IPPO : The Ultimate Counter

The arena was packed. The crowd was still buzzing after Ryuu's performance. But now it was Ippo's turn, who had already made a name for himself thanks to his fighting spirit and destructive power. His opponent, Nao Saki, was also a boxer known for his fighting spirit, relying on his large build and muscular Body to deliver powerful blows. Nao, already in the ring, swung his huge arms to warm up, displaying a provocative smile towards Ippo.

Nao: "Makunouchi! I hope you're ready to take it. Because I'm going to make you understand what true power is."

Ippo calmly stepped into the ring, focused, his gaze full of determination. He adjusted his gloves, ignoring the provocations.

Kamogawa, in his corner, whispers:

Kamogawa: "Don't get too close at first. Watch his movements. His hooks are devastating, but if he misses, he'll be vulnerable, and as soon as you have an opening, blow his liver out. That's your specialty, kid!"

Ippo tightened his gloves, ready to fight.

----

[ The gong rang and the Game Start ]

Nao immediately stepped forward with disconcerting aggression, launching an explosive right hook. The wind from the blow whipped through the air, but Ippo dove quickly, dodging with precision. Nao sneered.

Nao: "You can run, but you can't escape me forever!"

He followed up with a left hook, then an uppercut, each delivered with terrifying force. Ippo barely dodged, backing up to keep his distance. Kamogawa yelled from the corner:

Kamogawa: "Stay moving kid, don't rush!"

Nao closed the space with each step, suddenly Ippo landed a jab to maintain the distance:

"THUDD!"

Nao blocked but felt the power of the blow through his guard.

Nao (thoughts): "you want to tell me that it's his left... He hides rocks under his fists or what?"

Takamura: "Oho, he felt it pass"

But Ippo did not continue, and put his guard back faithful to Kamogawa's instructions.

Miyagi (thoughts): "He has progressed, usually he would have attacked head down.... tchhhh he continues to improve"

Nao unconsciously stepped back, his legs still strong, but with a slight apprehension. The round ended with the two boxers launching attacks more to assess the opponent and the distance than to hurt

----

In the corner, Kamogawa handed a towel to Ippo, who was breathing deeply.

Kamogawa: "Good job! Did you notice? Every time he throws a hook, he opens his right side slightly. That's where you have to strike."

Ippo nodded, a glint of understanding in his eyes. On the other side, Nao also caught her breath.

Nao: "That kid is tough, but he'll go down, if I can land a punch or two."

The gong for the second round rang. Nao advanced again with more energy, but this time, Ippo stayed closer. Nao threw a right hook. Ippo anticipated it and dove forward, narrowly dodging. He countered with a hook to the body that made Nao stagger.

" THUD! "

Nao growled in surprise, immediately countering with a left hook, but Ippo blocked it with his reinforced guard and stayed close, landing another body blow.

"THUD! "

Nao was starting to slow down slightly. Ippo noticed that his hooks, while powerful, left his ribs exposed when he swung them with too much force. Nao, annoyed, charged with even more force, launching a series of powerful hooks. But Ippo, now familiar with his rhythm, dodged and blocked with increased precision. In the crowd, someone shouted:

— "Makunouchi is incredible! He can stand up to that mountain of muscle!"

Ippo stood still, waiting for the perfect opening. Then, Nao threw a massive right hook, putting all his weight into the blow.

Ippo (thoughts): "It's time...."

Ippo ducked under the hook and found himself perfectly aligned with Nao's exposed flank. Kamogawa yelled:

Kamogawa: "Now, Ippo! This is your time!"

Ippo spun on his hips and sent a perfect Liver Blow, concentrating all his strength into the blow.

"BAM!!!"

Ippo's glove crashed into Nao's liver with surgical precision. Nao stopped dead in his tracks, his eyes widening in paralyzing pain. His body refused to respond, and he fell to his knees, his arms clutched around his stomach. The room erupted in screams.

Spectator: "It's over! Makunouchi got him!"

Nao tried to get up, but his legs were shaking, unable to support his weight. The referee began counting.

— "1… 2… 3…"

In his corner, Ippo remained focused, looking at Nao with respect, but he knew he had given his all.

— "8… 9… 10! KO!"

The crowd went wild as the referee raised Ippo's arm, declaring victory. Ippo then turned to the still-downed Nao and saluted him respectfully.

Ippo: "Thanks for the fight. You're incredibly strong."

Kamogawa, proud but still stern, whispered to Ippo:

Kamogawa: "You still have a lot to learn, but today, you've evolved your boxing."

Takamura smiled.

Takamura: "Yeah, that kid is really something. But he needs to learn to smile after a victory. He looks like he just came from a funeral!"

Aoki and Kimura couldn't help but laugh joining Takamura.

Ippo, tired but happy, raised his arms to salute the crowd. It was another memorable victory for the Kamogawa gym.