Macho Man Doesn't want a Slice-of-Life

"It's… already over?"

"That was less than five minutes."

"And that kid—Takamine Rinji—didn't even take a hit."

The tens of thousands of spectators stared in shock. Rinji had defeated Akoya Seishu with ease. Their impression of this unexpected challenge round participant completely changed.

Originally, they had thought the final boss of the tournament would be Kanoh Agito, the reigning champion of Kengan matches.

But Rinji's appearance shattered that assumption.

If Agito was the final boss, then Rinji was a DLC final boss—possibly even tougher.

Even without seeing Katahara Metsudo in person, they could already imagine the old man's perverted laughter.

He wouldn't give up the Kengan Association chairman seat so easily. Many fighters might not even make it past the challenge round.

In the VIP room, Nogi Hideki puffed on a cigar and asked Hatsumi Sen, "If you fought him, what're your chances?"

"More like, what're my chances of not dying."

Hatsumi scratched his head casually.

"I felt it during the prelims—he was holding back. And just now? He definitely didn't show his full power. It's like he's constantly suppressing himself…"

"I see…"

Nogi's brows furrowed. He realized—he'd been tricked.

He already suspected Rinji was strong. Katahara Metsudo's condition—beat Rinji to win the chairman seat—was a red flag. But the "co-op challenge" option had given him hope.

Now, seeing Rinji's performance, even a joint attack seemed unlikely to succeed.

His fighters—Hatsumi Sen, Ohma Tokita, Wakatsuki Takeshi—were all top-tier. But even then, the outcome wasn't certain.

And if any of them were injured and couldn't compete in the main event, that would be the real disaster.

"…This is going to be tough."

---

"This is a 5% equity transfer agreement of Wakasa Life Insurance, and some microelectronic tech patents. Please review it, Mr. Takamine."

"Alright."

In the medical room, Akoya Seishu lay unconscious on the hospital bed, wrapped in bandages.

Though not dead, he wouldn't be getting up anytime soon.

The real damage wasn't the final slam—his internal organs had begun failing after the palm strike to the chest. Even with top-tier medical care on the island, he'd be recovering for months.

By the way, had he not fought Rinji, his next match would've been against Imai Cosmo.

Now that he was out, Imai Cosmo would automatically advance to the quarterfinals—making him the biggest gainer of the tournament.

"Regardless, thank you for not killing him," said Hiyama Shunka, bowing politely.

"I don't kill unless absolutely necessary." Rinji signed the contract and smiled. "Besides, I don't dislike him. Twisted or not, people who carry out their beliefs are worthy of respect."

As they spoke, the door to the medical room opened.

Karura rushed in and leapt into Rinji's arms.

"Rinji! I knew you'd win!"

"Of course."

Rinji hugged her back with a smile.

Doctor Hanafusa then emerged from the operating room, followed by a groggy Mokichi, now confined to a wheelchair and pushed by Elena.

"Mokichi, you're already awake?" Karura said happily when she saw him.

"Yeah, thanks to Doctor Hanafusa." Mokichi smiled.

"Your medical skills are amazing," Rinji said to Hanafusa. "But you're also quite something. Your neck got snapped and you're still bouncing around."

Hanafusa was also a fighter. Back when Rinji went to deal with Hayami Katsumasa, Hanafusa had a match in the arena.

His opponent was a man called Bando Yohei, nicknamed "Bloody Tusk." He used to be a third-year medical student at Teito University, who stormed a yakuza office and killed 17 members, injuring 5 more. He then killed two officers who came to arrest him and injured four others before calmly surrendering.

Bando's first hanging execution lasted 90 minutes, and he still survived. Over the next 25 years, he survived 45 execution attempts.

For some unknown reason, Juoh Communications tracked him down and had him participate in this Kengan Annihilation Tournament—where he happened to face Hanafusa.

Despite Hanafusa's frail doctor appearance and Bando's bulked-up, monstrous physique, the match was evenly matched. It was so brutal that just watching it made you hurt.

In the end, Bando snapped Hanafusa's neck.

Unlike Mokichi's 90-degree twist, this was a complete spinal severance—normally instant death.

But after someone repositioned his neck, Hanafusa just came back to life—startling even Rinji.

"My body's been modified. Injuries like that can't kill me."

Hanafusa rubbed his neck, a sickly smile still on his face.

"So, Rinji, how about letting me dissect you?"

"You let me dissect you first, then I'll let you dissect me."

"Deal."

"Straightforward."

Hanafusa's assistant, the nurse Yoshizawa Kokomi, clutched her stomach from the mental stress of watching these two maniacs. She had no idea what to even say.

Rinji glanced at the time on his phone. The next match was about to start. It was time to head to the arena.

"Alright, I'm off. See you in a bit."

"Wait."

Mokichi, still in his wheelchair, suddenly spoke up.

"Hm?"

"Your next match is against Kure Raian, right?"

"Yeah. Want me to avenge you?"

"No need for revenge... but be careful of that move of his. That technique that multiplies his physical abilities out of nowhere—it's dangerous."

Even now, Mokichi shuddered a little. He had landed hits, yet his opponent suddenly got back up—several times stronger.

"Don't worry."

Rinji smiled.

"That trick won't work on me."