VISION GRID SYSTEM: THE COMEBACK OF RYOMA TAKEDA

On the way back to the hotel, Ryoma’s concern for his mother gnaws at him. The news of this morning’s incident has probably stirred whispers already. How long before the media catches wind? He doesn’t want to take the risk.

It feels best to call home, just to let her hear his voice and know he’s fine. So Ryoma pulls out his phone and dials the international number. After a short moment, a familiar voice answers.

[How are you doing, son?]

“I’m fine.”

[Calling your mom at this hour? What about your training?]

“Training…? I’m on a break right now. Just wanted to check if you’re okay over there.”

A soft chuckle comes through the line.

[Kaori and Nanako are here with me. If that’s not enough, maybe you shouldn’t have left me.]

“What? Should I abandon this fight and come back? If you say so, I will.”

[I just want you to stop worrying about me. You said you were going to fight a champion. Focus on your training. I don’t want you to lose that fight and blame it on me.]

“Ah… that’s actually part of the plan.”

[You silly… International calls aren’t cheap, you know. Now, go back to your training.]

“Okay, okay…”

The conversation ends, and Ryoma exhales a quiet relieved breath.

Before him, the two security personnel exchange glances, amusement flickering across their faces. They don’t understand Japanese, but the words “oka-san” give them enough context to know it’s a call to his mother.

The thought is quietly funny: the OPBF champion, the man everyone fears, is at heart a mama’s boy.

Kurogane glances at him, a small smirk tugging at his lips. “I heard your mom telling you to get back to training. But sorry, I’m not letting you do anything stupid today. Doctor said no training for the next forty-eight hours.”

“I know, I know…” Ryoma sighs, shifting his position carefully. The strap on his right shoulder already presses uncomfortably against his skin, reminding him of how fragile the joint still is.

***

Based on Ryoma’s request, Velasco ensures that the local police handling the investigation, as well as the hotel staff, maintain strict confidentiality about the morning’s incident.

Every officer involved understands the importance of discretion. They know that any leak could compromise both the investigation and the safety of Ryoma himself.

The hotel management, equally aware, is cooperative. Shangri-La at the Fort prides itself on impeccable service and reputation; the mere suggestion of violence within its walls could tarnish that carefully curated image.

Yet one person does not receive that instruction. Lorenzo, having finished his shift, already left the hotel and currently heads straight home. By the time he arrives, his younger sister Gina is waiting in the living room, scrolling through her phone.

“You know, Gina… your idol from Japan, Ryoma Takeda, almost got killed this morning,” Lorenzo says casually, dropping the words as if they were nothing.

Gina freezes mid-scroll, her face draining of color. “No, Lorenzo… don’t joke like that,” she whispers, disbelief cutting through her voice.

“I’m not joking,” Lorenzo says firmly. “But don’t worry… he’s fine.”

Gina blinks rapidly, trying to process what he just said. “Did something really happen?”

“Yeah,” Lorenzo shrugs, settling into the couch beside her. “Two strangers showed up at the hotel gym at dawn. They sparred with him, tried to test him or provoke him. I’m not sure which. Ryoma handled them easily, but one of them pulled a gun and fired three shots. And… somehow, he survives.”

Gina’s mouth opens, then closes, completely stunned. Her hands clench into fists in her lap as her mind races.

“You’re not playing around with me this time, are you?”

Lorenzo lifts one finger and then pulls his phone from his pocket. He swipes and opens a folder containing the CCTV footage he downloaded earlier from the surveillance room.

“Here… better you see for yourself,” he says, handing the phone over.

She takes it, eyes widening further as the screen flickers to life. The footage shows Ryoma moving fluidly during the spar, avoiding blows, and deflecting threats with precision, until he put Archie down on the canvas.

Then the gunshots ring out, chaos captured in the frame, yet somehow Ryoma survives. He dodges, rolls toward the apron, weaving to the other side of the ring, finding cover just in time.

Gina freezes, fear and awe mixing on her face. “Holy sh… Lorenzo, this isn’t edited, right?”

“It’s real,” he says, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “Don’t worry… he’s fine now, just a minor injury to his right shoulder.”

Lorenzo holds out his hand, asking for the phone back. But she doesn’t release the phone. Instead, she rewinds, replays, and watches again. Each loop leaves her more amazed, more terrified, and more certain that her idol is extraordinary.

Lorenzo leans back, shaking his head slightly, allowing her the moment she needs.

“I’m sleepy…” he says, yawning and stretching. “I’ll go to bed. When you’re done, leave the phone on my desk.”

“Okay…” Gina murmurs, still fixated on the screen, unwilling to tear her eyes away.

Lorenzo leaves quietly, not realizing the magnitude of what has begun. His casual sharing, innocent as it seemed, sets a chain reaction in motion.

Gina, outspoken and full of admiration for Ryoma, cannot contain herself. That same day, before giving the phone back to his brother, she actually shares the video with a close friend at school. And that friend, equally enthralled, posts it online.

