"Achoo!" I sneezed.
Was someone talking about me?
"Got a cold?" Goku asked.
"No." I replied, shaking my head. "So this is the destination?"
"Yep." Goku grinned.
You might be wondering what we're talking about.
It all started when I heard Goku talk about an "Underground Fight Ring" over the phone. I curiously asked him about it, and after explaining it he suggested that we go see it.
The "Underground Fight Ring" is exactly what it sounds like. Two people in a ring fight until one either yields or is unable to continue fighting. There are no rules, except for that weapons are banned. The only weapons allowed is the fighter's own body.
Most of the time it's an one-on-one fight, but sometimes they mix it up. They take place once a week and there are multiple fights.
The audience can bet on who wins to earn money, and whichever fighter wins in their respective fight also wins the designated prize money for that match.
Sounds fairy simple, except most of the fighters are incredibly skilled people. Whether they be Yakuza, Assassins, or Mercenaries, they're all incredibly skilled.
Because it's an Underground Fight Ring.
And Goku, being the head of one of the two prominent Yakuza families, obviously is connected to the Underground Fight Ring.
So, that leaves the question. Why am I interested?
First, it's a ring fight. Back in my previous world, I found fights in the UFC quite entertaining and interesting. I wasn't able to watch it often due to the fact I worked a lot and used most of my free time with Kira or watching Heaven's Hell, but I did watch a couple matches.
Second, I believe this can have benefits for the future as well, especially with the upcoming fourth arc.
In the anime the "Underground" of Tokyo was never explored, so I wasn't completely sure if it existed. It's only now that I can confirm that it does.
The reason why being connected to the Underground is so important is because of the main conflict in Arc 4.
Arc 4, Amber's Arc, is also known as...
The Taiyou-Takao War.
Remember when I said there are two prominent Yakuza families? The Taiyou Family are the good, legal ones.
It's the Takao that are dangerous. They're the type to knock on your door and demand a "protection fee" so that they don't beat you up and steal your money anyways. They're the types that terrorize the streets. Luckily the Taiyou Family manage them.
Near the beginning of the story they suddenly go quiet, and it isn't until this Arc that the reason why is discovered.
The Takao Family ends up re-emerging from the shadows, declaring war on the Taiyou Family. But they're not alone, now backed by Lupercio's minions.
The reason this Arc is so dangerous is because of the fact that it's a whole-ass Gang War. While the last Arcs were assassination attempts, a whole war across the streets of Tokyo is caused.
It's so vicious that it even forces the Tokyo Government to get involved, sending out officers and adventurers to help the Taiyou stop the destruction of the Takao Family.
Many innocent civilians of Tokyo die in this Arc, and plenty of chaos was created to fuel Demon King Lupercio.
That's why being connected to the Underground will be incredibly helpful. If I can find an Information Broker here, then I can learn right when the Takao Family re-emerges from the shadows, and possibly their movements as well.
But there's also another benefit. This should also help me learn the actions of another group that emerges during this time.
The Cult Of Excalibur.
At the end of Season 1, Eric's yanderes end up creating a cult for him.
Yeah...they're insane...
Anyways, this should help me with knowing about their actions. The actual actions that The Cult Of Excalibur take are vague as the anime mostly follows Eric, who doesn't interact with his own cult much.
(Due to the fact he doesn't even know they worship him since he's a fairly dense motherfucker in the anime.)
All I know is that they team up with the Government and Taiyou Family against the Takao Family. The fact that the Takao Family isn't instantly crushed shows you the strength and number of Lupercio's minions.
After all, usually the Taiyou Family can keep the Takao Family in check.
All of these reasons are why having a connection to the Underground could be a great advantage to me.
Knowledge is Power.
My knowledge of the future is what has brought me so far, for better or worse. Knowing as much as possible will be essential for my survival.
The only issue is money. Maybe I can borrow some from Irene. I'm sure she won't mind, but I'll have to repay it in some way.
I shook myself out of my thoughts as we walked into the building.
That's enough inner monologuing for now.
I followed Goku as we moved through a hallway to a double door. Opening it, we were met with a huge room. The room had a square arena in the middle with stands that rose as they went further back.
Two men with incredibly large muscles were in the ring, both bleeding from multiple areas. They slammed into each other, fighting as the crowds cheered.
"Ah, it's been a while since I've been here." Goku grinned.
