-The Yakuza's Interest-
Three days after her debut at the underground arena, Reina found herself walking through the neon-lit streets of Kabukicho, Tokyo's red-light district. It wasn't a place she frequented—too many people, too much noise, too many eyes tracking her wherever she went. Her Absolute Beauty made anonymity nearly impossible.
But she had business here.
Tokugawa had arranged another fight for her tonight, this time against a former sumo wrestler turned street fighter. Easy money, easy reputation building. But more importantly, word had spread through the underground that the major fighters wanted to meet her. Assess her. Determine if she was truly Hanma or just some talented pretender.
Reina smiled to herself as she navigated the crowded streets. Let them wonder. Let them speculate. Every moment of uncertainty worked in her favor.
She wore casual clothes tonight—black jeans, a fitted crimson tank top, and a leather jacket. Her hair was down, the crimson streaks catching the neon lights like fire. Even dressed casually, she turned heads. Men and women alike stopped to stare, some with desire, others with simple awe at her impossible beauty.
Her Absolute Reflexes tracked every movement around her. The drunk salaryman stumbling out of a hostess bar. The two yakuza enforcers watching the corner. The street vendor hawking takoyaki. Everything was data, processed and catalogued without conscious effort.
Then she felt it.
A presence. Massive. Overwhelming. Unlike anything she'd encountered since awakening her Hanma blood.
Reina stopped walking, her amber-gold eyes narrowing as she turned toward the source.
Standing in the entrance of a high-end hostess club was a mountain of a man.
Kaoru Hanayama.
Even in her past life, when she'd watched and read Baki, Hanayama had been one of her favorite characters. The young yakuza boss who valued honor above all else. The man whose grip strength was so monstrous he could crush bone like paper. The fighter who refused to learn technique, relying purely on overwhelming physical power and an unbreakable will.
In person, he was even more intimidating.
Hanayama stood at 6'3", but his sheer mass made him seem larger. He was built like a tank—broad shoulders, arms thicker than most men's legs, a chest that strained against his expensive designer suit. His face was brutal—a strong jaw, sharp eyes, and most notably, a massive scar running down the left side of his face from temple to chin, a memento from his fight with Spec, the American convict.
He was smoking a cigarette, surrounded by four subordinates in black suits. But his dark eyes were fixed entirely on Reina.
Their gazes met across the crowded street.
For a moment, neither moved. The world seemed to fade away—the noise, the lights, the people. There was only the silent assessment between two apex predators meeting for the first time.
Then Hanayama exhaled smoke and nodded once, a gesture of acknowledgment.
Reina felt her lips curve into a genuine smile. She crossed the street, navigating through traffic with fluid grace, and approached the yakuza boss.
Up close, the difference in their sizes was almost comical. Reina was tall for a woman, but Hanayama towered over her, outweighed her by at least 150 pounds of pure muscle. His subordinates tensed as she approached, hands moving toward concealed weapons.
"Stand down," Hanayama's voice rumbled, deep and commanding. His men immediately relaxed, though their eyes never left Reina.
"Kaoru Hanayama," Reina said, her melodious voice cutting through the street noise. "The youngest head of the Hanayama-gumi. The man with the strongest grip in Japan. I've heard stories."
"Reina Hanma." Hanayama took another drag of his cigarette, his expression unreadable. "The woman who claims to be Yujiro's daughter. The first female Hanma in history." He paused, his dark eyes studying her intensely. "I saw your fight with Katou. That was Hokuto Shinken."
"You recognized it?"
"I've fought enough martial artists to recognize the real thing. Pressure point strikes, perfect precision, controlled power." Hanayama flicked ash from his cigarette. "But that's not what impressed me."
Reina raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
"Your presence. Your aura." Hanayama's expression grew serious. "I've only felt that kind of pressure from three people. Yujiro Hanma. Baki Hanma. And now you."
He stepped closer, and Reina felt the full weight of his presence. It was like standing next to a dormant volcano—immense power barely contained, ready to erupt at any moment. But there was something else too. An underlying honor, a code that governed his actions.
"Are you really his daughter?" Hanayama asked directly, his voice low enough that only she could hear.
