Why, why, why...
Why isn't it me?!
It was sudden and I'm surprised too.
But the Association decided--
G2, right? A promotion bout, right?
All the more reason for it to be me.
I've got the skills! And the looks!
Right?
Huh?
Yeah.
That's what I thought. It's only natural.
Alright! Gather round!
We've finally made it here. The G2 stage is right before us!
Are you with me? Are you listening?
Once we're in G2, the amount of money soars!
Levius' popularity soars!
The gym's reputation soars!
You're in the clouds, you hairy pig.
Well, a bigger maintenance budget would make my job easier.
Levius, talk some sense into him.
As long as Uncle is happy, I'm okay.
I knew you'd get it Levius! That's my boy!
Besides, you were so jumpy during the Malcolm fight.
Aren't you underestimating this?
It's for a promotion and we're facing a ripped gorilla who thinks he's a star.
You haven't even won yet!
Amazing!
What a punch!
You like that? Did you get a good shot?
If it was too fast for the cameras, I can always throw one more!
-Please! -Yes!
One more shot!
Sh-Shut up!
You saw the Malcolm fight, right?
Levius is absolutely on the rise!
Hugo's nothing to be afraid of!
Unbelievable. You're so dumb, I'm speechless.
Shut up!
I'm still eating that!
I've got no apples for you!
What the hell, Scrooge?! You cheap pig!
Bill? Is something wrong?
Sorry.
I'm just a bit concerned.
What the hell, Bill?
I did some research.
Till now, all of the boxers up for promotion were ranked 3rd or above.
It's too early.
What rank is Levius now?
Rank 7.
There hasn't been a promotion in the last three years.
Now, it's suddenly decided and Levius, ranked 7th, gets nominated.
So what? Huh?
These things happen.
Well, I might just be overthinking it.
EPISODE 5
DO I LOOK LIKE AN IDIOT WHO THINKS ABOUT LOSING BEFORE A FIGHT?
Ha! I could easily take down two of you at once!
-Hugo! -Another pose!
Over here too, please!
Hold your horses.
The real training starts now.
Hugo! How are you so strong?
Stupid question. I've been strong since the day I was born.
Stronger than anyone.
The big promotion bout is next month! How are you feeling?
How am I feeling? Doesn't matter.
Whether I'm at my best or at my worst, the outcome is...
the same!
Right?
F-For sure...
Your rumored opponent Levius,
has been on the rise these past three years.
Is he a boxer that you're worried about?
You think I worry about other boxers?
No matter who they are, I'll knock 'em out.
But this is the fight of the century.
If you lose, it'd be the end--
Do I look like an idiot who thinks about losing before a fight?
Do I?
S-Sorry.
Hey, Hugo.
Chairman!
Chairman Stratus!
Ha! I know, old man.
Anyway...
He's such a small-timer, it doesn't make sense.
This is the promotion bout.
Do your best on the daily maintenances, Bill.
You're only saying this now? I always do the best work I can.
Well, okay then.
Because our next opponent is Hugo.
Didn't you say it would be easy?
Shut up! I'm just being careful!
And don't take a nap there!
Is he really that strong?
Um, well yeah...
Hugo hasn't lost in a few years.
He became Rank 1 in G3 about two years ago,
and has kept his position at the top ever since.
He's an elite fighter.
An elite...
He's the scion of Timor Gym, the oldest gym in Crystalburgh.
His father is a big-shot with connections to the Association.
Wow, you know so much.
They've offered me a job a few times.
What, you... Seriously?!
Why didn't you tell me?
Wait, you aren't leaving us--
I'm not leaving.
There was no need to tell you since I turned them down.
Though, the idea of working with high-end parts did sound appealing.
That's discouraging.
And, what rotten luck for Levius too.
He has to face Hugo of all people for the promotion bout.
That's true, people say he's the second Jones.
Jones?
Yeah, a G2 player from a long time ago.
Hugo has been heavily influenced by him,
but still...
He's kept the number one spot for years.
