Super Fighting Tokyo

Chapter 80 Collection Phase Ended
"what?"

Galo stared wide-eyed, completely bewildered.

What exactly is the Fighting Spirit Martial Arts Academy? Is it the name of an organization? Or a martial arts dojo?

Before Garo could think it through, Maruk had already clenched his fist and punched him.

Swish!
As a subject of human experimentation, Maruk's physical abilities far surpassed those of ordinary people; even a simple punch was incredibly powerful.

But in Galo's view, no matter how powerful the punch is, it is meaningless if it doesn't hit the target.

He dodged to the side, easily avoiding the punch, and even had the leisure to stroke his chin.

Just as Gara was about to offer his opinion, Maruk suddenly launched a low kick, aiming at Gara's shin.

despair!
Galo immediately pushed off the ground to gain momentum, rotated his body, and lifted his leg to avoid the kick. Then he turned around and kicked back, striking Maruk's outstretched arms.

boom!
Maruk staggered back several steps before finally regaining his balance.

"Ouch!"

Galo raised an eyebrow, noticing something amiss.

His first encounter with Maruk, which took place in the ship's corridor, was a resounding victory for him, ending with him kicking Maruk away.

In the second round, although Maruk was still inexperienced, his movements were noticeably smoother, and the situation was far less one-sided than before.

What's more...

Gara noticed her ankle; the fabric of her trousers there had been torn by Maruk's kick, leaving red marks on her skin from the friction.

Although it was only a little bit, Gara could vaguely sense that Maruk's martial arts skills were improving!

"Heh, you've made progress. You've realized it now..."

Galo's gaze swept across.

He looked at Maruk, Shiraki, the men in black and mercenaries confronting them, and the group of terrified debtors.

In Galo's eyes, all of this was proving one very simple thing—

This world is full of "force".

This world revolves around "force"!

The so-called "love and care" is nothing but a high-sounding rhetoric; humanity establishes social order through force.

Nobles, emperors, powerful families...

Throughout history, those who have held power have possessed formidable fighting strength and invincible military might.

People with powerful and extraordinary characteristics are driven by these characteristics to seek money, pursue violence, and wield force...

Regardless of whether they are righteous or evil, the means they can ultimately resort to is force!

That's why the gambling match was established, the Kengan Association existed, the men in black and the mercenaries confronted each other, and Shiraki Seiya was able to watch the battle with ease.

The current situation was created by force!
In Galo's view, the rumored "abandoned building killer" Rodham was indeed infamous and might have some fighting skills.

Those who only know how to use force indiscriminately will have their true nature exposed in no time and will be easily defeated.

Essentially, one must have the "awareness and courage" to use one's own force.

"..."

Galo stared at Maruk, noticing his youthful yet resolute eyes.

Having spent years in actual combat, Gara can easily see through the intentions of those who misuse force, as was the case in their first encounter with Maruk.

But now, he couldn't quite tell.

With Maruk's childlike mind, could he really realize how to control his own power as someone who has trained for many years?

"Get out of my way! Maruk doesn't intend to kill you!"

Maruk gritted his teeth, his footsteps shuffling on the ground.

“But if you try to stop Maruk, he’ll kick you away…”

"Maruk won't take responsibility!"

Swish!
Maruk attempted a side kick to the top of his body, but Garo raised his arm and blocked it with his palm.

With a muffled thud, Gara successfully blocked the kick, but Maruk's astonishing strength still ripped a piece of skin off Gara's palm, causing it to bleed profusely.

"Really? I see..."

Galo felt a stinging pain in her palm and gradually realized what was happening.

Perhaps it is precisely because Maruk's mind has never matured that he is more pure, and through his contact with Shiraki, Baku, and others, he gradually accepts his own martial power.

Heh, he's quite a promising talent...

Just as Galo steadied himself, facing Maruk's incoming fist, he suddenly took a step forward.

Just as the fist was about to strike his face, Gara suddenly twisted his neck, dissipating most of the force of the punch, and his figure passed by Maruk.

"..."

Blood flowed from Galo's nostrils and entered his mouth, giving him the long-lost taste of blood.

It's been a long time since I've bled; so I didn't know I could bleed...

"Haha, that felt great!"

