Chapter 16: Local Politics.

Kaio Ken was strange. Like, it almost felt like mcguffin itself. A power multiplier, it folded my ki like Japanese steel. Even as I internalized it, meaning I didn't have to yell the stupid name every time I wanted to use it. Instead, it kicked on when I needed it, when I seriously pushed myself. Each increase was like notching up the gear on a gear shift car. Like a rumbling muscle car gaining in speed and power with each shift in exchange for its lifespan.

I had hit my limit for what I could multiply, but maybe that was due to the exponential growth? It wasn't a linear growth, I think. Instead, perhaps it wasn't a flat multiplier, but a multiplier of my current energy? Which meant, using it each time as I grew stronger meant it always was difficult on my body regardless of my training. I was thinking this because my last Kaio ken, the one I just used against bruiser felt, stronger and made my body hurt despite it just being the base Kaio Ken. Also… The Piston King or whatever he called himself really wasn't a threat.

He had a spark of ki, but his arms and upper body were heavily modified with questionable machinery. To a normal person his hits would have incredible force, but honestly, I doubted he could do serious damage to me at my best. Even as injured as I am he couldn't win.

The crowd too just stood slack jawed and slightly confused. I heard the whispers eve from here. People were asking who this joker was and what gave him the gall to challenge me. The people weren't raving happy for the encore. Instead, they were tired and exhausted having thrown out all of their energy out during the match.

The venue was cold, even the sounds of errant coughs echoed as the crowd laid back and simply watched.

"Are you even paying attention!?" Was he talking? I looked at him, clearly not impressed.

"I'll give you one chance. Roll on out of here or you won't be walking out." My words got a few whistles and claps. He sputtered, incapable of even articulating a proper response. Until he settled this the proper way, with his fist. He was tall and as he revved up, I could hear the underlying machines inside him click and clack with a pressurized hiss as steam vented.

I sighed and walked towards him, calm and collected. He punched down and my own fist met his. The meeting of our fists was met by a loud crack as both our arms absorbed the blow, my cracked arm jolting and threatening to break into pieces, only held together by a liberal application of ki and by my muscles. His arm was not so lucky. The blow caused his mechanized arm to catastrophically fail. The entire limb essentially exploding in a blast of gore, blood, and oil.

He didn't scream. Only gritting his teeth as he swung another fist. This one I redirected with ease, giving me just enough leeway to slam into his knee with my leg. The whole limb bowed and folded under his weight despite the reinforcements to it. At the brutality the crowd whistled and cheered, but otherwise remained calm. I proceeded to dismantle his uninjured arm and went to break his other leg.

He clearly had his pain dulled as he still tried to fight despite being rendered a quadriplegic. I'd be impressed, if it weren't because of his high machine to man ratio. I finished him with a smash to the face, logging him out. His frame smashing into the dented and beat up floor. I stood, waiting for another challenger. My eyes raking the stands even as the crowd whistled and clapped.

Minutes passed before the fight was called, but people stuck around like at a movie waiting to see if there were end credit visuals. Only dispersing as the lights slowly dimmed and shut off and the arena doors creaked open. I walked to the exit, still weary even as I failed to detect any new challengers. I collapsed on the bench letting my body rest as the medics poured over me and exclaimed at my accumulated injuries.

The manager didn't show up and the moment the medics finished I was let go. Which meant I went to my usual spot, the mess hall. Waiting for me was a veritable feast and the chef already describing to me what each food should do to help. Another thing, I found myself enjoying more then I should. It was discovered fairly early that my eating was unbalanced. Which meant they had hired a full-on dietician for me. Odd since it felt like I was actually getting what I need for once, despite still eating just as much.

Strange how just a better regulated diet had made me feel better. Like my body was better under my control and what followed was my ki control inevitably improving. You are what you eat, I suppose. Either way, I ate my prepped meal and went to my room to collapse.

