For a moment, the atmosphere of the entire playground seemed to freeze.
Everyone's gaze subconsciously shifted from Ryuzaki Shin to the figure that had suddenly appeared.
Hayashida Megumi ignored the reverent stares around him; he simply walked past the crowd expressionlessly, as if everything around him had nothing to do with him.
Just then!
In Ryuzaki Shin's mind, the system's notification sound rang out again!
[Ding! Detecting that the host is making a final choice, God-tier Selection System activated!]
[Option One: The Strongest Man? Haha, he's just a slightly stronger ant! With your most arrogant posture, tell him who is the only king of Suzuran! Completion Reward: Gain the physical talent [Iron Bones], bones as hard as iron, impervious to knives, guns, sticks, and clubs!]
[Option Two: Business Genius! Take out your phone, open the calculator, and seriously tell Hayashida Megumi in front of everyone: "Tall guy, I just did some calculations for you. If you follow me now, I guarantee you'll earn 100 million in three years, become a CEO in five years, marry a beautiful, rich woman, and reach the pinnacle of life. How about it, this deal isn't a loss, right?" Completion Reward: Gain the skill [Business Negotiation] (Beginner), you will find it easier to persuade others during business activities.]
[Option Three: Ultimate Scam! Rush up and directly hug Hayashida Megumi's leg, then roll on the ground, crying with tears and snot: "It's him! It's this tall guy! He knocked me down! My back! My leg! Oh my! I won't get up without ten million yen!" Completion Reward: Gain the title [King of Scams], wearing effect: When performing a scam, you will be more convincing, and there is a certain probability that onlookers will feel sympathy for you.]
Ryuzaki Shin looked at the three options before him, his mouth twitching twice.
What on earth was all this?
He pondered for a moment.
[Body of Rebirth], [Undying Fighting Spirit], plus an [Iron Bones].
Good heavens, this was going to turn him into an unkillable, unwearying, and even invulnerable humanoid Gundam!
This system really understands him!
Without hesitation, he silently chanted in his heart.
"I choose one!"
[Ding! Selection successful! Reward gained: Physical talent [Iron Bones]!]
An indescribable, metallic-feeling surge of strange energy instantly flowed from his heart to all his limbs!
At this moment, his bones seemed to be covered by an invisible, indestructible alloy!
He could clearly feel that his body had become tougher than ever before!
Ryuzaki Shin looked at the expressionless Hayashida Megumi before him, then at the Ebizuka Trio nearby who were watching him with an expectant look.
He smiled.
He slowly said to Kirishima Hiromi:
"Remember what you said."
Then, he turned around and mounted the most eye-catching harley motorcycle.
He stepped on the accelerator!
"Boom—!"
The motorcycle roared like a black lightning bolt, directly blocking Hayashida Megumi's path.
Hayashida Megumi's steps did not stop; he simply walked around it expressionlessly.
Ryuzaki Shin looked at his nonchalant demeanor and, instead of getting angry, felt that... this guy had a certain style.
He didn't pursue him further, just sat on the motorcycle and shouted to the tall figure with a tone full of provocation and confidence:
"Hey! Tall guy!"
"Tomorrow afternoon, right here."
"You won't refuse, will you?"
Hayashida Megumi's steps paused slightly.
He didn't turn back, but slowly raised his right hand and casually waved it behind him.
Then, without looking back, he disappeared from everyone's sight.
Ryuzaki Shin watched his retreating figure, a wicked smile playing on his lips.
He knew that this man had agreed.
"Alright, everyone go home, dismissed!"
He casually waved his hand at the stunned subordinates behind him, then twisted the throttle and rode off on the cool harley, leaving a trail of dust!
Behind him, dozens of delinquents also howled, mounted their "trophies," and followed in a mighty procession!
...On the playground, only the Ebizuka Trio remained, along with the groaning members of the Serizawa Army still on the ground.
Honjo Toshiaki watched Ryuzaki Shin's retreating figure, couldn't help but swallow, his voice trembling slightly:
"This guy... really dares to challenge Hayashida Megumi?"
Sugihara Makoto also nodded, feeling his back drenched in cold sweat.
"Why wouldn't he dare? Didn't you see his fight just now? I even suspect that Hayashida Megumi... might not even be able to do that much."
Kirishima Hiromi, however, just shook his head. He looked at the setting sun in the distance, his eyes gleaming with an unprecedented light.
"As crows of Suzuran, aren't we supposed to fight and tear each other apart to determine the strongest one?"
"If he can really defeat Hayashida Megumi... perhaps he can truly lead us to see sights we would never see in our lives."
He paused, a relaxed smile appearing on his face, and patted the shoulders of his two brothers beside him.
"Why think so much? Let's first think about what to eat tonight."
...At ten o'clock at night, in a small, somewhat dilapidated but exceptionally clean hotel.
Ryuzaki Shin walked out of the bathroom, his upper body bare.
He wiped his wet hair, feeling the refreshing sensation throughout his body after the hot shower, and couldn't help but stretch.
The powerful recovery ability of his [Body of Rebirth] had long since made the minor injuries he sustained in today's battle disappear without a trace.
