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

A new chapter in Kengan history had been written.

This would be remembered as a legendary moment.

In the Kengan Annihilation Tournament, a sixteen-year-old had defeated twelve top fighters from around the world.

His name would be remembered by all present, passed down through word of mouth.

Until… the day the Kengan Association itself ended.

…

Rinji held his neck, where the skin on the side had split open, leaking bright red blood.

He had been injured—wounded by Kuroki Gensai.

When he landed his final "mountain-piercing" punch on Kuroki's chest, Kuroki, in that very moment, counterattacked.

He had raised his shattered hand—three fingers broken—and slid it toward Rinji's neck.

The strength of the Devil Lance lay in the fingers, especially the three longest ones. But those had already been shattered by Rinji.

Yet Kuroki still had his thumb.

And it was his thumb that struck Rinji's neck, piercing the skin and injuring the muscle beneath, causing him to bleed.

"…"

Staring at Kuroki's fallen body, Rinji looked conflicted.

Even though he had held back his strength, he had used full technique with only 5% of his power.

Yet he had still been hit.

He hadn't seen through Kuroki's final Devil Lance.

And his skin wasn't something easily pierced. Even the neck, a weak point, wasn't supposed to be so easily damaged.

Kuroki, in his final moment, had surpassed human limits.

"That was a beautiful fight. I look forward to crossing fists with you again, Kuroki Gensai."

Leaving those words behind, Rinji turned and walked off the stage.

He had completed all his challenges.

It was time to leave.

---

"Rinji, are you leaving already?"

"Yeah. I've finished what I came to do. Time to head back to Tokyo."

Rinji smiled and patted Karura on the head, who clung to him like a koala.

This tournament had been massively profitable.

Ten out of twelve companies had given him 5% shares. These were all top corporations in Japan. The total value easily surpassed 500 billion yen—and that didn't even include the tech and patents that came with them. Altogether, the value was close to a trillion yen.

But the money was secondary. More importantly, Rinji now had a girlfriend.

He felt like his life had peaked.

Though he would've liked to stay and watch the final match with her, he decided to return anyway.

Karura studied in Tokyo, so seeing her again would be easy.

"Mmm~"

Karura didn't want Rinji to leave, but she still respected his choice.

"At least… do the baby-making part before you go."

"Ahaha, maybe next time."

Rinji lightly tapped her forehead.

By now, he stood at the port of Ganryu Island. Soon someone would come pick him up.

"Young friend Rinji."

From a distance, Katahara Metsudo and Kure Erioh approached, the former using a cane.

"Here to send me off?"

Katahara: "Yes."

Erioh: "I came to bring Karura home."

Karura jumped off Rinji and ran over to Erioh's side.

Katahara stepped closer to Rinji and asked with a smile, "It was you who killed Hayami Katsumasa, wasn't it?"

"Yeah. That's right."

"His body was found in his private room, burned beyond recognition. Same with several of his bodyguards. Really… young people these days ought to think ahead. His death will create chaos among a hundred companies in Japan."

Despite his words, Katahara didn't sound like he was blaming him.

"Old man, you know better than I do." Rinji smiled. "Peaceful places offer peaceful profits, but chaotic places offer immeasurable opportunity. The Association of a Hundred has split. Let's see how much each of us can carve out."

"Hoh hoh hoh, young Rinji, you and I think alike."

Takahara grinned wickedly.

"Don't get too smug yet. That fighter, Kuroki Gensai, is a formidable opponent. If Kanoh isn't careful, he might lose to him."

Since no one had won the challenge, the Kengan Annihilation Tournament would continue. Based on the brackets, Kanoh Agito would very likely face Kuroki Gensai next.

"Losing might be a good thing. Sitting at the top too long dulls motivation. Maybe I can challenge the Kengan chairman title like the old days."

"Then you'd better prepare."

As they spoke, a sudden gust of wind whipped through, blowing Katahara's beard and Karura's hair.

The sky above twisted unnaturally, and a V-22 Osprey appeared over the port, descending slowly.

A few soldiers in uniforms marked "IW" stepped out and saluted Rinji.

"It's time to go. Old man Katahara, I hope you'll still have that energy after you lose."

Rinji turned and walked toward the aircraft.

"Wait."

Karura suddenly called and ran after him.

She hugged Rinji tightly and planted a big kiss on his cheek. Then she whispered in his ear:

"Wait for me a few days. I'll come find you."

Without waiting for his reply, she returned to Erioh's side.

As for Erioh… his veins were bulging and skin purpling as he glared at Rinji like he wanted to eat him alive.

Rinji dazedly touched the spot where she had kissed him, then smiled and boarded the plane.

Under everyone's gaze, the aircraft rose, shifted into forward tilt, and headed for Tokyo.

Seated inside, Rinji flipped through photos on his phone.

There were shots of him and Garuda together on the ship.

Summer break was almost over, and the new school semester would begin soon.

Time to return to daily life.

"…Wait!"

Sitting on the plane, Rinji's expression suddenly turned to one of horror.

"What's wrong, Lieutenant?" a nearby soldier asked with concern.

"…I haven't finished my summer homework."

"..."