Hinomaru Sumo (火ノ丸相撲)

Sumo.

Since ancient times, warriors clad in mawashi belts

have waged battles within the ring.

It is one of the few combat sports

without weight classes.

Thus, student wrestlers who are heavier

and larger in stature have a distinct advantage

over the rest of their competition.

Among them,

there are those with the potential

to achieve the rank of yokozuna.

These athletes receive the name of a sword

from Japan's National Treasures as their moniker.

Feels like I'm drowning in shoulders here. Hmm?

-- --

-- --

So you like being handsy?

I'm thinking you and I should have a little chat

at the next stop.

We're waiting, sicko. Apologize to her.

The boy's lying! Where's your proof?!

Heh. From where I was standing,

I could see you clear as day.

God is watching and doesn't miss a thing.

Let me through, people!

About time you showed. We got us a pervert.

No kidding! Where are your pants?

What're you talking about? I meant the guy in the suit!

Is this what kids are into these days?

--Not wearing pants? --You got the wrong idea!

I'm checking out a new school

and just wanted to make a good first impression!

I was hoping I could join their morning practice,

but it's already past noon.

Getting off the train a station too early

really turned me around.

And this map Kirihito drew me isn't helping the situation.

Ah!

There we go!

Now, let's see...

The front gate's gotta be around here somewhere.

Huh?

Oh, awesome!

Looks like I didn't miss practice!

You mind if I join in?

Uh... hold up.

Incredible!

I know I shouldn't be surprised, but still!

They even have Sumo rings built outside the dojo!

How ingenious.

The bale's a firehose filled with dirt.

Yeah, the platform is packed tight!

I'm sorry. Who are you?

Oh. Guess I forgot to introduce myself.

I got carried away when I saw someone in a mawashi belt.

Sorry. I'm a third-year middle schooler.

I came to check out your school because of its sumo club.

The name's Hinomaru Ushio. Good to meet ya.

Before I can be a yokozuna,

the highest rank in all of sumo,

first, I have to be the best high school wrestler there is.

Did he say yokozuna?

What's your name?

Oh. I'm Ozeki from the sumo club.

I would love to have a bout against someone driven enough

to be practicing during their lunch break.

Whoa, whoa, whoa! What're you doing?

Could you do me favor?

--Huh? -- Hand me my bag.

I need my mawashi belt.

Oh, sure. Wait, you're changing out here?

No one's looking.

One thing's obvious.

This dude's done some major training.

But where'd he get all those scars from?

If you're warmed up, wanna start?

Uh, okay.

He's way intense about this.

All right.

What's wrong? Is that all you got?

You wanna see what I'm made of?!

Ha!

Ow, ow, ow.

Not bad.

You didn't do so bad yourself.

You said your name was Ushio, right?

I'm kinda surprised I never heard of you

from any tournaments before.

Yeah. Well, that's a long story.

I haven't done much competing.

Just a few back when I was in elementary school,

that's all.

Oh, gotcha.

Kinda feel like I shouldn't have brought it up.

But that's the whole reason

I want to enroll at this school.

Sorry for missing the morning practice

and making a bad first impression.

Morning practice?

You mean you're actually joining the sumo club?!

Of course I am!

--You're for real? --Yeah.

I can't believe it!

We got a new club member!

It's not a big deal.

It's so totally a big deal!

-- --Well, before you pass out,

how about you take me to see the dojo?

-- Uh... --Huh?

Um, you see, the thing about the dojo is...

He was gonna find out sooner or later.

Looks like the rest of the club's inside!

What's up?

--Huh? --Huh?

-- --Hmm?

I didn't say it would be pretty.

Uh...

I remember hearing this school had its share of delinquents.

Who are you calling a delinquent, short stack?

Does he come with batteries?

-- Ozeki! --

Who gave you permission to come wandering around here?

N-No one! I just, uh...

Quit stuttering and speak up!

--Pick that up. --Huh?

A dojo is treated with respect.

Do not defile it. Pick up that trash right now!

Hey, dude. A word?

Do you know who you're talking to, shrimp?

Not at all. Do you?

-- --

-- Let him go, man. -- What're you doing?

What're you mongrels howling about?

Yuma's back!

And here I was thinking somebody had stopped by

looking for a fight.

How about you tell me what's going on, Ozeki?

We... I... uh...

It was this half-sized punk!

Just came in and started a fight,

no warning or anything!

Say the word and I'll just go ahead--

-- --

Huh?

Lesson one: you're an easy target.

Hey, shrimp. Is everything that idiot said true?

Yeah, most of it.

I hope you know what you're getting into.

I got an idea what you can do with your free time.

--Yeah? --How about all of you take up

sumo wrestling instead?

Tons of fun. Well?

-- --

Fat guys hugging isn't our idea of fun.

--Looks like he wants to fight. --Um, hey! Yeah!

So sorry! He didn't mean any disrespect!

Right on cue. Odachi's resident coward.

--Odachi? --The kid's a middle schooler

thinking about joining the sumo club next year.

He said Odachi High.

We need to go! Like now.

Doesn't he even know what school he goes to?!

So, Yuma. What now?

I really embarrassed myself back there, huh?

What's the deal?

Why're you letting them walk all over you like that?

It's just the way things are.

No one can stand up to Yuma

even though he's only a second year.

Hmm. I suppose knowing karate

would stop a lot of people from talking back.

Wow, you could tell?

Yeah, the guy actually won the Kanto tournament

back when he was in middle school.

If those weren't club members, where is everyone?

Well, after you join,

that'll make a grand total of two.

Uh... the Ishigama High School sumo club only has one member?

Uh, no. But the Odachi High School club does.

Uh...

I was at the wrong school the entire time?

I think most people would've noticed.

And probably used the front gate.

This was all a mistake.

Makes sense. For real though.

I mean, why would someone with actual talent wanna enroll here?

Sorry I didn't pick up on it sooner.

It's not your fault.

You deserve better.

A hot shot like you oughta be going to a powerhouse school.

I could say the same thing about you.

Huh?

I could tell from our bout.

It's your legs.

Obviously, you've put in the time training.