Under the dim light, several strong figures sat at a round table.
"The Tiger Vessel is dead."
"Who killed him?"
"That's not important. Do we have any spares?"
"This is troublesome. Will that lord be angry?"
"Hard to say, but the Tiger Vessel is essential. Prepare a new one."
"What about the Kengan Annihilation Tournament?"
"The Worm will handle it. Our Westward Faction has other matters to deal with."
…
The underworld was surging with hidden currents, and as the stars and moon hung in the sky, Gusion arrived at his destination.
"It's huge... Having money really means you can do whatever you want."
Gusion looked down from the mountain at the enormous mansion and wide lawn below, his tone full of emotion.
He then moved forward, descending the mountain in a diving posture and finally landing lightly on a tree branch, using its elasticity to leap through the air.
Landing on the mansion's lawn, he made no sound at all.
During dinner, Erioh had contacted him, saying he had already informed Katahara Metsudo, but the latter had made an interesting suggestion: for Gusion to meet him directly.
Upon landing, Gusion kept his eyes and ears alert, moving quietly and swiftly. Even the elite bodyguards of Katahara Metsudo didn't notice his shadow as he infiltrated the mansion.
Yes, he was a straightforward brute, but that didn't mean he couldn't sneak around.
As an outstanding martial arts master, few could match his skill at concealing his presence. He knew Metsudo well—an old rascal. Inviting him directly was both a test and a way to see if something interesting would happen.
But the result would likely disappoint this near-centenarian, the controller of Japan's biggest bank and real economic operator, whose aura was still as fierce as a tiger.
Knock, knock, knock—!
Gusion knocked on the reception room's door and soon heard a voice inviting him in.
The huge door was pulled open from inside by two bodyguards. In the center of the vast reception room was a single armchair, and an old man as withered as Erioh sat there.
Physically, he seemed extremely frail, far weaker than an average person—just a dying old man. Yet, simply sitting there, his invisible aura filled the whole room—the authority honed over a century.
Katahara Metsudo, the iron-fisted ruler of the Kengan Association for over sixty years—even on the verge of death, his tiger-like eyes still shone fiercely.
Standing behind him were his elite bodyguards, each a top-class fighter, capable of winning dozens of matches if sent to the Kengan matches.
Standing slightly in front was a tall man in tight black clothing, now gazing at Gusion, his lips curling into a twisted smile.
That invisible pressure made even the two bodyguards who opened the door uneasy. This was the man with a 157-match winning streak in Kengan matches, known as the strongest fighter in its history—the Fifth Fang of Metsudo, Kanoh Agito.
Metsudo looked at Gusion for two seconds, then burst out laughing.
"You're the man Erioh mentioned, right? You are impressive. My guards didn't even notice you. Looks like our security needs to be tightened."
"Even so, my lord, you need not worry. I'm still here."
Kanoh Agito said, staring intently at Gusion, his muscles tensed. He didn't know what his lord and the Kure clan leader had discussed earlier, but someone sneaking into the reception room without the guards noticing was a major failure.
As a child, he had been rescued by Metsudo from the Gu ritual. To repay this, he had already decided to protect him with his life. If this man before him was an assassin, he would show him the true Fang of Metsudo.
"Hahaha, how reliable!"
Metsudo laughed, then looked at Gusion.
"I hear you want to compete in the Kengan Annihilation Tournament and need a fighter's identity?"
"Yes, that's right."
Gusion stepped forward.
"Though I think the Chairman doesn't care much about his position if I can win, why not?"
"Oh? You think my Fang will lose in the tournament?"
Metsudo's expression was inscrutable.
"You must know best in your heart, Chairman. Why ask me?"
Gusion smiled.
In the original story, Metsudo invited Kuroki Gensai to represent another company in the tournament, just to give the Fang a lesson. He never cared much about winning or losing this match.
In terms of magnanimity, he completely outmatched the scheming vice-chairman. Metsudo was old and only wanted to choose a qualified successor for the association, and if he could train the Fang in the process, all the better.
"You're pretty smart. But I wonder how strong you are."
Metsudo smiled, showing no change in expression at having his thoughts seen through. He looked at Kanoh Agito.
"You heard him. He wants to compete, and he's come here. You know what to do, right?"
Kanoh Agito's face twisted into a dramatic smile as he stepped forward. At 201cm and 130kg, his body was imposing—not bulky, but perfectly muscled, outlined by his tight suit.
He spread his arms and lowered himself slightly, like a beast before a hunt.
"I will crush him with all my might."
"Crush me, huh..."
Gusion looked at Kanoh Agito's massive frame and stepped forward.
In the next moment, Kanoh Agito changed stances, arms retracting into a semi-defensive posture, stepping back half a step.
"Oh?"
Gusion seemed surprised.
"You're strong—stronger than Raian I fought before."
Kanoh Agito froze—not because Gusion said he was stronger than some unknown Raian, but because he had retreated.
He didn't know why he switched to a defensive stance or retreated.
In that instant, it was as if his body instinctively reacted—if he hadn't, he would've been utterly crushed the next moment.
The bodyguards behind Metsudo also felt strange, and as Gusion slowly approached, they were shocked to see the Fang of Metsudo trembling!
Yes, Kanoh Agito's massive body was trembling uncontrollably. He had never experienced this before.
Why? He wasn't afraid of death, and even if this man was unimaginably strong, he wouldn't fear him—so why tremble?
Ah...
He understood.
Looking at the man's silhouette under the light, facing a formidable opponent he had never encountered, his body shook—not from fear, but excitement.
In the next instant, Kanoh Agito suddenly charged, like a pouncing tiger, switching to his formless stance—not bound to any style, unpredictable, and capable of responding to all attacks.
It was a ferocious punch, thrown by pure instinct, that even made Metsudo widen his eyes.
Gusion stood firm, raising a hand to catch the punch. The force flowed through his body, part of it dissipating, the rest vanishing entirely.
It was a bizarre sight—a two-meter-tall giant's full-power punch stopped one-handed by the small Gusion, without budging an inch, defying all logic of strength.
Kanoh Agito had no chance to react before a punch struck his jaw, sending him flying and crashing heavily to the ground.
True to his title, the Fang instinctively absorbed the impact and landed well, suffering no serious injury or concussion, though blood flowed from his mouth.
As he got up and turned to Gusion, there was a smile on his face—clear joy showing.
He trembled at meeting a strong opponent, thrilled at the chance to evolve, and delighted at the opportunity to grow.
Meanwhile, the bodyguards were stunned. They never expected the strongest Fang would be beaten so badly in a single exchange.