Super Fighting Tokyo.

"You made it clear from your argument about victory and defeat that night that whether you win or lose the battle, it's not a bad thing in your eyes."

"Similarly, whether you are angered by my words or enjoy the dessert in front of you, it is a journey for you."

"—That's truly an extraordinary level!"

"..."

These compliments made Bai Mucheng a little embarrassed, making it difficult for him to remain angry and leaving him with no reason to take action directly.

Seeing this, the head of the unit took a sip of tea with peace of mind.

He ate his own dessert, melting the thin sugar coating with his tongue before slowly savoring the delicate red bean paste.

rustling...

Headquarters took another sip of hot tea to calm themselves down.

"I can tell, Brother Shiraki."

Headquarters raised its eyes and stared at Shiraki Sei in front of it.

"Ever since that night when you met Musashi and spoke of the so-called 'strike without striking,' you've been wanting to hit someone."

"It must be very enjoyable to use the dangerous moves and techniques you've learned to hit your opponent, right?"

“Although you are also a modern fighter, I believe you can understand this feeling.”

The headquarters slowly said:

"To me, a dojo full of weapons is a toy box."

"And for Shiraki Cheng, those countless fighting techniques developed for 'fighting' are just an amusement park, right?"

The headquarters couldn't help but laugh, and began to analyze Shiraki Sei's psychology.

“Modern martial artists often talk about things like ‘self-defense techniques,’ and I certainly agree with that, using them to protect myself and others.”

"But ultimately, just like you said, Brother Baimu, all the blows and techniques, all the battles and the power, ultimately point to one result—"

"To end the life of the opponent before me."

"The essence of techniques and combat that can be 'launched' lies in this, and it is also their 'mission'."

The headquarters let out a soft sigh.

"I understand you, I understand everything, because I feel the same way."

“Brother Bai Mu, I agree with your decision to continue exploring. Your questioning of ‘what is strength’ is something I should learn from.”

"But unfortunately..."

The head of the unit then changed the subject, saying, "If you want to continue fighting Miyamoto Musashi, you must first get past me, 'Honbu Izo.'"

Bai Mucheng chewed on his yogurt jelly, raising an eyebrow. "So..."

The commander declared earnestly, "I will kill Miyamoto Musashi before you do!!"

"..."

These words were truly powerful and resounding, even causing countless weapons within the training ground to resonate and buzz.

Looking at the serious-faced headquarters staff, Shiraki Shigeaki rested his chin on one hand.

He scratched his cheek, his eyes darting around, and recalled, "Mr. Headquarters, I've heard of your deeds."

The head of the unit raised an eyebrow, looking somewhat pleased.

Bai Mucheng continued, "You are a practical jujitsu master, a rare successor of ancient martial arts in modern times, and an expert proficient in all eighteen weapons."

The head of the department smiled, clearly pleased.

"besides……"

Shiraki Shigeo squinted. "In that 'Tokyo Dome Underground Championship,' on your 50th birthday, you faced off against 'current Yokozuna of Grand Sumo,' Kinryuzan."

The old man in the headquarters blushed, feeling uncomfortable and immediately became unhappy.

Shiraki Shigeki grinned and said, "In the arena, the Jujutsu Masters Headquarters grabbed the little finger of the current sumo Yokozuna and tried to break it off with a finger strike."

"However, the master of the main branch misjudged the power of the 'sumo wrestler's little finger' and inadvertently lost the initiative, ultimately allowing Kinryuzan to take the victory."

Shiraki, his hands resting on his knees, concluded in a deep voice: "The mighty Izou of the main club has been defeated in one round, stopping at the top 32 of the 'Strongest Tournament'!"

Headquarters: "..."

Headquarters scratched his head, looking embarrassed, and muttered under his breath, "The wrestler is really amazing... his little finger is really strong..."

Then came comments about how strong and sturdy sumo yokozuna are, which filled the dojo with an awkward atmosphere.

Bai Mucheng didn't seem to care and continued:

"Although the ranking of a single match is not enough to tell the whole story, it is still interesting to think about it carefully."

