[indistinct chatter]
[both grunting]
[action music playing]
[both grunting]
[panting]
Whoa! They're trapped in a deadlock once again!
Will Tokita even be able to escape the mount?
Let's find out!
KAZUO YAMASHITA
[thinking] Wait a minute. Is Cosmo trying to…
This is bad, Ohma!
Whatever you do, don't fall for it!
[grunting]
["Feel My Pain" by Hey-Smith playing]
♪ Now it's been a while ♪
♪ And your kisses, they got even better ♪
♪ You think I don't know You're flaunting smiles ♪
♪ My love is what counts ♪
♪ But your face just clouds my honest feelings ♪
♪ I can only look at you with doubt ♪
♪ Don't forget, no connect ♪
♪ Maybe no because you're in my head ♪
♪ The love in me went away ♪
♪ I see the beauty ♪
♪ Beauty ♪
♪ Nothing can be in vain ♪
♪ You are the only ♪
♪ Only ♪
♪ You feel my pain ♪
♪ I can't wait ♪
♪ Don't be too late ♪
♪ Feel my pain out loud! ♪
REFLECTING WATER
-[grunts] -[man] What's going on?!
[man 2] I thought they said he was injured!
[both grunting]
COSMO IMAI NISHIHONJI SECURITY SERVICES REP.
[Raian] Well, if you ask me, it looks like he got a second wind.
It shouldn't be hard for you to move around that much.
Am I right, or am I right, Tokita?
-You two get what I'm trying to say. -[both whimpering]
-Ye… yeah. -Sure.
[both grunting]
Whoa! What's going on?
He's charging him like a runaway stallion!
Tokita's desperately trying to shake Cosmo off.
[both grunting]
[Sayaka] Whoa!
He's hopping and trying to spin now!
[Jerry] Even a bronco wouldn't be bucking like he is!
[Sayaka] But look at Imai!
He's still hanging on strong.
He's not willing to give up that mount.
Not without a fight!
His center of gravity, it ain't shifting at all!
[both grunting]
[thinking] If it's not perfect yet, combine it with something else!
[thinking] He's putting everything he learned to good use.
When we were sparring,
I kept an eye out in case he used Zone.
[Ohkubo] Try not to hate me too much, boy.
Nishihonji just came and asked me to switch in for you
as their fighter in the next round.
Come on, Imai. Don't even think about it.
If I were the boss, I'd switch me out too.
If I don't want that,
then I have to prove to them that I can still fight.
Don't worry.
We're not trying to kill each other for real.
This is just a little warm-up.
Let's have a sparring match to see which one of us will be the fighter.
We go five minutes per match.
If no one wins the round, we just have the ref decide.
Okay.
NISHIHONJI SECURITY SERVICES AKIRA NISHIHONJI
[Ohkubo] The only way he could beat me
was if he tried to use Zone.
MITSUYO KUREISHI
[Ohkubo] He waited. He used the difference in our attack reach
and kept attacking just outside of Zone range.
He truly exceeded my expectations that day.
It lets you see the future.
It doesn't seem to allow him to see tens of moves ahead
like Kaneda's but still impressive.
[both grunting]
[thinking] Right. I'm not perfect.
My reflexes weren't fast enough against Akoya.
I learned how to see into the future when I fought the Guardians.
But even at my best, I can only see one or two moves ahead.
My abilities are a long way from what Kaneda can do.
But…
but… if I can combine two of them…
I can see what move my opponent will use
and counter in advance.
Yes!
This skill improves my accuracy
beyond that which other fighters strive for!
That way, even my reflexes are fast enough to counter anyone's attacks!
[thinking] Seishu Akoya used this methodology
with the help from Shunka Hiyama.
But Cosmo is doing it alone!
Even I'm not strong enough to mimic what Cosmo is doing.
He and I can both anticipate the future,
but he focused on developing his ability very differently.
[grunting]
[Sayaka] He's not coming off!
Tokita just can't shake him!
[both grunting]
[cracking]
[gasps]
[Ohma gasps]
[grunts]
[Sayaka] Tokita finally managed to break out of the mount.
Cosmo gets them into a grapple without missing a beat.
[Jerry] Good point!
Looks like he's trying to use grappling to control the flow of this match.
[breathing heavily]
[panting]
[sighs]
KAEDE AKIYAMA NOGI GROUP SECRETARY
[thinking] He hasn't perfected it yet.
[thinking] That's it.
I think I've finally worn him down.
[Sayaka]They're both clinging to each other for dear life!
Well, from the looks of it,
I would bet that it took a lot of energy out of Tokita
to break out of that mount.
This is a crucial moment if he's gonna make a comeback.
[Cosmo thinking] This is grueling. Grappling techniques always are.
I got my start in grappling.
My master would constantly tell me
striking martial arts may be painful,
but it's grappling that will wear you out.
No matter how tough it is,
one step after the other
caries you through pain.
Whoever it is that can take the most steps,
they're the one who wins!
[panting]
[both grunting]
NIKO STYLE ADAMANTINE FORM IRON FINGERS
[grunts]
[action music playing]
[Cosmo thinking] I've seen that move too many times!
