Second Step Arc

Second Step Arc
Information
Volumes	121-126, (6 Volumes)
Manga Rounds	1210-1269, (60 Chapters)
Chronology
Previous	10 Months in the Making Arc (World Contender Saga)
Next	Sendō in Mexico Arc

The Second Step Arc is the forty-seventh story arc in the series and the first in the Bold Retirement Saga, as well as the first in the third and last part of the story.

A lot has changed since Ippo announced his bold retirement. Imai defends his JBC title, following with the unexpected announcement that the one he wanted to fight all along was none other than Ippo himself among other fighters. Days later, Shinoda requests for Ippo to become a second for his gymmates Kimura, Aoki, and Itagaki; which he gladly accepts. Ippo also meets an old rival who has not retired yet despite losing so many times, Hayami, who he sees fighting in the ring as now known "The Legendary Junker". Ippo takes the first step in his life as a second, needing time to adapt, he starts to learn new things as he observes boxing from the corner's perspective, as he also searches for a student which by accident he comes across a similar scene like that from his past. Someone is getting bullied in front of his eyes, but this time he will be the one to step in and stop it.

Meanwhile, Miyata takes on his eighth title defence match, however, he runs into some trouble because of his unclear goals. Ippo, still a second, receives a pupil named Taihei who previously bullied Teru. OPBF lightweight champion Mashiba also has a title defence against JBC lightweight champion Iga, who Mashiba specifically picked for a reason. After witnessing that match, Ippo believes he found the reason he lost. Takamura announces that he will move to his next weight class after his title defence as the WBA/WBC middleweight champion against Michael Goat, who is ranked first in both WBA/WBC.

Summary

The Accolades That the Men Who Looked Up to Ippo Collect

Imai revealing that he wanted to fight Ippo.

Some time has passed since Ippo's defeat and retirement, and at the Kōrakuen Hall, another easy victory is won by the new JBC featherweight champion, Imai, as Itagaki watches the match with a bit of jealously and regret that it could have been him with the title. When Imai is asked by the interviewer if he has any plans for the future, Imai replies that at the moment he can't talk about it but once he set his sight to the world stage, he will be ready to take on two Japanese world rankers, Sendō and Miyata. The crowd is overly excited believing this was his plan all along, and cheers for him to go ahead and do it, but Imai says this wasn't what he wanted. Imai lifts up his head proudly and says the person he truly wanted to fight was Ippo and no one else. Everyone, including Itagaki, was shocked as the arena quiets down. After the match, the crowd share their views, wishing of such a matchup and Ippo taking on a world title while discussing rumours surrounding Ippo that he is going to retire due to different reasons. They then wonder what Ippo is doing.

Ippo enjoying the night sky.

Later that night at the Monthly Boxing Fan, the editors discuss Imai's match and reflect upon the outcome. Ippo is still fresh in their minds so they aren't used to the thought that Ippo might never step into the ring again, as he was one of the most beloved fighters that appeared in Kōrakuen Hall's recent history. Both Fujii and Mari express their views on the situation. At Umezawa's house, Ippo carefully helps out with the manga. Finishing fifteen panels, Ippo happily shows it to Umezawa, who claims that his work is nearly as good as a pro assistant. When he carefully looks at them he is bewildered by how perfect they look. Umezawa tells Ippo that if he can do that good then why is he not pursuing boxing. Ippo's smile sort of fades away and Umezawa apologises, but Ippo agrees that everyone was rooting for him but he couldn't deliver. Even through all this, Ippo is trying to commit to living without boxing. On his way home, Ippo looks up at the night sky seeing how beautiful and great it looks from this side, as he didn't notice as much before. He then proceeds to shadow box out of habit before stopping. Ippo looks at the stars and says to himself that he'll enjoy things that he did not before.

The Second Step

Mari meeting Ippo and Kumi after the two watched a movie.

The next day, Ippo, after finishing helping out his mother with the fishing business, has a date with Kumi. The two spend time together at the cinema and then afterwards walk and discuss the romantic movie they've seen. Mari notices them walking and grabs their attention by shouting at them. Mari wants to hear Ippo's views on Imai's record. As Ippo is trying to respond, Kumi immediately steps in and makes it clear to her not to refer anything about boxing that includes Ippo. Mari believing that Kumi is being a bit selfish, Kumi responds that she isn't fair for not seeing her side at all, that she has to take care of Ippo and her brother due to their boxing. Mari calms Kumi down, telling her it is alright and no boxing will be mentioned. Kumi asks her what is Ippo to her, what's her feelings. Kumi shocked by the first words, Mari says she loves Ippo as a boxer and only that. Ippo meanwhile proceeds and repeats what was that she wanted to say about boxing, as if he didn't listen to anything else. Kumi takes Ippo and leave. With their true feelings still for each other still not out at light, they silently head home while both think that things are fine for now.

Shinoda asking for Ippo's help to become a second.

Back at home later that day, Nanako helped Hiroko to make dinner. Kumi is being jealous of it and asks her to leave to which she denies, so they end up having dinner together. Nanako asks Ippo if there's any way she can help him or if he himself is looking to do now that he's retired. Ippo says that he would like to help others, Kumi likes the idea but Nanako wished that Ippo would become a world champion. Ippo turns the conversation that he seems to have done everything he could and thus not able to make it so he's fine with the outcome. Kumi swears to herself that she will silence anyone who comes near mentioning boxing or tries to influence Ippo back to it. In the midst of all this, Shinoda interrupts their dinner and asks Ippo to come back to the ring. Kumi annoyed by it, calls him a jerk loudly. Afterwards, Shinoda is too tensed as he had a bad experience with women yelling at him. Shinoda goes ahead and specifies they would like Ippo to return as a second that would help his fellow gymmates, as they are in dire need of one and he would be best fit to help them. Kumi believes this is a way to drag Ippo little by little back to the ring, starting with him becoming a second. Shinoda mentions that Kamogawa is in the hospital. Ippo is shocked from this but then calms as Shinoda says it's just from a cold. Shinoda leaves to let Ippo to think about it as he wants, believing that maybe it will give the boost they need if Ippo is in Itagaki, Aoki and Kimura's corner. Nanako and Kumi walk off together to their homes as Nanako talks to her with positive thoughts on Ippo being a second but before saying too much she realises Kumi is very worried and against this.

