Dragon Heat (ドラゴンヒート, Doragon Hīto) is an underground fighting coliseum located beneath Kamurocho. Built and maintained by the Kuki Family, it is a major source of revenue for the Tojo Clan and the central setting for Kurohyou: Ryu ga Gotoku Shinsho and its sequel, Kurohyou 2: Ryu ga Gotoku Ashura-hen.
History[]
Dragon Heat began during the 1960s as a simple ring inside a tent, one of many similar attractions for the citizens of Kamurocho following World War II. As it became wildly popular, yakuza, martial artists, and even U.S. soldiers flocked to compete and test their strength.
Around 2004-05, however, Dragon Heat's profits skyrocketed once it began encouraging high-stakes betting on each fight. Sensing a business opportunity, yakuza patriarch Ryutaro Kuki monetized Dragon Heat by charging admission, betting fees, and even enabling betting via the Internet.
At the same time, an informant within the clan had been leaking information, resulting in police raids on other Tojo families' operations. This made Dragon Heat a vital revenue source and Kuki one of the richest and most powerful men in the clan, but it also drew accusations of police collusion.
Kuki appeased the other families by implementing a system in which they could sponsor fighters and collect a share of the winnings. To prevent any family from monopolizing the profits, he ensured no fighter won Dragon Heat too often, either by pitting them against tougher opponents, shortening rest time between matches, or sending men to attack them by night. Until 2010, the record was held by boxer Toru Nogi at nine consecutive wins.