Chapter 379: Chapter 377: Turn on the Tata! The Strongest on the Surface! _1

The capitalists were ecstatic.

It was like seeing a glimmer of dawn in an endless night.

Upon receiving Mitsui Arashi’s message, the other five major financial groups and Phoenix Academy Kochou hurried to the Prime Minister’s residence and were directly led into the office by the Minister of State.

The Minister of State did not enter the office, instead standing guard outside, blocking anyone who attempted to barge in.

For instance, the Cabinet Secretary and other ministers who had also received the news.

An ordinary person would have struggled to stop them if they claimed urgent state affairs, but he alone was capable of holding them back.

Inside the room, Kumazo Yasuda was anxious, yet he maintained the composure befitting his high position.

As was customary at their gatherings, Mitsui Arashi personally poured tea for everyone.

Once each person had their tea, Iwasaki Yizo, somewhat impatient, said softly, "Mitsui, tell us what happened."

Among them, Iwasaki Yizo’s stance against Dio was the most resolute, for he knew Dio would not allow people like them to live.

If surrender was hopeless, then the only option was to fight to the bitter end.

He made his decision based on this judgment, not because he possessed any inherent spirit to defy fate.

Thus, when a sliver of opportunity to surrender to the Angel Envoy appeared, he swiftly shifted from a staunch resistor to a proponent of complete surrender.

Mitsui Arashi began, "This is what happened..."

As he recounted his conversation with the being, a stillness fell over the Prime Minister’s Office.

Kochou took a sip of tea and said quietly, "He didn’t even give a name. It seems he doesn’t regard us very highly."

"That’s to be expected. Humans don’t feel any respect when looking at ants. In his eyes, our status is no different from that of ants."

Iwasaki Yizo wasn’t surprised by this attitude. It would have been more alarming if the other party had shown great enthusiasm, or even a hint of respect. Truly, abnormal events often signify trouble.

"If we accomplish this task, will he establish contact with us?"

"What is Dio’s relationship with him? Are they enemies? Friends? Or mere strangers?"

"His Japanese was hesitant... He just arrived, so who taught him the language?"

Questions arose one after another, but no one could answer them.

Kochou mused, "There must be very few experts in Danish in the country."

"The Different World is vast; not everyone there necessarily speaks Danish."

"Madame Kochou has offered one line of thought."

"Indeed. Let’s discreetly search for someone skilled in this area."

They quickly reached a decision. Then, they moved on to the most critical issue of the meeting:

Within two days, they had to gather a group of people for a deathmatch and present the strongest martial artist to please the being.

Mitsui Arashi still chose to lie to them. He didn’t say the other party had given three days, but instead claimed it was two, ensuring he had ample time.

"There are quite a few martial artists gathered in Tokyo now. Let them compete."

"We’ll use the news media to promote it as the ultimate fighting tournament, and allow them to sign life-and-death waivers."

To ensure they gathered more martial artists and could select the most formidable one, Iwasaki Yizo decided to use public media for heavy promotion, making sure everyone knew about it.

Kumazo Yasuda pondered for a moment, then nodded. "Alright, let’s do that. The venue will be the Tokyo Dojo."

"Ticket prices must be exorbitant to filter out the poor."

"As for the prize money, I suggest each family contribute two hundred million Yen. We should also create a pure gold belt, inlaid with gems, engraved with the words ’Strongest on Earth’."

Kochou presented her plan.

Money and fame—these two would be enough to attract most martial artists.

Iwasaki Yizo nodded. "Good. Everyone, act quickly. We need to organize a grand fighting tournament within two days and select an offering that will satisfy him."

Their strategy was clear: fulfill the being’s request as swiftly as possible to improve their standing in his eyes.

They wanted to make it clear to him that if he wished to rule or plunder humanity, accepting them as servants would be the correct decision.

Of course, the Takamagahara plan could not be abandoned either.

Iwasaki Yizo wasn’t naive enough to pin all his hopes on an unknown entity.

They might appear submissive now.

But that was only due to their current weakness. Once they possessed sufficient power, their fawning would transform into lethal fangs, latching onto their prey and never letting go.

「...」

「Tokyo, Shinjuku.」

Hojo Tetsuji walked unsteadily along the street, his face ashen, as if completely drained of energy.

I can’t think of anything. Absolutely nothing for the next manga plot.

Why does the manga have to be updated weekly? Couldn’t it be once a month?

His inspiration had run dry, and he had no friends to discuss it with.

Aozawa hadn’t replied to his message. The young lady claimed to be too busy to offer suggestions. It felt inappropriate to ask Yoshikawa Sayuri—whom he had only met yesterday—for material again.

Shouko had her part-time job.

Summer Flower didn’t have much to do but was also an airhead, unable to offer any good ideas.

"Damn it! What could be a good plot?"

