Makoto Kyogoku

"The Karate Club?"

Connecting that to Mouri Ran's combat prowess, Lin Xinyi immediately understood:

A train car full of high school students × Eighteen Bronze Men of Shaolin Temple √

"But…" Lin Xinyi still hesitated. "That thug has a gun."

Though Mouri Ran's Conan-science combat ability had already redefined his worldview, he instinctively believed that humans couldn't confront firearms with their bare bodies.

"It's fine."

Mouri Ran smiled and shook her head, then calmly replied, "Since the people in the train car are Beido High School's competition team, then their middle school's Karate Club captain, the Japan Karate Champion Makoto Kyogoku, must be there now."

She hadn't met Makoto Kyogoku in person yet, but she had heard countless stories about him:

"Pistol bullets aren't that fast. With that Beido High School captain's ability, he could dodge even if someone pointed a gun at his head."

As she spoke, she let out a soft sigh.

"I'm still too weak right now; even facing pistol bullets is a bit of a stretch."

"But that Makoto Kyogoku, I heard he's already trained to the point where he can dodge rifle bullets at close range."

Lin Xinyi: "…"

Don't talk about something so unscientific with the serious tone of a top student who flunked a test!

You know, a rifle bullet's muzzle velocity is generally more than twice the speed of sound. To dodge it at close range, you'd probably have to react within a thousandth of a second and move at near-supersonic speeds.

Are there really people like that in the world?

If there really are…

Lin Xinyi suddenly had a bad premonition:

On the first day, he met Mouri Ran, who was close to the "dodging pistol" level. On the second day, Makoto Kyogoku, who claimed to have reached the "dodging rifle" level, popped out of nowhere.

Combat power rapidly inflating, new characters instantly pulverizing old ones – isn't this exactly the scenario he feared most?

Damn it, please don't let some hidden masters who can "dodge heavy sniper rifles," "dodge autocannons," "dodge rockets," or "dodge railguns" suddenly appear without any build-up next!

What if that's exactly what happens? When he finally escapes The Organization, what if some hidden old monster suddenly appears and palms him to death from 800 miles away?

As he thought about it, Lin Xinyi grew a little nervous.

"I need to practice my martial arts diligently…"

While conscientiously reminding himself, he intently watched the train car.

He really wanted to see with his own eyes if that legendary karate master could indeed dodge bullets at close range.

But unfortunately, Lin Xinyi didn't get that opportunity this time.

Because the thug didn't even have a chance to fire his gun.

The moment that lawless fellow used his gun to force back the police and hastily retreated into the train car…

The dozen or so high school students inside the car all cast meaningful gazes at him—

Those gazes were like hungry tigers in a zoo, gathered around to watch a tourist who had just climbed over the fence.

Then, a tall, muscular boy with wheat-colored skin and a resolute face emerged from among the high school students.

He was also wearing a high school uniform and a pair of very scholastic-looking black-rimmed glasses on his nose, giving him a harmless appearance.

He was Makoto Kyogoku, the human Gundam that even Mouri Ran felt inferior to.

At this moment, Makoto Kyogoku's footsteps caught the attention of the thug.

"Who's there? Don't come any closer!"

The thug suddenly spun around, preparing to point his gun at the man approaching him from behind.

But, before he could complete his 180-degree turn…

Makoto Kyogoku's figure flashed, like a pouncing leopard, rapidly leaping in front of the thug amidst wind and shadow.

He instantly seized the thug's arm, which hadn't had time to turn, and twisted it gently like wringing a towel—the thug immediately lost control of his arm, and his entire body spun and toppled to the ground.

The next second, Makoto Kyogoku moved in, straddling the fallen thug, and bent down to deliver a heavy punch.

This punch stirred up a whistling gust of wind, its force aimed directly at the thug's face.

But just as the fist was merely an inch away from the thug, Makoto Kyogoku reined in his power, and the punch abruptly stopped. What ultimately struck the thug's face was only a gust of wind generated by the punch's force.

"This guy is indeed extraordinary."

Lin Xinyi silently mused.

He had also practiced karate and knew that Makoto Kyogoku was currently embodying the concept of "Sun-dome (Point-Stopping)" in karate.

Sun-dome, meaning "stopping just short," refers to retracting one's punch an inch before reaching the opponent, or merely lightly touching them.

This rule was created to prevent injuries during Karate competitions.

