Squeek. Squeek.
Shoes dragged against rubber mats, the sound uneven and tired.
Thud.
A heavy bag lurched sideways as a fist buried itself into worn leather. Sweat sprayed, darkening the floor beneath it.
Breathing filled the room, with groaning and some swearing under their breath.
The gym was alive. Noises echoing through a concrete room packed with bodies learning how to hit without getting beaten.
A martial arts gym.
"Hmm, you there. Yes! you bald guy, twist your body more before punching, don't just let your arm do the work, make use of your body's momentum!" A man or rather a teen with a white blindfold on his eyes, with some red pattern that continues to his tattoed face, commanded sharply.
"YES! boss!" With instruction given, the bald man did as was told of him and punched a heavy bag once more.
Thud
Clank. Clank.
The punch landed, and the heavy bag swung violently against its chains, rattling loudly. The bald man stumbled slightly backward, arms adjusting to maintain balance, but a satisfied grin broke across his face.
"Better! That's it! Feel the power come from your legs, not just your arm!" The instructor clapped once, sharp and decisive, the chains clinking in response.
The instructor then proceeds to give more advice and help from the people training and fighting inside the gymnasium.
with the instructor continued barking out advice, walking between trainees, occasionally adjusting a stance or tapping a shoulder. the gym now is gradually slowing and emptying, with clatters subsiding. Bags slowing down it's swaying, feet dragging against mats. Groans and curses fading into heavy breathing.
"Phew..."
Shoes squeaked one last time across the mats. The heavy bags swung gently against their chains, settling into stillness. The gym exhaled with the bodies who had left, leaving only the faint scent of sweat and leather.
Now, the room was quiet. Not empty, exactly, but still enough that the soft scrape of a chair against concrete sounded like thunder.
From the corner, someone leaned against a pillar, arms crossed, eyes unreadable behind the white blindfold. The chaos of the day no longer mattered. The instructor's voice was gone, replaced only by the hum of the night outside.
And in that stillness, he moved, stepping forward into the faint light, calm, deliberate, observing and waiting.
He didn't have to wait long, after some time the entrance of the gym swung open and came in a man in suits holding a briefcase.
Stopping in front of the instructor, the man in suit bowed politely and said. "Mr Ying Zheng as agreed I am here as a representative to speak with you about the contract to which you applied a Kengan match for."
"Hao! That is right you may begin stating the contract now!" Despite his arrogant words the representative didn't get angry nor annoyed at Ying Zheng, he simply opened the brief case and recited the contract.
"This contract," he began, voice smooth, controlled, "is between Sentory Corporation and yourself, Mr. Ying Zheng, for the purpose of a single sanctioned Kengan match. Terms are as follows:"
He tapped the paper with a finger, letting each clause settle.
"1. Match Conditions: The fight will take place under Kengan Association rules. No weapons, no external interference. All standard Kengan officiating applies. The fight is to the point of submission or knockdown, as determined by the referee."
"Of course." Ying Zheng said in a calm voice that carries a weight of authority.
"2. Opponent: Sentory Corporation will provide their chosen fighter. You will accept this opponent without objection, unless serious safety concerns arise prior to the match. Any objections must be submitted in writing 24 hours before the bout."
"Hao!" A faint smirk curled under the blindfold.
"3. Outcome Clauses: Should you win, your gym, staff, and brand will be officially recognized by Sentory Corporation as a reliable source of fighters, granting full sponsorship privileges for one year.
Should you lose, you will enter into a one-year binding contract with Sentory Corporation, which includes accepting fights as their representative or performing other duties as determined by the board."
He paused, letting the stakes hang in the air before speaking again.
"4. Safety & Liability: Both parties agree to standard medical inspections pre- and post-fight. Sentory Corporation will assume no liability beyond what is required by Kengan Association rules. You acknowledge the risks inherent in physical combat."
"Straightforward," Ying Zheng said, tilting his head, listening. "And the final clause?"
The man in the suit nodded, reaching the bottom of the page.
"5. Binding Authority: This contract is legally binding within the jurisdiction of the Kengan Association. Any breaches will be arbitrated according to Kengan Association protocols, and both parties submit to the rulings of the Association's arbitrators."
He carefully closed the briefcase. Silence fell. The faint hum of the night outside pressed against the walls of the gym.
Ying Zheng's gaze didn't leave the representative. "I see no issues. I'll sign this and we shall proceed." he said softly, voice low and deliberate.
Ying Zheng reached out, fingers brushing the edge of the contract. A single pen hovered over the paper and with ease, signed it. "Hao! Everything is done, tell me then when is the kengan match proceeding."
The man in the suit accepted the document with both hands, posture respectful, almost ceremonial. He slid the contract back into the briefcase and snapped it shut.
"The match will be scheduled in three days," he said. "Location will be the underground arena in Yokohama. Official notice will be delivered through Kengan channels within forty eight hours."
"Hao." Ying Zheng nodded. "Plenty of time."
"There is one more thing." The representative adjusted his glasses. "Sentory Corporation has already submitted a name to the Association and your opponent has accepted."
That got a reaction of Interest in Ying Zheng's face to appear.
Ying Zheng's head tilted slightly. "Oh?"
"Yes. A veteran, is well known to the Association, with a clean record and an orthodox style. His name is Mokichi Robinson." A pause. "They believe he will test you properly."
"Hao!" Ying Zheng said. "I would hate to disappoint then and they shouldn't dissapoint too. Otherwise t'is will be a boring fight."
"I will relay the message." The man inclined his head. "Medical staff will arrive two days before the match for inspection. Media presence will be minimal, as requested. However, if you win, Sentory will publicly associate your gym with the outcome."
His gaze flicked around the empty gym. The scarred mats. The hanging bags. The sweat-stained walls.
"Reputation then," he added, "will follow."
Ying Zheng turned his back, already walking toward the center of the mat.
"Tell your board this," he said over his shoulder. "I'm not fighting for reputation."
The representative paused at the door.
"And what are you fighting for, Mr. Ying Zheng?"
The blindfolded teen stopped beneath the hanging light. His stance was loose. Relaxed. Like someone simply taking a stroll.
A grin tugged at his mouth.
"To prove my coming." he said. "I shall dominate the Kengan Arena once more." after saying that a massive pressure rise within Ying Zheng.
The representative stunned his body stiffening without him noticing, sweat forming from his back, breathing going shallow and he find it hard to utter a single word. 'He's like a demon or rather a sleeping dragon finally waking up.' He thought as he forced his shaking body to calm down.
As if acknowledging that his word's struck, Ying Zheng lowered the pressure of his aura. The representative knowing that everything is done, bowed his head with awe this time and left.
The door opened.
Then closed.
The gym fell quiet again.
Ying Zheng rolled his shoulders once, stepped in front of a heavy bag, and drove a sharp, compact strike into its center.
Boom.
The heavy bag's chain rattled and disconnects from where it's hanging, sending the heavy bag flying and crashing with the wall creating a small crater. "Hmm, I'm going to have that fixed again..."
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AN: So I got another fantasy in my head that I want to read but oh well, you gotta do it if nothing is there to read.
This time, I won't care about scheduling, I won't get money from this, this story won't be that interesting to readers and it's going to be just a hobby. So note that I will only publish whenever inspiration struck or whenever I finished a chap.
Also this is here to convey my day dreaming so I can visualize properly that fantasy delusions.
Leave your suggestions and Criticisms here, Even opinions matter. Have a nice day.
Word Count: 1,440