Whether they are fighters, martial artists, or underground boxers, they all have preferences.
Especially in this world.
These monsters who find something they believe in, cling to it for an entire lifetime, and never let go-almost all of them are defined by those preferences.
Yujiro Hanma's violence.
Kaioh Kaku's technique.
Hanayama Kaoru's conviction.
Each of them is distinct precisely because they are obsessed with something.
And Biscuit Oliva's preference-
Or rather, his strength-
Is muscle.
Although he is often called a bodybuilder or a fighter, compared to conventional fighters, Oliva can hardly be called one.
Ordinary fighters have many "lovers."
Support.
Force control.
Targeting vital points.
Countless techniques.
But Oliva has only one lover.
Muscle.
He believes in his muscle mass absolutely.
And Jaden Yuki-
To others, he looks like an all-around monster.
But in truth, Jaden's greatest strength isn't technique.
It isn't even the violence that could suppress Yujiro Hanma.
It is his physique.
His body.
His muscle.
After all-
He is a Saiyan.
Unlike Garp, who could be cut by an axe if caught unguarded.
Unlike Pickle, who would only suffer surface wounds when shot without defense.
Jaden Yuki's body had fused countless bloodlines, countless physical extremes.
So.
"Your strength is truly unfortunate."
Jaden took Oliva's punch head-on.
Then, casually, he swung his arm.
Oliva's arm was knocked aside, forcing him to retreat two steps.
Jaden stepped forward.
"If we were competing in violence or technique, you might still have the illusion that you could contend with me."
"But if we are only competing in physique..."
"This will be a complete defeat."
There was no mockery in his voice.
No pride.
He was simply stating a fact.
Then he raised his right hand.
Clenched his fist.
Bang.
The motion was almost identical to Oliva's earlier punch.
But unlike Oliva, no veins bulged.
No muscles swelled.
Just a clean, simple clench.
And a punch.
Boom-
The roar erupted from the depths of the canyon.
The ground trembled.
The canyon walls shook.
And Biscuit Oliva-
Vanished from in front of Jaden.
Jaden maintained the posture of his punch, his right arm extended across his body.
He didn't even turn his head.
Oliva's body was embedded in the rock wall to Jaden's left.
Halfway up.
He had been smashed directly into the cliff face.
Silence fell.
No one had expected Oliva to be so thoroughly overwhelmed.
If someone said the match had already been decided, few would object.
Eyes slowly turned toward Jaden.
He stood there, expression unchanged.
-How could someone be this strong?
Confusion spread through the crowd.
Even the commentator hesitated.
Should he declare the match over?
Just as he sighed inwardly and prepared to speak-
A roar erupted from the canyon floor.
"HAAAA-!"
Cracking rock followed.
Then two booms rang out in quick succession.
One sharp.
One heavy.
The screen shifted.
Biscuit Oliva had climbed out of the rock wall.
Blood covered his body.
But his smile remained.
His stance was unchanged.
He stood there, nails dug into the ground, facing Jaden once more.
"Jaden..."
"You are truly strong."
Oliva walked forward, eyes locked on Jaden, as if the blood coating his body belonged to someone else.
"But I told you before."
"Don't underestimate me."
The crowd erupted again.
But Jaden remained calm.
He glanced at Oliva.
"Next strike."
"You might die."
Oliva smiled wider.
"It might really happen."
"At least three bones are cracked."
"My ribs hurt when I breathe."
"My vision is darkening."
"The muscles on half my body are screaming."
"And my left hand can't even clench properly anymore..."
"But even so."
"What can you do?"
He stared at Jaden.
Smiling.
Dead serious.
"I am Biscuit Oliva."
"If you're afraid of death, you don't deserve to be called the freest man."
Jaden nodded.
He said nothing more.
Then Oliva sat down.
Pulled his legs in.
Wrapped his arms around his head.
In an instant, every sharp edge of his body vanished.
His form collapsed inward-
Transforming into a massive sphere of compressed muscle.
This-
Left the spectators stunned.
Many of them were fighting enthusiasts.
Some were fighters themselves.
Even Doppo Orochi.
Even Kaioh Kaku.
Even Yujiro Hanma, who had awakened and was watching-
They had almost never seen a move like this.
This wasn't a technique.
It was a transformation.
From man.
To muscle sphere.
Few people could do something like this.
And more importantly-
What was the point?
Jaden looked down at Oliva.
From the beginning, he had been looking down.
That hadn't changed.
His expression didn't shift.
He clenched his fist again.
"If this is your choice."
"Then I respect it."
No technique.
No trick.
Just a punch.
Straight toward the front of Oliva.
The moment Jaden's fist reached him-
Oliva's hand shot out and grabbed Jaden's wrist.
If this were anyone else, the punch would have been stopped.
But this was Jaden.
His wrist was seized.
Yet his fist kept moving.
In fact-
Because Oliva extended his arm-
The punch became even easier to land.
Bang!
The strike slammed into Oliva's face behind his arm.
Blood exploded outward.
His nose flattened.
Blood poured from his eyes and ears.
His head snapped back.
His body lifted into the air.
Teeth flew.
But-
The hand gripping Jaden's wrist did not release.
Instead, Oliva forcibly dragged his own flying momentum back.
Enduring the punch.
Using the upward force.
He pulled Jaden's arm up.
Then-
The muscle sphere unfolded.
His right leg swept upward like a rising jaw.
His other arm opened wide.
Embracing Jaden.
It was as if the muscle monster had opened a mouth full of fangs.
Like-
An ancient game's Pac-Man.
Opening wide.