[theme music playing]
[man singing rock song in Japanese]
[music ends]
MITSUNARI TOKUGAWA
RESILIENCE
[Kureha] This is the critical juncture.
Are you deciding you want to undergo treatment
or will you allow the illness to progress without resisting?
I don't envy you, it's a difficult choice to make, for sure.
But a decision that you must make.
And it's your final chance to make it.
[Mitsunari] Hmm.
All right, Mr. Tokugawa.
Make a choice.
[Mitsunari inhales]
It goes without saying
that there really is no choice.
Because I walk the path of no regrets.
When each of us are born,
there is no other path for us to walk.
Just as you must walk the path set for you.
Right, Doctor?
[suspenseful music sting]
Huh? Chiharu?
I've been waiting for you, Baki Hanma.
I don't want you to say a single thing.
Keep quiet and fight me.
Huh? Wha-- Uh...
[woman] Huh?
[Chiharu] Sorry this is so completely out of the blue, Baki.
Why?
I don't understand.
Does there need to be a reason?
I mean, when you put it like that...
[tense music playing]
[Baki] This is a really bad decision, Shiba.
- [Chiharu grunts] -[Baki] We've got no reason to fight.
- [Chiharu grunts, groans] - [people wince]
I want you to fight Baki.
Huh? Uh... you really want me to fight a guy like that?
I meant, why would he wanna fight someone like me?
[Hanayama exhales slowly]
I thought you were Chiharu Shiba.
Do you need a reason to fight anyone?
[Chiharu] Hmm... mm... mmm.
[people gasping]
Well, well.
Well, well, well, well...
[grunts]
For such an extraordinary fighter,
it seems that the world's strongest young man
is nothing more than a big softie.
Chiharu,
that was the last time.
If you attack me first again,
I won't go easy on you like I just did, okay?
I'm warning you.
Who the fuck wanted you
to hold back?!
[grunts loudly]
[groans]
He's freakin' strong.
He's the real deal, just like people say.
I had no idea
just how huge a difference there was between me and him until now.
[Chiharu snarls]
[grunts painfully]
[snarls]
[Baki] Chiharu Shiba.
I don't get it.
How come? Why fight me?
And why now?
[Hanayama] Fight, Baki.
Because you're perfectly suited for this.
[crowd cheering raucously]
[excited cheering]
[man in crowd whoops]
The nickname they gave him is "Smoking."
Because he follows you around like smoke.
He coils all around your body like smoke.
In every match so far,
not once has he taken a step backward.
He's the most likely contender for the title.
Smoking Joe Cruiser!
Age 36.
He's going to be your next opponent.
Yup. He's an oldster.
He won't be any trouble at all.
After an amateur career that included winning the Golden Gloves,
he decided to turn pro.
He won some and lost some.
But he started winning consistently as he built his career,
and began climbing up into the top ranks.
When he heard how much the fight money was,
he jumped at the chance.
He's an attractive opponent considering he lacks your talent.
Feel free to tell the press that you'll knock him out.
[Fukamachi] So, that's what Kaiser said?
That he's an attractive opponent since he's got less talent than you?
Golden Gloves winner and top-ranked pro?
That Smoking Joe Cruiser?
Kaiser thinks he has no talent, huh?
And you saw him fight, and yet you still believed that?
Yes, that's right. I believe Cruiser has no talent.
Huh? What?
He has a good look, and that's all.
Huh?
You're not trying to say you think he's handsome?
[Retsu] You don't get that kind of boxer's face in a day.
Huh?!
Meager skills at best.
And a short stature.
But even so, he staunchly refuses to give in.
Just keeps on moving forward.
His appearance shows that.
He takes two punches throwing one.
Too many punches in a career.
Hm.
Well, actually, I happen to be a big fan of his.
- [knocking on door] - Hmm?
[footsteps approach]
Oh! [gasps]
- [dramatic music sting] - [Fukamachi gasping]
[gasps]
When I was visiting China,
I started to hear rumors about you from time to time.
Did you know you're a famous man?
Well, that may be true, sir.
But I'm certain I'm not even a thousandth as famous as you.
[chuckles]
[Alai] I've come here to stop you.
You mean stop me from fighting Smoking Joe Cruiser?
It's not that I wouldn't like
to see kung fu given a run for their money by boxing skills,
but I'm friendly with the Hanma family.
That's why I came here to give you this little warning
about your upcoming fight.
You're saying I wouldn't win?
Tell me again Joe Cruiser's nickname?
