Sagasou Kotae wo kikanaide
Mitsuketai Girigiri no shobu de
GET LIFE Jikan wa sonna ni naize
Sorega START WAY
I WANT THIS ONLY
Sagashi motomeru
Ano giniro no hikari no naka de
Dareka wo kizutsukete
Jibun mo kizutsuite
Dakedo owarazu ni
Tada oimotome
Nani mo miete naikeredo... WHY?
Kitto konomama
NO PAIN TRANCE CONTINUE
Next, I'll try double punches from the left!
I'll get him this time!
Right?!
H-Hey...
Hasn't his fist...
...healed yet?
It's healed. But he can't punch with it.
Why?
The match is coming up soon...
and since you're not in the greatest condition, let's call it a day.
Okay?
Yeah, his step-in and left punch are really good...
but is he really going to take on Sendo like that?
He's probably trying to punch...
but something psychologically is preventing him.
He's afraid of being hurt again.
The match is in two days, you know.
Chief, what are we gonna do?
Kid.
It won't be long now.
Very soon now, I'll be able to box to my heart's content!
Okamoto Corporation 2F
Enough.
We're going nowhere if your rhythm is shot to hell.
B-But maybe if I do some more...
It won't change no matter how many times you do it.
But, sir...
Even his mitt-punching rhythm is off.
So, he got even more self-conscious after finding out his right is no good.
- Pack up our stuff, Yagi-chan.
- What?
W-Wait a minute, please!
I told you I would make the decision to withdraw or proceed...
based on how well your fist had healed by the day of the fight.
And we have the result right before us.
We are withdrawing from tomorrow's match.
We're getting out of here.
Please wait, Chief!
If I wait, will you be able to use your right fist?
No, I can't say that for sure...
but when I'm actually in the heat of the match...
Ch-Chief.
That's not like you, old man.
What?!
I said that's not like you.
You never throw in the towel before even trying.
What did you say?
You know, Takamura-kun, even the Chief wants to let him fight.
But think of his position as Ippo's supervisor...
Takamura, do you have some kind of plan?
Rather than a plan, I'd call it advice.
Advice?
It was the fourth match after my debut...
five days before the match.
I was hitting the sandbag without thinking anything in particular...
when a horrific pain shot up my right arm!
Turns out, I had buggered up my wrist...
with my own super dynamite punch.
Yeah, but your fourth match was your fastest ever...
that you won at one round 15 seconds by KO, wasn't it?
You defeated your opponent that fast with one left punch?
No, I used my right. I beat him with my right!
But what about the pain?
My opponent was a tough boxer...
and it would have been hard to beat him...
with one left punch, even for a superman like me.
However, if I was at my normal awesome strength...
I could never lose. But, boy, my right hand hurt.
What should I do?!
What did you do?
I worried!
Y... Yeah!
That's it!
One shot! I'd knock him down before I could feel any pain!
What?
I'd charge my opponent the moment the bell rang...
and let him have a full blast from my right while he's still gawking!
The idea was to make the opponent take a nap...
before I could feel any pain.
If I did it right, I could win in 3 seconds flat!
That's ridiculous!
One shot... huh?
Hey, don't take him seriously.
That's more like a specialized attack than a strategy!
Well, yes, I know I can't defeat Sendo-san with one punch, but...
What if...?
Takamura resigned himself for that match in his own fashion.
He would either nail it in one shot, or give it up in one shot.
It was a gamble of sorts.
If there's a possibility that I can truly fight with him even for a moment...
Ippo...
Ippo-kun...
So, what's it gonna be, old man?!
Put your fist on ice.
That mitt-punching probably made it start hurting again.
If there's any pain, you won't be able to throw a good first punch...
in tomorrow's match.
However, if you realize that you cannot use your right...
we will withdraw on the spot. Understood?
Thank you, sir!
If only... If only the pain would go away.
Sendo-san will win, of course.
I can't wait!
Hey, it's Rocky. Rocky's here!
Hey, it's our hero! It's Sendo!
Our hopes are riding on you!
Pulverize that Makunouchi guy!
The red trunks of the Eastern team!
Seeing those finally makes the All-Japan feel like the real thing.
Although we never got to wear 'em.
What's this? You guys have never worn those trunks?!
That is SUCH a shame.
Like you didn't know.
The pain stayed with me.
I won't be able to punch at full power like this.
But I have no choice!
Who's there?!
Yoo-hoo!
Dr. Yamaguchi! What are you doing here?!
Oh, please. I'm your supervising physician, remember?
Isn't that right, Chief?
