Chapter 84: Kakerou + Kengan!
Entrusting wishes to the fists of fighters.
Hence, the name "Kengan" (Fist Wish).
For many present, this was the third time they had heard the term tonight.
First, "Shiraki Kei VS Suedo Atsushi," fighting for Gyūmin Dining's Kengan Membership.
Second, "Shiraki Kei VS Mekama Kirō," fighting for Kei's newly acquired membership.
But this "third time" was slightly different from the previous two.
What Kei was proposing wasn't a "Kengan Challenge Match" for membership rights, but the more orthodox, orderly violence born from conflict between merchants.
In other words, a true "Kengan Match"!
Kei's sudden proposal forced its way into the stalemate, livening things up.
Many were considering it, including the Kakerou Leader.
"Hmm... Kengan... Match? I tend to forget minor details, especially those unrelated to Kakerou—"
The Leader tilted his head, and the elderly gentleman immediately explained.
"Kengan matches originated in the Tokugawa Shogunate period. Merchants formed the Kengan Association. When conflicts of interest arose, they arranged matches through the Association."
"Both sides send fighters to battle one-on-one, and the result settles everything."
The Leader nodded. "I see. Bringing order to violence prevents it from becoming unbridled savagery, even elevating 'violence' to 'martial arts'."
"From that perspective, your proposal makes sense."
The Leader's eyes shifted to Kei.
"You don't want to follow Kakerou's arrangements, so you want to use your 'force' to take the initiative before Kakerou—that's good."
"However, Shiraki-kun—"
The Leader sighed softly. "The Kengan matches you speak of are based on both sides being 'equal'."
"For example, Real Estate Firm A and Real Estate Firm B both want to develop the same plot of land, so they hold a Kengan match."
"But if the disparity between the two sides is too great—say, A is a major conglomerate with 500 employees and B is a small company of five—then a struggle cannot be established."
The Leader held up two fingers. "To hold a Kengan match, 'Force' and 'Wealth' are indispensable."
"Shiraki-kun, you defeated a referee, so your force is sufficient."
"But in terms of wealth, even with the ten billion yen Akagi-kun gave you, you cannot compare to Kakerou."
"Therefore, I do not believe this Kengan match can be established."
"..."
Hearing this, Kei suddenly pulled a key from his pocket and showed it to everyone. "Is it enough if I add this?"
Everyone was confused until Kei explained, "This is the key to the smuggling ship. There are only two. One is with the runaway arms dealer, the other with his bodyguard."
The arms dealer's bodyguard—Kyara.
Kei deduced that since Kakerou was on the cruise ship, they couldn't immediately move the smuggling ship.
At the same time, Baku seemed to have noticed this too. On their way to the upper deck, he had pestered Kyara for the "useless" key.
Kyara, annoyed by Baku's nagging, kicked him a few times but eventually handed over the key, which Baku then passed to Kei.
"...So that's it."
The Leader's expression remained calm. "[The Man of the Divine Realm] gave you ten billion yen and everything he won tonight, while [Usogui] gave you the key to the smuggling ship."
"Thus, your 'wealth' tilted slightly, meeting the match conditions to some extent."
"Is this a coincidence, or was it their plan?"
...
Kei smiled leisurely. "Who knows? Many things in the world are random, chaotic battles. Just like fighting, there is no perfect strategy."
The Leader remained noncommittal, rubbing his chin in thought.
But beside him, Hyodo Kazutaka of the Teiai Group couldn't hold back. He laughed loudly. "Kakaka! What does it matter? Just agree to it quickly!"
Only he would say such a thing.
Partly due to his tyrannical personality, and partly because, ultimately, the Espoir was Teiai property.
After a moment, the Kakerou Leader nodded.
"Very well! Let's have a Kengan match, betting the purchasing rights to the Espoir."
"Furthermore—"
He changed the subject, looking at Kei with interest. "Just that would be unsatisfying. Why don't we have a 'personal gamble' on the outcome of this match?"
"Kakerou values talent. Leaving it as a clean break would be a pity. So I want to get closer to you. Let's bet a 'favor'."
"This makes the stakes more fundamental—will you owe Kakerou a favor, or will Kakerou owe you one?"
Kei and the Leader locked eyes, both shining with excitement, and chuckled simultaneously.
One felt tonight was more interesting than expected.
The other felt they were finally in familiar territory.
Since both sides agreed, it was time for the Kengan referee to step up.
Honestly, even this experienced referee rarely officiated three consecutive matches, let alone one where a fighter fought three times in a row.
Such stamina and willpower were rare among fighters!
But before the match could start, the referee had one issue to resolve.
"The Kakerou Organization—"
The referee looked at the Leader gravely. "Even if we consider Kakerou a 'company,' you are not a Kengan member. So, are we holding another 'Challenge Match'?"
"No, that's inconvenient."
The Leader shook his head, then made a call to arrange things.
"Hello, Nourin? It's me..."
Soon, the Leader hung up and showed a photo he received to the referee. It was another Kengan Membership Certificate.
"This should do, right? I had my subordinate find a bankrupt member and take his membership as debt payment—a trivial matter."
...Trivial matter?
Seeing this, the referee's eye twitched. He silently marveled at the power of a large organization, truly a behemoth comparable to the Kengan Association.
With the membership resolved, the next step was selecting a fighter.
The Leader's gaze swept over the Kakerou "forces" present.
One was S-Class Sweeper "Yako Jouichi"; the other was his twin brother, Referee Number 2 "Yako Hikoichi."
The Leader tilted his head. "Hikoichi, you don't seem interested?"
"Indeed," Hikoichi bowed slightly. "I have no interest in pursuing strength. Saving energy is best."
The Leader clearly didn't buy it. "Save that lie for Usogui."
Looking at Jouichi, he was also ready to fight.
But the Leader shook his head again. "Sweepers and fighters are slightly different. You're not suitable."
Jouichi was a bit disgruntled but saw the Leader had a plan, so he accepted it.
"..."
The Leader's gaze swept over Kyara.
Kyara snorted, joking, "Don't tell me you want me to fight?"
The Leader was startled, then shook his head repeatedly. "You've learned to joke in the years since you left Kakerou, Kyara."
"However, professional matters should be left to professionals."
"I accepted a commission from someone earlier. Now is the perfect time to use it. It's the best judgment."
The Leader asked everyone to wait and made another call.
While waiting, Kei, having nothing better to do, handed a Soul Combat Dojo business card to Kyara.
"If you want to find someone to fight, come check out my place. Other masters drop by occasionally. We have training, logistics, exchange matches..."
Kyara: "..."
He really didn't expect Kei to be soliciting customers in this situation.
Hearing this, Maruko raised his hand enthusiastically. "It's really fun! Arisa-neesan buys me snacks!"
Kyara's eye twitched. He was annoyed no matter how he thought about it but couldn't find an outlet.
Thinking about it, he looked at Baku beside him and got annoyed—
"Hmph!"
He raised his leg and kicked Baku again.