Super Fighting Tokyo.

Bai Mucheng stretched out his scarred hand, leaned against the bed railing, and let out a long breath.

"In other words, I live a more 'cunning' life than Retsukai.

"The right ending, the things that should be done, the developments that should be made—these things never existed for me from the beginning."

"That's just the way it is. No matter what you—no matter what Retsukai-oh thinks—that's just the kind of person Shiraki Cheng is."

Bai Mucheng stared at the astonished Lie Haiwang, his smile earnest and frank.

"I don't want you to be eaten."

"That's why I saved you, whether Retsu Kaioh accepts it or not—I exist."

Chapter 523 Envy-inducing

Lie Haiwang listened to Bai Mucheng's words with a look of astonishment.

He anticipated that, given Shiramu Cheng's personality, he would not dodge or evade, but would calmly accept the punch he had thrown.

But he never imagined that Shiramu Cheng's thoughts would be so "pure".

It's so utterly pointless that it's a completely unnecessary question!

to be honest--

Bai Mucheng's act of saving people was not out of any moral high ground or other complex considerations, but simply because Bai Mucheng was that kind of person.

"..."

Bai Mucheng looked down at Lie Haiwang's two legs.

"Look at those amazing legs!"

"—It's really beautiful."

"To use a metaphor, it's like the wild animals we commonly see."

"For example, an eagle has wings that allow it to soar through the sky, sharp talons that can tear its prey apart, a sharp beak, and eyes..."

"Whether it's Pike or Retsu, they don't need any extra decorations. Just existing and living is beautiful enough."

"This must be what 'functional beauty' is, right?"

"I want to see you keep playing like this."

Bai Mucheng touched his nose and found that the bleeding had stopped, which made him feel even better. He smiled and teased Lie Haiwang:

"So, don't be so cold..."

"..."

Upon hearing this, Lie Haiwang pursed his lips and lowered his head, two streams of hot tears already falling down his cheeks, dripping and soaking the sheets.

"Thank you, Shiraki, I am very grateful."

Retsukai murmured softly, then raised his head.

Since Shiraki Cheng does things in Shiraki Cheng's way, then I, Retsu Kaioh, should respond in Retsu Kaioh's style.

Thinking of this, Retsukai was already in tears, his face gleaming in the sunlight.

"Shiraki, you and I... are no longer friends—!"

"..."

With his hands in his pockets and a slight grin, Shiraki Cheng sighed leisurely, "Hmm, this is the Retsu Sea King!"

After saying that, he grabbed his coat and, without looking at Lie Haiwang anymore, turned and walked towards the door.

Squeak squeak~~~

The ward door opened, and Bai Mucheng stepped out.

……

"..."

After the door closed, Bai Mucheng looked around and noticed that besides Wu Fengshui, who had been waiting for a long time, and Ying Chu, who had come to join the fun, there was another person—

[Champion] Baki Hanma.

The strongest boy on Earth, having learned of what happened in the underground arena last night, came to visit Shirare Kaioh.

Unexpectedly, Bai Mucheng beat him to it.

So the handsome young man could only wait outside the door and eavesdrop on their conversation.

"That's really amazing..."

Baki stood with his hands in his pockets, leaning against the wall, looking serious.

"I heard that Retsu Kaioh wasn't bitten, but 'almost eaten,' and then Shiraki Cheng came to his rescue."

"—I even doubted my ears, because that's not something that would happen in our circle at all."

"..."

Upon hearing this, Bai Mucheng asked curiously, "Was it Retsu Haiwang who was almost eaten? Or did I save him?"

Baki admitted, "Both."

He used his back to spring himself off the wall and looked at Bai Mucheng.

The boy said earnestly, "Brother Bai Mu, please remember this: you have truly done something remarkable."

"Great, fantastic!"

Bai Mucheng smiled faintly, turned and left with Wu Fengshui, leaving the boy with a waving goodbye.

……

……

After Shiramu Cheng and Wu Fengshui left, Baki also entered the ward.

Despite being severely injured, Retsu Kaioh did not feel disturbed; on the contrary, he wanted to talk to someone.

Baki Hanma's arrival at this time couldn't be more perfect.

"..."

Retsukai rubbed his face, wiping away his tears. "You came very quickly too."

Baki stood in front of the hospital bed and looked Retsu Kaioh up and down. "Although he is seriously injured, he will recover one day."

"indeed."

Retsu nods and looks out the window. "Just as I said before, this is a shameful thing."

Baki, however, held a different opinion.

"Turning brothers and sisters into weapons—that's how Lie lived his life."

"Now, you almost lost a part of your body, but it was saved thanks to the help of others—this is a fact to be thankful for."

"However……"

Baki looked at Retsu Kaioh, "Whether your legs are still there or not, you are suffering because of your own heart."

"Please be proud of this pain."

"The reason why a rare martial artist like Lie Haiwang is a treasure of the martial arts world is precisely because he has such a high level of spirit."

"—This is a kind of unrestrained elegance that belongs only to Lie."

As Baki finished speaking, he glanced out the window and saw Shiraki Sei and Wu Fengshui just walking out of the hospital, so he added with a smile.

"And this situation is the epitome of another person's carefree attitude—Shiraki Cheng."

"Brother Bai Mu is really dashing..."

Baki recalled his fight with Mr. Unchain Bisket O. Oliver at an Arizona state prison not long ago.

He even kidnapped the President of the United States for that battle.

As a result, Baki was badly beaten by Oliva, and the match ended in a pyrrhic victory for the boy, who truly learned what it meant to be "the freest on earth".

"Lie, Brother Baimu sees you as a friend, not a warrior."

Baki walked to Retsu Kaioh's bedside and casually picked up an orange.

“Brother Bai Mu knows that ‘not wanting to see a friend injured’ and ‘respecting a soldier’ are two different things—he is free to choose.”

"That's so carefree, it's enviable..."

"..."

Upon hearing this, King Liehai nodded and repeated:

"That's why I said I'm extremely grateful..."

"Therefore, in order to respond to Shiraki, I decided to end our friendship and cut ties with him."

King Retsukai spoke with unusual resolve.

However, just as Baki was about to leave, Retsu Kaioh called him back, pointing to the bedside table and saying, "Shiraki's sunglasses are behind. Take them and give them back to him."

Blade Ya: "..."

Baki: "Eh~~~??"

The boy drew out the last syllable, grinning as he teased, "So, to put it bluntly, it's just a temporary breakup, right?"

Retsukai blushed and frowned without saying a word.

……

……

Baki bids farewell to Retsu Kaioh and leaves the hospital.

He was wearing sunglasses by Shiramu Cheng, and casually tossing an orange in his right hand as he walked, pondering something.