Mac challenges Joe to a fight, but Joe is hesitant. Yukiko announces to a displeased Shirato Group board that she is considering severing ties with ROSCO because of the now-publicized risks and the potential military use of BES. ROSCO sends its head researcher, Yoshimura, to pressure Mikio Shirato to retract his thesis on the risks of BES. Mikio in turn suggests to his former student to accept and fix one's mistakes. Joe sees Mac visiting Liu in the hospital. Mac reveals how much Joe's journey to become the champion inspired him; Liu also encourages Joe to accept the fight...