As the gong echoed within the circular stone tower, the audience instantly fell silent.
Baki Hanma's red hair swayed gently in the breeze as he immediately adopted a fighting stance, his gaze sharp as a knife, fixed on Allen, not missing a single one of his movements.
Allen, however, stood uncharacteristically still, his hands hanging naturally at his sides, a faint smile on his face.
This posture reminded Baki Hanma of their first confrontation; at that time, Allen knew nothing, not even basic punching, yet he still defeated him with his terrifying Combat Intuition and physique.
And after more than four months, the young man who had previously known nothing about fighting had now become a monster capable of rivaling, or even slightly surpassing, his father, Yujiro Hanma.
His own strength improvement over these four months was as slow as a crawling turtle compared to Allen's, and this was the first time he felt his talent was so far inferior to someone else's.
Baki Hanma took a deep breath, changing his fighting stance to the exact same opening move as four months ago: "Allen, do you still remember the scene of our first encounter?"
Allen smiled knowingly: "Of course I remember. Back then, I didn't know anything. I should thank you, Baki."
"Allen-kun, this time I won't be as careless as last time." A confident smile played on Baki Hanma's lips, but fine beads of sweat had already appeared on his back.
Allen still stood motionless, only smiling as he looked at Baki Hanma: "Your heart is beating very fast, Baki."
"Less talk!" Baki Hanma suddenly exploded, attempting to cover his inner nervousness with a fierce demeanor. His right leg whipped towards Allen's head like a whip. This strike was as fast as lightning, creating a sharp whooshing sound.
"Whoosh!" Allen merely tilted his body slightly, and Baki Hanma's whip kick grazed his hair, creating a strong gust of wind.
This explosive strike caused the audience to gasp in surprise.
"So fast! But Baki Hanma's whip kick was still easily dodged by Allen!" The commentator cheered excitedly.
"Is this the showdown between two prodigies? Truly spectacular!"
In the Japan-America Alliance Team preparation area, Oliva stroked his chin: "Baki's speed is quite a bit faster than when we were capturing the death row inmates."
"Hmph, still far from enough!" Yujiro Hanma snorted, arms crossed, but a slight upward curve appeared at the corner of his mouth. It was indeed correct to let that kid indulge in forbidden fruits.
In the ring, Baki Hanma launched a continuous offensive, his fists and feet raining down on Allen like a storm, each strike precise and ruthless, aiming for vital points.
"Clap! Clap! Clap!"
Allen evaded with the smallest movements, his actions as graceful as dancing. His white fighting uniform was only struck by Baki Hanma's punch-wind, yet he was never truly touched.
"Baki, what's wrong? Your attacks seem even slower than last time. Why aren't you restraining yourself a bit?" Allen's tone rose, teasing Baki Hanma.
Baki Hanma's veins bulged on his forehead, and he gritted his teeth: "Less talk! I am very disciplined!"
He suddenly changed his move, delivering an elbow strike towards Allen.
Allen stepped back half a pace, returning an elbow strike of his own.
"Bang!"
The two elbows collided, producing a dull thud. Baki Hanma was shaken by the force, retreating three steps, while Allen remained rooted to the spot.
"Your strength has improved quite a bit." Allen nodded, feigning seriousness.
"It seems you did get some training in these four months."
Baki Hanma shook his numb arm, his fighting spirit growing even stronger in his eyes: "This is just the beginning!"
He took a deep breath, his muscles bulging and veins popping. Baki Hanma charged at Allen again, his movements even more aggressive this time, his fists and feet creating sharp whooshing sounds.
The people in the audience held their breath, completely engrossed in the duel.
"Baki Hanma's offensive is becoming more and more ferocious! Facing such a fierce assault, can Allen still withstand it?" The commentator exclaimed.
"Come on, Baki! Fight the ultimate weapon for a bit longer!" Someone in the audience suddenly shouted.
Allen calmly dodged while observing Baki Hanma's movements: "Your progress is indeed significant, but you're still far from me."
"You've eaten too many forbidden fruits, after all."
"Less nonsense!" Baki Hanma's face flushed, and he immediately changed his move, delivering a low sweep kick towards Allen.
Allen lightly leaped up, stepping on Baki Hanma's calf, flipping in the air, and landing steadily behind Baki Hanma: "Your movements are too obvious."
Baki Hanma quickly turned around, fine beads of sweat already appearing on his forehead. He panted heavily, his heart filled with shock: "This guy… he's so much stronger than four months ago!"
Baki Hanma gritted his teeth, sweat trickling down his cheeks and dripping onto the ground. He stared intently at Allen, then suddenly grinned: "Allen-kun, do you know? Ever since that day I lost to you, these four months I've thought every day about how to defeat you."
"I thought about it while eating, while dreaming, and even when I was eating forbidden fruits with Kozue, I was thinking about it!"
"I can tell. I could tell the moment I saw you. It seems you've thought about it many times." Allen nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over Baki Hanma's slightly trembling legs.
"But your body doesn't seem ready yet."
In the China Team preparation area, Kaioh Kaku stroked his beard and smiled: "Little Lin has been influencing his opponent's mentality ever since the opponent entered the arena. It seems he respects that Japanese kid very much."
Kaiou Retsu let out a slight sigh of relief: "Baki's condition is indeed not quite right. His breathing rhythm is completely messed up. However, he won't be defeated that easily. I hope Allen doesn't underestimate him."
"I don't think that kid has any chance of a comeback. His legs have been trembling ever since he saw Allen. He's very nervous." Ron Shobun leaned against the wall and commented.
"Facing a terrifying opponent like Allen, being overly nervous will only accelerate defeat."
"Oh, Dad, why don't you let us go up when that kid on the other side is so weak? If I went up, I could definitely knock him out with one punch. How can he steal my toy?" Kaku Shunshei waved his fists, somewhat bored.
Baki Hanma adjusted his breathing, a hint of unwillingness flashing in his eyes: "Allen, I really want to know how you, of all people, train."
Allen smiled slightly: "100 push-ups, 100 sit-ups, 100 squats, and a 10-kilometer run every day, never stopping training even under harsh conditions."
After hearing Allen's training plan, Baki Hanma was completely stunned. His expression changed from shock to confusion, finally settling on disbelief.
"Just… just like that?" Baki Hanma's voice trembled slightly: "100 push-ups every day? A 10-kilometer run?"
Allen nodded, his face serious: "That's right, and you have to keep it up for three years without interruption, and no air conditioning in summer. It's brutal, isn't it?"
"What a joke!" Baki Hanma roared in anger, veins bulging on his forehead: "This level of training isn't even considered for an ordinary fighter!"
"No one could become this strong with this level of training!" Baki Hanma yelled.
Allen, however, just smiled without speaking. You guess whose ability I relied on to defeat you.'
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