Chapter 1: Onboard the
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The Kengan Annihilation Tournament, an influential tournament held to decide who will become the next chairman of the Kengan Association – the most influential "underground" fighting tournament in Japan. The undisputed ruler of the Japanese economic sphere, it holds one of the most important role within the country – enabling a powerful market. The contribution from the Kengan Association is the primary reason that Japanese's annual GDP stay above US$ 10 trillion, placing them at the 3rd position, under China and the USA.
From the first official Kengan match held in 1716 after the death of three centuries of experience, the Association held considerable influence in Japanese politics and economics, as well as having the economic power to affect international events. Instead of enduring years of corporate espionage, stealing and sabotaging that might as well deplete their resource, the "merchants" settle their disputes using the most direct method.
Kengan matches.
Unarmed 1-on-1 battles between representative fighters of large corporations, organizations and businesses in order to determine the business results. Brutal, unsanctioned no-hold matches fought between contestant who come from all walk of life. Where martial artist, strong man and even killers pitted their talents, their pride, and even their life on the line, for there is no rule preventing killing an opponent in these matches. A single mistake would be the final ones, a micro-second of hesitation would spell your doom.
But fighters still flock to it like moths to a lamp, whether motivated by an unfounded belief in their own strength, a misguided sense of martial challenge or simply in it for the enormous monetary benefit it provided. They honed their body, turning it into "weapons" that no normal men could match, carving their own underworld legend. More than a thousand fighters are register as of date, making Kengan the epitome of martial art competition, with thousands of opportunities and dead ends for both the fighters, the business and even the audience.
With that said, the Kengan Annihilation Tournament that are currently taking place had never taken place in recent memory, ever since Katahara Metsudo taken the rein of the colossus that is the Kengan Association. And so, the strongest fighter would meet in combats, in a tournament that would shake the Japanese political and financial establishment. Whether the challenger, Nogi Hideki could topple the reign of the 92-years-old monarch and ushered a new age of changes or be crushed under the immense pressure of Katahara.
But, any respectable fights would require an audience, this one is no exception, with the audience being people with enough wealth and connection to gained seats for this blood curling tournament. And some people are simply more affluent, bringing their entire troupe of friends and attendance to the island as a sign of their wealth. The daughter of Uruk Multinational Corporation's CEO, the girl that shall inherit her father empire certainly think so. And so, with the insistence of her beloved friend, she extended an invitation to the "interesting" member of the Asagami academy. Both to flaunt her wealth, showing her superiority to other and as her unique way to express her approval. And so, that's how a group of girls and boy in high school got the permission for a five-day vacation in the Pacific – in Ganryu Island to be exact. Well, the fact that there are a few adult – two attendants and a pair of parent, coming with them as supervisors and guardian does help the group to persuade their parents. And so, as summer arrive, the group of high school students packed their luggage and embark on their new journey
For most of the group, this is the first time they had laid feet on a cruise ship as luxurious as the . As expected of such young and vigorous souls, they naturally split up to explore the cruise ship that Katahara Metsudo had prepared for his guest. Friends go with friends and some just like going around by themselves; all in all, they were having the time of their life. Well, except one of Gila attendant, whose default personality is one of disapproval, "a spoil sport and generally unpleasant man to stay with" in the word of the young heiress. That man was now staring irately at a muscular blond hair man in an Anglican priest grab.
"Look, Miyako-chan, even the hallway is polished and decorated with fancy gold rimming." A girl with a somewhat unusual orange hair was happily chatting with another girl. This one was wearing one of those plain rectangle rimmed glasses and her brown hair was braided in a way that evoke normalcy. It's the perfect image of a nerdy, socially awkward girl being dragged around by her more energetic friend. In truth, it was technically correct – the best kind of correct, if missing a few details. One could notice how the dark hair one breathing is steady, rhythmic while the orange hair girl was now starting to feel the strain of the journey.
"Shiki, it's the third time we crossed this corridor, the main events are about to happen in the central hall. We should come down there, the other probably would turn up there too." the quiet girl, Miyako spoke, holding the orange hair girl back. She was deceptively strong, being able to hold the other girl back without any effort. Her meek, bookish exterior was merely a cover for the girl with steely resolve and a trained body. It was not in her nature to seek out place of gathering, but for that person sake, she would endure everything and more. That's why she was currently nagging the other girl, to go back, to see the main hall.
The girl with the orange hair became meek all the sudden, her bubbly nature vanished and she shyly putting her finger together before responding "B-but that's were all the adult are, n-not just normal adult, but wealthy and influential adults. What if we are not wanted, what if I somehow insult someone wealthy enough I-I think my life would be over if that's the case." It was true, a normal high school student would out themselves in an abnormal amount of pressure staying near men and women of high social standing. But the way Shiki phrased it make her look more cat-like, only lacking the "-nyan" at the end of the sentence and the cute cat ears.
"What are you worrying for? Let's go, even if we got into troubles, that girl would probably bail us out." The girl named Miyako was not waiting for an answer, as she started dragging her friend back to the central hall despite her murmur of protest. For Miyako is one stubborn girl, both physically and emotionally. And now, her emotions, her institution are telling her, screaming at her that "there's a chance they would be mingling among the crowd".