He lay on the bed, just about to close his eyes and savor the exhilarating fight he had today.
Just then, the phone in his pocket, which belonged to Inokari, rang again with a "ding-a-ling."
Ryuzaki Shin answered the phone cautiously, without speaking.
On the other end of the line, a familiar yet gentle voice came through.
"Shin... what are you doing?"
It was Uehara Asuka.
When Ryuzaki Shin heard her, for some reason, every time he heard this woman's voice, his mood would become inexplicably calm.
He smiled and replied in a lazy tone:
"Thinking of you."
"Ah?!"
Uehara Asuka on the other end was clearly bewildered by his sudden flirtatious remark.
After several seconds, she whispered in a tone tinged with shyness and playful reproach:
"You... you're talking nonsense again..."
Ryuzaki Shin chuckled, not continuing the topic, but instead asked:
"What's wrong? Are you missing me again?"
Uehara Asuka's face instantly flushed. She stammered for a long time before rambling on, reporting her day's itinerary to Ryuzaki Shin.
"...I bought you some more clothes today."
"Also, my niece Nanako said she wants to invite you to her house for dinner next time."
"Oh, right, Shin... should I... should I go back to Toyaru City tomorrow? You must not be living well there alone, right?"
Upon hearing her words, Ryuzaki Shin suddenly remembered that he still didn't have a real place to stay.
He thought for a moment and said:
"Asuka, stay with your niece for two more days. I'll let you know when to come back."
"Don't worry, it won't be two days."
Uehara Asuka, hearing him say this, thought he had encountered some trouble and immediately asked worriedly:
"Shin, is something... is something wrong? Please don't overexert yourself!"
Ryuzaki Shin smiled and said with a confident tone:
"What could be wrong? I just want to... clean up our home again."
"Home..."
Uehara Asuka's heart trembled at the word, and a happy smile appeared on her face.
"Okay, then I'll wait for you."
After hanging up the phone, the smile on Ryuzaki Shin's face gradually faded.
He knew he couldn't keep playing in this small pond called Suzuran.
He still had an IOU for 100 million yen that Inokari was holding for him.
Moreover, if the fat pig's shadow wasn't behind the Armed Front coming to find him, he wouldn't believe it even if he were beaten to death.
When all these debts were tallied, 100 million wouldn't be enough.
He began to ponder his next plan.
First, early tomorrow morning, he would go find Serizawa.
Defeating him didn't mean he would submit.
However, Ryuzaki Shin had his ways.
Then, in the afternoon, he would meet the legendary Hayashida Megumi.
Could he win?
Haha, with the [Hayashida Megumi Template] and various skill buffs, would he not be able to defeat Hayashida Megumi?
Isn't that a joke?
Once the forces of Suzuran were completely integrated, next would be... He cast his gaze towards the dazzling nightscape outside the window, his eyes burning with a flame called "ambition."
Red Scorpion, Inokari, Kunō Hideomi... Tomorrow, starting with you, I, Ryuzaki Shin, will begin my first step to rule this world!
The next day, early morning.
In Toyaru City, within a seemingly old motorcycle repair shop.
"Hey, Serizawa, stop playing dead, hurry up! Get those harley parts that just arrived yesterday down for me!"
A booming shout shattered the morning's tranquility.
"Cheer up! Didn't you eat?!"
..."Got it."
Serizawa responded weakly, climbing out of an oil-stained army cot.
He shook his somewhat swollen head, feeling the burning pain on his face, and a wave of irritation surged in his heart.
Although he had been thoroughly defeated in yesterday's battle, it would be a lie to say he wasn't frustrated.
When had Serizawa Tamao ever been so disheveled?
He sighed, resignedly walked to the backyard, and began to grunt and groan as he moved the heavy motorcycle parts.
This was where he usually did odd jobs.
Because he had been interested in motorcycles since he was a child, he would most likely stay here after graduation, becoming an ordinary mechanic, and then… live his life like that.
Thinking of this, an inexplicable irritation welled up in his heart again.
He slammed the last parts box onto the ground, then plopped down on a broken stool nearby, and began to stare blankly at the wall.
Just then.
With a "thump."
A small old man, wearing greasy overalls, with white hair but unusually vigorous, moved an equally old stool and sat down in front of him.
"Sit still, I'll put some medicine on you."
The old man, who was also the owner of the repair shop.
A lonely old man named "Uncle Yuan," pulled out an iron medicine box from his pocket that looked even older than him.
He opened it, and inside were several bottles of unidentifiable but seemingly potent external injury medicines.
Things like [Golden Ointment for Iron Injuries], [Bone-Setting Activating Water], [Trauma Paste]... everything was there.
Serizawa originally wanted to say, "I'm fine," but as soon as he opened his mouth, the muscles in his face pulled, making him instantly grimace in pain, his face contorting.
"Still being stubborn?" Uncle Yuan glared, then firmly pressed down on his shoulder, "Sit still! Don't move!"
