Japan

At Kazuo's workplace, his coworkers were all muttering amongst themselves

Coworker:did you hear that Mr.Yamashita is taking a paid vacation?

Coworker:finally? After all this time?

Coworker:yeah. And he's taking 10 days all at once. Rumor is that he's on a secret job for the chairman.

In the supervisors office, he was furious looking at the request for paid leave

Supervisor:*CURSE YOU, YAMASHITA!!!!*

Meanwhile Kazuo was at home sitting in front of his eldest sons door

Kazuo:so that's how it is...I'll be away on a business trip for 10 days...I-I left you some spending money in a cabinet over the stove.

Inside the room, Kenzo was quietly leaned against the door with a blank expression on his face

Kazuo:...call me if anything happens, okay? W-Well, I'll be off now, Kenzo.

Kenzo:*The tournament is finally beginning. Let the battle to become ruler of the nation...begin.*

Later that day, once the Sun had set, hundreds of people stood around gathered at a port, nearby there was a massive cruise ship

Kazuo was with (y/n) and Akiyama

Kazuo:there are so many people here...

Akiyama:the number of entries in this annihilation tournament is 151 companies. Meaning 151 competitors are going to battle while aiming for the top.

(Y/n) started rubbing his right eye as he scanned the crowd, he was back to wearing the compression shirt and sweatpants

Male voice:THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR YOUR PATIENCE!

Everyone waiting turned towards the massive ship to see dozens of large men in suits, they were the personal guards of Metsudo Katahara, The Guards

Guard:We will now begin boarding procedures.

Kazuo gulped nervously at none of the bodyguards lacked the presence of real fighters

Guard:those with invitations are welcome...to board the Kengan Cruise Ship.

He pointed toward the massive ship

Kazuo:look how gorgeous it is...

Akiyama:it is the largest luxury cruise ship in the world.

(Y/n) looked towards the ramp at the cruise ship and saw Nogi entering with Hatsumi, Sekibayashi entering with Gen and Setsuna entering with Shion

(Y/n) sighed

Kazuo:is...is something the matter?

(Y/n):is it a bad time to mention I get motion sick?

Kazuo started chuckling

Kazuo:hehe, I never knew you liked to joke.

Akiyama:even if that were true, a boat that size will have stabilizers that prevent any notable nausea.

Kazuo noticed a large number of association members walking up the ramp to the boat

Kazuo:w-wait, we never got an invitation though...

On cue, the bodyguard made another announcement

Guard:as for the rest of you that don't have an invitation, you will instead board this.

He turned and pointed past a wall of shipping containers at an ancient weathered cargo chip

Contestant:your making us board that piece of junk?!

Contestant:are you kidding me?!

Kazuo jaw was hanging wide open as he read the name on the side of its rusty hull "The Death"

Kazuo:*f-forget (y/n)...I'm the one who'll be seasick...*

After the remaining contestants boarded the weathered cargo ship, they'd been crammed into a small hallway

Kazuo:jeez...it really has that "jeez" feeling. Hehe, don't ya think?

He looked at his fighter, (y/n) looked miserable

Kazuo:*h-he wasn't joking? Oh that's right, if I compare him to older humans, they probably don't have much experience on the water either.*

Kazuo:but, what's going to happen to us in a place like this?

Akiyama:would you like some Dramamine?

A guard walking down from a staircase at the front of the hall

Guard:everyone, thank you all for waiting so long. Competitors, please proceed through this door into the room on the other side.

He pointed to his left at a rusty door

Guard:and as for everyone else, up these stairs.

He pointed at the staircase he'd just come from as fighters and managers started splitting up from each other

Kazuo:wa-wait a minute, that means we'll be split up.

(Y/n):this kinda crowd is more my speed.

He turned without hesitation and followed all the fighters through the door

(Y/n):Later.

Kazuo:wa-wait (Y/n), your leaving so soon?

Akiyama:let's go upstairs.

While (Y/n) entered what was likely the old cargo hold, dozens of other fighters stared him down

(Y/n):Are there any real fighters in this room?

