Chapter 50: Trial Membership
The group gathered around, finding comfortable spots to sit, watching the scene with interest.
Hongo Hina was looking left and right, her star-pupils darting around as she seriously inspected Kei's "home."
"In the van, Big Brother Shiraki told me a lot!"
Hina counted on her fingers. "For example, there will be enough training equipment?"
Kei felt a little guilty. He raised his hand. "On order. Already added to the list..."
Hina nodded. "Then, what about the infirmary and other logistics?"
Kei squatted on the ground, whispering, "Still need to recruit..."
"I see~!"
Hina clapped her hands, looking even more expectant. "And, where is the beautiful arena?"
Kei sat on the ground, hugging his knees, rocking back and forth, his voice tiny. "Under construction..."
"..."
Seeing Kei's voice getting smaller and smaller, clearly defeated, the onlookers couldn't help but marvel again—wow! This Hongo Hina's destructive power was even greater than they imagined.
But it couldn't be helped. The plan was only decided last night. There was a lot to do, and it would take time.
Of course, Hina understood this.
"Just kidding! It's fine! Logistics, venues, equipment... those things can be solved with time."
"—The key is the 'people'."
Hina changed the subject, stepping closer to Kei. She tilted her head, the stars in her eyes fixated on him.
"Big Brother Shiraki, you promised me sparring partners and exchange matches... when can you arrange that for me?"
"..."
Kei's depression paused. He froze.
Then, on his next breath—
Swish!
Hina hopped forward half a step, launching a low kick at the seated Kei.
Kei reacted instantly, slapping the ground with one hand, vaulting into a handstand, and spinning to kick Hina.
BANG!
Hina blocked the kick with her palm, retreating a large step to avoid Kei's follow-up kick as he sprang to his feet.
"Haha, so interesting~!"
Hina praised him sincerely. "When you dealt with those hitmen, you used karate and wrestling. But that move just now... was 'Kung Fu,' right?"
"...Drunken Fist? Combined with breakdancing moves?"
Hina's insight was astonishing.
Or rather, in terms of familiarity with fighting techniques, Hongo Hina was absolutely top-tier!
Kei bounced on the balls of his feet, adjusting his stance, and corrected her. "It's Breakdancing—Drunken Fist mixed with some dance steps."
"Amazing~!"
Hina exclaimed, clenching her fist and stepping in to punch.
Kei dodged to the side, but Hina suddenly pulled her punch, driving a knee straight at Kei's crotch.
"?!"
Kei pressed his hands down to block, barely stopping the knee, and used the force to hop backward.
"Eh, strange?"
Hina blinked. "Groin kicks, eye pokes... these are common in underground fighting. Practical 'Kung Fu' usually focuses on a 'side stance' to reduce the target area."
"But Big Brother Shiraki's Kung Fu seems a bit rusty. You almost got hit. Did you just start practicing?"
"..."
Kei nodded.
The "new phantom" he could see in his mind seemed quite dissatisfied with Kei's movements, shaking his head helplessly and even starting to demonstrate on his own.
The meaning was clear: Hina alone wasn't enough. He needed a fiercer, more "spirited" opponent to get the right feeling!
No matter how hard Kei tried to focus, he couldn't see more details.
"Hmm, Big Brother Shiraki seems troubled too..."
Hina saw through him. She stopped attacking and urged, "Hurry up and master it! Gender difference doesn't matter. I want to see your complete moves~!"
Clearly, Hina was the type to "eat the best food first." Since Kei's Kung Fu had piqued her interest, other fighting styles seemed boring for now.
Kei nodded. "So, want to join?"
"I can fight anytime, right? Let me try two more lessons!"
Hina didn't commit. She turned to look at Tenma Nozomi nearby. "Nozomi-san, I'm a little... unsatisfied. Can you arrange that fighting match you mentioned ASAP?"
"...Okay."
Nozomi, having witnessed Hina's strength, was shocked but quickly organized her thoughts.
Although the professional hitmen, IDEAL, and even Kei's situation were worrying... it was too late to back out now.
Since there was no retreat, she would use this "monster," Hongo Hina, and Kei's group to strike it rich!
...
...
The next day, nightfall.
Shinjuku streets.
An underground bar had been rented out by the "Jinguji-gumi" to serve as tonight's stage.
Kei met up with Yuzuha and found the place. Led by Ichika, they entered the bar where Hana and Nozomi had been waiting.
As soon as they entered, the noise of the crowd hit them like a heatwave.
