In the Dragon's Den Bistro, Shinji Takanashi and Daichi Mori stood before Arata, who sat in front of them, sipping coffee from a mug that said 'best sensei ever' which he got from Harumi. Arata's eyes narrowed as he studied Daichi. "So, you want to work here, Mr. Mori? To look for a girl?" He asked as he sat the mug down.
Daichi stepped forward, his voice steady but filled with urgency. "Yes, sir. Shinji mentioned that you have to talk to the head of VCL. I believe the leader of the Purple Dragons is involved with
them, and this might be my best chance to find Kairi."
Arata nodded and sighed. "Well, we could use the extra muscle. Harumi's strong, but I'd rather have her focus more on schoolwork. She goes to some fancy private school, and I don't want her getting kicked out because of me." He rolled his eyes in annoyance. "What, you don't think I'd rely on Shinji to fight for me, do you?"
He and Daichi began laughing at Shinji's weak fighting prowess. Shinji's face reddened with embarrassment. He didn't appreciate being teased about his lack of fighting skills. "Well, I did beat you two!" he muttered, crossing his arms defensively.
Daichi scoffed, raising his arm in mock defense. "Oh, sure, you beat us," he said sarcastically, rolling his eyes. Arata covered his mouth to stifle his laughter. "Yeah, you almost beat me, who doesn't fight anymore, and then got beat up by a girl." He chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
Shinji glared at both of them, his face growing even redder. "Harumi is no ordinary girl. She's... a force of nature," he mumbled, trying to salvage some dignity. As the laughter died down, Arata stood up and put on his apron and chef's hat. "Come on boys," As he said this, Shinji and Daichi looked at him in confusion. "What do you mean come on?" Shinji asked and followed behind him.
Shinji smirked as he walked out the door. "To 'VCL' of course, to confront Kenji Mizuki." He smiled. As Arata stood up to put on his apron and chef's hat, the bell above the restaurant's door chimed. All three turned to see who had entered. A tall, imposing man in an expensive suit strode in, his presence immediately filling the room. Shinji's eyes widened in recognition - it was Kenji Mizuki, the CEO of VCL and Harumi's father.
Arata's casual demeanor vanished, replaced by a tense alertness. "Kenji," he said, his voice low and controlled. "What the hell are you doing here?" He clenched his fist and tightened his jaw. Kenji smirked and grabbed a chair and sat down. He then picked up a menu and in a low tone said, "Takumi Arata, how've you been? Good to know I'm not the only one who's got a good life from the old days." Arata signaled for Shinji and Daichi to go to the kitchen as he sat in front of Kenji. "Sorry, we're closed, our waitress isn't in today."
Kenji smirked and looked up at him. "By the way, how has my daughter been?" As he said this Arata's blood began boiling. "You don't get the right to call her your daughter." He said in an angry tone.
Kenji's smirk faded, replaced by a cold, hard stare. "I have every right. She's my flesh and blood, Arata. You're just... a temporary caretaker." Arata leaned forward, his voice low and dangerous. "A caretaker who took her in. Who protected her from your abuse'." He spat out the last few words.
In the kitchen, Shinji and Daichi pressed their ears against the door, straining to hear the conversation. Shinji whispered, "This is intense. I've never seen Arata so angry." Back in the dining area, Kenji's facade of calm began to crack. "You don't understand what it takes to create a champion, Arata. Harumi's my daughter, she had potential to be stronger than we were in the past. She could be the face of VCL, a legend in her own right."
"At what cost, Kenji?" Arata's voice rose slightly. "Her childhood? Her happiness? Her sanity?" Kenji waved his hand dismissively. "Sacrifices must be made for greatness. You of all people should understand that, given your history."
Arata's fist clenched tighter, his knuckles turning white. "That's precisely why I won't let you do to her what was done to us. She's not gonna be a fighter."
