Super Fighting Tokyo.

Shiraki Shiraki added, "For Baki Hanma, he just wants to beat his dad, not compete with him for the title of the world's strongest—right?"

Baki pursed his lips. "That's exactly right."

Shiraki Cheng paused for a moment, then suddenly said, "Brother Baki gets very happy every time he mentions Father."

Baki was taken aback. "Really...?"

"Yes!"

Shiraki patted Baki on the back, "And it's a kind of happiness that's completely different from when we're talking about Pico or other people."

"..."

Upon hearing this, Baki suddenly fell silent, his thoughts drifting back to the past.

Five years ago, when he was only thirteen years old, he challenged Yujiro Hanma.

Many of his friends at the time, including Kaoru Hanayama and Yuri, went to witness the tragic ending.

In order to protect Baki, who was beaten to the point of death, his mother, Akazawa Eju, challenged Hanma Yujiro and was ultimately killed.

In the five years that followed, Baki repeatedly asked himself the same question—

Does he really hate that hateful father?

Or to put it more deeply, was "Hanma Yujiro" really the enemy who killed "Shuzawa Eju"?

This is something that definitely needs to be considered.

After all, Baki knew very well that his mother was not the kind of ordinary mother that the world saw.

Even her own son, who was her blood relative, meant nothing to her.

Zhu Zejiangzhu—she did not die for her son, but for love.

"..."

Baki spoke, slowly recalling, "On that day, I fought against Yujiro."

"My father's straight punch hit my face, etching his invincibility into every inch of my bones and blood."

"I was struck hard and lay on the ground, my consciousness fading."

"It was then that I witnessed an unforgettable scene—"

"Suddenly, Mom came out and stood in front of the strongest creature on Earth."

"Not only that, Mom also shouted 'Yujiro' and then punched that huge, fierce face."

Baki's gaze was distant.

"Mom straightened her back, proudly, and uttered a single sentence—"

"I'll be your opponent!!"

"Then, the father, Yujiro, hugged his mother tightly, and his mother hugged him tightly in return."

At this point, Baki couldn't help but smile wryly.

"But Dad, he's hugging me way too tightly!"

"—And so, the end came."

Baki looked at Shiraki.

"Brother Shiraki, you can understand, right? What does it really mean to stand in front of Yujiro Hanma, even touch him, and declare war on him?"

"It was my mother who switched places with me, took everything for me, and saved my life."

"I am already very satisfied."

"It is because of that saying that I was able to become stronger."

"The immense power within me all comes from those words my mother spoke."

Baki raised an eyebrow slightly, already looking relaxed.

"Brother Bai Mu just said that because of the 'conditions' that occurred, an 'encounter with a zero probability' can happen."

"From this perspective, it is because of my mother's words that I have been able to live to this day and have this encounter with you all."

"..."

The two remained silent for a long time before reaching an intersection.

Baki gently wiped away the tears from the corners of his eyes. "Thank you so much, Shiraki-san. You've really gone to a lot of trouble to hear so much about my family."

Shiraki Cheng, of course, didn't care. "—This is Hanma Baki."

Baki's mood returned to normal. "So, I'm also grateful for meeting Pico, because it was the first time I'd ever seen him like that, it was really great!"

Seeing the cheerful boy's expression, Bai Mucheng became a little bothered and looked awkward. "I was thinking about Pike too, so don't worry about it!"

Baki laughed heartily, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

"..."

The two said goodbye to each other at the intersection.

Baki turned and left, preparing to run all the way home.

As for Baki Hanma—

The indescribable emotions began to surface at the moment of parting.

He wanted to surpass his father.

He was destined to defeat his father.

But this was not revenge; rather, it was his way of repaying his mother's love.

"..."

Shiraki looked at Baki's retreating figure.

This 18-year-old boy has maintained such an intense daily routine for more than ten years.

To become stronger tomorrow, we must work even harder today.

That's how Baki became the Baki we know today!

This is a one-of-a-kind item, unparalleled in the world.

"...How enviable."

Shiramu walked leisurely down the street with his hands in his pockets.

……

……

The following morning.

Fighting Spirit Martial Arts Hall, training ground inside the courtyard.

Shiraki stood barefoot and naked in the arena.

He assumed a stance and waited quietly for a long time. His consciousness gradually surged, causing the surroundings to ripple like ink, eventually outlining a human figure.

He was a burly man wearing a cloak, with a few strands of white hair hanging down, exuding a sense of brokenness and madness.

Its name is Vega.

{snort!}

Vega crossed his arms and slightly raised his chin.

{Power attracts power... understand?}

Those who crave power in order to become strong will inevitably seek out opponents against whom they can wield their power.

Of course, Shiraki Cheng understands.

Even when facing Vega—facing that mental power that almost tore him apart—Shiraki Cheng still couldn't help but think of Pico.

That unusually large, ferocious hand...

You could feel the strong tendons and the terrifying mobility of those feet...

There's also the clear gaze that seems to hold the fire of the primordial, and the skin, the corners of the mouth, the well-developed canines... and of course, the fighting stance!

All of this deeply attracted Shiraki Cheng.

How exactly should I fight?

Thinking about these things, Bai Mucheng couldn't help but feel a tickle in his throat and an overwhelming thirst rising in his heart.

{……snort!}

Vega sensed Shiramu Cheng's feelings, gave a casual hum, and a sinister gaze emanated from his pale eyes.

{Compared to those who seem to know me well...}

Someone who understands what I crave is more useful to me.

His arms, which were crossed over his chest, suddenly opened, and he rotated his hands in front of him, then moved his feet and assumed a side stance.

Extend your left arm forward, spread your fingers and press down, while raising your right arm in a half-clenched position, level with your chest.

{Alright, come fight me.}

"..."

Bai Mucheng focused his mind and calmed his breath.

The next moment—

Vega's figure suddenly became blurry; it turned out he had pushed off the ground and charged forward at high speed, closing the distance between them in an instant.

【Charge with Fighting Spirit】!

Ode!

The instant he brought Shiraki into his attack range, Vega suddenly twisted his waist and hips, unleashing a high-level whip kick.

Bang!

The white wooden support held up both arms to block.