VISION GRID SYSTEM: THE COMEBACK OF RYOMA TAKEDA

Nakahara understands the meaning behind that glance without needing Ryoma to say anything. He exhales slowly and takes a few steps deeper into the office.

“Kid,” he says, “don’t forget that you’re a boxer first. Your focus should remain on becoming a world champion, not on fighting Logan Rhodes. Or Kirizume. And honestly, looking at you lately, I don’t want to see more of your attention and energy dragged into things that can be handled by other people.”

Ryoma understands the message immediately. After a brief silence, he nods once, reaches for the receiver, and places an international call.

“Mr. Boyle. It’s me, Ryoma Takeda. Sorry for calling unexpectedly, but we’ve just received an offer from NSN for the exclusive broadcasting rights in America and Europe. They’re offering ten million dollars.”

He pauses for a bit before continues. “Since we previously agreed to split the proceeds from those regions, I wanted to hear your thoughts before moving forward.”

After that, Ryoma falls silent as he listens, and then giving nods a few times.

“One more thing,” he speaks again. “If we decide to move the fight to late April instead, would your side have any objections? We feel the current schedule is becoming a little too tight for preparation.”

Again, he listens, with more nods following. Then he finally places the receiver back onto the cradle and looks up.

“They accept it,” he says. “But they also told us to be careful with NSN.”

A bitter smile appears on Kurogane’s face. “So we’re not the only ones who dislike Logan Rhodes.”

“Apparently not.” Ryoma nods. “Mr. Boyle said Logan Rhodes has strong ties to Hugo Ramirez. Also Bowman, the promoter handling Celeb Mercer. He knows those people have been trying to block my path through the WBC circuit.”

“Which only makes this more confusing,” Kurogane says, narrowing his eyes slightly. “Why is NSN suddenly willing to throw this kind of money at us so easily?”

The room gradually falls silent after that. No one immediately responds to Kurogane’s question.

Logan Rhodes’ connection to Hugo Ramirez is one thing. His connection to Bowman is another. Both relationships fit neatly into the picture they have already built over the past year. What does not fit is the generosity of NSN’s current offer.

Ten million dollars. Combined with the four million dollars already committed for the Japanese exclusive broadcasting rights, the total investment becomes difficult to reconcile with the image of a man who has spent years obstructing Ryoma’s rise whenever possible.

The contradiction hangs over the room for a while. Yet despite the uncertainty, nobody offers an explanation. There are theories, certainly, too many of them. But theories are all they are.

Eventually, Ryoma pushes himself up from his chair. “Let’s stop wasting time trying to guess Logan Rhodes’ intentions. We need to finish this first.”

***

A few minutes later, the four of them return to the conference room where Maria and Reika are still waiting. The moment they enter, both women look up from their seats.

Ryoma takes the documents from Maria and begins reviewing them personally. He moves through the pages quickly, but not carelessly, occasionally pausing to reread a clause or verify a figure before continuing.

Several minutes later, he reaches the final page. Without further discussion, he signs his name. The agreement between Ronin Fight Management and NSN is finally concluded.

Reika’s reaction is immediate. A bright smile spreads across her face before she can hide it. “Thank goodness. Really. I know we’ve caused some trouble before, so I’m happy we can work together again.”

There is nothing calculated in her words, no negotiation tactic, no hidden agenda. She simply sounds relieved.

Maria, on the other hand, remains considerably more restrained. “On behalf of NSN, thank you for your trust. We will begin preparing the necessary arrangements immediately. The first transfer will be processed as soon as the documentation is finalized.”

The difference between them could not be more obvious. One speaks like a young woman genuinely pleased by the outcome. The other sounds like someone completing a business transaction.

Eventually, the meeting comes to an end. Kurogane and Nobusawa accompany them downstairs, continuing a few final discussions regarding administrative matters as they move through the building.

Outside, the conversation remains polite and professional until they finally reach the curb where their car is waiting.

“Thank you for coming,” Nobusawa says.

“Likewise,” Maria replies.

Reika gives a small wave. “See you again.”

With that, the two women enter the car, leaving Kurogane and Nobusawa standing on the sidewalk as the vehicle gradually disappears into the traffic beyond the intersection.

Nobusawa exhales slowly, her eyes still following the direction the car has gone.

“Now that I’ve seen that girl in person, I think I can understand why.”

Kurogane glances at her. “What is it?”

