Minutes Earlier
In the lounge, Kuroki Gensai prepared for battle when Misaki Kin and Nitoku approached.
"What do you want?" Kuroki stood protectively before his employer, Takayama Kirin, his gaze fixed on Nitoku, steady as a mountain.
"Weren't you looking for me, kid?" Nitoku smirked.
Kuroki's brow furrowed, puzzled.
Nitoku removed a lifelike mask, revealing an elderly face—fierce, with white hair like steel needles, exuding commanding charisma.
"Wokou, you actually joined the Kengan!" Kuroki's tone held surprise.
"Heh, you can, but I can't?" Wokou Yujaku, arms crossed, chuckled. "And where's your manners? Call me senior!"
Nitoku was Wokou Yujaku, a martial arts master from two eras past. With Kuroki's master, he fused styles to create the Nitoku Style.
Takayama Kirin, sensing gossip, watched with intrigue, silent.
"Senior…" Kuroki said awkwardly, then solemnly asked, "Please, tell me where my master is!"
"No problem. Shimoda Kazufumi's alive, somewhere," Wokou said, lips curling. "But first, withdraw from the semifinal. I want to fight that War Ghost kid—no wasting stamina."
The Deathmatch's semifinal and final were held the same day.
After the mystery voice's orders, Misaki devised a plan.
Let Wokou test Su Ze. If that failed, Gin and Vodka would act.
Double insurance.
Wokou, after all, was a legend, acknowledged by that figure.
Kuroki hesitated.
Misaki's eyes gleamed. "If you want to face Su Ze, we'll arrange a fair post-tournament match."
Kuroki inhaled deeply, glancing at Takayama.
She waved dismissively. "You know I don't care about power."
"Very well, I'll withdraw," Kuroki nodded.
A full-strength Wokou versus Su Ze.
A thrilling fight.
It wouldn't shortchange Su Ze—a fresh opponent was a gift.
Plus, Kuroki hoped to spot Su Ze's weakness, lacking confidence otherwise.
"Pleasant cooperation," Misaki said, a scheming smile spreading.
"Seriously, he forfeited?!" Su Ze frowned, itching to learn the Demon Spear.
No matter. He'd find Kuroki later—surely he wouldn't refuse a fight.
He knew fighters like Kuroki—lonely at the top—too well.
"Next, the final! Donglin Construction's Su Ze versus Onitake's Nitoku!"
Three hours to prepare.
Though pressure-free, Su Ze deep-slept for three hours, restoring his spirit to peak condition.
He hadn't slept in days—a nap was overdue.
Awakening, he felt stronger.
The War Demon bloodline lived up to his meticulous planning—perfection.
Beyond its physical boosts, its martial talent alone was worth the cost.
LV15 Xingyi Fist, Kickboxing, and Muay Thai—worth over 100,000 desire points.
With dazzling effects, the finalists took the stage.
Su Ze's ghost eyes scanned Nitoku's frame, True Sight probing.
[Name: Wokou Yujaku]
[Traits: Martial Arts Master, Nitoku Style Founder, Scheming Old Fox, Habitual Liar, Vengeful]
[Thoughts: Keep moving fast, evade War Ghost's lock-on]
[Description: A centenarian, clan wiped out in youth. Immensely talented but driven by revenge, not martial purity]
This old bastard!
Wokou Yujaku, Nitoku Style's creator, mentor to all seven Juukishima Nitokus, including the Baki protagonist's master.
The Nitoku Style was Su Ze's top target—its core forms, plus secret techniques like Possession, Demon Slaughter, and Demon Descent, held immense value.
"Talk about a pillow when you're sleepy…"
Su Ze's heart raced.
War Demon bloodline with Possession, Demon Descent, Liberation, and the attack-reflecting Demon Slaughter—exhilarating!
He'd learn Nitoku Style later.
For now, one punch to crush Wokou and rake in points was more satisfying.
"Kid, daydreaming?" Wokou's face darkened, growling.
Su Ze's fleeting expression shift didn't escape him.
He wasn't mad—thrilled, even.
Distraction meant a chance to win!
Su Ze chuckled, waving to the crowd.
Cheers erupted, desire points flooding in.
"Good chance! Fire Heaven Form: Fire Dash!"
Wokou closed in, his form flickering like flames, circling Su Ze.
"Frustrating, huh? Can't lock onto me!" Wokou taunted, deploying psychological tactics.
The crowd's fervor was intense—Su Ze would've been annoyed if he didn't mute system notifications.
The points were small, though.
To spike the mood, a radiant glow sparked on his fist as he closed his eyes.
"Fire Heaven Form: Blazing Strike!"
Wokou advanced, closing the gap, feinting a punch, then using Fire Heaven Form: Phantom Step, masking his presence, appearing behind Su Ze.
"Odd—why didn't he swing when I rushed?"
Wokou's mind raced, but before he could process, a flash faster than thought erupted!
The miracle of light, sound, and shadow struck again!
A fist like blazing light, swift as thunder, hit Wokou, hurling him with massive force.
Boom!
The arena quaked!
Wokou crashed, arm broken, flesh torn.
Had he not hopped like a grasshopper, the punch would've hit his shoulder, sparing his arm.
With Dr. Hanafusa's skill, reattachment was likely fine.
Victory was decided!
But the match wasn't over.
Wokou neither fainted nor surrendered.
"Useless!" Rum cursed.
One punch, and their so-called legend from two eras past fell.
"Move!" he barked.
Gin and Vodka appeared outside Donglin Construction's VIP box.
Vodka rammed the door open.
The girls spun, startled, as Gin tossed in a package.
"Don't move. You're surrounded," Gin said, holding a detonator, his cold eyes glinting.
Kurapika eyed the package—a remote C4 bomb!
A bone-chilling dread seized her heart!
-------------------------------
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