A/N: What's going on everyone! Hope everyone is having a great day/evening/night! I finished watching the first season of Hajime no Ippo/Fighting Spirit along with the movie and it is an incredibly slept on show and anime (that still has manga chapters in production might I add). To be honest, I didn't get introduced to Ippo until I saw the One Minute Melee fight between him and Little Mac. When it comes to stuff that I'm not that familiar with interacting with stuff that I am familiar with, I like to at least give whatever it is a peek, so I wasn't interested in seeing who Ippo was and what he was in. Watching the first few episodes, I got immediately pulled in. Decided to make this crossover, as I see that there aren't that many. With all of that out of the way, here's the stuff to know about when it come to when this story takes place, etc.
Context and Time placement: Hajime No Ippo/ Fighting Spirit: Takes place after Ippo defeats Sendo in their second match and he wins the Featherweight title in Japan. Is also after Ippo defeats Kazuki Sanada in his first fight to defend the Japanese Featherweight belt.
Yugioh: Takes place after season 4 of the Duel Monsters series AKA the Waking the Dragons/Orichalcos season. Domino City IS in Japan just to clear up any confusion. This is true in both the dub and sub. The dub just messed up at one point and said that it was in the US when that isn't true at all. Tea has said on multiple occasions that she's wanted to go to America along with saying New York in the sub and dub.
Without further ado, I hope you enjoy the story!
*Begin Intro*
There is silence. No music. Nothing heard but the footsteps from two pairs of shoes. One of the pairs belong to the spiky haired Yugi Muto, the King of Games. A spotlight is shining on him and it follows him wherever he goes. As he walks, duel disk on his left arm, he seems to pass through the illusions of what were his opponents. Weevil Underwood, Mako Tsunami, Maximilian Pegasus, Bandit Keith, Marik Ishtar his own best friend Joey Wheeler, and so many others.
On seemingly another area of that same location, another pair of footsteps are heard. Those footsteps belonging to Ippo Makunouchi, a spotlight following him aa well. With his boxing gloves on his fists, he gets in his usual peek-a-boo fighting stance, dodging and weaving around the illusions of some of his past opponents. Oda Yusuke, Vorg Zangief, Kenta Kobashi, Jason Ozuma, Ryo Mashiba, Ryūichi Hayami.
Yugi stops and puts his duel disk in front of him, activating it, and changing into Yami Yugi. He puts his cards in against an illusion of Kaiba, who summons Blue Eyes White Dragon. Yugi summons Dark Magician. No words were exchanged and the two point at their adversary to attack, with Dark Magician winning. Kaiba summons Obelisk the Tormentor while Yugi summons Slifer the Sky Dragon. Obelisk attacks, throwing a punch to obliterate Slifer. But the dragon dodges, and it wraps around the Egyptian God Monster, seemingly using extra strength enhanced from Yugi's friends and family: His grandpa, Joey, Tristan, Bakura, and finally Tea. squeezing and destroying it.
Sendo stops weaving as he gets to Takeshi Sendo. Sendo throws a punch and Ippo dodges. Ippo counters and Sendo takes the attack head on. The two send simultaneous punches their way, but Sendo is knocked down. After a few seconds he stands up and Sendo throws his ultimate attack, the Smash. Ippo dodges and starts weaving performing the Dempsey Roll. After picking up speed, he sends hooks before finishing with an uppercut, the memories of those that he cares about seemingly being in the punch: Chief Kamogawa, Takamura, Umezawa, Aoki, Kimura, his mother, and Kumi Mashiba.
Both continue to walk, eventually back-to-back to each other. A large crowd suddenly erupts, cheering for the champions at their respective repertoires. While the spotlights were on them, they were looking down. But after a couple of seconds they looked up. But it was as if one didn't know the other was there, nor did they even acknowledge the crowd, both looking at something else. Yugi looking at the illusion of Kaiba, Yami Yugi also being seen on the side of Yugi. Ippo sees Ryo Mashiba, Miyata, and finally Sendo.
