Chapter 180: The Boxing Expo
The game Metsudo Katahara had brought over was indeed a poorly made "cheap
game."
Yet, it was undeniable that the original prototype of that game—Mike Tyson's
Punch-Out!! on the NES—captured the very essence of its namesake.
Boxing.
Two people, donned in gloves, settling the score with nothing but their fists.
Attacking while simultaneously preventing the opponent from doing the same.
This simple yet profound set of optimal rules had been refined for over a
hundred and fifty years since the establishment of the "Marquess of Queensberry
Rules." In other words, this "simple game" had been evolving and expanding for
over a century and a half. Countless athletes had dedicated their lives to it,
building a massive global fanbase in the process.
The VIP tickets Metsudo had provided were for a large-scale Boxing Exhibition
being held at a stadium in Bunkyo Ward.
It was essentially a "Boxing Expo," jointly organized by several major clubs and
boxing associations. It was the kind of event where even casual observers could
find something to enjoy. According to news reports, there were even "mystery
guests" scheduled to appear, sending the hype levels of boxing fans through the
roof.
On Saturday morning, shortly after breakfast, Fusui Kure pulled up in her sports
car. She picked up Ren and Arisa, and the three of them drove toward the stadium
hosting the event.
Even outside the venue, the atmosphere was electric. The lines to get in were
massive, snaking around the block. Fortunately, with their VIP tickets, the trio
was able to bypass the crowds through the fast-track entrance, saving them a
significant amount of time.
"Whoo-hoo!"
Taking in the sight of the massive, bustling hall, Arisa raised her hands and
cheered. She loved these kinds of exhibitions; they reminded her of anime
conventions, and the venue was indeed packed with fans of boxing-themed manga
and media.
However, unlike a standard anime con, the crowd here trended more
"professional." Scattered among the tourists were retired fighters, second-tier
active pros, sports agents, well-known coaches, gym owners, and specialized
sports journalists.
At a few select booths, famous active boxers could even be seen. These were the
more charismatic types who enjoyed interacting with people, spending their
training off-days responding to the enthusiasm of their fans. One or two of them
were even fighters Arisa followed on social media.
"Niisan! I'm going to go snag some autographs! You two go ahead and look
around!"
Arisa vanished in a flash, leaving her brother and Fusui alone. Ren and Fusui
exchanged a look, shrugged, and continued their leisurely stroll through the
hall. Both remembered what Metsudo had told them:
"Keep your eyes peeled... Some real heavy hitters might be showing up to play!"
As the Chairman of the Kengan Association, Metsudo didn't say things without
reason. He likely wanted Ren to cross paths with these "heavy hitters" to see
what kind of sparks would fly.
Who is he talking about? Ren wondered. The tourists? One of the professional
boxers at the booths? Or perhaps the 'mystery guests'?
Despite being a boxing expo, the venue was a stadium, meaning there were various
sports facilities and corporate booths offering interactive experiences.
Ren noticed a group of high school girls passing by nearby, chatting and
laughing.
"When it comes to boxing, you're in my territory! Akemi, Hibiki—I'll be your
guide for today!"
"Oh right, Ayaka's family runs a boxing gym."
"Exactly! And today's mystery guest is actually a top-tier fighter registered at
our gym!"
"Why hasn't Akemi said anything for a while?"
"Muscles... hehe... so many beautiful muscles..."
"Yep, she's definitely a hardcore muscle-maniac."
Ren watched the girls walk past and murmured under his breath, "Students from
Koyo Girls' Academy..."
Fusui blinked beside him. "They aren't wearing school uniforms. How did you know
that?"
"I ran into them once when I was... uh, 'visiting' Koyo's gates to corner
someone," Ren recalled. Suddenly, he felt Fusui's gaze turn sharp. He quickly
added, "Wait, you saw them at the water park too—Arisa's classmates!"
"Oh, them? I didn't really pay attention back then."
Fusui let it go and pulled Ren along, continuing their search for the "experts"
Metsudo mentioned. They did indeed run into a few interesting characters.
At a demonstration stage for a particular boxing club, a famous retired
"speed-puncher" turned coach was inviting people from the audience to try a
drill.
Since it was a public demo, the movements were flashy, complex, and
high-difficulty—designed specifically to wow the crowd. The first few
participants had been successful, but even a fitness influencer among them
couldn't keep up with the coach's rhythm, perfectly illustrating the gap between
a "retired pro" and a "fitness enthusiast."
With the crowd's excitement peaking, the coach called up another young man. He
was well-built, handsome, with slightly thick eyebrows.
To the coach's shock, no matter how complex the boxing combinations he threw,
the young man replicated them perfectly. By the time the coach was panting,
unable to throw another punch, the young man was still in top form.
