After the impressive fight, Shiba and Uragiri were still filled with tension and adrenaline. They debated heatedly as they left the gymnasium.

Shiba: "That was absolutely insane!!!" Uragiri: "You can say that again. I really thought it was over for Ryujin."

Still electrified by the idea of one day standing in the ring himself, Shiba asked excitedly: Shiba: "Hey Ura, do you think we could do something like that?" Uragiri: "Calm down, you idiot. That guy has done nothing but train his whole life. We'd need at least 10 years of practice to get that good." Shiba: "What are 10 years if we could become as awesome as Ryujin one day?" Uragiri: "You can really stop idolizing him, Shiba."

Okuwa, who had been silently following their conversation, interjected: Okuwa: "Little Uragiri isn't entirely wrong, Shiba. There are still fighters out there who would beat Ryujin easily. But it must be said, Ryujin is only 19 years old. The boy still has a great future ahead of him."

Suddenly, the scene switched to Ryujin, who was giving an interview. Interviewer: "Mr. Sato, 13 wins and no losses. Your winning streak seems unstoppable. How do you feel?" Ryujin: "I feel very good. However, this fight was just one of many, so I shouldn't celebrate too much." Interviewer: "What are your goals for the coming years?" Ryujin: "I will become the greatest fighter the world has ever seen!" Interviewer: "With those ambitious words, we end the interview."

Back with Okuwa and the boys. Okuwa: "Today’s lesson was quite educational. I'll see you tomorrow." Shiba: "What? That's it?" Okuwa: "Our time in the club is over for today, boys. But I'll say this, a few ramen as payment for the tutoring wouldn't hurt." Uragiri: "DO YOU THINK WE'RE RICH ENOUGH TO TREAT YOU, OLD MAN? JUST SO YOU CAN BEAT US UP AGAIN LIKE BEFORE?" Okuwa: "Then I’ll never teach you Ryujin’s technique."

As they left the gym, Uragiri thought: Uragiri (thoughts): "THIS OLD GUY IS REALLY TRYING TO PULL A FAST ONE ON ME."

Uragiri: "Hey Shiba, how about we go eat ramen today? Shiba?" Shiba: "I'm going to be a fighter! At least as strong as Ryujin." Uragiri: "You idiot, you're not all there! A little training in the club won't make you a pro." Shiba: "I don’t care. Then I’ll just train somewhere else."

Uragiri took a deep breath, visibly shaken by Shiba's determination. Uragiri: "YOU REALLY HAVE TO COMMIT THEN, BECAUSE I WILL BECOME THE STRONGEST FIGHTER!" Shiba: "HEEEEEY. WE CAN FIGHT NOW AND FIND OUT, URAAAA!" Uragiri: "WE CAN DO THAT ANYTIME!"

As they teased each other, Shiba asked about their teacher. Shiba: "By the way, where is Okuwa-Sensei?" Uragiri: "That old man probably went back to the nursing home. The caregivers must have been looking for him." Shiba: "Whatever. Let’s get out of here, Ura." Uragiri: "Yo! I'm starving!"

The next day, Shiba and Uragiri met again in the gym. Uragiri: "Are you ready to get your ass kicked, Shiba?" Shiba: "Your brain must be rotting if you think you can take me on. I watched videos of the world's craziest martial artists all night." Uragiri: "That won't help you, little man."

As they entered the gym, Okuwa was already there, ready to start the training. Okuwa: "It's time for training to begin!" Both: "YES!" Okuwa: "Good, then head outside."

Outside, a surprise awaited them. Uragiri, whispering: "Hey, what is the old man planning now?" Shiba: "Apparently, we’re going to fight some rebels right on the street." Uragiri: "Are you crazy? We’re not in some anime."

Okuwa showed up on a moped. Okuwa: "Alright, boys, it's time for the running training." Uragiri: "You can't be serious, old man? We have to run around and you get to follow us on a moped? I thought I could fight now?" Okuwa: "You both are still blinded by your fantasies. Your bodies are so weak and slow that even a moderately experienced fighter could flatten you in seconds."

The running training began. Okuwa, on the moped: "Come on! Faster! Even without legs, I'd be faster." Uragiri, panting: "Take it easy, old man. We've already run 3 kilometers. We never run this much in PE. Plus, you're the one on the moped, not running." Okuwa: "An old man has to distribute his resources wisely, boy."

Shiba, panting: "Okuwa-Sensei? In what class did Ryujin and that Micheal's fight actually take place?" Okuwa: "It’s a class with no special rules. The fight continues until someone gives up or passes out."

Uragiri was shocked by the brutality allowed in such fights.

Uragiri: "But that’s illegal! How can something like this take place here?" Okuwa: "People have become bored with regular martial arts. In the past, many people watched illegal underground tournaments because MMA and other martial arts weren't brutal enough for them. The number of illegal underground tournaments increased, and the government decided to legalize such brutal fights. On one hand, to challenge the mafia here, and on the other hand, to make a lot of money, as fighters from all over the world come to Tokyo to fight."

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Shiba was worried about the risks such fights entailed.

Shiba: "But that must end dangerously!" Okuwa: "People these days don't seem to care if someone gives up their spirit for entertainment purposes. The main thing is that the next fight is more exciting than the last."

Uragiri was torn internally as he considered the moral implications.

