Martial artists can never be ultimately insulted.

Compared to Yamashita Kazuo's astonishment, the people around him were clearly surprised by something else.

It's important to know that Katahara Metsudo rarely appears at matches of this scale, and he certainly wouldn't walk directly into the ring area right after a match ends and while the winner is still catching their breath.

But he came today, and then he came down.

"Haha, long time no see, everyone. I've enjoyed a very satisfying match." Katahara Metsudo said as he walked, his tone as calm as if he were taking a stroll in his own backyard, but his old eyes were fixed on Yuan Chen the whole time.

Upon arriving before Yuan Chen, Katahara Metsudo stopped, offering no pleasantries or formalities. After a brief scrutiny, he nodded to Yuan Chen, then turned to Nogi Hideki beside him and said:

"Looks like your wish has been dashed, Nogi."

"..." Upon hearing this, after a moment of silence, Nogi Hideki said expressionlessly, "Perhaps... but I never expected you to go to such lengths to come here in person..."

Upon hearing Nogi Hideki's words, Katahara Metsudou nodded calmly, showing little concern. He then turned his gaze to Kano Gen beside him and said:

"It's a bit of a pity, but it seems your chance has been taken away too..."

"I don't feel much regret."

Upon hearing Katahara Metsudou's words, Kano Gen shook his head and looked at Yuan Chen, saying, "Although I'm not entirely sure what President Ibuki of Sakura-sou Yakiniku's attitude is, according to President Ibuki, Yuan Chen and Chun-Li will be in charge of all matters related to the Kengan Association..."

Shrugging, Kano Gen said calmly, "I'm sure you can see that too, right? A good man like that can't possibly refuse any storm."

“Yes, just like a fisherman who won’t miss any opportunity to pull a big fish.” Upon hearing this, Katahara Metsudou laughed, and a strange aura began to emanate from his whole body.

Looking at Yuan Chen beside him, Pian Yuan Miedang was clearly over a hundred years old, but he still gave people the feeling of a demon in the shadows.

From within the pitch-black figure, a pair of eyes, like points of light, gazed at Yuan Chen. Katahara Mitsudo spoke calmly and slowly:

"According to the rules of the Kengan Association, as long as the approval of fifty Kengan Association members is obtained, a 'battle for the position of president' can be forcibly launched."

"!!!"

Upon hearing Katahara Metsudou's words, everyone present looked astonished.

"Wait a minute, if that's the case, doesn't that mean the Kengan Match between the Nogi Group and the Kodai Group is essentially a contest for voting rights?!"

"If that's the case, then it makes sense that Chairman Katahara would use his chairmanship privileges! Did he think that Steel Generation Group might lose, so he directly used his chairmanship privileges to parachute into Yuan Chen to ensure that the vote would fail?!"

"Wow! That's really... If I remember correctly, the Nogi Group put up a 50 billion yen contract to launch this Kengan Match!"

"As expected of the president, even if Tokita Ohma defeats Genjin, he will still be seriously injured. Even if he waits until next week to have a Kengan match with Sekibayashi Jun, Tokita Ohma will not be able to fully recover..."

"So, Sakura-sou Charcoal Grilled Meat is actually the president's secret agent? No wonder they have a fighter of Yuan Chen's caliber..."

It's no wonder people have similar thoughts, because Sakura-sou Yakiniku's rise in the Kengan Association has been too rapid, and for a company of Sakura-sou Yakiniku's size, the level of a fighter like Yuan Chen is simply too high.

Although the Quanyuan Association itself did not impose any restrictions, there is an old saying in the Tang Dynasty that says, "The Xixi dancer is... wrong, it is a good bird choosing a good tree to perch on."

The Kengan Association selects fighters from among its companies, and the fighters also select their respective companies. Aside from the fact that different company presidents might lead to different development directions, the Kengan competitions held by larger companies are also more frequent and intense than those held by ordinary companies.

Just like a competition, the number of martial artists attracted by a bounty of one thousand is completely different from the number attracted by a bounty of one million.

In this situation, given the scale of Sakura-sou BBQ, Yuan Chen's level as a fighter is clearly far beyond the norm.

In particular, Sakura-sou yakiniku (grilled meat) is almost never developed within the Kengan Association, and even the right to initiate the match is directly transferred to Gentatsu Chun-Li, which naturally arouses the curiosity of many people.

Rather than believing that Sakura Ibuki was content with what she had, they were more inclined to believe that this was a divine intervention prepared long ago by Chairman Katahara.

Katahara Metsudo didn't seem to care, and simply said unhurriedly:

"In today's Kengan Arena, what they are fighting for is the right to vote in favor. If the Nogi Group wins, then the Kodai Group will have to abide by the contract and vote in favor. If the Kodai Group wins, then the Nogi Group will have to pay a loss of 50 billion yen in assets... But right now, neither of them has won or lost."

Looking at Yuan Chen, Pian Yuan Miedang's eyes were full of anticipation.

"Now, the decision is in your hands... Do you agree to start a battle for the chairmanship?"

