Popularity is everything; I play a super genius

Arashima's father had taught him this move, but he hadn't been able to learn it yet.

So even though he had some suspicions from the beginning, he was unwilling to admit it!

Unwilling to admit that he had failed to master [Shunka], Huomu had actually mastered it perfectly.

……

Before Yan Yi became the Fire Thief, when Huo Mu was still the son of a hero—

Arashima's father was Enichi's subordinate and often encouraged Arashima to cultivate a good relationship with Hiki.

The two had been playing together since childhood and could almost be called best friends.

However, everything changed after the Firebringers incident.

……

"Arashima! You're the one who lost my notebook, aren't you?"

Huo Mu asked his opponent, then threw a punch, leaving a scorching trail of flames in the air.

"Did you carve those swear words on my desk?"

Another punch!

"That time when they seized the stolen goods, you stole them and framed me, didn't you?"

One more punch!

Huo Mu's punches grew heavier and heavier, each punch carrying the weight accumulated over many years.

Arashima was forced to retreat repeatedly by the impact, and his arms began to malfunction in their blocking stance.

Arashima's composure when he took the stage has somehow become impossible to maintain.

He never expected that the loser in his memory was actually this strong, nor did he expect that Huo Mu's brain wasn't as stupid as he thought.

Yes, he did all of that.

But so what?!

Because Huomu is the son of a sinner!

Because he is the son of a sinner, a clear line must be drawn between them!

If you don't bully Huomu, he'll be the next one to be bullied.

There will always be people who bully Huomu.

Why can't that person be themselves?

Rather than letting those who don't know their own limitations do the work, it's better to let his close friend do it; at least he can keep things in check.

He was doing it for Huomu's own good!

"You don't understand at all! You idiot!"

Arashima finally let out a roar.

"What do you think I was thinking when I did those things?! I was trying to help you! I've always considered you a close friend! And that hasn't changed even now!"

While struggling to dodge the relentless attacks of the Firewood, Lanma desperately constructed his armor circuit.

The most awkward thing about a third-order Echoer is precisely this—

Aside from the truly gifted, most third-tier Echoers need a considerable amount of time to construct circuits and evoke imagery before they can fully unleash their power.

Just hold on a little longer, as long as the armor is donned...

He will definitely be able to turn defeat into victory!

"Close friend? Don't insult that word!"

Before meeting Saki, he probably really thought that's what friends are like.

When you are successful, they flock to you; when you are down on your luck, they scatter.

What friendship, what bonds, it's all just like this.

But Saki told him that wasn't the case.

This shouldn't be happening!

Huo Mu's fist technique suddenly changed!

His gaze pierced through Lanma's hasty defense, instantly seizing upon the opponent's [Echo of Existence].

"Arama, we—we were never friends!"

As soon as the words were spoken, childhood memories flashed through both of their minds.

However, what Ranma remembered was—

They climbed over the back wall of the preparatory school together, they fished and caught shrimp in the river together, and they stood up for their classmates, enduring beatings from the older students.

At that time, Arama truly considered Hiki a friend.

He can swear an oath.

But what flashed through Huomu's mind was what happened after "stealing fire"—

That day, when he went to school, Arama didn't wait for him as usual.

Himi walked into the classroom alone. Arashima sat in his seat, head down, not looking at him.

Since then, the two have never gone home together again.

Hōki never asked Arashima why he was like this.

Not even once.

Because he knew—

If Arashima doesn't do this, he will suffer the bullying along with him.

Huo Mu understood, and even thought it was a good thing at one point.

At least Arashima can stay safely among the crowd.

However, what Ranma did later made it impossible for Hōki to consider him a friend anymore...

My homework was missing, there were swear words carved on my desk, and my drawer was stuffed with stolen goods.

The images of the preparatory camp flashed by frame by frame, becoming background noise.

Huo Mu took a deep breath and threw a powerful punch filled with determination!

The air seemed to freeze for a moment.

In Lanma's view, the punch was so slow it was as if time had been slowed down, but no matter how hard he tried to dodge, his body wouldn't obey him.

The punch pierced through his futile block and landed squarely on his face.

This attack was a genuine [Mirror Break]!

Huo Mu still couldn't use [Mirror Break] freely, but so what?

If you keep throwing punches, one day, the odds will work their way up!

Arashima seemed to hear the sound of something breaking, and countless dark cracks spread before his eyes.

Damn it...

When did this guy become so strong?

On the verge of losing consciousness, Lanma inexplicably recalled that scene from years ago—

Huo Mu was cornered in an alley and being punched and kicked by older students. He grabbed a brick from the ground and rushed over.

He clearly wanted to help; he should have helped.

Because he is Huomu's only friend since the "fire theft" incident!

But when he rushed up to them, facing the glaring eyes of the group of older students, the brick in his hand crashed to the ground with a loud thud.

The older boy who was leading the group misunderstood his meaning:

"You're here to teach this kid a lesson too? I'm tired of kicking him, so it's your turn."

"Huh? Ah, ah... okay..."

By then, Haki had already passed out, so he didn't know that Arashima was among those who kicked him.

However, at this moment, in his daze, Lanma seemed to see a truth he didn't want to accept—

Huo Mu was not unconscious at the time.

She closed her eyes the moment she saw him lift his foot.

This guy, it turns out...

I've always known.

Knows everything...

My consciousness plummeted.

When Lanma opened his eyes again, he was back in the academy's plaza.

There were countless faces around him that looked just as lost and dejected as his.

Above the City of Fire, the Sea of ​​Spiritual Matter still reflected the scene—

Huomu, having won the victory, wore a genuine smile.

He leaped off the ring, cheering, and ran toward his true friend.

……

……

Chapter 113 A Sudden Turn of Events! A Clash of Titans! (3-in-1)

After the viewers in the live stream watched the flashback memories, the chat immediately filled with comments:

"Bah! What kind of bullshit is this Lanma? He dares to call himself a close friend?"

"This comparison further highlights Haki's greatness!"

"Being bullied by his only childhood friend, and choosing to close his eyes and pretend to be unconscious... How pitiful, Huomu. If only he had met Laoji sooner..."

"It's alright, you're all better now! Look how happy Huomu is!"

……

"Saki-kun, I... I did it? I did it!"

Huomu, having won the victory, rushed towards the crowd immediately.

This guy looked like he'd just been pulled out of a steamer, steaming hot, but with a bright, almost silly smile on his face.

Without a doubt, this victory is of great significance to Huomu!

The grand tidal competition is the focus of the entire city!

Those who once pointed fingers at him, insulted him, slandered him, and told him to die are all watching.

But he stopped.

He did not fall.

He's the winner!

Huo Mu felt as if he had finally walked out of that alleyway from his childhood.

The boy cornered in the alley, enduring punches and kicks, the boy who curled up on countless nights pretending to be indifferent—

Finally, I don't need to close my eyes anymore.

Now, you can open your eyes.

"I did it, I really did it..."

Huo Mu repeated it to himself, but as soon as he finished speaking, he suddenly didn't know what to say next.

He wanted to say thank you, to say thank you to Saki-san, thank you to Tsukimi-sensei, thank you to everyone, he wanted to say...