What followed were weeks of near constant challenges. My account had ballooned, giving me more than enough to pay off my debt. Which meant I could now officially leave whenever I wanted. I was tempted to just ditch, especially since I couldn't sense anyone else on the whole planet worth my time, but… I figured I'd wait for Bruiser to get healed up at minimum. Which meant I had to actually plan on where I was going next. Especially if the various nations actually enforce border laws.

It really just came down to which nation I wouldn't mind wrecking to be honest. I was heavily leaning towards the neighboring Democratic Exclusionary Party of the People… Depp… I wonder if there's a reason for acronyms coming out like names, Ron and Depp… Meh.

Either way, today was working out to be normal. No challengers are worth my time. The various lower rankers are using the opportunity to actually improve their skills. And as usual I was floating around an article of clothing or various weights, I borrowed from the sparring area using the power of my mind. Lifting them up and down as if doing weights made the motions less, monotonous.

My ears perked a little as somebody came to my door and knocked. I took my time getting to the door stretching and prepping. It was likely a fight, though the manager had been oddly silent in recent weeks. From what I understand he was working overtime to coordinate the massive influx of challenges. I open my door, greeting the usual staff members in their tight T-shirt and lanyard.

"Boss wants to see you."

"The manager?"

"No, the mangers boss." Oh!

"Where to?" They led me to the elevator and took me to the top, once we reached the top it wasn't like the rest of the floors. It was open, large. Luxuriously carpeted. I stepped out and saw a massive counter where a receptionist sat. She took one look at me and said, "The boss is waiting for you." I turn to see my escort walking back to the elevator, shooting me a thumbs up before we separate.

Behind the receptionist the wall split open revealing a lavishly decorated elevator. I walked up and stepped inside, admiring the shiny exterior as I was transported up. I wasn't sure what to expect honestly. But what I saw was likely the furthest from my mind.

The door opened into a smartly designed office. A woman, mm, she was hard to describe. Lithe, snake like in qualities. Her scales along her arm only served to flatter her musculature. She wore a fitted suit that fit her to a tee, almost as if trying to show off her curves. A long tail draped and circled her desk, prehensile, and tipped with a wicked blade. She stood to greet me, clearly bipedal. Her face itself was almost ethereal, the way the scales flattered her face almost perfect, iridescent in the light. Her fingers, thin and tipped with long nails that glinted in the light like sharpened steel.

While I was judging her, she was doing the same. Her eyes narrowed, the only sign she showed of her wariness towards me.

"Rettas, I presume?" She spoke. "Aye. And you are?" The air was heavy, thick. It smelled of blood and scorched flesh.

"I am Fera. The former champion of the ring. Owner of this building."

That address. "You were the champion?" "Indeed, I passed the role to Bruiser after he saw such a drastic rise in power. Now, are you just going to stand all day or take a seat?"

I looked to the offered seat and shrugged. I walked up and plopped down on the insanely comfortable chair. I crossed my legs and propped my chin up with my knuckles. I waited for her to explain why I was here when she reached for something under her desk.

"Alcohol, water?" She asked. "Water." Soon enough a glass of crystal-clear water was poured and handed over. I stretched out grasping the glass in my hands. Looking at the clear water. Her form almost unchanged as I looked through it. "Something wrong?" She asked when she noticed I hadn't drunk from the glass, only staring.

"Not really." I stated, swirling the water and watched it. "Just thinking how many people below don't have water anywhere near this clear."

She flinched, almost spilling a few drops of whatever alcohol she was pouring. Its stench strong, burning even. The smell alone made me thirsty as I drank my own drink.

"An unfortunate state of affairs." She said, almost sounding sad. "But that is why I've called you up here." I didn't reply, only watched her. Trying to sus her out. "Considering your recent displays in the ring I'd like to hire you. Specifically, I'd like you take on the gauntlet of hell."

I snorted. "And why would I do that?" I didn't even know what it was, but it sounded like trouble.

"I'd like you to go to every ring on the planet and challenge their respective champions. Once you win, I can claim ownership of the ring."

