Narumi didn't sit when he reached his stool.
He leaned forward instead, elbows on his knees, chest rising sharply as air burned its way in and out of his lungs. Sweat dripped from his chin, splashing against the canvas in uneven drops. His corner spoke fast—too fast—but the words blurred together.
"Push him early."
"Don't let him move."
"Everything you've got."
Narumi nodded, jaw clenched so tight his teeth ached.
Across the ring, Jin sat calmly.
Mori wiped his shoulders, then stepped aside. Coach Kagawa crouched in front of him, cane resting lightly against his knee.
"You don't need to chase anything," Kagawa said. "He'll bring it to you."
Jin's breathing was steady now. The ache in his ribs throbbed, but it didn't distract him.
"I know," Jin replied.
The bell rang.
Narumi exploded forward.
No patience. No setup.
Just force.
He stormed across the ring behind a heavy jab, then another, throwing his weight fully into each step. His punches came wider now, heavier—hooks meant to smash through guard, not slip around it.
Jin blocked the first.
Slipped the second.
Narumi's right hand tore through the air where Jin's head had been.
Then Jin stepped.
Diagonal. Inside. Past.
The Phantom Step carried him through the narrowest space between Narumi's shoulder and chest. Narumi turned hard, swinging again—but Jin was already gone.
A short right snapped into Narumi's body.
A sharp left cracked against his cheek.
The crowd erupted.
Narumi staggered a step, then another.
He steadied himself and roared, charging again.
Narumi threw everything now.
Hooks. Straights. Body shots.
The pressure he'd trusted his entire career poured forward in a desperate flood. He cut off angles aggressively, trying to cage Jin against the ropes and force a trade.
Jin let him get close.
Then slid through him again.
Narumi swung at empty space.
Jin reappeared at his side and punished him with a tight combination—three punches, compact and vicious, each landing where Narumi couldn't brace.
Narumi's breath burst from his lungs.
His feet slowed.
Why can't I catch him?
He lunged again, abandoning form, trying to overwhelm Jin with sheer will.
Jin stepped inside one last time.
A clean right snapped Narumi's head back.
A left dug into his ribs.
Narumi's legs dipped.
The crowd was on its feet now.
Narumi backed away, chest heaving, eyes wide.
For the first time, fear flickered there.
Not fear of pain.
Fear of not understanding.
He stepped forward again—hesitant this time.
Jin didn't move.
Narumi threw a desperate right.
Jin vanished from its path.
The Phantom Step carried him past Narumi's shoulder, and Jin turned with perfect balance, firing his cleanest combination of the fight.
Left.
Right.
Left.
Narumi reeled backward, barely staying upright as the bell rang.
The sound was merciful.
Narumi collapsed onto his stool the moment the round ended, gasping, eyes unfocused.
The pressure he'd relied on—trusted—had turned against him.
Across the ring, Jin returned to his corner calmly.
Coach Kagawa tapped the canvas once with his cane.
"That," he said quietly, "was his breaking point."
Jin nodded.
The fight wasn't over.
But it had already changed forever.
END OF CHAPTER
Author's Note (Power Stones Bonus):
Huge thanks to Tyson66667 and TheBuns for the incredible Power Stones support! 🙏
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Next chapter: The Finish 🥊🔥