Under Siege Arc

Under Siege Arc
Information
Volumes	63-64, (2 Volumes)
Manga Rounds	573-592 (20 Chapters)
Chronology
Previous	Spirit of a Weed Arc
Next	Phantom Card Arc

The Under Siege Arc is the twenty-seventh story arc in the series and the second in the Law of the Ring Saga.

Ippo Makunouchi accepts his sixth JBC featherweight title defence match challenge by Takuzō Karasawa who claims to have a countermeasure for the Dempsey Roll. Karasawa receives help from Kazuki Sanada as well, who has experience fighting Ippo. Mamoru Takamura also goes on a trip around Japan to get away from the excitement bloomed by Broccoman.

Summary

The Champion, Training

Ippo's log hitting training.

Ippo tells Kamogawa and Yagi that he wishes to accept Karasawa's challenge in the one month time frame even if he is confident about having a way to deal with his Dempsey Roll. The office phone rings and Kamogawa answers, thinking it is the Kinoshita gym. However, it turns out to be Takamura, who informs Kamogawa that he is going to be away on a trip until the "boom" passes, confusing Kamogawa. After getting off the phone, Kamogawa confirms to Ippo that he will be fighting Karasawa. Sanada arrives at the Kinoshita gym to talk with Karasawa about his upcoming title match with Ippo. Sanada warns Karasawa that Ippo is stronger than when he fought him, but Karasawa claims that he is not the same as he was back then either. Karasawa mentions to him how the odds of him winning against Ippo are 30%, but he believes that it is worth the shot. Sanada claims that Ippo's punches aren't normal and even if they graze someone, they can feel like he knocked their head off. Karasawa guess that he has to rely on his guts to win and asks Sanada for his advice. As Sanada leaves the gym, he believes that the odds of the invincible losing a quite high. Later, Ippo is training for more powerful sideways twisting motions by hitting logs, which he bought from his prize money, with a hammer into a hillside as Itagaki watches. Itagaki realises he is training his Dempsey Roll, as the New Dempsey Roll puts great strain on his body. He believes that Ippo doesn't want to give up on the Dempsey Roll, and wonders how Karasawa will counter it as Ippo continues to polish the technique. After learning that Ippo bought the logs so he can train even while outside the gym, Itagaki thinks that someone replaced Ippo's brain with a boxing glove.

Kamogawa seeing the logs Ippo pushed into the hillside.

Later, Ippo starts his harsh training with Kamogawa by running, pushing his scooter up a hill with him on it, and mitt practice. At the Kamogawa gym, Aoki mentions to Kimura how there will be no way for Ippo to lose due to Karasawa being only ranked seventh, though Kimura notes that champions have lost to opponent they thought they would easily win against and Aoki recalls being bit by underdogs himself. That night, Ippo is hitting logs with a hammer into the hillside when Itagaki gives Ippo a vitamin shake so he doesn't get dehydrated. Itagaki expresses his and the gym members' worry about his body due to the harsh training he is undergoing, but Ippo reassures him that he is fine. Itagaki believes that any ordinary boxer would have given up from exhaustion, but Ippo was born with a body that reacts well with harsh training, noting how boxers that rely on rhythm and instincts are called "geniuses", but being "rugged" is also a natural talent. Later at the Kamogawa gym, after Kamogawa holds the mitts for Ippo's mitt practise session, he goes to run water on his pained hands as Itagaki finds him. Kamogawa asks him to not tell anyone about it, while explaining how the mitts get bent even after catching a sloppy punch. After Kamogawa mentions how Ippo's wrists have gotten stronger, Itagaki assumes it is due to him pounding logs into the hillside, which shocks Kamogawa, who, remembering his past, frantically asks if he was using his fists to do so. Itagaki reveals he was using a hammer, much to Kamogawa's relief. Kamogawa goes to the hillside to check Ippo's work. When he goes there, he felt nostalgic, and mistakenly assumes that Ippo only did one log that was only halfway in before being shocked at the sight on many logs being all the way in the hillside. He realises that the results of the training has already shown when he feels Ippo's punches on the mitts, and if he keeps it up, he may be able to say how to evolve the Dempsey Roll, as well as move on from JBC matches.

Karasawa's training to go against Ippo.

