The morning sun cast a warm glow over the streets as Alex and Ippo strolled toward the bakery. The scent of freshly baked bread wafted through the air, inviting them in. The cozy bakery was bustling with locals, and the display cases were filled with golden-brown pastries and loaves.
As they waited in line, Ippo's eyes caught sight of someone familiar—the girl he had seen at the boxing arena. She was standing near the counter, holding a tray with a few pastries. Ippo's face turned a deep shade of red, and he quickly looked away, trying to hide his embarrassment.
Alex noticed and smirked. "What's wrong, Ippo? You look like you've just seen Takamura in a speedo again."
"N-Nothing!" Ippo stammered, fumbling with his wallet.
The girl glanced in their direction and smiled politely, causing Ippo to nearly drop his money. Alex couldn't help but chuckle as they finished their purchase and left the bakery.
Back at the GymThe familiar smell of sweat and leather greeted them as they stepped into the Kamogawa Boxing Gym. Fighters were already hard at work, the rhythmic sound of punches hitting bags and the shuffle of feet on mats filling the air.
Coach Kamogawa greeted them with his usual stern expression but with a hint of excitement in his voice. "Ippo, come over here. I've got something for you."
He handed Ippo a flyer for the upcoming rookie tournament. The bold lettering and dynamic design immediately caught Ippo's attention.
"This is your chance to shine," the coach said, his eyes gleaming with determination. "It's time for you to step into the ring and show everyone what you're made of."
Ippo nodded, his hands trembling slightly as he held the flyer. "Thank you, Coach. I'll give it everything I've got."
Kamogawa turned to Alex, his expression shifting to one of mild amusement. "Now, about you. I saw that little show you put on with Riku Tanaka. You sure know how to stir things up."
Alex shrugged with a grin. "Just hyping things up, Coach. Gotta sell the fight, right?"
The coach shook his head but smiled. "Well, it worked. But you're right—Tanaka needs a couple of months to recover and train. That means we've got time to prepare. Starting now, we'll ease you into it. One month of light training, then two months of intense preparation for this fight. Got it?"
"Got it," Alex replied, already mentally gearing up.
The coach outlined Alex's light training regimen for the first month. It included foundational drills like shadowboxing, speed bag work, and jumping rope to maintain his agility. Alex moved to the punching bag,
focusing on refining his combinations and improving his form. The rhythmic thuds of his punches echoed through the gym.
Occasionally, Alex sparred lightly with other fighters, working on timing and defense without pushing too hard. These sessions were brief, meant to keep him sharp but not exhaust him.
Meanwhile, Ippo worked diligently on his own training, his focus on preparing for the rookie tournament. The atmosphere in the gym was electric, with both fighters driven by their individual goals.
As the day wound down, Coach Kamogawa gathered them both. "You've got your paths ahead of you. Stick to the plan, stay disciplined, and you'll both make your marks in the ring."
Ippo and Alex exchanged determined nods, ready to tackle whatever challenges lay ahead.As Alex finished his light training for the day, a faint notification pinged in his mind—a familiar sensation that always brought a mix of curiosity and excitement. His system panel materialized before him, glowing faintly as the information updated.
Name: Alex Makunouchi
Height: 5'9"
Weight:
In-Ring: 61 kgOff-Ring: ~70 kg
Wingspan: 72 inches
Template: Gaolang Wongsawat
Template Progress: 30%Philly Shell: UnlockedSuperfast Jab: UnlockedStats:
Strength: 60/100Speed: 67/100Agility: 67/100Durability: 70/100Stamina: 65/100Crazy Mode: Not Unlocked (Requires 60% Template Progress)
Overall Rating: Top 15 in the World (Lightweight Division)
When unlocked, Crazy Mode temporarily boosts all stats by 10%. The mode lasts for a maximum of 10 minutes, requiring strategic use in critical moments.
Alex smirked as he reviewed the stats. He felt the steady climb of his progress, especially the leap to 30% of Gaolang Wongsawat's template. The unlocked Philly Shell and Superfast Jab had already become key components of his arsenal, and he knew the looming potential of Crazy Modewould elevate him to an entirely new level.
"Top 15 in the world, huh?" he thought to himself, a flicker of pride flashing across his face. But Alex wasn't one to rest on his laurels.
Looking up, he caught sight of Ippo engrossed in his training. Alex tightened his fist, feeling the weight of his journey. Tanaka might be the next opponent, but his ultimate goal extended far beyond that. The climb had just begun.
To be continued…