"The top 32, Honbu Izo, actually said he would protect—the top 8 'Martial God' Guji Doppo, the top 4 'Martial Saint' Shibukawa Goki, and the 'Fist Hero' Retsu Kaioh..."

"Even the runner-up, [Monster] Jack Hanma, and [Champion] Baki Hanma."

"Besides that, we also have to protect the strongest creature on earth, Yujiro Hanma, and the peerless Miyamoto Musashi!"

"With the physiques of those thirty-two strong men;"

"With the technology of those top 32!"

"Pfft, hahaha..."

"..."

Shiraki chuckled softly, but the headquarters had anticipated this.

Just as the headquarters was about to make a self-deprecating joke, Shiraki Cheng suddenly spoke up again.

"Not bad, fantastic!"

Shiraki admitted the truth: "I believe you, Mr. Headquarters."

Headquarters: "..."

Headquarters: "Eh~~~~?"

The headquarters staff immediately widened their eyes.

He had assumed that Bai Mucheng, knowing his record of being among the top 32, would think his "protection" was just boasting.

But to my surprise, Shiraki Cheng had this kind of attitude.

Headquarters was a bit confused. One eyebrow was raised, and one eye was bigger than the other. "Looks like you're not surprised at all?"

Shiraki nodded, "Because the dignified 'Honbu Izo' is not someone who talks big, otherwise he wouldn't be 'Honbu Izo'."

"..."

Upon hearing this, the headquarters recalled that night.

Miyamoto Musashi said: If swords could be separated from one's body, Miyamoto Musashi would not be "Miyamoto Musashi".

Shiraki Sei also said: If he can no longer fight, Shiraki Sei will no longer be "Shiraki Sei".

"The same applies now...?"

The head of the headquarters looked on with a distant gaze, and even felt a sense of relief. "Thank you, Shiraki-kun."

Shiraki Sei ate the last bite of dessert.

"Because I can gradually sense the killing intent hidden in the battle and the moves, I can roughly sense it too..."

“I am well aware that the ‘modern jujitsu master’ Honbu Izo in the arena is not the whole story; the ‘real combatant’ Honbu Izo is the real me.”

Shiraki looked at the headquarters, "—So this is what you mean, Mr. Headquarters."

Headquarters nodded. "It's alright, about right."

"..."

As they spoke, the two understood each other and slowly stood up.

The headquarters slowly said, "Although the actual developments have differed somewhat from my expectations, the arrow is already on the bowstring and must be released..."

He stood up and looked at Bai Mucheng, his legs bent, his left foot slightly forward, and his arms hanging naturally at his sides.

That's the posture.

The headquarters has adopted a certain combat stance!

"How exactly is Shiraki Sei's fighting skill level...?"

"Your fighting spirit, which doesn't seek to reach the pinnacle but only to 'fight your way out,' has taken you to another level that is truly awe-inspiring."

"You and Baki Hanma are both super top students who can score 120 out of 100."

"but--"

"That's the limit. After all, there are only so many limbs and body parts that can be used to perform fighting techniques. There will only be fewer, not more, so at most it's 120 points."

"Then... what about me?"

Headquarters raised his chin.

"What about the unarmed combat skills of modern Jiu-Jitsu master Motobu Izo?"

"60 points? 70 points? No matter how lenient the grading is, it won't exceed 80 points."

"but……"

The main body then changed the subject, saying, "Swords, spears, staffs, scythes, ropes, and even ninjutsu—if you put all of these on me, I'd score at least 300 points."

Upon hearing this, Shiraki Cheng could not hide his excitement and focused all his attention on the headquarters in front of him.

Shiraki Cheng twisted his neck, making a cracking sound, "Alright, Mr. Headquarters, then use your 300 points to stop me from continuing."

Unexpectedly, headquarters suddenly spoke up, "I have already stopped it."

Shiramu Cheng: "..."

Shiraki Cheng: "...Huh?"

Headquarters tilted his head, gesturing to the plate of yokan on the ground that had already been eaten, "I put poison in the dessert, a paralyzing poison. You'll probably feel weak all over, right?"

Shiraki Cheng: "Eh~~~~???"