He started looking around and noticed a hole in the ceiling towards the deck, a large cage was built around the opening where the managers were all looking down in their fighters

Kazuo was leaned against the cage looking down in amazement

Kazuo:w-wow there are so many, this is something to see!

Akiyama:Mr.Yamashita, please control your embarrassing behavior.

Kazuo saw (y/n) was looking up at him

Kazuo:oh! There's (Y/n)! I think he sees us!

Kazuo noticed he looked miserable

Kazuo:I-I should bring him something, I brought his bag with me so-

He knelt down to open (y/n)'s duffel bag

Akiyama:if it's just medication then I'll take it to him. Don't forget, you are a president for now.

Kazuo:for now?

Akiyama reached into her jacket and pulled out a small handbag

Akiyama:please, try to be dignified.

Kazuo:ri-right.

She started walking back towards the stairs as Kazuo stood back up to look at the fighters

Kazuo:*still, why are they keeping the employers and competitors separate?*

Suddenly someone grabbed his shoulders from behind which made kazuo yelp

Kazuo:*wh-whats going on?!*

He looked at the hands holding his shoulders, they were small and pale, like that of a woman

Female voice:you notice it too, don't you?

Kazuo:wh-what?

The woman behind him rested her head on Kazuo's right shoulder but he couldn't see her face

Woman:out of everyone down there...who do you think has the strongest eyes?

Kazuo was sweating profusely, in reality, the person behind him was no larger then 5'5 but in his mind, she gave off the presence of a towering monster

Kazuo:*Th-This crazy aura! Why does it feel...LIKE THIS PERSON HAS THEIR HANDS AROUND MY NECK?!?!*

Woman:hmm? Oh dear, I'm sorry.

She removed her head from his shoulder

Woman:I've been rude again. Forget I said anything. Later...Kazuo Yamashita.

She let go of his shoulders and Kazuo slowly turned around but, she was already gone, vanished into the crowd

Kazuo:*wh-who was that person...?*

He nervously looked back down towards the fighters

Kazuo:the...strongest eyes?

Akiyama entered the area with all the fighters and it didn't take her much time to find (y/n) due to his ridiculous height.

As she walked over to him, she pulled out a case of dramamine from her handbag

Akiyama:take this. It should help with the symptoms.

She held it out two pills and a bottle of water

(Y/n) rolled his eyes

(Y/n):will you go away if I say I don't want it?

Akiyama didn't even flinch as she continued offering out the medicine

(Y/n) scoffed in annoyance as he took the pills

Akiyama:don't act like such a child. It's unbecoming.

(Y/n) crossed his arms and looked away

(Y/n):...thanks, I guess.

Akiyama:do you need anything else before I go?

(Y/n) grunted while shaking his head subtly

Akiyama:very well, I'll be going then.

(Y/n):you aren't gonna stay for the show?

Akiyama paused and looked back at him

Akiyama:what is it you are referring to?

(Y/n):you see the strangeness, don't you?

Akiyama look at all the competitors and then up towards the managers watching

(Y/n):it's like gladiators in the Colosseum. Don't you wanna have front row seats...to something like this?

He looked over his shoulder with a grin

Akiyama:wait, don't tell me...

The massive bulkhead door slammed shut behind her as the fog horn began blaring out

Kazuo:wh-what just happened?

The dozens of speakers around the ship turned on

Captain:this is your captain speaking. ladies and gentlemen, employees and fighters. Thank you for waiting. Our ship has safely left port. This is also to inform you that the Kengan Annihilation Tournament's Preliminary Rounds are officially underway

Akiyama:what?

Kazuo:n-no one ever mentioned preliminaries!

Captain;the number of competitors in the tournament is 151. At president Katahara's invitation, 28 have been locked into their spot for the main battle. Five more can participate in the main battle, all of you here will fight in a battle Royale. You have until first light.

(Y/n):*math isn't my strong suit but...that's an uneven number, does that mean there is an additional fighter already prepared?*

Akiyama started banging on the massive steel door

Akiyama:excuse me, I'm not suppose to be in here! I'm not a fighter!

The guards on the other side of the door didn't even flinch at hearing her calling

Captain:from here on, any contact with the competitors is prohibited for any reason. Please enjoy watching the event from the skylight above the field.

