Isekai in Hajime no Ippo with Gaolang’s Template

January 2, 1992 – 7:00 PM

Coach Shinoda and Assistant Coach Yagi had just finished retrieving a letter from Tracy Spann's team. Shinoda was behind the wheel of his newly purchased Ford SUV, steering through the quiet streets as they made their way back to the Kamogawa Boxing Gym.

As they approached the entrance, Shinoda pulled into the lot, and Yagi took a moment to scan the parked cars. His eyes landed on three vehicles—first, a sleek silver Nissan GTR Skyline, then a stunning red Ferrari F40, and finally, a white Toyota SUV. Noting the familiar cars, Yagi chuckled.

"Looks like they're still in the gym," Shinoda remarked as he shut off the engine.

Yagi glanced at his watch. "Probably cleaning up and packing their things. It's already seven. The gym usually closes by nine."

Shinoda nodded as they stepped out of the car. Yagi patted his coat pocket, ensuring the envelope was secure, then pushed open the gym door.

Inside, the usual crew was gathered. Alex and Ippo sat at a table near the side, where a few chairs had been arranged for their meals. Across from them, Aoki, Kimura, and Takamura were seated, chatting while eating. The moment the door opened, all eyes turned to Shinoda and Yagi.

"Oh, you're back from the post office?" Kimura asked, leaning back in his chair.

Alex immediately caught sight of the letter in Yagi's hand. His eyes narrowed with curiosity. "There's a reply already?"

Shinoda raised a hand, signaling for patience. "We'll announce it later."

With that, the two coaches made their way toward Coach Kamogawa's office, leaving the rest to continue their conversation.

Alex smirked as he placed his lunch box on the table, opening it to reveal a neatly arranged sushi set. "Look at this," he said proudly. "Mari packed this for me."

Aoki scoffed. "That's nothing!" He pulled out his frog-themed lunch box, flipping it open to reveal cold ramen with tempura on the side.

Kimura raised an eyebrow. "Let me guess… You made it yourself at your ramen shop just to make it look like someone else made it?"

Aoki's face twisted into an annoyed expression. "No! My mom made it for me before I left home!"

On the side, Takamura sat with his store-bought takoyaki, silently eating while watching the playful argument unfold.

Ippo, chuckling, opened his own lunch box—a simple white and blue container—revealing salmon, rice balls, and avocado slices neatly arranged inside. "This is from my mom too," he said with a warm smile.

While they ate and chatted, inside Coach Kamogawa's office, a different conversation was taking place.

A firm knock on the door interrupted the silence.

"It's open," Kamogawa called.

Yagi and Shinoda stepped inside. Without wasting a second, Yagi pulled the brown envelope from his pocket and handed it over. "It's done. This is the letter," he announced.

Kamogawa took the envelope, carefully breaking the sealed tape. Shinoda, looking exhausted, plopped onto the sofa while Yagi took a seat across from Kamogawa's desk.

The old coach unfolded the letter and scanned its contents. His eyes widened slightly. "This is… surprising news," he murmured.

Yagi leaned forward. "What is it?"

Shinoda, still slumped on the sofa, groaned. "Yeah, what is it? We didn't open it in the car, so we have no clue."

Kamogawa exhaled sharply, then handed the letter to Yagi. "Read it out loud."

Yagi adjusted his glasses, cleared his throat, and began reading:

"The World Boxing Organizationaccepts the request of both teams for the Number 5 contender Alex Makunouchi and Number 3 contender Tracy Spann to fight for the vacant WBO World Lightweight Title on June 5, 1992."

The letter bore the official signature and stamp of the organization.

As soon as the words left Yagi's mouth, both Kamogawa and Shinoda shot to their feet and exclaimed in unison—

"YES!!"

Yagi grinned. "Finally! Alex will be fighting for the belt!"

Shinoda sighed in relief, running a hand through his hair. "And I can finally get some peace! Alex kept pestering me about this every damn day!"

Kamogawa smirked, shaking his head. "Tell me about it. You know, three times a day—every single day—he'd barge into my office just to ask for updates." He raised three fingers to emphasize his point.

Yagi chuckled. "Me too! He always asked me about it. Honestly, I feel like my hair's turning white from the stress he's giving me!"

For a moment, the three coaches exchanged looks before bursting into laughter.

10 Minutes later

As Coach Kamogawa, Coach Shinoda, and Assistant Coach Yagi stepped out of the office, the sight that greeted them was an amusing one.

