After watching the match between Rei Mikazuchi and Jaden, many fighters formed an entirely new understanding of the Demon Spear.
Before this, what most people knew about Jaden was simple.
He had defeated the Wild Tiger, Takeshi Wakatsuki.
That alone was already shocking.
But after this match-
After witnessing the speed Jaden displayed, speed that was not inferior to-and in certain moments even surpassed-that of the Lightning God-
Many fighters frowned.
Yes.
They had overlooked something when Jaden fought Wakatsuki.
At the time, everyone focused on his absurd punching power and endurance.
But now it was obvious.
Jaden's speed was also absurd.
"That punching speed, combined with movement that surpasses the Raishin Style..."
"Endurance that allows him to take a decisive blow from the Wild Tiger and remain unscathed..."
"And strength that can match, or even overwhelm, Wakatsuki in a direct exchange..."
Beside Katahara Metsudo, Erioh Kure laughed as he spoke.
"If Wakatsuki is already considered a superhuman physique..."
"Then this Jaden is probably a superhuman among superhumans."
As he said this, Erioh Kure subtly glanced at Katahara Metsudo.
"And although I didn't feel it when reading the intelligence reports..."
"Now that I've seen him fight in person, I have a feeling."
"A feeling that this boy might be able to learn our Kure Clan's secret technique."
"Removal."
"To give me that kind of sensation despite not being a member of the Kure Clan..."
"If his bloodline could be incorporated into our genetic chain, the Kure Clan might one day produce a super genius on top of our current foundation."
Erioh Kure didn't hide his thoughts.
He spoke frankly to his old friend.
Katahara Metsudo listened quietly.
His gaze followed Jaden as he slowly left the arena.
Then he smiled.
"Erioh... if you hadn't told me he only began training his body and engaging in martial arts less than a month ago..."
"I might have believed he was the successor of some secret lineage."
"Leaving aside his physique, even his punches and movement techniques..."
"I find it difficult to believe all of that was figured out in half a month."
"But that is the truth."
Erioh Kure shook his head.
"I was even more shocked than you when I first heard it."
"To him, the Kure Clan's way of life-thirteen hundred years of inheritance-probably looks like a joke."
"But that doesn't necessarily make it a bad thing."
"If luck is on our side, the future Kure bloodline will only become stronger."
"And if luck isn't..."
"Then we can still use this tournament to knock some sense into Raian."
"In short, we lose nothing."
At this point, Erioh Kure turned his eyes back to Katahara Metsudo.
"This time, the Kure Clan's record in the Kengan matches will likely be broken."
"That's not a problem for us."
"But for you, old friend..."
Erioh stopped there.
He smiled.
Katahara Metsudo smiled as well.
"I don't mind."
"If he loses to the Fang, it only proves he's no different from the reformers, saviors, and so-called geniuses of the past."
"But if he wins..."
His wrinkled face practically glowed.
"-Then being able to become a 'challenger' again at this age..."
"That would be a dream come true~"
...
The Kengan Annihilation Tournament followed a strict schedule.
Four days of matches.
Three days of rest.
And one day of sailing.
The first day featured the preliminary matches, held on the Annihilation Ship outside the main tournament vessel that night.
The second day was spent sailing.
After reaching the island, there was one day of rest.
The fourth day-today-marked the first round of the main tournament.
Thirty-two to sixteen.
After today, there would be another rest day.
The sixth day would be the sixteen-to-eight matches.
The seventh day, another rest day.
And the eighth and final day-
Eight to four.
Four to two.
And the final match.
All completed in a single day.
The first two match days were meant for adaptation.
The last day was hell.
To claim the championship, one had to fight three consecutive matches against top-tier opponents and win them all.
It was an extreme test of stamina.
Of skill.
Of physique.
For most fighters, the early schedule-one match followed by one day of rest-was the best opportunity to adjust condition and gather intelligence.
As for Jaden-
He didn't care.
Three matches in one day?
So far, no one had been able to inflict serious damage on him.
And even if such a person appeared-
With the recovery ability of his Top-Tier Hanma Blood, he would probably only need to drink a bucket of high-concentration sugar water and eat a massive amount of food.
The rest days weren't particularly important to him.
Still, since this was a rare chance to visit a private resort island, Jaden originally planned to stroll around with Erina during the downtime.
That thought faded the moment he returned to the lounge.
Because Kaguya Shinomiya and Ai Hayasaka were there.
"Mr. Jaden, this is our second meeting."
"This time, we're mainly here to discuss business cooperation with Totsuki."
"And as an investment."
"An investment in whether Totsuki will become the head of the Kengan Association."
Kaguya Shinomiya stated her purpose openly, then briefly explained her situation.
"The main reason is this."
"In about a month, according to my father, the Shinomiya family will hold the election for the next family head."
Jaden raised an eyebrow.
"So you came now to gather supporters for that election?"
Kaguya shook her head.
"No."
"Rather than more supporters, I need supporters with enough weight."
"First, to allow me to seize the right of succession from one of my brothers."
"And then, one month later, to compete with the other brother for the position of family head."
"Empty promises again, huh..."
Jaden shook his head helplessly and walked over to Erina's side.
"If it's that kind of thing, it's up to you, Erina."
The Shinomiya family situation sounded complicated.
But at its core, it was simple.
A month later, the Shinomiya family would elect a new family head.
Currently, Kaguya's two brothers held the right to inherit and were openly and covertly competing.
Kaguya, a direct descendant without succession rights, wanted to enter the fight.
That was all.
"Jaden..."
"The Shinomiya family is a massive conglomerate."
"Thousands of subsidiaries, on top of its own assets."
"One of the core reasons it has expanded so far is the extension of Kengan as a form of business warfare."
"That's also why, despite being one of the three major financial groups, the Shinomiya family still focuses most of its attention domestically."
"Even this deadly elimination tournament we're participating in now..."
"If Chairman Katahara didn't have Shinomiya backing him..."
"Perhaps thirty of the thirty-two participating companies would directly or indirectly represent Shinomiya."
"In terms of its relationship with Kengan..."
"You could say Shinomiya rose alongside it."
"So historically, the succession of the Shinomiya family head works like this."
"Two direct descendants are given the right to compete."
"They're given time to prepare, recruit people, and gather support."
"Then their teams fight in Kengan matches."
"The winner becomes the family head."
Erina looked at Jaden.
"In other words, if we agree to cooperate with Miss Shinomiya..."
"It won't just be symbolic support."
"You'll be involved in many areas."
"And judging by the situation..."
"The family head competition a month from now will also require your participation."
She paused.
"I remember you dislike troublesome things."
Jaden met her gaze.
Kaguya Shinomiya watched the exchange.
She was nervous.
And, involuntarily, a little envious.
The trust between Erina and Jaden was obvious.
If not for Hayasaka, she would have felt truly uncomfortable standing there.
Under both their gazes, Jaden finally spoke.
"I do dislike troublesome things..."
Kaguya's eyes dimmed slightly.
After watching Jaden's match with Rei Mikazuchi, she had gained even more confidence in Totsuki.
Or rather-
In Jaden.
But she had also prepared herself for rejection.
She took a breath, ready to adjust her emotions and try persuading him.
Then-
"However."
"Seizing succession rights or participating in a family head competition..."
"To me, that's no different from this Kengan Annihilation Tournament."
"They don't even qualify as troublesome."
"They're just a form of entertainment."
"Or at most, a trip where I run into a small problem or two."
"That's all."
He smiled at Erina.
"So it's the same as what I told you back when I decided to become Totsuki's fighter."
"You decide."
"I'll keep winning."
"And everything else..."
"I'm indifferent."
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