"Boss! It's good to see you here again!" A man said, walking up.
He had short brown hair with a scar stretching across his right eye. Over said right eye was a black eyepatch. He wore a simple white shirt and black slacks.
"Ah, One-Eye. It's good to see you too." Goku smiled.
One-Eye? Is that his nickname?
"Oh? Who is this?" One-Eye asked.
"This is Ken, my second best student." Goku grinned. "And Ken, this is One-Eye. The best Information Gatherer in all of the Taiyou Family."
How convenient.
"You must be good to have gotten that kind of praise from Boss." One-Eye commented. "Apparently you're second only to the Young Miss."
Young Miss? Oh, they must mean Amber. Since she's the daughter of Goku, they must call her Young Miss out of respect.
"You here to see the Young Miss' fight?" One-Eye asked.
"She has a fight today?" I asked. "Wait a second, she's a fighter?!"
"Yep." Goku grinned. "She's one of the strongest ones in the Fight Ring. She's slowly working her way up to becoming champion."
"Huh. Cool." I nodded.
"So, One-Eye, have you found anything new about the Takao Family?" Goku asked, now with a serious aura around him.
One-Eye sighed. "I'm afraid not, Boss. They've gone completely off the radar. I still have no clue on what they're doing."
"Damn it." Goku replied. "For them to be so quite and secretive...that's not like them. What the hell could they be doing?"
"I don't know." One-Eye replied, shaking his head. "But we should be ready. I have a bad feeling..."
"So do I." Goku nodded. "Well, continue to keep an eye out, and let me know right away if anything happens."
"Got it." One-Eye nodded. He then walked off to his seat.
"Hmm..." Goku hummed. He looked at his watch, checking the time. "This should be the Sixth Fight."
"The Sixth?" I asked.
"Yeah." Goku nodded. "There are ten fights today, the most skilled ones going later. Amber is the Eight Fight, while the Champion fights the challenger for the Tenth Fight."
That makes sense.
"Now before we head to our seats, let's go see Akiyama." Goku stated.
"Akiyama?" I questioned.
"He's a rich businessman and the person who manages the Underground Fight Ring. He's a prominent man in the Tokyo Underground, and a good friend of mine." Goku explained.
I nodded in understanding.
There was a glass booth above the top seats, which Goku and I started to head to. Reaching it, Goku knocked on the door.
A man with slicked black hair, piercing green eyes, a white suit, and a golden necklace around his neck opened the door.
Instantly his eyes brightened.
"Goku! My man, it's been a while!" He grinned, hugging him.
"It's been a while too Akiyama." Goku replied. "How are you?"
"Great! Come on in, come on in." Akiyama stated.
We entered the glass booth which had a couch and a table with a microphone. There were multiple TVs on the wall. The whole glass booth overlooked the Fighting Ring, the perfect place for the manager.
"Want some wine?" Akiyama asked, pouring a glass over the table.
"Of course." Goku grinned, grabbing the filled glass.
He and Akiyama sat on the couch. Goku patted the seat one the other side of himself, motioning me to sit next to him as well. As I sat down it seemed that Akiyama had finally noticed me.
"Hm? Who's this?" Akiyama wondered.
"This is Ken, my second best student." Goku grinned.
"Seriously? You only have this much pride in Amber. This kid must be a good one. How long has he suffered your tor- I mean training?" Akiyama asked.
"He started in January, so this is his 9th Month." Goku stated.
"Jeez, only Amber lasted that long." Akiyama replied, taking a sip of his drink. "Everyone else quit by then."
Before Goku could respond the door was suddenly slammed open by a man, panting heavily and shaking a lot.
"Hey, what's the big idea?" Calmly asked Akiyama, annoyed.
"One of the fighters for the Seventh Fight didn't arrive!" The man gasped.
"What?!" Akiyama explained. "And I'm just learning about this now?!"
"The Seventh? That's pretty high up." Goku commented. "What's the prize for that one?"
"3 Million Yen." Akiyama stated.
I felt myself let out an audible gasp.
"Seriously?!" Goku replied.
"Yeah." Akiyama sighed. "This is one of our larger days. I can't believe I'm just now hearing about this. I don't have anybody to replace him, nor the time to get a replacement! I'll have to skip it..."
A thought ran through my head, making me grin.
"Hey, if you don't mind..." I said, catching their attention.
"...Let me fight in his place."