Chapter 180: The Unpredictable Nature of Things

In the infirmary, aside from the full suite of medical equipment and staff, there was a forty-inch LCD screen on the wall showing a detailed live stream of the matches.

Just after Rinji had left the arena, the next match began: Tokita Ohma vs. Inaba Ryo, known as the "Black Phantom" from Penasonic.

The result: Tokita Ohma won. At the critical moment, his skin turned red again as he defeated his opponent.

Ever since Raian's match, Rinji had noticed a pattern. One move released latent potential, the other accelerated blood flow. Though the mechanics were different, the results were quite similar.

The only real difference was that one turned into a baked purple yam and the other into a roasted red one.

By the way, Tokita Ohma's title was "Asura"—a pretty cool name.

"Hey, Rinji," Karura suddenly asked,

"What's your title?"

"Title? What's it even for?"

"I don't really know either, but all of us seem to have one," Karura said, tapping her chin. "At least, I have one."

"Huh? You have a title?"

"Yeah. Mine is 'Succubus'," Karura smiled.

Apparently, not only fighters had titles—most of the Kure clan did too. For example, the man who had once fought Rinji, Kure Fusui, was known as the "The Wicked Shooter." The Kure clan's leader, Kure Erioh, shared a title with Kanoh Agito: "Fang of Metsudo."

Of course, Kanoh Agito was the fifth-generation "Fang," while Kure Erioh was the first.

It was said that Erioh had once been the fighter for Katahara himself and had helped him win the position of chairman of the Kengan Association.

"Rinji, you'll be facing challenges from the top sixteen soon. Why not come up with a title?"

"Well... I'm not really interested in stuff like titles."

Rinji thought for a moment.

"But if I need one... let's see. I'm basically invincible, so I should pick something unbeatable... How about 'Invincible Parasite'?"

Karura: "What is that?"

Hanafusa: "Let's not bring up outdated patch notes."

"Tch, so it's no longer meta?"

As they chatted, the next match on screen was nearing its end.

Furumi Pharmaceuticals' "Wild Tiger" Wakatsuki Takeshi vs. United Clothing's "The immeasurable" Murobuchi Gozo.

Winner: Wakatsuki Takeshi.

With overwhelming strength, he easily defeated the similarly large Murobuchi.

"That Wakatsuki guy's not bad," Rinji said, watching the screen with a smile. "His physical strength is definitely abnormal."

"Yeah. I really want to dissect him," Dr. Hanafusa remarked with admiration.

"You sure love dissecting people."

"It's just a personal hobby. But honestly, I'm more interested in dissecting you."

"If you want to dissect me, better pick a good time." Rinji smiled calmly.

Despite the creepy request, Rinji didn't seem the least bit disturbed.

As they spoke, the door to the room opened.

Inaba Ryo, with his thick long hair, was wheeled in unconscious. With him was the young CEO of Penasonic, Urita Sukizo.

The nature of fighter battles was brutal. There was no points system—victory was determined by surrender or inability to continue. As such, losers were often either seriously injured or killed, which was why fighters typically had short careers.

"Doctor, please save Ryo!"

"Leave it to me."

Dr. Hanafusa smiled and pulled Inaba Ryo into the treatment room.

Though a dissection maniac, he was a doctor at heart. Once a patient arrived, he immediately went into professional mode. It was hard to believe such a person was also a fighter.

After a short break, the screen displayed the next match.

Murder Music's Sawada Keizaburo—the gay guy who had invited Rinji to dinner during prelims—was up against Toyo Electric's German fighter, Julius Reinhold.

If Rinji hadn't intervened to stop Nikaido Ren from threatening Togawa Yoshiko, Sawada might have withdrawn before even entering the stage.

But even without a withdrawal, the result would've been the same. Julius was a man with terrifying muscles—his physique looked entirely beyond what humans could naturally achieve.

No matter what attacks Sawada launched, Julius didn't even flinch.

No technique was needed—just sheer strength to win.

In the end, Julius broke Sawada's leg and threw him aside, claiming victory.

"What a shame," Rinji said coldly, watching the broadcast.

"A solid fighter, but anyone on Toyo Electric's side needs to be eliminated."

---

"Victory decided! The winner—Julius Reinhold!!!"

The unconscious, one-legged Sawada Keizaburo was carried off by medics as the referee loudly declared Julius's win.

However, in the audience, Hayami Katsumasa didn't look pleased. According to plan, Sawada was supposed to forfeit—he didn't want Julius getting injured in the prelims.

Frowning, with half of his burned face looking even more sinister, Hayami sat in a wheelchair. His body was bound in bandages, bones shattered by Rinji's assault. He was currently incapable of normal movement.

"Nikaido Ren... what the hell were you doing?"

Soon, the next match began.

One of Rinji's former subordinates—the "Genocider" Muteba Gizenga—was matched against the "Crying Man" Meguro Masaki.

As Sayaka announced the fighters' names, Hayami calmed his mind.

He had adopted Meguro years ago, the boy behind a brutal mass murder. He had raised him just for this moment.

Meguro was incredibly strong and mentally unstable. Once in the ring, he would go on a rampage.

Seeing Muteba step in, Hayami's mouth curled into a grin.

"Go wild, Meguro Masaki."

However, at that very moment, Sayaka seemed to receive some news and picked up the microphone.

"Due to Meguro Masaki being found dead in the hallway of the dome, he is unable to continue. Therefore, Muteba Gizenga advances by default."

Hayami Katsumasa: "..."