With that, he used a cotton swab he picked up from who knows where, dipped some [Bone-Setting Activating Water] on it, and began to carefully apply medicine to Serizawa's face, which was already swollen like a pig's head.
The cool medicine touched the wound, bringing a sharp sting, but soon, it turned into a refreshing comfort.
Serizawa's brows gradually relaxed.
Uncle Yuan looked at him, and while applying the medicine, he spoke in a seasoned tone, earnestly saying:
"Serizawa, you're graduating soon, have you thought about what you want to do afterward?"
This question immediately silenced Serizawa.
Yes, what to do?
Most Suzuran students, after graduating and leaving the crow's nest, where else could they fly?
No education, no background, and his family couldn't be relied upon.
The best way out seemed to be to do some hard labor in society, or... join those real, man-eating underworld organizations and become cannon fodder for others.
For the first time, Serizawa felt a hint of confusion in his heart.
Uncle Yuan looked at his silent demeanor, sighed, and continued:
"Serizawa, it's not that I'm lecturing you, but look at me; when I was young, I was just like you, fearless, thinking my fists were the law."
"And what was the result?" He pointed to his empty right pant leg, "Fighting over territory with someone, one knife, and my leg was crippled."
"Later, I also understood, all that striving for dominance, all that fighting and killing, it's all meaningless."
"Finding a good girl and living a stable life, that's what's real."
"It's a pity..." He shook his head, a trace of loneliness flashing in his eyes, "By the time I understood, it was too late. What good family's daughter would be willing to marry an old cripple like me?"
"So, Serizawa, you absolutely must not follow in my footsteps; when you're old, you won't even have someone to care for you in your twilight years."
Serizawa listened to Uncle Yuan's words, his heart filled with mixed emotions.
He looked at the old man in front of him, who, despite his foul mouth, had always taken good care of him, and suddenly grinned, joking:
"Uncle Yuan, how about... I take care of you in your old age? This shop can just be passed down to me."
Uncle Yuan was first taken aback by these words, then he put down the cotton swab and scrutinized Serizawa with an extremely serious gaze.
Then, he pondered for a moment and solemnly said:
"Call me Father to hear it."
"Holy shit!" Serizawa instantly sprang up from the stool, jumping a big step backward, "No, Uncle Yuan, are you really trying to be my dad?!"
Just as he was about to properly argue with this disrespectful old man.
"Vroom—!"
The sound of a small truck approached from a distance and then abruptly stopped at the entrance of the repair shop.
Immediately after, a familiar voice came.
"Yes, yes, we're here. Just leave the motorcycle here, thank you."
When Serizawa heard this voice, unpleasant memories instantly surged like a tide.
He subconsciously looked back.
Damn it!
It was that monster—Ryuzaki Shin!
How did he find this place?!
Serizawa's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly pulled down the hood of his oil-stained work uniform, covering most of his face.
Then he turned around, his back to the entrance, pretending to be engrossed in studying the parts diagram on the wall.
Uncle Yuan, however, didn't pay attention to any of this; seeing a customer, he immediately went to greet him.
He looked at the cool-looking harley motorcycle behind Ryuzaki Shin, and his eyes instantly lit up!
He walked around the motorcycle several times, marveling at it as he looked.
"Holy crap! This is an '82 harley-Davidson FLH! A pure V2 engine, that sound, that texture... tsk tsk tsk, it's practically a work of art!"
He looked at the young man in front of him, wearing a school uniform and possessing an exceptionally outstanding aura, and asked with a smile:
"Young man, is this your bike?"
He paused, then quickly corrected himself: "I mean, just leave the motorcycle here, leave your number, and I'll notify you when it's fixed."
Ryuzaki Shin, however, just leaned lazily against the motorcycle, pulled out a cigarette pack from his pocket, and slowly lit one.
He took a deep drag, then slowly exhaled, pointed at the motorcycle, and said lazily:
"Old man, can you specify a repair person here?"
"Huh?!"
Uncle Yuan was stunned; he had run a repair shop his whole life and this was the first time he'd heard such an outrageous request.
However, for the sake of business, he patiently said:
"Of course, of course."
With that, he shouted at the four mechanics inside the shop who were also slacking off:
"All of you, get your asses out here and serve the customer!"
Hearing this, the four mechanics quickly emerged from their respective corners and stood in a line in front of Ryuzaki Shin.
Ryuzaki Shin glanced at them, then curled his lip and shook his head.
"These technicians, the quality isn't good."
"Get a new batch."
"Huh????????"
The veins on Uncle Yuan's forehead instantly bulged!
He looked at his sign that read "Yuan's Auto Repair" and then at the boy's serious face.
Do you think this is a KTV where you can pick princesses?!
Not good and you want a new batch?!
He was about to lose his temper and tell the kid to leave if he wasn't going to get it fixed.
But Ryuzaki Shin suddenly extended a finger, pointing at Serizawa, who was behind him, with his back to everyone, pretending to be engrossed in studying the wall.
"Hey, that shorty over there."
"You're the one."
Serizawa had been facing away from everyone, pretending to be engrossed in studying the parts diagram on the wall.
When he heard the words "shorty," he subconsciously frowned.
