Deal with Divinity
-The White Room-
Death wasn't supposed to feel so... peaceful.
One moment, Reina Tanaka was crossing the street in Tokyo, earbuds in, scrolling through her phone. The next, screeching tires, a flash of white, then—nothing. No pain. No fear. Just the sudden absence of everything.
Until the white came back.
She stood—or floated, she couldn't quite tell—in an endless expanse of pure white. Not the sterile white of a hospital, but something primordial. Infinite. The kind of white that existed before color was invented.
"Well, well. Another soul plucked from the river of fate."
The voice rolled through the void like thunder wrapped in silk. Reina spun around to find a figure materializing before her. It—they?—were impossible to define. One moment appearing as a wizened old man with galaxies swirling in his beard, the next a beautiful woman with eyes like dying stars, then a being of pure light that hurt to perceive directly.
"What... who are you?" Reina's voice came out steadier than she felt.
The being smiled—she was certain it smiled, even without a consistent face. "I've been called many things. God. ROB. The Random Omnipotent Being. The Cosmic Troll. Take your pick." The entity's form settled into something more comprehensible—a tall figure in a pristine white suit, gender ambiguous, with eyes that held infinite amusement. "But you, my dear, may call me Existence."
"Am I... dead?"
"Oh, extremely dead. Truck-kun claimed another victim. A true classic." Existence chuckled, and reality rippled with the sound. "But here's where your story gets interesting. You see, I'm bored. Endlessly, cosmically bored. And when I'm bored, I like to... meddle."
Reina blinked. "Meddle?"
"Reincarnation. Transmigration. Isekai, as you kids call it these days." Existence waved a hand, and suddenly images flashed around them—worlds upon worlds, realities stacked like infinite playing cards. "I'm giving you a second chance, Reina Tanaka. A new life. New worlds. New... possibilities."
Her heart—did she still have a heart here?—began racing. "You're serious."
"As a heart attack. Or a truck accident, in your case." The being grinned. "Now, let me explain the terms of our little arrangement."
With a gesture, a comfortable chair appeared beneath Reina. Existence conjured a matching one and sat, crossing their legs with impossible grace.
"First, your destination: The world of Baki the Grappler. A universe where the strong devour the weak, where martial arts transcend human limitation, and where the most dangerous creature on Earth is a man named Yujiro Hanma—the Ogre."
Reina's eyes widened. She knew that series. The brutal fights, the inhuman strength, the testosterone-fueled chaos. The man who could stop earthquakes with a punch, who defeated entire armies, who was considered a walking natural disaster.
"And here's the twist," Existence continued, eyes glittering with mischief. "You won't just be thrown into that world. You'll be born into it. As Yujiro Hanma's daughter. The first female Hanma in history."
"The... what?!" Reina shot to her feet. "Yujiro Hanma?! That monster?!"
"Oh, it gets better." Existence was clearly enjoying this. "As a Hanma, you'll inherit certain... gifts. But not just any gifts. I'm feeling particularly generous today."
The being stood, and suddenly they were walking through the void. Images materialized around them as Existence spoke.
"Your first unique trait: Absolute Beauty. Not mere attractiveness, but beauty that transcends mortal comprehension. Your appearance will be perfect in every conceivable way—face, body, voice, movement. You'll be so beautiful that people will struggle to look away. So captivating that hardened warriors will stumble over their words. This beauty will grow with you, evolve with you, and never fade. It's not just physical—it's an aura, a presence that draws others like moths to flame."
Images swirled showing an impossibly beautiful woman with crimson eyes and flowing dark hair, her mere presence causing onlookers to freeze in awe.
"Your second unique trait: Absolute Reflexes. Time will move differently for you in combat. You'll perceive attacks before they land, react to movements before they complete. Your body will respond with perfect efficiency, no wasted motion, no hesitation. Combined with Hanma strength, you'll be nearly untouchable. While others see a punch coming, you'll have already seen, analyzed, and countered it."