From there, it spreads, quietly at first, then rapidly. Within hours, the incident that was meant to remain secret begins slipping beyond control, circulating on social media feeds, whispered in chat groups, and slowly, inexorably, reaching the wider world.

No one at the hotel or in the investigation knows how far it will go. Lorenzo only intended to share it with one person, but now, the story of Ryoma’s near-death in the early morning dawn takes on a life of its own.

***

Two days after the incident, Ryoma is back in training, though limited to aerobic exercises and footwork drills. The strap on his right shoulder is gone, and there’s no swelling or pain. Still, to avoid any risk, Nakahara keeps a close watch, making sure he doesn’t overwork that arm.

Nakahara stands near the edge of the ring, arms crossed, watching Ryoma move through the footwork drills under Hiroshi’s supervision. His brow is tight, a mix of irritation and concern etched into every line of his face.

“I swear, if he tries anything stupid with that shoulder, I’ll…”

Kurogane raises a hand, trying to calm him. “He’s fine, Sir. The doctor cleared him. And Hiroshi’s right there; he’s monitoring every step.”

Nakahara snorts, but it’s not entirely dismissive. “Monitoring, sure. But the kid’s stubborn. You know him. He doesn’t exactly… follow orders when he thinks he can push himself.”

Kurogane smiles faintly, though his eyes flick to Ryoma’s rapid footwork. “That’s exactly why he’s going to recover faster than you expect. He knows his body. He respects the limits… just differently than you do.”

“Limits?” Nakahara scoffs. “He just dodged bullets two days ago. He dislocated his shoulder, and you still talk about respecting the limits?”

Dr. Mizuno appears as usual, moving with calm efficiency across the gym to check on Ryoma, Kenta, and Aramaki. But today, he’s not alone. A figure they haven’t seen before follows close behind, exuding quiet authority.

Mizuno spots Nakahara and gives a polite nod. “Coach Nakahara, good morning. I’d like to introduce you to Urushido Yoritomo.”

Nakahara nods curtly, eyeing the newcomer with a mix of curiosity and professional caution.

Ryoma, on his break from footwork drills, approaches as well. And Mizuno gestures toward him.

“Ryoma, meet Mr. Yoritomo. He’s heading the Manila branch of Aqualis Labs’ subsidiary.”

Ryoma extends his hand and shakes firmly. “I didn’t know Aqualis Labs had a branch here.”

Yoritomo smiles lightly. “We’ve been preparing it for almost a year. Only operational for one month, though. And, in a way, you played a big role in it.”

Ryoma blinks in surprise. “I did? How?”

“Remember the first commercial snippet we used when we signed you as ambassador?” Yoritomo asks. “The response here in the Philippines was strong.”

Ryoma chuckles quietly, recalling the video. “I wonder what Paulo Ramos would think if he saw that.”

“It actually stirred quite a debate you know,” Yoritomo replies. “Half offended, half critical. Since then, your fanbase here has grown steadily. It would have been foolish not to leverage that.”

“Well, I hope the campaign runs smoothly,” Ryoma says.

“Of course,” Yoritomo answers confidently. “Especially given the recent news.”

Ryoma tilts his head, puzzled. “Recent news?”

Yoritomo leans slightly, voice calm but knowing. “Ah, don’t play humble. I’ve been following the news about you avoiding the gunshots.”

Ryoma blinks in disbelief. Confusion flickers to irritation and then to frustration. How does this man, whom he’s meeting for the first time, already know this?

“How… how do you know about that?” he asks sharply.

Yoritomo shrugs lightly. “How? Come on… it’s already trending all over the Philippines. Wait… don’t tell me you’ve been completely out of the loop about yourself.”

Ryoma fumbles for his bag, quickly pulling out his phone. He opens Google, searching for news in the Philippines.

The results overwhelm him: dozens of articles, videos, and social media posts all about the incident, including a clip of him dodging the bullets.

When he tries to check in Japan, his face pales further. Headlines after headlines have covered the incident.

“Ryoma Takeda Survives Gunfire During Manila Gym Session — Fans Stunned”

“OPBF Champ Ryoma Takeda Dodges Bullets, Proving Why He’s Untouchable”

“Morning Chaos in Manila: Ryoma Takeda Deflects Danger With Superhuman Reflexes”

“Witnesses Claim Ryoma Takeda Evades Three Gunshots — Legendary Status Solidified”

“Ryoma Takeda’s Bullet-Dodging Gym Encounter Sparks Myths Among Fans”

“From Japan to Manila, Ryoma Takeda Survives Armed Attack During Training”

“OPBF Champion Ryoma: Boxer, Icon, and Bullet-Dodging Legend?”

“Manila Gym Incident: Ryoma Takeda Moves Like Lightning to Avoid Gunfire”

“Ryoma Takeda’s Morning Training Turns Into Near-Miraculous Escape From Gunfire”