Garo leaned back to avoid Maruk's next punch, then grabbed his arm and, using Maruk's momentum, swung his muscular body up in the air.

boom!
Maruk was thrown by Gara and slammed heavily to the ground. As Gara had expected, Maruk quickly got up, his movements even more skillful than before, showing rapid progress.

"Ha, that's great!"

"But no matter who the opponent is, as long as they fight me, they will become my victims..."

Gara's forehead veins bulged, and a chilling growl came from his throat.

"No matter who the other party is—I will be the executioner!"

Maruk and Garo adjusted their breathing and charged forward, their fists and feet aimed at each other's vital points.

But the next second—

"stop!"

Suddenly, a young man's voice came through the loudspeaker, sounding anxious and worried.

"?!"

Both Maruk and Garo were quite familiar with this voice; it was undoubtedly the one emanating from the [Lie Eater] Baku.

Galo won't be bothered by these off-field factors, but Maruk is different.

Upon hearing that it was the Baku speaking, the latter immediately stopped, but his steps were unstoppable, and he staggered toward Gara.

Garodon was furious, but unwilling to fight someone who had no will to fight, he could only open his arms and grab Maruk, who had rushed over, before casually tossing him aside.

"madness!"

Gara sternly reprimanded Maruk, "Trust should have its limits. You'll get beaten to death sooner or later if you keep this up!"

Maruk looked bewildered. "But Brother Mo wouldn't hurt me, would he?"

"...Tsk!"

Galo grew increasingly angry, looked up at the camera, and couldn't help but shout, "Liar, you stray dog, are you trying to kill your companions?!"

"Oh, not at all, I have complete trust in Mr. Garo and Maruk. I believe you will stop in time..."

Baku's voice was apologetic, and he finally breathed a sigh of relief, "In any case, you two are my friends, and I don't want you to fight to the death."

“That sounds nice,” Gara sneered, cracking his knuckles. “But don’t forget, I’m now employed by someone else, and we’re adversaries.”

Upon hearing this, Baku laughed, "Ah, regarding that, please look at the screen."

As soon as he finished speaking, several surveillance screens descended from the ceiling of the lower hall, including the live gambling scene in the upper reception room.

"Phew, all done. The equipment in that little broadcasting room is really complicated..."

Baku casually remarked, then informed Garo, "Mr. Garo, while you were trapping me and Maruk on the lower level, our 'ally' had already sent the cards up."

"……Um?"

Everyone looked at the screen.

Inside the reception room, a young man dressed in old-fashioned work clothes pushed open the door, panting, and carried a thick stack of cards in his hand.

At the same time, the bald man from Sada's side also arrived, holding a stack of cards as well.

However, it was clearly visible to the naked eye that the young man had significantly more cards than the bald man.

"That... that..."

Seemingly sensing the oppressive atmosphere in the reception room, the young man became a little nervous and quickly said, "My name is Ito Kaiji. May I ask who Akagi Shigeru is? I've been asked to deliver the cards!"

Shigeru Akagi, seated in his chair, raised his hand to accept the card from Kaiji Ito and thanked him.

Meanwhile, the bald man also handed his cards to Sada Kuni.

"..."

After Mupu leaves, Yoruichi becomes the only gambling notary present, and he will be responsible for notarizing the gambling game.

He glanced at the cards in Sada Kuni and Akagi Shigeru's hands, and smiled politely:
"Therefore, the card collection phase is over."

"In this gambling game, whoever has more cards has a greater chance of winning, and it seems that Lord Akagi has the advantage right now."

Upon hearing this, the bald man couldn't help but grit his teeth, but Sada Kuni acted as if he didn't care at all.

"I do not mind!"

Sada Kuni's eyes, like those of a dead man, were fixed on Akagi Shigeru, and he said ferociously, "Even if you have the advantage for now, I will not lose. Let's begin!"

"..."

However, faced with that overwhelming threat, Shigeru Akagi simply smiled faintly.

He looked straight ahead; although he was an older man, his eyes were clean and bright, possessing a purity different from Maruk's.

"No, you will lose."

Shigeru Akagi smiled, as if stating a fact that left him with much to ponder, "You'll rack your brains, carefully select, proceed step by step, and scheme and plot..."

"And then—you will lose."

……

……

That night, the people on the ship witnessed what the "divine realm" was.

(End of this chapter)