IPPO : The Ultimate Counter

The night of Ryuu's fight had finally arrived and the arena was on fire and packed.

[Kamogawa locker room]

Takamura: (smiling) "Hey, Ryuu, no pressure. But if you lose, I'll be the first to remind you every day."

Aoki: (mocking laughter) "Yeah, can you imagine, Ryuu losing? We'll make a board in the gym to commemorate that."

Kimura: (laughing too) "A board with a huge picture of Tetsuya knocking him out!" Ryuu cracked a smile.

Ryuu: (calmly) "Keep talking, guys. After I win, you'll owe me a meal."

Ippo, more serious, put a hand on Ryuu's shoulder.

Ippo: "Ryuu, do your best. Even if you're confident, don't forget that every fight is a battle. Give it your all." Kamogawa, standing in a corner, crossed his arms and spoke in a deep voice.

Kamogawa: "Listen, kid. No matter how strong you think you are, a fight isn't just about power. It's about discipline, and respect for your opponent. Get in there and show us what you're capable of."

Ryuu nodded, a confident smile on his face.

----

[Tetsuya's Locker Room]

On the other side, Tetsuya was getting ready, surrounded by his team. Unlike Ryuu, the atmosphere was serious and focused. Tetsuya's every move was methodical, like a ritual before the battle. Suddenly, the door opened, and Kurogami, the national champion, entered the room. His piercing gaze fell on Tetsuya.

Tetsuya (surprised): "Kurogami-Sama..?"

Kurogami: "I came to wish you good luck. Don't let this Ryuu intimidate you, it's true that he talks a lot but don't make the mistake of underestimating him."

Tetsuya: (calmly) "I know how formidable he is, but being strong doesn't mean invincible. I'll fight with everything I have and I've prepared a little surprise for Ryuu."

Kurogami put a hand on his shoulder, a slight smile on the corner of his lips.

Kurogami: "A surprise huh... but remember, this fight is more than a victory. It's a chance to show your worth, show me how much you've grown Tetsuya."

----

The room was boiling, filled with impatient spectators. The journalists were positioned near the ring, ready to capture every moment.

Commentator: "Hello all the boxing fans across the country, the big day has finally arrived. The fight between Ryuu and Tetsuya for a challenger spot. And to help me commentate this match well at my side Mike bison "

Mike: "We will have boxers with 2 different styles, Ryuu who uses more the "Out fighter" style and Tetsuya the "In-fighting" style "

Commentator: "You see who the favorites are? "

Mike: "Tetsuya has a lot of experience and has proven through his discipline and seriousness that he is a dangerous boxer, but in front of him is Ryuu who is a prodigy and who has beaten all opponents with disconcerting ease"

Commentator: "Indeed a truly incredible talent"

The lights dimmed as Tetsuya made his entrance. Under the applause of the audience, he got into the ring, his expression focused. Then, it was Ryuu's turn. The music grew in intensity, and he appeared, a confident smile on his face. The spectators were torn between admiration and irritation at his nonchalant attitude.

Spectator 1: "He is too sure of himself, this Ryuu. I hope Tetsuya will teach him a lesson!"

Spectator 2: "No matter how arrogant he is, he is terribly strong. This fight is going to be spectacular."

----

The bell rang, marking the start of the fight. Ryuu stepped forward calmly, a smile still plastered on his face. Tetsuya, for his part, adopted a tight guard, his movements calculated. The first few seconds were a phase of observation. Tetsuya, fast, threw a precise jab that Ryuu dodged effortlessly. But to everyone's surprise, Tetsuya followed up with a lightning hook that grazed Ryuu's face.

Commentator: "Incredible! Tetsuya shows that he has no intention of being dominated!"

Ryuu stepped back slightly, a glint of amusement in his eyes.

Ryuu: "Not bad... You know how to make things interesting."

Tetsuya took advantage of the opening to pick up the pace. His blows were fast, precise, and forced Ryuu to dodge with agility. The audience was in an uproar. But Ryuu, far from being overwhelmed, seemed to be enjoying himself.

Tetsuya (thoughts): "I had planned to use it against Kurogami-Sama, but I have no choice"

Tetsuya continued to advance with a series of jabs that Ryuu dodged with amusement When a straight from a blind spot forced him to raise his guard for the first time, which made him step back

Ryuu (thoughts): "I didn't see that one coming"

Commentator: "Oh! What power! Tetsuya doesn't step back!"

Mike: "This is the first time Ryuu hasn't managed to dodge"

Tetsuya continued to advance. He feinted with a left before landing a powerful hook that lightly hit Ryuu. For the first time, Ryuu's smile briefly disappeared.

Ryuu: (thinking) "Hm... Not bad. But it won't be enough."

As Ryuu was about to accelerate he anticipated a left hook and moved, dodging a jab when suddenly a right uppercut coming from a blind spot again hit him in the face and for the first time Ryuu stopped advancing.

Commentator: "Incredible shot by Tetsuya that stops Ryuu's advance!"

Takamura's eyes in the stands narrowed slightly. Tetsuya wanted to take advantage of this moment but the bell finally rang, marking the end of the first round.

Ippo: " Ryuu... got hit?"

Kimura: " Hit? He almost got KO'd hahaha I'll win my bet "

Aoki: " Tchh... Takamura I want to change my bet "

Takamura hit both of them in the head.

Takamura: " The fight isn't over you bunch of losers "

Commentator: " Saved by the bell! What an incredible round by Tetsuya, this is the first time Ryuu got hit that bad!"

----

Kamogawa: "Take a breath, you got caught kid"

Ryuu: "What was that blow? I didn't see it coming"

Kamogawa: "That's normal, we call it an "underwater" blow, a blow that comes from the blind spot and is difficult to dodge, especially for boxers with your style"

Ryuu, wiping his forehead with a towel, replied with a smirk.

Ryuu: "Underwater hit huh... Interesting! This Tetsuya... he has a little more bite than expected"

Kamogawa: (firmly) "Don't underestimate him, Ryuu. He hit you twice in this round, and that's a warning signal. Stay focused and stop playing."

Ryuu, replied with a smirk

Ryuu: "I just wanted to test him, old man! But don't worry..."

Ryuu stood up, put his mouthguard back on and moved forward.

Ryuu: "There won't be a 3rd round!"

----

Spectators 1: "Hey look Ryuu almost got a Ko, he'll be less arrogant"

Spectators 2: "Maybe Tetsuya really has a chance"

Kurogami (thoughts): "so that's your surprise... not bad Tetsuya you've grown up but don't get carried away this guy is more dangerous than that."

On Tetsuya's side, his coach encouraged him.

Coach: "Keep it up, Tetsuya. You hit him with your technique. Keep using the in-fighting style and don't let him get away and when the opportunity presents itself send your special move."

----

The gong rang and the second round was about to begin. The two boxers got back into the ring but Ryuu's posture had changed.

Tetsuya (thoughts): "What... what is he doing? This posture..."

Commentator: "Unbelievable Ryuu is now in an "in-fighting" posture"

Ippo: "In-fighting? But Ryuu-kun is an "Out boxer" like Miyata-kun right? Why is he changing his style?"

Kamogawa: "this kid...."

Coach Tetsuya: "stay calm Tetsuya he's trying to destabilize you"

Tetsuya (thoughts): "Don't think too much.... this is your preferred distance so make him pay for his arrogance"

Tetsuya advanced with more determination when suddenly... BAM! BOOM!

Tetsuya: "That... That guy"

BOOM!

Tetsuya's trainer (shocked): "Those moves... they're the same as Tetsuya! NO it's..."

Yagi : "It's even faster, more powerful, more precise..."

Mike (standing up with a shocked face): "impossible..."

Spectator 1: "That's unbelievable... I've never seen that"

Spectator 2: "That's Tetsuya's favorite distance but he loses?... what the hell is going on"

Ippo (shocked): "How is that possible... "

Tetsuya: "A feint? No, first put your guard up and take some distance"

As he wanted to raise his guard, a right hook from a blind spot hit him in the face followed by an uppercut also from a blind spot.

Coach Tetsuya: "These punches....its... Tetsuya's technique..."

Commentator: "He can even reproduce Tetsuya's punches, Ryuu is a monster without equal"

Ryuu followed up with a devastating combination.

Tetsuya (thoughts): "I'm not going to give up... not now"

and in a last burst of will Tetsuya tried to send a right hook but Ryuu dodged and slipped under Tetsuya's side, his movements were similar to Ippo's... BOOM!

An explosive liver blow hit Tetsuya who doubled over. Ryuu followed up with a lightning right straight that sent Tetsuya to the ground motionless.

DING! DING! DING!

Commentator: "The referee doesn't even need to count! The fight is over! KO in the second round!"