A tense silence fell between them. Kenji's eyes narrowed, calculating. "I didn't come here to argue about parenting methods, Arata. I came to warn you." He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Things are happening. Big things."
Arata's anger gave way to confusion. "What do you mean?" Kenji stood up abruptly, straightening his suit. "I recently came across an envelope." He pulled a photo from his pocket and placed it on the table. It was a picture of Arata, Kenji, and Shinbo, younger selves. On the back of the picture it said, 'I want my revenge.'
Arata examined the photo and nodded in acknowledgment. "I got an envelope too, and so did Shinbo's son." He placed the photos that he and Shinji had received on the table.
Kenji picked up the photos, his eyes narrowing as he scrutinized them. "Intriguing," he muttered. "So, you think this has something to do with someone from the old days?"
Arata nodded, sighing heavily. "You mentioned that things are happening. What things?" He raised an eyebrow, leaning forward.
Kenji pulled out a cigarette, lighting it with a practiced flick. "There are multiple gangs involved in horrible activities. Many of my martial artists are going missing, and frankly, I can't afford that." He sighed again, slipping the photo back into his pocket. "It was good seeing you, Arata. Stay low and don't let anybody see you."
As Kenji turned and headed for the door, he was met by an unexpected obstacle. Daichi stood in front of him, his face flushed with anger. "We need to talk!" As he said this Kenji raised his eyebrow in confusion. "Have we met?"
Shinji's eyes widened as he saw Daichi in front of Kenji. "Shit, I forgot the whole reason Daichi is here was to get to the head of VCL; Kenji Mizuki!" He thought to himself as the whole thing went down.
Kenji's eyes narrowed, studying Daichi with a mix of curiosity and annoyance. "And who might you be, young man?"
Daichi stood his ground, his fists clenched at his sides. "My name is Daichi Mori. I was with the Purple Dragons, and I need to know what happened to Kairi."
A flicker of recognition passed across Kenji's face, quickly replaced by a mask of indifference. "I'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about. Now, if you'll excuse me-"
"Don't lie!" Daichi's voice rose, drawing concerned looks from Arata and Shinji. "The Purple Dragons leader said VCL was involved. You have to know something!" Kenji's demeanor changed, his posture becoming more rigid. "I suggest you watch your tone, boy. You're treading on dangerous ground."
Arata stepped forward, placing a hand on Daichi's shoulder. "Daichi, this isn't the time or place. Don't provoke him any further. I won't be able to help."
But Daichi shrugged off Arata's hand, his eyes never leaving Kenji's face. "I'm not leaving until I get answers." He pulled out a locket with a photo of Kairi and held it up to Kenji. "This is her. The last time she was ever seen was three years ago. She was taken from me! Her mom hasn't recovered since; she lies in bed all day, just hoping Kairi will come back!" Tears streamed down his face as he gripped the locket. "Now tell me what I want to know!"
As he cried, Shinji and Arata began tearing up, moved by Daichi's desperation. But Kenji's expression remained unchanged. He smirked, then suddenly struck the back of Daichi's neck, knocking him out cold.
Kenji's sudden action shocked everyone in the room. As Daichi crumpled to the floor, Shinji and Arata rushed forward, but Kenji held up a hand, stopping them in their tracks. "What the hell, Kenji?!" Arata shouted, his fists clenched at his sides.
Kenji's smirk faded, replaced by a grim expression. "I'm just gonna show him something, I don't know who Kairi is, but he seems dead set on finding her, I just wanna show him something." He bent down and picked up Daichi's unconscious form with surprising ease. "I'm taking him with me." Shinji stepped forward, his voice shaking with anger and fear. "You can't just take him! That's kidnapping!"