Kazuo:*th-this is bad news! A-Akiyama is in danger down there!*

Captain:the bookmaker on the deck is also holding a game. Those of you confident in your predictions, do feel free to place your bets.

(Y/n) chuckled

(Y/n):seems they aren't gonna let you out till this is over. What do you say, how about you join in the fight?

Akiyama walked up to him and chopped his forehead doing no damage, she barely managed to do this since she was so much smaller then him

(Y/n):eh?

All the other competitors began brawling

Akiyama:are you an idiot?

(Y/n):jeez, what was that for?

Akiyama:don't you realize it's your fault I'm trapped here in the first place?

She poked him in the chest

Akiyama:This is obviously your fault, so you'll be taking responsibility to protect me until the preliminary is over.

(Y/n) sighed

(Y/n):my my, there you go bossing me around again.

He closed his right eye

(Y/n):strong women like yourself are much more intriguing to me.

A fighter behind (y/n) grabbed his shoulder

Fighter:Hey, you brought a woman with you? That's some ner-

(Y/n) slammed his right elbow into the fighters face causing him to drop on his backside

(Y/n):Kaede, I recommend stepping back.

The fighter he struck was clutching his nose as (y/n) raised his right leg

(Y/n):Cause your in the splash zone!

He stomped down on the fighters head knocking him out cold and splattering blood across the ground

Akiyama:I told you to address me formally.

She stepped back as to not get bloody or interfere as another contestant started walking over

(Y/n):ever the bossy one. You want a stool to sit on while you watch, also?

The fighter walking over threw a left straight

(Y/n):*North Hemisphere, White Snake.*

He threw a right jab and punched the fighter in the throat which stopped his attack and in the same breath, (y/n) landed a left hook to the fighters face, he pulled his left arm back and slammed his elbow across the fighters jaw and then threw a right straight right to the fighters face

The fighter dropped like a sack of rocks

Akiyama:the back sass is also unbecoming.

Another pair of fighters saw (y/n) lay out his second opponent

Fighter:what kinda move was that?

Fighter:He's strong! Let's take him out first!

Others started walking over towards (y/n) and Akiyama

Fighter:if he gets through the preliminaries, it'll be trouble.

Fighter:LET'S GANG UP ON HIM!!

(Y/n) sighed and still didn't raise his guard

(Y/n):get lost, fodder. If you all come at me, I'll probably kill you since I've gotta protect this princess.

The fighters kept inching towards him as (y/n) scoffed

(Y/n):*North Hemisphere, Walking Heart.*

He opened his hands as his fingers all cracked, he started to lean forward to jump

Male voice:YUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!

One of the fighters fighting further away was shoved to the side as lihito started approaching through the masses

(Y/n):that guy...? Rihito, right?

Akiyama:he actually entered the tournament as well?

People were getting out of Lihito's way as he was much more known in the Association

Lihito:Yo, been wanting to see you again!

One fighter stepped in front of lihito, his face was scarred and malformed

Scar face:LIHITO! I'M GONNA GET PAYBACK FOR WHAT YOU DID TO MY FACE!

Lihito:eh? Who're you?

He placed his index finger on the scarred man's neck

Lihito:your in the way.

He swiped his finger across the man's neck sending blood gushing across the room

(Y/n):*the razor's edge, he slashed from that close up. He might be able to keep my mind occupied during all this.*

Lihito walked right up to (y/n) with an ear to ear smirk

Lihito:Yuuu, I've been training like hell for the next time we mee-eh?

He looked past the massive foreigner at Akiyama

Lihito:aren't you from the Nogi Group?

Akiyama:I am.

Lihito:what's a girl doing in a place like this? Uhh...you are...?

He started eying her figure clearly finding her attractive

Akiyama:I am Kaede Akiyama. I am not in here by choice. I was simply trying to help and got locked in by mistake...Are you even listening to me?

Lihito wrapped his arm around (y/n) and pulled him in close

Lihito:is she single? Do I got a shot?!

(Y/n):what?

Lihito:come ooonnnn, be a friend!

(Y/n):we're not friends. Also, your probably gonna be a target now too.

Lihito:don't be such a tsundere, bro.