At the Kinoshita gym, Sanada observes Karasawa training by having his coach, Kinoshita stomp his body with his feet to withstand body blows. Sanada comments to the gym members how bad Ippo's body blows are, believing that Karasawa's training method won't be enough against the Dempsey Roll. After Karasawa takes a break, Sanada warns him that Ippo will try to stop his movements with body blows. As Karasawa replies that he would build a body that can take any number of body blows, Sanada wonders what would happen if Karasawa is able to stop Ippo, something that many have failed to do. Later, Kimura mentions to Aoki how Takamura has gone missing and has not called the gym, wonder where he is. Elsewhere, Takamura wonders where he is. After talking to Yamaguchi and was warned about the possibility of there being hidden damage from the Sawamura fight, Kamogawa asks Ippo if his body can handle the training, which Ippo explains how he is fine but nervous about a long fight. At the Hachinohe Boxing Club, Naomichi Yamada is informed by locals that Miyamoto's truck has fallen into a ditch. Takamura, who happens to be in the area pulls the truck out himself and the grateful Miyamoto learns that Takamura's profession is being a champion. As Yamada comes by to help out Miyamoto, he is shocked to learn that a "champion with a big hairdo" came to help him, making Yamada think that it was someone he knows. Later, Kamogawa shows Ippo videos of Karasawa's matches and Ippo comments how Karasawa uses his footwork like his previous opponents, but figures that Karasawa won't fall for the same traps. Ippo assumes that he can just go for his body to pile up on the damage.

Karasawa's strong body gained from training.

Later, Karasawa earns a rock hard body from the training. While Kinoshita believes it should bounce back Ippo's fist, Karasawa feels Ippo could have a punch that exceeds their imagination. He thinks that he can withstand a few punches, but assumes his feet will stop in the end. Kinoshita tries to offer some encouragement, but Karasawa claims that he doesn't plan to stop and would keep accumulating points. When Kinoshita asks him what he will do if he gets caught in the ropes and Ippo uses the Dempsey Roll, Karasawa answers that that is when he plans to show his courage by waiting with a counter, and, if he can't knock Ippo out, it will get him out of a tight spot, planning to stay standing until the end to win. After leaving the gym, Karasawa sees Kinoshita's daughter, Tsugumi, who mentions that Kinoshita told her that Karasawa is their shining star of hope after so long, and he is taking extra care of Karasawa so that he can become champion. Karasawa claims that he thought he forced Kinoshita to put him in a title match, since he was taking a big gamble. Karasawa notes how he knew that Kinoshita has been down since Sanada retired, and that since he loves the Kinoshita gym, he wanted to know if there was anything he could do to help, which was why he wanted to challenge Ippo. Tsugumi wonders if Karasawa is scared, but he simply tells her that things will get brighter. That night, Kamogawa wonders why Ippo took the match. Yagi reminds him that Ippo wanted to start over and try something. Kamogawa id intrigued, wanting to see the something that would blow away his concerns.

The Champion, Travelling

Takamura arrives at the hot springs near Pension Yoshio.

When Ippo returns to the spot to do more log training, he is disappointed to see a sign was posted into the ground, pleading for no more logs to be pushed into the hillside. Running with Itagaki, Ippo talks to him about his upcoming match against Karasawa. Itagaki believes that Karasawa's possible strategy of running around and getting points early on while Ippo gets hasty to win by knockout and lose his rhythm is same as his strategy against Imai, seeing that Karasawa may be a good reference for him. Itagaki asks what Ippo will do if Karasawa running away, assuming he will use the Dempsey Roll. Ippo explains how he wants to go back to the basics, as he feels that he will one day run into someone he won't be able to beat if he keeps going the same as always. He also feels that he has relied on the Dempsey Roll too much, no longer wanting to use it recklessly as the technique continues to get studied by his opponents. Itagaki becomes intrigued in seeing that Ippo will be beating his opponent with more precision since he is going back to the basics. Ippo and Itagaki runs to the Makunouchi Fishing Boat and is informed by Hiroko that Takamura has tried to contact him to tell him that he was doing fine, assuming Ippo was worrying. At the Pension Yoshio, Nekota is shocked to see his home was broken into and his things are scattered around. He grabs a gun and runs with Hachi to find the one responsible. The culprit, Takamura, found a book for hot springs around the pension, planning to go to one. When Takamura spots one, he takes his clothes off and jumps in, expecting college women. However, it is inhabited by a group of monkeys. Takamura gets angry and the monkeys tries to attack him, but they all get knocked out. Nekota and Hachi arrives to the hot spring and is confused as to why there are monkeys knocked out. Later, at the Kamogawa gym Ippo, Itagaki, Aoki, and Kimura talk about how they got contacted by Takamura and were told a crazy story. Takamura told Ippo about him hurling a pick up truck ten metres by himself, Aoki about how he saw a kappa, Kimura was told about being attacked by a gang of monkeys, and Itagaki was told about him being in the Aokigahara forest catching giant stag beetles. The gym members believe Takamura must be lonely and that he will come back soon.