Kenji turned his cold gaze on Shinji. "Stay out of this. This is between me and Deki Mori's son." He smirked and then looked at Arata. "You know me, Arata. You know I wouldn't do this without a reason." Arata's eyes narrowed, studying Kenji's face. After a moment, he spoke, his voice low and dangerous. "If anything happens to him, Kenji, I swear-"
"Nothing will happen to him," Kenji interrupted. "At least, nothing worse than what's already in motion." He shifted Daichi's weight in his arms. "I'll bring him back when it's safe. For now, stay out of this. Both of you."
As Kenji turned to leave, Shinji called out, "Wait! At least tell us where you're taking him!" Kenji paused at the door, looking back over his shoulder. "VCL headquarters. If you're smart, you'll stay away. But knowing you two..." He sighed. "If you must come, wait until tomorrow. Give me time to... sort things out. This boy reminds me of her."
With that, Kenji left, carrying Daichi's unconscious form. The bell above the door chimed as it closed behind them, leaving Shinji and Arata in stunned silence. Arata ran a hand through his hair, his face a mix of anger and worry. "Damn it, Kenji. What are you mixed up in?"
Shinji looked at Arata, his eyes wide with confusion. "What will he do to Daichi?" Arata clenched his fist and tightened his jaw. "I-I don't know, but I'm just glad Harumi wasn't here." He sighed and sat down heavily. Shinji sat next to him. "Do you think Kairi's disappearance has something to do with the envelopes?"
Arata removed his hat and nodded slowly. "It seems like whoever is behind this has ties to the UFC—the Underground Fighting Center. If both you, me, and Kenji got envelopes, then this is way more dangerous than we thought."
Meanwhile, in a dimly lit club, people danced to the thumping beat of the music, the air electric with energy. Beneath the club, in a cavernous basement, a large ring was surrounded by a roaring crowd, cheering and booing as fighters clashed.
In a small infirmary-like room adjacent to the ring, a girl sat up on a bed, wearing fighter shorts and a tank top stained with blood. "You hear that? Everyone is cheering for me." She smiled as she wrapped bandages around her arms.
A doctor emerged from a closet, holding a syringe. "Yep, they love you." He chuckled and injected the needle into her neck, causing the girl to wince. "Come on, Kairi. You should be used to it by now."
Kairi chuckled, rubbing her neck. "I know, but it still hurts."
Suddenly, the doctor's demeanor shifted. He threw a tray of medical supplies against the wall, causing Kairi to jolt in fear. His face contorted with a psychotic intensity as he grabbed her shoulders. "It shouldn't hurt. This is the same medicine I gave to Shinbo Takanashi, and you," he brushed his fingers against her cheek, "are the new Shinbo Takanashi. You… are my special experiment, Kairi."
A slow smile spread across Kairi's face as she took his hand and held it tightly. "Yes, Dr. Watanabe, I am. I am the new Shinbo Takanashi."
Dr. Akira Watanabe, the doctor for Kenji Mizuki's former Underground Fighting Center, smiled and kissed her forehead. "Yes, you are." He smiled, and Kairi hopped off the bed. "I'll knock them dead!"
He nodded approvingly as she walked towards the ring, ready to face her next opponent.
As Kairi entered the ring, her opponent, a boy with long hair and a sadistic grin, bounced around in a fighting stance. Kairi stared at him calmly, not even bothering to raise her guard.
The boy chuckled as he approached her. "Didn't expect to be fighting a girl today. Too bad, you're hot as hell. Too bad I have to kill you." He grinned maliciously, but Kairi's expression remained unwavering.
He threw an uppercut punch, which hit her chin, she stepped back a little. "Can't feel a thing." She muttered and then swiftly jumped backward, hitting his chest with a powerful back kick that sent him crashing into the corner of the ring.
Without missing a beat, Kairi dashed towards him, driving her knee into his face repeatedly, each strike more brutal than the last. The boy's face became a bloody mess as she relentlessly bashed him in.
The crowd erupted into cheers as Kairi stepped back, her expression still cold and focused. "I am Shinbo Takanashi." She muttered and walked out the ring, ignoring the cheers.