I'm Bunshichi Tanba.
I issued the challenge.
Master Izumi, I assume?
Yes, you are correct.
Who is he?
This is Tsutomu Himekawa.
Hokushinkan's fourth dan black belt.
He is training with me.
And he's here now to witness the fight.
Hokushinkan…
A Shozan Matsuo disciple?
I appreciate you accepting my challenge.
If you are going to be a true martial artist,
then you must accept any challenge.
I have heard interesting rumors about you, you know.
Like what?
I heard
that you use dirty tricks to win.
I see.
I expect none of that in this fight.
When would you like to start?
The fight has already started.
Oh shit!
The philtrum, chapter gate, mastoid process, jugular notch…
He's targeting vital spots with precision.
Such a powerful fighter.
Soichiro Izumi.
Hmm?
That was a magnificent fight.
Would you mind telling me…
Telling you what?
That technique you used
where you locked his neck and left arm from behind.
The chicken wing facelock maneuver.
I think that's what they call it.
He's fine. The damage is nothing critical.
You wanna fight?
I'll decline today.
But, yes,
I would like to fight you someday.
I suddenly have a strong urge to see you in this condition.
Oh yeah?
Well, it was just his turn.
"His turn"?
Until now, this is the sorry state he would leave all his opponents in.
Today, it's finally his turn
to be left broken and bleeding on the ground.
You saying it's my turn now? You gonna do it?
Some day.
One.
Three. One.
-Fujimaki! -Huh?
Damn it!
Mifune's calling all the shots.
His techniques shouldn't be underestimated, sonny boy.
He isn't going to let Fujimaki tackle him.
Striking him is the only chance he has.
However…
It seems they haven't noticed
that we're monitoring their broadcast feed.
Hikita of the Nara Prefectural Police
is a highly desirable asset to the head office.
Two.
One, three.
One, one.
One.
Two is the middle.
One is an attack to Mifune's right.
One, three, one.
Is three to the left?
For a fighter of Mifune's caliber,
if he knows where the incoming attack is headed…
But how is the kid reading that?
His focus is always on his father and nothing else.
What?
Top-class fighters never fail to notice
their opponent's subtle movements or tells
like their eyes and breathing.
They see a vulnerability and instantly attack.
It's almost a conditioned reflex.
Kaito reads when Mifune is off-guard.
Is Fujimaki guided to it?
Mifune may have never realized it,
but Kaito travels with him,
watches all of his matches.
He must have learned to read him.
Just knowing his trick won't help us here.
What will you do?
Fujimaki!
One, two.
One, three.
One, one,
two, two.
One, two.
Three, three, two.
Ow!
He's got you!
Just give up, Mifune!
I give up.
Winner, Juzo Fujimaki.
Dad!
Are you okay?
I'm so sorry!
My instructions weren't…
He's great at this.
Ow, that really hurts.
Goddamn, you sure are horrible.
Professional wrestling…
Hmm?
I gotta respect it, man.
Fujimaki,
win it all.
He really beat him.
We're out of time!
Step on it!
It looks like we may have just missed them.
Damn it!
Fujimaki, as I promised.
Take this before the final round.
It's an antidote for the parasites in your gut.
Oh, right, those.
As I told you before,
both of you will fight the final round in your best physical condition.
I can't let anything affect the odds.
Take that pill there.
The eelworms will die and leave your system within a day.
Oh, and one more thing.
Master Izumi was just defeated.
He's seriously injured, but it's not life-threatening.
Who was it?
Bunshichi Tanba.
He's the guy who defeated Shino's senior student.
Hang on. Soichiro Izumi?
Wasn't he your master?
Yes.
Seriously?
THE TAKEMIYA STYLE
It was a magnificent fight.
His opponent was impressive.
Glad to hear it.
Huh?
Even if my father had died in the fight,
I'd probably say, "I'm glad to hear it was a good fight."
