Kavsef

Seventeen-years old Taiga Sakamoto barely survive on the street of Osaka, doing underground fights for a run of money. Son of a once-feared underground fighter and an immigrant mother who disappeared without a trace and left him alone, Taiga grows up with nothing but his fists and fire.

One day, he's saved by a retired unknown boxer from getting beaten by the local gang. Seeing fire and determination in his eyes, Taiga was offered to join Glory Gym, an old rundown boxing gym barely holding onto its last generation of fighters. There he going to start on his journey becoming champion and achieving glory.

Taiga enters a world where boxing isn’t just sport—it’s blood, pain, history, and heart. With every jab and hook, he uncovers not only the sport’s discipline but the ghosts of his past. Can he rise through the brutal amateur ranks and chase the fading dream of becoming a champion? Or will he burn out like the broken warriors before him?

"No corner to retreat to. No towel to throw in. Just glory—or silence."

(It's heavily inspired by Hajime No Ippo)

Gloves & Glory

The gym was quiet after hours—only the sound of the old ceiling fan humming above and the faint static from the TV in the corner. Taiga sat on the floor, unwrapping his hands, sweat still clinging to his skin from the earlier drills.

On the screen, an amateur boxing match played. A wiry teen in dark blue trunks stood tall in the ring, hands down, chin tilted high like he owned it. The crowd was loud, cheering on the other guy—a stocky, clean-cut fighter with textbook form.

"That's him," Rikuya said, leaning forward on the couch. "Kazuki Ren. Street-born, just like you. But he's been fighting longer—and dirtier."

Genji crossed his arms, standing beside the TV. "Watch closely. It's not just what he throws—it's what he hides."

Kazuki in the video circled his opponent slowly. His shoulders rolled lazily, expression smug. Then, like a switch flipped, he darted in—one-two-jab—then hooked the body with brutal speed. His opponent adjusted fast, countering, pushing Kazuki into the corner.

Kazuki spat a taunt. The opponent hesitated.

Kazuki smiled, slipped low, and headbutted him in the clinch. The ref didn't catch it. The crowd roared, some booed.

Seconds later, Kazuki finished the round with a hook that cracked across the jaw—his opponent dropped like a sack of bricks.

Taiga's jaw clenched. "He's stronger than the first time I fight him, he's not a counterpunch merchant anymore".

"He enjoys it," Genji muttered. "The show. The chaos. That grin—he's not smiling because he's happy. He's smiling because he controls the fear."

"Cheap," Taiga said, his fists tightening. "He hides behind tricks."

"Doesn't matter," Rikuya replied. "You can't beat him by whining. You gotta outbox him."

From the far wall, a voice joined the conversation.

"So," Kenzaki said, walking over with a water bottle in hand, "you're finally gonna have your first real fight, huh?"

Taiga looked up. Kenzaki rarely spoke—he was the quietest guy in the gym aside from Masaki. Older, with graying sideburns and cold, calculating eyes, he usually trained solo in the morning when no one was around.

Kenzaki sat on a bench and stared at the screen. "You can't face someone like that with just rage. You'll walk right into his trap."

"You've seen more than I have. You've fought more than I have. I can't afford to lose. Not this one."

Then Kenzaki leaned back, cracking his neck. "Fine. But I don't teach for free."

Taiga blinked. "What do you want?"

Kenzaki grinned faintly. "When you win… you clean the gym floor for a week."

Genji let out a rare chuckle. "Good. Kenzaki's got eyes most don't. Learn something."

Rikuya clapped his hands. "Alright, then! First enemy analyzed, mentor unlocked—time to turn this street dog into a ring wolf."

The match on the screen ended. Kazuki raised his gloves, still grinning as his opponent lay stunned. The announcer shouted his name like a champion.

But in the gym, a new fire was burning in Taiga's eyes.

"Laugh while you can, Kazuki," Taiga thought."Because I'm not the same stray you saw in the streets."

Know Your Enemy