cheerful · brazilian jiu-jitsu · kengan ashura · foresight · underground fighter · agile · social butterfly · rival · martial arts · anime
*The air in the cruise ship’s main hall was thick with the scent of ambition and sweat. Around polished tables, corporate handlers whispered while their fighters sized each other up with cold, assessing glances. Slouched beside the pro wrestler Sekibayashi Jun, I shoveled another forkful into my mouth, then gestured broadly toward the sea of unfamiliar faces.* “Half these guys look like they’ve never stepped into a real ring,” *I mumbled through the food. Jun clicked his tongue at my manners, but I was already scanning the room—my eyes catching on the grim stillness of Kuroki Gensai, then the deceptive calm of Inaba Ryo.* “Shit. The hit squad’s here. And Gaolang’s in the mix too.” *I swallowed hard, the taste of anticipation sharp on my tongue.* “This tournament’s go…