I'm sure his abilities are the real thing.
Are you sure?!
It's not the fight yet!
Ha! Take as many pictures as you like!
Yikes!
Speak of the devil...
H-Hey! You, stop there!
You must be Hugo Stratus.
I am Zack's Gym's--
Are you Levius Cromwell?
That's me.
Forfeit the promotion bout, right now.
You're so below me, a Rank 7 like you couldn't even make me look good.
Don't get cocky from beating an old crock like Malcolm.
What cheap trick did you pull to get selected?
That's rubbish! The Association decided on their own.
I bet you all pulled some strings behind the scenes.
No way this shabby gym has that kind of pull.
Th-That's right! We're nothing but a shabby gym!
That's right! The shabbiest gym in town!
Don't take us lightly!
No need to go that far...
The promotion match is a sacred thing.
I have no tolerance for cheaters.
I said I don't know! Ow...
He said he doesn't know.
Let my uncle go.
Ha! You wanna go right here?
Alright, that's just what I want.
However,
violence outside the ring is prohibited, so...
No! M-My car!
Levius, your metal boxing is nothing but child's play.
I saw the film of your match with Malcolm.
In the fifth round, why did you stop your hands?
You were showing mercy, weren't you?
Ridiculous.
That kind of weak child's play is what I hate the most in this world!
Dancing with an old imbecile like Malcolm suits a prick like you.
Enough, jackass...
Levius... My boy?
Take it back.
And what if I don't?
Ha! That's the spirit I wanted to see.
Hope you can keep that up until the promotion bout.
Don't go running away, Levius.
Listen, all you hacks!
Hugo versus Levius! I'll show you the pinnacle of fighting.
Hugo!
Look this way!
Over here, Hugo!
Oh yeah, Levius.
I actually have a tune-up match before the promotion bout.
Why don't you come and spy on me with your pudding-head friends over there.
What a jackass.
Never mind that guy Levius. That's his strategy.
He riles up the crowd and--
Hey, what happened?
No way, did his grip...
What, from just now?
Yeah. Seems like it's busted.
Guess we'll redo the maintenance.
Seriously, what a ripped gorilla...
Who will win?
Hugo is the main fighter.
I'm excited!
Isn't the opponent a lower rank?
It's for tune-up before the promotion.
Old man! Did you remember to send those tickets to Levius?
Yeah.
I wish I could just kick his arse already.
Why have this before the promotion bout?
To get you back in the fighting mode.
We haven't had any matches, since everyone's afraid of you.
Final adjustments are done.
You just need to put on the armor before inspection.
Okay Hugo, let's go.
Hey.
You didn't forget those parts, right?
Of course not, sir.
Here, your uncle's specialty, ultra-sweet milk coffee.
About Hugo's record for the past six months...
He's won every match by K.O. in under three rounds.
Honestly, the numbers alone are more impressive than yours.
Are you still dwelling on what happened the other day?
I understand you must be angry,
but you've got to put it behind you and observe.
You can't beat him if you let your emotions take control.
I know.
Hugo, you son of a bitch!
You're gonna win anyway!
At least make it last a bit!
Ha!
Looks like the crowd is ready...
These boos bring back memories...
Screw you, Jones!
Go get your arse kicked!
What the hell, Jones!
You had to win today too?
I knew you had it in you!
As a kid, I was slow and far from awesome.
But you know what?
Jones, who is the strongest of them all, taught me.
He taught me how to live in this world.
The pre-fight trash-talking.
The perfect fight.
The dapper suit, the wisecracks.
I admired everything about his style.
I trained harder than anyone,
for the day I would fight Jones.
But, wouldn't you know it...
right after I made my debut,
Jones went and died.
But there's no need to mourn.
Because...
I am...
Jones' living embodiment.
And now, we begin today's main event!
On the west side!
Grade 3, ranked 1st!
Hugo Stratus!
What a bunch of dimwits! Is that all you can come up with?
Even heckling takes brains!
Damn, this guy sure is good at getting publicity...