Smoking Joe Cruiser.
Since the beginning, boxers have always had nicknames.
However, one thing has always been very clear.
Boxers are always less than the nickname that describes their fighting style.
[Alai] It was exactly the same with me.
"Phantom."
Though my punch was said to be phantom-like,
it could be seen clearly in slow motion replays.
But Smoking Joe Cruiser is different.
Smoking. Ever had an opportunity to fight smoke?
I'm afraid I haven't.
Then try to imagine this.
Smoke attacks first.
Four-thousand years of Chinese skill punch at it.
But before long, you're surrounded by the smoke.
And when you can no longer see through the smoke,
you gonna get punched.
And most likely, you'll get knocked to the canvas,
by the world's strongest left hook.
"I don't mind in the least!"
[both gasp]
[Alai] I believe that's a favorite saying of yours.
I may have said that once or twice.
So, what do you think?
[Retsu] I don't mind in the least!
[crowd cheering raucously]
[Retsu] This is weird.
Why do I feel intimidated?
Especially by this small heavyweight.
Only five feet nine inches tall and about 200 pounds.
His size isn't anything special.
I'm much bigger and stronger than him.
Even so, there's something else.
This overwhelming presence.
His physical--
No. The density of his very character,
is on a completely different level.
Okay, Retsu, how 'bout it? How does he look to you?
Does he look bigger than you expected or much smaller?
Five feet nine inches and about 200 pounds.
Like the weigh-in said.
No larger or no smaller than I thought.
[Fukamachi] An attractive opponent, huh?
He couldn't be more so.
[chuckles]
Though a part of me would like to see your brains get knocked out
to prove me right,
I love saying "I told you so."
I'd also like to thank you for giving me the honor of being in your corner tonight.
As far as I'm concerned, I've got the best seat in the house.
Just make sure that you come back alive!
[Retsu grunts]
[shocked gasping]
[Retsu] What is this?
What is with these punches?
I can see them.
I can see all his attacks.
I'm defending against all his attacks.
But still,
deep in my body,
deep in my organs,
there's lingering damage.
Inside those round soft gloves
that even appear gentle...
Inside of those thick, limber muscles...
It's as if
there are sharp blades hidden within them.
[both grunting]
[Retsu] I made a mistake...
[crowd cheering excitedly]
[crowd laugh, wince]
[Retsu] I'm certain I hit him...
A right uppercut.
I felt it connect.
At the same time, he hit me.
Probably with a left hook.
Gloves...
When I was in training,
I used gloves many times.
But this is the first time they've had such weight and sharpness.
Though they lack the hardness and sharpness of bare fists.
Because of the extra weight of the gloves,
the damage to the brain is clearly far greater
than with that of just plain bare fists.
It's as if my head is being shaken,
shaken in the palm of a giant.
Even the damage from Baki's fists didn't feel anything like this.
Even Pickle's fists didn't feel like this.
The gloves.
Those things called gloves.
Those tools called gloves.
Tools...
[gasps]
This originality!
Four. That's five.
Six.
- Seven. - Retsu...
[referee] Eight.
Okay?
[Retsu] I get it. That's what it is.
Those guys.
The strength of the top-class boxers, it's--
Fight!
[Retsu] It's the fact that they're proficient
in the use of the tools that are their gloves.
Release muscle tension
to make the weight of the gloves even more apparent.
In a liver shot,
with the flicker jab as well,
the glove is turned into a weapon.
How Incredible.
I've just realized it!
Boxing started with bare-knuckle fighting,
but to transform it into a safe and wholesome sport,
in 1865,
the Queensberry Rules were incorporated to include gloves.
It's now been 150 years since then.
After passing through a long tunnel of diligent study,
at last, gloves were successfully turned into weapons.
I failed to see it.
Due to their gentle, soft appearance,
their tender feel,
I overlooked the vicious will
that's hidden inside them.
- [Fukamachi groans uneasily] - [Retsu] What?
What can I do about it?
I've realized a lot of things,
but what'll I do
with the reality of this damage?!
[dramatic music sting]
What do you say, Baki?
Are you finally gonna fight me
while keeping your big mouth shut?
- Yeah, I think I will. - Hmm?
Relax, I'm not gonna really fight you, man.
What the heck's gotten into you anyway?
I mean, sure, I went along with it before, but that's not happening again.
Does whiddle Baki need a reason?
Yeah, that's right, I need a reason.
Just like you need to stop talking like a baby.
I mean, come on, man.
Why do you want to fight me so badly?