Uragiri (thoughts): "Money seems to rule the world. But would I even fight in such a class? I mean, if the money's right..."

After the running, they took a break, exhausted. Okuwa: "Let's continue with the strength training." Both: "WHAT?" Uragiri: "WE'VE ALREADY RUN MORE THAN 3 KILOMETERS AND NOW YOU WANT US TO DO STRENGTH TRAINING?"

Okuwa: "The strength training won't be that bad. Just around the corner is a park."

They went to the nearby park, where Okuwa set the next exercises.

Okuwa: "Let's start a bit easier today. You'll do 100 push-ups, 50 pull-ups, and 50 swinging squats." Uragiri: "We can't possibly do that much!"

Despite the complaints, they started the exercises, and Okuwa briefly left them to themselves.

Okuwa: "I need to step away for a bit, hold the position, boys."

Shiba and Uragiri struggled through the hard training.

Uragiri: "97! 98! 99! 100! THAT'S IT! I'D BE STRUCK BY LIGHTNING IF I DO ONE MORE!" Shiba: "UFF. This training was really tough. Where is Okuwa-Sensei, anyway?"

They noticed that Okuwa had been gone for a while.

Uragiri: "Can you stop calling him Sensei? You're not going to be the new Son Goku! Where is the old man? He's been gone for an hour."

Worried, they looked for him and finally found Okuwa in a nearby candy store.

Shiba: "Hey, you're right. Let’s go find him."

They entered the store and saw Okuwa enjoying Japanese sweets.

Uragiri: "THIS CAN'T BE SERIOUS." Okuwa: "Mmm. Hey, boys, want some sweets?" Uragiri: "WE'RE ABOUT TO DIE FROM TRAINING AND HE'S EATING SWEETS."

Okuwa looked serious.

Okuwa: "That was a test. AND YOU PASSED IT!!!." Shiba: "Now I'm totally confused."

Okuwa continued explaining.

Okuwa: "I wanted to test whether you would continue training without me, and you did. Congratulations!" Uragiri: "He's messing with us."

However, Shiba was impressed.

Shiba: "YOU ARE A GENIUS!" Uragiri (thoughts): "I guess I'm really the only normal one here."

Back in the gym, Okuwa was ready to conclude the day with an important lesson.

Okuwa: "Since you've finished the strength training, let's move on to the exciting part. Come with me."

In the gym, he led them to a punching bag.

Okuwa: "Now, let’s get down to business! I'll show you how to punch properly."

He demonstrated a perfect punching technique.

Okuwa: "Alright, boys, now let's see how much power you have. Watch closely how to execute a punch. You have to use your whole body, not just your arms. It all starts in the feet, moves up through the legs, the hips, and finally, the power explodes in your fists."

Shiba stepped forward first.

Shiba: "Okay, I'll try."

He took a deep breath, focused, and tried to replicate the punch as well as possible. The punching bag swayed under the force of his punch.

Okuwa: "Not bad, Shiba, but you can use your hips more. Try again."

Uragiri stepped forward impatiently.

Uragiri: "Now it's my turn. I'll show you how it's done."

With a confident smile, he swung and hit the punching bag so hard it swung violently.

Shiba: "Wow, you really have power, Ura." Okuwa: "Not bad, not bad. But by the time your punch reaches the opponent, they're already gone. Don't forget the power and precision behind the punches."

They continued practicing until Okuwa decided that was enough for the day.

Okuwa: "That's enough for today. You can head home."

Shiba: "Hey Ura, let’s go."

Both left the gym and talked about the training and their progress.

Uragiri: "Today was really exhausting. But I can feel this training pushing me forward." Shiba: "Okuwa-Sensei wasn't kidding when he said a strong body is the foundation for a martial artist." Uragiri: "Of course, the old man wasn't kidding. Just look at the bodies of Ryujin and that Micheal. Such a physique doesn’t happen overnight."

Shiba: "I'm determined to give it my all here! Maybe we'll fight in tournaments someday." Uragiri: "Until that happens, we'll have finished school. Speaking of tournaments. It seems there's a big tournament for the upper classes with other schools." Shiba: "That doesn’t include us, right?" Uragiri: "True, but we can participate next year. We really need to push if we want to take part." Shiba: "Then it's studying hard for the time being."

The two set off for home, each absorbed in their own thoughts. Their daily life as students and their dream of becoming martial artists now seemed more intertwined than ever.

Okuwa: "I really didn’t expect you to visit me today, Ryujin." Ryujin: "Just because I won the fight yesterday doesn’t mean I’d neglect you, Master." Okuwa: "Seems you haven’t forgotten where you came from, kid."

Ryujin, listening attentively, asked about the two boys:

Ryujin: "Who were those two kids you were with at the fight?" Okuwa: "Oh, just a couple of kids from that sports club at Hibiya High." Ryujin: "You running that club seems unnecessary, Master." Okuwa: "Sometimes the greatest talents are found in quiet waters."

Ryujin nodded thoughtfully:

Ryujin: "Do the kids have any skills?" Okuwa: "They're definitely interested in the whole thing. One of them already sees you as a role model. Their potential will surely show itself." Ryujin: "Well, if you think so."

Time in the martial arts club passed, and the boys trained diligently every day, hoping to one day stand in a fight arena themselves. The training was tough, the progress noticeable, and with each day, their determination to realize their dreams grew.