But then his brow smoothed out.
He thought to himself:
Heh, there are so many people shorter than me in this repair shop; they definitely aren't talking about me.
He continued to maintain a profound and inscrutable demeanor, oblivious to the outside world, as if he had entered a state of transcendence.
However, the next second, Ryuzaki Shin's playful voice rang out again, and this time, the volume directly increased by an octave!
"Hey! Serizawa! He's talking about you! Are you deaf?!"
"Damn it!"
Serizawa's body instantly stiffened, and he felt the muscles in his face twitching uncontrollably!
He spun around abruptly, and his eyes, already a bit red and swollen from his defeat, now blazed with towering fury!
Pointing at Ryuzaki Shin, he roared in a nearly bellowing voice:
"Ryuzaki Shin! Are you trying to pick a fight?!"
He paused, as if to defend his last shred of dignity, and added:
"You're not welcome here! I won't even fix your crappy vehicle! Get out!"
Ryuzaki Shin watched his exasperated expression, and the smile on his face grew even brighter.
He pulled a wad of yen from his pocket and slowly counted it.
Then, with a devilishly tempting and utterly provoking tone, he slowly said:
"I'll give you a 10,000 yen tip, you know~"
"..."
Five minutes later.
Serizawa Tamao, the King of Beasts who had been so arrogant at Suzuran High School just yesterday.
Now, he was squatting on the ground, grunting and grumbling as he tightened screws, his face etched with seriousness and... concentration.
As he worked, he muttered to himself, as if trying to save face.
"Hmph, 10,000 yen is nothing to me! Am I, Serizawa Tamao, the kind of man who would bend over for a mere 10,000 yen?!"
"I'm just... I'm just feeling sorry for this motorcycle! It would be such a shame if such a good vehicle was scrapped because of a small problem!"
"That's right! I'm saving a work of art! It has absolutely nothing to do with money!"
Ryuzaki Shin stood by, smoking, and burst into laughter at Serizawa's contradictory behavior.
"I understand, I understand!"
He patted Serizawa's shoulder and said, in a tone full of understanding and sympathy:
"A true man knows when to yield and when to stand firm! There's no shame in it!"
He paused, then, imitating a classic line from a sketch comedian, added:
"Your ideological awareness is far superior to those rigid scholars who constantly cry out, 'Starving is a small matter, losing one's integrity is a great one!'"
"Applause, please!"
"..."
The corner of Serizawa's mouth twitched, and he felt his face burning.
But he didn't argue further, simply pouring all his energy into the motorcycle in front of him.
And you know what, Serizawa's repair skills were actually quite impressive.
He only did a simple inspection and found the core of the problem.
"The carburetor is a bit clogged, a minor issue, just replace a part and it'll be fine."
As he spoke, he precisely picked out a relatively new-looking carburetor from the pile of miscellaneous parts nearby, then quickly replaced it.
The whole process was smooth and fluid.
Ryuzaki Shin looked at his focused profile and nodded inwardly.
This guy, although not very bright, is certainly good at hands-on work.
But a King of Beasts should be fighting for meat in the jungle.
Serizawa, do you understand?
Just as the cigarette in Ryuzaki Shin's mouth burned out and he extinguished it with his toe.
Serizawa also just finished tightening the last screw.
"Done."
He said to Ryuzaki Shin.
Then, he picked up a relatively new-looking rag from nearby and began meticulously wiping every speck of dust from the vehicle's body.
His movements were gentle and full of affection, as if he were polishing a rare treasure.
Finally, he even breathed on the shiny dashboard and then used his sleeve to wipe it spotless and gleaming, as if it could reflect a person's image.
After doing all this, he then wistfully took one last look at the stylish harley motorcycle, his eyes filled with reluctance and... sadness.
He turned around, no longer looking at Ryuzaki Shin, and simply said in a slightly hoarse voice:
"Alright, it's fixed, you can scram."
Ryuzaki Shin smiled, looking at Serizawa's lonely back.
He didn't leave, but leaned against the motorcycle, patted the back seat, and asked lazily in a tempting tone:
"Hey, Serizawa, want to try it?"
Serizawa's body instantly stiffened!
He spun around abruptly, looking at Ryuzaki Shin, and a glimmer of disbelief erupted from his perpetually half-closed eyes!
But he still stubbornly clung to his meager dignity, pouted, and scoffed in an extremely tsundere tone:
"Tch, who... who cares..."
...One minute later.
Outside the repair shop.
Ryuzaki Shin sat on the back seat of the harley motorcycle, while Serizawa, with an excited expression, straddled the driver's seat.
Feeling the powerful vibrations emanating from the steel beast beneath him, he felt his entire body's blood boiling!
He twisted the throttle a few times!
"Vroom—! Vroom—! Vroom—!"
The roar of the engine, like the furious growl of a wild beast, echoed throughout the entire street!
But the vehicle remained motionless.
Ryuzaki Shin's mouth twitched as he watched Serizawa's impatient demeanor, and he couldn't help but remind him:
"Hey, did you forget something?"