(A/N: If this were an intro, this next part is something that only the viewer would see) Although Yugi was back to his normal self, a burning fire and passion was in his and his Yami Yugi's eyes, as his personality was split from his. One eye showing the determined look of Yugi Muto, the other showing the determined look of Yami Yugi. On the other side, Ippo had a determined look in his eyes. The same green eyes that he had in his fight against Sendo.
*End Intro*
Ippo and Sendo are seen fighting in a replay of the JBC Featherweight Title Match. It was the final round. The crowd was on the edge of their seat, the cornermen for both boxers watching, both proud and anxious. They didn't say anything that gave this away, but their expressions and body language showed this well.
Both fighters were giving their all. Even though it seemed that both had nothing left, they both found the inner strength to keep fighting and prove that they are the #1 featherweight boxer in Japan.
Sendo was faltering after missing a blow, but he wasn't about to be defeated yet. He refused to be defeated by Ippo again. Although to any average boxing watcher or to a passerby, it would have seemed that Sendo was done for. But Ippo knew better. The flicker he saw in Sendo's eyes, which said "I refuse to lose" said otherwise.
"Just 'cause ya saw my left comin', don't be so sure you're gonna win! This ain't over ya little punk! I didn't train this long to lose to you!" Sendo thought, creating strength to deliver another attack.
Sendo planted his feet, and advanced, somehow creating enough strength to go low and throw another one of his signature smash punches to end the match for good. But what was even more incredible, was that Ippo was able to dodge a fatal attack, weaving under an already incredibly low wind up for a devastating smash.
"Makunouchi!" Sendo thought, seeing that Ippo dodged it. He didn't have to say it out loud but the way he said it in his head would make you know that he was angry. It was the best chance he had at ending the match and that pesky Makunouchi dodged it. With his ribs already broken, he knew that he probably won't have another chance like that to knock him out again. Everything that he could possibly give when it came to strength was in that punch.
"Sendo!" Ippo thought, getting ready to launch a punch to counter. He knew that this counter would be the best chance he would have at ending the match. If this couldn't knock him down, nothing would. He delivers another blow to his ribs, cracking them even further, his signature Liver Blow! Sendo was in pain, but he refused to let it show. Even though his ribs were broken, he wouldn't quit. That's not who Takeshi Sendo was. He knew another attack was coming so he put his hands up to guard. If Ippo could take it, then he could too. But it's easier said than done. Another attack came, but it wasn't where Sendo expected. The punch he thought was coming to his face was a feint punch, and he fell hook, line, and sinker for it. Ippo brings his fist under to knock him in the jaw, breaking his guard. His signature Gazelle Punch!
Open for another attack, Ippo began weaving back and forth, faster and faster. This was his chance to finish the match. His chance to not only defeat Sendo, but to become the Japanese featherweight champion. He was preparing to unleash his ultimate move, the Dempsey Roll! His speed increased with each weave until he landed a devastating right hook to Sendo! He repeated this process, using the extra momentum from the speed of the Dempsey Roll to magnify the strength of his punches until finally he threw an uppercut, sending Sendo to the canvas.
Everyone, from Sendo's fans, to Takamura and Kumi, to even Ippo's were at a loss for words at what happened and were in awe.
"Sendo is down!" The TV commentator said. "Is this too much damage for the champion to overcome? Or is it just routine for the champion? The ref starts the countdown! Can he stand?"
Although Sendo was able to stand, he was unable to assume a fighting stance in time. The referee counted to ten and ended the fight, making Ippo the winner by Knockout.
A teenage boy with blonde hair in a sporadic style mimicked the hooks that Ippo threw. He had on a light blue T-shirt with a dark blue square in the middle, similar to the shirt that he wore during the Battle City Tournament. As he was throwing hooks, he accidentally hit another teenage boy with brown hair where a large portion spikes out at the front of his head with his knuckle, hitting him in his nose.
He gets up grabbing his nose, visibly angry. "Argh, you bonehead!" He says as he throws punches at the other teenager. They began to get into a skirmish.
Another boy, smaller than both of them with spiky blonde locks for his fringe, and five large spikes colored black, and magenta walked into the room to see them skirmishing.
