Chapter "When Legends Collides"

“You’re saying that the dojo I was peeking in was Ryugari-Sha?” Haruto asked, his voice tinged with disbelief. Subaru responded with a casual nod.

Haruto immediately broke his stance, standing upright in shock. “Nooo!” he cried out, collapsing to his knees in evident disappointment.

“Why are you acting this way?” Subaru asked, looking puzzled.

“I thought this was the Ryu No Ikari dojo,” Hisashi said loudly, sounding disappointed.

“Does it really matter?” Subaru replied. “Karate is karate, no matter where you learn it.”

Hisashi glared at Subaru, rising to face him directly. “Karate at Ryugari-Sha and Ryu No Ikari are completely different,” he said, his anger palpable.

“Huh? Why is that?” Subaru asked, genuinely puzzled.

“Because at Ryu No Ikari, the legendary Meijin Ryouma Matsumoto teaches a form of karate that emphasizes protection and discipline,” Hisashi declared boldly. “In contrast, Kurata Hazake at Ryugari-Sha focuses on techniques that are designed to kill. That dojo is just breeding future criminals.”

Subaru's fury ignited as he unleashed a devastating punch directly to Hisashi's face, sending him crashing to the ground with blood streaming from his nose.

“How dare you!” Subaru roared, his voice seething with anger. “Kurata Hazake is a karate legend, and you despise him only because he kicked the hell out of your idol, Ryouma Matsumoto!” he declared, his voice filled with disdain.

Consumed by a primal rage, Hisashi surged to his feet, grabbing Subaru by the abdomen and dragging him down to the ground. He positioned himself on top of Subaru and began to rain blows onto his face, which Subaru desperately tried to block with his arms. Between the barrage of punches, Hisashi shouted, “He didn’t fight fair! He targeted the most vulnerable part of Ryouma Matsumoto’s brain, aiming to end his career—he even tried to kill him! But despite that, my legend fought on to the very end, never surrendering. He managed to draw the match, even with his skull crushed!”

Subaru’s expression hardened with fury. He swiftly grabbed Hisashi's leg, using it to unbalance him, then rolled over to gain the top position. As he began to deliver a relentless barrage of punches, Hisashi struggled to block each strike. “That’s not true!” Subaru roared. “Even Ryouma Matsumoto admitted it was accidental. Kurata Hazake publicly apologized! You’re just jealous that someone actually challenged Ryu No Ikari and Ryouma Matsumoto. And don’t worry—one day, Ryugari-Sha will crush your dojo!” Subaru’s fists continued to rain down as he spoke.

Hisashi, consumed by rage, roared and forcefully shoved Subaru away. Subaru was thrown through the air, crashing to the ground with a heavy thud.

Hisashi sat on one knee, breathing heavily and dabbing at the blood smeared on his lip. “It’s not true,” he said, his voice trembling with fury. “I saw the kick he delivered to Ryouma Matsumoto—it was deliberate. He aimed to kill him, and when Ryouma didn’t die, he put on a show of concern to protect his image. Kurata Hazake is the one who's truly jealous.”

Subaru also sat on one knee, his face contorted with rage. “It doesn’t matter what you believe or feel. The whole world knows it wasn’t intentional.” He declared angrily, adding “It’s not about jealousy over Ryu No Ikari being on top; it’s about our own hunger to rise to the top. There’s nothing wrong with craving that position.” His voice was fierce, and as he spoke, he locked eyes with Hisashi. Both gazes were searing with intensity, a palpable fury emanating from their stares.

Hisashi let out a defiant shout and charged at Subaru. Subaru, not backing down, roared in response and raced toward him. As they closed the distance, both raised their fists, poised to strike each other….. (End of Flashback)

Subaru sat in the doctor's office, his expression a mix of disbelief and concern, while Hanae wept quietly beside him.

"Doctor," Subaru said softly, his voice tinged with desperation, "he has a sick mother who’s waiting for him.”

The doctor’s expression was somber. “I’m afraid there’s nothing more we can do. We’ve done everything possible and managed to save his life.”