Did you ask her to come here on my behalf, sir?
Is that Ippo's chiropractor?!
See? She's just like I said, right?!
This is amazing.
Hey, have you normalized?
No, but those knockers help!
I can believe that.
Clench your fist. Harder.
The swelling has gone down, but there's a lot of pain left.
Is there about 30 minutes until the match?
I didn't really want to do this, but...
We're going to have to anesthetize it.
I was informed of it from the very beginning, so I'm ready.
Still, to make sure you know this, anesthetics aren't perfect.
If you break a bone in the same place during the match...
it will not handle that pain as well.
Right.
Also, when it wears off...
all of the pain it subdued during that time will assault you.
Yes, I know. Please proceed!
Very well.
Yikes, I'm no good at stuff like that.
M-Me, neither.
Relax.
Uh, right.
Ippo-kun.
R-Right.
You're a man, aren't you?!
Huh?
You have to try harder than that.
It'll start working soon. Do your best out there!
That was flawless!
What an awesome feint!
Team West Green Room
I hear that Makunouchi got knocked down by Komori...
Team West Green Room at Ishii's gym while sparring.
The injury to his fist might not be healed yet...
but one thing for sure is he's not in peak condition.
Don't believe everything you hear.
He's the type who's good when it counts.
If I treat him lightly, I'll be in for it.
Y-Yeah.
However, I will be the victor!
I'm not trying to act big or anything, but I can't help feeling it's true.
I've never felt this great.
Energy is welling up from my very core!
I can't stand still.
I feel like if I don't hit something soon, I'm gonna explode!
The moment the bell rings, I'm going.
I'll have him pinned down from the get-go!
My fist feels a little heavy, but I feel no pain.
But I've lost all other sensation, too.
It's almost time. Kid, let's get going!
Right!
Now, that's a boxer. He finally looks like a real man.
Now, listen! We didn't come all the way to Osaka...
to get beaten by Sendo's cheering squad, got it?
Right! Ippo's timid...
so we need to kick up a real racket so he won't feel intimidated.
Look.
What? I didn't notice you bring that here.
You're really into the spirit of things.
This'll drown out the local cheering!
The Featherweight Class match is about to begin.
All right, let's do it!
Sen-do! Sen-do!
We've been waiting for this, Sendo!
Pulverize him!
Don't send him home in one piece!
Rocky of Naniwa!
Rocky! Win and buy me that video game system!
Go get him, Sendo!
I came for this match only!
If we try to cheer for Ippo in the middle of this, we'll be killed.
Hey, that's impressive!
Huh? Hey, isn't that Date?
You're right, it is Date!
What's he doing here?
The Featherweight champion, Eiji Date is in the spectator stands.
Has the Rookie Championship Tournament ever received this much attention?!
Wow, the champion's at a rookie championship.
Oh, Ippo-kun!
What, is this guy supposed to be his opponent?!
Get a look at his face!
He's supposed to have a heck of a punch, but Sendo's better!
Don't fall down too quick, okay?!
Sendo! Sendo! Sendo! Sendo!
Does it bother you?
Sendo-san sure is popular with the crowd.
Yes. The entire stadium is against you.
But don't forget, you have only one opponent.
Yes, sir.
Ooh, that's a good tough look!
That's just like him. He blanked out the peanut gallery...
by focusing completely on his opponent.
In the Red Corner, from Kamogawa Gym...
Ippo Makunouchi!
In the Blue Corner, from the Naniwa Boxing Society...
Takeshi Sendo!
How's your right?
I can't tell.
What?
The anesthetic is working, and there isn't any pain.
But I've lost my other senses as well.
But I think I'll know once I throw a punch.
I won't change the strategy. I'll go at him when the gong rings.
Good! For better or for worse, do it your way!
Yes, sir!
Seconds out!
The problem is...
...how much can he use his right fist?
Now, the tension rises. The opening bell for the final match...
of the Featherweight Class All-Japan Rookie Championship...
is about to ring!
I have to dash!
What's wrong with him?!
What happened to the Takamura gong-and-dash strategy?
What's wrong, Ippo?!
Is he feeling intimidated by the atmosphere in the stadium?
It ain't the stadium.
He's intimidated by the man standing in front of him!
The moment the bell rang, he released a tidal wave of pressure...
to rob his opponent of his drive.
That guy is powerful. I'm sure the kid felt it as well.
That's why he gave up on charging with the bell!
If he had gone, he would most definitely...
have fallen victim to Sendo's hammer.
I'm at the ropes! The pressure is intense...
not to mention that heavy jab.