"Hey, hey guys calm down! Whatever you're fighting about I'm sure you guys can work something out!" The boy said. That boy's name was Yugi Moto, otherwise known as the #1 duel monsters duelist in the world.
The two that were skirmishing stopped when they saw Yugi enter the room. The one with blonde hair that was mimicking the hooks was known as Joey Wheeler, who recently placed fourth overall in the Battle City Duel Monsters Tournament behind Seto Kaiba, who placed third, Marik Ishtar, who placed second, and one of his closest friends, Yugi Muto, who placed first in the tournament. The boy with brown hair was known as Tristan Taylor.
"Yeah, well tell that to my nose if it gets broken because of that idiot!" Tristan said, pointing at Joey.
"Come ahn, it was an honest mistake. Besides, how can you not start to throw punches when you see these guys fight?" Joey said, throwing a couple of jabs, one with his left and one with his right, in his distinguishable Brooklyn accent.
"Sendo! Sendo! Sendo!" The crowd chanted from the TV, as the former featherweight champion walked exited the venue.
This made Yugi turn his towards the TV. "Boxing? I didn't know you liked this stuff Joey." Yugi said, as the camera was on the now champion of Japanese Featherweight Class. He was all smiles, but he was getting ready to leave the venue as well, proudly wearing the belt.
"Yeah. It gets me pumped! Two guys duking it out in the ring, dodging, blocking, weaving, throwing some awesome punches!" Joey said, nearly hitting Tristan again.
"But what really gets me pumped is watching this guy." Joey said, referring to Ippo Makunouchi who was still on the screen, finishing his pose while wearing the belt for a picture.
"Oh? Who is he?" Yugi asked. He was genuinely unaware of what was going on because he had no interest in boxing, or really sports in general. While he didn't mind playing, he always felt that he would lose anyway, which is why he never played basketball at school.
"That's Ippo Makunouchi, the Featherweight Boxing Champ of Japan." Tristan informed him.
"The Featherweight Champion? Wow." Yugi said, genuinely amazed. As a champion himself, he knows how hard it is to become one. But still, for Yugi, it was still incredible to be able to see someone who was declared to be the best at something, whether it be the world or even just Japan.
"Yeah. The reason why I like the guy is that he's always counted out when he fights. He's an underdog, just like me! But he always finds a way to come out on top, and now, he's at the top of the country!" Joey said.
"Almost always anyway. His overall record's 13-1. All his wins by KO, with his first title defense win three days ago. His only loss was against Eiji Date who was the Japan Featherweight champion, before he released the belt to compete for the world title in the WBC." Tristan explained.
"So the guy he beat to win the belt wasn't Date?" Yugi asked.
"Nope. The guy he beat was Takeshi Sendo, who was the Featherweight champion after Date before Ippo beat him." Joey said, before throwing more punches and pumping his fist, making his signature chin face. "And boy was that an awesome fight! I get pumped every time I watch it!" He said.
"Yeah. He's already watched it at least seven times. Probably more than that. Seven's just all I know of. And he's mimicked the punches on every single watch." Tristan said to Yugi, making a face that said, "why is he still watching this?"
"Ya gotta be kiddin' me! If you're a real enthusiast about boxing, and even if ya not, ya see awesome moves like that and you don't punch along?" Joey asked, before weaving, and throwing hooks, imitating the Dempsey Roll. "The Dempsey Roll!" He said, before doing Sendo's signature smash. "The Smash!" He said. "Some real killer moves man!"
"You know what else is gonna be a killer for you?" Tristan asked.
"What's that?" Joey asked.
"Missing class and the test we have today." Tristan said.
"A test? Oh man, I forgot about that!" Joey said, getting ready to take off before grabbing his usual uniform clothes and putting them on. They all left Joey's apartment and went outside, eventually meeting Téa along the way to school.
"Hey guys!" She said, greeting them, waving.
"Good morning Téa." Yugi said to her.
"Hey Téa." Joey and Tristan said simultaneously.
"I hope you studied man. A Dempsey Roll's not gonna save your grade if you fail." Tristan said to Joey.
"Hey, if things don't work out with school." Joey started before doing more jabs. "Maybe I can become a professional boxer one day." He said throwing jabs.
