I planted a sacred tree in Tokyo.

Chapter 237 Extraordinary from the Bottom
"Mr. Shura, this way please."

Wearing mourning clothes with bandages wrapped around his head, he walked through the long corridor, and a wave of heat hit him in the face.

"Well done!"

"What a sweet, pungent smell of blood!"

"Keep him under control like this, then kill him in one go!!"

Accompanying the heatwave were waves of bloodthirsty shouts. Suddenly, a square 'arena' appeared before Xiao's eyes.

Outside the arena, in the stands ranging from low to high, sat a group of well-dressed middle-aged men: judging from their bespoke suits, the expensive watches peeking out as they clenched their fists, and their faces that were a mix of shrewdness and ruthlessness, they were all 'successful people' in society.

They were either key members of large trading companies or presidents of small trading companies, belonging to the 'elite class', but not quite reaching the level of the powerful and wealthy.

They waved their fists and roared at the top of their lungs; their faces were contorted as if they wanted to devour people.

In the center of these thousands of spectators was a large octagonal cage.

The arena was twice the size of the UFC's enclosed ring, and two fighters were engaged in a fierce battle. No, it wasn't even a fierce battle anymore. One of them had the other pinned to the ground, relentlessly pounding his elbow into the back of the head—it was a posture that looked like he was ready to kill him!
Above the octagon, a giant screen broadcast the fight between the two, ensuring that any spectator could 'witness' the battle.

Sweat dripped from his well-defined muscles, and his raised elbows sprayed blood onto the ring.

Muscles, sweat, and blood—all of these stimulate the audience's senses!
???

"This is a 'betting game'."

The maid-dressed woman who led the way patiently explained things to Xiao.

"Guests buy special hands that we provide and place bets on two players."

"These 'cards' can be exchanged for money at the 'antique shop' across from the hotel."

In this way, theoretically it would not constitute 'gambling'.

Of course, this method, like Tobita Shinchi's "cuisine," falls into a legal gray area: given the size of the Kengan Association, it's easy for the Metropolitan Police Department to turn a blind eye. Actually, they don't need to rely on gambling to make money; rather, without gambling, how do they engage the audience's emotions?

Even in the 'legitimate' UFC, are those wealthy businessmen with white headscarves really just there to watch the fights?

How can they demonstrate their "superior" status without spending a large sum of money to gamble?

"The winner will be chosen!"

The referee in the octagon intervened, pulling away the person who was relentlessly attacking and announcing loudly.

As the victor, his hands covered in blood, raised his arms, a cacophony of cheers and curses erupted from the stands. Many who had lost money threw their cards into the octagon, as if showering the winner with petals.

As for the losers?
Several medical staff quickly entered the scene, lifted the person lying in a pool of blood onto a stretcher, and then sent him away for treatment.

As the victors raised their arms in celebration, several cleaners entered the venue and began mopping up the bloodstains on the ground.

Cruel, efficient, and filled with the taken-for-granted violence and money, the film evoked mixed feelings in Xiao, a 'country boy, and constantly challenged his understanding of the world.

"Mr. Shura,"

"This is the E-level competition area,"

"Is it alright if your 'debut' is scheduled for the next show?"

"Can,"

Xiao answered instinctively, then thought about it again.

What foul did he commit?

No, oh.

The woman in the maid outfit answered with an air of matter-of-fact acceptance.
"You just need to defeat your opponent, no matter where you attack or what abilities you use."

This is a true 'no-holds-barred' fighting arena, where you can gouge eyes, kick groin, and strike the back of the head. If both sides agree, you can even bring melee weapons!
"Of course, different competitions have different restrictions on weapons: otherwise, just wearing a D-level 'exoskeleton power armor' would definitely allow you to sweep through the E-level competition without any pressure."

At this point, the maid looked at the sword pouch that Xiao was carrying on his back.

"If it's a regular bamboo sword,"

There's definitely no problem.

The so-called E-level region corresponds to the 'dog' level.

But most of the time, these 'martial artists' who step into the ring are only close to being weak dogs.

Ladies and gentlemen!

Half an hour later, the host went back on stage to liven up the atmosphere.

"Mr. Chatchai has won three games in a row. Those who bet on him to win made a fortune tonight. His strength is obvious to all. He is definitely among the top in the 'non-extraordinary' category!"

After introducing the previous winner, the host gestured to the other side:
"Next, he will face a mysterious challenger: Shura!"

That's so embarrassing.

Xiao entered the octagonal cage somewhat bewildered.
What am I even doing? I started by investigating the problems at Poison Island, but somehow I've ended up standing on an underground fighting stage.

Located on the fifth basement level, the octagonal cage is a truly 'underground' arena for open and aboveboard gambling.

