Chapter 939 - 939: When the Protection Ends

Meanwhile, Nakahara and the coaching staff have a problem of their own, an old problem they have repeatedly postponed dealing with until it has finally become impossible to ignore: too many promising fighters and not enough coaches to train them.

For Ryoma's title defense in London, only Ryoma will travel with the coaching staff, while the other fighters must remain behind and continue their training.

When Kurogane informs Nakahara that flights have already been booked for hims, Sera, and Hiroshi, the old man finally raises that issue.

"If we all go, then who's going to continue training the others here?"

Sera blinks, looking caught off guard. "...Ah, that's right."

"Now that you mention it," Kurogane says, "we've already made a deal with NovaLink Media. Starting next year, we're going to give them one event every month. After Ryoma's title fight in London, we need at least to arrange a domestic fight with Aramaki as the headliner in January. A regional-level fight with Kenta in February, followed by another world title fight with Ryoma in March."

"Have you arranged opponents for them?" Nakahara asks.

"I've made a list, but I haven't contacted any of them yet," Kurogane replies.

"That means we need you to stay here and arrange those fights," Nakahara says.

"Sure, I can stay here for that. I'll catch up with you guys during the final week before Ryoma's title fight."

"What about the coaching staff? Who's going to stay here?" Sera asks.

Nakahara falls silent for a moment, considering the problem carefully.

"I don't think Ryoma needs that much additional coaching. He can train himself for Cabello's fight before. But Hiroshi needs to stay with him throughout the training camp to monitor his fitness and weight."

He looks toward Sera. "So you'll have to stay here for a while as well. You and Kurogane can leave during the final week before the fight."

"But really, Kaichoo," Sera replies. "We need to add new coaching staff here."

"New staff for management too," Kurogane adds. "We've made a huge profit with the previous Tokyo Dome Project. We have more than enough money to pay salaries for more than three employees here."

Nakahara looks toward Kurogane. "You're the general manager, aren't you? Isn't this supposed to fall under your responsibilities?"

"I have a lot of contacts in the industry," Kurogane says. "I'm just worried that whoever I bring in might disappoint the rest of you."

Sera gives him a flat look. "That's also part of your job. If the people you choose turn out to be unsuitable, then it's perfectly reasonable for us to blame you."

Kurogane winces. "Alright, I'll ask some of them to come in tomorrow?" He says, turning toward the door. "Then Ryoma can interview them."

"Kurogane," Nakahara calls out.

Kurogane stops and slowly turns back toward Nakahara.

"We've already put too much on him," Nakahara continues. "Look at the situation we're in. With Ryohei gone and our commitment to hold an event every month, we may end up having Ryoma fight as often as once every three months."

His expression turns serious, looking between them. "It's time for the rest of us to do more and take some of that weight off his shoulders. Remember, if Ryoma loses and gives up his title, there's a very real chance all of us go down with him."

***

Meanwhile, in New York, Celeb Mercer is training with an intensity that would have been unusual even for him. The former world champion works through another combination as this trainer catches each punch on the mitts, snapping them back into position and forcing Celeb to maintain his rhythm without giving him a moment to settle.

His footwork remains sharp, and his timing is still precise, but something fundamental has changed. And his trainer is also different now.

Marcus Vane, a former champion known for his aggressive pressure fighting, has taken over Celeb's camp. Where his previous trainer emphasized patience, efficiency, and controlling distance, Vane has been pushing Celeb toward something far more ruthless.

"A king doesn't spend the whole fight waiting for his opponent to make a mistake. If you want to rule, you take the territory. You don't survive your way to the throne. You take it."

Celeb's defeat against Jean-Pascal Roy had exposed something he could no longer ignore. Against an opponent who refused to be discouraged by his movement and kept forcing him backward, beautiful footwork alone had not been enough.

Before that defeat, while still holding the world title, Celeb and his management had carefully avoided Elliot Graves. For years, they had found different opponents, negotiations, and priorities to keep the matchup from happening.

Now that's no longer an option. Graves has the title, and Celeb has nowhere left to run. And Vane knows better than anyone that Graves is not the kind of fighter Celeb could beat by playing safe.

"Put more weight into your punches," Vane shouts, catching another combination on the mitts. "Graves has some of the best footwork and ring IQ in the world, Celeb. You're not beating him by playing safe. If you're going to set up a counter, put the weight, the intent, and your heart into it. Don't throw one clean punch just to create space and run away."

Celeb fires another combination, but this time he steps forward with it instead of creating distance afterward. Vane immediately shifts the mitts, forcing him to follow and finish the sequence while staying inside punching range.

His breathing grows heavier, but he refuses to slow down. The old instincts remain, yet they are gradually being forced into something more aggressive, more deliberate, and far less forgiving.

He is no longer training merely to outbox his opponent. He is training to take his title back from the man he spent years avoiding.

"That's enough for today," Vane says, lowering the mitts. "But next time, put more intent into everything you do, even your feints. Make him see a real punch, not some confusing gimmick. Make him feel like he's in constant danger. You hear me?"

Before Celeb can say a word, Bowman's voice steals their attention from a few paces away.

"Impressive. Looks like we finally found a way to make the old Celeb Mercer dangerous again."

Both men turn toward the voice. Neither had noticed Dominic Bowman standing there.

"Bowman?" Celeb lowers his gloves, still breathing heavily. "How long have you been standing there?"

"Long enough," Bowman says, glancing at the mitts in Vane's hands. "Though I should probably thank Vane for wearing you out enough that you won't complain about my timing."

Vane gives him a dry look. "You're lucky I'm done for the day."

Bowman smirks and steps closer. "I was starting to wonder if Mercer had any bite left in him."

Celeb wipes the sweat from his forehead and looks at him coldly. "You come all the way here just to bust my balls?"

"Not entirely," Bowman says. "But I won't lie, that's one of the perks. Anyway, I won't be at your fight."

Celeb gives him a hard look. "Why? Don't tell me you're suddenly scared of dealing with Ryoma Takeda after what happened to Ramirez and Cabello."

"I'm not gonna pretend that's not part of it," Bowman replies, his expression turning serious.

"What happened?" Vane asks.

"Cabello testified before the WBO disciplinary panel. He told them about the banned drugs we put in his system."

"He mentioned your name?" Celeb asks.

Bowman nods. "Soon, the WBO is going to call me in to answer questions."

A flicker of concern crosses Celeb's face. "Bowman... is this gonna affect my career?"

"Relax. They don't have a witness who can prove I was involved. And Cabello… he's nothing but a disgraced cheater trying to pin the blame on somebody else after getting caught. Still, I don't feel like dealing with the media right now."

"What about my fight?" Celeb asks.

"What about your fight?" Bowman repeats with a mocking tone. "You're Celeb Mercer, aren't you? Don't tell me you're losing your nerve now."

"I just want to know you're not pulling anything behind the scenes."

"Can't do much this time," Bowman says. "It's on you and Marcus now."

Bowman gives Vane a small nod before turning toward the exit. He walks away without another word, leaving Celeb standing there with an uneasiness he cannot quite shake.

There had been a time when Celeb was known as an undefeated champion, carrying himself with absolute confidence and looking down on every challenger from the highest point of the sport.

But some of that confidence had always been reinforced by Bowman's ability to shape the circumstances surrounding each fight, quietly ensuring that Celeb entered the ring believing the odds were already in his favor.

Since Ryoma's rise and Ramirez's downfall, however, everything had changed. The old machinery that once protected Celeb was no longer operating the way it used to, leaving him to face Graves with nothing between himself and the consequences of his own performance.