"Do you understand everything, Uncle Ikaria?" I asked, making the final touches to my plans. My feeling of discomfort had only grown since my synthesis. My senses had upgraded to a whole new level, and they were all screaming about the danger I was about to face soon.
"Must be because of the tournament, still..."
"Yes, yes, young master. I've been taking care of this place since before you were born. I'll make sure the mansion is in tip-top shape and a celebratory feast is ready when you win your championship. I've even made a place for the trophy already."
Uncle Ikaria pointed to a little shrine he had made above the fireplace in the main living room, in recognition of my assured victory. He was surprisingly supportive of my aspirations, even more so than Aunt Elizabeth from the start for some reason. 'Still, I won't look a gift horse in the mouth.'
"Alright, I'll make sure to win." I did a last handshake with the man before Melissa interrupted us with her own litany of send-offs to her beloved uncle, as well as giving him a list of things to prepare for the celebration dinner, which he happily noted down in his little writing pad.
"Come on now, Melissa, the flight's waiting. Everyone else is already packed and ready to go."
The girl would hear none of it, too busy being spoiled by her uncle to pay attention to my concerns.
"Ok, that's it. If you're any later, you'll have to catch the next flight!" I sent out my final warning to the girl, who took it as more of a death threat than a suggestion.
"Look, Uncle Ikaria! Kuzan's being mean to me again. If he keeps being mean to everyone, there's gonna be no one left by his side. Look, look, he's already pushed Xiao Li and Diana away. You have to talk some sense into hi—"
Unfortunately, before I could get my hands on the grubby little loudspeaker come to life, she had escaped behind her uncle's back, using him as a 'shield' to block my 'brotherly love' that I was about to show her.
"Young master, what have we talked abou—" I tuned out the old butler's teachings as I grabbed my sister's collar from the back and placed her into the back seat of our car. Her face, looking like a cat in a cage being taken to the vet, brought me immense joy as it served as perfect revenge for her statements.
'Now I'm gonna have to deal with a catfight...' But to my surprise, neither my sister nor the other two girls had any qualms about talking among themselves with renewed vigor and friendship.
'Looks like Melissa worked it out with them. Why don't I give it a try?'
"So everyone? Exci—" I was cut short in my attempt by the combined death glare of the three girls, my instincts warning me to keep my mouth shut to avoid making the situation worse.
'I sense I've made a mistake of some kind.'
I trusted my gut and chose to remain silent during the rest of the ride, causing it to pass excruciatingly slowly, 'however it's for the better'.
[12 hours later]
'God, that was a long flight,' I sighed to myself while exiting the plane, helping the passengers disembark as well.
Only Aunt Elizabeth and Mr. Lander were able to make it in person to the event, as Uncle Albert was too busy with the new business propositions I had assigned to him regarding deepening our family's foundation in London.
'If this tournament goes how I think it's gonna go, then pretty soon I'll need the backing of a whole nation to move forward with my plans...'
Defeating, or even 'surviving' a confrontation with the strongest man alive had deep consequences. Even when Master Orochi, who had almost died within his fight with the man, had become bombarded with fame and 'interest' from countries throughout the world. It had taken Mr. Tokugawa's support for him just to be left alone for their countless 'offers' and gifts.
To others, it might be a hard decision picking a specific country to 'support'; however, to someone like myself with an 'ace up my sleeve,' it was a no-brainer. Although I could also pick China, I would already earn their 'support' by earning the title of 'Kaiou Emperor'. Plus, picking the U.S. would be 'invading' on his territory, thus I was left with the United Kingdom as my future 'base of operations.'
'I still have that 'vow' from Mr. Lander to cash in. I wonder what I'll pick...'
'For now, let's drop everyone off in their rooms. Then I've only got a couple of phone calls to make before the start of the tournament.'
My feeling of unease had only grown since coming back to China to participate.
'I don't know if it's because I'm about to face him in person, or what, but still, there's no need to take any unnecessary risks.'
I went through the plan once again in my head of how I would proceed moving forward, before showing my family and 'friends' their rooms in the hotel. I had booked the closest suites to the tournament stage just to stop myself from worrying about their condition while I fought in the tournament.
However, despite all of my care and consideration, certain members of my supposed 'guests' who were here to 'support' me, decided to continue feeding their anger, refusing to speak even a word to me even after our landing in China.
Still, I refused to spend any more time worrying about their moods being 'upset,' as I was too busy trying to take it all in after our arrival at the arena. I simply dropped off their bags and told them to get accustomed to their rooms while I 'signed' myself in.
I made my way to the front desk after having the necessary conversations over the phone to assure myself that my full attention could be on the tournament.
