Chapter 347: Ren's Interest in Tokita Ohma
Not long after his head hit the pillow, Ren was asleep. While his body no longer required rest to maintain its peak condition, the simple, human act of sleeping was a comfort he hadn't abandoned. It was much like Lucifer and Cerberus; just because something wasn't a necessity didn't mean it couldn't be enjoyed.
While Ren slept soundly, the grand melee aboard the Doom's Ferry had erupted into full-blown chaos. It was a brutal free-for-all, a storm of muscle-bound men from every fighting discipline imaginable, all vying for one of the five coveted spots on the Kengan Ship.
"Heh heh! Keep it coming! Now this is a party!"
"Rihito?! What are you doing here?! My, my, what a crude display. A brawl fit for beasts, wouldn't you say, Rihito?"
"Sawada?! The hell are you doing here?!"
"I believe I should be asking you that question. Still, this is quite entertaining. That pathetic struggle of yours just now, like a cornered dog... it was truly a sight to behold. Allow me to announce your impending demise."
The man called Rihito cracked a grin, his fingers flexing. "Still got that sharp tongue, I see. Bring it on, you damn pretty boy!"
A vein pulsed on Sawada's temple. "Who... are you calling a pretty boy, you brute! I'll kill you for that insolence!"
"But that hairstyle of yours is just plain disgusting, pretty boy!"
"Who are you calling disgusting, you little punk!"
Their bizarre exchange was perhaps the second strangest spectacle in the entire melee. The first, without a doubt, belonged to a fighter named Jerry Tyson, who was already lying unconscious on the deck. While other combatants mimicked the movements of tigers and cranes for their Imitative Boxing, this madman had been imitating a ballistic missile.
Though he had been swiftly and unceremoniously knocked out by a fighter named Tokita Ohma, the man had certainly been interesting. Ohma himself seemed almost exasperated by the memory. To call Jerry reckless would be an understatement, yet he clearly had a strategy. To call him weak would be a mistake, as his destructive power was nothing to scoff at.
By the time the brawl concluded, the ship had only been sailing for a short while. The five bloodied but victorious survivors were escorted onto the main Kengan Ship. As they stepped onto the deck and saw the calm, sun-drenched sea stretching to the horizon, a collective sigh of relief passed through them.
After a series of minor incidents, the most notable of which saw a fighter named Hassad summarily tossed overboard by the chairman's aide, Yodoe, for a single insolent remark toward Katahara Metsudo. Just like that, the field was forcibly narrowed to the final thirty-two.
Katahara Metsudo then addressed the survivors, his aged voice carrying an obvious authority. He announced that their accommodations were ready. From now until the evening, they were granted a period of rest, but with one strict condition: they were forbidden from leaving their rooms. Only after the evening assembly concluded would they be allowed to move about freely. The Kengan Ship would officially set sail at six o'clock.
This decree left many of the fighters confused. No one understood why they were being forced to wait here for an entire day, confined to their quarters. It felt strange, almost suspicious.
In truth, Katahara Metsudo's reasoning was simple. He wanted to allow ample time for backroom deals and negotiations to take place among the corporate sponsors. He also genuinely hadn't expected the preliminary round to conclude so quickly, a fact that only heightened his anticipation for the main tournament.
In his quiet room, while sleeping soundly, Ren's eyes suddenly snapped open. He picked up his phone, checked the time, then stretched languidly before walking out the door.
"Ohma-san, about that Hassad fellow... Huh? Rihito-san, is there something you wanted to say?"
Because Rihito was representing his company as both its president and its fighter, he had been assigned a private suite. This also gave him the freedom to visit other fighters' rooms, and he was currently lounging in Ohma's.
Rihito's eyes practically bulged from their sockets as he watched Ren calmly stroll down the corridor toward them. Yamashita Kazuo and Akiyama Kaede shared a look of similar surprise. Ren glanced at Ohma, then offered the group a polite, smiling nod. The gentle expression, so utterly alien among the hardened fighters on this vessel, made everyone freeze.
Yamashita Kazuo immediately leaned toward Akiyama Kaede. "Miss Akiyama! Is he a fighter, too?!"
Akiyama Kaede shook her head, a thoughtful sigh escaping her lips. "I don't have the data on every combatant, but with that physique and such a gentle personality, I doubt it... Besides, he's incredibly handsome."
Rihito swallowed hard. "Hey, hey, hey! That's not the point, okay?! The point is, why is that guy allowed to just walk around freely?!"
His outburst snapped Akiyama Kaede and Yamashita Kazuo back to reality. Their eyes darted to the staff attendant leading their group. Just as Yamashita was about to voice a question, a charming, melodious voice cut through the air.
"Oh my, it seems the Doom's Ferry concluded far more swiftly than anticipated. If you wish to know why he can wander... I can only say... he is a special exception."
Yamashita and the others turned to see a woman with striking blue lipstick approaching. The sight of her instantly caused Rihito's fickle affections to shift once more. It was Momobami Kirari.
She offered them a cryptic smile. "Well then, I'm off to find my man. Everyone, I'll see you tonight. Or perhaps... we won't be seeing each other at all."
Hearing her voice, Ren, who had been walking ahead, turned. He watched Kirari approach and didn't seem the least bit surprised when she naturally looped her arm through his.
"I thought you'd be chatting with Yuko and the others," he said with a soft smile.
"Let's just say I staged a covert escape," she replied, her tone light and playful.
"You say that with such confidence. That's just like you."
"Of course. Come on, let's go. Let's find something to eat first. I'm hungry."
Watching the two depart with an air of casual intimacy, Rihito gulped. "Did I just get shot down before I even said hello? Miss Akiyama, you're still the best after all."
"Mr. Rihito," Akiyama said dryly, "if you keep that up, you'll earn a reputation as a scoundrel on top of everything else."
Tokita Ohma's gaze remained fixed on the spot where Ren and Kirari had disappeared. He crossed his arms, his brow furrowed in concentration. "Ren, huh... It seems there's another monster on this ship."
"Eh?! Ohma-san, you mean he's a fighter?!" Yamashita's shocked voice made Rihito and Akiyama pause.
Ohma nodded slowly. "I can feel it. That gentle-looking man... he's unbelievably strong."
Akiyama Kaede looked surprised. "A fighter with a build like that? It seems impossible. And that smile was so warm... In a place like this, he almost looks like one of those pristine butlers from a classic film."
Ohma shook his head. "Strength isn't determined by physique. Rihito, of all people, should know that well."
"Hmm... Huh?! What the hell is that supposed to mean, you bastard!?"
"Rihito-san! Let's just go back to our rooms!"
"Everyone, please hurry along. We have other duties to attend to," the attendant urged.
"Right! Ohma-san, let's go!"
Only after Tokita Ohma gave a curt nod did Yamashita Kazuo finally relax. But before he turned to leave, he cast one last glance down the empty corridor where Ren had been.
'A pristine butler, huh...'he thought softly.'How interesting...'
"Ren," Kirari chirped as they walked, "those two were among the ones who made it through the Doom's Ferry. The eliminations were really fast this time. Are you looking forward to the tournament?"
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