“Of course.” Yuan Chen nodded, speaking almost without hesitation.

"As the winner and the authorized representative of the Kengan Association of Sakura-sou Charcoal Grilled Meat, I agree to hold the 'Kengan Association Presidentship Contest'."

? !

Upon hearing this, not only others, but even Nogi Hideki stared at Yuan Chen with wide eyes in astonishment.

Yuan Chen... really wasn't sent by the president? Then... then why...?

I can't have joined this fight just for the sake of fighting... right?

Nogi Hideki's spirit was deeply shaken.

"Huh?!?!"

Upon hearing Yuan Chen's words, everyone was taken aback at first, and then let out shouts of surprise and uncertainty.

"It's started?! A battle for the chairmanship?!"

"Really? Did I hear that right? Or did Yuan Chen say something wrong?!"

"Isn't Sakurasou Yakiniku (a Japanese barbecue restaurant) one of the student council president's subordinates? Why?!"

Upon hearing Yuan Chen's words, Katahara Metsudou's expression didn't change much. He simply looked at Yuan Chen with some curiosity and said, "Your... reaction is really too calm? Did She Xiang already tell you beforehand?"

"No!" Before Yuan Chen could speak, Katahara Sayaka couldn't help but lean out and say, "I just found out about this too!"

Standing beside Katahara Sayaka, Katahara Retsudou nodded. Although his expression was calm, his eyes were full of astonishment, clearly indicating that he had also just learned of this matter.

However, this only fueled Katahara Metsudo's curiosity, and he stared at Yuan Chen with expectant eyes, saying:

"If that's the case... young friend Yuan Chen, could you satisfy this old man's curiosity and explain why you made this decision?"

"Haven't you already explained the reason?"

Yuan Chen remained calm in response, clearly unaffected by any emotional or environmental pressures, and simply said unhurriedly:

"Whether it's waiting for my own storm or struggling with a giant fish in the water, you know the reason, don't you? After all, you've been looking forward to it for a very long time."

Upon hearing this, Katahara Metsudou finally couldn't help but laugh, a bright smile appearing on his deeply lined old face.

"Yes, I have been waiting for this for a long time, for more than fifty years, and finally I have found a young man who dares to challenge me!"

Upon hearing this, Nogi Hideki clenched his fists, feeling an invisible pressure surge up from Katahara Metsudo's withered body and rush towards him.

This even terrified Nogi Hideki, causing him to break out in a cold sweat.

This extraordinary sense of oppression still exists? No… it should be said that even at over a hundred years old, it is still 'growing'…

In response, Katahara Metsudo simply said with anticipation in his voice, "I announce that the conditions have been met! The Kengan Zemei Tournament will be held in two weeks."

Volume 1: 149 Eyes

After Katahara Metsudou finished speaking, the entire underground parking garage fell into a brief but complete silence. Then, with a loud bang, the crowd erupted in chaos.

Because everyone realized that this was not a joke, but real, and the Kengan Association was about to usher in a new round of competition for the chairmanship since the battle for the position sixty years ago!

In fact, this wasn't even instigated by someone else. Judging from the looks of it, it seems Katahara Metsudo himself was eager to get involved in this conflict?! Perhaps even personally orchestrated it?!

But why did he do this?

It's important to understand that the reason why the Kengan Association chairmanship battle took place 60 years ago, when Katahara Metsudo rose to power, was mainly because postwar Japan was undergoing reconstruction and ushering in a new round of rapid development.

Having experienced a golden age, in this era of increasingly rigid social classes, even if Katahara Metsudo does nothing, the enormous size accumulated by the Bank of Japan over the past sixty years will propel him forward.

In this situation, let alone if Yuan Chen took the initiative to agree to launch the chairmanship battle, even if Nogi Hideki and the others rose up to force him to resign, Katahara Mitsudo's abilities would be enough to easily settle things if he was willing to pay some price.

but now……

wrong.

People quickly realized that Gen Chen was, after all, someone Katahara Metsudo had planted using his chairmanship privileges. Although this was to ensure that Tokita Ohma could not win, which was reasonable, looking at Katahara Metsudo's rise to power, it was clear that this old madman had no shortage of crazy acts since he was young.

From another perspective… by intervening in the Kengan Arena through the president's privileges, and then actively initiating a battle for control… in other words—

Was the Kengan Chairmanship Contest initiated by Chairman Katahara himself?!

Whether it's true or not, at least at this moment, no one is sitting down anymore.

Some people had already taken out their phones and hurried to the corner, some had left in a hurry with their secret techniques, and others immediately began to check what other powerful fighters were available, hoping to try to rise to the top in the power struggle within the Kengan Association.

At the eye of the storm, Nogi Hideki stood still, his expression grave.

However, Katahara Metsudo didn't seem to care about Nogi Hideki's expression. He simply smiled leisurely and looked at Yuan Chen, saying:

"I initially thought I might need to use some underhanded methods to make this happen. But I didn't expect it to start so easily so quickly~ Truly, heroes emerge from among the young!"