The images shifted to show the same woman moving like liquid mercury, dodging attacks that seemed impossible to avoid, her crimson eyes tracking movements with supernatural precision.
"But wait, there's more!" Existence clapped their hands together like an overeager salesman. "Since you're going to multiple worlds, I can't have you be unprepared. So I'm giving you knowledge of two legendary martial arts."
Two scrolls materialized in the air, glowing with otherworldly light.
"Hokuto Shinken—the Fist of the North Star. The 2,000-year-old assassination art that strikes the body's 708 hidden pressure points. With a touch, you can make bodies explode from within, paralyze opponents, or even heal. It's not just about power—it's about precision, about understanding the human body down to its most fundamental level."
The first scroll unfurled, showing diagrams of pressure points and devastating techniques.
"And Renewal Taekwondo—from The God of High School. A martial art that adapts and evolves, that can generate massive shockwaves, allow for acrobatic combat that defies physics, and even channel internal energy to devastating effect. It's perfect for someone with your reflexes."
The second scroll showed explosive kicks and impossible aerial maneuvers.
"The knowledge will be sealed in your mind, accessible as you grow and train. You won't master them overnight—even I'm not that generous—but you'll have the complete understanding of both arts. All you need to do is train your body to execute what your mind already knows."
Reina—or whoever she was becoming—could barely process it all. "Why? Why give me all this?"
Existence's smile turned enigmatic. "Because I want to see what happens. Because you'll be the first female Hanma in a world that's never seen such a thing. Because Yujiro Hanma doesn't even know you exist, and I want to see his face when he finds out." The being leaned closer, their form shifting again. "But mostly? Because I'm curious what a woman with Hanma blood, perfect beauty, supernatural reflexes, and two of the most deadly martial arts in fiction will do when unleashed across the multiverse."
"The multiverse?"
"Oh yes. After you've made your mark on the Baki world, I'll give you the ability to travel between dimensions. The Vivzieverse awaits—Hell itself from Hazbin Hotel and Helluva Boss. And beyond that? Countless other realities. Each one a new adventure. New challenges. New... companions." Existence's grin turned knowing. "I've seen your browser history, Reina. I know what you're into. Consider this your chance to build the harem of your dreams across infinite realities."
Despite everything, Reina felt her face flush. "You—!"
"I'm a ROB, dear. I see everything. No judgment." Existence waved dismissively. "Now, here's the important part. Your mother—your biological mother in this new life—won't be anyone important. Just one of Yujiro's many... encounters. She died in childbirth, and you were taken in by a distant relative who kept you hidden. They feared what Yujiro might do if he discovered he had a daughter. In the Hanma bloodline, there's never been a female born with the demon blood. You'll be the first."
"So Yujiro doesn't know I exist?"
"Not yet. You'll be 16 when we start your story—the same age Baki was when he began his journey. Old enough to have trained in secret, to have awakened your Hanma blood, but young enough that you're still growing into your full power. The element of surprise will be yours."
"And when he finds out?"
Existence laughed, a sound like breaking reality. "That's entirely up to you, my dear. Will you seek him out? Challenge him? Avoid him? Try to earn his acknowledgment? The beauty of free will—even I don't know what you'll choose. That's what makes it fun."
The white void began to fade, colors bleeding in from the edges.
"Wait!" Reina called out. "What's my name? In this new life?"
"You'll be Reina Hanma. Your name means 'queen' in Spanish and 'wise' in Japanese—fitting for someone destined to rule across dimensions. It also sounds similar enough to your original name that you'll feel connected to who you were, while representing who you're becoming." Existence's voice echoed as their form dissolved. "Train hard, fight well, love fiercely, and above all—make it interesting."
"One more thing!" Reina shouted into the fading white. "What about my memories? Will I remember being... me?"
"Every moment, every experience, every bit of knowledge from your first life will be preserved. You'll grow up knowing you're a reincarnator, knowing the Baki story, knowing what's coming. Use that knowledge wisely—or don't. Surprise me."
