In a blink, several days passed, and the much-anticipated Kengan Annihilation Tournament was about to begin.
Businessmen and entrepreneurs from all over Japan had gathered at the docks, boarding luxury cruise ships, ready to head to Ganryu Island for the competition.
However, some lower-tier businessmen didn't have the privilege of being seeded and needed to win the preliminaries to enter the official top 32 matches.
These people could only board a dilapidated ship, the Do-or-Die, where only five spots remained to be claimed before they could challenge the experts above.
Thus, ambitious businessmen boarded the ships one after another, while fighters with different agendas either boarded the luxurious Kengan ship or the Do-or-Die to fight for qualification.
Among them were the eleven explorers still alive in the world. Except for one skilled level-7 explorer who secured a fighter's spot through Koyo Academy Group and was seeded, the others could only board the Do-or-Die to fight for a spot.
"Damn, I want to be on the Kengan ship too! I've never been on a luxury cruise. Even if it's just here... just to enjoy it a bit."
An explorer boarding the Do-or-Die complained.
"Forget it. Won't you be able to enjoy anything you want after you get back? For now, focus on getting qualified. Want to team up?"
Exchange patted the explorer's shoulder, his words subtle but clear.
"Yeah, this is rough. But fine, let's team up for now. You seem strong too."
The explorer named Dog Saint replied.
After boarding, the explorers began forming alliances. To them, explorers are natural teammates, but also natural enemies—after all, only five slots are available.
Most of their mainline quests are tied to this Kengan Annihilation Tournament. If they're eliminated here, it means failure of their main quest, and the most severe punishment could be erasure. Even if it's not erasure, losing attributes is like a slow death.
So no one would hold back on the ship; everyone would fight with all they had.
Kengan matches are different from other fighting competitions—they allow killing. If a contestant doesn't surrender and the opponent doesn't stop, fatalities can happen.
With mixed thoughts, the explorers boarded the Do-or-Die, looking up at the neighboring Kengan ship. At that moment, one sharp-eyed explorer spotted something strange.
"Who's that? Was this guy always there?"
He asked curiously, pointing at the top of the Kengan ship, where Chairman Katahara Metsudo and his entourage were standing. But besides the familiar Fang of Metsudo, Kanoh Agito, and the elite bodyguards, there was a man whose style was different.
This man wasn't wearing a bodyguard's uniform, just casual clothes with a black trench coat billowing in the sea breeze.
Right now, this man was chatting and laughing with Chairman Katahara, exuding an air of command as he looked at them.
"Holy crap, never seen that guy before. Is he like us?"
Other explorers noticed, looking curiously at Gusion's position.
"What's this? Could he be a businessman? Maybe he has strong assets here, so he can chat with the chairman?"
"Probably. Even the Fang of Metsudo stands behind them like a bodyguard. Maybe he's on a different route—maybe he's here as a merchant."
"I didn't know our side offered such cushy jobs! I'd love to be a big businessman, spending days with my cute secretary..."
The explorers chatted and joked, but one person stayed silent, his expression shifting from surprise to oddness.
He stared at Gusion, standing beside Katahara, thinking: Has Mazuko already speedran the tournament!?
He knew the strong explorer from Academy Group—his mission was to participate in the Kengan Annihilation Tournament and face the Fang of Metsudo in the main event, holding out for 30 seconds without defeat.
He'd thought that explorer might have a chance, but now he figured the guy was doomed.
Has the Fang of Metsudo been replaced!?
...
A few hours later, the Kengan ship arrived at Chairman Katahara's private island, and the Do-or-Die's qualifiers were decided.
Two of them were fighters Gusion recognized from the original story: the razor-wielding Superman Lihito, and the kick-specialist, Murder Music's representative Sawada Keizaburo.
The remaining three were explorers, including Exchange—seems he had some real skill, making it through unscathed.
Gusion got off the cruise ship and had just landed when a figure lunged at him, trying to cling to him.
But with Gusion's reflexes? He quickly raised his hand, catching the person's face mid-air and holding them suspended.
The girl flailed comically.
"Gusion—!"
A deep voice called his name, and Gusion released his grip. It was Erioh approaching, looking quite annoyed.
"Phew—"
Released, Karure caught her breath, quickly recovering and energetically looking at Gusion. "Gusion, let's have a baby!"
Gusion sighed and rubbed his forehead. Now he understood why Tokita Ohma was scared witless in the original story. It was a hard-to-handle situation.
Thinking of Tokita Ohma, Gusion felt regret. Ohma was a highly talented fighter, and if he hadn't died, he'd have been a real challenge in five or six years.
Unfortunately, Ohma was killed by a rule-breaker. According to the Kure clan's investigation, Ohma was poisoned, not killed fair and square—an unjust death.
"Oh, Erioh, you don't look like you're about to die of old age yet."
Katahara greeted Erioh with a smile.
"I think it's you who's about to die of old age—your back's so bent you can't even stand straight."
Erioh replied, the two exuding rival energy.
But Gusion, who knew the inside story, knew these two old men were close friends, their bond forged in revolution—just teasing each other after a long absence.
Sure enough, after a brief standoff, both laughed and walked onto the island side by side.
Karure, after being face-grabbed by Gusion, became a little more reserved, no longer trying to strip and jump on him, just quietly following by his side.
"Where's Raian? He's your clan's representative, right?"
Gusion asked, not seeing Raian in the crowd.
"Raian thinks the island's boring, so he dragged uncle off to spar. The beach here is great—Gusion, let's go play in the water!"
Karure said, acting like a typical girl on summer vacation, wanting to play on the beach.
Gusion shook his head. "I have things to handle. Karure, don't wander to remote places. I feel like this tournament's being targeted—it might not be safe."
Karure's actions could be a headache, but Gusion didn't dislike her—she'd taught him a lot about Removal techniques.
With Tokita Ohma dead, the storm brewing around this tournament was getting worse. In the worst case, both the Worm and the Westward faction could get involved—nowhere would be safe.
Karure was a genius, already able to reach 85% Removal, but she was too young and inexperienced in killing. If she ran into Westward faction or the Worm, she'd be in real danger.
"With Grandpa and you here, I'll be fine."
She didn't care. "By the way, do you know who our clan is representing this time?"
Gusion paused—he hadn't asked. "Isn't it the UM Corporation that hired you?"
Karure shook her head. "UM Corporation? Never heard of it. This time, it's Nogi Group. They had us represent Yamashita Trading."