Reina met his gaze without flinching. "My mother was one of his... encounters. She died giving birth to me. I've been hidden my entire life, raised by my grandmother. Yujiro doesn't know I exist." She paused, letting the Demon Back's presence leak out just slightly—a flex of her aura. "But the blood doesn't lie. I am Hanma."
Hanayama's eyes widened fractionally. He'd felt it—that characteristic pressure, that monstrous presence that marked the Hanma bloodline.
"I believe you," he said simply. Then, to her surprise, he extended his massive hand. "Welcome to the underground, Reina Hanma."
Reina looked at his hand—a hand that had crushed skulls, snapped bones, defeated countless opponents. This was a test. Not of strength necessarily, but of courage. Of whether she would back down from direct contact with a man known for his grip strength.
She smiled and took his hand.
The moment their skin touched, Reina felt the immense power coiled in Hanayama's grip. He wasn't squeezing—not yet—but she could sense the potential. The ability to turn her hand into broken fragments with a single flex of his muscles.
"Your hand is rough," Reina observed, feeling the calluses and scars. "Years of training. Blood and pain compressed into flesh."
"Your hand is soft," Hanayama countered, though his tone held no judgment. "But I can feel the power beneath. Like steel wrapped in silk."
They held the handshake for a moment longer, neither backing down, neither trying to dominate. Then, simultaneously, they released.
"You're here for the fight tonight," Hanayama stated, not a question.
"Against some ex-sumo wrestler. Tokugawa's building my reputation."
"A waste of your time." Hanayama crushed his cigarette beneath his shoe. "You don't need to fight nobodies to prove yourself. Not after what you did to Katou."
"Maybe not. But I need to understand the landscape. Learn who the real fighters are. Who's worth my attention." Reina tilted her head, studying him with open curiosity. "Are you worth my attention, Hanayama?"
The yakuza boss's lips curved into what might have been a smile—a rare expression on his brutal face. "Eventually, we'll find out. But not tonight. Tonight, I have business." He gestured to his men, who immediately fell into formation. "But before I go—a warning."
"A warning?"
"Your brother. Baki. He's heard about you." Hanayama's expression grew serious. "He's been asking questions. Investigating. He'll want to meet you soon."
Reina's heart rate increased slightly, though her expression remained calm. "How does he feel about suddenly having a sister?"
"Confused. Curious. Cautious." Hanayama paused. "And excited. Baki's spent his whole life chasing Yujiro, trying to surpass him. The idea that there's another Hanma—a sister he never knew about—has shaken him. In a good way, I think."
"And you? Why are you telling me this?"
Hanayama was silent for a moment, then said simply, "Because I respect strength. And because I think you're going to change everything in the underground. The old order—the constant battle between men trying to prove who's strongest—that's about to get more interesting."
He began to walk away, his subordinates following, but paused and looked back.
"One more thing. There are people who won't accept you. Who'll see a female Hanma as an impossibility, a threat, or a joke. They'll come for you. Test you. Try to break you."
Reina's eyes glowed with that characteristic Hanma intensity. "Let them come."
Hanayama nodded, satisfied. "I thought you'd say that. Until we fight, Reina Hanma."
"Until we fight, Kaoru Hanayama."
The yakuza boss disappeared into the crowd, leaving Reina standing alone on the busy street. She exhaled slowly, processing the encounter.
That went better than expected, she thought. Hanayama's respect isn't easily earned. Having him acknowledge me is a big step.
But the information about Baki was more concerning. Her half-brother knew about her now. It was only a matter of time before they met face-to-face.
Reina checked her phone. Still an hour before the fight. Enough time to grab something to eat and mentally prepare.
As she turned to head toward the arena, a new presence caught her attention. This one was different—lighter, more refined, but no less dangerous.
A young man stepped out of the shadows, his posture perfect, his movements controlled and precise. He wore a simple karate gi with a black belt, and his face was handsome in a classical way—sharp features, intelligent eyes, and an intensity that spoke of endless training.
Katsumi Orochi. Doppo's adopted son. The prodigy of Shinshinkai Karate.
