Ippo : The Fists of Renewal

[Sato High School - Yokohama Prefecture]

The bell rang, announcing the end of class. But in a remote corner of the school, far from the teachers' eyes, a very different scene was unfolding.

There was a circle of students in turmoil. Shouts, insults, encouragement. A fight had just begun, yet another confrontation in this school gangrened by violence.

In the center, Ryoji Kazama stood straight, his breath measured, his gaze cold and his hands bloodied. In front of him, a group of high school students in uniform and their leader, and around the boys were already lying on the ground, groaning in pain.

Ryoji already knew how this was going to end. It wasn't the first time.

"Are you being smart, Kazama?" growled the leader of the gang, cracking his knuckles. "Do you think you're tough because you beat my guys?"

Ryoji didn't answer. He knew that talking was useless. Only actions mattered.

́" Guys, catch him."

Three figures appear at him at the same time. But Ryoji moves before they even reach him. He pivots on his right foot, avoids a first blow and sinks his elbow into the stomach of an opponent. The boy collapses, suffocating.

With a backhand, he blocks another attack, then strikes with a sharp hook to the chin. His opponent falls back, unconscious before even touching the ground. The last one hesitates. Too late. With a quick step, Ryoji closes the distance and lands a straight punch in his temple. A dull thud, then a body that collapses. The circle of students suddenly moves apart. Only the leader of the gang remains.

"Little bastard..." The man charges like a bull. Ryoji doesn't move. He waits… waits… then dodges with a fluid step to the side, letting his opponent launch himself into the void. Before he can turn around, Ryoji connects an uppercut under the chin.

Silence falls. The gang leader staggers, frozen for a moment… then collapses face down on the ground.

--------

[ Principal's Office ]

"This is the third time this month, Kazama." The principal lets out a long sigh, tapping his fingers on his desk. Beside him, a member of the educational staff is reading a thick file filled with incident reports.

"This school is not a ring. No matter the reason, you can't keep going like this."

Ryoji remains silent, sitting on a chair, arms crossed.

"We've notified your home. They've decided to transfer you to another school. One last chance."

He finally looks up. "Where?" he asks in a neutral tone.

"A high school on the outskirts of town, in Tokyo. A quieter place. Maybe you can turn the page there."

Ryoji doesn't answer. Turn the page? It's not that easy.

-----

In the evening, Ryoji sits on his bed, his gaze lost. He's going to be transferred. Sent away again. It doesn't change much. Except that tonight, someone knocks on his bedroom door.

"Can I come in, kid?" The voice is hoarse, tired from the years, but filled with warmth. The old man of the home, Tanaka Genji.

Ryoji nods without a word. The man comes in and sits on a wooden chair, taking out a cigarette that he doesn't even bother to light.

"You're going to leave again, huh?"

Ryoji doesn't answer. Genji smiles sadly.

"I knew this day would come… but it still hurts." The silence settles in, heavy. Ryoji ends up murmuring:

" It's okay. I'm used to it."

"That's what pisses me off." The old man stares at him, serious. "A kid shouldn't be used to wandering around without ties."

Again, silence. Then, against all expectations, Genji smiles.

"You've always been a hothead, but you're not a bad kid. That's why I'm going to do something for you."

Ryoji frowns. "Huh?"

"I have an old place in town, where my son lived before he went abroad. He's small, not in amazing shape, but he's yours if you want."

Ryoji finally looks up. "Why are you doing this?"

Genji shrugs, as if the answer is obvious. "Because you're like a son to me, idiot."

Ryoji's eyes widen slightly, surprised.

"Listen, kid. You have a new chance, out there. Try to live a little. Try to change. Not for me, or for the others... but for yourself."

A long silence falls. For the first time in a long time, Ryoji doesn't know what to say.

----

[ Tokyo - a few days later ]

The station was bustling, full of noise and movement. Ryoji got off the train, suitcase in hand, and looked out at the city that stretched out before him. It was different. Quieter than his old neighborhood. Less… stifling.

After a few minutes of walking, he arrived in front of a small, dilapidated building. He took out the key that Genji had given him and opened the door.

The interior was modest: a futon in a corner, a small table, a tiny kitchen. But this was his home. Ryoji put down his suitcase, sighed, and ran a hand through his hair.

"It seems like this is where it all begins..."

What he didn't know was that a few streets away lived a certain Takamura Mamoru. And that his destiny was about to change.