The last thing Reina saw was Existence's final smile, then—
Darkness.
Warmth.
The sound of a heartbeat that wasn't her own.
And then, the cry of a newborn baby echoed through a small apartment in Tokyo, as the first female Hanma in history drew her first breath in a world that had no idea what was coming.
Chapter 1: The Crimson Demon Awakens
-Sixteen Years Later-
The underground dojo was silent except for the rhythmic sound of fists striking wood.
THUNK. THUNK. THUNK.
Reina Hanma stood before a makiwara post, her wrapped hands a blur as she delivered strike after precise strike. Sweat glistened on her bronze skin, soaking through her simple black tank top and training shorts. Her long crimson-streaked black hair was tied back in a high ponytail, and her eyes—those unmistakable Hanma eyes, amber-gold with hints of red—were focused with laser intensity.
She was beautiful. Devastatingly, impossibly beautiful.
At sixteen, Reina had grown into a body that seemed designed by an artist obsessed with perfection. She stood at 5'6"—tall for a Japanese woman—with an athletic build that combined feminine curves with visible, defined muscle. Not the bulky, grotesque musculature of male fighters, but the sleek, dangerous power of a predator. Her legs were long and powerful, her core tight and defined, her arms showing the kind of lean muscle that came from thousands of hours of training.
But it was her face that truly captured attention. High cheekbones, full lips, a perfectly proportioned nose, and those eyes—those fierce, predatory Hanma eyes that seemed to glow with internal fire. Her skin was flawless, unmarred by scars despite years of brutal training. And there was something else, something indefinable—an aura of absolute beauty that made people stop and stare, that made even the most disciplined warrior's concentration waver.
THUNK. THUNK. THUNK.
"Two thousand," she counted, her voice low and melodious. "Two thousand and one. Two thousand and two."
The makiwara post was beginning to splinter. She'd need to replace it soon. Again.
Reina paused, examining her wrapped knuckles. No pain. The Hanma body was ridiculous—she could train for hours without fatigue, push herself to limits that would hospitalize normal people, and wake up the next day ready for more. At thirteen, she'd awakened fully to her Hanma blood. The Demon Back had manifested for the first time when she'd gotten into a fight with a group of thugs who'd cornered her guardian.
She'd killed them all without meaning to.
That had been... educational.
"Still hiding down here, Reina-chan?"
The voice came from the stairs. Reina didn't need to turn around—she'd sensed the presence minutes ago. Her Absolute Reflexes meant she was always aware of her surroundings, always tracking movements and potential threats.
"Grandmother," she acknowledged, turning to face the elderly woman descending into her private training space.
Hanako Tanaka was 73 years old, a distant cousin of Reina's biological mother. She'd taken in the infant Reina sixteen years ago, knowing full well the danger it represented. The old woman had been a judoka in her youth, skilled enough to understand what the child would become.
"You've been training for eight hours straight," Hanako said, her weathered face creased with concern. "Even you need rest, child."
"Hanmas don't need rest." Reina's lips curved into a small smile. "Or so I'm told."
"You're not just a Hanma. You're also human. Mostly." The old woman approached, her eyes—so much like Reina's but faded with age—studying her carefully. "You're planning something. I can tell."
Reina unwrapped her hands, flexing her fingers. "I'm sixteen now. Old enough. Strong enough. It's time to step out of the shadows."
Hanako's expression tightened. "Baki."
"My older brother. Half-brother, technically." Reina walked to the corner of the dojo where she'd set up a small shrine—not a religious one, but a collection of newspaper clippings, fight records, and tournament results. All centered around one subject: Baki Hanma. "He's been making waves. Fighting in the underground arena. Training to surpass... him."
She didn't need to say the name. Yujiro Hanma. The Ogre. The Strongest Creature on Earth. Her father.
"You want to meet them," Hanako said. It wasn't a question.