He pointed to the kick start lever on the side of the motorcycle.
"Most harleys of this era are kick-started; you have to... kick it down first."
"..."
Serizawa's face instantly turned red.
He felt he had never been so embarrassed in his life.
He cleared his throat and, with an extremely stubborn tone, forcefully tried to save face:
"Do... do you have to tell me?! I... I know that, of course! I'm just... just warming it up!"
Ryuzaki Shin looked at his 'rather die than admit defeat' expression and vaguely felt a bit of regret.
This guy... his motorcycle riding skills seem... not so good?
Before he could think further.
Serizawa had already stomped down hard with one foot!
"Vroom—!"
The motorcycle instantly started!
Immediately after, whether from nervousness or something else, he twisted the throttle all the way!
"Whoosh—!"
A sharp whooshing sound!
The harley motorcycle shot out like an arrow released from a bow!
The terrifying acceleration almost flung Ryuzaki Shin's soul away!
"Damn it! Don't ride so fast!!"
Ryuzaki Shin instinctively wanted to hug the person in front, but he found he couldn't reach!
Serizawa, whether intentionally or truly nervous, accelerated even more!
"Vroom—!"
The motorcycle's speed increased another notch!
Ryuzaki Shin felt that if he didn't hold onto something, he would be thrown off!
He gritted his teeth, no longer caring about anything else, and thrust his arms forward, passing them under Serizawa's armpits, then fiercely hugged his chest!
Due to nervousness, his two hands uncontrollably tightened their grip!
The next second!
Serizawa's face, already flushed with excitement and nervousness, instantly turned pale!
His mouth flew open, emitting a sky-piercing, painful, and desperate... wail!
"┗ | ｀ O ′ | ┛ Aooo~~"
"Damn it! Ryuzaki Shin! Let go of me! My... is going to be crushed by you!!"
Serizawa roared, but his hand didn't release the throttle; instead, due to the intense pain and panic, he twisted it even tighter!
The motorcycle, like a wild dog off its leash, carved a crooked, death-reeking S-curve on the empty highway!
"You f*cking release the throttle first!"
Ryuzaki Shin also grew anxious; his body was flying ahead, his soul chasing behind—this feeling was too f*cking exhilarating!
"You let go first! My... it's all going to be squeezed off by you!"
"How can I let go if you don't release the throttle?! Do you want to die?!"
The two of them, in an extremely bizarre posture, performed a 'Speed of Life and Death' on the highway!
At the repair shop entrance, Uncle Yuan watched the harley speed away, then looked at the groaning mechanics on the ground, preparing to get up, and shook his head, sighing.
"Ah, it seems today will be a big job."
One mechanic asked, puzzled, "Uncle Yuan, what big job?"
Uncle Yuan slapped him on the forehead and said grumpily, "Look at Serizawa's posture, how can he not crash?!"
...On the highway outside the city, a seemingly brand-new car was quietly parked by the roadside.
The car windows were tightly closed, but the car body was shaking regularly and slightly.
Inside the car, a somewhat lewd-looking man in a floral shirt was pressing a curvaceous, lightly dressed woman onto the passenger seat.
The woman's face showed a hint of worry and excitement; she panted and whispered,
"Takeo... we won't be seen here... will we?"
The man named Takeo, while unbuckling his belt, reassured her with an extremely confident tone,
"Don't worry, honey, there's hardly any traffic on this road in the morning, it's absolutely safe!"
Takeo's heart was filled with immense excitement and anticipation at this moment.
His name was Yamaguchi Takeo, and he had been having a very rough time lately.
Not to mention anything else, just two days ago, he and his new girlfriend went to a hotel to get a room.
The door was kicked open by the police!
Although it was eventually proven to be a misunderstanding, and he didn't know which godforsaken person made the false report, that experience still left an indelible trauma on his fragile heart.
So much so that for the past few days, facing his beautiful girlfriend, he... couldn't hold his head high.
He went to see a doctor, who told him it was a psychological issue due to fright and suggested he try something new, something stimulating, and he might regain his vigor.
So, after much persuasion, he finally got his girlfriend, Meizi, to try this with him.
And you know what, this outdoor... He thought, afterwards, he must give that doctor a big red envelope; he was practically a modern-day Hua Tuo!
As for that scoundrel who reported me to the police as a prank, don't let me catch you!
...Meanwhile, on the harley motorcycle.
Ryuzaki Shin and Serizawa were still engaged in their friendly and cordial exchange.
"Slow down! You need to slow down!"
"How do I slow down?! Why don't you tell me where the brake is?!"
Serizawa was also on the verge of tears; his mind was blank.
"Don't you fix them?! You can't even find the brake?!"
"Fixing and riding are two different things! It's like you know how to eat, but do you know how to poop?!"
"Damn it! What kind of ridiculous analogy is that?!"
Just as the two were intensely 'communicating,' Ryuzaki Shin, with his keen eyesight, suddenly spotted a car parked by the roadside ahead, rhythmically swaying.
His heart jumped, and he quickly yelled,
"Holy crap, holy crap! Slow down, slow down! We're going to crash!!!"