"What's all this about boxing?" Téa asked Tristan and Yugi.
"Joey's been watching boxing on TV. And since an underdog named Ippo Makunouchi won, he thinks he has a shot too." Tristan said.
"Heart of the underdog baby!" Joey said. "So tell me guys, scale of 1 to 10, how much of a shot do ya think I'd have at boxing? Be honest."
"Ippo Makunouchi…" Téa said, trailing off, thinking. She then snaps her fingers on her right hand. "Oh yeah! I recognize that name!" She said.
"Ya saw the guy before? Did ya get his autograph?" Joey asked.
"No. I saw him on a poster. It was about a week ago for his title match against Takeshi Sendo." She said.
"So, uh back to my question. What do you guys think?" Joey asked.
"Well, you certainly do have the spirit to be one I'll give you that. And you don't give up that easily." Yugi said, trying to think of a number. It was typical of Yugi to think about the positives and what Joey could do and the qualities that he had that would make him a good boxer. Not what he couldn't do or didn't have.
"Yeah, but it'll take more than just heart. It takes training too. And guts. I may not be a boxer myself, but I do know that it isn't easy to win, let alone be champion without some toughness and some hard training. Heck, every time you step into the ring, you risk getting your head off." Tristan said. "So honestly, I'd have to give him a three. He's got the heart and the persistence, but I just don't think it'll be enough for to really go far and win anything." He continued.
"I have some faith in you Joey. You can do anything if you set your mind to it and work hard enough. So I'll give you a five." Téa said.
"A five? If you really have that much faith in me why didn't you go higher?" Joey asked.
"Joey and work don't exactly go together." Téa said, smiling and scratching her face a little.
"Hey! What's that supposed to mean? I can work hard if I wanted to." Joey said, a little offended. "How about you Yug?" Joey asked.
Yugi let out a wide smile innocently and grabbed the back of his head. "Well, I'd have to give you a seven."
"A seven? Why's that?" Téa asked.
"I know that Joey doesn't seem like someone that can work hard to win, but I wouldn't underestimate him. He's surprised others before with his dueling. A lot of people, like Kaiba and Rex Raptor didn't really take him seriously at first. But now he's a force to be reckoned with." Yugi said. While he was optimistic about a lot of things, he truly believed this to be so. Joey's refusal to quit and his determination to win against all odds even when counted out is something that he doesn't really see in the other duelists he's come across.
"Thanks Yug." Joey said, truly grateful.
"Anytime Joey." Yugi said, feeling bashful, as they arrive to school.
After they arrived to school, they wasted no time to get to their class.
They took their normal seats in class. Although they all sat next to one another whenever they shared a class, their teachers never had a problem with them disrupting class or cheating so they were never separated. More students started to fill the rooms, with some of the chatter being just casual chatter, whether it be gossip, sports, games, shows or other things. Some of them were quietly studying or studying with others, whether it be to solidify the studying that they already did before or try to desperately cram before the test began. Others were reading, drawing or writing.
Tristan quizzed Joey, while Téa quizzed Yugi.
Eventually, the bell rang, and the teacher closed the door. The teacher looked to be in her mid 20s, with long black hair that ran down to the middle of her back. Everyone called her Ms. Yamato.
"Good morning everyone, as you already know, or at least hopefully you should know, there is a test today. The first thing I'll do today is check for attendance." She said as she looked at her computer and began to call out names. Everyone called out here. Not a single student was absent. She began to pick up a stack of papers, which everyone presumed to be the test papers, from her desk.
"Before I pass out the tests, I want everyone to put away all of their materials except for their pencils please." She said. Everyone followed her instructions.
"Thank you. I will start to pass out the tests by row. Please pass them to the back, and if there are any extras, let me know." As she gave stacks of test papers to the front of the rows, she began to talk again. "Of course, the usual rules apply. No cheating of any kind. No talking unless you have a question for me. I wish you all good luck on your test."