"I want to see what I'm up against." Reina turned, her eyes glowing with that characteristic Hanma intensity. "I've trained for sixteen years in secret. I've mastered techniques that shouldn't exist in this world. I've awakened the Demon Back. But I don't know where I stand. Not really."
She walked to a punching bag—one of several she'd destroyed and replaced over the years—and delivered a casual palm strike.
The bag exploded.
Sand poured across the floor as the chain holding it snapped and flew across the room, embedding in the concrete wall.
"I need to test myself," Reina continued, as if she hadn't just demonstrated superhuman strength. "And more than that... I'm curious. About Baki. About the underground arena. About the fighters there. Doppo Orochi, the God of War. Kaoru Hanayama, the strongest yakuza. Retsu Kaioh, the Chinese Kenpo master. Katsumi Orochi, the prodigy." Her lips curved into a predatory smile. "And eventually... Jack Hanma. My other half-brother."
Hanako sighed deeply. "You're determined to walk this path."
"Grandmother, I was born on this path. I am Hanma. The demon blood flows through me just as surely as it flows through Baki and Jack." Reina's expression softened slightly. "But I'm also more than that. I'm the first. The only female Hanma in history. I have to know what that means."
"And when Yujiro finds out you exist?"
The temperature in the room seemed to drop.
"Then we'll see if the Ogre can handle having a daughter," Reina said quietly. "But first, I need to establish myself. Build my reputation. Prove I'm not just another fighter, but something new. Something this world has never seen."
She walked to the wall where she'd hung a simple black gi and red hand wraps. Her fighting outfit.
"Tomorrow," Reina declared, "I'm going to Tokugawa's underground arena. And I'm going to make them remember the name Reina Hanma."
Hanako was silent for a long moment, then nodded slowly. "Your mother—your biological mother—was a kind woman. Gentle. When Yujiro... when it happened, she never blamed the child. She knew you would be special. With her dying breath, she asked me to protect you, to hide you until you were strong enough to face the world that birthed you."
The old woman approached, placing a weathered hand on Reina's cheek.
"She would be proud of what you've become. Strong, but not cruel. Powerful, but not tyrannical. You have the Hanma blood, yes, but you have something Yujiro has never possessed." Hanako smiled. "A heart that can still love."
Reina felt something tighten in her chest. In both lives, she'd never known true family. Hanako was the closest thing she had.
"Thank you, Grandmother. For everything."
"Go then, child. Make your mark. But promise me—" Hanako's grip tightened, her old eyes fierce. "Promise me you won't lose yourself to the demon. Don't become what he is."
Reina met her gaze steadily. "I promise. I'll be something different. Something better."
She pulled away gently and began stretching, preparing for one final training session before tomorrow's debut.
"Besides," Reina added with a mischievous grin that would have made Existence proud, "I've got plans that go far beyond just fighting. This world is only the beginning."
As she moved through her forms—Hokuto Shinken pressure point strikes flowing seamlessly into Renewal Taekwondo's explosive kicks—Reina's mind wandered to the future. The underground arena. The fighters she'd meet. The battles ahead.
And beyond that, other worlds. Hell itself, with its demons and sinners. Realities she couldn't even imagine yet.
But first, she had to conquer this one.
The First Daughter of the Ogre was about to announce herself to the world.
And nothing would ever be the same.
-The Underground Arena-
The next evening, Reina stood outside the entrance to Tokugawa's underground arena, one of Tokyo's best-kept secrets. The entrance was hidden beneath a legitimate restaurant, accessible only to those who knew where to look and had the connections to gain entry.
She'd dressed simply but effectively: black fighting gi pants that allowed free movement, a crimson sports top that showed her defined midsection, and red hand wraps that extended up her forearms. Her hair was pulled back in a high ponytail, crimson streaks catching the dim light. No shoes—she fought better barefoot, able to feel the ground and adjust her balance instantly.
The effect was striking. Several passersby had already stopped to stare, and she hadn't even entered the arena yet.
Absolute Beauty is no joke, she thought wryly. People can barely focus when I'm around.