Ippo training as a second.

The next day, Kumi asked Ippo if he paid a visit to Kamogawa at the hospital, but it seems Ippo missed him as Kamogawa already went home to rest. When Ippo claims he wants to see him to feel better. Kumi tells Ippo that he wants to see him to make Kamogawa feel better, and that he wants to help his friends at the gym so that Kamogawa can rest easy, knowing that the reason Ippo didn't immediately answer Shinoda was to not hurt her feelings. Ippo claims that he will be going back to boxing as a second as he is happy to be needed, which causes Kumi to get upset, however, she tells him that she will believe in him and that she believes that Ippo will never use his fists in the ring ever again. Later, Ippo practises on his job to place the stool down for his boxer at his house by slamming his chair on his desk as quick as possible. Later, Ippo joins Aoki, Kimura, and Itagaki while doing roadwork. Ippo checks on Kimura, as he will be his second for his upcoming match, but Kimura is still struggling with his weight control. Aoki and Itagaki are shocked that Ippo can still surpass them in running. Aoki informs Ippo that Kamogawa went to Nekota's place to rest, and they don't know when he will be back. They continue to discuss with Ippo about Kimura's opponent who is unranked and wants to take Kimura's rank, while Ippo keeps running back and forth between themselves, annoying Aoki and Kimura. Ippo stops by the gym to pick up tapes of Kimura's upcoming opponent. Feeling nostalgic when he sees the gym's ring, Ippo shadow boxes. When Yagi goes to give him the tapes in the gym, he gets chills seeing Ippo shadow box before giving him the tapes.

Ippo's memory of past opponents.

Ippo reviews the tapes of Kimura's opponent, but there are only recordings of his losses, which Ippo believes is intentional on Kimura's opponent's side in order to let their guard down. Reviewing the footage some more to find something about the boxer, Ippo thinks about what he would do against him before realising that he isn't the one fighting. Ippo thinks about how he didn't want to go to the gym or the Kōrakuen Hall for a while since it may just make him want to start boxing again, wondering if he really has overcome his lingering attachment to boxing. Ippo believes that since there are people who need him and have expectations of him, it is okay to return to the ring. Ippo later tells the customers at his boat business that he is becoming a second, making them disappointed that he isn't boxing anymore. Ippo continues his training as a second by placing a chair on his desk as fast as possible and goes to a shrine to pray for Kimura's victory until the night of Kimura's match arrives. Ippo goes to the Kōrakuen Hall, where he remembers the boxers he fought there. Takamura spots Ippo outside the venue and calls him a "junker," which is short for punch drunk, annoying Ippo. Ippo reveals to Takamura that he has become a second, and he is debuting as one today. Takamura throws a punch at Ippo because he got irritated, but Ippo blocks it with his bag. Ippo tells Takamura to go inside the venue with him, believing he came to cheer, but Takamura claims to cover for him since he has company. Takamura steals Ippo's wallet and leaves with The Regular as Ippo heads inside the venue.

The Legend of the Rising Dragon

Hayami fighting his opponent.

Ippo goes to the red corner's waiting room where Kimura is and loudly greets everyone. Yagi gives Ippo the clothing seconds wear and shows him where they prepare the ice. Ippo heads out to the venue's ring where the blue corner should be checking the ring, hoping to see Kimura's opponent to scout him out. There, Ippo is surprised to see Ryūichi Hayami in the ring shadow boxing. Hayami hears Ippo confirm that he has retired, and believes that Ippo must think that it is surprising that he is still boxing. Hayami tells Ippo how most people already don't expect much from him, but he has high expectations of himself and no matter how many times he loses, he will go on, then one day he will create a legend. Before leaving, Ippo tells Hayami that he will cheer him on when he fights. When Hayami's match begins, Ippo heads out of the waiting room to watch the match in person. In the first round, Hayami uses his fast Shotgun and footwork to keep his opponent from getting close to him. Hayami's opponent charges forward, hoping to land a body blow to slow Hayami's movements. Hayami stops his advance with his Shotgun and lands punches through small gaps in his guard. When the first round ends, Ippo thinks of how he used to stand in that ring. Mari walks over to Ippo and asks if he is jealous and what he would do if he was fighting. After seeing Ippo have fun explaining what he would do, Mari asks if seeing someone he once fought fighting in the ring stirs anything up inside him. Ippo hesitates and claims it doesn't, and asks Mari if she knows anything about Hayami. She claims that not until recently when she went to the Otowa gym to check out Imai.

Hayami leaving the ring after losing his match.

