Kamogawa Gym is quiet that morning, but a palpable tension hangs in the air. The boxers train in their corner, but all eyes converge on Ryuu and Ichiro Miyata, who exchange piercing glances in the ring.
Miyata : "Ryuu, you have a lot of talent. But your arrogance will ruin you. I'm curious to see if you're as good as you say you are."
Ryuu smiled, his eyes bright with excitement.
Ryuu ; "Miyata, huh? The counter prodigy? So show me what you've got. But I'm warning you, I'll crush your pride in less than three minutes."
Kamogawa, stationed next to the ring, sighs deeply.
Kamogawa: "This is a bad idea, . You're both stubborn, but I don't want this to go wrong."
Miyata enters the ring, in silence. Ryuu adjusts his gloves and adopts a relaxed, almost provocative posture.
Ryuu: "Don't worry, old master. I'll take care of him without breaking him...well, not too much."
The imaginary gong sounds, and Miyata immediately gains the advantage. His posture is perfect, his movements precise. He advances with a jab, tested and refined by years of practice. Ryuu dodges with a slight movement of his head, without losing his smile.
Ryuu: "Not bad. But you're too predictable."
Miyata ignores the provocation and follows up with a jab, then fakes a hook. Ryuu narrowly dodges but remains slightly off-balance.
Miyata : "So, are you acting less smart?"
Miyata asks. However, in the second round, Ryuu completely changes tactics. He slowed his movements, carefully watching Miyata's every attack. The gym crowd, including Ippo, Takamura and Aoki, holds their breath. Takamura snickers.
Takamura : "This kid...he's annoying, but he learns quickly. Watch carefully, Miyata is going to have a surprise."
Miyata launches a rapid series of jabs, but this time, Ryuu anticipates perfectly and counters with a surgical direct to the abdomen. Miyata steps back, surprised.
Miyata: "Impossible… Did you read my moves?"
Ryuu, his smile still present, shrugs.
Ryuu: "Your counter is impressive, but it relies on patterns. I just needed to look at you a little. Sorry, Miyata, but your style is too rigid for me."
The tension rises a notch. Miyata, annoyed, speeds up his pace. But Ryuu, now in the zone, dodges and counters each attack with brazen precision. Finally, after an intense exchange, Ryuu lands a perfect uppercut that stops the fight.
A heavy silence invades the room. Takamura bursts out laughing, slapping his knees.
Takamura: "It was magnificent! This kid is a real monster!"
Ippo, speechless, whispers:
Ippo: "I've never seen anyone dominate Miyata like this..."
Even Aoki and Kimura, usually quick to joke, remain stunned.
Kimura: "He beat Miyata like it was nothing,".
Miyata comes down from the ring, furious but respectful.
Miyata: "Ryuu… I recognize your talent. But don't think it's going to stop there. I'm going to train until I surpass you."
Ryuu bursts out laughing.
Ryuu: "That's all I ask, Miyata. Give me a real reason to improve."
Kamogawa, observing the scene, gives a rare smile.
Kamogawa: "Ryuu, you're ready. Tomorrow, I'm signing you up for the professional exam."
Ryuu raises his arms in victory.
Ryuu: "Finally, I'll be able to prove to everyone that I'm destined for greatness."
A few days later, Ryuu went to the exam with Kamogawa and the other gym members. The atmosphere is electric. Dozens of amateur boxers, nervous and focused, train or exchange competitive glances. Ryuu, true to himself, keeps his smile and his casual attitude.
Ryuu: "All that for that? Seriously, master, I was hoping for a real challenge."
During the evaluation, Ryuu passes each stage with disconcerting ease. During physical exercises, he displays impressive endurance and agility. During sparring, he neutralizes his opponent in a few seconds with a precise and devastating counter. The examiners, surprised, take notes quickly.
Examiners: "This boy… He's way more advanced than most amateurs."
In less than an hour, Ryuu obtains his professional boxer certificate.
Back at the gym, Ryuu, in an unusual burst of generosity, suggests an outing to celebrate his success.
Ryuu: "I'm the one who invites you! Come on, everyone, I owe you that much for putting up with me."
Takamura, his eyes sparkling, is the first to react.
Takamura: "You mean you pay for everything? Even for me?!"
Ryuu: "Even for you,"
Takamura: " I knew you were a good person, kid, HAHAHA ! "
Ryuu replies with a laugh. The whole team goes to a yakiniku restaurant. The table is quickly invaded by platters of meat and drinks. Takamura, true to form, orders exorbitant dishes while telling questionable jokes. Ippo, more reserved, observes Ryuu with a mixture of admiration and curiosity.
Ippo: "Ryuu, why are you so confident? Are you never afraid of failing?"
Ryuu stops for a moment, a rare moment of seriousness in his attitude.
Ryuu: "Afraid of failing? Of course not. If I fall, I get up again. That's all. Fear is a luxury I can't afford, and... I'm the best anyway! Haha!."
Takamura: " What are you saying, rookie? I'm the best "
and the two got into an argument.
Miyata, sitting at the other end of the table, crossed his arms in silence. Although he lost to Ryuu, his eyes shine with determination.
Miyata: "Enjoy your victory, Ryuu," (he thinks.)
Miyata: " Next time it will be me who comes out on top."
As the evening draws to a close, Kamogawa raises his glass in a toast.
Kamogawa: "Ryuu, you have proven that you have talent. But the real path begins now. Don't get carried away by your victory. Keep a cool head and keep moving forward."
Ryuu smiles and raises his glass in return.
Ryuu: "Thank you, old master. But don't worry. This is just the beginning. I will conquer this world, one fight at a time."
The evening ends in a good mood, but deep down in each mind, the same feeling persists: Ryuu Kaidou is a rising star. And his rise has only just begun.