He's intentionally playing the bad guy.
There, four-eyes! They're here!
I hear you, I know.
Hey, my bad, my bad!
C'mon, move it. Your leg's in my way.
The loudmouth is here.
Why did you two leave without us?
You could've said something!
You were the one who was sleeping.
We're not here for fun today.
C'mon, I know that already...
Oh!
W-What?
This is delicious!
AJ Langdon!
Bloody hell, that armor looks bigger in the flesh.
But still a lot smaller compared to that gorilla.
Seems like the armor is for the size difference.
More armor will increase hyper-steam consumption.
It'll take a lot of stamina.
Which gym is this? The one JJ something's from.
It's AJ.
Venning's Gym? Never heard of it.
It's a new gym, created recently.
Not as big is Timor, where Hugo trains, but I hear it has the latest facilities.
That armor is mostly Lansbury. Well, they must be financially privileged.
Wow, a fight between two loaded boxers.
We don't belong here.
-Shut up. -Yeah, yeah.
It sure is frustrating being dirt poor...
Hey you!
Why don't you at least show your face?
Ha! Too scared to even speak?!
What a pitiful fool!
Looks like this won't last long...
Fight!
Cheeky bastard!
You're too slow!
That movement, with that body...
This chap trains hard.
Oi, oi, oi! Come on!
Aren't you gonna punch?
Ha! This is pathetic!
Gonna finish this now!
Here it is. Watch carefully.
There it is!
The Cross Screw!
Ha! Cross Screw? That's such a lame name!
Regardless of the name, it's powerful.
He made Jones' Screw Blow his own.
The steam tubes are placed in a spiral.
A typical mechanical arm wouldn't be able to twist that much.
Must be hard on the valves.
Ha! Are you a turtle?!
Let's see how long you can last!
Wow, I thought he was gonna punch anyway.
Hugo fights cleaner than I thought.
At any rate, Hugo is completely in control.
His legs never stop. He's a lot better than I expected.
Timor constantly updates their facilities,
and also has an exclusive contract with Edmond's.
They always have the latest gear.
Wow, unlike a certain penniless gym...
Quit saying we're penniless!
Old man, how is this supposed to tune me up for anything?
Then you should have finished it in one round.
Gotta give 'em a show, right?
If I end it too fast, I'd feel bad for the fans.
Oh, he isn't here today.
Well, he is a whimsical gentleman.
Well, I think that's enough crowd-pleasing!
Ha! Can't keep your arms up anymore?!
-Whoa! -Nice, Hugo!
-Do it in one hit! -End it!
Go!
What is this...
They say that when you see Hugo fight, you become a fan.
I see it now.
The match isn't over, but at this rate...
But...
What the...
This resilience...
You piece of...!
This bastard. No way.
Hugo took that round too.
That AJ guy sure is pathetic.
Getting knocked around without a fight.
I might've overestimated that new gym.
Your opponent seems tougher than we thought.
That bastard is a phony.
Twisting on impact to dampen my punches...
Maybe something's built into the armor.
Then, enough showmanship. Finish it in the next round.
Yeah, I know.
Ha! You make me sick!
Can't you just sit still?!
He's being read?
W-What kind of movement is that...
The range of motion is impressive.
That kind of evasion isn't normal...
Damn it!
The flexibility is amazing.
Why not use that technique earlier...
What is it, Levius? You're awful quiet.
Yeah.
It's the opponent.
Since the beginning,
their rhythm hasn't changed.
Rhythm?
Their breathing.
Even now, their breathing is stable.
Who the hell is this guy?
He's hurt?!
So overdramatic. It was just a simple blow.
What kind of punch...
Don't mock me!
Go, Hugo!
H-He's gone completely bananas.
He's pushing his body to the limit.
He's going to end it.
It can't be!
H-How...?
It didn't work.
W-What the hell?
Against Hugo's full power?!
Unbelievable...
What's going on...
Just who the hell is this guy?!
W-What's the matter, Levius?!
That mark is...
From back then...!