When the second round begins, Hayami batters his opponent with his Shotgun. Itagaki asks Aoki about Hayami's rank. Aoki is surprised to find out that he isn't ranked. After Aoki learns about Hayami's fight record where he has more losses than wins, he is shocked that Hayami is still boxing. As Hayami's opponent throws big desperate swings, Hayami lands a counter. In the audience, Kenta Kobashi wonders why Hayami is still holding onto boxing despite losing so many times. Kobashi notices how Hayami is unrecognisable this time, wondering what happened to make him recover his fighting spirit. He then hears Ippo's cheering and realises the reason now. Hayami lands more punches on his opponent, who keeps throwing big swings. Hayami wishes to start his boxing career again to return everything back to normal and become the boxer he should have been in the first place. Hayami lands another counter, however, he falls down due to getting grazed on the chin during his throw. When Hayami quickly gets up, Ippo realises that Hayami's down was just like his own down during his last match. Hayami throws more punches with his Shotgun that lands on his opponent's guard. When Hayami's barrage pauses, he gets hit in the face. Hayami continues getting hit, wondering what went wrong, until he goes down and the referee immediately ends the match, resulting in Hayami's defeat. Ippo understands that Hayami's dreams are already over.

Ippo and Kobashi talking about Hayami.

Kobashi walks up to Ippo and tells him how he goes to Hayami's matches as he feels they have a connection, and every time, he is shocked. Kobashi mentions to Ippo that all of the damage that accumulated did him in, and when one realises that their own fists helped contribute the damage, they can feel a pit in their stomach. Ippo feels that whether it is to attack or defend, his fists are already finished. Kobashi asks Ippo if he is satisfied since he retired and if he has achieved his goal. Though Ippo compares himself to Hayami in that he is unable to take hits, Kobashi asks if it is wrong of him to have his hopes up for him, to which Ippo quickly answers that he should. Kobashi wishes to not try and change Ippo's mind about his retirement and explains how he thinks that Hayami got too impatient and should have tried to not take too much damage for one or two years, that way he would potentially return to his former self. When Ippo mentions that Hayami wanted to be a legend, Takamura walks over and claim he already made a legend of being trash. He adds that any pro athlete can naturally break down, but they don't make excuses and continue the challenge even when they are in a brink of collapse. Seeing that Kimura's match is next, Takamura leaves to go the audience area before telling Ippo to not make Kimura mess up. Kobashi wishes Ippo good luck on his debut as a second. Ippo plans to place the chair for Kimura faster than any other second, taking his wrist weights off to go even faster.

Ippo's Second Debut

Ippo throwing his corner's chair.

Kimura's match is about to begin, as he and his new second, Ippo walks to the ring. The audience cheers for Kimura until they notice Ippo as his second, they then do a "Makunouchi" chant that angers Kimura. At the ring, Yagi gives Ippo the job of putting the chair down, as he's been training for it. As Kimura's match begins, Ippo hopes to prove Takamura wrong, as he has his weights off his arm so he can show the "world's fastest chair". When the first round begins, Kimura dominates his opponent by downing him with a counter, he then stands back up. Kimura goes on the offensive again, but is clinched. he gets him off and continues to throw punches. When the first round ends and Ippo attempts to put the chair into the ring, he throws it so hard that it hits one of the ropes and gets flung towards the audience. Ippo gets the chair back, but by the time he comes back, the second round already starts. The majority of the audience begins to laugh at the event. Mari begins to chuckle, but stops when Kobashi states that it's rude to laugh as it's his first time. Ippo can't believe he did that, as he practised with the weights on, now that their off, his muscles feel explosive and can't control the speed, Ippo then thinks of inserting the chair sideways. Meanwhile, Kimura's opponent is on the offensive now, but Kimura decides to take a point lead as his rhythm is messed up. When round two ends, Ippo places the chair into the ring. As Kimura asks for water and sits down, everyone realises that Ippo put it in sideways, everyone bursts out in laughter except for Kimura, who believes he's going to lose Shinoda puts the chair on its correct angle, but while he's doing that, everyone notices his bald spot because his hat fell off and the laughter ensues. Kimura then gets angry at Shinoda and Ippo, thinking his match is a joke to them and they planned this. As Shinoda scolds Kimura, Ippo believes Shinoda is worried about the Free Information Center, in which Kimura calls Shinoda a pervert, resulting in the latter not giving him any advice and telling him to do it on his own.

Kimura counters his opponent.

As round three begins, Kimura goes on the offensive throwing big punches at his opponent's wide open body. His opponent clinches once before the round ends. Yagi receives the chair from Ippo while Kimura walks to his corner, visually exhausted. Ippo apologises, but then Kimura states if he's really sorry, to give him advice, which Ippo fails to do so. Round four begins as Kimura tells Ippo to think of something. During the fourth round, Kimura loses his drive and repeatedly gets hit until the round ends. While at his corner, Kimura wants to quit, Ippo, thinking of a way to give him strength, tells him about a movie he went to with Kumi. Ippo can only remember part of it's name, telling him it's called "Lady...". Kimura, wanting to know the full movie's title, gets enough strength to go another round. Round five begins with Kimura not wanting to go down until he knows the name, he clinches his opponent and makes his opponent fall with him. The round ends, at Kimura's corner, Ippo remembers the movie title, "Baahubali: The Beginning", now knowing the title, Kimura wants to quit, despite this, Ippo makes him to go another round. In round six, Kimura immediately clinches without anyone throwing a punch, the round ends. At his corner, Kimura keeps stating he's done, but Ippo gives him advice about his opponent's left hook, that he drops his elbow low before throwing it and that all Kimura has to do is stick his hand out. Round seven begins, Kimura gets hit once, but after his opponent drops his elbow low, Kimura sticks his hand out and counters his opponent with his left. This causes his opponent to fall and a knockout is declared, with Kimura winning the match, Ippo holds him up in celebration.

Hayami asking Ippo why he demoted himself to be a support role.

