"I think that's enough, young man," Gouki Shibukawa said with a smile.
"Enough?" I asked, confused.
"Hahaha… kids these days sure know how to have fun," said another person from within the crowd.
'Huh?'
When I looked in the direction the voice came from, I realized who it was.
"Doppo Orochi," I exclaimed in surprise upon recognizing him.
"Oh? It seems I'm famous enough that people still recognize me," Doppo said, sounding slightly surprised.
"Old men… if I'm not mistaken, I heard something about this being enough, didn't I?" I asked, looking at the two of them with a serious expression.
"Well, kid, it's time to stop. I think he's had enough, hahaha," Doppo Orochi said as he laughed.
…
The atmosphere grew tense. Even the people standing far from the fight could feel the temperature rising.
The area became completely silent. Neither the crowd nor the animals nearby dared to make even the slightest sound.
A long silence followed.
After what felt like an eternity—
"Hahahahaha!"
Derek's laughter shattered the silence.
"You're right. That's enough," Derek said, laughing so hard tears streamed from his eyes.
"I might've gone a bit overboard. Looks like I got carried away," he added as he wiped the tears away.
"Hahaha, it's fine. That's how young people are," Gouki replied, beginning to laugh as well.
"Hahaha, you're right. Who hasn't been young?" Doppo added, laughing too.
Soon, Derek, Doppo, and Gouki were all laughing together.
Their laughter echoed throughout the area, easing the tension that had filled the place moments earlier.
The entire crowd stood there, confused.
Before anyone could understand what was happening, Derek stopped laughing and his expression turned serious.
"Well… I think I wasted too much time playing around with this guy. It's time to go back to my girlfriends. I hope we can meet again another time," Derek said as he turned around and began walking toward Hitomi and Karura.
He had only taken two steps when he stopped, as if he had just remembered something.
"Muhammad Ali Jr., don't you ever interfere with Hitomi—or any other woman of mine—again!" Derek shouted as he turned around and delivered a powerful kick to Ali Jr.'s face. The kick was so strong it dislocated his jaw.
"This is just a small reminder, so you don't forget," Derek said before turning again and walking toward Hitomi and Karura.
'Tsk… I could've been home having fun with Hitomi and Karura, but instead I had to waste my precious time on this idiot.'
I wrapped my arms around Karura's and Hitomi's shoulders and left the area, not forgetting to say goodbye to Kozue, my girlfriends' friend.
'Who would've thought the girls would be friends with Baki's girlfriend—one of the strongest people around.'
'Now that I think about it, things aren't as simple as I assumed. From both Orochi and Gouki, I felt the same kind of energy I have—Ki.'
'Since this world has merged with other anime universes, it makes sense that the characters have become stronger.'
'So far, I've identified three anime worlds: Baki, Kengan Ashura, and Killing Bites.'
'It seems I can't underestimate my enemies just based on animation alone. Everyone must be far stronger than in the original.'
My gaze casually drifted toward where Muhammad Ali Jr. lay on the ground.
'Well… almost everyone.'
…
On a large bed, three naked figures lay entwined together.
They were Derek, Hitomi, and Karura.
Derek lay in the middle, while Hitomi and Karura each clung to one of his arms, their heads resting on his chest.
"Mmph…" Karura growled in annoyance.
"What's wrong, Karura?"
"Are you still angry about what happened earlier?" Derek asked, confused.
"I already told you it was just a joke. You don't have to be that mad—I won't do it again," Derek said, raising his hands in surrender.
"It's not that. I'm not angry about that anymore," Karura said as she got up and began searching for her clothes scattered across the floor.
"But still, don't make comments that stupid again," Karura added, while Hitomi nodded in agreement, clearly dissatisfied with Derek's earlier words.
"It's my family… well, my grandfather. He's been bothering me. Every day he asks why I come home so late and what I do all afternoon. He even wants to forbid me from going out after school and insists I start coming home early," Karura said irritably.
"Hehehe, looks like your family is starting to get suspicious," Hitomi said.
"I wonder what they'd do if they found out their princess goes out every day after school to meet a man," Hitomi teased after hearing Karura's complaints.
"Don't tease me. At most they'll be a little angry, but my grandfather loves me too much to stop me from being with the person I love," Karura replied.
"Oh? Then just tell your family about Derek and that'll settle everything. That way they won't keep bothering you about where you go every afternoon," Hitomi suggested.
"What do you know? That would be a pain to explain," Karura replied.
"Well… don't worry. You won't have to explain anything to your family," Derek said, joining the conversation.
Both girls looked at him in confusion, not understanding what he meant.
"When I went to pick you up earlier, I felt someone watching me from the shadows—more specifically, watching Karura. If I'm not mistaken, they must be people sent by your family to protect you," Derek said, looking at Karura with a faint smile.
"That's not funny! Why didn't you tell me earlier?" Hitomi asked angrily.
"I didn't think it was important at the time," Derek replied with a shrug.
"You have to come home with me!" Karura said firmly.
"Is that really necessary?" Derek asked.
"Very necessary. I don't want the hassle of explaining everything. Come home with me, explain our relationship, and that way they'll stop bothering me," Karura replied.
"Well… alright. Might as well take the opportunity to meet your family," Derek said after thinking it over.
"It's a good chance to meet the Kure family—and get a bit of exercise too, hehe."