For practice? To learn how to brawl?
I guess that you could say I'm practicing for something big.
Practicing how to kick your big butt.
My butt's big?
[Chiharu] That's right. And I'm gonna kick it.
So, shall we begin?
Whoa! Hold on. Just hold on here.
This isn't the Baki I heard stories of.
Well, dude, this isn't like anything that I've heard of!
Starting a fight as soon as we meet?
Didn't I tell you to shut your mouth?
[Baki] He's really gonna fight me? Seriously?!
Oh boy.
From now on, we only talk with our fists!
[Baki] Yup, this guy's really gonna fight.
Oh well.
[strangled gasp]
[sighs]
Chiharu,
I appreciate that you volunteered to be my sparring partner,
but you're so damn weak, man.
Yeah, I won't fight you again.
Get outta here when you wake up, huh?
[door opens, closes]
[groans softly]
[strained groan]
[short, sharp grunts]
Hmmm. Mm!
[Baki] Holy shit. Listen to him out there.
He hasn't given up. He's already getting ready for a rematch.
He's hopeless.
With guys like this, you've really gotta teach 'em a lesson...
[Chiharu] Oh, he's moving.
He's moving toward the front door.
I should hear him putting on his shoes soon.
That's it!
What?!
What was that? That sound just now...
That jerk's wearing his shoes with the back crushed under his foot!
[snickers wheezily]
Doesn't he know the disadvantage
of wearing shoes with the back crushed?
You've got only one-tenth the power!
What a tremendous idiot.
[dramatic music playing]
[Baki chuckles] Okay, that was awesome.
That was not the punch of a novice.
You're good-looking with a bloody nose.
Sorry for wearing my shoes inside,
but they help when you're in a fight.
[Baki] And he's also really strong.
I'll fix up your front door
after I'm done wiping the floor with you.
[exerted grunting]
[Baki grunts painfully] What the hell kind of hold is this?!
[Chiharu snarls]
[Baki] I mean, he may be a novice without any skills...
[Chiharu snarls]
...he sure has...
[Chiharu grunts]
...a hell of a lot of power.
And boy, does he love to fight.
Is this...
No, not "is this."
This is!
This is the fighting power of a true fighting spirit.
[sneers]
Thanks for that.
I think I get your point now.
[Retsu] I have stopped.
The scenery is melting.
Everything except me,
it's all melting.
Even my opponent.
He's coming at me even though he's melting.
[grunts]
[gasping]
[Retsu] However,
this melted scenery...
[echoing] Okay?
[gasps]
It's not my first time.
BAILIN TEMPLE
Don't fight it.
This move is unavoidable. Don't move at all!
[Retsu groans loudly]
[pained groaning]
[groaning]
[instructor] Can you hear me?
Effective, isn't it?
You can't even see me properly,
but yet you still know I'm here.
Now try to stand up.
[Retsu panting]
[pained groaning]
[exerted groaning]
[gasping]
[grunting painfully]
[instructor] This is tofu.
Soaking in water,
it closely resembles the relationship
between the human brain and the surrounding skull protecting it.
[gasps]
[exhales slowly]
With the application of an external impact to the bowl,
the tofu is easily destroyed.
The inside of your skull was feeling like this earlier.
[impressed gasp]
[instructor] You have mastered your defenses well.
However, due to a mistake,
your defense could fail, and you'll be struck.
As a consequence of some lax training,
one day you will most likely be struck with a full-force punch.
What then? What to do?
[Retsu gasps]
[revelatory music playing]
[instructor grunting]
[sizzling]
Do as I just did.
[impressed gasp]
[breathing heavily]
[Retsu] I can't take any more damage.
I've reached my limit.
The tofu is jiggling in the bowl.
Until this jiggling stops,
I cannot allow him
to hit me with his next punch.
Hmm.
[Joe] He's changed his form.
Retsu! Don't stand there! Circle around him!
[Joe] I won't change.
No matter how he changes,
Smoking will just keep on following.
Circle around!
[Joe] Smoking will just coil around you!
[shocked gasping]
He just... spun.
[Retsu grunting]
[Joe growls]
[Retsu] Good. This is working.
I'm recovering.
He's really spinning around and around.
Nicely too.
[Joe grunts]I knew he'd do that.
Hmm?
[Joe] I already knew that he's a very talented fighter.
With great moves.
But I won't change.
I cannot change.
This is all I know!
I advance, chase, and coil around you.
This is all I know!
[Retsu grunts]
[theme music playing]
[music ends]