[The Next Day – Kamogawa Gymnasium]
The Kamogawa gymnasium was filled with an unusual atmosphere. The discussions surrounding Ryuu's feat were in full swing, and even the most seasoned members of the gym couldn't help but share their opinions. Ippo was already at work, hitting the heavy bag with an intensity rarely seen, his breathing steady, but his eyes filled with a new determination. Kamogawa watched his protégé from the corner, arms crossed. He hadn't spoken a word since the training started, but his mind was occupied.
Kamogawa (thoughts): "Ryuu has awakened something in Ippo. That's a good thing... but I have to make sure he doesn't burn out. The kid still has so much to learn."
Kamogawa: "You're in good shape today, kid."
Ippo stopped hitting the bag, his face drenched in sweat, and nodded firmly.
Ippo: "Coach, I want to train harder. Ryuu's fight... it showed me how much further I have to go."
Kamogawa gave a slight, quiet smile, crossing his arms.
Kamogawa: "Hmph, that's what I was hoping to hear. If you want to get stronger, then prepare yourself. I'm going to push you beyond your limits today."
Takamura, sitting on the bench chewing a snack distractedly, burst out laughing.
Takamura: "Harder, you say, Ippo? Are you sure you're ready? If that's the case, you should spar with Ryuu, right?"
Ippo blushed slightly, clenching his fists.
Ippo: "Not yet... But one day, I want to face Ryuu. Not to compete, but to prove that I can surpass myself."
Kamogawa clapped his hands, interrupting the discussion.
Kamogawa: "Enough talk! Ippo, start with a series of explosive hits on the bag. I want to see your speed and power increase. Ryuu is not your goal. Your only opponent is yourself."
[The Next Day --- High School]
After classes, Ippo, carrying his sports bag, walked silently through the main building's hallway, holding his boxing license in hand, when he suddenly ran into Umezawa and his gang.
Umezawa: "Hey, Makunouchi! Still as quiet as ever! What's that, a notebook for jotting down the birds you're observing?"
Ippo hesitated before replying, but Umezawa snatched the notebook from his hand. To his surprise, he discovered it wasn't a notebook, but a boxing license.
Umezawa: (bursting into laughter) "A boxing license? Seriously? You? You'll be knocked out in the first round, for sure!"
The others laughed with him, but Ippo remained calm. Without saying a word, he took back the license with a quick, fluid jab. His posture and movements left Umezawa speechless.
Umezawa: (in disbelief) "Wait... you really fight?"
Ippo: "Sorry to bother you, but I have to go. See you next time."
Umezawa: "Wait, Makunouchi... if you really box, when's your next fight?"
Ippo: "It's tomorrow."
Umezawa, intrigued, decided to attend the match with his gang, still mocking him.
Umezawa: "Alright, we'll come watch you get your butt kicked."
----
The day of the match had arrived, and the arena was filled with spectators, ready for the show.
[Locker Room – Before the first fight of the Eastern Conference Tournament]
The atmosphere was tense in the gym's locker room. Ippo, sitting on the bench, was carefully wrapping his hands, his eyes fixed on the floor. He could hear the cheers of the crowd echoing from the other side of the walls. His heart raced, and his hands trembled slightly. That's when Takamura burst in, a wide mocking grin on his face.
Takamura: "So, champ, you ready to get crushed? With those little fists of yours, they'll probably mistake you for a beginner."
Kimura, following closely behind, crossed his arms, laughing.
Kimura: "Seriously, Ippo, you look more nervous than a rookie. Did you forget how to throw a hook or something?"
Aoki, on the other hand, approached with a fake serious look, placing a hand on Ippo's shoulder.
Aoki: "Listen, Ippo… If you get knocked out in the first round, at least promise us you'll pretend it was a lucky punch, alright?"
The three burst into laughter, and Ippo, embarrassed, tried to smile sheepishly.
Ippo: "Stop it, you're making me more nervous…"
Takamura: "More nervous? Hey, if you crack now, how are you going to survive in the ring? Come on, relax, kid."
As they continued their teasing, Ryuu entered the locker room. Unlike the others, his imposing presence immediately calmed the atmosphere. He stopped in front of Ippo, his arms crossed, his piercing gaze as usual.
Ryuu: "Ignore these clowns, Ippo."
Takamura raised an eyebrow, pretending to be offended.
Takamura: "Hey, Ryuu, watch out or I'll give you a lesson myself."
Ryuu ignored the comment and placed a hand on Ippo's shoulder.
Ryuu: "You're ready, Ippo. All the training, all the sacrifices, they've led you here. This is just another step in your journey. When you're in the ring, forget your doubts. Focus, and use your heart."
The calm but confident tone of Ryuu reassured Ippo, who finally looked up at him.
Ippo: "Thank you, Ryuu… I'll give it everything I've got."
It was then that Kamogawa, silent up until then, stood up from his chair in the corner of the room. Everyone fell silent immediately, as if they sensed something important was about to be said.
Kamogawa: "Listen to me, Ippo. This fight isn't about winning or losing. What matters is getting on that ring and showing who you are. Every punch you throw, every step you take, you control it. This ring is your battlefield. When you step up there, remember everything you've accomplished. Remember your strength, your will, and everything you've sacrificed to get here."
He slowly approached, placing his firm hands on Ippo's shoulders.
Kamogawa: "Now, go show them what you're worth."
The silence that followed his words was broken by an enthusiastic shout from Takamura.
Takamura: "Yeah! And if you lose, I'll make you run to Okinawa!"
Everyone burst into laughter, even Ippo, who finally felt a bit more at ease. He took a deep breath, stood up, and focused on his gloves.
