"I don't mind..."
Kiryu Setsuna wore a gentle smile as he agreed to Jaden's suggestion.
On the surface, it sounded almost like a challenge.
If Shion hadn't previously seen the expression Kiryu Setsuna unintentionally revealed during his fight with Ogami Sakura, she might have believed he was genuinely a good person.
But once you had seen that expression-
No matter how meek or gentlemanly he appeared afterward, you would never think he was normal.
-That was Kiryu Setsuna.
Even so, after agreeing, he still turned his gaze toward Shion.
After all, this wasn't something he could decide on his own.
And he was right.
"Jaden..."
Shion walked over.
She glanced at Akemi first, then looked back at Jaden with a puzzled expression.
"Aren't you Totsuki's representative fighter?"
"No," Jaden replied casually. "I'm not."
He paused.
"But if you really want to see it that way, you can treat me as Totsuki's representative fighter."
Hearing that, Shion sighed.
"Then why are you here helping Koyo?"
She hesitated slightly.
"Did Akemi promise you some kind of reward?"
Jaden laughed.
"Personally, I just genuinely dislike Toyo Electric."
He spoke plainly.
"Their plan targeting Koyo Academy is their most important project right now. So I figured that disrupting TEP's plan would be a good thing."
"That's why I came."
"In reality, I'm just helping Totsuki."
He shrugged.
"But if you can't accept that reason, I can fight one match for you."
"You can just give me a little money. Just enough to show your gratitude."
Hearing this explanation, Shion slowly frowned.
"Toyo Electric does have intentions toward Totsuki as well..."
She nodded slightly.
"I see. Now I understand."
Everything connected.
Totsuki was already under pressure from TEP.
Even though Totsuki was the leading enterprise in the culinary world, it still couldn't compare to a long-established giant like Toyo Electric.
Koyo Academy's situation was even worse.
They didn't have Totsuki's industry status, nor did they possess the power to directly confront TEP.
At best, they were a slightly troublesome opponent.
That was precisely why TEP dared to target them while also pressuring Totsuki.
If she sent Kiryu Setsuna-
Based on her understanding, that Heaven Wolf Fist fighter likely wouldn't be a match for this monster.
But if Jaden fought-
-That would represent an alliance between Koyo and Totsuki.
If they won the Kengan match-
With Totsuki's wealth and influence as the culinary leader, combined with Koyo's extensive network-
They might actually stand a chance against Toyo Electric.
So that was it.
Totsuki had already taken this step.
Honestly, Shion had long been looking forward to an alliance with Totsuki against Toyo Electric.
Losing this Kengan match wouldn't be fatal for Koyo.
But if they lost-
It wouldn't just hurt Totsuki's pride.
TEP would likely treat Totsuki as a soft target afterward.
That would only increase the pressure after forming an alliance.
"I don't have any particular objections," Shion said slowly. "And if possible, I still hope to win this Kengan match."
She looked at Jaden seriously.
"So, Jaden... although I've heard your name and know you've defeated the 'Super Rookie' and a fighter sent by Toyo Electric before-"
"If I hadn't seen Kiryu Setsuna fight, I would've agreed immediately."
As she spoke, Shion stepped aside and gestured toward the arena.
"But now..."
"Would you mind proving yourself?"
"Of course, I'll provide appropriate compensation afterward for this rude request."
"I sincerely apologize."
In Shion's mind, Jaden was already the representative sent by Totsuki.
Seeing her adopt such a humble attitude, the faint discomfort Jaden initially felt disappeared immediately.
So-
He turned his gaze toward Kiryu Setsuna in the ring.
"I don't mind."
He paused slightly.
"Um... Kiryu Setsuna, right?"
"Do you need a break?"
"I don't mind at all."
Kiryu Setsuna smiled innocently.
Hearing that, Jaden said nothing more.
He casually took off his coat and leapt onto the ring.
"In that case," he said calmly, "excuse me."
Jaden and Kiryu Setsuna had no personal grudges.
And this wasn't a Kengan match.
It was just a sparring match.
So Jaden had no intention of testing Soru or Mach Punch techniques.
The moment he landed on the ring-
He placed a curse on Kiryu Setsuna.
After all, he only needed to win.
And since this wasn't a Kengan match, and he might need to interact with this guy for the next few days, hitting him too hard would only make things awkward later.
His main concern was avoiding unnecessary bad blood.
He chose a non-lethal curse.
Then he saw the result.
-Complete Loss of Consciousness.
A severe abnormal condition.
In other words-
A coma.
Jaden smiled.
This was good.
Using this meant he could hold back even more.
That was what Jaden thought.
But the moment Jaden stepped onto the stage, Kiryu Setsuna subtly adjusted his state.
Normally, Kiryu Setsuna was just an ordinary person.
A gentleman.
Gentle.
The perfect Japanese light-novel protagonist.
It was only when his "God," Tokita Koyoma, or his most hated enemy, Tokita Niko, was involved that he became completely insane.
If he faced a powerful enemy, he would sometimes fabricate a nonexistent memory-
Seeing the shadow of Tokita Niko in his opponent-
And then strike with lethal intent.
If someone publicly hugged Koyoma and shouted DIO's classic line-
"Koyoma's strength isn't yours, Kiryu Setsuna! It's mine, DIO's!"-
He would probably charge in and fight them to the death.
He might even team up with Koyoma to kill them.
But-
None of those conditions were met here.
Koyoma wasn't involved.
So Kiryu Setsuna was perfectly normal.
He would fight normally.
Below the ring, Shion, Akemi, and Ogami Sakura watched.
Among the three-
Only Akemi believed Jaden would win.
Both Shion and Ogami Sakura, having just witnessed Kiryu Setsuna's power, believed he would win.
Shion thought Kiryu Setsuna was a monster that surpassed Jaden.
Ogami Sakura believed that someone who could defeat her so easily couldn't possibly lose to just anyone.
And then-
"The match begins!"
The announcement echoed through the arena.
Bang!
The solid ring shattered instantly under Jaden's footwork.
Kiryu Setsuna's pupils contracted.
By the time he reacted-
Jaden's fist had already landed on his face.
And then-
There was no "then."
Kiryu Setsuna lost consciousness.
Jaden used Soru as propulsion.
A punch so fast no one could see it.
The match was over.
Just like that.
Watching Jaden walk down from the ring-
Smiling.
Completely relaxed.
It was obvious he hadn't even finished warming up.
He hadn't taken Kiryu Setsuna seriously at all.
Shion wasn't exaggerating.
Her eyes were wide.
Her mouth hung open.
She simply couldn't believe what she had just seen.
Now she finally understood how Ohya Ken must have felt back then.
The shock Ryo Himuro experienced when he was knocked out with one punch-
It was no less than what she was feeling now.
Jaden...
Is this guy even human?
While Shion was still frozen in disbelief, Ogami Sakura walked up to Jaden.
As Jaden looked on in confusion-
She bowed deeply.
Her right arm was still wrapped in bandages and a cast.
When she had been defeated by Kiryu Setsuna earlier, she knew he was stronger.
But that wasn't the kind of strength she pursued.
She sought the strength of the Strongest on Earth.
But Jaden's power-
Like an adult striking down a child-
Truly shocked her.
So-
"Although this request is rude and lacks sincerity..."
She raised her head, eyes burning.
"Jaden-no."
"Master Jaden."
"I am Ogami Sakura, a fighter from the Ogami Dojo who seeks the title of the Strongest on Earth."
"I will agree to anything you ask."
"Please-"
"Take me as your disciple."
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