"Reina Hanma," Katsumi said, his voice carrying the confidence of youth mixed with genuine respect. "I've been looking for you."
Reina turned to face him fully, her expression neutral but curious. "Katsumi Orochi. The Fist of God. Son of the God of War. What can I do for you?"
"My father wants to meet you. Officially." Katsumi stepped closer, his eyes studying her with the analytical gaze of a trained fighter. "He watched your fight with Katou. He said you have potential, but also... questions."
"Questions about whether I'm really Hanma?"
"Questions about your techniques. Hokuto Shinken isn't just any martial art. It's an assassination style, one that shouldn't exist outside of fiction. Where did you learn it?"
Reina considered how much to reveal. Katsumi was sharp, trained by one of the greatest martial artists alive. Lying would be obvious. But the truth—that a ROB had given her the knowledge—was impossible to explain.
"I can't tell you that," she said finally. "Not because I don't want to, but because you wouldn't believe me if I did. Let's just say I've had... unique teachers."
Katsumi frowned but nodded slowly. "Fair enough. Every fighter has their secrets. But my father still wants to meet you. Talk to you. Maybe spar, if you're willing."
"Doppo Orochi wants to spar with me?" Reina felt excitement spike through her. Fighting the God of War himself would be an incredible test. "When?"
"After your fight tonight. He'll be watching. If you impress him—"
"If?" Reina's smile turned sharp. "I'm Hanma. I'll do more than impress him."
Katsumi's eyes widened slightly at her confidence, then he laughed—a genuine, warm sound. "You really are Hanma. That same absolute certainty. That same..." He struggled for the word.
"Arrogance?" Reina supplied.
"I was going to say 'presence,' but arrogance works too." Katsumi extended his hand. "I look forward to seeing you fight, Reina. And maybe one day, we'll face each other in the arena."
Reina shook his hand, noting the controlled strength, the calluses from thousands of punches. "I'd like that. You're supposed to be the next generation's hope for Shinshinkai, right? The one who'll surpass even Doppo?"
"That's the goal." Katsumi released her hand. "But after seeing you, I realize the next generation is going to be more competitive than anyone expected."
He turned to leave, then paused. "One more thing. Your beauty—it's not just physical, is it? There's something else. Something that makes it hard to focus, hard to look away."
Reina was impressed he'd noticed. "You're perceptive. Yes, there's more to it. But that's another secret I can't fully explain."
"Another mystery." Katsumi shook his head with a wry smile. "You're going to drive the underground crazy, you know that?"
"That's the plan."
After Katsumi left, Reina finally made her way toward the arena, her mind processing both encounters. Hanayama's respect and warning. Katsumi's invitation to meet Doppo. The revelation that Baki knew about her.
Everything was moving faster than she'd anticipated. But that was fine. She was Hanma. She thrived in chaos.
-Dominant Display-
The underground arena was packed tonight. Word of the "Female Hanma" had spread like wildfire, and everyone wanted to see if her debut victory was a fluke or the real deal.
Reina stood in the preparation area, wrapping her hands with practiced efficiency. She'd changed into her fighting outfit—the same black gi pants and crimson sports top from her debut, her hair pulled back in a high ponytail.
"Miss Hanma." Tokugawa appeared, his aged face animated with excitement. "Your opponent tonight is Takeshi Wakamiya, former sumo wrestler, 420 pounds of raw power. He's brutal, relentless, and has never lost to a striker. He specializes in overwhelming smaller opponents with his mass."
"Sounds fun," Reina said, flexing her wrapped hands.
"Fun?" Tokugawa raised an eyebrow. "My dear, he outweighs you by nearly 250 pounds. One good hit from him could—"
"Could do nothing if it never lands." Reina stood, rolling her shoulders. "Don't worry, old man. I'll give your audience a good show."
She walked toward the arena entrance, her bare feet silent on the concrete. As she approached, she could hear the crowd's roar—a mix of excitement, skepticism, and bloodlust.
The moment she stepped into the arena, the noise reached a crescendo. Every eye locked on her, drawn by her impossible beauty, held by her predatory confidence.