Tokyo is doomed.

He glanced up at the wealthy people in the audience.

Thinking back on his previous experiences, the boy couldn't help but sigh.

"Mr. Shura is very mysterious,"

"We don't know his name, age, or school of thought—but one thing is certain: Mr. Shura is a superhuman!"

Oh?
The wealthy people in the audience perked up.

Even in the arenas under the 'Kengan Association', there aren't superhumans fighting every day.

The 'martial artists' under the control of the big conglomerates will not easily show themselves: because those top martial artists are also top assassins.

Seeing extraordinary individuals fight is definitely worth the ticket price!
On the one hand, battles between superhumans are more 'spectacular';
On the other hand, these wealthy people may also harbor the idea that "even extraordinary individuals will dance to the tune of our money."

This boy, codenamed 'Shura,' had bandages wrapped around his head and looked rather dazed; but since he was a superhuman, even if he was only at the lowest 'weak dog' level, he was still worth their investment—

"I bet ten million, Shura wins!"

I'll bet five million.

"Bet on Shura to win!"

One number after another rang out from the audience.

"I'm betting three million, Chachai."

"He's a Muay Thai champion, after all. I'm betting two million on him."

Waitresses dressed as bunny girls shuttled back and forth, constantly handing out exquisite 'hand cards' to these people, leaving Xiao speechless.

He used to be just the only son of an ordinary police family. He had only ever heard of millions or even tens of millions of dollars on TV. He had never seen so much money in real life.

"Mr. Shura, are you ready?"

The referee's voice brought Xiao back to his senses. He gripped the bamboo sword in his hand and aimed it at the Muay Thai fighter opposite him, whose eyes were already flashing with ferocity.

"alright,"

"Game start!"

With the referee's whistle...
The opponent immediately launched a counterattack, throwing a fierce and fast straight punch straight at Xiao's face.

At the same time, his left foot paused almost imperceptibly, his knee strike already poised to strike. This is a common attack pattern in Muay Thai, using a straight punch as a feint, opening up the board with a knee strike, and once the advantage is gained, unleashing a barrage of elbows and knees!
“Mr. Chatchai has been practicing Muay Thai for twenty years since he was a child, and his legs have broken countless lime trees.”

As the host introduced the man, Xiao thrust his bamboo sword forward, striking the man's neck before he could react, forcing him to tilt his head and dodge.

"Ordinary bamboo swords offer him no advantage whatsoever."

brush--

Since he couldn't get close, the Muay Thai fighter named Chatchai immediately changed tactics, raising his leg for a low sweep: with the leg strength he had trained repeatedly, breaking an ordinary person's leg bone was no problem at all.

He was confident he could easily cut the bamboo sword in his opponent's hand with a single sweep! But just as he raised his leg to sweep horizontally, Xiao had already thrust his sword down, aiming at his opponent's knee joint.

Snapped,
A soft sound,
Chachai, who had won three consecutive games, suddenly lost his footing.
He almost collapsed to his knees on the spot, large beads of sweat sliding down his forehead.

"I lost money!"

"The gap is too big."

"Chachai, you're supposed to be a Muay Thai champion, is this all you've got?!"

The sighs, disappointment, and curses from the audience made the Muay Thai fighter's face even uglier. His opponent was a superhuman, already beyond human limits. And—

This seemingly dull-looking bandaged man is actually a master swordsman?

damn it!
Could it be that I've been practicing diligently for twenty years?
While Chachai gritted his teeth, Xiao, having composed himself, had already taken the initiative and charged forward with his sword.

Although he was dressed in bandages and looked like some kind of trash, his swordsmanship as the third best in the island nation was genuine.

"Congratulations, Mr. Shura, on winning this match."

"This is your bonus—"

Seeing the thick wad of banknotes handed to him, the penniless boy still reached out and took it.

This Tokyo felt like a completely different world from the life he remembered.

"This betting method"

After hesitating for a moment, the boy still asked the question.

He's a policeman's son, after all; why is he involved in underground boxing matches?
“Mr. Shura, our ‘Kengan Association’ is a legitimate organization: both boxing matches and betting are legal businesses. Don’t you know? Japan’s gambling law is about to undergo major revisions, and the draft has already been submitted to the cabinet.”

Ah, this—

Will places like this become 'legal' from now on?
However, compared to those superhumans who sell organs and kill people at will, they are insignificant now, aren't they?

Having witnessed the 'darkness' of Tokyo, Takashi's bottom line has been rapidly declining, and this kind of mutually agreed match doesn't seem so unacceptable anymore.

"The warm-up is over!"

