CHAPTER 13: THE NOGI GROUP'S MISSION
To a certain extent, the human body is a miracle.
A body activated by intense combat, when paired with professional medical treatment and a strong will, recovers at an accelerated pace. By the third day following the match, Ren Shiroki had already stripped off his bandages.
Free from the constraints of gauze, he returned to his training, finally able to incorporate high-intensity strength work.
He didn't have a commercial gym membership yet, but the corners of the dojo's storage shed yielded plenty of useful "equipment": heavy stone locks, wooden posts, and old truck tires. Ren dragged them into the clearing, coughing through the clouds of dust that billowed off them.
"Hoo..."
He wiped his nose, his face already smeared with grime.
These makeshift weights were enough for his "rehabilitation" phase, but for true growth, he needed professional iron. Dumbbells, barbells, power racks. He considered getting a gym membership at a modern facility.
In Ren's mind, modern fitness equipment was the crystallization of human sports science—there was no point in being a "traditionalist" if it hindered efficiency. Even the most "ancient" methods were "new" the day they were invented.
Ren tied a heavy rope around his waist, hitched the other end to a massive tire, and began drag-sprints around the perimeter of the clearing.
A few laps in, and his body was steaming.
Next came stone-lock squats, frog jumps, and tire flips—the grueling staples of a martial artist's conditioning. By the end of the circuit, Ren was drenched in a satisfying, heavy sweat.
Throughout the session, the phantom of Ryu sat quietly in the center of the yard, eyes closed in meditation. He radiated a palpable sense of "Zen."
It wasn't just for show; Ryu was a master of the "Mu" (Nothingness) state, where even sitting and breathing were part of his refinement. Ren had tried to mimic it earlier, but he just ended up almost falling asleep. He realized his "Mental Realm" wasn't quite there yet, so he stuck to the physical grind.
Stone-lock squats. Set after set.
As he hit the tenth set, his muscles began to scream. Lactic acid burned in his quads, and his heart hammered against his ribs like a trapped bird.
Ren gritted his teeth, pushing for five more reps. He focused on the contraction of his glutes and the stability of his core, forcing his form to remain perfect.
Five... four... three...
Halfway through the third rep, his legs buckled. His vision blurred as the blood rushed to his head. He was about to collapse.
Suddenly, a second phantom tore through the mental fog.
This one was far more massive and boisterous than Ryu. The figure stood over Ren, pumping its fists and stomping the ground, shouting words of encouragement with an intensity that seemed to exceed Ren's own.
Emotions can influence muscle.
Infused with that explosive energy, Ren's muscles found a hidden reserve of power. He blasted through the final two reps.
Two... one!
THUD!
The stone lock hit the dirt.
The massive phantom let out a roar of delight and slapped Ren on the back with a hand the size of a dinner plate. The force of the "ghost-slap" sent the already-exhausted Ren face-first into the grass. The phantom erupted into boisterous, hearty laughter.
Ren rolled over onto his back, gasping for air, looking up at the newcomer. He still couldn't see the man's face clearly.
He understood why. His "accumulation" of experience was still too low.
After the fight with Komada, Ryu's phantom had become much more vivid. To see this massive new master clearly, Ren would likely have to undergo another trial—another "Deathmatch"—to bridge the gap.
When is the next fight coming?
Soon, Ren guessed.
"Nioh" Komada was a Kengan veteran. The news of his defeat would send shockwaves through the Association. When the big players came knocking, Ren would have his chance to earn a real purse—and to evolve.
By evening, the expected visitor arrived.
A luxury sedan pulled up to the dojo gate. Arisa, who had grown accustomed to the "guests" by now, expertly set out the table and chairs before going to prepare tea. She had even bought high-quality tea leaves specifically for "negotiations."
Ren told her she didn't have to go to the trouble, but Arisa insisted on being a proper hostess. After all, if the Kure sisters and Kozue-chan visited often, the place should at least be presentable.
The visitor this time was a strikingly beautiful woman.
She wore a sharp business suit, her hair tied in a disciplined high ponytail. Behind her glasses, her eyes were sharp, intelligent, and cold.
"Pardon the intrusion."