Reina scanned the crowd, her Absolute Reflexes processing hundreds of faces in seconds. There—in the VIP section—sat Doppo Orochi, his single eye fixed on her with intense scrutiny. Next to him was Katsumi, leaning forward with interest. And in another section, she spotted Hanayama, surrounded by his men, his massive frame unmistakable even in the crowd.
But no Baki. Her half-brother wasn't here tonight.
Soon, she thought. We'll meet soon.
Her opponent entered from the opposite side, and the crowd's noise shifted to shock and concern.
Takeshi Wakamiya was a mountain. At 6'7" and 420 pounds, he was larger than some professional sumo wrestlers. His body was a mix of fat and muscle, massive arms that could crush bones, legs like tree trunks. His face was brutal—a flat nose from years of combat, small eyes that glinted with violent intent, and a gap-toothed grin that showed he was looking forward to this.
"They send me a little girl?" Wakamiya's voice boomed across the arena. "What is this, a joke? I'll break her in half!"
The crowd laughed nervously. The size difference was absurd. Reina looked like a child standing next to him.
Tokugawa raised his hand for silence. "This is an exhibition match! No rules, no time limits! The fight ends when one fighter is unable to continue or submits!" He looked between them. "Fighters ready?"
Reina took her hybrid stance, her eyes glowing with Hanma intensity.
Wakamiya crouched low, his massive arms spread wide, ready to rush forward and grab her.
"BEGIN!"
Wakamiya charged immediately, surprisingly fast for his size. He aimed to close the distance, to use his overwhelming mass advantage to crush her against the arena wall.
To the crowd, he moved with frightening speed.
To Reina, he moved in slow motion.
Her Absolute Reflexes activated, and she watched every detail of his charge. The slight favor of his right leg. The way his arms were positioned for a grab rather than a strike. The opening in his defense—a gap between his arms, a straight line to his solar plexus.
She had dozens of options. She could sidestep, redirect his momentum, use his own charge against him. But she wanted to make a statement. Something that would leave no doubt about her power.
As Wakamiya reached her, his massive arms closing in for a crushing bearhug, Reina planted her right foot and twisted her entire body into a devastating palm strike.
"Renewal Taekwondo: Hwechook!" (Spinning Hook Kick)
But instead of a kick, she channeled the same rotational power through her upper body, driving her palm into Wakamiya's exposed solar plexus with explosive force.
The sound was like a thunderclap.
Wakamiya's charge stopped instantly. His eyes went wide, blood spraying from his mouth as the strike drove deep into his body. The impact created a visible shockwave, rippling through his massive frame.
For a moment, everything was silent.
Then Wakamiya collapsed, his 420-pound body hitting the arena floor with an earth-shaking crash. He didn't move. Didn't even try to get up. He was completely unconscious, blood pooling beneath him.
The crowd erupted in disbelief.
Reina straightened, barely winded. She looked down at her palm—a slight red mark from the impact, already fading thanks to her Hanma healing.
"One hit," she said, her voice carrying across the suddenly silent arena. "That's all it took."
Tokugawa was speechless, staring at the fallen mountain of a man. Medical personnel rushed into the arena, checking Wakamiya's vitals.
"He's alive!" one of them called out. "But he has broken ribs, internal bleeding, and—my god, his diaphragm is nearly ruptured!"
Reina walked to the center of the arena and looked up at the crowd. "I am Reina Hanma, First Daughter of the Ogre. I didn't come here to play games or build my record slowly. I came here to prove that the Hanma blood knows no gender." Her eyes blazed with crimson light. "Anyone who doubts me—step into this arena. I'll show you what a true Hanma can do."
The challenge hung in the air.
From the VIP section, Doppo Orochi stood. The God of War's single eye was fixed on Reina with newfound respect and interest.
"Impressive," Doppo's deep voice carried across the arena. "You have power, speed, and technique. But do you have the warrior's spirit? The willingness to face death for the sake of combat?"
Reina met his gaze across the distance. "Come down here and find out, God of War."
The crowd gasped. She'd just challenged Doppo Orochi directly.
Doppo's expression shifted into something resembling a smile. "Not tonight, young Hanma. But soon. Very soon, you and I will test each other." He bowed slightly—a gesture of respect between warriors. "Until then, continue to grow. Prove yourself worthy of the name you carry."