Outside the venue, Kimura and Ippo sees Yagi and Shinoda off. Kimura and Ippo then start to celebrate, with the former saying it was all him, stating his secret to counters aren't just strength, but timing and just sticking your fist out. After Kimura continuously claims he won by himself, and Ippo tries to get his empty wallet back from Takamura, Hayami tells them to shut up. Hayami states he is reflecting and deliberating for his next match in order to win. Aoki then states that he should quit for his own sake, but Hayami refuses, as he wants to be a legend for everyone that is cheering for him. Hayami then asks why Ippo demoted himself as a support role, never to be a protagonist again, in which Ippo replies with a glare. Takamura then claims Hayami is already a legend, remembering the time the latter fired everyone up at the gym during karaoke night. After being overjoyed by Takamura's compliment, Hayami asks if Ippo really isn't returning to the ring, the latter responds that he has no reason to. The group then states Hayami's gym members from Otowa Boxing Gym believe he should retire, but his coach wants to keep him around because he is still popular and selling tickets. The Otowa coach is all about Imai now, as he didn't even show up for Hayami's match. Takamura, Aoki and Itagaki goes karaoke as Ippo and Kimura head home. Kimura apologises to Ippo about saying it was all him, stating he won because of Ippo's advice. Kimura then asks if Ippo is okay with being a support role as a second, Ippo replies that he never once thought of a second being a support role, with everything that Kamogawa does.

Aoki and Itagaki's Turn

Aoki defeating his opponent with the Frog Punch.

As Ippo is walking home, Wanpo starts barking and Hiroko makes him dinner. Ippo gets home and talks about Kimura's match over dinner, talking about how great it is to be a second, wondering if Kamogawa feels the same. Hiroko asks if being a second made him want to box again, Ippo states it did but as a trainer. Ippo continues, with saying that he wants to train boxers in order to be there with Kamogawa, who Ippo believes has a bad taste in his mouth due to leaving. After dinner, Ippo tells Hiroko that being a second means being the second star. After hearing Hiroko say Ippo's stronger than his father, he states he's no match for his father. While looking at their family photo, Hiroko remembers the time when Ippo was younger. At the Kōrakuen Hall, with Ippo as his second, Aoki wins with a KO with a Frog Punch.

Itagaki winning his match by decision.

When Itagaki's match begins, after using the neck spin and a counter, the first round ends. After asking how he did, Ippo states he did it all wrong. Itagaki skilfully dodges all of his opponent's attacks. However, at the end of the round, Ippo queries why Itagaki didn't throw any punches, to which Itagaki believes it will be enough if he just throws one hit that counts. In the next round, Itagaki's opponent throws a flurry of punches to Itagaki's guard, when he sees an opening, Itagaki throws a liver blow. When the round ends, Ippo states that not throwing punches will let Itagaki's opponent get into rhythm, surprising Itagaki, who thought he would get praised. In the next round, Itagaki throws a big swing that turns into an exchange that hurt Itagaki more than his opponent. Both boxers land hits on each other until Itagaki lands an uppercut that downs his opponent, but he quickly recovers. At the end of the round, Ippo asks Itagaki if that really is his boxing, shocking Itagaki. At the eighth and final round, Itagaki, flustered, throws a flurry of punches as his opponent does the same. The round ends in decision, with Itagaki as the winner.

Outside the venue, after Ippo states to Itagaki that winning with just force isn't his style of boxing, Itagaki storms off. Ippo realises being a second is difficult after Aoki and Kimura explain that he can't just complain to boxers, but to say nice things also. At his home, Ippo decides that he should scout to find boxers.

The Delinquent & The Talented Artist

Ippo encountering a group of delinquents

While scouting for boxers, Ippo notices a group of delinquents picking on a boy. Seeing this, Ippo attempts to stop the delinquents, yanking one of the delinquents to the ground, telling them that it is unforgivable to pick on someone, remembering when he himself got picked on and Takamura saved him. Ippo does a dogeza, slamming his fists onto the ground, politely asking them to leave. As the delinquents are about to beat up Ippo, the delinquent on the ground gets a weird feeling about Ippo and tells the group to stop and leave. As the group leaves, the delinquent leader, Taihei, asks for Ippo's name before leaving. As the group has left, Ippo asks the boy who was being picked on if he wants to try boxing, the boy responds by running. After Ippo catches up to him, the boy explains how he was always picked on at school and felt alone, wondering what would it be like if he disappeared. Ippo tells the boy why the bullies do what they do, which is to simply kill time. Ippo then takes the boy to the Kamogawa gym, and tells him to draw a picture of Taihei to hit on the bag. When the boy is finished drawing, it surprises Ippo and the others at the gym and gets placed on the bag. The boy puts on the boxing gloves and punches the bag after being shown by Ippo. However, he doesn't punch with enough strength and runs away after being scared by the gym members.

Umezawa calling Teru a genius for his art skill.

Ippo then takes him to Umezawa's place and shows Umezawa the picture that was drawn at the gym. Umezawa immediately praises the boy's genius-level drawing skills. After discovering that Umezawa is a manga artist, the boy tells Umezawa that he is Teru Okazaki and wants to study with Umezawa to one day become a pro mangaka. Umezawa then accepts Teru as his disciple. After hearing Teru's thoughts of suicide and wanting something good to come, Ippo tells him that he is strong and that something good did come, as he met Umezawa.

Rivals Broken Paths: Miyata's Eighth OPBF Featherweight Title Defence

Miyata fighting against his challenger in his eighth title defence.

After leaving Umezawa's place, Ippo comes across the same area where Miyata did a dogeza and notes how their paths diverged since then, even though he wanted to approach him again one day as long as he kept fighting. However, since his path came to an end, Ippo believes their paths will never intersect again. Ippo goes to the Kōrakuen Hall and writes notes about Aoki and Itagaki's possible opponents until the main event is announced.n Miyata goes up to the boxing ring for his OPBF Featherweight eighth title defence. The match begins with Miyata going on the offence with left jabs, that Ippo notices to be off. After dodging his opponent's attacks, Miyata quickly downs the challenger and then again right after the challenger got back up. Elsewhere, at the Chūka Soba, Itagaki wonders how long Miyata will defend the title instead of challenging the world. Itagaki predicts that an underdog may snatch his ranking.