The woman looked around the dilapidated property with a hint of surprise before quickly masking it. She stepped forward to shake Ren's hand.
"A pleasure to meet you. I am a representative of the Nogi Group—Kaede Akiyama."
The Nogi Group. The corporation that had contracted "Nioh" Komada.
Their Chairman, Hideki Nogi, was a man of immense wealth and even greater ambition. Rumor had it he was already gathering allies and fighters to challenge Metsudo Katahara for the throne of the Kengan Association in a legendary tournament known as the Kengan Life-or-Death Annihilation Tournament.
Kaede Akiyama was Nogi's secretary and most trusted confidante.
Since Ren had dismantled Komada, it was only natural for Nogi to reach out to the man who had effectively "auditioned" for the job by taking out the previous employee.
Kaede was efficient. As soon as she sat down, she skipped the pleasantries.
"Ren-san, although you were dragged into that underground match by chance, your performance suggests you are already well-acquainted with the Kengan Matches, correct?"
Ren gave a small, knowing smile.
Kaede nodded. "So, I assume you intended to use Shigeru Komada as a stepping stone to get the Nogi Group's attention?"
Ren leaned back, his eyes steady. "I'm an ambitious man, Kaede-san."
Kaede returned the smile, though it didn't reach her eyes. "Congratulations. You've succeeded. Chairman Nogi sees no reason to ignore a fighter capable of crushing a registered veteran like 'Nioh.'"
Ren's eyes flickered with a competitive light. "In that case, Kaede-san, when is my first official Kengan match?"
"..."
Kaede looked at him, slightly taken aback by his eagerness. Her tone shifted.
"I apologize, but there are no official bouts scheduled for the near future. Finding a suitable 'Debut Match' for a newcomer isn't as simple as it sounds."
Ren chuckled. He didn't buy it for a second.
The Kengan matches were a way for corporations to settle multi-billion yen disputes. In a city like Tokyo, there was always a conflict brewing. The "Debut Match" excuse was corporate double-speak.
Nogi hadn't sent Kaede here to offer a title shot. He had sent her to test Ren's loyalty and utility.
Sure enough, Kaede pulled a file from her briefcase and slid it across the table.
"Recently, the Nogi Group has received a 'request.' Originally, we were going to outsource it to local 'fixers,' but the situation is... delicate. And dangerous. You might want to take a look."
Ren opened the file. Kaede began to narrate.
"A certain real estate mogul has a financial dispute with the Nogi Group. He owes us a significant sum of money. One of our corporate adjusters went to collect... and vanished."
Kaede pushed her glasses up. "We suspect our employee was met with extreme violence. Possibly killed."
"Chairman Nogi needs someone to 'investigate' this mogul. If you complete the mission, the reward will be substantial—no less than the purse for an official Kengan Match."
Her cold, analytical gaze searched Ren's face.
"Since you want to make a name for yourself in the Association, this is your entry exam. Let's see if you can survive the 'investigative' side of our world."
"..."
Ren scanned the documents. He had to hand it to Hideki Nogi—the man was an old fox.
Nogi was likely stashing away "Secret Weapons" for the upcoming tournament. A talented nobody like Ren Shiroki, who had no official record and no corporate history, was a perfect "Joker" in the deck.
But before he could be part of the main game, Nogi needed to see if Ren had the "grit" for the dark side of the business.
As Ren was thinking, Arisa, who had been listening from the side, spoke up.
"Akiyama-san..."
Her voice was laced with worry. "Underground fighting is one thing. But a job meant for Yakuza fixers? That has nothing to do with martial arts, does it?"
"..."
Kaede turned her gaze to Arisa. She was impressed; the girl was sharp for a high schooler. Most people would have just seen the dollar signs.
But Kaede didn't sugarcoat reality.
"Little sister, you need to understand something," Kaede said tonelessly. "What kind of world do you think we live in? People will do anything for power."
"The world your brother is jumping into is a furnace that grinds bones into dust. If he can't prove he can handle the 'messy' side of the job, no one can guarantee he'll survive his first week."
Kaede looked back at Ren.
"The question is—Ren-san, what are your thoughts?"
Ren closed the file and tapped his fingers on the table. A slow, shark-like grin spread across his face.
"I think... it sounds like fun."