Chapter 6 : Win

Megalo Box's qualifying matches all take place in the Dome, which is a newly created giant boxing arena that can accommodate 100,000 people at the same time. Equipped with the latest technology for the comfort of the spectators, a ring was at the centre of the stadium.

The stadium was packed, the atmosphere was at its peak, TV cameras were in every corner.

On stage stood a young woman with long blue hair holding a microphone.

"i'm Yukiko Shirato, president of the Shirato company"

"Megalo Box is the combination of athleticism and Gear technology to create the future of boxing, the premier form of entertainment, and the ultimate combat sport."

"The Megalo Box tournament, Megalonia!"

"It will go beyond regions, beyond organizations, beckoning to any who would, claim to be the greatest fighter."

"They will be competing all over the world to qualify, with only four making it into the main bracket, Fighting in Megalonia means, you're fighting at the highest level, where real Megalo Boxing happens."

"Who is the true champion?"

"That will be revealed

in the ring at Megalonia, there, Now!"

The crowd began to shout with impatience, the atmosphere became even more lively, then the young woman left the stage and went backstage.

Then the competition started, on the first day more than fifty participants were eliminated, on the second day the spectators had slightly decreased, but the fights continued, on the third day it was James' turn.

. . . . . .

On the Ring James was in a corner staring at his opponent, a man about 189cm tall with protruding muscles, wearing an exoskeleton that strengthened his arm.

Ijikata was the boxer at Rank 204 in the competition.

Tôjo behind him then hit his back and said in an encouraging tone.

"You can beat him, kid, but remember, don't get hit, unprotected you're vulnerable, rely on your speed and try to finish the fight as quickly as possible."

"Yes, coach!"

Then James approached and faced Ijikata, although he stood on the big stage with 100,000 spectators this time, he was particularly relaxed because he was confident in his strength.

The spectators were completely surprised by James without Gear who entered the ring.

"Did that guy forget his gear?"

"Don't tell me he wants to fight without his gear?"

"I've seen him, I've seen him in an underground game, he was an unlicensed citizen, lighting fist! I'm rooting for you!"

He was a young man in his twenties, but when the spectators heard his scream they began to laugh.

"So he's just a poor, unlicensed guy who can't even afford a Gear hahahahahaha!"

"Lightning fist"? What kind of nickname is that? Hahaha go home!"

"Go home, you unlicensed bum! You're ruining the show!"

"Go home!"

"Go home!"

The crowd then started chanting the same sentence but James ignored them and still looked at his opponent, so the referee stepped forward and looked at James.

"Sir, are you sure you want to participate without Gear?"

"Yes"

The referee didn't speak then, he just raised his right hand.

"Are you ready?"

"Yes!"

"Yes!"

"Fight!!"

Ring!

"Kid, go home, a bum like you has no business being in this ring, you don't even deserve to face me."

Said Ijikata indifferently as he watched James, as his words were relayed to the viewer on the giant screens.

James, still silent, went on the offensive.

"Well said, Ijikata!"

"Go home, go home!"

The young man who had recognized James earlier, rose from his seat.

"Lightning Fist! Lightning Fist! Lightning Fist! "

The other spectators then looked at the young man with a disdain but suddenly a noise drew their attention to the scene.

Thwack, thwack! Thwack, thwack! Thwack, thwack!Thwack, thwack!

It was James who was giving Ijikata multiple punches, dodging each Ijikata move with inhuman speed.

James hit him again and again, making Ijikata move backwards with every step, he was flying like a butterfly and his fists were so fast that it was hard to see them with the naked eye like lightning!

If it wasn't for the protection of his Gear, Ijikita would have fainted by now.

James stepped back sharply, then bent his back slightly and gave Ijikata an Upercut, followed almost instantly with an Overcut.

Thwack!

Ijikata fell to the floor with blood spurting out of his face.

The surprised referee quickly came to his senses and approached.

"1..4...5..9..Ko"

"James Win!!"

The whole stadium was silent, the viewers were silent, the referee was silent, but suddenly the voice of the young man cheering James woke everyone up.

""Lightning Fist! Lightning Fist!!"

A second spectator next to the young man also stood up and then a third.

""Lightning Fist! Lightning Fist! Lightning!"

Then a fourth followed by a hundredth, two hundred, four hundred, two thousand...

"Lighting Fist! Lighting Fist! Lighting Fist!"

James then slowly walked down from the Ring as he was panting as he entered the changing rooms accompanied by Tôjo to the cheers of the spectators.

. . . . . .

Abuhachi's Shop

young man with dark olive skin, black hair and thick eyebrows with a horizontal scar from his right jaw to his cheek watched James'fight on television with clenched fists.

"The motorcycle's gonna take a bit longer, though, how the hell did you manage to wreck it that badly, anyway?...huh? You listen to me?!"