Chapter 63: Shiraki Family Dinner
For ordinary people, the "Private Funeral Division" was something akin to an urban legend.
But a yakuza like Kizaki had heard of them.
The "Private Funeral Division" was a secret organization under the Metropolitan Police Department, responsible for handling special crimes and high-risk missions. They possessed numerous talents in both intellect and force, truly the "government's hidden ultimate weapon."
If even they were being deployed, the situation in the underground world was bound to get even more chaotic, perhaps escalating into open conflict.
Looks like we'll need to be careful with business lately...
"Thanks, Iori-san."
Kizaki stretched lazily, changing the subject. "But today doesn't matter. We're here to celebrate the Boss and Shiraki-bro getting out of the hospital."
"True," Iori Ichika scanned the surroundings. "Speaking of 'chaos,' Shiraki-bro's house isn't doing too bad either!"
Kizaki nodded in agreement.
Yakuza, cops, hitmen, fighters, martial artists, ordinary high school students, a former terrorist, and even some people of unknown identity... The Shiraki household today was ridiculously lively.
Since it was a rare opportunity, and everyone had brought so many gifts, it would be a waste not to stay for lunch.
Kei laid out several mats in the yard, and everyone sat on the ground, like a picnic.
Arisa, Karura, and Hongo Hina—three high schoolers from the same school—gathered together, chatting about school life. Maruko listened obediently.
Kizaki was forcibly dragged into a discussion by Tenma Nozomi, Iori Ichika, and Mitani Hana, planning the future of the Valkyrie group.
Kure Fusu continued to cling to Kei.
Kei and Kureishi Mitsuyo chatted happily, exchanging fighting insights. Yuzuha occasionally chipped in. Hanayama Kaoru sat with his eyes closed, looking relaxed.
Occasionally, someone would want a drink or a snack, and there were plenty of reserves.
If they were too lazy to get up, they'd just call out, and what they wanted would be tossed over, easily caught.
Everyone laughed and talked, basking in the morning sun.
"Soul Combat Dojo... SC Center..."
Tenma Nozomi looked at the standing signboard in the yard, reading the words. "Looks like things are going smoothly on Shiraki-bro's end."
Kizaki took a sip of his drink. "A guy who can fight the Boss to a draw like that... even if we wanted to stop him, we couldn't, right? The Hanayama Group won't interfere here anymore."
Nozomi nodded. "So, what about Valkyrie? Can we continue operating?"
Kizaki had expected the question and sighed. "Originally, it was to look after a friend's daughter. But since you're willing to bear the 'risk,' the Hanayama Group won't stop you."
Nozomi finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Although the road ahead was fraught with danger, they had at least taken the first step. The fighting group "Valkyrie" was officially established.
Hongo Hina and Yuzuha could serve as the star attractions, but that alone wasn't enough.
The next step was to find a way to recruit more powerful fighters, gradually expanding Valkyrie's scale and popularity.
"Speaking of..."
Nozomi's business mind went into overdrive. "Shiraki-bro mentioned earlier that he has connections with the Kengan Association. I wonder if there's a chance to make contact..."
Noon arrived, and the atmosphere in the yard remained lively.
Fighters had big appetites, so the get-well gifts were quickly disappearing. Kizaki called over some Hanayama underlings and told them to prepare a barbecue.
Thus, the picnic turned into a BBQ party.
Several office workers passing by on their lunch break stopped to watch the scene in the yard, feeling a pang of envy.
Those people had such beautiful bodies, men and women alike, all clearly trained.
The atmosphere was great, full of laughter.
In short, what an amazing group of people!
After eating and resting for a while, some people started getting bored.
Kei found an open space and tried moving his body.
Thanks to Kureishi's massage, his body felt light. aside from the occasional stinging in his right leg, he could already do basic movements.
Seeing this, Kei wanted to find a sparring partner for some light technical exchange.
Maruko had no control over his strength, so he was ruled out first. Kure Fusu was very willing.
But just then, Kureishi Mitsuyo reached out and stopped Fusu as she was about to stand up.
"Little Fusu, let me play with Kei-kun."
Kureishi had been interested for a while, but felt awkward asking an injured person. "Kei-kun's injuries haven't healed yet, so normal sparring isn't convenient. But doing some slow-motion kumite should be fine."
...
So, under everyone's gaze, Kei and Kureishi faced each other, engaging in slow-motion kumite practice.
Because of Kei's leg injury, they tacitly agreed not to create distance, staying just one step apart, engaging in close-quarters combat slowly.
Swish.
Kureishi threw a straight punch. Kei blocked with his forearm, then followed with a right hook.
Slap—
Kureishi blocked the punch with his palm and followed with a forward elbow strike, but Kei bumped him away with his shoulder.
The two exchanged several rounds, relying solely on "upper body striking techniques," countering each other's moves.
Kureishi was 175cm tall, with a slightly shorter reach than Kei, so he fell into a disadvantage, about to be unable to defend against Kei's punches.
If he sped up his movements, he would lose this kumite exercise.
After a moment's thought, Kureishi suddenly stepped forward half a step, closing the distance between him and Kei even further.
Just this half-step difference instantly reversed the offensive and defensive roles!
Unlike Hanayama's style, Kureishi clearly excelled in extreme close-quarters combat, using grappling and elbows to tear apart Kei's defense step by step.
Seeing the situation turn unfavorable, Kei reset his stance and threw a mid-level straight punch.
[Aura Burst • Shockwave]!
But halfway through the punch, it was blocked by Kureishi's left palm, while his right hand grabbed Kei's wrist.
?!
Instantly, a terrifying chill shot through Kei, as if his wrist was about to be dislocated the next second!
Just as he was about to struggle free, two massive hands suddenly reached out, pushing Kureishi and Kei apart to the left and right.
Both men stumbled back a large step, their hands forced apart.
It was Hanayama Kaoru who interrupted them.
He couldn't speak, and didn't speak. He just silently waved his hand, then went back to sit down.
The first to understand this scene was Tenma Nozomi, with her superhuman dynamic vision.
"Hey! Senior and Shiraki-bro, you two almost got serious, didn't you?!"
Nozomi felt a headache coming on.
She had heard stories about her senior's past. He was rumored to have been involved in massive street brawls and fought dirty when he got serious.
She never expected that a simple warm-up exercise would almost spark a real fight between him and Kei!
These two are nothing but trouble...
"Sorry. I got a little too excited."
Kureishi apologized quickly, then plopped down on the ground, swaying back and forth.
"It's just that I've been restless lately. Like something exciting is about to happen. Even an 'old man' like me is getting a little fired up."
"Right? I have that feeling too~!"
Hongo Hina, lying on her side, suddenly spoke up, agreeing with Kureishi. Their wavelengths matched to some extent.
Seeing this, Nozomi scratched her head helplessly.
In her eyes, not just Kureishi and Hina, but even Kei, and possibly Hanayama, seemed faintly excited.
Was this the so-called "scent of the strong"?
Feels like a storm is coming... not good...
Seeing Nozomi looking worried, Kureishi reverted to the cheerful senior persona. "Nozomi, you're starting an underground fighting group, right? Just cut some weight and get back in shape!"
Nozomi looked even more worried.
On the other side, Kei, resting on the ground, suddenly received a call. It was from the Nogi Group.
The previously discussed Kengan Challenge Match had been scheduled for the near future.