01x16 - Golden Eagle

[bunniefuu]

Th-Things sure are quiet.

Yep.

Neither one of us has caught anything yet.

That means the first one to land a fish wins!

I've been getting nibbles for a while now.

But I can't reel them in.

I need to throw him this bone.

But it's too good of a fishing day to just sit on my hands.

I want to come away with at least one fish!

I can let him win by total count.

After he catches one, then I'll hook a few.

Now get a bite, Takamura-kun!

I want to fish!

Got one!

Congrats!

Argh! It took the bait!

Yeah, they can do that.

Hell, yeah!

What, again?! Bite the damn hook already!

Were you about to say something?

N-No.

It's biting!

Hurry up and reel it in before it's too late!

Gotcha!

Dammit, got away again!

These fish sure know how to steal bait!

No, you suck way too hard!

S-Say something?

N-No, I didn't.

Be patient, don't hook one yet.

I have to give Takamura-kun this win!

Looks like Yagi's completely lost his angler's luck,

leaving me free to get the first bite!

Don't hook one! Don't hook one!

Hook one! Hook one! Hook one!

Don't! Don't!

Hook one! Hook one!

Don't!

Hook one!

Don't!

Hook one!

Don't!

Hook one!

They said this was the place.

It is. Take a look!

This sign actually says "No Yagis."

What the hell did that old dude do?

There's a new sign over here!

There's something written on—

Just what the heck did he do?

Stop talking!

I don't even want to imagine it!

Takamura-san!

Huh?

Oh, welcome back!

What?

Why the hell are you acting so shocked?!

He seems... happy.

Did he actually win?

It was a draw.

They tied?!

Yagi got three, Takamura got three.

Neither had a good haul, so they decided to leave it at that.

For Takamura-san, I'd say that's a great haul.

So that's the fruits of his training?

Thank goodness.

But Yagi-san had only three?

It's not like him.

When Yagi-chan caught three fish,

that's when Takamura dove in and grabbed three for himself.

They were then escorted out.

So he didn't use a pole?

Well that explains the sign.

What's the problem? As long as Takamura-san's happy!

That's a weight off our shoulders!

Who said you can relax?

Your next matchups have been set.

Besides Takamura-kun and Miyata-kun's matches,

we've received the documents pertaining to you two's matches.

Hell, yeah!

Things are more real once we know who we're fighting.

Are we up against some real bruisers?

Indeed!

You two will be fighting the Indonesian and Filipino national champions.

Th-That's amazing! You'll be up against champions?

I ain't afraid.

We've both been through title matches.

Kimura-kun will be facing the Filipino Junior Lightweight Champion, Eleki Battery.

Who gave him that name? You're fighting an electronics store?

Who cares what his name is?!

Aoki-kun will be fighting...

the Indonesian Lightweight Champion.

His name is Papaya Dachiu.

Who cares what his name is?!

I sure as hell do!

"Papaya"? He sounds real tough to me!

Don't laugh, Itagaki-kun!

B-But...

Fine, laugh if you want!

But the actual fight will be no laughing matter!

I'll split that Papaya in half!

You best not take him lightly.

The guy's a national champion, remember?

But look at him! I ain't gonna lose to this dickhead!

You won't?

I ain't!

You swear?

Not in this lifetime!

All right, then...

this is your new hairdo if you lose.

Kiss my a*s! If I say I'm gonna win, I'm gonna win!

Right! We got a deal!

Careful out there. I hear he's got quite a punch.

They call his right hand the "Coconut Punch."

That's because his opponents thought they were being hit by coconuts.

C-Coconuts?

Do those hurt?

Don't ask me!

Do I look like I've been hit by those things?

S-Senpai... I can't hold it in!

My abs are about to burst open.

As for you, Mr. Chucklehead...

If you don't win,

you got a makeover waiting!

Bring it on, goddammit! I ain't gonna lose!

Technically, Takamura-san, you yourself didn't beat Yagi-san today.

Excuse me?

And you cheated on top of it. So don't act like such a frickin' hotshot!

You think you can beat Yagi, as*h*le?

I will! How much you wanna bet?

