The morning sun illuminates the modest walls of Kamogawa Gym. Ryuu Kaidou pushes the door open with disarming nonchalance, his casual smile already in place. In the room, the boxers are warming up, sweat is dripping on the floor, and the air is saturated with the sound of the punching bags being abused.
Ryuu: "So, Master Kamogawa, where do we start? Show me how to hit a sandbag? Or should I be the one giving you lessons?"
Ryuu says with a touch of sarcasm. Kamogawa doesn't respond. His gaze is severe, almost icy. He hands Ryuu a rag and points to a corner of the room cluttered with dusty equipment.
Kamogawa : "You want to practice here? Then start cleaning up."
Ryuu arches an eyebrow, visibly taken aback.
Ryuu: "Are you kidding me? I signed up to be champion, not janitor."
Kamogawa : "Then look elsewhere," (Kamogawa replies dryly.)
Kamogawa: "If you want to become a real boxer, you will learn to respect every detail, no matter how small. Now, rub."
A tense silence settles in, but Ryuu ends up grabbing the rag and shrugging his shoulders.
Ryuu: "Very well, very well. You want me to play housekeeper? I will. But you owe me a real lesson after this, old master."
After a morning spent cleaning up, Ryuu finally joins the other boxers in the ring. Kamogawa hands him gloves, but instead of bringing him to face an opponent, he guides him towards the punching bags.
Kamogawa : "Before you dream of fighting, you must learn to strengthen your body. Give me a thousand punches in this bag."
Ryuu: "A thousand? Are you serious?"
Kamogawa glares at him.
Kamogawa : "Begin."
Ryuu complies, his precise punches hitting the bag with measured power. However, over hundreds of strikes, the pain in his arms and legs begins to be felt. Each blow becomes a titanic effort. Ippo, watching in silence, approaches timidly.
Ippo: "It's hard at first, but it gets easier with time. Hold on. "
Ryuu, despite being tired, offers him a bright smile.
Ryuu: "That's nice, Makunouchi. But watch carefully. This bag will eventually give way before me."
He finally finishes his exercise, his arms trembling but his eyes still shining with a mixture of challenge and amusement.
----
While Ryuu was resting near the ring, when the gym door suddenly opened. A loud laugh rang out, followed by a provocative voice.
Sendo: "So, this is where you hide your wonders, Kamogawa? I wanted to see the kid with the destructive power that everyone is talking about."
Sendou Takeshi, the "Tiger of Naniwa", entered the gym. His imposing build and boundless energy immediately attracted attention. Ryuu, intrigued, raised an eyebrow.
Ryuu: "And what's your problem?"
Sendou laughed loudly.
Sendou : "You? Who are you?"
Ryuu: " Are you measuring yourself against me to find out? "
sendou : " Seriously? You don't even look like you can last a round with Makunouchi. But come on, show me what you've got, you cocky little guy."
Kamogawa tried to calm the situation, but Ryuu, piqued in his pride, was already entering the ring.
Ryuu: "If you want a taste of what I'm worth, Tiger, just come up. I promise it'll be short."