Back at Kōrakuen Hall, Miyata is visibly exhausted at round eight. After being hit by multiple body blows, Miyata throws a direct right straight, however, it was ineffective. Miyata struggles despite hitting with a counter until the end of round eight. Imai appears before Ippo, asking if he believes that Miyata doesn't deserve to be a pro. He points out the dead atmosphere in the title match, which he believes a pro's job is to deliver what the fans want. Round ten begins, Imai notes how Miyata's lefts that used to be terrifying when he was Miyata's sparring partner, now looks like a "sigh". Ippo believes he shouldn't be weak because of weight control as he dealt with it before, Imai suggests that it is a lack of drive, as Makunouchi Ippo is gone from the ring. Miyata gets hit with body blows until he begins to fall. As Miyata falls, his hand position is similar to that of a dogeza, remembering the time he did a dogeza to Ippo. At the time, he believed their paths would cross again as long as they continue fighting. However, since Ippo's path has been cut, they won't be able to cross paths again. Miyata gets angered thinking how other boxers fought Ippo as a pro, but he never did. After being hit by a strong body blow, Miyata tells his opponent to do a better job.

Miyata winning his match by decision.

Miyata continues to not be able to down challenger until the twelfth round is over and the match comes to a decision. Miyata is then decided the winner of the match. Ippo shows his praise while Imai states that this is not the Miyata he wants to fight. Realising that Imai came to recon Miyata, Ippo tells him that he too came to recon for possible fighters against his gym's members. He also came to scout for boxers and states he already found one who is a fantasy. Imai begins to get angry and tells Ippo to take responsibility for Miyata's struggle and anyone who lost their goal because of him. Ippo begins to wonder what to do while Miyata wonders where to go. While walking home, Miyata finds a stray cat which follows him home.

Takamura, Aoki and Kimura's words of moving up echoing in Miyata's head.

Two days later, while Ippo is fishing, Kumi joins him and encourages him when he thought he wasn't doing a good job as a second. When Ippo talks about Miyata and how he became just another cheering fan and felt nothing when Imai wanted to fight Miyata, Kumi becomes happy, knowing that Miyata isn't pulling him into boxing. At the Márquez, Miyata has a lost cat flyer for the stray cat. When Miyata's manager hears that he might quit, despite the benefits, she begs him to stay. That night, Aoki, Kimura, and Takamura go in the store and suggests Miyata to move up instead of waiting for Ippo. While this happens, Kimura finds out about Miyata's ridiculously high wage and Takamura makes fun of Miyata about the cat that Miyata named "Sarate". Miyata then returns home, thinking about what the three boxers said to him.

Ippo's Disciple, Taihei

Taihei waiting for Ippo.

While Ippo is shadow boxing, Taihei expresses his amazement and asks Ippo to teach him boxing. Ippo denies the request at first, telling the delinquent to apologise to Teru for bullying and then he will hear him out. After hearing from Teru that he apologised, Ippo goes to the meeting spot to find Taihei waiting for him. Before teaching him boxing, Ippo tests Taihei to catch five leaves in three days. Back at home, Ippo notes that it is hard to catch even five leaves, with Itagaki barely catching five. He continues stating that if Taihei completes it, he would have gave it his utmost best. Three days passed, Taihei shows Ippo his results. After the end of the attempt, Taihei shows Ippo five leaves in his hand, completing the test. Ippo tells him to come by tomorrow as he has foundations to be set. After getting Teru's approval, Ippo begins training Taihei with roadwork for multiple days until Taihei suggests different training. When Taihei tells Ippo he's struggling and questions if he s getting stronger, Ippo states that what he is doing is effort and believes he is impressive. These words encourage Taihei and he continues to train.

Ippo and Kamogawa mitt training.

Ippo goes to the Kamogawa Boxing Gym and is surprised to see Kamogawa. He sees Kamogawa has mitts on, Yagi states that he was going to be his sparring partner, but now it will be Ippo instead. Ippo quickly gets in gear and goes in the ring with Kamogawa. Ippo begins the usual pattern and hits the mitts. Itagaki walks near the gym and notices the sounds, thinking it is Takamura. However, Itagaki looks inside as Takamura, Aoki, and Kimura are also outside watching and gets excited when he sees Ippo. Everyone in and outside the gym are in joy as Ippo and Kamogawa mitt practice. When Ippo is told to increase the tempo, the sounds begin to sound different and Kamogawa begins to not be able to keep up as he acknowledges Ippo getting stronger. When the practice finishes, Aoki has hopes that Ippo can come back, however Kimura states that if Ippo took hits, there would be problems and that the one who wants to say it the most is Kamogawa. Ippo tells Kamogawa that he has a disciple and needs mitts to train him with. Kamogawa gives him his old mitts he trained Ippo with, which Ippo states he will treasure them. Before leaving, Ippo tells Kamogawa that he promises to come back as he leaves.

Typhoon

Ippo witnessing Taihei fighting.

Ippo trains Taihei with his coach's old mitts, while giving him criticism on his swings. As they take a break, Ippo tells Taihei how Kamogawa would always scold him wholeheartedly and he was thankful for that, as he was able to get stronger and have no real injuries. When asked if Taihei has anyone who is similar, Taihei states that no one in his family was wholeheartedly to him, but his older brother looked after him. After Ippo ends the training session, he claims that Taihei's efforts won't go to waste and to not cause any trouble as he leaves. Itagaki, who was listening to the conversation, warns Ippo to wash his hands with Taihei before he causes trouble, but Ippo believes he turned over a new leaf. Later, a typhoon begins to emerge, which Ippo worries that Taihei won't come to the meeting place. When Ippo arrives, it begins to pour, however he sees Teru running towards him exclaiming that something happened with Taihei. After hearing that Taihei and Umezawa are in a fight with delinquents, Ippo and Teru rushes to the location. When Ippo gets there, he sees Taihei fighting the delinquents.