Serizawa panicked when he heard that.
"Is it this handle?!"
"No! That's the clutch!!!"
"What about this one?!"
"That's the horn! Do you think honking the horn will stop the car?!"
"Damn! I found it! It's this foot pedal!"
Serizawa finally reacted and found the foot brake pedal that controlled the rear brake.
Without thinking, he stomped on it!
"Screech—!"
A piercing brake sound instantly rang out!
Although the motorcycle's speed decreased, the immense inertia still sent it, like a wild dog off its leash, straight into the car!
Immediately after!
"Bang!"
A loud crash!
Serizawa's body, like a cannonball launched, arced gracefully through the air, and then... "Boom!"
His head, with precise accuracy, plunged into the car's front windshield.
Inside the car, Yamaguchi Takeo and Meizi were scared out of their wits by the sudden turn of events!
They instinctively looked up, directly meeting Serizawa's equally bewildered face.
Three people, four eyes met, and the air, at that moment, seemed to freeze.
Serizawa was silent for a moment, then, looking at the two disheveled people in the car, forced out an extremely stiff smile.
"Hey, busy, are we?"
"Busy is good, busy is good."
Meizi was the first to react; she looked at the head stuck in the windshield and let out a ear-splitting scream filled with fear and shame!
"Ah—!!!"
After Serizawa finished speaking, he nonchalantly pulled his head out of the shattered windshield.
Glass shards grazed his cheek, leaving several small blood marks.
But he acted as if nothing had happened, simply wiping it with the back of his hand, then climbed out from the front of the car with an incredibly suave posture.
He touched the warm blood constantly dripping from his head, a forced smile on his face, and forcefully tried to save face for the still-stunned couple inside the car: "It's a minor injury, no big deal, you don't need to pay for it."
Takeo, who was in the car, finally snapped out of his shock.
He looked down at his 'brother' who had completely gone limp, then looked at his girlfriend beside him, who was in a state of panic.
He felt a 'buzz' in his head, and an uncontrollable rage instantly shot to his mind!
Damn it!
It went limp again!
He cursed, not even bothering to put on his pants, and with his half-worn pants, he furiously pushed open the car door and jumped out!
Meanwhile, Ryuzaki Shin had already taken the driver's seat of the harley motorcycle during this time.
He pouted at Serizawa, who was still standing there, looking at the motorcycle's headlight with a pained expression, and said irritably: "If I ever ride a motorcycle you're driving again, I'm a dog!"
Serizawa looked at the completely smashed headlight, feeling a pang of pain himself. He knew he was in the wrong, so he didn't say anything, just sighed resignedly and sat on Ryuzaki Shin's back seat.
Just then, Takeo, wearing only a pair of boxers, charged over furiously!
He pointed at Ryuzaki Shin and Serizawa's noses, cursing loudly: "I'll f*** your mothers! You two sons of b******! Do you know how much this car costs?! Do you know what I was doing just now?!"
"Today, if you don't pay me a million yen, none of you are f****** leaving!"
Ryuzaki Shin looked at the man in a state of fury, then at his 'little brother' trembling in the cold wind.
A very serious expression appeared on his face, and then, slowly, he got off the motorcycle.
He walked step by step to Takeo's front.
That innate, king-like powerful aura instantly suppressed most of Takeo's arrogant demeanor!
Takeo looked at the man, who was half a head taller than him and had cold eyes, and instinctively took half a step back.
He felt that he wasn't facing a student at all.
But a primordial beast, ready to devour him!
Ryuzaki Shin looked at him and slowly spoke, his face serious.
"Do you know who I am?"
This aura instantly intimidated Takeo.
He thought to himself: Damn, could he really be some big shot I can't afford to offend?
However, Yamaguchi Takeo, in this small area of Toyaru City, was considered a figure of some standing, and his family also had some businesses.
He hadn't heard of such a formidable person?
But, to be safe, he still decided to ask for clarification first.
"You... who are you?"
Upon hearing this, Ryuzaki Shin showed a charmingly evil smile.
He got back on the motorcycle.
He suddenly twisted the throttle!
"Boom—!"
The harley motorcycle let out a deafening engine roar!
Immediately after, he left Takeo with a remark that he would never forget.
"You don't even know who the f*** I am, so what the hell do you want compensation for?!"
After saying that, he carried Serizawa away, like a black lightning bolt, leaving a trail of dust!
Leaving Takeo alone, standing there, in the cold wind, bewildered.
He looked at the receding figures, then at his smashed car front, and his 'little brother' trembling in the wind.
He felt an unprecedented humiliation!
He used all his strength to let out an unwilling roar: "I'll f*** your mother—!!"
...Ryuzaki Shin rode for a while, and after confirming that the idiot Takeo definitely couldn't catch up, he found a secluded spot and stopped.
Serizawa jumped off the back seat. He first looked at the completely disfigured headlight, and sighed painfully.
Then, he pulled out the stack of ten thousand yen tips that Ryuzaki Shin had 'rewarded' him with from his pocket, handed it to Ryuzaki Shin, and said in a very complex tone: "Here's the money for now. It might not be enough, but... I'll make up the rest when I get paid next month."