He patted (y/n) on the chest

(Y/n):a...what?

Lihito looked up at the gathering crowd around then

Lihito:I see, put in a good word for me.

He looked over his shoulder at Akiyama

Lihito:don't worry baby! From here on, I'll be your bodyguard!

Akiyama:That's not needed.

(Y/n) removed Lihito's arm from his shoulder and stood upright with a deadpan stare

(Y/n):can we fight now?

Lihito:Aww come on bro, no need to be in such a hurry!

(Y/n):what happened to "training like hell for this"?

Lihito gave (y/n) a pat on the back

Lihito:of course, I'll get my revenge on you! But not now, we gotta have a proper stage! So the real battle is where it'll happen!

(Y/n) sighed

Lihito:better stay back miss Akiyama! It's aboutta' start rainin' blood!

The two started walking towards the hesitantly waiting competitors

Fighter:you cocky assholes!

Fighter:Kill 'em both!

Two fighters rushed lihito who punched one in the face and sent him crashing into the other

(Y/n) dodged another competitors punch as he kicked the fighter in the face and sent him flying across the room

Akiyama watched at the two fighters dealt with the others in the competition like they were fodder

Kazuo:*It's like watching a high level player farm early game mobs!*

Akiyama:*those two are incredible. They're on another level compared to everyone else.*

Spectator:hey who's that guy?!

There was a loud crash as multiple fighters were all sent flying across the room

Akiyama:wh-what was that?

The cause of the multiple K.O's slid to a halt, a well built African man with short hair and a thick mustache wearing dark pants and a white shirt, Jerry Tyson

Jerry:OH YEAH!!

He turned and started repeatedly hip thrusting

Jerry:SUM DAMN PIGFUCKER! WID A BANGIN' ON EM! MOTHA FUK'N ASS WIPES!

(Y/n) looked at Jerry, visually perplexed by his behavior

(Y/n):...I'm starting to see why Asians dislike foreigners.

He looked over his shoulder at Akiyama

(Y/n):what is that?

Akiyama:w-well, obviously a competitor...But I don't have much information about other fighters.

(Y/n):well...clowns tend to be amusing.

He stuck his fingers in his mouth and let out a whistle that cracked across the room and caught Jerry's attention

Jerry:OH?! YOU ARE GONNA BE MY NEXT PREY!

A beaming smile crossed his face, he leaned forward while putting both his fists forward

(Y/n):*is that some kind of tackle? No, his hands are closed. Interesting.*

Kazuo:*that guy looks like trouble!*

Jerry flexed the muscles in his leg which nearly ripped through his pants

Jerry:READY?! GO!!!

He leapt forward like rocket and and closed more then 40 feet in the blink of an eye

(Y/n) barely dodged as Jerry slammed his feet to the ground and slid to a halt while turning around

(Y/n):*He's quick. I've never seen a martial art or attack like this.*

Jerry leapt at (y/n) again who dodged again

(Y/n):*which means, this is an original fighting style.*

Kazuo:*THOSE AREN'T HUMAN MOVEMENTS!!!*

Jerry slid to a stop again and started turning around

Jerry:I'M NOT GONNA STOP, BOY!

He leapt back at (y/n)

Jerry:NOT ANYTIME! I TARGET THE ENEMY TILL THEY ARE DESTROYED!!!

(Y/n) dodged again as Jerry stopped and looked over his shoulder

Jerry:YOU LIKE?! THAT'S MY IMPRESSIONISTIC KENPO!!

Jerry is a 32 year old from Detroit, when he was 17 he relocated to China due to his parents work situation. In this new land, Jerry encountered Chinese Kenpo. Xing Yi Quan is is one of the styles developed by Mimicking or channeling the forms and movements of animals. However, Jerry harbored one doubt in his mind. Why limit it to animals? Why must we imitate animals which are weaker than humans? Finally, Jerry realized what he should be mimicking, is humans. Or rather, their weapons! 7 years later, he created J-Style Xing Yi Quan. It's most powerful move is...

Jerry leapt back at his target at breakneck speeds

Jerry:SCUD MISSILE!!