Later, Takamura is turned down by Kimura and Aoki when he calls Kimura while in Nagoya to eat tenmusu, and called Aoki while in Osaka to eat takoyaki. While in Nagoya, Sawamura, who is working in construction notices Takamura and wonders why he is hanging around. While in Osaka, he goes to the Sendō Shop, where he gets pickled squid. Sendō notices the pickled squid is gone and asks his grandmother about it. He is surprised to hear that she sold them after tricking the customer that they were delicacies, complaining that she ripped the customer off. After being told to quit complaining and run since he won't know when his chance will come, Sendō agrees, claiming he won't quit until he makes it to the top. While in Fukuoka to eat ramen, he calls Ippo and is surprised that Ippo wants to hear his stories, however, Takamura has to hang up since he has a sudden urge to defecate in the bushes. Takamura then travels to Okinawa to eat gōyā chanpurū. Shimabukuro notices him. However, he believes that he mistaken a tourist as Takamura, since he assumes Takamura wouldn't be in Okinawa. Three days later, Ippo discusses Takamura's sudden hang up with him with his gym mates. While Ippo was worried, his gym mates predicts that Takamura would show up at the gym soon.

The Champion, Encountering

The day before the weigh-in, at the Kamogawa gym, Ippo and Kamogawa mitt practice for the reporters. Afterwards, Ippo is asked by the reporters to give a more confident statement about the match rather than "I'll do my best". Kamogawa kicks them out as Ippo is confused at to what to say. That night, Kamogawa feels like Ippo isn't focused, as if he is missing something even though there is nothing he neglected. The next day, at the Kōrakuen Hall, the weigh-in between Ippo and Karasawa begins. Ippo and Kamogawa sees Karasawa and is shocked to see his second, Sanada. As Ippo goes over to talk to Sanada, Kamogawa stops Ippo from revealing any information about his training as he assumed Sanada was trying to talk him into doing so. After the weigh-in, Sanada informs Karasawa how Ippo's back seems to have grown a size larger and that he is in perfect shape physically. Karasawa is glad that Ippo is at his best, however, Sanada wonders if Ippo is at his best, since his expression is the same as before Sanada fought him, unable to hide his anxiety of his first title defence. Sanada assumes that Ippo is out of his game, advising Karasawa to take advantage of the fact. Sanada mentions how Tsugumi told him that Karasawa was worried about the gym and his coach, which is why he is helping, but Sanada warns Karasawa that even a distracted Ippo is very strong.

The next day, outside, Ippo feels uneasy about his title defence until Takamura makes a sudden appearance before him. Takamura's presence gave Ippo what he was lacking and cheered him up as Ippo exclaims that he would smash Karasawa into little pieces. Ippo, Itagaki, and Takamura goes to the Makunouchi Fishing Boat to eat. Takamura deems the food Hiroko cooked to be the best out of all places he went to while travelling. When Takamura argues with Itagaki, who thinks there are no signs of tension in the atmosphere even though Ippo has a title defence, their argument was stopped by Ippo. Takamura apologises and gives Itagaki one of the pickled squid he got in Osaka to make up for it. When Aoki and Kimura arrives, Takamura sulks due to the two hanging up on him while he was travelling. As Aoki and Kimura forces themselves to say that they want to hear about Takamura's stories so he could leave Ippo alone, Takamura, Aoki, and Kimura leaves after Aoki and Kimura tries Takamura's pickled squid. Itagaki explains to Ippo how his match against Karasawa is like his upcoming match against Imai, only the roles are reversed, so he wants to watch and see what an in-fighter hates.

The Challenge for the 6th Defence - JBC Featherweight Title Match - Champion Ippo Makunouchi (Sixth Defence) VS. Challenger Takuzō Karasawa (JBC Rank 7)

Ippo arrives to the ring.

}That night, at the Kōrakuen Hall, as Ippo's sixth JBC featherweight title defence match against Karasawa is about to begin, Aoki, Kimura, and Itagaki are stuck in the bathroom, cursing Takamura for giving them the pickled squid. Takamura is in the audience wondering where the three are. The first to head to the ring, Karasawa, comes out confident with both fists in the air as he walks to the ring. He feels the different atmosphere of the same venue he fights in all the time as it is a title match this time. Ippo walks to the ring slowly while swinging his arms and shaking his shoulders. Karasawa requests for Sanada to check Ippo for him to see if he is "complete". Aoki, Kimura, and Itagaki make it in time to the audience area with Takamura. Aoki scolds Takamura for putting a time bomb in their stomachs and for not paying attention to see how Ippo's condition is. Takamura retaliates against Aoki with a kanchō, sending him rushing to the bathroom. Once Ippo gets into the ring, Sanada informs him that unfortunately he is perfect, but Karasawa is glad. Sanada advises Karasawa to not take the opening hit and to dodge Ippo's punches for the first round in order to remember his range and rhythm. Kamogawa instructs for Ippo to aim for Karasawa's body to shut down his legs and use lefts rather than big punches.

