Aarav was now more than a fighter. More than an icon.He was being called a "national hero."
News channels covered him as India's Self-Made Champion.Politicians used his story in speeches.
Then came the offer:
A major political party wanted to nominate Aarav as Brand Ambassador for Youth Upliftment.Aarav hesitated.
They promised funding for IronSouls, expansion to 50+ cities, global spotlight, policy influence.
Leyla warned him:
"Careful, Aarav. They'll use your fire to light their stage."
But Aarav was tired of saying no to power.Maybe this time, he could use the system.
He agreed.
With rapid growth, came a new layer of staff. One man stood out—Ravi Sethi, a smooth-talking operations head hired by the political party as a "coordinator."
Charming. Educated. Manipulative.
He subtly shifted IronSoul's messaging. Focused more on patriotism and masculinity, and less on empathy and healing.
He even began pushing out some of Aarav's original team.
Zeeshan—the boy Aarav once mentored—was demoted. Aarav didn't notice at first. He was flying city to city, giving speeches, appearing on posters with ministers.
IronSoul was becoming something else.
Something hollow.
Then came the call.
Aarav was invited to participate in a Global Champions Exhibition Match—a one-time, no-rules, invite-only fight, aired across 80 countries. A chance to cement legacy.
His opponent?Riku Sato. The man he'd once beaten in Tokyo.
This time, Riku was hungry for revenge. Undefeated since his loss to Aarav.His team said:
"Aarav's soft now. A politician. He won't survive five minutes."
The pressure mounted.The media turned it into a war of countries, not just fighters."India vs Japan: Honor on the Line"
Aarav trained quietly, but doubts were everywhere. Even in his own home.
Leyla asked, "Are you fighting for peace… or ego again?"
He didn't answer.
Two weeks before the fight, a news scandal exploded.
A leaked document showed IronSoul funds being misused, contracts awarded to fake NGOs. The media went wild. Protesters gathered outside IronSoul branches.
The name on the documents?
Aarav Sharma.
He was arrested under corruption charges.
Everything—his reputation, his mission, his soul—was under fire.
Only one person had access to those documents:Ravi Sethi.