nogi."

"Are you a demon!?"

---

Meanwhile, in a training room...

Karura stood excitedly on the observation deck in her swimsuit, watching Rinji warming up on the ring below.

Standing across from Rinji was none other than Kanoh Agito, now fully suited up in a tight combat outfit.

"Mr. Takamine, sorry to bother you so late for training."

"It's fine. Just a good chance to stretch my body." Rinji smiled. "You want to see if, after four years of training, you can finally beat me?"

"I do want to beat you, but not today."

Kanoh took a stance and opened some distance, preparing to engage.

"I just want to see... if I still feel fear when facing you again."