Ippo fighting Karasawa.

When the match begins, Ippo enters his Peek-a-Boo Style while Karasawa takes an orthodox style. Karasawa tries to hit Ippo first, however, Ippo intimidates him with his step-in speed and a missed left jab, making Karasawa switch to using his footwork. Pressured by Ippo, Karasawa attacks Ippo's guard while stepping back when Ippo charges in, not knowing the calm Ippo is manipulating him into going into a corner. Once Ippo has Karasawa in a corner, Ippo hits his guard and then throws a liver blow that Karasawa decides to endure to escape the corner. While Karasawa escapes from the corner, the liver blow made Karasawa feel like Ippo drilled a hole through him, and it affected his legs. Desperate to stay standing, Karasawa clinches onto Ippo until Sanada warns him to jump backwards as Ippo is able to punch while being clinched. Karasawa jumps to avoid the uppercut, but Ippo still manages to hit him with a left to the face, causing Karasawa to hold onto the ropes. After Ippo throws combinations at Karasawa, he gets clinched and pulled to the canvas with Karasawa as the first round ends. At the corner, Sanada is surprised by how much Karasawa is sweating and looks exhausted. Sanada suggests to continue the hit-and-run strategy, but Karasawa plans to land a counter the moment he gets trapped again at a corner and Ippo uses the Dempsey Roll. In Ippo's corner, Kamogawa suggests for Ippo to stay in his range and attack with lefts and more lefts, no big punches.

Ippo defeating Karasawa.

As the second round begins, Kamogawa notices how Ippo has been focusing on using his lefts instead of all-or-nothing attacks, believing that he is taking himself up to the next level. Karasawa circles around Ippo while throwing lefts as Ippo slowly approaches him. Itagaki and Kimura wonder why Ippo is not rushing in like he always does. Takamura claims that it would put him in harms way, and to look closer as to how Ippo is moving. Ippo distorts Karasawa's circular path by taking small steps until Ippo puts Karasawa into the corner. Ippo then tricks Karasawa by using the Dempsey Roll motion and then hitting with a liver blow from below. Ippo proceeds to force Karasawa to stay in the corner by throwing small precise punches on his block. When Ippo breaks his guard, he hits Karasawa with a powerful body blow. Karasawa tries to switch positions by throwing a left hook, however, Ippo lands a left over Karasawa's hook, knocking him down. The referee immediately ends the match, resulting in Ippo's sixth title defence win. Ippo celebrates as he clenches his left fist in pride. As Kamogawa gets into the ring, he says that Ippo did a good job, and adds that he only did good today as Ippo was about to get exited for getting praised. Kimura and Itagaki admits that they would have thrown the same left as Karasawa did and get defeated if they were in the same situation as an out-boxer.

At his room in the venue, Karasawa expresses to Kinoshita and Sanada how pathetic he feels not being able to draw out Ippo's full power as Ippo sealed the Dempsey Roll, however, Sanada disagrees, knowing that Ippo doesn't hold back and that he in fact faced the true form of Ippo, making him having fought the most dangerous part of Ippo. Karasawa realises how people who have unfair destructive power like Ippo keeps moving on higher, and above him is a world where people have seemingly unfair tools as well. Karasawa mentions how the towel wasn't thrown, which Kinoshita apologises for not doing it since it was his duty to save his boxer. Karasawa however, feels that his feelings were saved and pleads for Kinoshita to guide him from the beginning again.

Itagaki encountering Imai.

Outside the venue, Takamura mentions to Itagaki how Ippo's anti-out-boxer strategy may be used against him during his match against Imai, as Imai may have watched the match. As the group begins to leave because Ippo's interviews will take awhile, Takamura notices how Aoki was missing, since he is still in the bathroom. Takamura has Itagaki go get him. Along the way, Itagaki comes across Imai. After Imai explains his goal of challenging Ippo by taking the shortest path and how Imai joins a different gym from Ippo's to challenge his goal while Itagaki is unable to challenge his goal, Imai wishes to make a bet with him: if he wins, Itagaki has to introduce him to Nanako. Itagaki becomes angry after hearing his request and is about to fight him until they are stopped by the sight of Aoki, whose skin has sunken from being in the bathroom for too long. After Imai leaves and Itagaki hits Aoki for talking too much, making him have to go to the bathroom again, Itagaki has to wait outside the bathroom door until Aoki is finished. When Ippo leaves the Kōrakuen Hall, Takamura asks Ippo why he sealed the Dempsey Roll. Ippo explains how he saw that the Dempsey Roll was shortening his career, and he wants to perfect the basics of all punches. Kamogawa reflects that he will realise later that if he levels up all the basics and continuously use them, the Dempsey Roll will naturally grow stronger and be reborn without him knowing when he takes off the seal.