Ippo moments before hitting Taihei.

Ippo tries to get Taihei to stop fighting and to go with him to train with his coach's mitts in hand. However, he refuses, saying that he doesn't need him anymore and knew Ippo was nice guy and would train him to be strong as fast as possible. Taihei proceeds to knock Ippo's mitts out of his hand in order to fight the remaining delinquent. Ippo rushes to grab his coach's mitts and wipes off the dirt while he has memories when he trained Taihei. He walks towards Taihei with an outstretched hand and a demonic face and gives him a powerful smack across the face, making him faint. Umezawa has a delinquent stay with Taihei to make sure he wakes up fine. Ippo comes back to his senses and is in shock as to what he has done. Umezawa takes him to the Chūka Soba where Aoki states to eat and forget about it as he didn't ht him with a closed fist. Ippo believes that it will be his last meal, as he will turn himself in.

Teru and Taihei meet outside school.

Takamura, Kimura and Itagaki arrive at the Chūka Soba and gets caught up to what's going on while Ippo is gone to turn himself in. Teru believes it to be his fault if only he was strong enough to defeat his bullies. Umezawa expresses his thoughts on bullying, how he acted like the king of the world when he bullied Ippo, wanting to feel important at the time, not knowing Ippo could've died because of him. He then describes the face Ippo made, which didn't look human. When Teru talks about how Taihei's older brother was the reason Taihei started fighting, Aoki and Takamura believes this situation to be his older brother's fault. Teru then gets worried about Ippo's reputation if he gets a criminal record, but Kimura tells him that the bond between Ippo and his gym mates will never change. At the police station, Ippo attempts to turn himself in, but could not be charged as there's no victim to report the crime. The officer then has Ippo write his information in case the victim does come report him. Later, at school Teru sees Taihei, who got kicked out of school and told the delinquents not to pick on Teru anymore. Teru tells him that the bullying won't stop because it wasn't just him, but Teru claims that Taihei will no longer use him as a way to kill time. Teru then delivers Ippo's message to file a report on him, but Taihei can't remember anything besides seeing a demon's face.

A week later, Itagaki tells Ippo to relax as there's been no report filed for him, however Ippo still wants punishment. Itagaki suggests Ippo to be grateful for the people in front of him. He continues saying that he is in a slump, which Ippo sees as a good thing because that means he is talented. Ippo then talks about how the line near the tree is a symbol of his limit, as he never was able to cross it. That night, Ippo has his mother give him a haircut.

Atonement

Taihei and Kintarō wishing to join the gym.

The next day, a bald Ippo enters the gym in order to make his apologises to Kamogawa. For Ippo to take responsibility, Kamogawa orders him to clean the gym for three months and to train the two newcomers. He is shocked seeing Taihei and a delinquent, who are both now bald, being the newcomers. At first, Ippo didn't want to, as Taihei used his fists for violence, which made Ippo hit him with anger. However, after hearing Taihei say that it wasn't anger, rather, scolding, he accepts both of them in. Kimura and Aoki quickly recognises the latter's younger brother. Taihei and the delinquent introduce themselves as Taihei Aoki and Kintarō Kaneda.

The Aoki family.

Ippo, Itagaki, and Yagi realises that Aoki and Taihei were part of a TV show called "Heartwarming Special Presents: The Hectic Life of a 11-Person Family". After Kimura and Aoki explained how the latter supported his family, Taihei sees Aoki in a new light. Takamura, after finding out that Aoki is the older brother, proceeds to stick his fingers in Aoki's anus as punishment for making Taihei get into fights. Kintarō claims to have joined the gym as he was amazed and respected Ippo when he knocked Taihei into the air with just a slap. Yagi then sees Kamogawa, who is impressed to see Ippo as a master, seeing this as a way of his growth.

Kumi about to kiss Ippo's head.

Later, Ippo meets with Kumi. When Ippo shows Kumi his bald head, it reminds her of "Baldichu" from the "Pokamon" series. Unable to resist, Kumi proceeds to kiss Ippo's bald head. Kumi stops herself and glares at Taihei and Kintarō after she notices them watching. Kumi then tells Taihei and Kintarō that the kiss didn't count and to erase it from there minds, scaring the two. Ippo, Taihei, and Kintarō went to the tree that Taihei used as part of the leaf test. Seeing the tree, reminds Taihei of the leaf test and tells Ippo that he cheated during the test. However, Ippo was fine with it, as all he needs to do is pour his heart and soul into boxing. After Ippo explained his thoughts about boxing, Miyata appears before them.

Encounter

Miyata appears.

At the tree where the Line of Non-Humans is, Miyata appears before Ippo, Taihei and Kintarō. Miyata questions Ippo on wearing the arm weights if he is not training. Ippo claims it is just a habit. Taihei and Kintarō become angry, however, Itagaki stops the two in time for Ippo and Miyata to continue their conversation. Ippo points out how Miyata wasn't at his best condition in his latest match and requests for Miyata to stop fixating on him and to move up a weight class as he will never return to the ring again. Realising that if he stays at featherweight, he will continue to struggle, Miyata tells Ippo that he will switch depending on his answer. Miyata asks who called him punch drunk. Seeing Ippo at a loss for words, Miyata walks away, claiming that what lies ahead will be his decision now.

Kumi talking to Taihei and Kintarō about Ippo training them.

