Isekai in Hajime no Ippo with Gaolang’s Template

Alex's eyes locked onto Miyata's as they circled each other in the ring. He adopted the newly unlocked Hitman Style, his left hand extended forward, swaying slightly in rhythm with his footwork. The stance felt natural yet unfamiliar as if his body understood it better than his mind. His system had granted him the foundation, but applying it against a skilled opponent like Miyata was another matter.

Miyata, ever composed, mirrored Alex's movements. His guard was sharp, and his eyes analyzed every twitch of Alex's muscles, searching for an opening. "You've got a fancy stance," Miyata remarked, calm but edged with challenge. "Let's see if it's more than just looks."

Alex smirked, his confidence unwavering despite the tension in the air. "Careful what you wish for," he replied, his voice tinged with cockiness. "You might just get it."

Kamogawa's voice boomed. "Begin!"

Miyata darted in first, testing Alex with a quick jab. Alex's left hand snapped out like a viper, intercepting the jab with a lightning-fast counter that grazed Miyata's temple. The gym erupted in murmurs. Even Takamura raised an eyebrow in mild surprise.

"Not bad," Miyata said, his lips curving into a faint smile.

But Alex wasn't satisfied. He pressed forward, his jabs coming in quick succession, each one aimed to disrupt Miyata's rhythm. His punches were fast, precise—a testament to the 10% progress in his Hitman Style template. Yet, Miyata's defense was impeccable, his footwork fluid as he evaded most of Alex's attacks.

"He's faster than before," Ippo whispered to Takamura, who nodded in agreement.

"Yeah, but speed alone won't cut it," Takamura replied. "Let's see how he handles Miyata's counters."

As if on cue, Miyata shifted gears. He sidestepped one of Alex's jabs and slipped inside, unleashing a sharp counterpunch aimed at Alex's jaw. It connected cleanly, snapping Alex's head back and forcing him to retreat a step. The crowd winced in unison.

"Come on, rookie!" Takamura shouted. "Don't just stand there!"

Alex shook off the sting of the punch, his smirk returning. "Nice shot," he said, rolling his shoulders. "But you're gonna need more than that to put me down."

The exchange intensified. Miyata's counters grew sharper, his precision like a scalpel, while Alex's relentless jabs and unpredictable footwork kept Miyata on edge. Sweat poured down both fighters' faces as they pushed each other to their limits. Alex could feel his arms growing heavier, his breathing more labored. Yet, he refused to show any signs of weakness.

"What's the matter, Miyata?" Alex taunted, his voice laced with mockery. "Having trouble keeping up?"

Miyata's eyes narrowed, but he didn't respond. Instead, he launched a series of rapid combinations, forcing Alex to retreat toward the ropes. Alex managed to deflect most of the punches using his newly unlocked Philly Shelldefense, but a few still slipped through, bruising his ribs and jaw.

The gym was on the edge of their seats, the atmosphere electric. Every punch, every dodge, every taunt added to the intensity of the sparring session.

Suddenly, Alex did something unexpected. He stepped back, lowering his guard entirely and placing his hands behind his back in a cocky gesture. The gym fell silent, save for Takamura's roaring laughter.

"Oh, he's got guts, I'll give him that," Takamura said, doubling over with amusement. "Or he's just an idiot.

"

Miyata's lips twitched in irritation. Taking the bait, he advanced cautiously, his fists ready to capitalize on Alex's apparent arrogance. But Alex's eyes were sharp, his body coiled like a spring. As Miyata closed the distance and threw a right hook, Alex sidestepped at the last second, narrowly avoiding the punch. He retaliated with a counter-cross that grazed Miyata's cheek.

The crowd erupted, but Alex's smirk faltered for a fraction of a second. He was running on fumes, his muscles screaming for rest. Yet, he maintained his facade, his confidence unshaken. "You're not bad, Miyata," he said, his voice steady despite his exhaustion. "But you're still not good enough to beat me."

Miyata, ever composed, chuckled softly. "We'll see."

The round ended shortly after, with both fighters drenched in sweat and breathing heavily. The gym broke into applause, impressed by the display of skill and tenacity from both men.

As Alex and Miyata approached the center of the ring, they extended their gloves and tapped them together in a gesture of mutual respect.

"Not bad for a rookie," Miyata said, his tone neutral but sincere.

Alex grinned. "Not bad for a future champ, you mean."

The gym burst into laughter at Alex's bold declaration. Even Kamogawa couldn't suppress a small smile as he stepped forward.

"Alright, that's enough for today," the coach said, his voice cutting through the noise. "Alex, Miyata, good work. Both of you have potential, but there's a long road ahead."

Alex climbed out of the ring, his body aching but his spirit soaring. He had taken another step toward his goal. The path to greatness was still far away, but for the first time, he felt it was within reach.