[both grunting]
[thinking] A sleeper choke?!
[both grunting]
[both panting]
[Kaede] That seems like a close one.
LIHITO (ELIMINATED)
Imai's move is known as the King of Stranglers.
If he gets Tokita in a choke hold,
the match will be over.
[both panting]
There they go! They're right back to a forehead-to-shoulder grapple!
It's a battle of endurance!
[thinking] You must be running low on stamina by now.
I'm not letting you get a move in!
[thinking] Cosmo Imai, I should thank you.
I was finally able to burn off all my energy.
[Cosmo gasps]
[Cosmo shudders]
[both panting]
[Sayaka] They're getting up and stepping away!
Huh?!
Well, that was a real weird move he did.
Was it all that sweat that let him slip from that clutch?
[crowd gasps]
-[overlapping chatter] -[man] They got up!
[man 2] Did you see that?
[panting]
[gasps]
[thinking] The secret arts aren't the only thing I learned while I was there.
When I was going through training,
I reached the tip of my limit.
[drum music playing]
The food I had wasn't enough to give me nutrients.
[chewing]
[grunts]
[groaning]
[thinking] At this rate, I'm gonna die.
[whimpering]
[gasps]
[grunts]
Wha… what happened?
[man] Your body feels lighter now, doesn't it?
NIKO TOKITA
Do not forget what that feels like.
You're worn out.
When a human goes through their energy reserves,
that's when the body's backup battery kicks in.
[Ohma whimpers]
What do you think?
Even you can understand that lesson, right?
Instead of half-assing to save your strength,
try burning yourself out right away.
[thinking] His body is free of stagnation.
Is it autophagy?
The housekeeping proteins got broken down
and are now being used to sustain vital activity.
You're one foot in the grave,
but you're still hungry to fight.
I'm getting an eyeful of that Bushido spirit.
[exhales deeply]
[indistinct chatter]
-[action music playing] -[gasps]
HEAVENLY FIRE FORM FLASHFIRE
What the…
That's how he walked in his match against me.
[Ohma panting]
[Cosmo grunting]
IRON MOMENT, SMASH
[both grunting]
FLOW CONTROL, WATER AND HEAVEN FORM WATER SWALLOW
[thinking] I've seen that move before too!
[Ohma grunting]
[both grunting]
None of his attacks are getting through!
[both grunting]
[panting]
WATER AND HEAVEN FORM JELLYFISH HOLD
[Cosmo thinking] My back!
-[Cosmo choking] -[Ohma grunts]
WATER AND HEAVEN FORM WATER DRAGON PULSE
[both grunting]
Cosmo!
Unfortunately, he let his guard down.
[all] Huh?
Anticipating the future is tricky.
If he hasn't seen an attack before, it'll take him longer to react.
You know how long it takes until the carotid sinus reflex
makes you pass out?
Seven seconds.
You're running out of time, Cosmo.
[narrator] Starting countdown till Cosmo Imai loses consciousness.
Seven seconds!
Six!
Five!
[action music playing]
[grunts]
Come on! Cosmo!
Show 'em how we do it in Japan!
[choking]
[thinking] His rib's broken! His organs are injured!
[thinking] You better hurry up, Imai!
[both grunting]
Whatever!
That move's not even supposed to be a choke hold.
His neck should've been broken immediately.
What an idiot!
Maybe he's not strong enough to break his neck.
Or maybe he's just being nice about it.
Either way, this is what we're left with.
-[Cosmo choking] -[Ohma panting]
[Cosmo groans]
[thinking] He broke the hold.
[both grunting]
[Cosmo coughs]
[Cosmo thinking] I tried this before
back in round two when I attempted to break Akoya's arm.
But this is the first time I've succeeded in breaking a bone.
That was a lot easier than I thought!
[action music playing]
[Ohma panting]
[joint pops]
You're different now, Cosmo Imai.
I like it.
Let's see more of it.
So what'll happen now?
That's hard to say.
I mean, right off the bat, Tokita's in really good shape.
His technique and his physical strength are top-notch.
And as for how he approaches fighting,
you could say he's sort of a truth-seeker.
He doesn't care much about the money or fame.
He's the type who likes to master a martial art just to get better at it.
But if I were to judge off of that,
Cosmo has just as good of a chance at winning too.
What do you mean by that?
Do or don't do.
How?
Cosmo here has officially crossed into "do."
His determination goes so far beyond just wanting to win.
Saying "I don't want to lose" is stronger than saying "I want to win."
[thinking] I'm going to use Iron Fingers
and make a fist.
[grunts]
IRON MOMENT, BLAST
He parried!
[thinking] Don't bother! I'm way ahead of you!
[action music playing]
[both grunting]
[yells]
[grunts]
[both grunting]
[narrator] In that moment…
IRONBREAKER, SPIN
…everything was still following the beats of Cosmo's plan.
Zone activate!
[thinking] I knew you'd take the bait!
You never even noticed.
From the moment you went for this move,
you fell right into my trap!