"Nice speed," the youth said, patting the coach on the shoulder with a
comforting smile. "But for me, mimicking you isn't a challenge. I'm looking for
a true 'master of technique'."
Fusui looked at the stage and nudged Ren in the ribs. "That guy looks like a
Kengan fighter. Pretty famous one, too." (Note: This was Chiba Takayuki, the
Faceless Man.)
Ren nodded, but then heard gasps from the other side of the stadium.
"The climbing wall record was just shattered!"
"So fast! He made it look like a casual walk..."
"That blonde guy is insane!"
Ren looked over and saw a muscular man hanging at the top of the indoor climbing
wall. He wasn't even using a safety rope; he was supporting his entire weight
with the fingertip strength of a single hand, gripping a tiny protrusion. He was
swaying his legs back and forth in a "moonwalk" through the air, drawing
thunderous applause.
Because of the distance, Ren couldn't see clearly. He turned to Fusui. "Is that
Sikorsky?"
"No, not the Russian convict," Fusui said, squinting. "Looks like another Kengan
fighter." (Note: Likely Sawada Keizaburo, the Bird of Darkness.)
Ren nodded, filing the information away.
As the crowd grew denser, Ren and Fusui continued their walk, though they didn't
spot any more "monsters" for a while.
They passed a corporate booth where a company was inviting customers to try
their latest "Boxing Machine." It was similar to the coin-operated machines
found in arcades but looked much more professional, designed for actual boxing
clubs.
A salesman approached them enthusiastically. "Hey there! Want to give it a shot?
We've got prizes if you break the record!"
Ren thought about it. In a place like the Soul Combat Hub, a machine like this
would probably be a "one-time use" item before someone broke it, so he was about
to decline.
However, Fusui grabbed his arm, grinning. "Ren-chin, give it a try! I want the
prize."
Ren paused. "You want the stuffed animal?"
"No, no. I just like the feeling of winning," Fusui said, a hint of nostalgia in
her voice. "Back when I went to amusement parks with my family—including my big
brother—I never got to play these things."
The salesman asked curiously, "Was your family very strict?"
"Not exactly." Fusui stuck her tongue out sheepishly. "It's just that my
brother, Raian, usually ended up making someone bleed, and then the whole place
would turn into a disaster zone."
Salesman: "..."
"Anyway, Ren-chin, hurry up and play!"
Fusui began pulling and tugging on Ren, eventually wrapping her legs around his
waist and clinging to his back. To an outsider, it looked like a hug; to a
fighter, it looked like a modified rear-naked choke.
Ren felt the blood pressure in his hands rising. "Is this a new move you
learned?"
Fusui giggled. "Yep. Learned a few tricks from Kureishi-senpai."
Ren did not giggle.
After a bit more pestering, Ren finally gave in.
He stood before the boxing machine, donned the glove, and watched the target pad
slowly rise. A thought suddenly flickered in his mind.
What is boxing, really?
Is it the specific punch of a boxer? Or is it simply the act of swinging a fist
to strike a target?
Ultimately... it's about the 'impact'.
Ren bounced on his feet a couple of times, then suddenly lunged forward. He
pulled his right arm back like a coiled spring and unleashed a devastating heavy
punch.
[ZANGIEF HEAVY PUNCH]!
BOOM!
The glove slammed into the pad with a sound like a cannon blast. The connecting
rod between the target and the machine bent instantly under the force. The
digital display flickered wildly before showing a system error.
The entire machine shuddered, and the mounting screws on the floor groaned,
nearly snapping off. This wasn't the 100% synchronized [STRIKE AT THE APEX]; it
was just a "very hard hit," but it was more than enough.
"..."
The salesman and the surrounding crowd stared with wide eyes, completely unable
to process what they had just seen.
"Was that a performance?"
"He... he almost pulverized the machine!"
"Is that thing a toy?"
The silence was broken by a girl's cheer.
"Whoo-hoo!"
Arisa had returned, clutching several signed posters and a bucket of popcorn.
As she ran toward them, a tall, handsome man with long hair passed by her. He
had a lean, athletic build, tanned skin, and was dressed in an expensive,
tailored suit.
The man had stopped to witness Ren's strike. He let out a light, appreciative
chuckle. "Haha. What a magnificent fist."
Arisa nodded proudly. "Of course! My brother's punches are the real deal!"
Being naturally social and living by the rule that "anyone I've talked to is a
friend," she reflexively held out her bucket of popcorn toward the man.
"..."
The long-haired man blinked in surprise, but he gracefully took a handful of
popcorn and thanked her.
Then, looking toward Ren to acknowledge Arisa's pride, the man smiled serenely.
"When it comes to 'striking techniques,' My 'Sword' is not half-bad either."
(End of Chapter)
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