I went to the 'front desk' that was set up beside the arena exclusively for participants. It was a completely empty line, which was understandable considering the small number of fighters relative to the members of the crowd trying to check themselves in within the adjacent line.
"Hello, sir, I'm sorry, this line is only for the fighters themselves," the man behind the front desk spoke to me in a calm tone, trying to explain the situation while pointing to a nearby banner as proof, assuming that I was unable to read Chinese.
It was a valid concern, as I was indeed unable to make out the words on the banner, and his use of English when talking to me did help, however, his suggestion was ultimately of no use.
'Ah, he's probably confused considering my age despite my tall stature. No worries.'
'He's only doing his job.' I decided to placate the man's worries, even thanking him for his help before relaying my own words.
"Oh no, I'm a fighter as well. You can check, it's Master Bun. Here's my entry pass." I handed the man a piece of paper I had carried to prove my identity in case such a situation arose.
The man now seemed terrified at my statements, shaking heavily while checking over my provided documents. "I'm so sorry, Master Bun. I can't believe I didn't recognize you. Here you go, your signed entry pass."
"Haha, no worries at all, man," I spoke in a jovial and friendly tone to the man, testing out one of my new skills already. "I'm still very small-time and relatively unknown compared to everyone else here."
I put forward a laid-back front to hide my true personality from the man. "I'm honestly just lucky to be here considering my inexperience."
"Oh, by the way! Mind answering a few questions for me? It's my first time here and all?"
My new acting skills seemed to have done wonders, as I was effortlessly able to placate the man's worried attitude in but a few words. "Sure, of course, sir. I'll be happy to help."
"I was just wondering whether I'm too late or too early considering I haven't been able to see anyone I'd recognize since my arrival."
"No need to be worried at all, Master Bun," the man seemed delighted that I was only asking a very simple and straightforward question that he could easily answer. "Actually, all of the current fighters have already made their way to their corridors, but you're far from late."
The man continued to explain in a friendly manner despite my confusion, treating me as if I were just a youngster in way over my head. "You see, usually we just receive a call at the front desk of their arrival rather than have them check-in in person."
"You're actually one of the first fighters we've had in ages to go through the courtesy of the proper registration. I'm not sure if they even know about such procedures."
"Hahaha, looks like I still have a lot to learn," I took the man's words at face value, finally finishing setting up my last 'trap'.
"Oh, just one last question. Would you happen to know of Master Kaku's whereabouts? I just wanted to inform him of my arrival in person as soon as possible."
"You know, I have to show my respects to my master after so long since our last meeting, otherwise he might get mad at me." My last words finally convinced the young man to spill the beans.
"No problem at all, sir. He's currently resting in his chambers. Just turn right, and he'll be the last door to the left. I wish you luck in your match."
"Thanks!" I ended the verbal exchange and got to work, making my way down the halls as instructed, eventually reaching the door in question.
"Hohoho," before even fully pushing down the door handle, I was greeted with that all-too-familiar laugh from my training under him, as if welcoming me in.
I obliged and opened the door, only to be met with two occupants instead of the one I was expecting. 'I knew I didn't hear wrong. I really should trust my senses more often.'
I only paid my respects to one of the men in question, respecting the teachings and help he had bestowed upon me during the start of my journey.
"Hohoho, none of that, young man. Stop with the etiquette, it's not in your nature," the man stopped me in my attempt to bow to him, despite the obvious surprise that his action had on the man standing next to him.
"Kuzan, my boy, I'd like you to meet my son Shunsei. I'm sure he can learn a lot from you."
The man continued to behave out of character, pretending to be simply out of touch with the ramifications of his words, taking a page out of Melissa's book and instigating the 'confrontation' further.
I narrowed my eyes onto the man, glaring into his own as he now stood in front of me, 'sizing me up', as if ready to prove his father wrong.
However, despite it being our first time meeting, I had no reason to even attempt to shake the man's hand, nor would he likely initiate it either. He could see it in my eyes, the contempt I had for his very existence.
I could see him, clenching his fists in anger, ready to start a fight before the actual match.
However, I had no reason to fear or even respect such a man who had only reached such a meager level of strength, despite everything being handed to him on a silver platter.
It was infuriating.
"Master Shunsei, huh, I've heard about you." I spoke to the man with a bored look on my face. "Especially about your title..."
I cracked my knuckles, my body already heating up from its dormant state, ready for a feast.
"The Crazy Beast." I spoke out in a mocking tone of voice.
I cracked my jaw one last time before continuing my provocations, not as if they were needed at this stage. 'It was just fun.'
"And you see, I'm not really satisfied with the current 'title' I've earned for myself in the underground arena."
"Mind if I borrow yours?"