Chapter 10 I, Blake, am not taking a salary for nothing...

Of course, there would be more serious consequences. Otherwise, why would Matsuda Jotaro, a star boxer who has the strength to challenge for the 'Japan Boxing Championship' and is very likely to win the JBC title, act this way simply because he lost a chance to win the championship?

It's important to understand that, according to the rules of Japanese boxing, for Matsuda Jotaro to be eligible to challenge for this match, he must first clear the preceding matches and gradually accumulate wins from the lower-level events.

Such a person must have a very strong mental fortitude, and coupled with the demands of the boxing profession itself, they are even less likely to be defeated by setbacks.

Having the ability to win the championship and passing the preliminary rounds only gets you a glimpse into the 'Japanese Boxing Champion' tournament. Only by gaining the recognition and support of your agent and the event promoter can you truly obtain the ticket to the competition.

This support will certainly not be just lip service; it will require a substantial amount of real money!

Event promoters sign boxers and control their participation rights. Agents are tied to the boxers long-term, while they are tied to the boxers' event IPs short-term.

In contrast, the event organizers will contract the entire event and bear all the costs of the boxers' matches, including venue rental fees, boxer appearance fees, medical and hotel expenses, staff salaries, etc., while also bearing the high risks that arise from this.

This means they face extremely high risks, and their losses are not capped like those of sponsors who simply place ads and pay for logos; poor management could result in total financial ruin.

After all, sponsors are advertisers, while promoters are event contractors. The former purchases exposure rights, while the latter bears the risk of profit and loss. If the investment fails, the sponsor only loses the sponsorship fee, while the promoter loses much more.

Blake briefly explained the workings of the boxing world to Ikuya Nekono, outlining the relationships between agents, promoters, sponsors, and boxers.

And the costs and negotiations that all parties have to pay for a competition.

Most importantly, Blake wants to make Ikuya Nekono understand that a boxing match is never just about one boxer!

Perhaps because this knowledge involved things that piqued his curiosity, and because Blake spoke so vividly, Nekono Ikuya didn't find it boring at all; on the contrary, he listened with great interest.

Ikuya Nekono: Knowledge flows into the brain in a natural way.

He rested his chin on his hand and listened intently, and he seemed to understand: "What Black means is that if Matsuda Jotaro suddenly misses a match, not only him, but everyone will suffer a great loss, right?"

Nekono Ikuya thought for a moment: "The initial investment was completely wasted due to Matsuda Jotaro's 'personal issues,' and I can't even imagine how angry others will be. Will sponsors demand that he terminate his contract? Will promoters make him pay a huge amount of breach of contract fees? Will his manager no longer have a positive outlook on his career because of this stain?"

Blake nodded first, then shook his head: "That's true, but it's not that simple. Have you forgotten that Matsuda Jotaro was detained by the police because he became a murder suspect, which is why he had to miss the championship?"

Nekono Ikuya immediately understood: "So Matsuda Jotaro will face enormous public pressure! Even if the case is solved the next day, or even if the police help clarify and clear Matsuda Jotaro's name, the news from the first day will be enough to ignite public opinion."

Not to mention that the case may not be solved for a long time.

“The media will bombard him with questions about his character and professional ethics, and his fans will be angry about his sudden absence, feeling deceived and betrayed by him.”

Nekono Ikuya pondered: "Matsuda Jotaro's public image and commercial value will collapse instantly, and everyone will keep their distance from him from now on. This cannot be salvaged by simply revealing the truth!"

He looked up, seeking Blake's approval.

"That's right. In the eyes of his agent, he will instantly go from an 'asset' to a 'liability,' and the revelation of the truth will not be able to undo the damage to his career."

Blake added, "And don't forget the strict JBC (Japan Boxing Association). Missing a title fight without a valid reason will result in a suspension and fine from the JBC, because the JBC will consider the person to lack professional integrity."

"While hefty fines of 30-50% of event preparation costs can bankrupt a boxer, a ban lasting one to two years is far more devastating to their career. Boxers have a limited professional lifespan!"

Huh, absent without reason?

But Matsuda Jotaro wasn't absent without a reason. He was cooperating with the police investigation.

Nekono Ikuya gave Black a questioning look.

