The stretcher rattles across the floor, its wheels clattering against the boards as medics rush Serrano out of the ring. His head tilts to one side, face half-covered by a towel, the faint smear of blood still dripping from his nose.
The ring announcer's voice breaks through the noise, steady but trembling at the edges.
"Ladies and gentlemen… the referee has stopped the contest at one minute, thirteen seconds of round four. The winner, by technical knockout…. Ryoma… 'the Chameleon'… Takedaaa!"
The crowd erupts, but not only in celebration. It's a confused storm of awe, disbelief, and raw noise that shakes the hall.
From the commentary desk, a voice rises, cutting through the chaos:
"That's Ryoma Takeda, the Cruel Rookie King! No mercy shown tonight, none at all!"