90 minutes later
"Have a good day everyone!" Ms. Yamato said, smiling. Yugi, Joey, Téa, Tristan and some other students smiled back, with Yugi waving. As they walked out, Yugi asked how everyone thought they did on the test. Téa said that she thought she did fine, Tristan the same response, with Joey said that he felt uneasy with a bunch of them, but Yugi was sure that he did great. As they were walking to their next class, they passed by Seto Kaiba, who was heading to the class they were just in.
"Oh, hey Kaiba!" Yugi said, in his usual cheerful tone.
"Hey yourself." Kaiba said in a neutral tone, turning his to his left to acknowledge that they were there behind him.
"I know you have to hurry to class so I won't keep you. Good luck on your test." Yugi said, still smiling.
Kaiba turned his head back around and closed his eyes. "Hmph. I don't need your luck." He said, before walking away.
"Typical rich boy Kaiba." Joey said. He started to follow the others before he started turn around to yell. "I hope you fail your test! Better yet, fail school! That way you'll never get a career!" He yelled.
"I think that's enough Joey." Yugi said as Téa drags Joey away.
Kaiba just walks away into the classroom.
"I think you forgot that he owns KaibaCorp." Tristan said.
"Eh?" Joey said, coming to the realization that he just made a bit of a fool of himself. "I totally forgot about that." He said, a drop of sweat running down his cheek.
As they continued walking, they eventually met Bakura and Duke Devlin and greet them before heading to their next classes.
Lunch/Break Period
Everyone was off doing their own things. Some gossiping, others eating or playing sports. Yugi and the others were having lunch outside, with Tristan the first to finish. He and Bakura were dueling against one another at a table not that far from where Yugi and the others were eating. They passed by Kaiba at some point while they were looking for a table to sit. He was off at another table by himself, reading, his tray empty, already finishing.
"Did you guys see that title defense match with Ippo against Kazuki on Saturday?" A student was asking someone else in the distance.
"Yeah. It was awesome! But the best fight was the second fight between Ippo and Sendo." Another student said, presumably in response to the other student's question.
"Yeah, that Ippo is something else, isn't he?" Someone else said.
"I heard he .already graduated high school I wonder if he has a girlfriend?" A girl asked.
"What's that matter to you? You can't date here. School rules remember?" The second student that talked about the Ippo-Sendo fight said.
"Yeah, well they don't have to know. Besides, I'll graduate eventually. Please wait for me, my sweet Ippo." She said dreamily.
"It looks like Ippo is the talk of the town." Yugi said, before taking a bite of his hamburger.
"Why wouldn't he be? He's the new champion of his weight class in Japan!" Joey said.
"Yeah. He's around our age too from what I've heard. The talk from here pretty much confirms it. Makes him relatable to people like us. Gives a lot of people around our age hope ya know? To achieve our dreams." Duke Devlin said.
"Mm-hmm." Téa said, nodding in agreement. She always had hope before that she could go to New York to become a dancer. But seeing someone like Ippo who was around her age(A/N: Waking the Dragons is two years after Duelist Kingdom, so it would make sense that Téa would be 18 during this time) be able to become the featherweight champion of Japan, even when everything said that he would have no chsnce at pulling off such a feat gave her even more hope. And even more of a reason for her to do her best to make her dream a reality.
"You keep up with boxing Duke?" Tristan asked.
"Not really. I've just been hearing rumblings about him from some of the customers that come by at my game shop, so I decided to see what all the fuss was about. I only saw two of his past fights recorded and I have to say, he deserves all the praise. He's one heck of a fighter." Duke said.
"Ya got that right." Joey said before throwing more jabs. "Maybe," Joey said as he throws another punch. "If I learn boxing…" Joey throws a right hook. "I can finally put rich boy flat on his back. He's not gonna stand a chance!" He said. He then started grinning as he pictured the scene in his head. Kaiba on the ground unconscious while Joey is standing over him, victorious.
Snapping out of his fantasy, they get back to conversing about Ippo, Duel Monsters, how Duke's game shop has been going, and even graduation plans.
Before Yugi could give an answer about his graduation plans, it was time to report to the next class. It was a class they all had together, including with Kaiba.
