Senpai...
Well, actually...
You're still resting, right?
I can't ask you this.
You want to spar?
I can do a little.
Senpai...
Great.
This is a great opportunity.
I can give it my all, right?
Itagaki-kun...
Hey man!
You're talking to the Japanese champion!
How dare a pre-debut rookie talk like that!
Aoki-san!
Sure, that's fine.
Let's do our best.
Thank you.
All right!
I'll be your second.
Thanks.
Ippo, don't fail and lose.
Okay...
Then... begin!
He's light on his feet.
Probably quite fast.
I don't feel much pressure.
But he's the Japan champ.
Will my speed be any good against him?
Don't let him step in!
Keep him away with consecutive punches!
He's faster than when he sparred with me.
Maybe he doesn't need any advice.
That face pisses me off!
Stop taking hits! The rookie will get cocky!
I went after the end of his swing, but he's quick at stepping back, too!
Good! He can't keep up with my speed.
Sharp and fast!
Move away completely after I'm done with my blows!
His lefts are razor sharp.
I bet he'll use a counter if I try any big blows.
It's well-formed boxing.
Just like Miyata-kun's style.
From below?!
It numbs the blocking arm!
It could have been dangerous if I took that hit.
Don't relax there!
That shot was to make you block it!
Crap! I stopped moving around without realizing it!
Dodge them. I can see his punches.
I can dodge them!
No! Not that way!
Why am I against the ropes?
Did he lead me this way?!
What's with this pressure?!
It's totally different from earlier!
Man, you hit him hard.
N-No, I just thought I'd be beaten if I didn't do that, since he's so fast.
Yeah! Take that, Takamura!
Is that how a second's supposed to act?!
We haven't reached the count of ten yet.
Itagaki-kun...
If you aren't coming, I will...
H-Huh?!
Finally awake, huh?
You did pretty well. You only took four downs in three rounds.
F-Four times?!
I wouldn't expect any less from the Japanese champion; he's on a completely different level.
Oh yeah, where's Senpai?
He went back to the beach.
I see.
I need to thank him; I learned a lot.
But aren't you an out-boxer?
What good is it to copy an in-fighter?
I'm not copying him.
I'm studying to defeat one.
Defeat?
Defeat who?
It's me.
Hey, Neko-chan.
What's in those sacks?
I heard Makunouchi's group is heading home tonight.
So let's shoot some fireworks on the beach.
Fireworks?
Sounds good, right, Takamura-san?
D-Does it have to be at night?
It's not fun otherwise.
What's the matter?
That beach's got...
a super powerful wraith.
It drags people into the sea!
I have proof too! Look at this!
A clear hand print!
It's a perfect match.
I dragged myself out of there desperately!
You can only tell how scary it is if you were there!
Even he gets scared of something?
Don't worry. I'm sure it won't come out tonight.
Hell no! I'm not coming!
Takamura-san! It's getting dark!
Let's go shoot fireworks!
Takamura-san!
Hang on.
I'm putting down a big and long one.
Well, I did come out of the water alive, after all.
A ghost is nothing to be scared of.
Hell yeah!
That's an artistic coil shape.
There's a hair sticking out of my poop?
What is it?
What is this mysterious thing?!
Did it come out of my body?
Why?!
How?!
Is this a curse too?
Is it?!
It's pretty.
Yes.
So, did you get to relax?
Yes. Thank you.
All right! These are ready too!
P-P-Please don't get burnt.
I-I-I'll be careful.
I guess nothing happened between them.
What a waste after spending a night together.
Hey, you got started already?
Let us join too.
You're late!
Oh? What happened to Takamura?
I guess he didn't want to come. Right?
Something about being cursed or whatever...
He's not coming?
Then let's just have fun!
Without him!
It's no use worrying about a guy who's not here.
Party on!
Yeah!
The beach is nice and open.
It's because he's not here.
We'll stay trouble free, then.
I feel relaxed now.
True enough.
Aoki and Kimura, you are sentenced to death!
Ippo and Itagaki aren't showing any sign of missing me.
They're equally guilty!
Get carried away while you can.
I'll knock you from Heaven down into Hell!
Huh?
Is it wet?
Damn my luck!
Takamura-san!
You were around?
Shit! Maybe he heard us!
We better cover it up.
So you did want to come join us.
What a baby.
D-Don't say...
it like that!
See? Now he's pouting.
Do something, Ippo!
B-But he's being stubborn!
It's okay.
I'll just go away.
Since I'm sure I'll bring trouble.
And I'll bother you.
So he did hear us.
Now what? It'll be scary later.
Please don't go!
Let's shoot fireworks together!
I'm leaving.
Don't say that!
Itagaki-kun! Follow up!
It's no good without you, Takamura-san!
We miss you, Takamura-san!
Stop bullshitting!
You were just having fun!
Yes, it was fun.
But something was missing!
Our thoughts couldn't become one.
It was because we didn't have a leader among us!
He's right!
We're no good without our leader!
Boss!
Chief!
It's no use praising me now!
Takamura!
Takamura! Takamura!
Takamura! Takamura! Takamura! Takamura!
Damn it!
Looks like you need me after all!
No, save those for later.
We've gotta shoot them in the right order.
Ippo, get those ready.
Yes.
Man, you can't do anything right without me!
He's already bossing us around.
Let him.
That was impressive, Itagaki-kun.
It brought Takamura-san back to a good mood.
I'm just a good talker.
With girls too?
Can you coach me so I can talk confidently?
Huh?
But you already have such a wonderful girlfriend.
And last night you did—
Not so loud! No, we didn't!
Hey! Big one coming up!
Okay!
Those are great blossoms.
I can see them in those.
The fireworks in the night sky.
The boxers in the ring.