If I beat Yagi-san at fishing, that other bet is off!

I ain't gonna do up my hair like any Papaya!

He doesn't think he can beat Papaya, does he?

Only one more month until the match, huh?

I'm not getting that 'do even if it kills me.

And that son of a b*tch Aoki came up with an escape clause.

It looks like he's been practicing his a*s off.

Guess I can go see how he's doing.

Oh my god!

You should definitely keep your current hairstyle!

You said it, baby!

I ain't getting that 'do for the life of me!

But don't worry, you're on a roll!

Yeah, I'm a natural when it comes to fishing!

You're a natural when it comes to anything!

You think so?

I know so!

Tomiko!

Tomiko... Tomiko!

It looks like there won't be any fishing competition.

Which means the only thing left for us... is to win our matches!

I still gotta know,

what the hell did that dumbass do anyway?

Those three are looking good.

Especially that Takamura.

He's powering through his training regimen with fire in his eyes.

Even though he's back up to the middleweights like he should be,

his weight management is still nothing to sneeze at.

Building up your body is a fight against your own self.

And Takamura's fight has just begun.

Let's keep moving!

Right!

So can he really win two world titles?

That we don't know.

There has never been anybody...

in the history of Japanese boxing who has ever won both the junior middle and the middleweights.

He is truly setting foot in a territory where no Japanese man has gone before.

Look at the poster!

Now that looks nice!

Mm-hmm!

"A Passing Point," meaning crossroads.

That's Takamura-kun's favorite word.

I can't believe we know someone whose crossroads are at a second world title match.

We're so lucky!

We might witness history in the making!

I know we will.

Takamura-san will pull through for us.

He has to!

David Eagle is a well-known champion even in America.

It took a lot of money to lure him to Japan.

If Takamura-kun doesn't nab that second title with blazing glory, we'll be deep in the red!

Now that's what I call a buzzkill.

Yeah.

No need to fret!

Guys!

Welcome back!

Getting that second title'll be easy as pie!

I'll lure spectators from around the world and build you a new gym!

Let's hope we're not counting chickens before they hatch.

Can it.

Oh?

Now this is a nice poster.

So we're fighting at Yokohama Arena?

I'm always ready to fight!

Time to exercise!

Right!

The fight's in the middle of the summer.

Judging by the way he's sweating, we don't have to worry about his weight management.

Yeah.

Actually, you're wrong.

Takamura-san's weight management will be tough, even in the summer.

He'll be forced to sweat buckets, yet he can't replenish fluids.

In fact, he's in real danger of suffering dehydration.

He'll feel constantly languid, and his body will feel heavy.

Yet, he still has to run under the blazing sun.

Good, three minutes flat!

You get one minute's rest!

Need a towel?

Not that I can see.

Did you even sweat a drop under this hot sun?

O... Old man....

Don't force yourself to talk.

Your overly chapped lips are bleeding.

Happy now?

What was that?

You happy... you're getting... another belt?

You're the one getting it.

You're the one who's supposed to be happy about it.

Don't expect me to be overjoyed about it.

Still, the idea of seeing two world title belts side by side is marvelous indeed.

I would like to see that before these old eyes become bleared with age.

You got time to do that, then you should be running! Break's over!

Fujii-san, here he is!

Right.

Olympic gold medalist.

Ever since turning pro, he's reached the top of the world after only 15 fights,

never knowing a loss.

His career has been one constant, triumphant victory lap.

He is truly the Golden Eagle.

WBC World Middleweight Champion,

David "Golden" Eagle.

David, may we have a moment?

We have some questions for you.

Sure thing.

You are a highly celebrated boxer in your own country.

Why would you deign to set foot in enemy territory?

That's what I want to know.

Do you all remember Brian Hawk?

Hawk?

Yes, of course.

I once considered him my most powerful foe.

But then, I received the shocking news that he lost.

There is a very strong man in this tiny island nation.

My thoughts of him even kept me up at night.

Then that's when you got the offer?

Yes!

I came to Japan,

because I want to see this Mamoru Takamura. That's all.

That's a very simplistic reason.

Is it really all there is to it?

They have your dinner waiting at the hotel.