Kamogawa Boxing Gym
Ippo, Takamura, Aoki, and Kimura were all practicing hard. Although there were no new challengers to the belt due to Ippo showing that the Dempsey Roll still couldn't be stopped with Ippo's intuitive thinking and instincts, Ippo knew that there was no time to rest for him. As the champion, everyone would be coming for him and his belt. If he slacks off his boxing for just a second, he could throw a punch a split second off that could cost him a match, and someone else will be hoisting the belt. Just because it looked like there was nothing to worry about now when it comes to keeping his title, doesn't mean it would be that way forever.
Ippo steps in to deliver his signature gazelle punch to the sandbag.
"Alright kid, give me one more!" Chief Kamogawa said.
"Yes, sir!" Ippo said.
He weaves, faster and faster, performing them Dempsey Roll before giving hooks and finally and uppercut to the unlucky sandbag.
"All right, that's enough for today kid. Go home and get some rest." Chief Kamogawa said.
Ippo nods, giving Takamura, Aoki, Kimura, and the Chief farewells, bowing as well before leaving the gym.
"You didn't keep him here as long as you normally do. Is it because of his injuries?" Haruhiko asked Genji.
"Yeah. The kid is a hard-worker and he's persistent. But he still hasn't fully recovered from his fight against Kazuki. If we're gonna get any further in improving his skills, he's gonna need to be at his best in body, mind, and spirit." Chief Kamogawa said before looking at the door that Ippo just walked out of.
"The Dempsey Roll ain't gonna be the end-all, be-all against his opponents forever. We saw that against both Kazuki and Sendo. Sendo's method was crude, but it was effective, and it was a good fit for his style of boxing. Other boxers will figure out better and more effective ways of dealing with it. So when that time comes, we need an answer. A plan B." The chief further elaborated before getting his jacket and hat about to head out for the day himself.
"And something tells me the kid knows it too. He just doesn't know that his body's not ready to exceed its limits yet." He said. "Well, I'll be out for the rest of the day. Take care of yourself Yagi." He said as Haruhiko nodded before walking out of the gym.
As Ippo was walking, he was lost in his own thoughts.
"I still can't believe that this is how it feels to be champion." Ippo looks up ahead of him now. "My first title defense match." He remembers back to that title defense match. When Ippo successfully landed the Dempsey Roll but it seemed like Kazuki withstood it.
*Flashback: Title Match: Ippo Makunouchi vs Kazuki Sanada, Saturday, 3 days ago.*
After Ippo lands the uppercut from the Dempsey Roll, Kazuki seems to have withstood it, faring better than Sendo when he was hit by it twice.
"I've done it. I've withstood the Dempsey Roll! I've defeated Ippo Makunouchi! I just need to land one final blow and this match is over! The title belt is mine!" Kazuki said, attempting to land the final blow to defeat Ippo and win the belt.
But, to everyone's surprise, and even Ippo's, he completely missed it and collapsed to the ground. The referee ended the fight, declaring Ippo the winner, making it Ippo's first successful title defense.
*End Flashback*
But to him, it really didn't feel like it. It never felt like he truly won that fight. Even as a champion, he was still an underdog, having to come from behind to snag a victory from the jaws of defeat.
Unbeknownst to him, it was exactly as how Chief Kamogawa had described it: Ippo still felt that he was the challenger, and not the champion.
"But it just doesn't feel like it at times." He thought before being silent for a bit, continuing to walk. "I wonder if this is how Mr. Date felt when I or others were fighting him. Mr. Takamura, he looks so cool and confident. How does he do it?" He wondered.
He continued to walk silently to his home. He wasn't sure. But if there was one thing he was almost certain of, it was that boxing would give him the answers he was looking for.
Eventually, Ippo made it home and greeted his mother.
"Hey mom." Ippo said.
"Oh, well you're back early. How was training?" His mother asked.
"It was great." He responded.
"Well, that's good to hear." She said, smiling. "I'll prepare some lunch for you."
"Thank you so much. I really do owe you a lot." Ippo said, bowing.
"It's no trouble at all." She said.
After working on the Makunouchi Fishing Boat with for a few hours, Ippo ate and headed off to bed.
