Fury in the Ring

Kenjo and Jamie sat side by side, waiting for the next match to begin. The crowd buzzed with excitement, the atmosphere thick with anticipation. The announcer's voice roared through the venue.

"Up next: a heavyweight bout! Nanako versus Lorenzo!"

Jamie stretched, feeling the tension in the air, and leaned back in his chair. "I'm grabbing some snacks. Be right back," he said, heading to the vending machine. Moments later, he returned with a bag of chips and a candy bar, tossing one to Kenjo. "Here. You're gonna need the energy to keep up with this insanity."

Kenjo smirked, catching the candy. "These heavyweights are bound to put on a show."

The fighters entered the ring, their massive frames drawing gasps from the crowd. Dekam's commanding voice cut through the chatter: "Fight!"

Nanako and Lorenzo stepped to the center of the ring, neither willing to back down. Nanako launched a sharp, thunderous jab that snapped Lorenzo's head back, making the crowd cheer. Lorenzo gritted his teeth and retaliated with a brutal jab of his own, slamming into Nanako's guard with enough force to push him back a step.

They began to infight, their punches heavy and precise. The sound of gloves smashing into bodies reverberated through the arena. After a grueling minute of close-quarters combat, Nanako clinched, wrapping Lorenzo up in a vice-like hold to stop his momentum. Lorenzo squirmed, trying to break free, but Nanako locked him down tightly. Dekam rushed in to separate them, shoving them apart.

Nanako wasted no time, delivering a deliberate but crushing jab that rocked Lorenzo's head. Lorenzo stumbled but responded with a furious right hook that cracked against Nanako's cheek, sending him to the canvas. The crowd gasped, half rising from their seats.

Nanako, however, was on his feet before Dekam could even start the count. He shook off the blow, a dangerous glint in his eye, and nodded to Lorenzo.

Amid the roaring crowd, an inmate approached Jamie and Kenjo, flashing a sly grin.

"Hey, wanna place a bet on the fight?" the man asked, holding a clipboard.

Kenjo hesitated, shaking his head. "No thanks. I'm just here to watch."

Jamie leaned forward with interest. "What are the odds?"

The oddsmaker grinned. "Nanako's 1.5—he's got martial arts experience. Lorenzo's 3.0—no formal training, but he's a beast in street fights."

Jamie shrugged and pulled a ten-dollar bill from his pocket. "Put me down for Lorenzo."

The oddsmaker pocketed the money and walked off, whistling. Jamie leaned back, crossing his arms. "I've got a good feeling about this."

Back in the ring, Nanako began landing crisp, clean punches, his technique shining through. Lorenzo gritted his teeth, absorbing the blows and countering with sheer ferocity. Suddenly, Nanako threw a crushing right hook that staggered Lorenzo, making the crowd gasp. Nanako saw his opening and went for a decisive cross, aiming to end the match.

But Lorenzo had anticipated the move. With a sharp cross-counter, he extended his arm at the perfect moment. Both fighters' punches landed simultaneously, their extended arms snapping each other's heads back.

The audience erupted in awe as both fighters crumpled to the ground, their worlds spinning. Lorenzo clutched the ropes, dragging himself upright, while Nanako, blood trickling from his mouth, staggered to his feet.

Dekam looked them both over, nodding before shouting, "Fight!"

Nanako charged with a fierce combo, landing a clean hit on Lorenzo's torso that made him grunt in pain. Fueled by anger, Lorenzo retaliated with a punishing jab to Nanako's face, followed by a savage uppercut and a final overhand that landed like a hammer.

Nanako hit the canvas hard, the sound reverberating through the hall. Dekam began counting.

"One! Two! Three!" He paused, then waved the fight off, calling for medical assistance. Nanako lay motionless, out cold.

Round: 2

Time: 2:48

Result: Lorenzo win by KO.

"Sheesh, heavyweights are brutal," Jamie muttered, shaking his head. "Amazing, though."

Kenjo nodded, eyes still on the ring. "Yeah. Aren't you going to collect your winnings?"

"Oh, right!" Jamie said, hopping up. "Hold my spot."

As Jamie went to collect his money, the announcer introduced the next fight.

"Up next: a lightweight bout! Menta versus Haki!"

Haki strutted into the ring with a confident grin, showboating as the crowd cheered. In contrast, Menta walked in with an icy calm, his eyes scanning the ring with precision. From his corner, Dekam stared at Menta, his brows furrowed as if he recognized him. Shaking his head, Dekam refocused and raised his arm. "Fight!"

Haki darted forward, throwing a sharp jab. Menta slipped the punch effortlessly, countering with an uppercut that connected cleanly. Wasting no time, Menta followed up with a right hook, but Haki managed to block just in time, retreating to create distance.

Menta didn't let up, rushing forward again. Haki grinned, seeing his chance. "Gotcha now!" he yelled, throwing a feinted jab that transitioned into a cross. His arm extended fully, aiming for a knockout.

But Menta had already read the feint. He rolled under the punch, launching a punishing left hook that snapped Haki's head to the side. The crowd roared, cheering Menta's name.

Fueled by frustration, Haki threw a desperate uppercut that missed but grazed Menta's face with his elbow. Seizing the opportunity, Haki landed a sharp jab that connected flush, but Menta didn't even flinch. Wiping his face with his glove, he smirked. "You'll regret that, imbecile."

Menta surged forward, relentless. Haki tried to maintain distance with jabs, but Menta slipped and weaved through each one, closing in like a predator. Up close, Menta unleashed a ferocious body blow, followed by an uppercut, and finished with an overhand that sent Haki crashing to the canvas.

Dekam rushed over, kneeling by Haki, and immediately called for medical assistance. The arena fell silent, the brutal end leaving the crowd in shock.

Round: 1

Time: 0:33

Result Menta win by KO.

Kenjo leaned back, shaking his head. "Not a boxer... That wasn't a fight—that was pure humiliation."

Jamie returned, his eyes widening as he took in the scene. "What the hell happened, Kenjo?"

Kenjo gave a quick rundown, gesturing toward the ring. Jamie's gaze shifted to Menta, who was staring directly at him, a cold smile on his face. Jamie froze, caught off guard, but before he could say anything, Menta stepped out of the ring and walked toward the cellblock.

"Jeez, what's his problem? He was outright eyeing me down," Jamie scoffed.

Kenjo, sitting beside him with a far more composed expression, seemed to analyze the situation carefully. "I'm not totally sure, Jamie, but one thing I do know—" His voice dropped to a low murmur. "That guy has prior boxing experience. He's no amateur. He must be some kind of pro boxer."