"well enough."

Yuan Chen shrugged indifferently.

However, Katahara Metsudo clearly liked Genji's personality. After hearing Genji's casual response, he was not angry at all. Instead, he looked behind him with a sigh and said:

"I had some doubts before, but now I understand why you think so highly of this kid. By the way, do any of you want to attend this grand event?"

Upon hearing Katahara Metsudo's words, Wu Huili calmly stepped out of the shadows and said with a light laugh:

"Of course, my Wu clan will not be absent from such a grand event... After all, Lei An has been talking about A-Chen quite a bit lately."

"Huh? I'm reciting it?" Upon hearing this, Wu Lei'an, following behind Wu Huiliyang, said with a look of disgust:

"Old man, you really are getting senile, aren't you? I don't remember ever saying anything like that!"

“He hasn’t been muttering about it.” Wu Qixi nodded in agreement, then waved to Yuan Chen as she said, “He’s much more composed than before, and he’s been practicing much harder. He’s even picked up the secret techniques again…”

"Hey!"

Seeing Wu Horiki's rambling and incessant chatter, Wu Lei'an interrupted him with a look of displeasure:

"How come I never knew you were so long-winded? Nobody asked you! Can you shut up? If you want to fight, just say so!"

Upon hearing Wu Lei'an's words, Wu Hori showed no sign of anger whatsoever. He simply reached out and made a zipping motion over his mouth to indicate that he was okay.

Although the movements sound lively, Wu Horixi has a naturally honest face, so even such lively movements appear unusually calm... even somewhat stiff.

However, Yuan Chen understood Wu Horixi's meaning and gave an OK sign, while Wu Horixi nodded silently, thus completing the secret exchange.

Seeing the two exchanging glances, Wu Lei'an grimaced in annoyance, but ultimately said nothing.

The main point is that Wu Lei'an's changes during this period have been truly remarkable.

Although Wu Lei'an's temper and personality remained as bad as ever, if a conversation slightly displeased him, he would launch into sarcastic remarks and deliberately provoke him.

However, to be fair, compared to Wu Lei'an, who looked down on everyone in the Wu clan, thinking that all members of the Wu clan except himself were trash, and that clansmen who could not unlock liberation were the trashest of trash...

Good and bad are relative concepts.

Compared to his previous state of hissing and scratching people whenever he saw them, Wu Lei'an, who is now just not friendly, can definitely be considered a dignified and luxurious cat.

However, Yuan Chen didn't care. He simply gestured with his chin toward Wu Lei'an and said, "Remember to come and spar sometime."

“No problem.” Wu Lei’an sneered, “I’ve prepared a lot of surprises for you, which will definitely broaden your horizons.”

Upon hearing this, Yuan Chen's eyes also revealed a hint of interest: "Then I'll look forward to it."

Just as Yuan Chen was speaking, a voice came from the side: "Grandpa! Long time no see! How have you been lately?"

Hearing the girl's energetic voice, Wu Huili's face lit up, and then she said with a kind expression on her aged face, "Of course it's good! It's just that I haven't seen Garuda for a while, and Grandpa is almost... eh?"

Wu Huili turned around, expecting to see Wu Jialouluo happily embracing her.

However, somewhat unexpectedly, although Wu Jialouluo did run over happily, he went straight to Yuan Chen, hugged him, and turned back to look at Wu Huiliyang, saying:

"Grandpa, could you please hurry up with my marriage to Achen?"

Wu Huiliyang: "..."

Looking at Wu Jialouluo, who was clinging to Yuan Chen's arm with a face full of spring fever, Wu Huiliyang suddenly froze, standing there as if her soul had drifted away for some time.

Upon witnessing this scene and fully understanding Wu Huiliyang's "granddaughter's stupidity," Wu Lei'an immediately burst into laughter.

"Hahaha! Garuda seems to have been completely conquered by Yuan Chen~ His granddaughter is about to lose control~~~"

Strangely enough, Wu Huiliyang, who was on the verge of losing control, suddenly became displeased upon hearing Wu Lei'an's burst of laughter. She stretched out her cane and struck Wu Lei'an hard on the head before turning her gaze back to Yuan Chen.

Although he had toned down his expression, a closer look revealed a hint of dissatisfaction in his eyes.

But it was just dissatisfaction.

After staring at Yuan Chen for a while, Wu Huili nodded in satisfaction, the last trace of dissatisfaction on her face fading away almost instantly. She said slowly and deliberately:

“Achen’s potential has not yet fully developed, and Garuda, you are still immature. Marriage is inevitable, so there’s no rush.”

Upon hearing this, Wu Jialouluo pouted unhappily, but knowing that his grandfather was doing it for his own good, he didn't say anything more.

Seeing Garuda's unhappy face, Wu Huiliyang sighed with genuine emotion, saying that daughters grow up and leave home, which made Wu Lei'an laugh out loud again.

But the two old people didn't seem to care at all. In fact, Wu Huili looked at Tianma Xiwang and the others behind Yuan Chen with great interest and said: