Champion's Path

The sound of the bell rang like a relief, a respite amidst the whirlwind. Yuu dropped back against the ropes, legs shaking, body aching, a sea of confusing sensations ranging from extreme exhaustion to a strange euphoria. The air entered his lungs like a breath of life, burning slightly as it passed through his irritated bronchi. He tasted the metallic taste of blood once again, a brutal reminder of the intensity of the fight.

Tanaka, panting with equal intensity, pulled away from him, his face, marked by the fight, reflecting a mix of surprise and frustration. His blows, although constant and powerful, had failed to bring Yuu down. He had underestimated the young man's resilience, his ability to absorb punishment and fight back, even if his own blows had seemed ineffective.

From his corner, Coach Kamogawa shouted instructions at him, an indistinct mix of encouraging words and technical advice that he could barely make out through the ringing in his ears. The voices of the crowd, a distant murmur, blended with the deafening pounding of his own heart.

Between the ropes, Yuu felt a gaze fixed on him. It was Aoki, his usually mocking expression replaced by a mix of awe and respect. A slight nod, a quick, silent pat on the shoulder, a gesture of silent but meaningful support. It was enough.

The break between rounds felt fleeting, too short to fully regain strength, but enough for his body to begin to compose itself. The cold water burned his throat as it passed, but the cool sensation was a small balm for the fire burning inside him. Kamogawa, with his experience, quickly adjusted the bandages, his gaze serious but filled with a contained pride.

The bell rang again, announcing the restart of the fight. This time, Yuu felt a change within him. The initial uncertainty had given way to cold determination. He had survived the initial storm, had learned to read Tanaka's rhythm, to predict his movements, to anticipate his blows. It had not been a victory, but it had been a valuable lesson. The next round would be different. His strategy changed. Now, he would not limit himself to defending himself, but would seek his own opportunities. Victory was not yet assured, but the doubt that had gripped him before had dissipated. The fire of the fight burned brighter than ever. He was ready.

The second round began with Tanaka adopting the same aggressive strategy as the previous one. He launched himself like a projectile, ready to repeat the formula that almost brought him victory. But this time, something was different. Yuu's stance had changed subtly, imperceptible to the untrained eye, but palpable to Tanaka. His eyes, once filled with steely determination, now glowed with a wild fire, a primal intensity that chilled the blood.

It was as if a beast had awakened within him. Tanaka, despite his aggression, felt a chill run down his spine. It wasn't fear, not exactly, but an instinctive caution, an alert that resonated deep within him. Still, he launched himself into the attack, his right fist tracing a straight line towards Yuu's jaw. At the precise moment he was about to connect, however, something unexpected happened.

Yuu, instead of dodging, moved with surprising speed, a speed that seemed to defy the laws of physics. His body contorted, his left hand intercepting Tanaka's punch with pinpoint accuracy, and in a fluid, unprecedented movement, Yuu responded with a left hook that landed squarely on Tanaka's liver. The air seemed to leave Tanaka's lungs in a silent moan, and he doubled over, his body convulsing in pain. The crowd held its breath, watching in awe at the brutal efficiency of the counterattack. Yuu, without missing a beat, followed with a right to the chin that sent the seasoned boxer reeling.

Tanaka, shocked and hurt, could barely keep his balance, his eyes reflecting a mix of pain and disbelief. The round had just begun, but the scene had changed dramatically. The roar of the crowd filled the stadium.

From their corners, the coaches' voices rang out as a counterpoint to the frenzy of the fight. Kamogawa, with his hoarse but firm voice, shouted at Yuu to keep up the pressure, to not let Tanaka recover. At the same time, Tanaka's coach, with desperation reflected on his face, tried to slow down his boxer's momentum, urging him to conserve his energy, not to fall into the trap of Yuu's wild rhythm. The exchange of blows became a storm of fists, a frenetic dance where both boxers threw and received blows with unprecedented ferocity.

Sweat and blood flew through the air, mixing with the dust of the ring, creating a dense and electrifying atmosphere. Despite the pain, both continued their offensive, increasing the speed and power of their blows. Already halfway through the second round, the intensity of the fight seemed to not diminish. The commentators, initially stunned by Yuu's unexpected reaction, were now shocked by the brutality of the exchange.

Their descriptions became increasingly effusive, their voices filled with excitement, as they analyzed the strategy of both fighters. Suddenly, an experienced voice among the commentators alerted the audience to a possible repeat of the pattern from the first round. Tanaka, aware of his growing exhaustion, had once again attempted to use the same deception tactic, opening a false gap, hoping that Yuu would fall into the trap. But this time, Yuu anticipated the move.

With a bestial cry that echoed throughout the stadium, he deftly dodged Tanaka's charge, taking advantage of the slightest opening that Tanaka had left in his defense. Yuu's next move hung in suspense, a promise of what was to come.

The anticipation was palpable. The silence, broken only by the labored breathing of both boxers and the expectant murmur of the crowd, became thick, charged with tension. Yuu, taking advantage of Tanaka's moment of bewilderment, unleashed a flurry of blows. It was not a wild, indiscriminate attack, but a series of precise and powerful punches, each aimed at a vulnerable point, a calculated blow that sought to destabilize the adversary.

A hook to the liver, followed by a straight to the chin that made Tanaka retreat, and then, an uppercut that staggered him dangerously. Tanaka, stunned but not defeated, tried to respond, but his blows lacked the precision and power of before; fatigue, pain and surprise had weakened him. Yuu, without granting a breather, continued his offensive. Each blow was an affirmation, a demonstration of superiority, a testament to his strength and determination.

Tanaka's once-foolproof strategy had been rendered ineffective in the face of Yuu's lightning-fast reaction and unexpected adaptation. The young boxer, who had initially been tested by his opponent's brute force, now demonstrated a tactical ability that surprised everyone, even his own coach. The bell announcing the end of the round rang just as Tanaka, staggering, leaned on the ropes, his gaze lost, while Yuu, though exhausted, remained standing, victorious though wounded, his face stained with blood, but his spirit radiant. The crowd roared, a wave of sound that flooded the stadium, celebrating the young boxer's astonishing comeback.

The outcome of the fight was no longer uncertain. The momentum had tilted irrevocably in his favor.

The third round began with renewed ferocity from Tanaka. He had seen the end of the second round as an accident, an aberration in his normally relentless style. His pride, badly wounded, drove him into a desperate offensive. He threw a succession of wild blows, looking to connect with any part of Yuu's body. It was a risky strategy, leaving many gaps in his defense, but desperation had stripped him of strategy and precision.

Yuu, for his part, watched with surprising calm. Tanaka's blind fury was predictable, almost cartoonish. He remembered Ippo's words, the endless hours of training, the suffering and dedication. He saw an opportunity, a gap in his opponent's guard, the same opportunity he had seen in Ippo's videos, but now he perceived it with brutal clarity. He waited for the precise moment, the instant when Tanaka would lose his balance for an instant, even if it was minimal.

The moment came when Tanaka, after a missed punch, extended his arm too far, leaving his flank exposed. It was the opening Yuu had been waiting for. With a speed and precision that surprised everyone, including Kamogawa himself, Yuu threw his punch. It was not a hook, nor a straight, but a punch he had practiced countless times, a punch he had seen Ippo execute with deadly precision: the Gazelle Punch. A quick, precise, and devastating blow.

The impact echoed throughout the gym. Tanaka staggered, his legs gave way, and he fell to the ground with a thud. Silence filled the gym for an instant, broken only by Yuu's gasp and the sound of the spectators holding their breath. The referee was quick to count, his voice echoing in the expectant silence. One… two… three… four… five… six… seven… eight… nine… ten.

The referee raised Yuu's hand, declaring him the winner by knockout. The crowd exploded in a deafening roar. Yuu, exhausted but exultant, raised his arms, a tired but triumphant smile spread across his face. He had won his first professional fight, a victory achieved not only by his strength and endurance, but also by his intelligence, his ability to adapt, and his unwavering determination.

Coach Kamogawa approached Yuu, a huge smile lighting up his wrinkled face. "Good job, Yuu! That Gazelle Punch was impressive! You have a bright future ahead of you!" The hug that followed was warm and sincere, a testament to the coach's pride and satisfaction in his pupil.

As Yuu made his way to his corner, he heard his grandfather's voice from the crowd. "Well done, Yuu! I'm so proud of you!" Ryuu shouted, his eyes shining with excitement. That approval, so precious to him, was the greatest reward of all. His road to the world belt was long and difficult, but that victory was a giant step, a powerful push towards his goal. Yuu knew there was much more work to do, but for now, he enjoyed the sweet taste of victory.