The boxing life is way too short for pro athletes.
You pour all of your young energy into it,
and you blossom briefly, yet nobly.
That brief light is what makes you beautiful.
I do hope that you continue to blossom for a long, long time.
Nekota-san...
Don't rank us with the fireworks.
We are the stars above those fireworks.
We glow forever!
That huge star is me!
I'll become the world champion and have you look up to me forever!
Stars, huh?
That's a great way to put it, Leader.
Then we are the stars by it.
Yeah!
Go for the Japan title!
The goal...
My goal is to keep holding on to Date-san's torch tightly.
And some day, fight against Miyata-kun.
The Kamogawa gang is getting excited.
Everyone! That's the spirit!
Be the glowing star!
Nekota-san!
Get down!
Run!
Who's attacking?!
Watch out, Tomiko!
Masaru!
Aoki!
Did you do this, Takamura-san?!
It wasn't me!
So damn hot...
Practice does no good in this heat.
Coach is still gone, and the camp team's not back yet...
I'm sure that God is telling us to take a nap.
Right, Ippo?
Did you say something, Aoki-san?
Mr. Goody-goody.
Stop slacking off, idiot!
C-C-Coach!
You have a request for a spar.
Can you do it?
A spar?
They are seeking a strong partner.
They should be here shortly.
I can do it.
I'm already warmed up.
He's a rookie who hasn't debuted yet, but I was told he's a great up-and-coming hopeful.
Okay.
Hello.
There he is, from Otowa Gym.
Thank you for accepting this, Mr. Kamogawa.
We appreciate it.
So, he's my sparring partner.
He looks powerful.
Umm, hello.
I'm Imai Kyosuke!
Thank you for the opportunity today!
I-Imai-kun, is it?
Thank you, too.
I'm so excited!
I admire you a lot!
It's an honor to be able to fight the man I admire.
And I really want to test my ability!
I will give my best today.
Didn't I just hear the same phrase?
Stop grinning.
He asked for the champion while being a rookie.
He underestimates you.
I said he's a great up-and-coming hopeful.
[RSC - Referee Stopping Contest. Amateur equivalent of KO.]
His amateur record is 35 matches, 35 wins, with 33 RSC.
He won the inter-high school national championship two years in a row.
He can start at the 8-round level already.
He's better than Itagaki?!
Don't take him lightly.
Okay!
Okay, we're ready.
Then shall we get started?
Judging from his build, he might be an in-fighter.
I'll check things out first.
He's quick!
He has very quick steps.
His punches are heavy too.
Step aside!
He caught up!
What are you doing, Ippo?!
He's a fighter who keeps pushing if I back off.
I have to push him back with punches!
Yeah!
Nice body blow! That'll slow him.
He hit back!
He has a very similar style to the boxer he admires.
And he made it his own, not just a copy-cat.
He's strong!
Without the head gear, that could have been...
He's strong!
I can't believe he hasn't debuted yet!
That's the end of the third round.
That's it!
Thank you.
It was a great lesson.
I got serious after knocking him out, even though it was only a spar.
I got dragged in by his spirit.
He already has the charisma of a pro.
If he gains experience and shows up as a challenger...
Yo!
We're back.
We're home!
Oh? Were you having a spar?
Ippo got beaten up by a rookie.
Senpai getting beaten up?
No way.
K-Kyosuke!
Manabu!
They know each other?
Looks like it.
You joined Kamogawa Gym?
You're acting just like our high school days.
If you haven't graduated past that level, that's fine.
I'll aim for my goal as a pro.
I will take the shortest route to the title Makunouchi-san is holding.
No, you can't.
You can't reach Senpai.
I will stop you this time!
H-Hey! Kyosuke!
Thank you so much for today.
Kyosuke!
Why didn't he jab back?!
Itagaki-kun...
I first met him at the national tournament.
I could tell the first time I faced him...
that he was strong.
He did look more like a martial artist than an athlete.
You got scared, huh?
No, I got excited.
Excited that I'd be number one if I beat him.
But...
When I woke up, I had been knocked out cold.
It was such a one-sided loss.
We fought three times in high school, and I lost by KO all three times.
But this time...
Ippo,
what do you think?
Huh?
What do you mean?
You sparred with both, right?
So who's stronger?
Well... um...
U-Um... That is...
I know.
I know I'm not stronger.
That's why I chose Kamogawa Gym, which is known for its tough training.
He too kept winning the matches where the odds were against him to become the champion.
Imai will come out as the favorite for the rookie king tournament next year.
Pay him back then.
Yes!
I'll get the rookie title!
There it is!
This is it.
The rookie king is a great memory.
Itagaki-kun and Imai-kun...
As far as boxing sense goes, Itagaki-kun is far superior.
He's above Imai-kun in speed and cleverness.
But something is missing.
It's set!
It's finally come!
Takamura-san's world title match!
Congratulations, Takamura-san!
Here you are.
I ran all the way!
Your title match that once got canceled is back on!
I couldn't wait to...
Huh? You aren't excited?
Don't you think it's strange?
Huh?
I was surprised since it was so sudden, but...
Yes, it was sudden.
The champion's management called the office just moments ago.
"We will accept the title match if you can do it in December" is what they said.
December! Awesome!
Then he can be the champion before the end of the year...
Within this year?!
B-But you have a match in October!
You don't have enough time to get ready!
They intended it that way.
They offered it fully aware of his match.
He needs to lose weight for junior middle class back to back.
Takamura-san's having difficulty losing weight is part of their tactics.
They got us.
Then pass on the offer this time, and take it when you're ready.
Ippo,
I can do it even right now.
Takamura-san...
So you know the face.
WBC world junior middle class champion,
Bryan Hawk.
Takamura-san!