There had been quite an uproar when Ogata had demanded to go and see Kuwabara, who was still more dead than alive. After a long discussion with both the nurse and his doctor, he had to sign a piece of paper that said that he was getting out of his bed against their advice. He didn't care.

His stomach was still hurting like hell and he could feel the extra tension that he needed to put on his wound to keep standing. He didn't care about that either. He had a feeling that he had to hurry. He was grateful now for the wheelchair and the nurse who slowly brought him closer to Kuwabara's room. After he had asked, she told him some more about the Houninbou titleholder's condition: the surgery had been successful and Kuwabara was shifting in and out of consciousness, which was not a bad sign, but he was old. There was nothing else the doctors could do; it was all up to the healing forces that still remained in his body. She also told him that because Ogata was still young, if he did not rupture any seams during this little excursion, he would be back to normal after a few weeks of healing.

Finally they reached Kuwabara's room. The old man was awake and his eyes seemed clear even though he was still under pain suppressing drugs. The nurse placed Ogata's wheelchair next to the bed and pointed towards the door, saying that she would wait outside. Silence filled the room until they heard the click of the door closing shut against the outside world.

"You look good, old geezer." Ogata said in a lame attempt to loosen up the mood, but Kuwabara's look only seemed to become more intense.

"Don't lie, I am dying, I can feel it, that's why I called you. Tell me what happened. I need to know."

"Called me?" Ogata replied, lifting his eyebrow and reaching for his pack of cigarettes that wasn't there. He was surprised, but then it, like the feeling of urgency that he had had until he arrived at this room, faded away. Without waiting for an answer he began telling Kuwabara about the events up to now, while the old pro listened intently. When he finally finished and looked up, the old man's eyes had closed and he looked peacefully asleep.

With a sudden surge of concern Ogata tried to stand up, but the pain held him back.

"Stop that," he heard Kuwabara say, "Don't make me worry about you too. More than enough to do anyway." His eyes were open again and Ogata wanted to sigh in relief, but the old man continued. " I wish I could have played against you once more Ogata-san. Be sure to take the Houninbou title once I am gone and watch after the new wave in my place. I have something to do now."

The light in his eyes went out like a candle hit by a strong breeze. One second he was there and alive and the next he was gone.

The machines started to yell their alarms and in the middle of it all sat Ogata. He reached out and took Kuwabara's warm hand in his own. "I will do that. I leave the rest to you, old geezer."

Seconds later, people swarmed into the room. Ogata asked his nurse to take him back. There was nothing else he could do.