"Not bad!"
Seeing the lively scene, Yuzuha praised, "Doesn't look like a new group's scale at all. Much more popular than before!"
Hana smiled. "Including staff—like the hostesses—there are 220 people in total!"
"More than double last time, right?" Ichika looked around. "With the pretty hostesses, it really looks the part!"
"But..."
Ichika looked at Yuzuha, confused. "Since Hongo Hina is so strong, why not send Yuzuha to fight her?"
Yuzuha and Nozomi exchanged a look. They both knew the answer.
"Because of the 'threshold'."
Nozomi explained, "Yuzuha and Hongo Hina are both strong fighters. But if we play our 'trump card' right at the start, the audience's excitement threshold will be raised too high."
"If we can't find opponents of the same level for future matches, the audience won't buy it. It's bad for the group's growth."
"So a 'King vs. King' match has to be built up. We can't rush it."
Nozomi changed the subject. "Besides, tonight's other fighter is pretty good too. Thanks for finding her, Ichika!"
"Ha, naturally!"
Ichika was confident. "She got into a fight before and I 'educated' her. So I asked—well, 'threatened'—her, and she agreed right away!"
Putting aside the illegal parts, Ichika the cop was quite reliable.
"She was top 16 in the Tokyo Judo Tournament. After dropping out of high school, she joined the Rokushin Kaikan, got her black belt, and specializes in full-contact karate."
Ichika continued her introduction, then glanced at the ring. "Oh, here they come! The fighters!"
"..."
Tonight's commentary was clearly more passionate than the first time.
"Sorry for the wait! The match is about to begin!"
"Entering from the East—[The Revolutionary Princess] Hongo Hina!!"
Due to time constraints, they hadn't prepared a costume, so Hina was still in her school uniform, just wearing safety shorts underneath.
The audience didn't find it perfunctory. In fact, a large group of them got even more excited.
"And from the West—[The Trembling Killing Machine] Momose Miharu!!"
A short-haired woman in sportswear, slightly older than Hina, entered to cheers, looking a bit nervous.
"..."
Hina and Miharu faced off, then returned to their corners to prepare.
Ichika led Kei and the others to Miharu's corner to greet her.
"Yo! Thanks for helping out tonight!"
"..."
Momose Miharu laughed dryly. "Iori, you cop... getting into underground fighting too? The MPD is doomed..."
"Side job! Side job!"
Ichika waved it off, then warned her, "By the way, tonight's opponent is unusual. Be careful!"
"Yeah," Miharu nodded, clearly not taking it seriously. "You guys all coming to cheer for me... you really don't have much faith in me, do you?"
None of them refuted her.
In fact, after seeing the state of those foreign hitmen, Ichika and the others were worried for Hina's opponent.
Nozomi warned, "Her punches are heavy."
Miharu waved her hand. "Yeah, yeah, I know!"
Kei suddenly spoke up, suggesting, "Try 'Sanchin Dachi'."
"Hm?"
Miharu paused.
"Sanchin Dachi" (Three Battles Stance) is a fundamental karate stance originating from fighting on ships.
Feet shoulder-width apart, toes turned inward, knees bent, center of gravity lowered, toes gripping the ground, core tightened. It's a stance with excellent stability.
Miharu had practiced this stance at the Rokushin Kaikan.
So these guys thought that against this "Hongo Hina," she wouldn't even be able to stand steady without Sanchin?
"..."
Miharu frowned, stepping into the ring with doubts.
The referee signaled the fighters to approach, raised his left hand, and swung it down.
"READY—GO!"
Swish!
The moment the match started, before Miharu could react, Hina lunged forward, landing a heavy punch on Miharu's chest.
Visibly, Miharu's chest caved in, her sportswear depressing with the impact.
"?!"
Miharu couldn't speak. Her chest felt tight, and she was on the verge of losing consciousness.
Kei's warning echoed in her mind. Instinctively, she planted her feet, assuming the Sanchin stance.
But that was all she could do.
Hina had already stepped back, re-clenching her fist, looking surprised.
"Eh? Didn't go down in one hit? That stance... were you warned?"
"Haha! Big Brother Shiraki's 'techniques' are so interesting. If it's him, I'm sure I'll meet even 'faster' people..."
"In that case, I'll just agree—I'll join!"
Hina looked at Miharu and threw the second punch of the night.
THUD!
A dull sound came from Miharu's chest. Ribs cracked. She foamed at the mouth and collapsed, unconscious.
Two punches. KO.