VISION GRID SYSTEM: THE COMEBACK OF RYOMA TAKEDA

The rhythm inside the gym settles after Ryoma leaves for the lodge. The sound of gloves striking mitts continues, but the earlier tension near the entrance has thinned.

Dr. Mizuno still stands near the wall, speaking quietly with Nakahara while observing the fighters with detached focus.

Okabe watches him from across the mat. He shifts his weight, and then nudges Ryohei lightly with his elbow.

“Go on,” Okabe mutters. “You’re the polite one.”

Ryohei exhales slowly and walks toward Dr. Mizuno. Okabe follows a step behind, trying to look casual despite the expectation in his eyes.

Dr. Mizuno notices their approach before they speak. He turns his body slightly, giving them his attention without fully breaking his composed posture.

“Yes?”

Ryohei bows briefly. “Doctor… since you’ll be supervising Ryoma’s conditioning during camp, we were wondering if you might also guide us.”

Okabe scratches the back of his head but forces himself to speak clearly. “We’re not contracted with Aqualis. We know that. But if you’re already here… maybe we could learn something too.”

Dr. Mizuno studies them both for a moment. His gaze moves with quiet precision, assessing their stance, their breathing, the way their shoulders hold tension even at rest.

“Why do you want that?” he asks calmly.

Ryohei answers without hesitation. “Because if we’re sharing the same camp, we don’t want to lag behind. If Ryoma’s training is measured that carefully, we want to understand where we stand.”

A faint smile touches Mizuno’s lips. “That is a reasonable answer. I do not restrict knowledge to contracts. If you are willing to follow instructions properly, I have no objection.”

Okabe’s relief shows immediately. “Seriously?”

“However,” Mizuno continues evenly, “before we discuss planning, you can assist me with something.”

He gestures toward the parking area outside the gym, toward the Toyota Hilux GR Sport sitting under the late morning sun, dust clinging faintly to its dark frame.

Mizuno walks to the back of the car and unfastens the secured tarp. When he pulls it back, several insulated containers and reinforced boxes are revealed, each labeled in clean silver lettering: Aqualis Performance Series.

Ryohei steps closer and reads the printed labels carefully. “All these… from Aqualis?”

“Yes,” Mizuno replies. “They are designed specifically for professional conditioning programs.”

Okabe lifts one of the boxes and immediately stiffens. The moment he adjusts his grip and catches sight of the silver insignia stamped along the side, his expression shifts.

His eyes widen with something close to disbelief. “Wait… this is the elite line, isn’t it?”

Ryohei’s usual grin spreads across his face as he reads another label more carefully. “Hydralyte Pro… RecoverX Isolate… These aren’t even listed on their website.”

The excitement in their voices rises without either of them noticing. Their earlier hesitation vanishes, replaced by the unmistakable thrill of being included in something exclusive.

Inside the gym, Aramaki straightens and glances toward the open entrance. Curiosity pulls him forward, and within seconds he steps outside, drawn by the energy alone.

“What’s going on?” he asks, eyes already fixed on the truck bed.

Okabe looks over with a grin he cannot suppress. “Looks like we’re leveling up.”

Aramaki moves closer, and when he sees the stacked insulated cases bearing the Aqualis Performance Series mark, his composure slips just slightly.

“You’re kidding.”

From inside the gym, Nakahara watches the small commotion unfold. Seeing their excitement, he understands immediately what kind of cargo is sitting in that truck.

But he simply exhales through his nose, shaking his head with a knowing smile before he turning away.

“Sera,” he calls calmly, walking toward him. “Let’s continue. Kenta, Satoru. Back to position.”

The rhythm of leather striking mitts resumes, steady and deliberate, while outside, the younger fighters gather around the tailgate like children discovering something rare.

***

Inside the lodge, the sound of simmering broth and chopping vegetables fills the kitchen. Ryoma stands beside Hiroshi, finishing his explanation about the weight adjustment.

Moments later, Ryohei steps in with the first insulated case. Hiroshi glances over his shoulder, blinking curiously.

“What’s all this?”

Okabe appears next, lowering a box onto the floor with a controlled thud.

“It’s delivery,” he says.

Hiroshi wipes his hands and walks closer. His eyes settle immediately on the logo.

“Aqualis?”

He crouches slightly to read the label more carefully. His brows draw together.

“These aren’t their usual products.”

Ryoma steps forward and looks down at the silver lettering. Recognition flickers in his expression.

“They’re from the Performance Series,” he says. “Exclusive line. Not available in convenience stores for now. They’re produced specifically for professional athletes.”

Outside, Aramaki and Ryohei head back toward the Hilux for the remaining boxes. Okabe lingers for half a second, still eyeing the packaging, before turning to follow.