"You can go to the shop later and get the car fixed."
Ryuzaki Shin smiled, looking at Serizawa's twisted expression.
He didn't take the stack of money; instead, he reached out, unzipped Serizawa's waistband, and then directly stuffed the ten thousand yen inside.
Serizawa's body instantly stiffened!
He felt his butt clench suddenly!
He instinctively glanced around. This was a secluded, empty alley.
Then he looked at Ryuzaki Shin's face with that charmingly evil smile, and remembered Sasaki Yu, the effeminate-looking man who always followed him.
An unspeakable chill instantly surged from the bottom of his heart, rushing straight to his mind!
He felt his butt clench!
Damn it!
This guy... couldn't possibly... couldn't possibly have that kind of special fetish, could he?!
Thinking of this, a trace of horror instantly appeared on his face!
He looked at Ryuzaki Shin, and remembered his exaggerated, almost perverted, combat power.
He knew that if this monster really wanted to do something to him here, he... really couldn't resist!
He instinctively prepared to bolt at any moment!
Ryuzaki Shin looked at Serizawa, whose expression was changing erratically and was filled with horror, and his mouth twitched.
What the hell was he thinking? He didn't like men, even a 'puppy' like Serizawa... ahem, though he was more of a 'wolf cub'.
"Hey, Serizawa, what kind of crazy thoughts are going through your head?"
Ryuzaki Shin pouted, then said in a very grand tone: "You don't have to pay for this motorcycle."
"Because, from now on, it... is yours."
Serizawa had already prepared to bolt at any moment, but upon hearing this, he instantly froze.
"What... what do you mean?"
Ryuzaki Shin leaned against the motorcycle and slowly lit a cigarette.
He took a deep drag, then slowly exhaled, and slowly said in a seductive tone: "Let me tell you, my goal has never been to conquer Suzuran."
"Do you want to spend your whole life screwing nuts in that broken repair shop?"
"Do you want to spend your whole life guarding this broken place called Suzuran, being a local king?"
"Do you want to... overlook all of Tokyo?"
"Do you want to... experience the true pinnacle view?"
After Ryuzaki Shin finished speaking, he didn't continue, just quietly smoked his cigarette.
Listening to Ryuzaki Shin's words, Serizawa's heart was stirred by a storm of emotions!
Overlook Tokyo?
The pinnacle view?
He had never thought of these things.
In his world, Suzuran was everything.
To conquer Suzuran was his biggest dream in this life.
But now, this man told him that Suzuran was just a starting point.
He suddenly thought of his life.
Fighting, working, sleeping... day after day, year after year.
Did he really want to spend his whole life dealing with cold oil and parts?
Did he really want to spend his whole life being an unknown mechanic?
No!
He didn't want to!
Serizawa Tamao, he is the King of Beasts!
He is a man destined to stand at the top of the food chain!
The flame that had long been extinguished in his heart, at this moment, burned fiercely once again!
Ryuzaki Shin finished his cigarette and found that Serizawa still hadn't responded.
He threw the cigarette butt on the ground, crushed it with his foot. Everyone has their own choices, and it seemed he had no fate with Serizawa.
Then, he got on the motorcycle, started the engine, and prepared to leave.
Just then, Serizawa's voice came from behind him.
"Hey, Ryuzaki."
Ryuzaki Shin squeezed the brake and looked back.
Serizawa's eyes, which should have been lazy, were now filled with unprecedented fighting spirit and ambition.
"Didn't you say this motorcycle was a gift to me?"
Ryuzaki Shin knew Serizawa had made his choice.
He smiled and said: "Who do you take me for? What I, Ryuzaki Shin, say, is like spilled water."
"I just... wanted to see if there were any other problems with this car."
The two looked at each other and smiled, everything understood without words.
Serizawa walked up to Ryuzaki Shin, looked at him, and said in a very serious tone: "This afternoon, I'll bring my people to cheer you on."
"You have to win."
Ryuzaki Shin laughed heartily and replied with full confidence: "It's a guaranteed win."
Then, he patted the back seat and said: "Get on, let's go back first."
Serizawa, however, shook his head and said: "Isn't it my car? Aren't you letting me ride it?"
Upon hearing this, Ryuzaki Shin pouted and said irritably: "Scram!"
"Until you get your driver's license, I'm not riding your motorcycle again!"
The playground was packed with people.
The afternoon sun was a bit dazzling, casting long shadows for everyone.
Nearly two hundred delinquents in black school uniforms, like crows crawled out of hell, observed in silence.
Their bodies exuded a wild aura, a mixture of sweat, tobacco, and hormones.
Everyone's gaze was focused on the center of the playground.
That man.
The man who, in just three days, had turned Suzuran upside down, like a legendary figure—Ryuzaki Shin.
He still had his hands casually in his pockets, a lit cigarette dangling from his mouth, his eyes calmly fixed on the equally monstrous presence opposite him.
Hayashida Megumi.
On the edge of the playground.
