"You want to participate in the Kengan Annihilation Tournament?"
In the traditional and austere tatami room, Kure Erioh, seated at the tea table, furrowed his aged brows. "Our clan indeed received an invitation, but the representative has already been decided—it's Raian. Young Ren, you are not part of the Kure Clan, and this matter pertains to internal clan affairs. It wouldn't be appropriate for you to get involved."
"You misunderstand, Senior. I don't intend to participate as a representative of the Kure Clan."
Ren shook his head, his tone calm. He had come to bid farewell to Kure Erioh, though he hoped to gain a small favour before leaving.
"Oh, that's right. With your strength, it wouldn't be difficult for you to join any organization. If you're bringing this up with me specifically, you must have a particular purpose, yes?"
Kure Erioh's gaze lingered on Ren, curious about the young man's intentions.
"Senior, your insight is unparalleled. I intend to participate as the Fang of Metsudo."
Ren smiled as he spoke.
The Fang of Metsudo was the pinnacle of the Kengan Association's combat hierarchy, the personal gladiator of the Kengan Chairman, Metsudo Katahara—the strongest fighter in Kengan matches.
Kure Erioh paused, his eyes narrowing as he studied Ren. Then, after a long silence, he laughed. "Haha! Young Ren, it seems your ambitions are not small!"
"Ambition? Not really," Ren replied with a light chuckle. "I simply need Chairman Metsudo's assistance with something. However, if I don't prove my value, he's unlikely to oblige."
"So you wish to use me as a stepping stone for an introduction?"
"Exactly. You are the original Fang of Metsudo. With your recommendation, I could avoid unnecessary bloodshed."
Kure Erioh's expression grew thoughtful.
Ren could certainly force his way in and replace the current Fang of Metsudo through sheer strength, but such an approach would likely trigger violent conflict, perhaps even escalate into war.
If he vouched for Ren, however, the young man could challenge the current Fang without unnecessary casualties.
A win-win situation for all involved.
"That's a small matter. I can inform that old man for you. But you must have other requests, no?"
Kure Erioh smirked knowingly. Though he had never met the current Fang of Metsudo, he trusted in Raian's potential. Even if the Fang were stronger than Raian, the gap wouldn't be insurmountable. Yet Ren's strength was….beyond comprehension.
Even Kure Erioh, in his prime, would likely have struggled against Ren. After observing him over the past few days, Kure Erioh was convinced of this. Ren's strength wasn't just due to his "superhuman physique"; his mastery of martial arts was at an extreme level.
In truth, Ren had no need to learn the Kure Clan's Liberation. His techniques alone were enough to dominate even opponents with superior raw strength. And individuals stronger than Ren's enhanced body? They were exceedingly rare.
Kure Erioh knew that replacing the current Fang of Metsudo would not be difficult for Ren. Even without a recommendation, not even Metsudo's private army could stop him.
And based on what Kure Erioh knew of the chairman's character, once he witnessed Ren's strength, he'd welcome the young man with open arms.
This request for an introduction, then, was merely a courtesy—a gesture of respect. Ren clearly had something more pressing on his mind.
"You're perceptive as always, Senior. I do have another request for the Kure Clan. However, as you can see, I'm just a fugitive with no wealth. I can't afford to pay an exorbitant fee."
Ren spoke apologetically, lowering his head slightly.
Kure Erioh sipped his tea, his expression calm. "You've taught Raian several techniques beyond our usual training. That alone suffices as compensation. Tell me, what would you have us investigate?"
Ren smirked inwardly. Dealing with sharp minds like Kure Erioh's was always a relief—no need for excessive explanations.
"I'd like you to investigate the participants in the Kengan Annihilation Tournament. Specifically, see if there are any particularly unusual individuals or those whose strength has surged rapidly in a short time."
Ren's reasoning was straightforward. He didn't trust his mission's sponsor to make things easy, and he suspected the Seed of Origin would appear during the tournament. However, waiting for the tournament wasn't an option.
While Ren wasn't entirely clear on the tasks assigned to other Explorers, failure to claim the Seed of Origin would mean death for him. The longer the current holder of the seed lived, the harder the mission would become.
He loved challenging strong opponents, but he wasn't some kind of Vegeta—his first priority was survival. Only by staying alive could he continue climbing to greater heights.
What's more, he had already identified the ultimate opponent he wanted to face in this world. Dying before that showdown? Absolutely unacceptable.
Thus, the best course of action was to locate and secure the Seed of Origin before the tournament began. Only then could he proceed with his mission without worry.
"A strange request," Kure Erioh mused. "But I won't pry. Once I have the information, I'll have someone contact you."
As the head of an assassination clan, Kure Erioh was well-versed in professional discretion. He never questioned a client's motives.
Ren cupped his hands in respect. "Thank you, Senior. I deeply appreciate the care you've shown me these past few days. Should I encounter the Wu of the Western Exiles in the future, and if you're not opposed to outside intervention, I will help you deal with them."
Kure Erioh's eyes narrowed. "You know quite a bit, don't you…"
"My teacher was from the mainland, after all. I've always been interested in the Wu Clan's history. It's just something I picked up over time. If you'd prefer I stay out of it, consider this conversation forgotten."
Ren smiled as he spoke. In this world, the Wu Clan was split into three factions. The Wu Clan of the mainland and the Kure Clan of Japan could be considered "lawful evil," while the Wu of the Western Exiles were decidedly "chaotic evil."
Recently, the three factions had united to launch an attack on a base belonging to the Worm—a global terrorist organisation known for its large-scale attacks.
However, the Western Exiles had betrayed the alliance, turning against the other two factions.
Worse still, they had long since allied themselves with the Worm and its leader, Shen Wulong, one of the so-called 'immortals'.
The betrayal had left the Kure Clan severely weakened and thirsting for revenge, though they had yet to find the right opportunity.
Having delved into the sequel of Kengan Omega during his time in the space between worlds, Ren was well aware of the strength of Edward Wu, the representative of the Western Exiles.
In the original storyline, even this old man in front of him—Kure Erioh—had to rally the entire Kure Clan, old and young alike, to gang up on Edward Wu. Ultimately, it was only by sacrificing his own life as bait that they managed to barely defeat the man.
Ren, reflecting on the care he had received from the Kure Clan, thought to himself that if he ever ran into Edward Wu, taking him out in passing would hardly be a big deal.
"No, if you can actually pull that off, the Kure Clan will forever remember this favour," Kure Erioh said, his voice steady but heavy with meaning.
He wasn't the type to cling to rigid traditions—revenge, after all, could be achieved by any means necessary. "But be cautious. While you are extraordinarily strong in martial arts, when it comes to the art of killing, we Wu are the true experts."
Ren smiled faintly. "Senior, have you forgotten? I'm a death row convict, locked away for the crime of mass murder. Don't worry—if the Western Exiles cross paths with me, it'll be their unlucky day."
The two chatted briefly before Ren rose to leave. Kure Erioh watched in silence as Ren exited the tatami room and left the Kure Clan's compound altogether.
Half an hour later, Karura came running into the room, glancing around with evident frustration.
"Grandfather, where's Ren?"
"He's gone," Kure Erioh replied simply.
"Gone? Where to?"
"To climb the mountain known as the Way of Martial Arts," he said, his tone wistful as he gazed in the direction Ren had departed.