Kiyomasa, who runs a series of underground matches, enlists Takemichi's childhood friend, Takuya, as his next opponent. In order to protect him, Takemichi decides to take Takuya's place. Takemichi is beaten brutally, but his refusal to give up catches the attention of Manjiro Sano (nicknamed Mikey), the leader of the Tokyo Manji Gang, and his vice-captain, Ken Ryuguji (nicknamed Draken). Mikey declares Takemichi to be his new friend.