Makise Takashi looked at Serizawa Tamao, who stood not far away with his arms crossed and a cool expression, and couldn't help but purse his lips, saying in a deep, complicated voice:
"Hey, Serizawa, I didn't expect you to come too."
Serizawa Tamao didn't turn around; he just let out a lazy yawn and mumbled to himself:
"It's not easy... for a man who even I find a little interesting to appear. Of course, I have to witness with my own eyes whether he will soar, or... fall here with broken wings."
Tokaji Yuji, standing behind him, heard his boss's words and his brow instantly furrowed into a knot.
He felt a bit annoyed and subconsciously reached for a cigarette from his pocket, only to realize he had forgotten to buy any, which made his chest feel even heavier.
Serizawa... acknowledged that transfer student?
How could this be?!
Could it be that he was really going to follow Ryuzaki Shin?
On the other side, Izaki Shun was first stunned when he heard Serizawa's overly dramatic soliloquy, then a meaningful smile appeared on his face, which usually carried a hint of laziness and playfulness.
He thought to himself:
Ryuzaki Shin, you really have some tricks up your sleeve.
After only one morning apart, have you managed to tame even the most untamed beast, the King of Beasts?
Good for you.
He shook his head, then turned his gaze to the Ebizuka Trio, who also looked nervous, and said with a smile:
"Hey, you three, how about it? Are you interested in following me from now on?"
Although he had already submitted to Ryuzaki Shin, he still didn't forget to recruit for his new boss.
However, Kirishima Hiromi, the leader, merely pursed his lips and replied with an extremely disdainful tone:
"Senior, talk like that after your boss wins."
Sugihara Makoto, beside him, echoed:
"Exactly! Even if he wins, we, Ebisuka, will establish our own faction under Ryuzaki-senpai!"
Izaki Shun heard this and, instead of getting angry, just smiled and said nothing more.
Ambition is a good thing.
It's just that I wonder if your ambition will be enough in front of that true "Tyrannosaurus Rex"... On the other side, Makise Takashi watched the tense atmosphere in the arena, his heart growing increasingly nervous.
After all, he had heard and seen the legend of Hayashida Megumi since he first enrolled.
Over the years, he didn't know how many reckless guys he had seen attempting to challenge the strongest man of Suzuran.
But without exception, they were all easily knocked down by that monster with a single punch.
He subconsciously lowered his head and glanced at Sasaki Yu beside him, who was looking at Ryuzaki Shin with an extremely worshipful gaze.
To his surprise, the kid had pulled out a cigarette from his pocket and, imitating Ryuzaki Shin, put it in his mouth.
Then, he took out a lighter that looked very expensive, and with a "click," clumsily lit the cigarette.
Immediately after, he took a deep puff, striking what he considered to be the most profound and coolest pose.
However, the coolness lasted less than a second.
The next moment.
"Cough... cough cough cough!"
He was choked by the acrid smoke, coughing so violently that tears and snot streamed down his face, his disheveled appearance directly amusing Izaki Shun, who was standing nearby.
Izaki Shun walked over, patted Sasaki Yu heavily on the back to help him catch his breath, and said with a smile:
"Oh, Yu, if you can't smoke, don't pretend."
Sasaki Yu finally recovered with great difficulty, wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes, then gave Makise a very disdainful look, and retorted stubbornly:
"What do you know! This is how you show more masculinity!"
Makise raised an eyebrow, thinking, "Are you treating my kindness as ill will?"
However, he didn't bother to argue, only asked with a hint of worry in his voice:
"You think... can Ryuzaki win?"
Sasaki Yu heard this and instantly cast his earlier embarrassment to the winds.
He straightened his back, cleared his throat, and then said in an almost fanatical, loud voice:
"What do you know!"
"Shin-nii... he's not here to challenge the strongest!"
"He's here to tell Hayashida Megumi who the true strongest is!"
...In the center of the playground.
Ryuzaki Shin casually tossed the cigarette from his mouth onto the ground and slowly, with the tip of his shoe, ground it out.
Then, as if nothing had happened, he glanced around.
Looking at the dense crowd, looking at the faces filled with awe, curiosity, disdain, and worry.
He knew everyone was here.
Then... it was time to begin.
He turned his gaze back to Hayashida Megumi, who had been expressionless throughout, like a statue, and a brilliant smile appeared on his face.
Then, to everyone's astonished gazes, he slowly said in a calm but incredibly clear voice:
"Hey, tall guy."
"Is your warm-up over?"
Hayashida Megumi didn't speak, he merely took off his hood and pulled his hands out of his pockets.
Ryuzaki Shin saw that Hayashida Megumi was ready, and the expression on his face suddenly became serious.
He moved!
He stomped his foot, and his entire body shot forward like an arrow released from a bow, kicking up a cloud of dust on the dry playground!
He didn't even use any techniques, but simply, in the most direct and simple way, transformed his body into the sharpest, most indestructible blade!
He charged fiercely towards Hayashida Megumi!
He wanted to use the purest form of violence to tell everyone!
There can only be one person at the top of Suzuran!
And that person can only be—
Him, Ryuzaki Shin!