By the time they arrived at the central hall, the girl named Shiki had resigned to her fate and allow her body to be dragged along by her friend. To say the least, it was a massive surprise for them both to finally see the gigantic room in person. A ball room large enough to fit hundreds of people in that only occupy a single floor, but that was not all, the place had a total of five floor, with a carefully decorated marble dome that deserved to be in a museum. Men and women in tailored suits and dresses mingling with each other, enjoying the extravagant buffet while making small talks, negotiating costly business deals or just something as simple as flirting. The occasional muscular men in clothes that doesn't take up a fortune are the fighters – the stars of the show. Sweat shirt, khaki pants, lab coat or even almost naked; fighters fashion is something that no one actually understand.
"W-whoa" Shiki stammered, her eyes carefully adjusting to the air of opulence here, seeing the decadent that the privileged enjoy. "Is that caviar and lobster?" she was looking at the magnificent display of food; the giant lobster was skinned and the "meat" was perfectly cook. It was shimmering with the faint smell of butter and spices while it's heat was replaced with a bowl containing caviar. Next to that table was a plethora of seafood, from oyster to tuna and smoked salmon; expensive ingredients prepared by chefs that belong to a five star restaurants. It was a magnificent display of wealth that easily captivate the already hungry Shiki.
On the other side of a ballroom, a crowd was gathering around a table, with varying degree murmurs of disbelieve. A delicate girl with golden braided pig tail was eating so much that it boggles the mind, as if that young body contained a stomach leading to another dimensions. The fact that the girl table manner was perfect, her etiquette and posture impeccable – an aura of "perfectness" student emanate from the blond. But the food served by the attendants were being eaten extremely quickly – a few bite and a small dish was gone, cleaned, as if devoured by an invisible beast. The dissonance created by this perfectly mannered girl and the amounts of dirty dishes that are pilling up on the table was truly a sight to behold.
Just as the blond finish their meal, someone noticed
"Hey, look" Someone yelled, pointing their finger upward at the recently arrived figure on the fifth floor of the banquet hall.
"It's chairman Katahara!"
"What's he doing up there."
The wrinkly shape of Katahara Metsudo appeared before the assembly of guest, his face marred by age. But his posture was strong, and the pressure he emanated was nothing but immense. The way his appearance carried out an almost physical pressure on the gathering crowd was something that nearly reaching the realm of supernatural. One could say that the withered Director of Dainippon bank was erupting with energy of a volcano; an overwhelming presence that feel like a supernaturally compressed aura. Setting aside the fact that he's the de facto leader of the Japanese political and financial world, his mere presence alone could turn people into cowering wrecks. At the age of 92, he had been on the battlefield that is life for more than seventy years, and well, to summed it up:
"Damned old monster." In the word of one Nogi Hideki, the one who proposed to hold a "contest for the Kengan Association Chairman position"
And now, he was on the top floor of the central hall, addressing the members and guest alike of the current state of event. A "high ground" so to speak, in order to signify his legendary position as the 58th chairman of the Kengan Association as well as his "natural advantages".
"Thank you all for waiting, ladies and gentlemen." The man addressed the crowd with a natural kingly air "Now, let get started."
"So that's the rumored Katahara Metsudo" A man dressed in expensive clothing that bear resemblance to 20th century British aristocratic fashion, complete with a gold rimmed monocle, carefully twirled his trimmed mustache. He put on the air of an educated gentlemen, one of renowned wealth and linage; his intelligent ruby red eyes scanned the wrinkly old man like a hawk. Taking the old man full visage into view, assessing, judging. Finally, the corner of his lip curled up to a smile, as if acknowledging the old Chairman. "Well, this is going to be entertaining alright." As he spoke, his wine glass came up, sharing a toast with a well-mannered woman – a CEO of sort.
"Thank for your help, Mr. Vandelstam."
"It's nothing, I think that the chairman waiting to announce something." With that, their attention was back to the man of the party.
Katahara Metsudo inhaled then began his announcement, not forgetting to raise his voice.
"Thank you all for waiting, ladies and gentlemen. I will now announce the upcoming schedule."
Silence casted over the room.
"About 27 hours from now, this ship will arrive at the "land of battle". Upon arriving at the land of battle, all Kengan Association members will register their fighters that will enter the tournament. The registration will officially enter them into the Kengan Annihilation tournament."
"And one more thing, any personal fights between fighters onboard this ship are strictly forbidden. Those who break this ban will suffer punitive measures from the bodyguard."
The two giant man in black suit staying behind Katahara Metsudo served as a reminder of his power, his authority on this ship. Judging from their track record, they alone could rival fighters that smaller companies employ, with enough experience to crush lesser opponents.
"That is all, please continue to enjoy the voyage"
And the ship sailed on, most of its passanger never noticing the anomalities, but troubles are already brewing within the confide of this luxurious cruise. Would the tourament be able to process without trouble? Who is the true chessmaster?