Chapter 77: Defense
Defense.
This word was all too familiar to Mekama Kirō, who was well-versed in boxing and martial arts.
Shiraki Kei's defense was simple.
Just raising his arms, tucking his body, minimizing the target area, and using his arms and muscles to protect his vitals or deflect attacks.
This was the most basic type of defense, with similar techniques in both boxing and martial arts.
That was why Mekama Kirō was so confused.
Why? Why is it that when this guy takes his stance, I feel this overwhelming pressure, like he has no openings at all?!
"..."
Unknowingly, a few drops of cold sweat trickled down Mekama's forehead.
He resumed his boxing butterfly step, his feet shuffling back and forth, a dazzling display of footwork as he circled Kei.
Kei didn't move. He stayed in his crouch, arms raised. Only his eyes moved, tracking Mekama constantly.
And no matter how Mekama moved, even circling behind Kei, the only answer he reached was absurd: I can't break through!!!
Mekama had seen something similar online once, an old video.
The founder of Goshin-ryu Aiki-Jujutsu—Shibukawa Gouki—facing several armed students with his bare hands, despite his aged, frail body.
They faced off for a moment, and before a single blow was struck, the students surrendered one by one. It was so exaggerated it looked comical.
Mekama had scoffed at it, thinking it was a performance.
He never dreamed he would one day be in the same situation!
This is beyond common sense! Impossible!
Mekama's eyes sharpened. As he circled behind Kei, he suddenly lunged, launching a surprise mid-level roundhouse kick.
But Kei's gaze had followed him. Kei turned and raised his leg, blocking with his knee.
BANG!
Mekama's kick landed, but it was ineffective. His face twisted in anger. "Is this Aikido?!"
"...What?"
Kei paused, then shook his head. "Not Aikido or Jujutsu. Just calmly seizing the moment to defend."
Mekama was furious. "Are you kidding me? Are you only defending?!"
"Yes." Kei nodded seriously, resetting his stance. "I'm just trying to calmly see the moment I need to move—"
As he spoke, Kei's gaze remained calm, looking over his raised arms at Mekama.
That unswerving gaze made Mekama's skin crawl.
Driven by intense unease, Mekama punched again.
BANG! BANG!
One attacked, one defended. On the surface, the situation hadn't changed.
Seeing this, the people on the upper deck stared wide-eyed, never expecting this development.
Is this even a Kengan Challenge Match anymore?!
...
Akimiya Kaede pushed up her glasses, watching Mekama relentlessly attack Kei, her breathing slightly heavy.
Kei's instant KO of Suedo earlier had left a deep impression, so she had subconsciously assumed Kei was a fast-finishing fighter.
But now—
"Why did Shiraki-san change his style? Why focus on 'defense'?"
...
Hearing Akimiya's confusion, Suedo suddenly asked, "Is 'defense' bad?"
Akimiya was speechless for a moment.
She wasn't ignorant of martial arts. She knew the importance of defense. In boxing, a fighter who couldn't defend or dodge would always be third-rate.
Even in business, knowing only how to advance but not retreat meant you could never truly grow.
"Exactly."
Suedo said deeply, "In martial arts—in any field—'defense' isn't cowardice. It's a necessary 'tactic'."
"I've heard of pro-wrestlers confident enough to take every attack an opponent throws."
"I've seen brawlers who don't defend at all."
"Those who abandon defense completely are admirable, sure. But if someone can defend against everything... that is equally terrifying!"
Suedo grinned.
"My master, Orochi Doppo—his Karate 'Mawashi-uke' (Circular Block) combines the essence of all defensive techniques into one. It is the pinnacle of defense."
"He says that arrows, cannons, flamethrowers—bring them on! He won't refuse any of them!"
Akimiya understood Suedo's point, but seeing Kei only defending, she couldn't relax.
"Even if he's good at defense, no one is perfect. He's just giving his opponent free chances!"
Suedo disagreed, laughing, "Really? Kei looks like he's having fun. It's rare to have such a good boxer as a sparring partner. He'd be unsatisfied if he didn't get some specialized training in."
Akimiya finally realized.
Shiraki Kei is using Mekama... for special defense training?!
Mekama's onslaught continued, now mixing in kicks.
But no matter how fast he moved, or how much Fa Jin he used to increase power, he couldn't break Kei's defense.
Gradually, as time passed, even the "knuckle grip" that had previously caused damage was now being neutralized by Kei twisting his body, leaving only red marks on his skin.
Finally, Mekama realized it too. He understood Kei's true goal.
He's using me to train his defense?!
...
The moment he realized this, the man named Mekama Kirō felt an inexplicable humiliation, followed by rage.
Every Kakerou referee had their own pride.
Referee Number 10, Mekama Kirō—his pride stemmed from his "excellence."
He was someone who could do anything well.
He never acted without preparation. From childhood, he had been given everything. He was special, excellent in both mind and body.
So, he had no dreams. He didn't need them.
But even so, the moment Mekama saw that man—Sadakuni—he was deeply captivated.
In Mekama's eyes, Sadakuni didn't fear death. He could discard his own life, or anyone else's, without hesitation.
That straightforward, unprecedented character made Mekama swear to follow him forever.
For this, he didn't hesitate to break Kakerou's rules, helping Sadakuni cheat in various gambles.
And for this, even if he had to become a despicable villain, he—Mekama Kirō—would help Sadakuni achieve his goal and seize the Kengan Membership!
Swish!
Mekama suddenly took off his suit jacket and threw it, just like he had thrown the briefcase earlier, seemingly to block Kei's vision.
But Mekama's true goal was different. He threw the jacket toward the surveillance camera. In other words, his goal wasn't to blind Kei, but to temporarily blind the referee!
Click...
Mekama pulled a knife from his waist.
It was a "Spetsnaz Knife"!
Soviet special forces equipment, capable of firing the blade at an initial velocity of 60km/h at close range!
No matter how good the defense, flesh and blood could not stop a blade head-on.
In the instant the Kengan referee couldn't see, Mekama would use this knife to decide the outcome of the challenge match!
Click!
Mekama pressed the trigger.
But the moment the blade was fired by the spring, Kei suddenly changed his stance. He stopped defending, powering his whole body into a backflip, launching a powerful upward kick.
[Guile • Somersault Kick] (Flash Kick)!
SWISH!
His toe flashed, kicking the flying blade upward, embedding it straight into the ship's ceiling.
Mekama Kirō stared blankly at the scene, meeting Kei's calm eyes and seeing his expression of regret.
"Pulling a knife in a fistfight?"
"Mekama-bro... you ruined the mood."