His thoughts of how Takamura and Date among others, dealt with being champion emerging from the back of his mind again. After staring at the ceiling for so long, eventually he drifted off to sleep.
The Next Day
Ippo woke up and told his mother good morning. Before he started to head out, he heard the phone ring. He looked at it before saying, "I wonder who that could be." He went to answer it.
"Makunouchi residence." He said.
"Hey, Ippo my man." A voice said on the phone.
"Oh it's you Mr. Takamura! Good morning!" Ippo said.
"Morning Ippo." Mr. Takamura said.
"You usually don't call this early. Is everything alright?" Ippo asked, concern in his voice.
"Yeah, we're fine kid. But there's just one thing. You've got to come over after training today. We're gonna need you kid." Takamura said.
Ippo, with a serious face said, "Right."
After training ended for the day, Ippo walked with Takamura, Aoki, and Kimura.
"So, what was it? Do you have another title defense match and you need someone to train with?" Ippo asked.
"No, not exactly. We needed you because we're going on another trip." Takamura said.
"What!? You made it seem like this was something important!" Ippo said.
"Well, it kinda is. Because of your injuries against Sanada, we never got to go out to celebrate your first title defense victory. A huge milestone, wouldn't you agree Ippo?" Takamura asked.
"Well, that is true." Ippo said, calm now.
"Besides, you're not getting out of it anyway, I already asked your mom about it, and she said that you deserve it, so she's already okay with it." Takamura said.
"You what!? I have to help my mom with the business! I won't blow that of for some dumb party." Ippo said.
"Calm down, Ippo. We also promised to help out to make it up to her." Takamura said.
"Plus, I'm sure Kumi wasnts to come too." Aoki said.
"Really?" Ippo said, before puffing his nose and turning a little red. He then realized what the three were trying to do so he snapped out of it.
"Is the Chief okay with this?" Ippo asked, suspiciously.
"Yeah, we ran it by him. He said it was fine. Best to give your body a break before you really get into the more intensive stuff for training." Kimura said.
Ippo still looked at them suspiciously. With how notorious they've been for lying, he decided to ask himself, and Chief Kamogawa all but confirmed it, saying that he genuinely deserves a break, also telling him to prepare to work harder than before when he does come back.
"All right, let's go!" Aoki said, stoked.
1 Hour Later
Ippo, Aoki, Takamura and Kimura all dressed themselves up for the day.
Kumi had already called beforehand, hearing from Tomiko that they were all going out to party, asking if Ippo was going and if so if she could come too.
It was decided beforehand that Tomiko would accompany Aoki, Kumi would accompany Ippo, while Takamura tried his hardest to get Dr. Yamaguchi to accompany him, to which she accepted after being annoyed relentlessly by him. He was on the verge of getting on his knees to beg, but he refused to do so for any woman. Not even to someone like Dr. Yamaguchi. He didn't understand why, but it was something about her that made him constantly be attracted to her more than any other woman that he's met before. Even the reporter that gave him an interview about his origin story and his up and coming in his boxing career. Was it her strength? Being known as the best in her Judo class in Japan? Seeing another champion, someone who was worthy enough for him? He didn't know and he didn't understand. But what he did know was that he would work his way into her heart.
As they were walking, Takamura accidentally bumped into a boy with spiky hair that was wearing a school uniform.
"Hey, watch where you're going you just about ran this kid over!" Aoki said.
Takamura snapped back into reality, realizing he knocked over someone.
"Huh?" He looked down at the spikey haired kid with the blue school uniform on.
"Sorry about that, kid." Takamura said before extending a hand. "Here, let me help you up." The boy took it.
"Thank you." The boy said.
Joey was frozen and had a shocked look on his face. It was the reason why he didn't help Ippo and the others pick up Yugi's cards.
"Y-y- you guys are-" Joey started. "Ippo Makunouchi and Mamoru Takamura!" He finished.
"It's so awesome to meet you guys in person! You guys are the real deal you know that!" Joey said, pumped up.
Tristan and Tea took time to get a good look on them, and he was right.
"Wait, you're Ippo Makunouchi?" Yugi asked.
"Yes, in the flesh." Ippo said.