Kimura was proudly showing off his lunch box to Aoki, Alex, Ippo, and Takamura. Inside was a neatly arranged stack of pancakes, topped with fresh blueberries, with a small container of syrup on the side.

"This was made by my mom too," Kimura said, grinning.

The others, mid-motion as they had turned toward the coaches, paused briefly. They had sensed the serious atmosphere as the three men emerged, yet the timing of Kimura's food display added an unintended comedic contrast.

Kamogawa folded his arms and looked at the group. "We have some good news."

Aoki, who had a mouthful of ramen, swallowed and raised a brow. "Should we pack up our meals first?"

"No need," Yagi replied with a smile.

Shinoda nodded in agreement.

Kamogawa then raised the letter slightly. "We received the official response. Alex, your fight with Tracy is finally set."

Alex's eyes lit up. "Finally! It's done!"

Aoki patted Alex's shoulder. "Congrats, man."

Ippo, Kimura, and even Takamura followed suit, offering their congratulations in their own way.

However, Yagi cleared his throat. "Don't get too excited just yet. That's not the full news."

Alex's smile faded slightly as he turned his attention back to Kamogawa.

The old coach exhaled before speaking, his voice steady. "The fight will be on June 5, 1992."

He let the moment hang in silence for dramatic effect before finally delivering the bombshell.

"…And it will be for the vacant WBO World Lightweight Title."

For a second, the gym was completely still.

Then, a wide grin spread across Alex's face. His excitement was palpable.

Ippo beamed with happiness, while Aoki and Kimura's jaws dropped before breaking into big smiles.

"Unbelievable!" Aoki said.

"This is huge!" Kimura added.

Even Takamura, despite his usual nonchalance, raised his eyebrows in acknowledgment. However, the moment quickly took a turn.

Takamura abruptly stood up and shoved his face dangerously close to the coaches, making them instinctively step back in surprise.

Kamogawa, unfazed, simply pushed Takamura's face aside with one hand.

"Hey! What about me?!" Takamura exclaimed, pointing to himself dramatically.

Then, he turned and pointed at Alex. "This guy already got a title shot, and I don't have one yet?!"

Kamogawa sighed, rubbing his temple. "Patience, patience…"

"Yeah," Yagi chimed in. "It is strange that no one is accepting a fight against you."

Takamura groaned and slumped back into his chair, looking utterly dejected.

Alex glanced at him, then let out an exaggerated sigh before placing his hands on his hips.

"What can I say?" he mused, feigning deep thought. "It looks like I am going to be the first world champion from this gym."

Then, he pointed at Aoki, Kimura, Takamura, and Ippo.

"You bums should make a banner with my name on it and wear T-shirts with my face printed on them when I become champion!" He grinned. "And you'll have to address me as 'World Champion Alex'!"

A vein nearly popped on Aoki's forehead.

Kimura's face twisted in irritation.

Takamura's eye twitched.

In unison, the three of them shouted angrily—

"WHO THE HELL WOULD DO SOMETHING THAT STUPID?!"

Ignoring them, Takamura stormed back toward Kamogawa, practically pleading with him.

"Old man, PLEASE get me a title match already!" He dramatically grabbed his head. "I cannot live in a world where Alex becomes a world champ before me!" His voice rose in sheer horror. "I can't even IMAGINE such a thing! It gives me chills!"

Aoki and Kimura, arms crossed, nodded in unison.

"Coach, please just give Takamura a title shot!" Aoki said.

Kimura sighed. "Yeah, it's way better than seeing Alex become the first world champ from this gym…"

Kamogawa's face darkened, irritation visible.

SMACK!

Without warning, he swung his wooden cane hard, smacking Takamura's thigh and leg.

"OW!" Takamura yelped and jumped back, dodging the next swing.

"I'M WORKING ON IT!" Kamogawa barked, swinging his cane at him again.

Takamura took off running, and Kamogawa chased after him, cane in hand, swinging wildlyas Takamura yelped and dodged, creating a ridiculous and chaotic scene.

The rest of the group laughed hysterically, watching the absurdity unfold.

Meanwhile, Yagi turned to Kimura with a casual question.

"I didn't see your 1990 Honda NSR250 parked outside today. Is it broken?"

Kimura scratched his head. "Nah, it's in perfect condition… It's just that gas prices are high these days, and I'm kinda broke." He sighed. "I haven't had a fight recently…"

Yagi smirked. "I see. Tough times, huh?"

Kimura exhaled deeply. "You have no idea…"