No, take me directly to the gym.

I've sat too long on that plane.

I want to get back to my fighting rhythm as soon as possible.

He's not even thinking about resting or sightseeing.

It appears he's indeed focused only on Takamura.

He and Brian Hawk are totally different boxers.

He knows only glory, but doesn't bask in it.

The ultimate workhorse who never relies on just his natural gifts.

A real champion has landed.

So this public sparring starts at two?

Yeah, I want to see exactly who we're facing.

So, why are you following us?

This thing is being held at Miyata's Kawahara Gym, I suppose.

What's with the crowd?

That's David Eagle-san!

What's he doing with all those kids?

Hey there, little guy, come over here!

Why don't I give you an autograph?

M-Me?

No, I couldn't possibly...

I-I'm with your opponent... and we're here, you know, to scout...

S-Sankyuu berry machee!

I made a memory!

Don't get elated over getting his autograph!

Still, did he even schedule a signing session?

He does that by his own volition.

Miyata-kun!

Those are just the neighborhood kids.

But he says that some of them may be thinking of going to the Olympics or turning pro.

He hopes that his presence can inspire at least one of them to go down that path.

Now there's an exemplary athlete.

S-So he thought I was another neighborhood kid?

Those foreigners think we all look young.

I think the sparring is about to start.

Next partner.

Yeah!

All of his punches are high level,

but his one-two punch is something else.

It'll be a tough fight for Takamura if he keeps taking those.

Color me surprised.

I agree.

He's putting everything out there in the open.

Does he have brass ones, or is he deliberately throwing down the gauntlet?

I see this champion wants to fight Takamura head on.

I'm really glad we get to see the real boxer in action.

That shows the guy is worth fighting.

H-He's good!

He gives 100% during training and is kind to foreign kids.

It's like he's a superhero.

He's probably the type of guy Takamura-san hates the most.

He does get easily peeved.

We're talking about his boxing style, not his personality.

The only people who I believe can overcome Takamura-san's unconventional style are orthodox boxers.

He'll be in for a tough fight.

Can Takamura-san win?

I can't make any predictions, but I know the match will be epic.

Oh, and how are you doing, Miyata-kun?

Why would I be in anything but tip-top shape?

Y-Yeah, you're right.

Actually, I'm not sure.

I'm trying to work on something new.

Something new?

Let's hope that...

just like you revealed your new move in the Sawamura fight,

I won't hesitate to put everything on the line.

Kid! What do you, as an active boxer, think of David Eagle?

He's like a superhero.

Even though he's supposed to be our foe,

he's the man I could picture standing on top of the world, representing our hopes and dreams.

A superhero, eh?

I agree that he's a wonderful athlete who takes training seriously.

He doesn't have Takamura beaten on that account.

I've had enough of you little shits!

Give us an autograph!

Why? We were going to cheer for you!

Get lost, punks!

H-He kicked, punched, and chased them away.

He's a monster.

He's hell's emissary.

I know weight management makes you irritable,

but what you did just now...

I better back away...

What the hell is this on your back?!

Are you on his side now?!

I don't believe you! I don't believe you!

What did I do?!

Why are you chasing me!

I don't believe you!

I hear that Kamogawa Gym will not do any public sparrings.

But we went ahead and showed our entire arsenal.

Well, it appears our opponent would rather take a rest from his weight management rather than spar.

You should rest up, too.

You're putting so much into this, it's starting to make us worry.

There's no such thing as "putting in too much" against Mamoru Takamura.

In fact, I worry that I didn't do enough.

You've seen for yourself how much Brian Hawk has changed.

Hawk, I have to know!

I can't believe you lost.

How did that happen?

Get out. Before I k*ll you.

Weren't you feeling well? Or was...

that Mamoru Takamura that strong of a fighter?

Go to hell!

Don't you dare mention his name!

Don't you ever talk about him in front of me!

Tell me, Hawk! Is he...

Stop!

How could a man like Hawk become so damaged?

I want to know exactly how strong he is.

I don't want to merely see him spar.

I want to experience the man named Mamoru Takamura.

I'm only interested in how strong he is... inside the ring.