“Doctor, there has to be something,” Subaru implored, his voice breaking with emotion.

“We’ve done all we can,” the doctor said gravely. “I can’t predict how many days, weeks, or even years it might take for him to regain his memories. All we can do now is hope and pray.”

“Doctor, may I see him? Maybe I can help him remember his past,” Subaru asked, his voice tinged with desperation.

“No,” the doctor said firmly. “Any attempt to make him recall his past could severely damage his already fragile brain. Any additional stress could cause his blood vessels to burst, leading to instant death.”

Subaru and Hanae were left in stunned silence. Hanae covered her face with her hands, tears streaming through her fingers, while Subaru stood frozen, overwhelmed by the gravity of the situation.

"Doctor, he dreams of competing in and winning the Almighty Tournament," Subaru said, his eyes alight with hope.

The doctor's expression grew somber. "He can barely tolerate a loud voice, and you're suggesting he face the deafening roar of a crowd in the arena?" His voice was heavy with concern.

Subaru stood frozen, the weight of the doctor's words sinking in. The realization struck him deeply, and his eyes brimmed with unshed tears, struggling to contain his grief.

“He’s breathing, but I’m afraid his time is limited,” the doctor said softly, his voice heavy with concern.

Hanae's sobs filled the room, their echo amplifying the weight of the doctor’s words. Subaru’s face grew dark with sorrow, his eyes clouded with the depth of his despair.

“If his brain condition doesn’t improve, he has only a few months left,” the doctor continued, his tone laced with resignation.

Overwhelmed, Hanae sprang to her feet and hurried out of the room, her cries fading. Subaru remained seated, his grief palpable, while the doctor’s own sadness evident.

“Look, Subaru,” the doctor began gently, “I know it’s incredibly hard to hear this, but it’s my duty to keep you informed about everything. I hope you can understand.”

Subaru lifted his gaze, tears streaming rapidly down his face. Despite his anguish, he managed a faint, bittersweet smile. He nodded slowly, rose to his feet, and quietly left the room, his heart heavy with the weight of the news.

As Subaru emerged from the room, he saw Hanae huddled in the corner, her face buried in her knees, her sobs reverberating through the corridor.

With a heavy heart, Subaru staggered to a nearby chair. He bent down, pressing his hands against his face, and let the tears flow freely. His cries filled with pain, echoed the depth of his anguish.

(Flashback, 10 years back)

Hisashi and Subaru lay on the ground, breathing heavily. Their clothes were stained and dirty, and both had small wounds on their faces.

“If anyone from Ryugari-Sha tries to hurt my sensei again, I’ll kill you all,” Hisashi declared angrily.

With equal fury, Subaru shot back, “Why? Are you afraid my sensei will take down your sensei and dojo in one blow?”

Hisashi's anger intensified as he struggled to stand. “Get up, I’m not done with you,” he growled, taking his fighting stance.

Subaru also got to his feet, assuming his stance. “Bring it on,” he challenged, both of them trembling slightly with pain as they glared at each other with burning anger.

“Hey!” a voice rang out sharply, causing both Subaru and Hisashi to turn their heads toward the source. They saw six boys of their age standing, grinning broadly.

Hisashi's expression shifted to one of anger and confusion as he stared at them, while Subaru looked on, visibly stunned and apprehensive.

“No, what are they doing here?” Subaru asked, his voice seething with anger.

“Who are they?” Hisashi demanded, his frustration evident.

“Old rivals from my previous school,” Subaru explained tersely.

The boys began to advance, their steps purposeful. Subaru and Hisashi stood firmly side by side, their gazes fixed on the approaching boys.

One of the boys pointed directly at Hisashi. “You,” he said sharply, “we don’t have any issue with you. We’re giving you your first and final chance to run away.”

Subaru turned his eyes to Hisashi, who stood frozen in surprise and fear. Subaru's gaze held a glimmer of hope, but Hisashi, breaking his fighting stance, slowly stepped back. Then, without a word, he turned around and started running away.