If you wanna get me in a hold, you'll have to use your left hand.
You have a broken pinkie on your right.
You won't be able to hold me with it.
From there, it makes sense you'd use your right hand for striking.
I'll break your right arm.
You took out my right hand,
but my left hand and my legs are enough!
And I'll be the winner!
[gasps]
[choking]
[all gasp]
[man] Wha…
[Jerry] What?!
Someone tell me what is going on!
[Ohkubo] What is he…
[Ohma thinking] I believed in you, Cosmo Imai!
I knew that you couldn't stop yourself from taking the bait.
You felt you could get away with reading my moves.
I knew that was the first thing you would try.
[thinking] The moment he fell changed everything.
Every ability Cosmo had at his disposal was used against him.
[Ohma grunts]
[narrator] That strike was the finishing move of the match.
[gasps]
He's got him pinned.
He's got Cosmo's left upper arm
and is keeping it flattened down hard with his shoulder.
[Akira] Cosmo's being choked out by his own left arm!
[Cosmo grunting]
Cos!
[both grunting]
[action music playing]
WATER AND HEAVEN FORM ULTIMATE REFLECTING WATER
[grunting]
Ohma, yes!
[grunting]
Run away, Cos!
[man] What are you doing, Cosmo?
I thought you were an expert at ground fighting!
[man 2] Kill him! Ohma!
[man 3] Imai! You got this!
[man 4] Ohma! Go!
[man 5] Hit him back! Hit him back! Hit him back! Hit him back!
[man 6] Murder his ass!
[grunts]
Hurting him is a lot easier said than done.
[Ohma thinking] You truly are incredible, Cosmo Imai.
I'm surprised you made it this far with your body in the shape it is.
And you're a bit younger than me too.
[crowd clamoring]
[thinking] I don't understand! How did this happen?
My guts are being crushed!
How is it that I'm the one who got trapped?
Why? Why am I being strangled?
Where did I go wrong?
Did I overestimate myself somehow?
Or did I really underestimate Ohma?
No! It's too soon to look back!
If I can get my right hand out, I can still win!
[Cosmo choking]
[Cosmo grunting]
[sighs] Sorry, kid.
But it's easy for me to break bones too.
[Cosmo groaning]
[thinking] No! No! No! It's not over yet!
Think! What can I do? Do something!
I can't lose now! Not after all this!
I don't wanna lose! No!
I have to do what it takes to win!
[grunts]
[yells]
[Ohma grunts softly]
There's nothing stopping you from getting stronger. [chuckles]
[Ohma exhales]
Work harder.
[referee] Huh… that's the match!
The winner is
Ohma Tokita!
[cheering and applause]
Cos!
All right, I think I'm finished with the first-aid.
How do you feel?
The pain should be a bit better by now, I'd say.
You're really amazing at this.
I feel like I could get back in the ring right now.
[Kureishi] Come on. You're the one who's amazing.
Your finger's broken, but you're still moving it like it's nothing.
Is it because you have that much control over your finger muscles?
[chuckles] You've got crazy skills, dude.
Thank you, Kureishi.
You're a good sport to help out your opponents.
It's no big deal.
When the match is done, then the match is done.
No taking sides anymore.
I'm really the one
who should be thanking you for training my student so hard.
[Yamashita] Huh?
[emotional music playing]
I picked you to represent my company. Do you know why?
We got plenty of other strong fighters.
So why do you think you were the one I chose?
[Dudley] Hmm?
His potential?
I took a bet.
I knew right from the start
that you never stood a chance of winning this thing.
I wanted you to get the experience of fighting the best in the world.
I thought it would make you grow.
As long as you survive, you can try again.
[Ohkubo] Hmm.
If you were to die, then it's over.
That was my thought going into this.
Say that again.
We're professional fighters, not babysitters--
That's enough!
Just let the guy finish, would you?
[scoffs]
But you grew a lot.
You've come some much farther than I could've ever possibly imagined.
I can't stop dreaming about winning now.
[chuckles] I gotta admit, I totally underestimated you.
And you know, I think I overestimated myself too.
This is the best I have to offer though.
But for you,
there's no limit.
[Cosmo weeping]
[Ohkubo] Hmm.
[Cosmo] It's over.
It can't end.
Not like this.
COSMO IMAI THE KING OF STRANGLERS
ELIMINATED IN ROUND THREE
♪ Like this, biatch ♪
[rap music in Japanese playing]
♪ Say what? ♪
[lyrics in Japanese]
♪ You say you run in the city… ♪
[lyrics in Japanese]
♪ Say what? ♪
[lyrics in Japanese]
♪ Hey, when I snap ♪
♪ Put damage on your cap… ♪
[lyrics in Japanese]
♪ Say what? ♪
[lyrics in Japanese]
♪ You say you run in the city… ♪
[lyrics in Japanese]
[narrator] An unrivaled fighter from the Far East with an unknown strategy.
What trump card does this legendary mercenary hold?
The entertaining explosion of climax arrives.
I'm going to beat you down!
Next episode, "Ace In The Hole."