"May I help you, miss?" A sharply dressed man appeared at the entrance, his professional demeanor barely masking his inability to stop staring.
"I'm here to fight," Reina said simply, her voice carrying that melodious quality that made people lean closer to hear more.
The man blinked. "I... I'm sorry, miss, but this is an underground fighting arena. We don't—that is, women don't typically—"
"I'm Reina Hanma," she interrupted, letting the name hang in the air. "And I'm here to speak with Mitsunari Tokugawa about joining his roster of fighters."
The man's expression shifted from confused to shocked. "Hanma? But that's—"
"Impossible? There's never been a female Hanma?" Reina's smile turned sharp, predatory. "I know. That's what makes it interesting."
Before the man could respond, a voice echoed from inside the entrance.
"Let her through."
The command was absolute. The doorman immediately stepped aside, and Reina descended into the underground complex.
The arena itself was magnificent in its brutality. A large octagonal fighting pit in the center, surrounded by tiered seating filled with wealthy spectators and hardened fighters. The walls were decorated with weapons from various martial arts, and the air carried the scent of sweat, blood, and anticipation.
Standing at the edge of the pit was a small, elderly man in an expensive suit. Mitsunari Tokugawa—the organizer of these death matches, descendant of the famous Tokugawa shogunate, and one of the most powerful men in Japan's underground world.
"So," Tokugawa said, his sharp eyes examining Reina with interest, "the rumors are true. A female Hanma has appeared."
"Rumors?" Reina raised an eyebrow. "I've been in hiding my entire life, old man. What rumors?"
"The underground has eyes everywhere, young lady. When a girl matching your description destroyed three training dojos in one month, people talk. When witnesses report seeing someone with the Demon Back performing impossible feats, people investigate." Tokugawa smiled thinly. "And when the name 'Hanma' is whispered with both fear and curiosity, I pay attention."
Reina hadn't realized she'd left such an obvious trail. Her training sessions with other dojos—where she'd fought their best fighters to test herself—had apparently made waves.
"You're well-informed."
"It's my business to be." Tokugawa gestured to the arena. "So, Reina Hanma. You claim to be Yujiro's daughter. Prove it."
"Now?"
"Do you fear combat?"
Reina's laugh was low and dangerous. "Not even a little."
"Good." Tokugawa raised his hand, and the arena lights dimmed slightly. "Tonight, we have a special exhibition. A newcomer wishes to prove herself. She claims to carry the blood of the Ogre himself."
The crowd's murmur grew to a roar of excitement and disbelief.
"Her opponent," Tokugawa continued, "will be one of our regular fighters. Kiyosumi Katou—3rd dan Shinshinkai Karate!"
A man stepped into the arena from the opposite side. Kiyosumi Katou was tall, muscular, with the confident bearing of someone who'd fought hundreds of matches. He was a student of Doppo Orochi, trained in the brutal Shinshinkai style, and he looked less than pleased to be fighting a woman.
"This is a joke," Katou said, his voice carrying across the arena. "I'm supposed to fight a girl? Where's my real opponent?"
Reina stepped into the pit, her bare feet silent on the concrete floor. The moment she entered, the crowd's noise died down. Every eye was fixed on her—on her impossible beauty, on her confident stride, on the predatory grace in every movement.
"I'm right here," Reina said, taking a fighting stance—a hybrid of Hokuto Shinken and Renewal Taekwondo that Existence had helped her perfect. Her weight distributed perfectly, her hands raised but relaxed, her eyes locked on her opponent with absolute focus.
Katou hesitated. Up close, he could feel it—the same oppressive aura that Baki and Yujiro carried. The demon blood. It was real.
"Don't hold back," Reina said, her amber-gold eyes beginning to glow. "If you do, you'll die."
The crowd went silent.
Tokugawa raised his hand, then dropped it. "Begin!"
Katou moved first, launching a Shinshinkai straight punch aimed at Reina's face—a test of her defenses.
To everyone watching, the punch was fast. Professional. Deadly.
