Chapter 69: Warm-Up Demonstration
The official Kengan Association referee silently watched Nabemi Mikio's "performance."
The man's desire was overflowing, making his intentions painfully obvious.
He just wanted to use this opportunity to suck up to Hyodo Kazutaka of the Teiai Group, giving him a good show to facilitate future business cooperation.
Such a "low-class" method. No wonder Gyūmin Dining was only second-tier, and its fighters were usually second-rate.
But because of this, the referee silently marveled at Nabemi's luck.
That fighter from the Shinshinkai—Suedo Atsushi—was undoubtedly first-rate. He was absolutely qualified to enter the top-tier Kengan matches!
Although he was only using Gyūmin Dining as a temporary stepping stone and wouldn't fight many matches for them, if managed properly, Nabemi could easily make a fortune.
"The thick training pad is here!"
A Teiai man in black dragged a heavy foam pad onto the ring.
Nabemi introduced loudly, "At a time like this, we need real props, right, Suedo?"
"...Hmph!"
Suedo Atsushi adjusted his sleeveless shirt, snorting two streams of hot air from his nose as he looked at the foam pad held up by the man in black.
He couldn't suppress a smirk, whispering:
"My master, Orochi Doppo, often does warm-up demonstrations before various karate tournaments. They're quite popular."
"He can shatter bricks, chop through bottles, split wood..."
"Haha, I never thought I'd get the chance to do this one day."
"..."
Suedo glanced at the man holding the pad and shouted, "Hey! Get three more guys up here! Hold it together!"
Hearing this, three more men in black climbed into the ring, bracing the thick pad together. Their expressions were uneasy, unsure of what Suedo was planning.
Suedo rotated his wrist. "Hold tight! Don't let go!"
"Y-Yes!"
The four men braced themselves, putting all their strength into holding the pad.
The next second—
BANG!
Suedo aimed at the pad and unleashed a roundhouse kick. It slammed into the pad with a deafening thud.
With just one hit, the four men were sent flying, tumbling over each other. The pad was flung to the edge of the ring, draped over a corner post.
Suedo wasn't satisfied. Ignoring the fallen men, he strode over to the reinforced foam pad.
"HAAAH—!"
Suedo roared, unleashing a flurry of punches, elbows, chops, knees, and kicks at the pad. His speed was dazzling.
BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!
Gradually, the foam pad, designed specifically to "absorb impact," was torn apart by Suedo's bare hands under the relentless barrage, turning into chunks of debris.
They say softness overcomes hardness, but right now, "hardness" was tearing "softness" to shreds!
"Hoo—"
Only when the pad was completely destroyed did Suedo exhale a hot breath. He looked down from the ring at his opponent—Shiraki Kei.
To Suedo's surprise, Kei was still chatting and laughing with the people around him, seemingly on good terms with everyone.
Combined with his earlier comment about "finishing before dinner," Suedo felt looked down upon. Anger surged within him. The venting just now wasn't enough.
"Heh... Hahaha!"
"Fighting really is great! To think I'd meet a guy like this... Kato really introduced me to a good place!"
He ground his teeth loudly, his hands itching for action.
"Hey! Bring me a concrete slab!"
Suedo roared. Nabemi quickly ordered the men in black to prepare it.
Soon, a heavy concrete slab was carried up and placed in front of Suedo.
Suedo aimed at the slab and threw a series of powerful punches.
With a rapid crack-crack-crack, several fissures appeared on the heavy concrete, fist prints clearly visible.
"Hnnngh—!"
Suedo took a deep breath, pulled his head back, and slammed a headbutt forward.
With a dull BOOM, the heavy concrete slab was shattered into a pile of rubble.
Clatter...
Seeing this, many people in the audience stared wide-eyed.
They didn't know how to describe this exaggerated display of destruction!
Even Hyodo Kazutaka couldn't help but clap and laugh. "Kakaka! Impressive! Far more satisfying than some fake historical drama!"
Yes!
—Nabemi Mikio rejoiced inwardly.
Regardless of whether Suedo stayed or left later, as long as he pleased Hyodo Kazutaka, his business resources would flow endlessly!
Who wanted to risk everything on Kengan matches? Safe money was the best money!
Suedo finished his demonstration and warm-up, signaling the referee.
The Kengan referee waved, ordering the spotlights to full brightness, and tested the mic.
"Ahem. Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for coming aboard the Espoir tonight!"
"Without further ado, let's begin the introductions—"
The referee started to hype up the crowd, his voice rising.
"Tonight, the 'Challenger' for the Kengan Association Membership is—"
"HIM!"
"Height 187cm, Weight 97kg!"
"Representing Soul Combat Dojo—Shiraki Kei!"
"..."
Kei said goodbye to his friends for now, vaulted into the ring, took off his shirt, and tossed it to Kure Fusu for safekeeping.
The referee continued:
"Next, please welcome the Defender!"
"The fighter protecting the membership rights tonight is 'That Man'!"
"A 3rd Dan Black Belt from the Shinshinkai, representing Gyūmin Dining—"
"Suedo Atsushi!"
Suedo was already in the ring, loosening up his arms.
The referee confirmed one last time. "Fighters, take your positions!"
Before the referee could officially announce the start, Suedo assumed a karate stance and began throwing moves at the air.
"Watch closely, idiot! This is Shinshinkai Karate!"
Suedo narrated his own moves as he performed them.
"Knife-hand strike! Knee to the solar plexus! Mid-level front kick! Backfist to the spleen—"
"I will chase you down relentlessly until you fall! Can you defend against this?!"
Hearing this, Kei fell silent. Then, his expression turned troubled, as if facing a difficult problem.
Suedo lifted his chin, comforting him, "Don't worry. I'll call a hearse for you."
Kei remained silent, rubbing his chin.
Suedo lost patience and barked at the referee, "Hey! Time is money!"
"...Oh!"
The referee snapped out of it, raising his arm high. "Are you ready?"
"Then... Ready—BEGIN!!!"
SWOOSH!
The instant the referee's hand dropped, Kei leaned forward and exploded off the ground like an arrow from a bow, his figure almost leaving an afterimage in the air.
[Drive Rush]!
In a split second, just as Suedo settled into his stance, Kei was already in his face. He aimed for Suedo's chin and smashed a powerful blow upwards.
A heavy, devastating uppercut.
[Ryu • Collarbone Breaker]!
BOOM!!!
Suedo's chin took the hit. His brain rattled violently inside his skull. His eyes lost focus, dizziness overwhelmed him, and he fell backward.
Just before he lost consciousness, he vaguely heard Kei's answer, his tone full of regret and sincerity.
"I really can't defend against you, Suedo-bro. So I had to hit you 'first'."
"If you can, please instruct me."