Blake explained, "JBC only accepts documents such as hospitalization certificates or police innocence certificates. There are time limits for submitting these documents, and Matsuda Jotaro is waiting for the results of the police investigation, so there is a high possibility that he will not be able to submit them in time."

After all, the police's efficiency in solving cases... well, those who know, know.

"Is that even possible?" Nekono Ikuya exclaimed in shock!

Blake concluded: "So, Mr. Ikuya, this isn't just about 'missing a match,' it's a strangulation orchestrated by rules, money, reputation, and public opinion. Matsuda Jotaro lost more than just the opportunity to participate in a match and win a championship; he lost the support of his agent, the recognition of JBC, the trust of sponsors and promoters, and the public's affection."

"Of course, there's also a boxer's most precious asset: their professional lifespan and opportunities for advancement. All these losses combined mean a death sentence for a boxer who is at their peak, about to reach the top domestically and aiming for the international stage. It's not that he doesn't want to fight another match, but that this cruel system will no longer give him the chance to fight another match."

Blake coldly delivered his verdict.

"!!!"

Nekono Ikuya opened her eyes wide.

The consequences were so severe!

No wonder the deceased was so convinced that preventing Matsuda Jotaro from participating in this competition would severely damage his entire career.

Their intentions are absolutely despicable!

However, it's not unreasonable that once evidence was found that the deceased Q had planned to attack Matsuda Jotaro, the suspicion against Matsuda Jotaro immediately increased.

This behavior is really excessive, and the verbal provocation is very likely to provoke people's anger.

If they really do meet on a narrow path.

After hearing Blake's explanation, Nekono Ikuya looked at Matsuda Jotaro, who looked gloomy not far away, and her feelings were different.

Even after all this, he hasn't lost it. This boxer's temper is surprisingly... good?

Doesn't this further prove that Matsuda Jotaro was not reckless and impulsive, and that the murderer doesn't seem to be him?

Nekono Ikuya asked urgently, "Can't we apply for bail to let him participate in the competition first, and then let him return to the police station after the competition?"

He observed that although the current clues suggest that Matsuda Jotaro is a suspect, the people in the police station do not actually believe that Matsuda Jotaro is the real culprit.

After all, suspicion is just suspicion, and everyone can see for themselves what kind of person Matsuda Jotaro is.

Most of the police officers sympathized with Matsuda Jotaro's situation, so why not let Matsuda Jotaro participate in the competition first?

“Of course not.” Blake cruelly rejected Nekono Ikuya’s idea.

Putting aside the time-consuming bail process and the question of whether it will be timely, the most crucial point is—

“Murder is one of the most serious violent crimes. Suspects pose a significant risk of fleeing, destroying evidence, threatening witnesses, or reoffending, and are generally not granted bail. Even humanitarian exceptions are limited to life-related events, such as attending the funeral of an immediate family member; sporting events are not included in this category.”

"If the police really let Matsuda Jotaro leave the police station to participate in the boxing match, the public opinion will definitely be very 'interesting'."

This is obviously ironic. Even if it is clarified that Matsuda Jotaro is not the real culprit, the police will still be heavily criticized because personal matters cannot supersede judicial procedures. This is irresponsible to the public.

Not only will the police be impacted by public opinion and their public image plummet, but Matsuda Jotaro will also suffer. This has nothing to do with whether he is truly innocent.

Even if Matsuda Jotaro is not the real culprit, the fact that he used some method to evade police arrest while being a murder suspect and openly participated in the competition, disregarding the rules and showing contempt for the law, will inevitably bring a barrage of labels to Matsuda Jotaro.

Accusations of ignoring the rules are very serious in Japan and can severely damage a boxer's career.

It can be said that being caught up in a murder case at this critical juncture has visibly darkened Matsuda Jotaro's career.

The police naturally sympathized with Matsuda Jotaro and wanted him to be able to participate in the race.

But the judicial system isn't a queue at an amusement park; there are no VIP privileges. Nor can you press pause and let the suspect go boxing first.

Blake glanced at the numerous police officers bustling by and slowly adjusted his sunglasses.

All the police can do is to perform their duties diligently and find out the truth as quickly as possible!

"Oh, I see..."