Ippo: "I'm ready. Thanks, everyone."
[Locker Room – Before the First Fight of the Eastern Conference Tournament: Jason Ozuma]
In a corner of the locker room, Jason Ozuma, shirtless, stood facing a mirror, slowly wrapping his hands. The dim light in the room cast a shadow over his focused face. His eyes, fixed on his reflection, were filled with a cold but intense determination. He paused for a moment, his head lowered, as a flood of memories overwhelmed him.
[Flashback – Jason's Gym]
The gym was a small, modest building with worn-out equipment and patched-up punching bags. But for Jason, this place was a sanctuary. It was here that he had found a family among the underprivileged kids of the neighborhood, those who came to learn self-defense or simply to find a safe place. Jason remembered the laughter, the encouragements they exchanged, and especially their admiring looks when they saw him train. This fight wasn't for him. It was for them. The prize money from the tournament would keep the gym open, repair the equipment, and give these kids, who had so little, a chance. Back in the locker room, Jason clenched his fists.
Jason (thinking): "This fight is for them. I can't afford to fail."
His coach, a sturdy man with a graying beard, approached him, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
Coach: "Jason, you ready?"
Jason nodded without a word, but an incredible determination was evident on his face.
----
[Heading to the Ring]
The two boxers left their locker rooms accompanied by their teams, and Ippo felt a new energy bubbling within him. The words of Ryuu and Kamogawa echoed in his mind, and despite the pressure, a confident smile appeared on his face. This was no longer just a fight. It was his moment.
The fight between Ippo and Jason began amidst the cheers of the crowd. In the first few seconds, Jason unleashed powerful punches, his right hook flying at a frightening speed. Ippo barely dodged, but the intensity was overwhelming. In the stands, Umezawa was stunned.
Umezawa: (in a low voice) "This is serious… this isn't the same Ippo from high school."
Umezawa's friend: "Yeah, he's changed a lot, but his opponent is really tough…"
Ippo started to retaliate. Fierce exchanges followed, each blow landing with a force that shook the arena. Both boxers showed remarkable endurance, but Jason eventually landed a devastating hook that sent Ippo to the canvas.
Referee: "1… 2… 3…"
In the stands, Umezawa and his gang held their breath.
Umezawa: (panicked) "Get up! Come on, Ippo!"
To everyone's surprise, Ippo rose at the count of 6, his eyes burning with determination.
----
The fight resumed, and Ippo changed his strategy. He accepted taking hits to get closer to Jason, aiming to land brutal counterattacks. The rounds went on, and both fighters seemed on the verge of exhaustion.
Kamogawa: (between rounds) "Remember what we practiced! Stay calm and find the opening."
In the 6th round, Jason delivered a series of devastating blows that pushed Ippo into the ropes. Just as he was preparing to finish him off, Ippo remembered his training with Takamura. The image of Jason and Takamura seemed to merge, and he managed to dodge a huge hook from Jason, slipping under his guard to land a perfect liver blow. He followed up with a left jab, then a right hook, and the punch made Jason stagger before he fell to the ground, unable to get back up.
Referee: "1...2..."
Umezawa (shouting): "3...4...5"
Referee: "...9...10! KO!"
In the stands, Umezawa and his friends jumped with joy, shouting and clapping enthusiastically.
The final bell rang throughout the arena, and the crowd's cheers reached their peak. Ippo's face, marked by the blows, lit up with an exhausted but genuine smile. He raised his fist in victory, acknowledging the crowd and silently thanking his opponent for the intense fight.
Jason, still kneeling in the ring, clenched his fists. Despite the loss, a small, quiet smile appeared on his face. He slowly lifted his head and extended his hand to Ippo. Without hesitation, Ippo took it and helped him up. The spectators applauded this act of mutual respect.
Jason:
"Good job... You won this time. But we'll meet again."
Ippo:
"Thanks, Jason. It was an honor to fight you."
As Ippo made his way down from the ring, he locked eyes with Umezawa. The latter, embarrassed, looked away before awkwardly shouting:
Umezawa: "Don't get any ideas! I was just here to see how you were doing! But… well done."
Ippo smiled sincerely at him before heading toward the locker room, his heart filled with gratitude and determination.
----
[Locker Room – After the Fight]
Back in the locker room, Ippo was greeted by a thunderous round of applause from his teammates. Takamura jumped on him, laughing loudly.
Takamura:
"Not bad, kid! But don't get too cocky. If you keep it up, maybe you'll catch up to my level... in about fifty years!"
Aoki:
"Seriously, that liver blow! You must've cracked a rib or two on that poor guy!"
Kimura:
"Hey, stop teasing him. Ippo, that was amazing. You deserve to celebrate."
Kamogawa, standing off to the side, watched the scene in silence, a faint smile on his lips. He knew that Ippo had just crossed a crucial threshold in his boxing journey.
Kamogawa:
"Ippo, you showed your heart today. But remember, this is just the beginning. The road ahead is long."
Ippo, still out of breath but fulfilled, nodded.
Ippo:
"Yes, coach. I'll keep training hard. I want to get even stronger."
---
[In the Stands]
Umezawa and his friends left the arena, their faces still flushed with excitement. Umezawa, usually mocking, seemed thoughtful.
Umezawa's friend:
"Wow, Makunouchi was incredible... I never thought he had it in him."
Umezawa:
"Yeah… He's really become someone. I think we should stop making fun of him."
He threw one last look at the arena, a mix of respect and determination in his eyes.
Umezawa (thoughts):
"Ippo… Keep going. I'm curious to see how far you'll go."