Nobusawa folds her arms. “What if this offer isn’t really Logan Rhodes’ idea? What if it comes from his daughter instead? I can see it in her eyes. She’s clearly interested in our young CEO.”

“Everyone in the gym already knows that,” Kurogane says with lack interest. “She’s been around this gym for years, and she’s never exactly been subtle about her interest in Ryoma.”

“Is that true?” Nobusawa asks, sounding genuinely surprised. “What was her name again?”

“Reika Takamori.”

“Ah.” Nobusawa nods slowly, as though something has just occurred to her. “Don’t you find it strange that she doesn’t actually use Logan’s surname?”

Kurogane shrugs. “Who knows. Maybe she’s not really Logan’s biological daughter. Or maybe she’s using her mother’s surname. Not that it matters to me.”

***

The ride back to NSN Tokyo is filled almost entirely by Reika’s enthusiasm. She sits beside Maria with a smile that never quite leaves her face, looking out the window one moment and then turning back again as another thought crosses her mind.

“I knew it,” she says. “I knew they would accept eventually. And this is only the beginning. Ryoma will become a world champion soon. After that, he’ll become something even bigger.”

Maria offers a small nod. “Bigger?”

Reika’s answer comes without hesitation. “The biggest boxer in history. I really believe that. And I want to be part of his success.”

Maria merely watches her with a faint smile, almost like a mother listening to a child talk excitedly about a new friend from kindergarten; patient, indulgent, and slightly amused.

For a while, she simply allows Reika to continue. Perhaps she is genuinely happy to see her happy. Perhaps she is only pretending. Either way, the smile remains until they arrive at NSN Tokyo.

But then, the moment Maria returns to her private office and closes the door behind her, the warmth disappears from her face entirely. The softness in her eyes vanishes. Only the professional remains.

She sits behind her desk, retrieves her personal phone, and places an international call.

“Mr. Rhodes.”

[Maria.]

“They accepted. The Japanese rights. And the additional ten million dollars for the exclusive broadcasting rights in America and Europe. Exactly as instructed.”

[Good work]

Logan’s voice sounds calm, though there is a trace of genuine surprise underneath it.

[To be honest, I’m slightly surprised the kid accepted. That offer was partly a gamble. Or perhaps he’s not quite the person I thought he was.]

“Well, he didn’t seem eager to accept it,” Maria replies. “There were probably multiple factors cornering him. Or perhaps he doesn’t see it as an offer coming from you.”

[Oh?]

“He may see it as an act of goodwill from Reika. As far as I can tell, she’s still completely infatuated with him.”

A short chuckle comes from the other end.

[I hope you’re right.]

The response makes Maria narrow her eyes slightly.

“If not?”

[Then there was little point in leaving that company in Reika’s hands.]

Maria leans back in her chair. “Don’t tell me you see NSN Tokyo as nothing more than an extension of your influence over Ryoma Takeda.”

[You could say that.]

“And you’re using your own daughter as a piece on the board?”

[That’s what she wants anyway. Besides, if she actually manages to win him over, I wouldn’t even object to them getting married.]

That answer leaves Maria silent for a moment. The contradiction continues to bother her.

She has known Logan Rhodes for years, yet she still cannot decide whether he genuinely hates Ryoma or secretly respects him.

What she does know is that fourteen million dollars is not a small amount of money. Not even for NSN.

“Forgive me, sir,” she says eventually. “But why make an offer like this at all? Don’t you think the number is excessive? This isn’t a world title fight. It’s only a final title eliminator.”

[Well… you would be right if you were only looking at boxing. But Ryoma Takeda isn’t being viewed as just a boxer anymore.]

“What do you mean?”

[Do you remember Manila?]

Maria immediately understands. “The shooting incident.”

[Yes.]

Logan pauses briefly.

[Since that day, he’s become something closer to a myth. Even people who don’t follow boxing know his story. And I can assure you, something similar will happen again.]

Maria’s eyes narrow further. “You sound very certain.”

[I am.]

“What if he gets injured?”

[Then he gets injured.]

“And if he dies?”

[Then the event is cancelled, and we recover our money.]

The answer comes so casually that it sends a chill through the room.

[But what if he survives?]

Maria already knows where this is going. “A new myth?”

[Exactly…]

[At the moment, he may consider me his enemy.]

[But Maria… one thing you should never forget in this business is that you must always find a way to profit even from your enemy’s success.]