He sat back down, and the crowd burst into applause and excited chatter.
Reina exited the arena, her heart pounding with adrenaline and satisfaction. She'd done it. Made a statement. Shown the underground that she wasn't just Yujiro's daughter—she was a force in her own right.
-The Brother's Shadow-
Reina was washing her hands in the arena's bathroom when she felt it.
A presence. Familiar yet unknown. Powerful but controlled. And carrying that same characteristic pressure she'd felt from Hanayama and herself.
She dried her hands slowly, her Absolute Reflexes tracking the approaching presence. It stopped just outside the bathroom door, waiting.
Reina took a breath and stepped outside.
Standing in the hallway, backlit by fluorescent lights, was a young man with spiky dark hair and intense amber eyes. He was shorter than her, maybe 5'6", but his body was a perfect instrument—lean, defined muscle that spoke of endless training. He wore a simple white t-shirt and jeans, but the aura around him was unmistakable.
Baki Hanma.
Her half-brother. The Strongest Boy on Earth. The protagonist of this world.
They stared at each other in silence, two Hanmas meeting for the first time.
Baki spoke first, his voice younger than she'd expected, carrying a mix of curiosity and wariness. "So it's true. Yujiro has a daughter."
"He has a daughter," Reina confirmed, keeping her voice neutral. "But he doesn't know it yet. I'm Reina Hanma. Your half-sister."
"Half-sister." Baki tested the words, his expression unreadable. "I've spent my whole life being Yujiro's son. The only child of the Ogre. And now I find out I have a sister. A younger sister." He took a step closer. "How? Why were you hidden?"
"My mother died giving birth to me. My grandmother took me in, kept me hidden because she feared what Yujiro might do if he discovered he'd fathered a girl. In the Hanma bloodline, there's never been—"
"A female born with the demon blood," Baki finished. "I know. I've been researching. The Hanma line is patrilineal—every recorded member has been male. Strong, brutal, dominant males." His eyes studied her intently. "But you're different. You're..."
"Beautiful?" Reina supplied with a slight smile. "That's one of my unique thing only to me... a perk of being a Hanma like you. It's as much a part of my demon blood as strength or fighting instinct."
"It's unsettling," Baki admitted. "I can barely focus when I look at you. Like my brain keeps trying to process that you're both my sister and the most beautiful person I've ever seen. It's... confusing."
Reina felt a pang of sympathy. This wasn't easy for him. "I'm sorry. I didn't choose this trait, but I understand it makes things complicated."
"Complicated is an understatement." Baki ran a hand through his spiky hair. "I watched your fight just now. That palm strike—you put Wakamiya down with one hit. He's fought for years, survived matches with killers and monsters, and you dropped him in seconds."
"I'm Hanma. We're built different."
"We." Baki laughed, a slightly bitter sound. "That's going to take getting used to. My whole life, I've defined myself by being Yujiro's son. By trying to surpass him. And now there's you—another Hanma, another person carrying that same cursed blood."
He moved closer, and Reina could feel his presence more clearly now. The Demon Back's aura, similar to hers but distinct. Where hers felt like controlled fire, his felt like a coiled spring—endless potential energy waiting to be released.
"Are you here to challenge me?" Reina asked directly. "To test which Hanma is stronger?"
"Eventually, maybe." Baki's expression softened slightly. "But not today. Today, I just wanted to meet you. See you face-to-face. Confirm that you're real and not some elaborate hoax."
"And? What's your verdict?"
"You're real. You're Hanma. And you're dangerous." Baki's lips curved into a small smile—the first genuine expression she'd seen from him. "I always wanted a sibling. Someone who understood what it's like to carry this bloodline. To feel the demon's presence inside you. To know that violence and strength are coded into your DNA."
"Careful what you wish for," Reina said, but she felt warmth in her chest. This was her brother. Half-brother, but still family. "We might end up fighting each other one day."