Hiroshi watches them leave, then glances once more at the unfamiliar product names. Curiosity replaces confusion.

He then steps out of the lodge just as Dr. Mizuno is supervising the unloading of the final case.

“Good day, Dr. Mizuno,” Hiroshi greets, approaching with professional courtesy.

Mizuno turns toward him. “Ah, Hiroshi. Our fitness trainer.”

“It’s an honor you still remember me.”

Mizuno nods once, acknowledging the role without ceremony. “These are part of Aqualis’ professional conditioning program,” he explains, gesturing toward the stacked cases. “They are not commercial supplements. They are structured support systems.”

Hiroshi listens attentively.

“AqualisHydralyte Pro, hydration formulas adjusted to measured sweat loss,” Mizuno continues. “AqualisRecoverX Isolates intended to preserve lean mass during caloric restriction. Then Aqualis GlycoSyncs for controlled carbohydrate systems, designed to stabilize glycogen during high-volume sessions.”

Hiroshi’s expression shifts from curiosity to understanding. “So this is for camp optimization.”

“Correct,” Mizuno replies. “Everything is batch-tested and compliant with anti-doping regulations. Nothing here alters physiology beyond natural parameters. It simply supports what the body is already capable of.”

That clarification visibly reassures Hiroshi, easing the quiet concern he had been holding since noticing the unfamiliar labels.

Mizuno continues, his tone calm but transparent. “I will assist your conditioning plans. At the same time, this camp offers an opportunity for further refinement of our formulations.”

He does not lower his voice. “Elite athletes in controlled environments provide reliable response data. Load tolerance, recovery rate, metabolic fluctuation. Observing those variables allows us to improve precision.”

Okabe, returning with another box, slows as he catches the last part of that sentence.

“Refinement?” he repeats.

Mizuno glances at him but continues speaking to Hiroshi. “Yes. Research and development requires real-world application.”

Okabe sets the box down and frowns slightly. “Wait. You mean like… we’re lab monkeys?”

Ryohei closes his eyes briefly. Mizuno finally turns fully toward Okabe, and a faint, almost tired smile appears in his face.

“Weren’t you the one who asked for guidance?” Mizuno says evenly.

“That’s not the same thing,” Okabe argues, his face wrinkled.

“Relax. I have no intention of treating you as laboratory animals,” Mizuno replies. “However, if you wish to frame voluntary performance monitoring in such dramatic terms, I will not object to your enthusiasm.”

Okabe looks momentarily disturbed, unsure whether he has been insulted or teased.

Hiroshi exhales softly and shakes his head. “It’s not that extreme,” he says. “He means data tracking. Heart rate variability. Recovery metrics. Nutritional response. We already monitor some of that. This just makes it more precise.”

Okabe hesitates, then straightens. “So no cages.”

“No cages,” Mizuno confirms with a chuckle.

Ryohei suppresses a sigh of relief.

Mizuno gestures toward the other building. “I will be staying in the lodge next door during this camp. Coordination will be easier that way. Adjustments can be made early, not after complications arise.”

Hiroshi’s face brightens immediately. “That helps a lot.”

Ryoma, standing just inside the doorway, watches the exchange quietly. He understands the subtext better than the others. This is not just sponsorship support.

It is collaboration. Aqualis uses the training camp to gather performance data for research and development, while he receives structured support through specialized health products and direct supervision from a professional nutritionist.

Ryoma steps forward from the doorway, one brow lifting slightly as a memory resurfaces.

“Back in Melbourne,” he says evenly, “you mentioned you weren’t working directly under Aqualis.”

At that exact moment, Aramaki pushes through the entrance carrying a hard, reinforced case that looks far more technical than the supplement boxes. The latches clink softly as he adjusts his grip, unaware of how carefully it has been packed.

Dr. Mizuno’s eyes shift immediately. “Careful with that,” he says, his tone sharpening for the first time. “That contains the monitoring equipment.”

Aramaki straightens at once. “Monitoring?”

“Portable lactate analyzer. HRV unit. Sweat sodium assessment kit,” Mizuno replies calmly. “They are Aqualis BioMonitor Kit, fully calibrated.”

Aramaki nods quickly and moves with exaggerated caution toward the table. After that, Mizuno return his attention back to Ryoma.

“You are correct,” he says. “At that time, I was an independent consultant. But Fujimoto-san approached me after Melbourne. He said he wanted to utilize my services fully, both for research development and for direct supervision of your conditioning.”

He pauses briefly, adjusting his glasses. “Which means, I am currently under a long-term contract.”

The implication settles quietly in the room. This is no temporary arrangement. This is a structured commitment from President Fujimoto himself, and from the man standing before them.