Do you think I'm cold-hearted now?
No.
I just thought you'd be the one to defeat my father.
Ms. Saeko…
There are a lot of strong men out there.
Yes.
Tell me, who is the strongest man in the world right now?
Who knows?
Mr. Himekawa,
I heard that you've never lost.
Is that true?
Yes.
Although, I did have my arm broken once.
Wait, you broke your arm but didn't lose?
It's not considered a loss unless you give up.
Your arm… Who did it?
That match hasn't been decided yet.
And until it is,
I don't plan to lose against anybody.
Nobody?
Nobody.
Uh…
Ugh, sorry.
Yes?
Oh, Director.
Yes.
Uh, Fujimaki?
Yes, I got it. Bye.
Does that mean you're going back?
I'm sorry.
Please give my regards to Izumi Sensei.
I will.
Keep this case a secret from the others, understand?
Including your superiors.
Yes, sir.
Tamon!
Hey, Tamon, welcome back.
You're Hikita, right?
Oh, yes.
We'd like to offer you a job with us.
Stand by. We'll contact you.
Really?
What is he saying?
Oh man, tell me he's kidding.
Oh, by the way, Tamon…
-Hmm? -…have you heard about Soichiro Izumi?
No, what happened?
Well, um, he's really hurt.
His daughter said it was an accident, but…
Well, well, well, Director Matsuo.
How nice to see you.
I am so honored to have you here.
You said you'd show me a brawl unlike anything on earth.
Of course I'm here.
You must be Himekawa. Is that right?
I've heard that Shozan here likes to keep his favorite disciple within reach.
Hey, hey, I won't let you have him.
You won't? Isn't that his decision?
Yes, it is.
Now, if you'll excuse me.
Enjoy the fight.
Fujimaki.
At last.
Fujimaki's opponent…
That's Oleg Zaitsev.
Have you fought that guy?
Yes,
when I was traveling the world to perfect my combat skills.
And? Did you win?
I couldn't beat him.
What?
I didn't lose either.
The fight was interrupted by the police.
Well, if you, of all people, couldn't finish him off…
That's all in the past now.
Welcome all to the final match of KODOKU.
Let's begin!
Yes!
What?
He bit his arm!
The participants are allowed to use any body part they'd like.
It's not against the rules.
He's relaxing his body to absorb the strikes.
That's Oleg's technique.
It's his own special assassination fighting style
created to kill on a battlefield.
Looks like he'd be able to kill an armed opponent,
no matter what position or situation he finds himself in.
You know what that's like?
The Takemiya style.
Katahanechidori.
It's broken.
No.
Damn, that was a hell of an escape.
His shoulder will pay for that.
Not quite. Oleg's joints have an unparalleled range of motion.
Which is one reason I couldn't win against him.
Huh?
Damn, what a brawl, Himekawa!
Do you see what I'm seeing?
Fujimaki… He's smiling.
Juzo!
Hey, Himekawa.
Here it comes.
His legs are like fangs,
biting the opponent's head like pincers.
Tiger King.
I've never seen it done.
That's why he didn't try to block when Oleg was attacking him.
He was feeling and learning his opponent's rhythm.
Winner, Juzo Fujimaki.
He really did it.
Hmm?
Hey, Himekawa.
I need that guy.
I can't describe how badly I want him.
I want him
to compete in the Hokushinkan Tournament.
Tell me you're not itching with excitement too.
Hmm?
Congratulations on winning the tournament, Mr. Fujimaki.
As I promised you,
I'll send you to any safe location of your choosing overseas.
And I'll arrange your freedom.
Decide your destination before you leave this carrier.
Thank you, but I don't need it.
You…
What?
I can't go abroad, or at least not yet.
Instead, can you clear Joze's name so he can box again?
Uh, but what is wrong with you?
Did you get hit in the head too many times or something?
I have unfinished business in Japan.
Bunshichi…
Tanba…