(Y/n) dodged even quicker then last time as Jerry repeated his previous stopping method

Jerry:it's a powerful blow that slams my opponent with my entire body weight!

Fighter:Idiot! You left your sides open!

He tried to attack jerry while he was charging and got knocked away

Jerry:YOU ARE THE IDIOT! MY KUNG FU STYLE HAS NO WEAKNESSES!

Jerry:*attacking my body at this speed is like throwing yourself at a semi-truck.*

(Y/n) dodged him again as Jerry turned and leapt back at (y/n) who sighed

(Y/n):your boring.

He opened both his hands

(Y/n):*West Hemisphere.*

11 years ago, USA

In a football stadium, Jiang was walking away from a linebacker who lay on the ground bloody

Jiang:interested in the West Hemisphere now?

She walked over to (y/n) who was shell shocked

Jiang:so why do you think I was able to stop him mid tackle? Hmm...?

She snapped her fingers in front of (y/n)'s face which brought him back to reality

Jiang:well clearly as he stands at nearly 7 feet tall and weights over 350 pounds, I shouldn't let him tackle me. It's just not smart, right?

(Y/n):...

Jiang:I only weight around 72kg. Meaning he has over 80kg on me. So stopping him entirely for me is impossible. So if I cannot stop him, why not subjugate him? Taking down the opponent is the main purpose of the West Hemisphere of Shengli. Still think it's useless?

Present day, Japan

(Y/n):*West Hemisphere, Alcatraz.*

As Jerry passed by (y/n), he grabbed Jerry's right wrist

Jerry:*wh-what?!*

The next thing Jerry knew, he'd been slammed head first into the steel floor, (y/n) had his knee on Jerry's back while still holding onto his wrist

Jerry:*I-I'm blacking out...that guy...he's the definition of a weapon...*

Jerry blacked out but not before seeing (y/n) with the likeness of a mechanical machine

Kazuo:ALRIGHT! YOU GOT HIM! HE USED HIS OWN MOMENTUM AGAINST HIM!

(Y/n) looked back at Akiyama who had her normal neutral expression

(Y/n):protecting you isn't very rewarding you know.

Akiyama:I already knew you'd win. Your not a child, I don't need to cheer you on.

(Y/n) sighed as he turned back to the remaining fighters

(Y/n):knew I'd win? Didn't know you'd be playing favorites, Kaede.

Akiyama's cheeks turned slightly red again

Akiyama:how many times...must I tell you to stop being so informal with me?

Kazuo stopped watching (y/n) knock around the weak fighters

Woman:out of everyone down there...who do you think has the strongest eyes?

Kazuo spotted a giant bulky man, standing at 206cm and weighing 165kg, in dungarees and a Hachimaki around his head getting whaled on by another competitor but the giant never flinched

Kazuo:*that guy looks strong.*

The giant swatted the fighter away like a rag doll proving Kazuo's earlier thought

On the other side of the room, a fighter was hanging onto Lihito's back, he had lihito in a rear naked choke

Lihito was slowly prying the fighters right hand off his neck

Fighter:*damnit! My submission is loosing to his raw idiot strength?!*

Lihito ripped the fighter off his back and slammed him to the ground, lihito slammed his fist into the fighters face and knocked him out cold

Lihito:PIECE OF CAKE!

He slapped his bicep as he started catching his breath

Feminine voice:your primitive fighting style hasn't changed.

Lihito turned around and spotted a blonde androgynous man standing at 181cm, he was lean with purple eye liner and purple lipstick, his hair resembled a kabuki lion

Lihito:Sawada? So you are here too?

Sawada waved towards him

Sawada:let me ask you a question. You are a beaten dog who's struggling, how about I give the release you deserve?

Lihito:it's good to know your mouth is still in working order, now bring it on queer!

The word rang out in Sawada's mind as his calm demeanor slowly vanished

Sawada:what...was...that?

Sawada's expression became engulfed in fury

Sawada:DON'T CALL ME A QUEER, YOU LITTLE SHIT!!!!!!! LIHITO!!! THE BIG MOUTH OF YOURS JUST EARNED YOU A SWIFT DEATH!!!!!!

He assumed a fighting stance

Lihito:anyone ever tell you that your hairstyle is gross?