"Now for today's main event—"

"The 'Kengan' battle, which is truly a stake on the company's assets, is between a martial artist representing Watanabe Heavy Industries: 'Stinger' Black Wolf!"

When the host came back on stage to introduce the topic, he was immediately met with a thunderous roar.

?

"Is the person going on next very famous?"

The cheers were so intense that the well-dressed, wealthy people stood up, loosened their ties, and roared with their necks flushed red.

Even Xiao, the 'newcomer,' could see it in this scene:
Next up are some heavyweight figures.

A barefoot man with a buzz cut, wearing a vest, white martial arts pants, and sporting a buzz cut, stepped into the octagon, raised his hand and waved slightly to the audience, displaying an air of authority.

"Of course!"

The maid looked at the man who was about to enter with longing and envy.

"This is Lord Black Wolf, codenamed 'Stinger'."

"But it's a master of the 'Strong Dog' level!"

For ordinary people, strong dogs are already experts they can only look up to.

The 'weak dog' and 'dog' level superhumans are in the most awkward position: although they have surpassed ordinary people, they cannot ignore modern firearms and are still prone to dying on the spot when faced with a gun attack.

Unfortunately, their flesh and blood are extremely precious, making them coveted by many forces.

Instead of spending a lot of money to win them over, it's better to do a one-off deal.

'Hunting' targeting low-level superhumans
It's no secret that Tokyo's underworld exists.

Even among the extraordinary, there are differences. For example, those protected by the Kasakain family are not someone anyone dares to provoke. Everyone treats them with utmost respect, as if the whole world is a fairy tale: facing Yu-kun, the 'strongest Onmyoji of our time' who can seal the rift to the underworld, who would dare to seek death?
If they fall into that person's hands, their souls will probably be tormented for decades!

They didn't even have the chance to become ghosts.

And low-level extraordinary beings...
"Today's challenger is a newcomer from Chiba Shipping, codenamed 'Miss'!"

Tap tap tap,

On the other side, a tall young lady in a formal dress stepped into the octagon.

This look surprised everyone.

She really is a 'young lady'!
"Do not misunderstand,"

As soon as this 'young lady' with long black hair appeared, she raised her hand and pointed at the man opposite her.

"You are the challenger."

?

"This young lady."

The man named 'Black Wolf' had dark skin and clearly loved sunbathing. With his buzz cut and vest, he looked like a muscular, rough man, but surprisingly, he had a good temper.

"This is not a dinner party. It would be a real shame to ruin your expensive dress by getting it dirty."

"So, may you admit defeat?"

Fighting against an opponent like this?
The man named 'Black Wolf' couldn't help but shake his head.

"That won't do,"

"You have to fight me, or I'll make sure the company behind you goes bankrupt immediately!"

???

However, when the young lady on the other side opened her mouth, even the audience fell silent.

"Where did the owner of Chiba Shipping find someone like this?"

An arrogant guy?
Their intention was to bankrupt Watanabe Heavy Industries!
However, the girl's every move and tone of voice are something that ordinary people cannot imitate.

Without a doubt, it was a young lady from a prestigious family who personally took part in the event.

What the hell is going on?

What they wanted to see was a brutal, blood-splattering battle. The bandaged swordsman from before was one thing, but now even a lady in a formal dress had appeared.
Although the outfits of high-level superhumans are very unique, this is Zone E, which is geared towards ordinary wealthy people.

Shouldn't there be no truly strong individuals?
"Referee, let's get started!"

Some people in the audience started urging them on, and after the referee signaled that both sides were ready, he raised his hand and swung it down sharply.

"start!"

Before the referee's voice had even faded, the 'young lady' with her straight, long hair charged at 'Black Wolf' first, clenching her fists into a defensive stance and throwing a punch without any hesitation.

This was a 'standard' straight punch, as standard as a beginner's: but the whooshing sound of the punch made 'Black Wolf' put away his contempt.

He carefully shielded his face with his arms, blocking the punch squarely.

Good strength, starting at the dog level.
brush--

The next moment, 'Young Miss' kicked out with her right leg, her shin aimed at 'Black Wolf's' crotch.

Hey,
Isn't this the standard 'anti-wolf technique'?
The 'Black Wolf,' both amused and exasperated, took a step back, raised his hand, and pressed down to block the opponent's long, unsteady leg.

"This is what extraordinary combat is?"

Even Xiao, who was watching from the audience passage, couldn't help but speak up.

Putting aside the 'Black Wolf' for now, the person codenamed 'Young Lady'—is she really a young lady? Her offensive and defensive footwork is all very methodical. Although she fights with great force and looks impressive with the help of superhuman strength, is she just joking when facing a martial artist of the same level?

"Mr. Shura, this is a dog-level transcendent."

(End of this chapter)