"We definitely will," Baki confirmed. "That's what Hanmas do. We test each other. Fight each other. Push each other to new heights." His expression grew more serious. "But that doesn't mean we have to be enemies. Mom always taught me that strength without purpose is just violence. Maybe... maybe we can be siblings first, rivals second."
Reina felt her eyes sting slightly. In both her lives, she'd never had a sibling. The closest she had was her grandmother, and even that relationship was complicated by the circumstances of her birth.
"I'd like that," she admitted. "Being a Hanma is lonely. Having someone who understands—even if we'll eventually face each other—that would be..."
"Nice," Baki finished. He extended his hand. "So. Sister. Let's make a deal. We'll both train, both get stronger, both build our legends. And when we finally fight, it'll be at our absolute peaks. A battle worthy of the Hanma name."
Reina took his hand. His grip was strong but controlled, his calluses different from Hanayama's—these came from striking practice, grappling, endless hours of technique work.
"Deal," she agreed. "But fair warning, Big brother—when we do fight, I'm going to win."
Baki's grin was pure Hanma—confident, slightly arrogant, and completely genuine. "We'll see about that, big sister."
They released hands, and for a moment, they just stood there, two Hanmas acknowledging each other as family.
"Does he know yet?" Baki asked quietly. "Yujiro. Does he know you exist?"
"No. And I'm not ready for him to find out yet. I need to be stronger first. Strong enough that when he learns he has a daughter, I can face him on equal terms."
"Equal terms with Yujiro?" Baki's expression turned grim. "I've been training my whole life for that, and I'm still not there. He's a monster, Reina. The strongest creature on Earth. When he finds out about you..."
"Then I'll deal with it." Reina's eyes blazed with determination. "But first, I have plans. Other worlds to visit, other challenges to face. This universe is just the beginning."
Baki looked confused. "Other worlds?"
"That's another secret I can't explain yet." Reina smiled mysteriously. "But trust me, Big brother—by the time I face Yujiro, I'll have experienced things he can't even imagine."
"You're strange," Baki observed. "Even for a Hanma, you're strange."
"I'll take that as a compliment."
They talked for a while longer, swapping stories—Reina sharing carefully edited versions of her training and life in hiding, Baki telling her about his fights, his mother Emi, his relationship with Kozue. It was surreal, this moment of normalcy between two people whose bloodline was anything but normal.
Finally, Baki had to leave. He had training with his mentor, Shibukawa, early the next morning.
"Before I go," Baki said, pausing at the hallway exit, "there's something you should know. Jack. Our other half-brother."
"I know about him."
"He's obsessed with surpassing Yujiro. Even more than I am. He's done things to his body—drugs, surgeries, extreme training that's killing him slowly—all to get stronger." Baki's expression was pained. "When he finds out about you, I don't know how he'll react. He might see you as another obstacle, another Hanma to overcome."
"I'll cross that bridge when I come to it," Reina said. "But thank you for the warning."
Baki nodded and left, disappearing into the Tokyo night.
Reina stood alone in the hallway, processing everything. She'd met Hanayama, impressed Doppo, dominated her opponent, and most importantly, connected with her half-brother.
Phase Two was complete.
Her phone buzzed. A text from an unknown number:
"Impressive display tonight. Your Hokuto Shinken is crude but effective. Your Renewal Taekwondo shows promise. But you're still unpolished. Come to the Shinshinkai dojo tomorrow at dawn. It's time we talked properly. - Doppo Orochi"
Reina smiled. The God of War wanted to meet. This was exactly the kind of opportunity she needed.
She texted back: "I'll be there."
As she exited the arena, walking through the cooling Tokyo night, Reina felt satisfaction settle over her. Everything was falling into place. Her reputation was growing. She'd made connections with key fighters. She'd met her brother.
And soon, she'd train with one of the greatest martial artists in this world.
But in the back of her mind, she knew the real challenges were still ahead. Jack Hanma. Yujiro himself. And beyond that, other dimensions waiting to be explored.
The First Daughter of the Ogre was just getting started.
-To Be Continued...-
Next Chapter: The God of War's Assessment - Reina trains with Doppo Orochi and faces unexpected challenges. Meanwhile, rumors of her existence finally reach Yujiro Hanma, setting in motion events that will change everything...