Chapter 71: A Man Who Doesn't Fear Death
If anyone was truly shaken by Sadakuni's words...
Akimiya Kaede was only slightly perturbed, while Kaji Takaomi was utterly terrified.
Both of them could feel that the man named "Sadakuni" was a visitor from the deepest "Dark World," his hands stained with the blood of countless lives.
Gulp—
Akimiya swallowed, her mind racing.
According to Akagi, Sadakuni was a radical terrorist, likely backed by a significant faction.
This troublesome individual was now targeting the Kengan Association. Would this affect Chairman Nogi's plans? And was there someone else behind him?
While Akimiya pondered, she noticed Kei sidling up to Akagi.
"Akagi-bro."
Kei crossed his arms, tilting his head. "Need a hand?"
Hearing this, Akagi laughed helplessly, rubbing his forehead. "Hey, hey, are you all so warm-hearted? If anyone else offers to help me, I won't have enough money to treat everyone to dinner!"
Kei understood immediately.
Akagi had said "you all." That meant he and Kaji weren't the only ones who had boarded the ship tonight.
Most likely, [Usogui] Madarame Baku, and even the free-roaming Maruko, were already here, lurking somewhere!
Were they here to help Akagi? Or were they targeting the Teiai Group?
Anyway, since Akagi didn't ask, Kei was happy to stay out of it.
He continued to pester Suedo Atsushi with chatter.
Suedo glanced at the distant Sadakuni. He had heard him, too.
Sadakuni had said he would "exterminate everyone," including "martial arts groups." Naturally, that included the Shinshinkai.
Kei joked, "Not angry, Suedo-bro?"
"Annoyed, sure. But angry? Not really."
With Nabemi Mikio unconscious and out of the picture, Suedo had no acquaintances here, so he just hung out with Kei.
"The Shinshinkai is a martial arts group. There are tons of guys who want to challenge us to make a name for themselves, and plenty who want revenge. I'm used to it."
"Besides, as far as 'threats' go, such ordinary words don't have much impact. If he doesn't attack, I can't be bothered."
Suedo reminisced, "A while back, I watched a no-rules fighting tournament in the Tokyo Dome underground. It went on for over ten hours."
"Compared to the guys who fought there, terrorists and religious fanatics aren't even worth mentioning."
That night of spectating had indeed taught Suedo a lot, making him yearn for more combat. That was why, on the recommendation of his "peer" Kato, he had come to fight in the Kengan matches.
Fortunately, although his employer Nabemi lacked backbone, Suedo had actually encountered an unseen master.
Unfortunately, this "master" was a bit annoying. Once he got interested, he stuck to you like glue.
"..."
Seeing that no one was affected by Sadakuni's words, Akagi chuckled softly.
"Heh. That's how it is."
He held his cigarette, legs crossed, looking relaxed as he met Sadakuni's fierce gaze.
"People who are truly 'alive' aren't shaken by childish threats or force."
Hearing this, Sadakuni snorted coldly. "Mere 'thugs' talking about 'self'? Just a bunch of energetic idiots!"
Suedo glanced at Sadakuni. "Hey, you've got a big mouth. But I'm not unreasonable—"
He picked up a plastic water bottle, tossed it lightly into the air, and unleashed a high kick.
Riiip!
With a tearing sound, the tough plastic bottle was sliced clean in half by Suedo's kick, water splashing onto the floor.
"Listen up, bastard!"
Suedo turned, staring death at Sadakuni. "When your little gamble is over, I'm going to make you kneel and apologize to the Shinshinkai!"
Sadakuni didn't flinch. "Whatever!"
His face twisted into a savage expression as he growled, "Beat me if you want. Run away if you want. I don't care! Even if you kill me now, others will come after you!"
"..."
Such twisted, fanatical emotion made even Suedo pause.
This Sadakuni... truly didn't fear death? He was completely irrational!
Compared to him, Kei was much more pleasant to look at.
Suedo turned to see Kei imitating his earlier move, practicing high kicks.
"I heard Shinshinkai Karate can turn hands and feet into lethal weapons. Not just human bodies, they can even cut through steel wire with their bare hands..."
"So, is it about using high-speed kicks to turn the striking point into a 'blade'?"
Kei moved in slow motion, holding the high kick pose, his mind racing.
"How exactly do you kick like this? And how do you defend against it?"
Vaguely, he felt he was getting somewhere.
Still having many questions, Kei went back to ask Suedo. Suedo reluctantly answered a few, but as the questions got deeper, even he felt overwhelmed.
Afraid of misrepresenting the Shinshinkai, he handed Kei a Shinshinkai business card.
"You're just like Baki... the type who never shuts up once they start talking..."
Suedo scratched his head. "If you have time, drop by the Shinshinkai. If you want to learn Karate, no problem. We have instructors there."
Kei accepted gladly.
The banquet began. Everyone relaxed, and the atmosphere remained unchanged.
Tonegawa, having worked overtime until now, finally had a moment to breathe and fill his empty stomach.
Eating teppanyaki, he sidled up to Kei.
Kei was now a Kengan Association member—technically a business owner. His potential was immense. Building a relationship wouldn't hurt.
So, Tonegawa started a conversation, introducing "Sadakuni" to Kei.
"That Sadakuni used to be a friend of Chairman Hyodo. Later, he organized terrorist activities, was pursued by the MPD, and had to flee the country."
"After that, he seems to have joined a 'new faction' and escalated his activities."
"Two years ago, he became a Kakerou member. This time, he returned to raise funds for his terrorism... and maybe under orders from that 'new faction'."
"But I really didn't expect him to say outright that he's targeting the Teiai Group. And Chairman Hyodo doesn't care at all."
"Both of them are crazy..."
Tonegawa rubbed his brow, clinking glasses with Kei, who was drinking cola. "Anyway, congratulations on joining the Kengan Association."
Kei thanked Tonegawa, shook his cola until it was flat, and drank it in gulps.
"Oh! Decarbonated cola? I've only seen that on TV. Impressive!"
Tonegawa was intrigued. "They say the energy absorption rate is extremely high. Some marathon runners drink it before races."
He looked around and suddenly noticed something.
"Eh? Where did that girl who was with you go?"
Kei finished his cola and said casually, "She thought it was too stuffy here. Went to the deck for some fresh air."
At the same time, Kure Fusu's voice came through the earpiece in Kei's ear, carrying a playful "I knew it" tone.
{Shiraki-chin, we were right. I can see them clearly from the observation deck!}
{There's an ambush on the pier. Looks like we're being targeted too—}