Itagaki explains to Taihei and Kintarō why Miyata visited Ippo. Itagaki continues, telling the two that Ippo being punch drunk was never decided, choosing to retire based on suspicions and to spend time with the person most precious to him. Later on, on the Makunouchi Fishing Boat's boat, Ippo is asked about boxing, which he mentions that he is practising with his students in order to keep his body in shape to devote himself to his job and is enjoying life without boxing now. At the dock, Ippo's boat appears to be late. With Taihei and Kintarō waiting for him, Kumi joins the two and asks if the training they do with Ippo is sparring. When she finds out it's not, she tells them that it is good, as he's punch drunk. Taihei and Kintarō then realise she's the one who calls Ippo punch drunk.

Encountering the Three Weaknesses - OPBF Lightweight Title Match - Ryō Mashiba vs. Shinobu Iga

Ippo and his students meeting Mashiba.

After Kumi scares Taihei and Kintarō when they mentioned Miyata, Ippo returns from the boat. That night, while walking to the Kōrakuen Hall, Ippo explained to the two that Kumi's reason for being irritated is because it's the night of Mashiba's match. Mashiba, headed to the arena, comes across Ippo. Ippo, who previously found out that Mashiba specifically picked his opponent, tells Mashiba that his opponent, Iga, is strong. Mashiba responds by pushing Ippo with his shoulder. With that, Ippo realises Mashiba was telling him that that was the reason why he picked him. Inside, Ippo introduces his two students to the Kōrakuen Hall and explains the basics of working up to being an 8-rounder. Taihei remembers the hall, being there when Aoki was being made into a laughing stock. However, Ippo tells him that Aoki was a true pro, as he got the crowd riled up. Ippo then tells Taihei to focus on the main event, as the person who is fighting, is his older brother's objective, Iga. Aoki, who is in the Kōrakuen Hall, wishes that Iga loses in order for him to not get a world ranking. Aoki explains to Kimura that him and Ryūhei Sawamura are the reason why Mashiba picked Iga. Ippo notes how Iga is a strong enough hurdle for Mashiba to show that he can go to the world, remembering Fujii's report on how Iga's coach, Baron, claimed to have known Mashiba's three weaknesses.

Mashiba fighting Iga.

Mashiba and Iga arrive at the ring, and when the match begins, Mashiba enters his Hitman Style. When Iga learns the range of Mashiba's Flicker Jab, he hesitates to move forward. However, when Baron signals for him to turn off his emotions, Iga turns his emotions off and moves forward, getting hit repeatedly in the process. After adjusting to the Flicker Jabs, Iga enters the Peek-a-Boo Style and goes forward, blocking Mashiba's Flicker Jabs. Iga eventually gets to his own range, however, Mashiba throws a Chopping Right that Iga dodges. Before Iga can follow up, Mashiba strikes him with an uppercut, causing him to go down. Displeased with Iga showing pain, Baron signals for him to turn his emotions off again. When the match continues, Mashiba throws Flicker Jabs until the jabs open Iga's guard. Mashiba then hits Iga with a right straight. With Iga's back to the ropes, Mashiba prepares for the final blow, however, Iga throws a weak left body blow and attempts to throw his right before Mashiba notices and steps back. When round one ends, and at Iga's corner, Baron denies Iga's access to water and strikes Iga with his hand for embarrassing him. After Iga was reminded that Baron was the reason for his success, round two begins. Iga enters into the Peek-a-Boo style until he gets close, and uses the Dragonfish Blow. Mashiba ducks the attack, however, Iga strikes Mashiba with a headbutt and began uses his elbows to attack. making Mashiba angry. After Iga uses multiple headbutts during his clinches the second round ends.

Iga collapses.

In his corner, Mashiba realises that Iga's attacks are a combination of Ippo, Kimura, and Sawamura. The referee warns Iga and Mashiba about the fouls, however, Mashiba's coach points out that the fouls were not from Mashiba. Mashiba is told to box properly by his coach, making Mashiba remember his past when he was blamed for things he did not do and was not trusted. Mashiba claims that he will teach Iga who he is dealing with. With round three starting, Mashiba sees Ippo, Kimura, and Sawamura behind Iga and gets angry. He then calms down, wanting to crush the three boxers and move to the world. Iga attempts to use the Peek-a-Boo style, the Dragonfish Blow, and fouls, however Mashiba counters each and every one of them, destroying his three weaknesses. Mashiba then batters Iga with a barrage of Flicker Jabs until Iga is up against the corner and the referee steps in between them. The referee ends the match, declaring Mashiba the winner, with the time of 1:56 on the third round.

The Tōhō coach announcing that Mashiba will relinquish his OPBF lightweight belt and move to the world stage.

After the match, the Kōrakuen Hall interviewer interviews Mashiba, who was annoyed at questions asking about his next opponent. However, Mashiba reveals that Iga and Baron were short one weakness. The interview then asks the Tōhō coach on his future. The Tōhō coach announces that he would be relinquishing the OPBF belt and challenge the world immediately. Outside the Kōrakuen Hall, Aoki and Kimura have a conversation about how Mashiba's gotten popular and how Mashiba has more humanity in him since his match against Sawamura. When Aoki and Kimura wonders what the fourth weakness, Ippo appears and claims it to be Miyata, as fighting Miyata during the East Japan Rookie King Tournament was the only time Mashiba was feeling fear. Ippo reveals to Aoki and Kimura that, by seeing the match, he realises the reason he lost.

The Forgotten Reason for Losing

Kamogawa Talking to Ippo.

