A/N: Hey, guys! In the previous chapter, Little Mac defeated Don Flamenco, thus becoming the new Champion of the Minor Circuit! Now the Major Circuit begins!

Chapter 6: A Match of Honor: VS Piston Honda

(''The Huge Battleship Invincible- Final Fantasy 3 DS OST'')

After spending a whole day training in the gym with the various means available, Little Mac was ready to face the Major Circuit. He looked in the mirror and saw that his muscles were more developed.

''Mac, remember that when we are on the plane, stay seated and put on your seat belt during take-off and landing. When the plane reaches a certain height, it will stay that way for a while, but the pilots will let the passengers know when it's time to put on the seat belt and when you can take it off. You wouldn't want to fall from the clouds and smash yourself to the ground.'' Doc warned him.

''I know. Now it's getting serious.'' Mac replied.

Four hours later, the plane landed, and after asking some people for directions, Mac managed to reach the headquarters of the WVBA Major Circuit. He saw that his first opponent is Piston Honda.

''Doc, I remember Piston Honda. I lost against him before I met you.'' he said.

''This will make the victory even more satisfying. Show him how strong you really are!'' said Doc.

(''The Huge Battleship Invincible- Final Fantasy 3 DS OST-s'')

(''Piston Honda's Full Theme- Punch-Out! Wii OST'')

Mac stepped into the ring and met Piston Honda again. "We meet again, Piston Honda." He said.

''Ikkuzo, Makku. (Let's go, Little Mac.)'' replied the Japanese, bowing. The referee gave the signal to start.

Honda attacked first with a right hook, but Mac crouched under it and hit him with three hooks on the stomach and an uppercut. He also dodged an attempt to hit him with a jab and counterattacked with three blows.

''Then take this!'' Honda released a hook so fast that Mac couldn't avoid it and hit him with a powerful upperct.

The young American recovered and used his Star Punch. ''Nani?! (What ?!)'' Piston Honda exclaimed, and the force of the blow almost knocked him over, but he hit Mac with a swift blow to the stomach followed by a left hook on his head. ''You haven't seen anything yet.'' he said.

''Mac, keep an eye on his eyebrows. If they move, it means he's going to attack.'' Doc advised.

Noticing that Piston Honda's right eyebrow has moved, he dodged his jab and hit him with an overhand, knocking him to the mat. The referee started the count.

''1! 2! 3! 4! 5! 6! 7-''

The Japanese stood up, ready to attack. ''Mada owaran zo! (It's not over yet!)'' he attacked with an overhand, which Mac dodged by moving to the right, and hit with his uppercut.

''Let's see how you deal with this.'' This time, Piston Honda used the Piston Rush, and Mac blocked the three jabs, but he could not avoid an uppercut and fell to the mat. There was a minute left to the end of the first round.

''1! 2! 3! 4! 5-''

Little Mac got up and moved to the right to avoid an uppercut, then hit Honda with a cross followed by a one-two combo.

''You're a tough opponent.'' Honda complimented. He then tried to attack Mac with a hook, but the boy dodged and hit him in the face with a jab. He fell to the ground again, his hair unkempt.

''1! 2! 3! 4! 5! 6! 7! 8! 9-''

Piston Honda got up just in time, and the bell rang too. The first round was over.

''Keep it up, Mac! I'm sure you will win the match very soon!'' said Doc, as Mac drank some water. The second round began, and Piston Honda threw a jab, but missed the target and Mac hit him with three punches in the face. The clash continued on par, with the two boxers exchanging blows, and by the middle of the second round, both had fell to the mat. Honda was going to use his Piston Rush, but...

''Too late! Sayonara, Piston Honda!'' said Little Mac, hitting him with a powerful Star Punch. The Japanese slumped to the ground in the seiza position and fell prone.(1) ''Munen... (Regrettable...)'' he murmured, unable to get up, as Mac bowed before him respectfully.

(''Piston Honda's Full Theme- Punch-Out! Wii OST-s'')

''Piston Honda is KO! The winner is Little Mac!'' announced the referee.

(''Save Select- Mega Man & Bass GBA OST'')

''Yeah! Victory!'' Mac cheered, performing a jumping uppercut.

''Great work, Mac!'' cried Doc.

With Mac's help, Piston Honda stood up. ''Mac, you've improved since the last time I faced you. You fought with honor, and I respect you for it.'' he said.

''Thanks. You're a good challenge considering I have more experience now.'' replied the boy.

''Considering that you are so young, no one would have expected you to go this far. I am sure you will soon become famous.''

''He is right, you know. I'd like to see what faces those who have always mistreated you for who you are will do!'' said Doc, and all three laughed.

''I have a feeling this defeat will be a stain on my honor.'' said Piston Honda.

''But you fought without holding back.'' replied Mac, a little confused.

''Yes, it's true, but where I come from, it's different. In Japan, there are many suicides, and they often have to do with honor, which has been considered the basis of society for many centuries. Because of this, when something happens that a person interprets as a dishonor for himself or others, he commits suicide through the seppuku ritual.'' replied the Japanese.

The American was a little shocked. ''Talk about pressure on your shoulders.'' he commented.

''Yeah, I can't believe it either. Come on, Mac. See ya, Honda.'' said Doc, taking Mac to the locker room.

(''Save Select- Mega Man & Bass GBA OST-s'')

A/N: First victory in the Major Circuit! If you liked this chapter, keep following me and my stories. See you in the next chapter!

(1): Reference to the seppuku, a Japanese ritual used for suicides. Japan has always put great importance to honor, and in this ritual, after the suicidal stabs himself and is beheaded, he/she must fall into a prone position. Among those who committed suicide with this ritual is Isao Inokuma, a former judoka who took part in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and the following year, at the Open Rio de Janeiro, winning gold on both occasions, then he became administrator of Tokai Construction, and due to an economic crisis in his company, committed suicide via seppuku on September 28, 2001.