To Reina, it moved in slow motion.
Her Absolute Reflexes kicked in, and she watched the punch travel through space, seeing every muscle contraction, every shift in Katou's weight, every microscopic adjustment in his trajectory. Her mind processed thirty different counters in the half-second it took for his fist to reach her.
She chose the most efficient one.
Reina's hand moved like a snake strike, catching Katou's wrist mid-punch. Her thumb pressed into a specific pressure point—one of the 708 hidden points taught by Hokuto Shinken.
"Hokuto Hyakuretsu Ken," she whispered.
Her free hand became a blur, delivering one hundred strikes to Katou's exposed torso in less than two seconds. Each strike hit a pressure point with surgical precision, but she held back—these strikes wouldn't kill, only paralyze.
Katou's body seized up, his muscles locking as his nervous system was overwhelmed. He collapsed to his knees, unable to move, his eyes wide with shock.
The entire exchange had taken less than three seconds.
The arena was silent.
Reina released Katou's wrist and stepped back. "You're not dead. The paralysis will wear off in about ten minutes. Next time, don't underestimate your opponent based on gender."
She turned to face Tokugawa, who was staring at her with barely concealed fascination.
"Is that enough proof?"
Tokugawa began to laugh—a genuine, delighted sound. "Proof? My dear girl, that was magnificent! Hokuto Shinken! I thought that style was purely fictional!"
"So did I," Reina admitted with a wry smile. "Until I learned it."
"Incredible. Simply incredible." Tokugawa descended from his observation platform, approaching the arena with renewed energy. "Reina Hanma, I accept you into my roster. You'll fight here, test yourself against the best fighters in Japan, and—"
"And eventually, I'll fight Baki Hanma," Reina finished. "My half-brother."
The crowd exploded with noise.
"You're serious?" Tokugawa's eyes gleamed. "You want to face the Strongest Boy on Earth?"
"Eventually. First, I want to build my reputation. Fight other challengers. Prove I'm worthy of carrying the Hanma name." Reina's expression grew fierce. "And then, when the time is right, I'll challenge my baby brother. And after that..."
She didn't finish the sentence, but everyone in the arena understood.
After Baki would come the ultimate challenge.
Yujiro Hanma. The Ogre himself.
Tokugawa smiled like a child on Christmas morning. "This... this will be the most entertaining series of matches I've ever hosted. Welcome to the underground, Reina Hanma. Welcome to hell."
Reina's answering smile was sharp and dangerous. "Hell? Old man, I plan to conquer much worse than this."
As medical personnel rushed to attend to the still-paralyzed Katou, Reina exited the arena to thunderous applause. She'd made her debut. Established herself as a force to be reckoned with.
But the night wasn't over yet.
Standing in the shadows near the exit, watching her with intense interest, were three figures:
Kaoru Hanayama, the strongest yakuza in Japan, his massive frame and scarred face unmistakable.
Doppo Orochi, the God of War himself, his single eye fixed on Reina with professional assessment.
And Katsumi Orochi, Doppo's adopted son, his young face showing equal parts shock and admiration.
"That's impossible," Katsumi breathed. "A female Hanma?"
"Impossible or not," Doppo rumbled, his deep voice thoughtful, "she's real. And she's dangerous."
Hanayama said nothing, but his dark eyes never left Reina's retreating form. He'd felt it—the same monstrous presence he'd felt when facing Baki. The demon blood was undeniable.
Reina sensed their stares, her Absolute Reflexes making her aware of every gaze upon her. She glanced back, meeting each of their eyes in turn, and smiled.
Then she was gone, vanishing into the Tokyo night.
Phase One of her plan was complete.
Now the real fun could begin.
To Be Continued...
Next Chapter: Crimson Meets Shadow - Reina encounters Kaoru Hanayama, and their meeting leads to an unexpected connection. Meanwhile, rumors of the female Hanma reach Baki's ears, setting the stage for a sibling reunion neither of them expected...