There's no opening to punch!
There may not be an opening, but I can't just guard all the time!
I have to lash out.
I should be able to reach him!
I- I can't stop him!
Makunouchi is blasted backwards!
No wonder Sendo's so popular.
He's cool.
You idiots! No matter how pathetic he looks...
our buddy is fighting out there! Root for him!
Believe me...
I'd love to, but...
Sendo! Sendo! Sendo! Sendo!
Do something, Ippo!
We won't be able to raise our voices for you at this rate.
He has incredible destructive power.
I will have to use my right after all!
It's something I've known all along!
There's no way I can face Sendo-san without my right!
Oh? This is a dangerous distance!
Makunouchi has deliberately placed himself in the danger zone!
Y-You idiot! Don't stand directly in front of him!
That's too risky!
He's knows what he has to do. He's going to use his right.
He's gonna punch right! Throw that thing, kid!
Even if I get a jab in, he'll throw one right back at me.
At this rate, I can't aim my right!
This is truly a thrilling exchange of blows!
An offensive and defensive battle worth watching!
Go for the body! Stop him from moving!
I need to stop him from moving and use my right...
You fool! Don't take blows in the meantime!
Makunouchi has stopped moving! Will Sendo take the offensive?!
Go, Sendo!
Knock that sucker down!
When it rains, it pours! Sendo launches a barrage!
All right! That connected!
Th-This is explosive! Makunouchi swings a right!
All right! His head is clear!
It didn't hurt. I can do this!
He hit him without holding back, right?
That means...
Run with it, Ippo!
Throw your artillery at him!
Makunouchi!
Okay!
The entire stadium is dumbstruck!
That is just how powerful Makunouchi's destructive power is!
How is Sendo holding up after taking that full-on?!
This will work!
He guards! But that doesn't seem to matter to Makunouchi!
It's hurting! Makunouchi is unstoppable! His engine is on maximum drive!
Makunouchi lands a perfect left uppercut! Sendo is in danger!
Stop!
Oops! That's the bell! Sendo is saved from disaster!
What's the matter with Rocky?
Is he sick?
It's not that. Makunouchi is too strong.
How's your right?
It's all right for now.
Good! Your destructive powers are about 50-50.
Settle this thing before the pain decides to comes back.
Yes, sir!
NANIWA He's as good a boxer as they say if he can fight it out with you.
This is it.
This is what I've been waiting for.
He only has to face me, and I can feel it like electricity.
I've been wanting a fight like this forever!
Hey, it's okay to fight him head-on...
but if you keep taking those hard hits, even you won't last the match.
That's true.
When I took his right, I lost consciousness for a second.
When the lights came back on, it made me think.
That maybe this is what happened...
to all the guys who took a punch from ME.
Sendo...
Seconds out!
I'm not chickening out or anything. Quite the opposite.
My head is still spinning.
What shall I do about this?
Yes, what shall I do about this indeed?
He's calmer than I thought he'd be.
What? Uh, right.
Calm? Far from it.
The look on his face made me cringe.
No way he'll let Ippo get away with it...
after he's been beaten up that much!
Box!
Now, Round Two has begun. Sendo comes out of his corner slowly.
Has he recuperated? He poses at leisure.
Makunouchi faces him.
His attack at the end of Round One was superb!
How will he approach this round?!
Our firing range is about the same. It goes down when I get close to him.
Now, what shall I do about this?
Not yet. I need to get closer!
I need to get all over him or I won't be satisfied.
Sendo throws a sudden left!
Makunouchi is lifted into the air, guard and all!
It's a hook... an uppercut! No, it's something in-between!
It's a smash!
Ooh! It's a secret weapon!
That punch is amazing!
That was close! If I hadn't sparred with Takamura-san...
I would have taken a direct hit!
Again!
From below?!
Nani wo yattemo onaji yoni
Nando to naku machigai wo kurikaesu
Nani ga honto ni hitsuyo na mono?
Ashimoto kinishite
Shitabakari miteshimau
Sonna toki wa, hora
Ue wo muite miru
Tooku wo mite miru
Itsumo towa chigau kakudo mitsukete
Semai torimichi kao wo agetanara
360do hirogaru sekai
Middle-range. The distance required to make a large motion...
in order to deliver a destructive punch.
A punch delivered at this range is possibly fatal.
I can't let him slip away.
If I take his smash full-on, I'm sure I won't be able to keep standing!
No matter what, I have to stick close to him...
and continue hitting him without giving him any leeway!
The next episode is, "Smash Force."