Hojo Tetsuji was irritable. He punched the wall, though not very hard—it was merely a way to vent.

As he fumed, an advertisement suddenly lit up the large screen of the Marui Department Store in the square.

"Whether man or woman, every human being harbors a grand dream in their youth: to become the strongest person on Earth."

Startled by the rousing voice, Hojo Tetsuji looked up at the massive screen.

"Now, this opportunity will become a reality! Starting from 10:00 a.m., the Tokyo Dojo will accept registrations from any martial artist aspiring to be the strongest. As long as you sign a life-and-death waiver, you can step onto the stage and battle others. The champion will not only receive a prize of 1.4 billion Yen but will also own this pure gold belt, inlaid with eighteen gemstones, proclaiming them the ’Strongest on Earth.’ They will also gain the officially recognized title in Japan: ’Strongest Martial Artist on Earth!’"

The screen switched, and the Digital Minister, a frequent face on television, spoke: "That’s right! In this age, people talk about Showa-era stalwarts, Heisei-era homebodies, and Reiwa-era washouts. Today, we will showcase the true mettle of Reiwa-era men!

"The certified champion will enjoy lifelong privileges: free travel on all domestic public transportation, free meals, and complimentary stays at major hotels! Nationality and gender are no barrier.

"Come on! Let’s fight for the title of Strongest Martial Artist on Earth! Tatakai!"

The advertisement played on a loop.

Watching it, Hojo Tetsuji blinked, then slapped his forehead. "Right, that’s it! Aozawa often says that bursts of inspiration are intense. Just thinking is useless—I must take action!"

He decided to find inspiration for his manga in the battles between men.

「...」

"What kind of stupid advertisement is this?"

In the living room below the Big Fat Sheep Bar, Emily, dressed in bear-themed pajamas, rubbed her eyes with her right hand while scrolling past the video with her index finger.

The next video was still shouting "Tatakai!" It didn’t look like an AI-generated prank.

"The Strongest Martial Artist on Earth!"

Hearing Katerina’s voice, Emily looked up. "You’re not thinking of participating, are you?"

"No limits on gender, no limits on nationality."

Katerina felt a fighting spirit ignite within her, making her yearn to join this grand event. "Everyone gathering to battle for the title of the strongest, exchanging blows, risking their lives... It’s fantastic!"

Unlike the underground boxing matches of the past, this was an official, no-holds-barred, life-or-death tournament, which greatly excited Katerina.

Emily frowned slightly. "You’d better not participate. I feel there’s something odd about it."

She didn’t believe the organizers were merely trying to make money from ticket sales.

The people at the top aren’t fools. They wouldn’t do something that seems laughable to most people without some extraordinary benefit. Especially with no prior warning, for news like this to suddenly emerge.

Is it related to Dio? Emily bit her thumb and checked the time; it obviously wasn’t Dio’s active hours.

"No matter what mischief they’re planning, if we participate, we’ll find out what they’re up to."

Katerina’s fighting spirit was not easily extinguished; it grew even stronger. "Emily, accompany me there."

"Wait, let’s figure this out first. I don’t want to be used as a lab rat again."

Emily vividly remembered the lesson from the dentist.

Who knows if the organizers will secretly tamper with things during the tournament? Maybe they’ll spike the contestants’ drinks, release some colorless, odorless gas in the venue, or use some kind of slow-acting drug. We might not notice it on the spot, and only start suffering years later.

Hearing Emily’s concerns, Katerina calmed down a little.

"Ask Morimoto about it."

"Alright."

Seeing Katerina agree, Emily abandoned her plan to post online and instead called Morimoto Chiyoda.

RING...

Morimoto Chiyoda answered, "Hello, what’s the matter?"

"Morimoto, do you know anything about that competition?"

"Does Katerina want to participate? You’d better persuade her not to. The winner of that match won’t have a good end."

Morimoto Chiyoda immediately thought it must be Katerina who wanted to participate; otherwise, Emily, with her delicate stature, would not be interested in the competition.

Emily was greatly heartened, realizing Morimoto Chiyoda knew about it. This definitely has something to do with Dio!

"Is this his doing?"

"No, it’s another."

This brief reply made Emily’s expression turn solemn. She sat up from the sofa, crossed her legs, and said, "You’ve gotten lazy. Have you forgotten our agreement?"

"Please, I’m swamped right now," Morimoto Chiyoda couldn’t help but complain. "I have to write all sorts of reports, plus deal with the death of the Fuji Financial Group’s third son in Shinjuku. And the surveillance work."

"Okay, okay, just don’t forget our agreement. I’m hanging up."

Emily didn’t want to hear her work complaints, so she quickly ended the call. Looking at Katerina, she said, "Katerina, you’d better not participate in this competition. It’s dangerous. As for whether we can go watch, let’s wait for more detailed news."

"Alright."

Katerina sounded somewhat reluctant.