章 46: Chapter 46: Building Strength from the Ground Up
The next morning, the group gathered at the beach at sunrise for their daily training. The soft sand felt heavier underfoot as they ran along the shoreline, sweat dripping from their brows as the waves crashed nearby. Alex and Ippo pushed themselves to keep up with Takamura, Aoki, and Kimura, but it was clear Ippo was struggling.
By the time they returned to the gym, everyone was warmed up and ready for the next session. After a short break, the group began shadowboxing alongside Takamura, each one of them pushing through their fatigue. Ippo and Alex, still exhausted from their earlier work, gave it their all but visibly lagged behind the others.
After shadowboxing, it was time for sparring. Takamura paired Ippo with Kimura for a light session.
Ippo stepped into the ring, his face focused and determined. Kimura smirked, raising his gloves. "Don't hold back, rookie. Show me what you've got."
The sparring began, and Ippo launched into his usual combinations—fast jabs followed by hard hooks. However, Kimura effortlessly dodged each attack, his movements smooth and calculated.
"Come on, Ippo," Kimura teased, weaving around another flurry of punches. "If you keep moving like that, you won't land anything, let alone beat your next opponent."
Ippo gritted his teeth, frustration building as his punches failed to connect. His legs felt heavy, his body slow. Kimura's counters were quick, and though he pulled his punches, the message was clear—Ippo wasn't at his best.
After a few rounds, Kimura stepped out of the ring, leaving Ippo slumped against the ropes, breathing heavily.
Takamura leaned against the ropes, watching with a knowing grin. "You're wondering why you're struggling, right? Why you couldn't keep up with us on the beach and why you're slower now?"
Ippo nodded silently, looking up at Takamura.
"Come here," Takamura said, motioning him over.
Ippo followed him out of the ring, where Takamura removed one of his gloves and pointed to his feet. Specifically, he drew attention to his toes.
"This is why," Takamura said, wiggling his toes. "It's your toes, Ippo. They're the foundation for everything—your balance, your weight shifting, your explosive power. If they're not strong, you won't have the control or speed you need to keep up. You've got solid punches, but your legs and toes are holding you back."
Ippo's eyes widened as he absorbed the information.
Takamura continued, "You've seen Mike Tyson fight, right? That guy's got insane leg strength. Every punch he throws is powered by his legs. When he shifts his weight, it's like dynamite going off. That's what you're missing."
Alex, standing nearby, crossed his arms and nodded. "Makes sense. Everything starts from the ground up. If your foundation isn't strong, you're going to lose power and speed."
Flashback
Back at the Kamogawa gym, before they left for the beach, Coach Kamogawa had gathered everyone around to reveal the brackets for the rookie tournament.
"Listen up," Coach said, holding up a chart. "This is the lineup for the upcoming matches."
Ippo's name was listed in Bracket B. His first opponent was a fighter nicknamed The Shotgun.
"They call him that because of his jabs," Coach explained. "Fast and relentless, like a shotgun blast. If you don't learn to deal with his speed, you'll get overwhelmed."
Ippo stared at the chart, his resolve hardening. "I'll be ready, Coach."
Back in the present, Ippo stepped out of the ring, his body tired but his mind focused. He looked at Takamura with a renewed sense of purpose. "Let's do it. I'll strengthen my toes and legs. I'll be ready for The Shotgun."
Takamura smirked and gave him a pat on the back. "That's the spirit. Just don't forget—this is only the beginning."Kimura rummaged through the training bag and pulled out a set of tennis balls. He motioned for Ippo to follow him to an open space in the gym.
"Alright, rookie," Kimura said with a grin. "We're going to work on your toes and footwork. This drill will force you to shift your weight and balance quickly."
Ippo tilted his head in confusion. "Tennis balls?"
"Exactly. Watch and learn."
Kimura stood a few feet away and held a ball in each hand. He started tossing them left and right in random directions. Ippo had to react, stepping and lunging to catch the balls before they hit the ground.
"Balance, Ippo! Keep your weight light on your toes!" Kimura barked.
Ippo sprinted after the first ball, managing to catch it. But as he turned, Kimura already tossed another one in the opposite direction. Ippo shifted, but the ball bounced past him. Then another ball went flying, and another. He scrambled, catching some but missing most.
Kimura laughed. "You look like a headless chicken! Stay calm, focus on the direction, and move with your whole body, not just your legs!"
Sweat poured down Ippo's face as he struggled to improve, his movements awkward but determined.
Meanwhile, in the ring, Alex and Aoki were engaged in light sparring. Alex's gloves moved with precision, his punches controlled but sharp. Aoki focused on his defense, weaving and blocking as Alex pressed forward.
"Hey, Aoki," Alex said between exchanges, keeping his voice casual. "Do you have an opponent lined up in the lightweight division yet? Or any plans to fight soon?"
Aoki ducked a jab and countered lightly. "Not yet. No offers, no challenges. I'm still weighing my options."
Alex stepped back and reset his stance. "Listen, I've got big plans. After I win the Japan Lightweight title, I'm going to challenge for the WBC belt. If I can't get a shot right away, I'll make so much noise in the media that they won't be able to ignore me."
Aoki raised an eyebrow, his guard momentarily dropping. "You're aiming straight for the WBC? That's bold."
Alex smirked, throwing a light hook that Aoki barely dodged. "Why not? It's the most prestigious title in the division. I'll work my way up by taking on the best. Once I get my shot at the WBC, I'll probably go for the IBF and the rest. But here's the thing—I'm skipping the WBA. That route's too crowded, and I want the toughest challenges."
Aoki stepped in with a feint, landing a light jab on Alex's shoulder. "So why are you telling me all this?"
"Because," Alex said, countering with a soft uppercut to Aoki's guard, "I don't want us crossing paths unnecessarily. When I win the Japan Lightweight belt, I'm going to vacate it right after. That'll leave the title open for you to go after. Then you can take your time climbing the ranks and challenging for the WBC after I've made my mark."
Aoki leaned against the ropes, wiping sweat from his brow. "You're already planning the whole future, huh? You sure about all this?"
Alex nodded confidently. "I've thought it through. You're a great fighter, Aoki, and you deserve your shot. I just want to make sure we both get our opportunities without stepping on each other's toes."
Aoki grinned, pushing off the ropes. "Fair enough. But don't think I'll go easy on you if we do end up fighting someday."
Alex chuckled, stepping out of the ring. "I wouldn't expect anything less."
As the gym buzzed with activity, Ippo continued his drill with Kimura, chasing after tennis balls and steadily improving his balance. The road ahead for all of them was tough, but their shared determination and camaraderie made the journey worth every step.
To be continued…
週次パワーステータス
-- 推薦
ランキング 
-- 推薦
チケット