Nekono Ikuya turned her head away, her eyes flickering, a strange sense of guilt rising in her heart.

Oh dear, how did it turn out like this? Shouldn't he have reported it so early, causing Matsuda Jotaro to be detained by the police during this sensitive time?

However, after feeling guilty for only a short while, Nekono Ikuya realized that it wasn't his fault!

Although the alley was relatively remote, it wasn't deserted; the body would be discovered sooner or later, at most a few hours at night.

Of course, it's not the police's fault for responding too quickly or finding the suspect too efficiently. If anyone is at fault, it's naturally the murderer!

Although... the police handled this case very quickly, having already progressed to the fifth or sixth step, including crime discovery and reporting, case registration and preliminary investigation, scene investigation, witness statements and suspect questioning, evidence search and analysis, suspect identification and coercive measures, and case transfer for prosecution.

The efficiency is so high that it's a bit scary. Is this the kind of efficiency people have of the police?

You make me feel like a stranger.jpg

If it weren't for Nekono Ikuya's involvement, and after some quick investigation by Black, they would have suspected that Matsuda Jotaro was set up by capital – what a coincidence!

But at this moment, Ikuya Nekono seemed to understand why the police were handling this case so quickly, as if they had been put on an accelerator.

Aside from the unexpectedly rapid initial search for the suspect, everyone's subsequent desperate search for the real culprit was probably to get Matsuda Jotaro to the competition venue, even though the chances were slim.

It was a bit strange that Blake was talking so much today. Nekono Ikuya looked at Blake thoughtfully.

Blake noticed the look in Nekono Ikuya's eyes and asked hesitantly, "Young Master Ikuya, what's wrong?"

Nekono Ikuya slowly shook her head: "It's nothing, I just feel like Blake knows so much."

That's it, Blake thought with a proud smile.

I, Blake, am not taking this salary for nothing; I deserve it!

Despite his pride, Blake remained composed on the surface: "Is there anything else you'd like to ask, Young Master Yumi?"

The all-knowing Blake can help answer this!

"Is there anything else you want to ask?" Nekono Ikuya pretended to be deep in thought, dragging out her voice to buy time, while secretly starting to make some small moves.

Let me think, where did I put it again? Oh, I finally found it, it's here!

Having practiced magic for many years, Ikuya Nekono has incredibly fast hand speed. Almost as soon as he finished speaking, he quickly and discreetly found what he wanted.

He slowly placed his hand on his shirt.

The next second—

Almost without warning, he flicked his wrist so fast that it was almost a blur, and the jacket he was wearing, which had been neatly arranged and had a slightly casual style, was suddenly thrown back as if it had been hit by an invisible wave of air!

With a soft 'whoosh', the fabric rubbed against the air rapidly. The human eye has an instinct to capture sudden movement, so the coat fluttering in the air was particularly eye-catching.

Taking advantage of the moment when others' attention was briefly diverted, Nekono Yuuya quickly changed her clothes. In the blink of an eye, a well-fitting and playful short hunting jacket was draped over her shoulders.

"?!!"

Blake, regaining his senses, stared in shock at Nekono Ikuya, who had instantly transformed.

No matter how many times I've seen it, I'm still shocked.

Nekono Yuuya slowly pulled a brown deerstalker hat from her sleeve and placed it firmly on her head, tamping down a few unruly strands of hair.

Then, as he raised his hand and put the small, antique-style pipe that he had been holding between his fingertips (Blake: ??? When did I take that out?) into his mouth, he said:

"What are you waiting for? Let's get started! That's what Blake wants too, isn't it?"

Otherwise, Blake wouldn't have described Matsuda Jotaro's tragic end to him in such detail; Blake probably wanted to do the same.

Blake smiled slowly upon hearing this. "Sometimes the little devil can be like a little angel, right?"

A note from the author:

----------------------

After checking the information, I finally understood why Matsuda Jinpei's father missed an important match and his professional career was over (the 'Japan Boxing Champion' match mentioned in the text is a fictional one). The consequences were really serious. I also understand why Matsuda Jinpei only wanted to purify the police force instead of directly hating the police. Not letting Matsuda Jotaro participate in the match was not necessarily the police's fault. Matsuda Jotaro's experience can only be described as fate (73) playing tricks on him.