"I've really never seen a fight like that before..."
Sakura Ogami spoke as she walked.
Beside her, Shion narrowed her eyes slightly.
"Yes... I've always supported physical training, and because I've been in contact with fighters for a long time, I understand a bit about martial arts. I've also watched plenty of Kengan matches."
She paused, lifting the cigarette between her fingers.
"But even so, I've never seen anything like that last fight."
She exhaled a thin stream of smoke.
Sakura Ogami nodded repeatedly.
"Exactly... and Master Jaden just went through a battle like that. No matter what, we need to check on him."
She frowned.
"Even though I believe Master Jaden is the strongest, there's no way he isn't seriously injured right now."
She hesitated, then continued.
"Also, while Master Jaden's opponent was incredibly strong, the opponent of that Black Arm was a bit weak. Although that person made the Black Arm bleed, it was only a superficial injury. In reality, that Black Arm is only lightly injured now."
Sakura Ogami's expression tightened.
"In that case, Master Jaden's second match would be at an overwhelming disadvanta-"
Before she could finish, Sakura Ogami pushed open the door to Jaden's room.
And then-
All of her worries vanished instantly.
Because-
The Jaden they thought should be seriously injured was currently in a very strange posture, furiously eating at the dining table.
To be precise-
Two chairs were placed on either side of him.
His hips were suspended in the air.
His legs stretched straight out to both sides, supporting his entire two-hundred-plus-pound body purely with leg strength.
His upper body was upright.
His hands moved nonstop, clearing the table at an alarming speed.
And during this entire process-
The injuries on his body were visibly disappearing.
Erina sat nearby, watching quietly.
"Sakura, Shion. You're here."
Hearing Erina speak, Sakura Ogami and Shion stepped inside.
"Yes... I originally wanted to inform Master Jaden that the Black Arm easily defeated his opponent and only suffered superficial injuries, so Master Jaden will likely face someone who's barely injured in the next match..."
Shion paused.
Then looked again at Jaden.
"...But now it seems you're in even better condition than that Black Arm."
She fell silent.
Shion had long known Jaden was abnormal.
But this was the first time she'd felt it so clearly.
"I see."
Unlike before, Jaden set down his bowl and chopsticks after hearing them.
"But whether he's injured or not doesn't really matter."
He stood up, relaxing from the strange posture, then lightly assumed a guard stance and stretched his arms.
"And honestly, his opponent... if Gozo Murobuchi hadn't accidentally pierced a vital point with his finger in the previous match and caused uncontrollable bleeding, he wouldn't have won at all."
"Even so, he was already seriously injured, and then had to face the Black Arm right after."
"In that situation, the fact that he managed to leave even superficial injuries is already beyond my expectations."
After speaking, Jaden relaxed again and looked back at them.
"Thanks for coming anyway. I was recovering just now and didn't check-have the four semifinalists been decided?"
"Yes."
Sakura Ogami nodded.
"The semifinals will begin in about an hour. The four fighters are you, Master Jaden; the Black Arm, Gensai Kuroki; the Wild Tiger, Takeshi Wakatsuki; and the final monster, Julius Reinhold."
"You'll be facing the Black Arm in the semifinals. The Wild Tiger will fight that monster, and the winners will meet in the finals."
Jaden nodded.
"Got it. Since it's about to start, you should head back to the audience seats."
"I understand, Master Jaden."
Sakura Ogami straightened.
"I will witness your strength."
After saying that, Sakura Ogami and Shion left.
Once again, only Jaden and Erina remained in the room.
Jaden walked over to the sofa.
After eating so much, he collapsed onto it, staring at the ceiling while recalling the feeling from his fight with Raian Kure.
To be honest-
That was the first time he had ever fought someone like that.
He didn't know what mindset he'd had when throwing those punches.
It felt like waking from a dream.
A dream he'd won.
A dream that felt vivid and exhilarating.
And yet, he knew that while fully conscious, he would never behave that way.
Enjoy fighting?
What a joke.
Maybe some royal blood.
Maybe Hanma blood.
Maybe something in him craved battle.
But he didn't enjoy fighting.
Fighting was just entertainment to him after awakening his memories.
Like video games.
Like novels.
Maybe facing an interesting opponent would make him feel good.
Maybe the blood in his veins would respond to it.
But that was just external stimulation.
Like watching a Hollywood blockbuster.
He wasn't Yujiro Hanma.
He wasn't someone whose bones were carved with combat.
He was fighting now.
But he wouldn't fight his entire life.
He'd get tired of it eventually.
Right now, he was just seeking stimulation.
So how could he possibly enjoy fighting?
It had to be his senses tricking his brain.
Jaden was lost in these thoughts when a faint fragrance drifted into his nose.
Then something soft pressed gently against the back of his head.
Someone was hugging him from behind.
And as for who-
Even if he was irritated, there was only one person who could do this.
"Erina..."
Jaden had just opened his mouth when Erina reached forward and covered it.
Then she spoke softly.
"Jaden... are you feeling pressured?"
"Heh. Didn't I say before? A match like this is no trouble for me at all. You're the one who-"
Jaden subconsciously lifted his hand, intending to tap her forehead.
But his wrist was caught.
He froze.
The words he was about to say stopped.
Erina held his hand and slowly lowered it.
Then she leaned closer, resting her head lightly against the side of his.
She was clearly shy about this.
Her body was warm.
Her breath, hot and close, brushed against his ear as she spoke.
"Jaden... even though you keep telling me not to feel pressured..."
"Your pressure is clearly heavier than mine right now."
Jaden understood Erina.
And Erina understood Jaden.
"I don't know the exact reason, but since your fight with Ohma Tokita, your pressure has obviously increased."
"The amount you've been eating."
"The state you entered during your fight with Raian Kure."
"These aren't like you."
So-
"Jaden, I'm returning your words to you."
"Don't put so much pressure on yourself."
"Just like how I have you by my side when I'm under stress..."
"Don't forget that you also have me by your side."
"Erina..."
The smile on Jaden's face finally collapsed.
He leaned back into her embrace, sighed, and slowly closed his eyes.
"...Mm. I know."
"Just for a little while."
"My thoughts are too scattered right now."
"Just let me lean on you for a bit."
"...Okay."
Erina's voice was gentle.
"Rest for a little, Jaden."
Find Advance chapters
And for More Fan fiction
👇
👇
[Support link: pat reon.com/RioRaRyu]
------------
More Bonus Chapters!!!!
Every 250 power stones = Bonus Chapter
Give me more Power Stones
------------