Sawada:WHO ARE YOU CALLING GROSS, SHRIMP DICK?!?!?!

Kazuo looked away and spotted a man covered in a white cloak knock out two other contestants in the blink of an eye

Meanwhile, in the captains room, he'd been awakened by one of his crew

Captain:a-are you sure about that?

Crewman:y-yes sir! There's no mistake!

Captain:*wh-what the hell? It's way too early. It hasn't even been 15 minutes since the preliminary started!*

In the cargo hold, the only fighters left were the giant, the man cloaked in white, (y/n) and lihito and Sawada who were still fighting

(Y/n):only five left, does that mean I can stop now, your majesty?

He looked over his shoulder at Akiyama

(Y/n):or do you want me to keep protecting you anyway?

Akiyama took a deep breath as she adjusted her glasses, her cheeks had become slightly red again

Akiyama:do you always have to be so frustratingly informal?

Kazuo began looking at all the reminding fighters in shock

Kazuo:*wa-wa-wait!!! DAMN!!! The ones I thought would move on...! DAMNIT IF I HAD BET, I COULD'VE PAID OFF MY DEBT!!! THAT LADY WAS RIGHT!!!*

Within the hour, the cargo ship was alongside the Kengan liner, all the passing fighters and spectators were crossing over via a bridge

On the upper deck, Setsuna was looking at (y/n) as he crossed the bridge

Setsuna:Yes, (Y/n) Yu. It's so good you passed. Now I can destroy you completely. You'll know pain like no other.

A few minutes later, the contestants from the cargo ship were escorted to the cruise ships helipad where Metsudo Katahara was waiting with his guards behind him

Sawada:I feel the mood is too tense for a ceremony.

Kazuo:*th-that's president Katahara right there!*

Katahara:everyone, congratulations on passing the preliminary rounds. Or well, perhaps the ones who didn't make it here were actually more fortunate.

He started chuckling

Katahara:we were originally going to hold a meeting in the morning-

The man cloaked in white started walking towards Katahara and his guards

Katahara:huh? What's wrong, Hassard?

Hassard pulled off the cloth covering his face, he was middle eastern with long dark hair which made Sawada blush

Hassard:there's one question that I would like to have the answer to.

Sawada:oh my! He's gorgeous!

Hassard:why were we the only ones...relegated to the preliminary rounds? I require a satisfactory response. Why are we all here? And what did this decision take into account?

Katahara:don't get ahead of yourself, new meat.

Hassard:what?

Katahara:what exempts one from the preliminary round is a high rank in the Kengan Association Hierarchy. The 28 companies with the most impressive achievements.

Kazuo:*company hierarchy?*

Katahara:this is ashura! Leaders of companies battle each other! Merchant against merchant! The opinion of a tool who forgets his master is worthless. You competitors must acknowledge that you are but pawns on the board.

Hassard:...then I shall educate you on the strength of one piece.

He began walking towards Katahara

Sawada:wa-wait! Hey!

One of Katahara's guards stepped in front of the chairman, in the blink of an eye they'd both thrown a punch but only the guards fist found its mark which was hassard's face

Hassard nearly lost his balance but tried to punch the guard again

Hassard:DAMN RAT!

The guard kicked Hassard in the chest and sent him flying overboard, but as he flew over the contestants, they were splattered in his blood

Hassard's manager ran to the guardrail

Manager:H-Hassard?!?!

Katahara:well done, Yodoe.

Yodoe:Anytime.

Lihito and Sawada were in shock from the display, they never even saw the lead up to the first punches

Kazuo:what was that?!

Lihito:he took that guy out in an instant!

Akiyama:Metsudo Katahara's private army, The Guards. If Fang is the presidents lance, the bodyguards are his shield. A monstrous unit that boasts mind bending powers.

Katahara:what a fool. He incurred the consequences of not knowing his own strength. Thanks to that there are now only 32 competitors. BUT! It won't change the results so I I don't care, I also like a nice even number!

Kazuo:*r-really?! What kind of monsters are gonna be in the real battle?! I've got a really bad feeling about this! I don't think I'll like this tournament!*

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To be continued

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