Kimura takes Aoki, Kintarō, and Taihei to the Kemuri Izakaya to talk about the match so that Ippo can think alone. At the Kemuri Izakaya, Taihei questions the status of the belts, which Kimura explains it was just an OPBF title defence with the JBC belt staying with Iga, as Mashiba was not interested in the JBC title, as Mashiba was beyond even the OPBF title. The next day, at the Kamogawa gym, Ippo explains to Kamogawa that, while watching Mashiba and Miyata's recent matches, that they had "something" in common, and that he forgotten and lost that "something" after picking up the Dempsey Roll: his left. He begins to think about how Mashiba and Miyata always made the first move while he wanted to make the second. He continues telling Kamogawa that he would always dive in and use the Dempsey Roll while forgetting his teachings to hit before getting hit, which was why he believes losing was inevitable.

Ippo Saddened and Reflects what Kamogawa said to him.

Kamogawa disagrees of Ippo's statement of why he lost, and refers to an old proverb of "the person who controls the left controls the world". After explaining what a jab is, he asks Ippo if he really thought he could win without the Dempsey Roll, suggesting that Ippo was just setting aside his "short sword" to achieve victory and envisions Ippo as a blade, moving forward. Ippo begins having thoughts after realising his mistake, however, Kamogawa stops him and suggests to tell his two students everything he learned, telling his former student that he can become a great leader. Ippo becomes confused as to why Kamogawa praised him instead of scolding him. He then remembered that it was because he is no longer a boxer, punching a sandbag in anger.

WBA/WBC World Middleweight Title Match - Mamoru Takamura vs. Michael Goat

Takamura and Goat's match begins.

Later, a press conference is held for Takamura's WBA/WBC middleweight title defence where the first ranker in the WBA/WBC, Michael Goat, claims his love for Japan before apologising to the country and Takamura that he will be giving the pride of Japan his first lost. Takamura claims that the match won't be a "first", but a "last", announcing that, after this match, he will be moving on to the next weight class, the super middleweight class, and that, in terms of middleweight, Goat will be the last man to lose to him. While walking back from the press conference, Ippo orders his two students to not blink and to not keep their eyes off Takamura. At the Ryōgoku Kokugikan, after their ring entrances with Takamura's comment from the announcer claiming that he apologises that he is too strong, the match begins.

Goat attacks Takamura with his lefts.

As the first round begins, Goat throws out lefts that beat Takamura's lefts in speed despite being thrown at the same time. When Takamura pushes forward, he is hit with a short uppercut. After blocking multiple lefts and pushing forward once more, Takamura is hit with a hook. Much to everyone's shock, after stepping back, Takamura changes his position and tightens his guard. As Takamura continues to block Goat's lefts, Ippo believes he knows how to handle it and begins to shout to Takamura before being stopped by Kamogawa, who orders him to just watch as he does not know how to handle it. After leaving the ropes, Takamura and Goat begin to throw lefts, with Takamura getting hit multiple times while not being able to get a hit in himself.

Takamura hitting Goat with a left straight.

As it continues, Ippo begins to notice that Takamura is now blocking the one-twos. The referee then gets between them as the round ends. Ippo thinks back on the last attack at the last round and how Takamura did not just predict, but was confident while blocking Goat's one-two. He also realises that Takamura was learning the timing and angles with his body to adjust accordingly. As Kamogawa becomes hopeful that Ippo has figured something out, Takamura stops him, wanting him to forget about Ippo and to keep his eyes on himself as round two begins.

Takamura is declared the winner.

When round two begins, Takamura throws big swings that miss. When Takamura and Goat go into the same position as the in the end of the first round where Takamura blocked, Takamura instead attacks with a counter right before Goat could hit him. As Takamura follows up with a left hook, Goat prepares to counter, as he knows exactly where it will land. However, Takamura changes the hook into a straight, hitting the surprised Goat, causing a down. After getting back up, Goat prepare to block his face for another left, however Takamura goes for his body instead, knocking him down again, but this time to a point where Goat can't get up anymore. The referee stops the match with no count as Goat struggles all bloodied to get up. An incredible short victory for Takamura, showing the huge difference to everyone.

Takamura claiming that he will conquer his next weight class.

Itagaki wonders if anyone noticed what Takamura did during the match. Ippo feels like he figured something out after watching Takamura's lefts. The victory interview begins, with Takamura being asked what was on his mind when it seemed like his opponent was giving him trouble. He then angered the audience when he claims that he felt sorry that he was too strong. Takamura changes the subject, announcing that now that he defeated the first ranker, he will be moving on from middleweights and onto super middleweight.

A Return

Ippo studying the left.

After returning to the gym, Taihei and Kintarō are relieved after being able to blink again due to Ippo's order. Kamogawa asks Ippo if the no blinking order was set to him too and if he learned anything. Ippo answers that he has been learning things since he started boxing, and that his learning will never stop as long as he is involved with boxing. Ippo and his students begin to run away from the gym in excitement from the match as Yagi wonders how he will be involved with boxing moving forward. At home, Ippo begins studying how he should use his left. He then punches a wall before putting a Ricardo Martínez poster over it, thinking of how he used to look up to and aimed for. Ippo recalls how Takamura, Mashiba, and Miyata used their left and how he believed that all fighter types can do is slip and push-in, which he realises is something he should not have done, as all he was doing was waiting for the moment to step forward.

Ippo's hair returns.

Ippo then compares his and Takamura's opponent's stance with stick figures he drew. He notices how his own opponent's upper body is more loose, making their punches less strong. His opponents can throw lefts with them not fearing if they lose the exchange. Ippo begins to regret not knowing this information and wonders if he could do it right next time. Ippo then realises how much he really doesn't know about boxing and wishes to study more, claiming that boxing is really deep.

While out on his business's boat, the customers point out how Ippo's hair is back. Ippo then removes his hat, telling them that he is back.