Most people who master Sun-dome (Point-Stopping) are actually just for show. They train specifically for competitive matches and intentionally soften their punches to meet the Sun-dome rules. Their movements are standard and look good, but their power is very ordinary.

But Makoto Kyogoku is different.

The punch he just threw was stronger than Mouri Ran's "Wall-Shattering Iron Fist" in both speed and power. The force of his punch was so fierce and swift, yet he was able to stop it precisely an inch from the culprit's face.

This demonstrates profound cultivation, excellent physical coordination, and complete mastery over the release and retraction of power.

This Makoto Kyogoku is very strong.

"You've already lost."

Makoto Kyogoku held his fist suspended above the culprit's face and said in a calm tone.

The culprit was silent for a moment.

Everything had happened so fast, he was still processing it.

And after realizing he had been tackled to the ground, his first reaction was to raise his cuffed hands and retaliate with his gun.

Bang!

Makoto Kyogoku's fist came straight down.

The gun didn't fire, but the culprit's head was embedded in the train floor.

Fortunately, he didn't live in the world of Conan-science, otherwise, that one blow would surely have killed him.

"Hiss, that's terrifying!"

Lin Xinyi gasped, making up his mind to get on good terms with Makoto Kyogoku.

If he could frequently spar and exchange pointers with such a master, it would definitely greatly benefit his own cultivation.

Moreover, if their friendship deepened, he might even be able to call on such a powerful individual to join a team battle if he ever had to confront The Organization.

Thus, Lin Xinyi's gaze toward Makoto Kyogoku immediately changed.

After the culprit was subdued by Makoto Kyogoku, the scene quickly returned from chaos to calm.

The Japanese police, once again saved by a high school student, began skillfully cleaning up the aftermath.

Startled citizens were comforted, the severely injured and unconscious culprit was hastily dragged away, and Makoto Kyogoku and others, who were unexpectedly involved, temporarily exited the train to discuss giving statements with the police.

"Um, Mr. Kyogoku?"

Seizing an opportunity, Lin Xinyi proactively approached Makoto Kyogoku.

He deliberately showed a warm smile, displaying a friendly attitude, and said very sincerely:

"My name is Lin Xinyi, and I'm also sort of a half-fighter."

"If it's possible, could I discuss and exchange some thoughts about cultivation with you?"

Lin Xinyi showed 100% sincerity, extending an invitation to "add friend."

"This..." Makoto Kyogoku gave an awkward smile, "Sorry, I don't have time."

His tone was polite, but his attitude was firm.

He directly rejected Lin Xinyi's "friend request."

It wasn't that Makoto Kyogoku was arrogant or unfriendly; it was because he genuinely couldn't handle it all.

Practicing Karate already required a lot of time, and now he was a big celebrity and a rising star in the fighting world.

As the renowned "Kickboxing Prince" and Japan Karate Champion, he encountered fighting enthusiasts like Lin Xinyi, who approached him for sparring and guidance, every day. If you gathered them all, they could encircle Tokyo.

If he agreed to all of them, Makoto Kyogoku wouldn't be able to handle it even if he could use a Shadow Clone Jutsu.

Moreover, even agreeing occasionally once or twice wasn't an option.

Because the fighting circle was actually quite murky, many of those so-called fighting enthusiasts weren't there to genuinely exchange pointers but were solely looking to "feign injury" or "stir up trouble."

If he actually agreed to spar...

If he hit too hard and made the opponent lose too badly, some would say he lacked martial virtue and was unkind.

If he went easy and deliberately let the opponent win a few moves, others would say he was famous for nothing and had limited strength.

Even worse, some ill-intentioned individuals would boast to the media after a spar, claiming they were "50/50 with Makoto Kyogoku" or "I often spar with him one-on-one," using this to piggyback on Makoto Kyogoku's popularity and boost their own dojo's reputation.

Makoto Kyogoku was utterly fed up with these troublesome characters.

Therefore, now, whenever he saw someone proactively seeking sparring and exchange, he would unhesitatingly choose to refuse.

"I still have to take my team members to a competition, and then I have to go to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department to give a supplementary statement. My schedule is completely full," Makoto Kyogoku further explained, somewhat apologetically, "So, if you don't have anything else..."

"Hmm, can't you reconsider? I'm genuinely here to make a friend."

"Sorry."

"..."

Being rejected so decisively, Lin Xinyi didn't know what to do.

And he had never been good at dealing with people.

Sigh...

Dealing with living people was such a hassle.

Dead people were better; they'd spill their guts after just a few words.