"Oh man, you're boxing's inspirational to me! You've got the heart of an underdog, just like me!" Joey said.
"Say, could you give me an autograph?" Joey asked.
"Um, well." Ippo said, trying to process everything that just happened all at once. "Why not?"
"How come these two get recognized for who they are and not us?" Aoki asked.
"Maybe because you two losers aren't champions!" Takamura said before getting ready to laugh.
"Yeah, don't remind us." Kimura said.
"Oh, here are your cards." Ippo said, giving Yugi his Mirror Force and Dark Magician cards.
"Thank you so much." Yugi said, bowing.
"It's no trouble at all." Ippo said, putting his hand behind his head.
"Unfortunately, I don't have anything to sign on. I'm really sorry about that." Ippo said, bowing to solidify his apology.
"Oh don't worry, I have something you can sign on and with." Yugi said before digging in his backpack. "One second." After some seconds passed, he took out a notebook and pencil.
"Thanks." Ippo said.
"No problem." Yugi said.
"So, who am I signing this off too?" Ippo asked, while signing his signature.
"Joey Wheeler." Joey said.
As Ippo was still writing, Yugi took the time to try to learn more about the boxer and introduce himself and his friends.
"Really can't be mad at the kid for them wanting his autograph and not mine. They seem around his age range, looks like it. Young adults looking to fulfill their dreams and find their place in the world. Seeing someone young like Ippo is more relatable than seeing someone like me win. Even if I'm not exactly an old hag like Date is." Takamura said.
"Yeah, that is true. Ippo's got a good personality too. He works hard, he's spirited, humble. I'd say they have a good person to model themselves after as well." Aoki said.
"I heard from Joey that you recently became the Featherweight champion in Japan. Congratulations!" Yugi said.
"Thank you." Ippo said, before finishing up. "Well, that about does it. Here you go!" Ippo said, handing the notebook back. The paper itself was given to Joey.
"Thanks, this really means a lot." Joey said.
"Any time. Those cards. I've never seen those before. What are they?" Ippo asked.
Joey was shocked. "Whaa? You've never seen Duel Monsters cards before!?" Joey asked.
Ippo closed his eyes and grab the back of his neck, smiling innocently. "Sorry, I can't say I have. They must be something really important or big." He said.
"Duel Monsters, what the heck is that?" Kimura asked.
"Man, you guys are missing out. Allow me to explain." Joey said. "Duel monsters is an awesome game of strategy. You use a combination of different cards like monsters, spells and traps against your opponent. The first person to get their opponent's life points to zero wins! And that's pretty much the gist of it." Joey said.
"Sounds like an interesting game." Ippo said.
"It is. Although it would probably be better to show you instead of explaining it." Yugi said.
"Yeah, maybe another time we've gotta go Ippo." Takamura said.
Ippo remembered about Kumi. "Right. Maybe you can show us how to play another time?" Ippo asked.
"Yeah yeah let's get a move on Ippo! Daylight's wasting." Takamura said. "Yamaguchi won't be waiting forever." He thought.
"Count on it! My name's Yugi Muto by the way. This is Tristan and Tea. And you've already seen Joey." Yugi said, introducing himself and his friends.
"It's nice to meet you all." Ippo said, bowing and shaking hands with Yugi. "These two are Aoki and Kimura. They're pretty great boxers themselves in the lightweight class."
"You really didn't have to Ippo." Aoki said, trying to be modest.
"Yeah, we're not exactly best in class." Kimura said.
"So you guys are boxers too huh?" Tristan said.
Takamura then pushed the three forward.
"Yeah, we've introduced ourselves. Now we've got to go." Takamura said.
Yugi and his observed the group as they were moving.
"They're off in a hurry." Yugi said.
"Ippo Makunouchi. He seems a lot like you in many ways Yugi. Kind in nature, but to become a champion like he has, he must be a strong-willed, fierce competitor." Atem said spiritually from the Millennium Puzzle.
"Really?" Yugi asked.
"Yes. I can tell that his heart is just as pure as yours." He said.
Yugi pondered at his words. And then looked up confidently. He was more than certain that they would meet again.