"Again, why the hell would I do it? I have the money to pay off my debt and leave this literal shithole. Not to mention fighting those punks is hardly worth my time."

She frowned, showing too sharp teeth. We devolved into a staring match, neither of us giving ground. She clutched her fists.

"Is there anything you want?"

"A good fight. A fight this planet can't supply anymore."

She frowned, "Would you be willing to help the planet? The people?"

That made me laugh and the pressure increased. "The people? The planet? The people in these caverns aren't worth much. Their essentially shat on everyday by those on the surface and I'm supposed to care for them?"

"Can't you be reasonable here! I helped you achieve what you wanted!"

"Reasonable? I think it's reasonable I haven't torn your limb by limb when you're displaying such animosity." She was oozing it, the murderous air around her only growing bloodier and bloodier by the moment. I was certain we'd break into a fight, and I'd have to paste her to the wall. Just the thought of having to liberate my ship while being chased by the government sounded annoying.

I felt the pressure spike, A battle was coming… Or so I thought. It vanished, the woman before me bowing her head.

"I'm sorry." Her change so sudden that I felt like I had slapped myself. Like we were playing a game of tug of war, and she had just conceded by letting go.

"I wasn't aware I was doing that. My instincts can be… hard to control." She said with a wince. Her arm inadvertently moved to her side. A scar under the suit? I questioned. She collected herself and continued.

"I want to run for our sectors senate position."

I didn't say anything, only watched and listened as she explained.

"My people were bred for war, and it was only on a fluke that we managed to gain rights inside RON. Even still my people are marginalized and discriminated against. I want to become a senator and help improve my people's position and I need your help."

Well, politics. Guess my checklists almost all checked off.

"And what do you expect me to do? And what's in it for me?"

"I wanted you to help me control the various towers. Through them I could improve the caverns situation and from there improve their lives. As for what's in it for you… At best I can offer you a friend in the government."

"Friends in the government? And why would that be worth it for me? And why should I care about these people? Why do you even care? No, more importantly is this planet enough to even win the seat?"

"I understand friends might seem, lack luster. But trust me, with the power I estimate you to have. You'll need friends to keep yourself free and unfettered. And as for the people… Truthfully it doesn't matter much to me, not as much as I claim. Instead, I plan to improve the planet and get my people to move here and give them a better place to live.

Luckily, or perhaps expectedly this planet is the only planet in the sector worth a damn. The other planets mere outposts and are ill-suited for colonization, but as senator I can move to push for their colonization and further expand my influence."

I thought about that. Let it percolate as I finished my water and had her give me a refill.

"I won't stay and help you take the towers. It would be a waste of my time." Not that it was limited… Before she could protest, I spoke back up. "Bruiser, or rather Arms should be more than capable of handling anyone on this planet. I give you my Saiyan guarantee."

She pursed her lips and thought about that.

"Are you certain about that?"

"If he manages to master the skill he copied from me, well… Even the military will have a hard time with him."

She seemed mollified by that.

"Very well, but can I ask for your help with one thing?"

"Sure, but make sure it's not on the surface during a full moon." She gave me an odd look but continued.

"Luckily, it'll be in the cavern then. One of the towers went dark a month or so ago. And it looks like it's been gathering some serious military hardware. Which is, concerning… If anything, could you clear the tower and place this chip on the desk at the top?"

Clear a tower and place a chip? Sounds easy enough… "Any reason why?"

"My sources believe they are involved with the incumbent senator. Should I begin to claim towers I wouldn't put it past him to order a massacre."

"If it's just that, I can do that. Then I can get on my ship and leave."

Not like I need to care for the still injured Bruiser after this. She agreed, her shoulders relaxing at my words. But I had one more question.

"How strong do you think I am?" Did Gran talk?

"It's difficult to guess, but even with the Granaight you know as Gran's attempts to hide it… Well, I assume it's enough that I couldn't stop you or rather, nobody on this planet can likely stop you."

Well, she was right. I suppose it was time to get the details down… ugh…